Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Entering the MTC

Here are some pictures from when Steven went into the MTC last week! You can always click on them to enlarge the image.

Steven in front of the MTC

Mom and Dad with Elder Johnson

Poor Kimmy. What's she going to do without her older bro for TWO YEARS?!

Tearful goodbyes

Dad sending off his "only begotten son" haha

The family saying goodbye!

Thanks for the pictures Kimmy! If anyone else has any pictures they want to share with the blog, send them to me! moodykelly@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Elder Johnson's First Letter!

So far the MTC (mission training center) has been really fun! My companion is Elder Breeze, he is from San Diego. He is pretty cool and his mom's name is Debbie. Kind of funny that our moms have the same name.

I wake up every day at 6:00 so I can get a good shower. Then we have breakfast at 7:00 to 7:30. Then we have class usually until about 12:00 then we have lunch, and then an hour of personal study, when I can read the Book of Mormon or study whatever else I want. Then a hour of companionship study, when you go and tell your companion what your learned and study more stuff out of the scriptures and stuff. Then an hour of language study. I go over Spanish with my companion.

I have only been here for a 6 days and I can already pray and bear my testimony in Spanish. It is crazy how much I have grown since I have been here in the MTC. HAHA some of the Elders in the laundry room just found out about Kimmy and there like "She's cute, oh man, I'm writing her!" sorry, I'm in the laundry room right now, we get 30 minutes to email on Tuesdays. But as I was saying, I have grown so much since I have been here. I have never said so many prayers in my life. I can tell when I have the Spirit with me and when I don't.

I want to say thanks to every one who has sent me letters. it has been awesome to get letters and it really makes me happy when I get them. Thanks for the package Kelly, and Uncle Dean and Aunt Rachel; the cookies and rootbeer where awesome!

Mom- I have a question about your mission. My friend's, Elder Scavos, mom served in Italy the same time as you. Her name was Sister Stewart. Did you know her at all? He is in my district and he lives in Palmdale its pretty cool! p.s. Thanks for your letter.

Dad- thanks for the letter, the mission is really cool so far and I'm excited that I'm learning Spanish. Please do not go crazy and decorate the house with all these basketball pictures with me like you did when I was away at college.

Jen and Jeremy! how is you giant pregnant belly doing haha. I'm excited to hear about how baby Kylie is doing. Jer how is work and everything? Gone to the beach lately?

Kelly and Greg- thanks so much for the letters! and the package. Greg, you can tell me as many mission stories as you want!

Cherly and Tyler- thanks for the letter, how is married life? I have been drinking chocolate milk a lot.

Kim- I hope you have been being nice to Mom and Dad.
p.s. did you like how I changed those pictures in your room and put my picture over David Archileta's face? Haha!

Friends. I can write you guys hand written letters. So please hand write me letters so I can get your adresses. I would really like to hear from you guys. My sisters know my adress so ask them if you don't have it [Refer to the side of the blog for his address] (I dont have it with me right now and I have 8 minutes left to type). I miss all of you so much! The MTC is awesome and I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now and I know I am supposed to go and serve the people of Houston. I want to write you, so give me your addresses.

Yo
que la iglesia de Jesucristo es verdadera. Sé que El Libro de Mormon es verdadero. Sé que Jose Smith fue una propheta de Dios. Sé que Jesucristo y Dios viven. Sé que La Biblia es verdadera.

I have 5 minutes now.

I just want you to know that I know that Jesus Christ loves you. I know this because he sent his son to die for us and to suffer for our sins. I know the Bible is the word of God and I know The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and that if you read it, it will bring happiness to you life. I know Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. I know that I have been called to serve a mission in Houston and that God has a purpose for me going there. I love you so much.

Many Handshakes,
Elder Johnson

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Some Pictures

I thought Everyone would enjoy seeing some pictures from Steven's mission farewell and from when he got set apart as a missionary.

The family after Steven's farewell

All the kids right before Steven became "Elder Johnson"

After being set apart as a missionary we find Elder Johnson reading his little white handbook to see if the rumors were true. Yes, sadly, missionaries are only allowed to play half court basketball.

Of course we all were taking tons of pictures.

The family with my parents first missionary!

Last but not least, Steven's wonderful friend, Austin, came out to visit Steven right before he headed out to the MTC. We all enjoyed getting to know him and felt very lucky to meet one of Steven's great friends.

If anyone would like any of these pictures please leave a comment or email me (moodykelly@gmail.com) to let me know and I will be more than happy to e-mail them to you. Also, if anyone has any pictures or stories they would like to share with the blog please e-mail (moodykelly@gmail.com) me so I can share them with everyone!

New Mission Address

Here is an updated address for Steven

Elder Steven Johnson
MTC Mailbox #254
Houston Texas South Mission (Spanish)
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

He leaves this address and heads off to Houston on September 22.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

In the MTC

Steven entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) today at 12:00. I got to say goodbye to him over the phone and he seemed pretty excited/anxious. Hopefully he is enjoying life as a missionary. He asked me to pass along his address.

Elder Steven Burk Johnson
Texas Houston South Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005N 900E
Provo, UT 84604

Monday, July 20, 2009

A Hello From Elder Johnson

Hey everybody! Frist off I want to say thanks to everyone who came to my farewell talk and I'm really happy that you all came to support me. Guess what?! I'm now an official misisonary as of 4:00 pm today! (don't worry, Kelly's typing for me). So now whenever you see a couple of missionaries on bikes, remember to be nice to them because I'm one of them now! Tomorrow afternoon I leave for Utah to go to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Utah. It's cool/scarry! Thank you for all the help you have given me and for being such great friends. Talk to you all soon.

Your bro,

Elder Johnson

Friday, July 10, 2009

Welcome to Steven's Mission Blog

Hello family and friends of Steven. I am so excited about my brother going on a mission and I hope you are too! This blog has been created so you can keep tabs on him while he is serving the Lord for the next two years.