18 April—Brazos

Hey family and friends!

Sorry, this letter is going to stink, I have 5 minutes to type. I just got caught up with reporting some numbers and stuff. But I love you, and thanks for the letters and the love. I needed it!

This week was a good week. We had a good weekend. And our friend Richard and his son Anthony came to church, they really liked it a lot. On Saturday, Richard was like, "Hey man, I got to tell you, that tie of yours is having some problems." And he's like, "Man, wait a second," and he came back with a big yellow tie. A really nice yellow tie, and gave it to me. It was a new tie. I kind of think he just wanted to give me a tie haha. But he is way cool, and one of those people I am happy to work with.

Well, thanks for everything, I have to go. Sorry that this letter was short. I love you all! Next time I am going to get the other stuff done quicker!

-Elder Johnson

11 April—Brazos

Family and friends,

Things here is Brazos are going well. It has been a busy week, and man, things have been busy. I think it's good though, because it keeps me focused on a good cause, and I will be able to continue to progress at the end of my mission; instead of slowing down. So, I am grateful for it.

We had a lady named Sylvia come to church this week! Second week in a row for investigators at church! Woohoo! Richard couldn't come, because his son was sick. We continue to get out on the bikes, and work hard to find those people that have open hearts, and are willing to read, pray and come to church to see what it is like.

I am going to load some pictures, because that what you all like anyway. George Munoz from my last area was baptized on Saturday, and I got to go to see it! It was great! He's the man!

Well, I don't really know what to say for the rest of the week. It is fun to be a missionary; it is fun to preach the gospel. Real fun comes through living the gospel. Why? Because every choice we make has a consequence, a good or a bad one, and their is never a bad consequence when you choose to live the gospel. You're never going to have a hang over, you're never going to accidentally have a baby, you're never going to be thrown in jail for breaking a law. Yea those are bad things, but they happen. You're usually going to be doing some kind of service for someone, which really brings happiness. You're going to feel good inside. And when you keep the commandments, God helps you out. This is just my opinion, but I feel like if you put God first in your life, he will put you first in his. Well, I know he loves all his children, but I think that saying is at least partly true. Anyway, now I'm just ranting. Have a good day. Bye!

-Elder Johnson

Random picture of me and Sarah from Galveston, my first area

Jose, Josselyn and family

Elder Bunch and Me

Brazos fields

George's baptism

4 April—Brazos

Hey family!

Well, I have two options for this mission email today. I can either talk about how the area is going, or I can talk about the mission call and pre mission life. Here it goes.

When I was little and in Primary, I remember singing "I hope they call me on a mission when I grow a foot or two." I remember I always wanted to go on a mission, and go to some far-off land and be a missionary. As I grew up I began to lose that desire. It became the "me world." All I cared about was my life in high school; it was my time. Time for me to look good; time for me to be the best basketball player ever. All me, all my time. This was a time in my life I could say that my testimony was on the line. I stopped enjoying church; all my friends were not members, and I always thought man why can't I just do what they do. It's hard to always say no to things. It's the church's fault I can't do it. I wasn't reading my scriptures; I wasn't praying very often; and if it wasn't for my loving parents, there is no way I would be here in Texas on my mission.

I have to take some time and talk about my mom and my dad. They are the best parents for me. They helped me. I remember one day, mom came home from the temple with dad, and she told me how she felt I wasn't reading my scriptures, and she started putting Ensigns by my bed. I would read them every now and again before I went to bed. I remember one I read about repentance and the happiness it brought. That always stuck in my head. I realized then that I know that repentance is what I needed to do. No one is perfect, it's all something we have to do if we want to be happy. But repentance is not something I wanted to do. I had too much pride to go and do it. I was worried what people would think of me; what my family would think of me, and what my church leaders would think of me. Man, Satan had me good, I would say. It was all ME, all me. You can't repent, because it would show the world that Elder Johnson is not perfect. Man, it was pretty bad.

It got to the point that I wanted to just go to Cal Poly with my friends, and hang out there. I'll tell you one thing, if I did that I wouldn't be on a mission. Who knows, maybe I wouldn't even be active. My parents talked to me about college, and they said; you can go to Cal-Poly, and be with your friends, but don't come asking us for help for rent or for school. They gave me another choice, and it saved me. It was if you go to BYU, we will help you pay for school, (it is a lot cheaper). There were a lot of Pros to go to BYU, I had some family there, and my parents were going to help me. So, I went to BYU, and to tell you the truth, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go. I was under the impression that it wasn't cool to be a member of the church. But man, BYU is so cool! I got a chance to go and room with people that I have never met before. I met other members of the church that have the same likes as me, and are super cool.

