Leslie sent me fresh peas!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Tornado!
Sorry I couldn't email, there was a tornado that did pretty bad damage to a small town two hours from Sioux Falls. All the missionaries in the surrounding area all met up there yesterday and we cleaned up as much as we could. There were some incredible miracles that happened in that little town. The Bishop of another ward out there, lives in that town, and he was gone all week on trek with the stake. Two tornado's went right next to both his house and his business, on either side, and did no damage. Both of his neighbor's houses are gone, but his is still standing. It was a blessing of being where you are suppose to. It was a great experience to help in the community. It was fun to see some missionaries I haven't seen in long time too.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Happy Mother and Father's Day
Mom and Dad, I can hardly believe that it is almost Mother's Day again! I feel like a completely different person than the one that skyped last Mother's Day. I still feel like I have the same personality and such, but my desires and the person I'm striving to become has changed. I am excited to see everyone again! I hope you know I LOVE YOU! I don't think I realized how blessed I am to be in this family until I served a mission. There are "natural" blessings that come from being born in the covenant. Thank you for giving me that. In our family it is much easier to live the gospel because of the choices of our ancestors and YOU! I feel like our relationship has really grown since I came on my mission and I hope you know how much I really love you. You have taught me what Heavenly Father wants me to be, and I will forever be in your debt because of that. I miss you and sometimes it seems like forever before I will see you, but I know it will be here soon.
Asking for Prayers...
I'm a little nervous for my new comp. She has really really REALLY struggled. It is a humbling opportunity for me to be called to be her companion. My plans are to try to make her my best companion so far! I hope I will know what to do. I know that there is a reason I am serving with her and I want to go in and love her. Just keep her and I in your prayers. I want to put my bum in gear these last weeks I have with her and do all we can.
Everyone is getting married!
Brittany and Jaron are getting married this Friday. Leslie just send me a picture of their picture in the newspaper. I wish so bad I could be there for it. Rilee just wrote me too. She is about ready to get engaged. She has a ring picked out and everything. EVERYONE IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Jill for going in my place!
Last Zone Training Meeting
Zone Conference was a spiritual and emotional day for me, unexpectedly. We had worked extremely hard to put a powerful training together with the Elders. We really wanted this to be the best Zone Conference and I wanted us to do our very best. I wish you could have been their for the meeting because everyone's trainings was so amazing. I think it was the best zone conference I have ever been to. Our training was exactly what I had hoped for and came together better than planned. We taught on the spirit in conversion and the spirit was so strong in our training. After the meeting the assistants texted us and told us that our training was exactly what President Anderson had envisioned it to be. Also President told us personally that it was very well done. It was a very rewarding and fulfilling moment for me.
Also, this was my last zone conference as a missionary. I didn't know if they would have me bear my final testimony or not because I am leaving in the middle of a transfer and will barely miss the next conference, but they did. I wasn't prepared and I was definitely emotional. I never thought that moment would ever come. I used to think that 18 months was a long time, a big sacrifice, but it is so small compared to the sacrifice of my Savior. That moment made me want to finish my mission with all my heart, because it will be over before I know it. Apparently one of the elders recorded my final testimony, so if I can send it to you I will. It was interesting because I talked about what you said Dad, how you can tell if someone is a successful missionary by their children and their grandchildren and then President and Sister Anderson's training was on Celestial Marriage (ha ha I know what your thinking), but they focused on that being our true focus and goal for ourselves and those we teach. It was a very powerful training. The work is hastening!
This meeting was in Rapid City. It has been a really fun Zone.
The Elders in the background are my favorite part.
Transfer
Family,
Well transfers did come! Even though this is my last transfer they are shipping me out. I have six weeks in a new area. I got called to be the Sister Training Leader in Souix Falls. President Anderson said that he was very impressed with what I have done as a STL here in Rapid and wants me to do the same for Sioux Falls. That was very nice of him. I was kind of hoping to end here or not end being a STL so I can just focus on the area and the work, but I also love giving trainings and working with the sisters. It is stressful, but also very fulfilling. I know that it is inspired and where I need to be at this time.
I am super sad to leave Rapid City. I will leave all the missionaries I have gotten so close too, I will miss being so close to President and Sister Anderson and working with them, and I will miss the people here. This weekend has been full of goodbyes. It has been harder than I had expected, especially because I love a lot of people here. Last night was by far the most difficult goodbye. We saved the Sheffields for last because I knew they would be the hardest. I think saying goodbye to them has been the hardest goodbye of my whole mission. We looked through Sister Sheffields mission pictures and then she came out and tried on her old rain coat from her mission that was HUGE. She put her name tag on and all. It was so funny and I got some great video's/pictures of it. We had a really good time, but saying goodbye was sad. They have influenced me in more ways than they probably will ever know. I have this deep love for them and for who they are. I want to be just like them and someday have a family like them. Sister Sheffield is the most spiritual person I have ever met and has taught me so many things. I will miss them. I can't wait for you to meet them. We have already determined that we are all going boating together ;) Meeting people like them has only confirmed to me again that this is where I needed to serve my mission and if I never had, I would have never met them. I know that President is inspired because everywhere I have gone has been exactly where I needed to go.
I haven't said goodbye to Hayden yet, but it is going to be hard. She has been a real blessing to me out here and I consider her a real friend. She was able to receive a blessing this past week because she has had some doubts. It was such a spiritual experience. She has so much potential, I dont' even then think she realizes it. I just want her to stay strong and stick with this.
The mission is truly an adventure, meeting so many people, being moved around, and learning things you can only learn on a mission. I'm so grateful for it. I leave tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM to my new area. Wish me luck!
I love you,
Sister Johnson
Trying on her old coat from her mission
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