28 Feb—Houston

Hey family and friends-

Things this week were pretty good. We had a new couple come to church, and they liked it a lot. I had this fever/cold thing this week, and I got to go and buy some meds. But we still went out to work. We have been having a mission-wide training every Thursday, and it has been really helpful for me to see and be reminded of the basic things that I can do to help my area and investigators. One of them being having kneeling prayers at the end of the lesson. Another one being the importance of teaching the Book of Mormon, and praying to know it's true in a very basic and simple form so that the investigators could understand and feel comfortable reading and praying on their own.

Elder Scavo and I are still putting our shoulders to the wheel and pushing on! It is very interesting to see how the gospel is the source to happiness. Everyday I am shocked on how it is just one way to fix all your problems. Granted that you will still have little scuffles here and there, but man I cant believe all the 16-17 pregnant girls that walk around my area, and all the drugs and drunk people there are in the world. I tell you one thing that if I didn't already know, I know now that those things don't make someone happy. And to all those people who say weed isn't addicting, let me be the one to tell you that it is. Man that stuff keeps so many people away from the gospel and away from happiness. I am grateful for a mission because I get to see the results of different choices that people make. I get to see which choices bring happiness and blessings.

That's it! until next week!

-Elder Johnson

22 Feb—Houston

Hello everyone!

This week was a busy week for Elder Scavo and I. We only saw each other for three days. We did a two-day exchange with Elder Bunch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Elder Taukei'aho and Elder Bunch came up to Houston 8 with me, and we got to talk a little bit more about how to own your district and goals, and how to gain respect from people through service. He said he learned a lot from it, and I hope he gets to put it into practice.

On Sat, we got to go on an exchange with the Assistants, I was with Elder Bellome, and it was a good day. I was glad to go with him because I didn't really feel like I knew anything about him, so we had the chance to go and build a relationship. He is a nice guy, and we had a good day.
Then on Sunday, we did a blitz with Elder Kump and Elder Banks because they were having a rough week with their numbers; so that was a good experience, and we were able to help them get their goals. It has been going great this week.

The night after the training meeting was really cool. We went to have a lesson with la familia Torres, and we watched the restoration movie with them, and taught them about the Book of Mormon and about praying to know if this stuff is true. They accepted baptismal dates for the 19th of March. So, the trainings worked out great. Then we also had a lesson with the ward mission leader after that.

I love you all very much, you are the best family I could ever have. Have a great week!
Elder Johnson

Valentine's Day 2011—Houston

Hey family!

CONGRATS CHERYL AND TYLER WITH THE BABY GIRL! THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!! Man, that is so crazy. I am so excited and happy that I don't even know what to say!!! Well, actually I do know what I have to say. Y'all better slow down. By the time I get married, and have kids, all their cousins will be like 4 to 8 years older than them. It is so crazy how the family has just been growing really fast. Now it's what, the Johnson family of 15? Dang.

This week was really great. We found a couple of families, and gave one family a date, and we hope to give another family a date tonight. I really am grateful for the chance I have to serve in this Zone and area another transfer. I feel like I am just starting to understand how to lead, serve and correct with love. The missionaries in the zone are all just totally awesome and good people. We got some really good missionaries in the zone

O yea, feliz Dia de San Valentin! This holiday is always lame. Especially this year, because I didn't wake up with the funny heart boxers that mom always gives me. Well, I guess I don't really need those. Maybe I'll stick with pajama bottoms. Elder Scavo and I went to the ward Valentine's day party with some investigators. It was pretty weird as missionaries. I was talking to Hermano Benitez, and he said this is my girlfriend, and he pointed to his plate of food. Then he asked if I had one, and I said no I ate mine already. I hope you get the joke haha.

On Sunday, I was sitting in the chapel looking around, and I was pretty sad because a lot of the kids I have baptized here, are already less active now. During the sacrament, I was pleading with Heavenly Father for a miracle, and for some of the recent converts to come to church. We called some before church and no one answered. Then right after the sacrament, Amada and her two sons that were baptized walked in and sat by us. She brought her niece and she said. Did you call me earlier today? I said yes I did, and she goes aww thank you soo much. She is the nicest lady ever. I hope she gets baptized.

She came to the investigator fireside that we had, and it was wonderful. She loved it. We had 45 people that showed up, and 14 investigators. It was really great. I had the chance to conduct it. It is always a scary experience conducting in Spanish. But I was happy for the growing experience. Things are going well here!

Well I thank you all for all the love and support you show me. I hope you all have a great week!
-Elder Johnson