My roomate Jason Ashby was a big inspiration. When I first met him, I didn't even really like him that much. He was short; I was tall. He liked playing the piano; I liked playing basketball. He liked to sing sing sing; I liked to sing, but it wasn't a big deal to me. He liked to dance; I didnt. I was hanging out with the "cool guys," and I didn't even know my roommate very well. One day, I thought to myself, man I dont even know my roommate; this has got to change. That night, I hung out with Jason, and my life changed. It was fun, I didn't have to worry about me me me. About being cool, and being friends with all the cute girls. It was crazy. Little did I know that Jason was going to be my first best friend that was a member of the church. We did everything together. We hung out, and it was always let's hang out with Jason and Steve. We were each others shadows, I guess you can say. It was always a lot of fun.

Then one day at around Christmas time, Jason received the coolest gift; his mission call. This was the first time I had ever seen anyone open up a mission call before, and man it was so cool. He was called to the Honolulu, Hawaii mission. I was so happy for him, but it was then that I realized. I want one of those. I want to go on a mission,

The next semester, Jason was gone, and I suddenly found myself without a wingman and a best friend. I felt kind of lost, and I felt like I needed to start over. That is when I met Austin Mulleneaux. Who was soon to be my new best friend. The truth is, I didn't like him at all the semester before. I thought he was full of it, and all he cared about was working out, girls and looking good. He was also hanging out with my old group of friends, and that probably had something to do with it as well.

Austin lived in the same stairwell as me, and we would always see each other going home from school, and we would say, "whats up," and then go to our apartments. We did this for about three weeks, and then one day Austin asked me hey are you good at Halo? I said yea man, I am pretty good. So we played some Halo, and started talking and it turns out we had a ton in common. We started hanging out everyday, and I made my second best friend that was a member of the church. Austin and I got talking, and we both knew we needed to get ready for missions and that meant to repent. So we talked to our bishop, and worked things out. We were worthy of getting our mission calls!

I still remember the day! It was the very, very, last day of school. I opened the mailbox and saw it. The envelope! I called Mom, Dad, and the fam, and we all got together. Some of my buddies were there also. I had always wanted to go to Mexico or Italy, because that is where my parents went. If I stayed state side, I wanted to go in a city with a ghetto speaking Spanish. I opened up the call, and it said I was going to the Texas Houston South Mission; the best mission in the world! And that I would be speaking Spanish. I was so happy and stoked! And man, I am loving the mission! It has definitely changed my life. I have learned the importance of obedience to the commandments; the importance of personal study and prayer every day; and the importance of following our church leaders.

Well, I am out of time, and now you know more about my life and my journey of coming on a mission. There is some more detail to add sometime, but I don't have time. I love you all and have a great day!

-Elder Johnson

28 March—Brazos

Hey family and friends!

Well, I am now serving in an area called Brazos. It is in the town named Rosenberg, and I am back to trailer parks and homes. No more city life for me. I am here with my companion Elder Bunch. He is 6'6 and is from California just like me. He is from up north though. The Zone leader area has moved to Brazos. It is a little branch with a new branch president who is a fire ball. I think it is going to be a good experience here.

As far as the old area. George and Jose and Josselyn all came to church, and George has a date for the 9th, so that should go down for sure! It was tough to say goodbye, and it was sad because Josselyn cried for like 15 minutes, and that was sad. But I gave them a little picture book with the pictures of the birthday party that the threw me. They are awesome, and I am really happy that the old area is working out well.

As far as the new area, I am still learning it, and the people here are relatively nice. The Spanish is pretty good here. We have a lot of potential in the area, and we hope to see some success here soon. I am glad for the opportunity that I have to still be a zone leader in the Houston west zone. This is transfer #6 here in the zone. Pretty wild! But the change up in area will be a good thing. I think I needed it so I would be able to shake off routines, and really refocus on the little things.

The week went by fast; I needed to train Elder Bunch in the zone leader stuff, and he needed to train me in the area. He has a good focus, and wants to really work well with the district leaders, which is a good thing. We had a good District leader council meeting where we got to talk about the goals and plans for the zone. The zone is doing great with 71 with a date, and we hope to baptize a lot of people this next transfer! We are going to see miracles for sure! I really love all the district leaders; they are awesome and great hardworking missionaries, and have a great vision for the zone.

I guess you would probably like more detail about the area. Well, I would say the best thing would be to go to Google Earth and check it out. But it is definitely a country area; some trailer parks and some homes. Small town kind of feel. I have never really been to a place like this. Well, Manvel was kind of similar. There are tons of churches in this town. I can't believe it! It is funny when you ask people have you ever wondered why there are so many churches? They can really relate to that question a lot. So, the restoration is a great thing for this place.

Our branch is pretty cool. It was the branch conference this past Sunday, and with all the stake leader coming to the branch I am not sure how many people are actually in it. But we are excited to work, and hopefully it will become a ward soon. I think that is the vision that the leaders of the stake, and the vision that President Saylin have for this branch. It is going to be a lot of hard work, but it will definitely be worth it!

I love you all a lot, and I hope everything keeps going well!

-Elder Johnson

21 March—Houston

Hello Friends and Family!

I really appreciated all the e-mails that you all sent me. There are too many for me to respond to, so I decided to just write a really good email this week. The big news first. I am getting transferred. Elder Scavo is training a brand new missionary, so that means I am staying in the zone but in a different area. The zone leader area is moving. I have have a feeling that I am staying in the ward, but just in the other Houston 8 area and that Elder Kump will be called to be a zone leader. It will be an interesting transfer meeting.

News #2. George wasn't ready to be baptized, but that is ok, he still wants to make a goal for a little later. So, I will be able to go and see him get baptized.

News #3. Jose and Josselyn are doing awesome! I gave Jose one of my favorite green ties, because that is his favorite color. We also gave him a white shirt, and he bought some Sunday shoes, and he looked so good at church on Sunday! Josselyn is a sweetie, and is just loving the church. She went to Relief Society, she is making a lot of friends there, and had a really spiritual experience on Sunday. Hermana Richards is going home, and they asked her to sing a song to say goodbye. She sang Yo Se que Vive mi Senor (I Know that my Redeemer Lives) and she cried during the last verse; the whole relief society was bawling, and Josselyn was crying a lot too. Man they are so awesome. I forgot my camera but I will bring it for next week. Also, Jose brought his younger sister to church on Sunday, Jasmine, and she is 14 and went to the Young Womens and made some friends! I am really happy about them, and I know they will keep on progressing. We had a lesson with them, and we talked to them about the temples and temple marriage, and then we challenged them to drive to the Houston temple and have a picnic there. They said they will do it, and mentioned I would let them use my GPS so that they won't get lost!

My birthday was great! I appreciate all the gifts and letters I got! Jose and Josselyn invited us over for a birthday lunch! They are so nice! She made some yummy fajitas and other good stuff. Then they bought a really fancy tres leches cake (a cake with 3 milks) It is really goooood. We sang happy birthday, and they gave me a couple of funny cards. They are so nice. Jose was telling me how he was trying to find a gift and how he was going to buy me a tie, and then he heard my voice saying I have sooo many ties. Then he said I was going to buy you jersey, but I realized that I didn't know you favorite team. So, then I bought you this card. They are super awesome, and so nice especially, because I have only known them for about 2 weeks.

Well, I am running out of time. Thank you for all you all do for me and I love you a lot!

-Elder Johnson

14 March—Houston

Hey family!

Man this week was crazy! I don't even know where to begin. I guess I am just going to start with Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the day started off great. We had two awesome church tours, with two different investigators. The first one was with Jocelyn and Jose. They are 20 years old and super cool. We showed them around the church and explained to them what their church experience would be like on Sunday. We start in the chapel and then talk about the sacrament, and what happens during the sacrament meeting. Then we took them to the Sunday school room, and we explained to them what happens in Sunday school. Then, we showed them the relief society room, primary room, and the nursery and explained whats happens during those meetings. Then we took them to the best part of all. The baptismal font. We walked into the font an taught them baptisms right there, in the font. It is always the most powerful part of the church tour.

Then we took them outside, and we talked about how they liked the tour. Jocelyn said "I cant wait to get into that font." They are super cool.

We did the same thing with our boy George. We brought two priests quorum members with us (Two of his friends that he made at church), and we had a tour. We did the same thing, and talked abut the sacrament and baptism. He said he had a good vibe, and is excited for the baptism. Man they are so great.

Then we went to Panda Express to celebrate for lunch. And then we got a crazy phone call; it was from a member, and they said that their daughter was missing. She was outside, and suddenly disappeared. To make a long/more private story short the ward stepped it up, and we were able to find her. She is now home safe. But that took most of the day because we were helping this family. The mother and father of this family are just studs. In the morning, they knew they just needed to do all they could to serve God. So, they went and cleaned the chapel, and then they went to the bishop's store house to do service there. They fasted and prayed, and with the ward's help, they were able to get their daughter back! It was awesome! So, that was a very High and a very low for all of us all in one Saturday!

Then on Sunday, we went to church and Jose and Jocelyn were there! They had a great experience, and and really liked church a lot. I really love that family. They are so nice. Jose works at a country club, and he asked us if we wanted to go golfing with him on Monday. I said yes and we would love to. So, next Monday were golfing woohoo!

That night we had the investigator fireside, and Jose and Jocelyn came! Man it was awesome! And Presidente del Aguala was able to talk with them and they just loved it! They are so awesome. They are people that I feel complete my mission. Because of the teaching experiences with them, I can go home happy and accomplished. I just think they are the best.

So, when we got home from the fireside I was just pumped. I was so excited. We fill out the number for the zone, I lay down to go to bed and then it happened. I felt a sharp pain in my eyeball. I was like aaahhh, and then I couldn't get it out. Elder Scavo flips over my eyelid and rubs it with a q-tip and still I couldn't get the thing out. I look in the bathroom with my red eyes (when I have red eyes my eyes turn really green like the hulk) and the hulk green eyes and I see it. I had an eyelash stuck in my eyeball, right by the tear duct and I could only see part of it the other part was like in my eye if the makes any sense. So, I tried to lay down force my eye open and Elder Scavo came with the Q-tip and tried to get it out. After 30 mns of failed attempts, we called the mission nurse. She told me to try to rinse it out in the shower, and then if that didn't work to go to bed. Well, that didn't work either. So, I went to bed. Woke up, and the eyelash still was stuck in my eye. And Elder Scavo said I had a dream and I know how to get it out. We need to go to the other elders. So, we went. I got pinned down by one elder. The other held my right eye open, and then elder scavo put this eye drop in my eye which stung a lot. Then I cried. Still nothing. Eyelash still stuck in the eyeball. Then they go back to pinning me on the ground. With my eye held open, and elder scavo goes in with the q-tip pushes the eyelash so it pops up a little bit in a U shape, and then with tweezers was able to grab it and pull the eyelash out! Success! WOOOHOO no more pain in the eyeball, and man it felt so good.

Moral of the story. Use others to get annoying things out of your life. With the help of other we can be free of sin! yay!

Well that's all folks. O yea, the mission office is moving. Don't send m anything after march 25 because it will just get sent back to you. I will give you the address next week because we forgot what it was.

Love you all!

-Elder Johnson!

7 March—Houston

Hello family and friends!

The good news is that I brought the camera this week, so I can send some fun pictures.

But holy cow this week was so awesome! We had so many cool things! We had our zone leader council, our mission conference, and our Sister Training meeting where we trained the Sister Missionaries in the zone.

At ZLC we were urged to be even more obedient. Because of this Elder Scavo and I went through the white handbook, and we are reading it and underlining the things that we need to change. The big sacrifice of the week was that we went through each others ties and put the ties that were not appropriate or to flashy in our suitcases. Man just from that one little thing that we did the blessings came. We were able to hit our goals! Not only that we met some new awesome investigators this week.

I want to talk about George. George is 17 and we OYMed him (talked to him on the street), and he told us to go and visit him on Saturday. So we went and we taught him the restoration, and it was so cool because he totally feels that it is true. He learned in his world history class that the first christian church was started 300 years after Christ died, and he was always confused about that. So we go to teach him the great apostasy and the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ once again on the earth. He was so pumped! Other things that make him super cool. He is a skater, and he has the same birthday as me. He wants to get baptized on his birthday, so it's going to be really cool.

We also have been starting up a new training from President Saylin, which is the Church tours. We have been trying them out for the past 2 weeks and they work out great. President Saylin wanted us to train the Sisters in the zone on how to do the church tours and we did that, and it was awesome! We are excited to see how this will help the mission grow even more.

The mission right now is just on fire, people are working hard and it is just great to see how when people follow the trainings and have desires to change and be better, how the Lord will pour down his blessing upon all the missionaries.

Well I am going to stick on a few pictures now. Well that is it for the week! I love you!

-Elder Johnson

Back in the MTC

Fire for our tin foil dinners

Preparing the dinners

Tin foil dinner

Bowling

Sister Training meeting (the serious look)