Week 9 & Transfers!

Hola! Well y'all, I made it 6 weeks on the mission.
We got transfer calls on Saturday. I am staying here in Winter Garden!!!! I am hoping to be here for a while. Sister Young is going to Oviedo. My new comp will be Sister Fiu. She was in a picture I sent- she's in the trio with Sister Wakefield and Sister Siddoway so we have already gotten to know each other! Blessings. I am so excited for this transfer!!

Ok let's start with a HUGE miracle from yesterday. TERRY (the preacher...) came to church yesterday. We had no idea he was planning on coming. He stayed all three hours.
SO DID ROGER. I love that cute old man. He is really looking for truth. I am so excited to see how his life changes for the better. We committed to having him read the BOM everyday and he totally has! He said he reads in the morning and he has been reading for 30 minutes-1 hour. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. please pray for him.

I got to talk to my fam on Tuesday. That was hard, but good. I had some awesome experiences to share. And my parents gifted me a Polaroid camera so now I am in with the cool kids. ;) It was hard to hang up, but I know that the first call is the worst. I'm glad I made it through. I am grateful for a supportive family!

I got to go on transfers for a few days with Sister Shomaker in Lake Nona.  She has been such an example to me! I got to go to the temple with her since she is leaving tomorrow. I didn't go through but I was glad to go! we all went to red robin after and it was fun to be with the "big league" missionaries. I learned a lot from them!

Sister Camille Nelson

What has been on my mind lately- so many people we talk to have left the church because they were offended by something that was said. We went to a lady's house on Saturday night and that was her story.....I felt immense sadness for her and those that tell us these stories. I wish I could say or do something to help them come back. I pray a lot that I can bring the spirit into their home! I feel a weight on my shoulders to study, pray, and stay close to the spirit so I can be ready to share what needs to be shared. 

This week I have seen the Atonement work in my life. I have a lot of things that I have needed to fix and be better at. My heart had to be changed for some things going on and I know that if it wasn't for the atonement I wouldn't be able to have been able to forgive, have a changed heart and find joy again. Study the atonement!!! I wish I understood it more- I am working on it. (:

I love the people I get to talk to everyday. This work is truly the Lord's work. I am just His mouthpiece.  There are so many miracles waiting to happen here in Winter garden!!


xoxo,
sister j

Sister Wakefield! The Christmas Eve party!

We got to help a member decorate her tree this year since we don't have our own!

The Florida downpour!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!
Christmas eve has been my favorite day of the year for as long as I can remember. We have some awesome family traditions. but I GET TO SEE MY SWEET FAMILIES FACES TOMORROW!!! Thank goodness for Skype. (: 

IT RAINS A LOT!!! 

Roger and Stephanie are the ones progressing the fastest.
Roger has been telling a lot of people he meets with us so that's awesome. He really liked church yesterday and is just the coolest old guy ever. I hope we can get him on date this week.
Stephanie has ALS. it has been really hard to see her progressively get more sick and tired. she is so positive and I just love her. She hopefully will be on date soon but it has to be on her terms.

So Thursday....HAHA! I was drenched all day long. it just poured and poured. but we couldn't stay in all day! so we tried a lot of plans but nothing really worked out. so then we went to make cookies and tried to deliver them to people but not one person answered their door. I ended up getting a prompting to knock on the door of someone with cool Christmas decorations. so we did- and she opened the door and we said we loved her decorations and i just blurted out, "so what's your religious background?" i cant tell you why i said that because it just came out. ended up being the non member daughter of an older lady in our ward. (she came to church yesterday!) she let us in and gave us pizza and told us about her religious background. Sister Young and I walked out of there pretty bummed because we didn't feel like we contributed much to the conversation like we should have.
Overall it was an adventurous day but we learned a lot. (:


Friday we had a Christmas devotional with our zone. We have some very musically talented elders and sisters. I love music!! Sister gates sang! so did sister Wakefield and sister siddoway! They sounded amazing. president and sister Clark spoke and I love them. (: mostly about finding joy. they connected it to love! listen to the prophets Christmas devotional talk. it will sum it up better than I can.


We went caroling last night with the elders in our district. it was actually WAY neat. it is so easy to talk to people after you sang like angels on their doorstep ;)


This is obviously my first Christmas away from home. It's different! It has been nice to focus 100% on the true meaning though. I have some cool ideas already for this season next year!! I am so so grateful to be here!


I love y'all. Merry Christmas!
I am linking a video! please watch it. it's called "why we need a savior"
xoxo,
sister j
p.s. transfer calls are on Saturday. I MADE IT 1 TRANSFER! I think I have 11 to go. 

°THE RAIN Y'ALL
°for your enjoyment. ha
°caroling (:
°humble little Christmas tree. it doesn't feel like Christmas so I have to force it to

We love Roger!

Hola la familia y mi amigos-
Spanish is not my strength but I think I said some of that correctly.

ok, to explain my subject line. I have been betrothed to someone that I don't even know. long story short went to a baptism on Saturday and met this lady (bless her heart) I told her I was from Colorado and she started spewing all of these names because I HAD to have known all of these families (I didn't) the baptism ended and she came over to talk to us and continues to say that it would just be super if i would end up with her nephew. So, she proceeds to ask for my email and totally was convinced it was meant to be purely because we were both from Colorado. it was kinda creepy because she straight talked about how we were going to be married and how god was so good.
sister young just died after we got away from that situation. it was a time. maybe it was more funny in person. Good news is I am a set apart missionary until 2020 haha.

This week was so busy! we had an awesome relief society activity on Tuesday night, service on Wednesday, interviews with president and district council on Thursday, trainer follow up on Friday where I got to see my MTC buddies and I am now an approved driver!! Saturday we had our ward party. Sunday we got to go caroling with some ward members (who I love so so so so much and am so grateful for them) and it was awesome to sing Christmas songs. we are taking out the YW this week to carol to less active members and I am so excited.

The highlight of the week was having a lesson with a sweet guy named Roger! He talked with the previous sisters just once before so we called and set up an appointment with him. We talked about the restoration with an emphasis on Joseph Smith. he has been looking for the right church and has always been curious as to what we believe. we invited him to say a prayer at the end of the lesson and I was in tears by the end. his prayer was so heart felt and he really wants answers. he asked "if my grandparents are listening please tell them hello." it was a testimony builder to me for sure and I'm so grateful for him.

During personal study yesterday, I was re-reading the talk by Michelle D. Craig, "Divine Discontent"- we talked about it in relief society. I loved the story in Matthew 6. 5 loaves and 2 fishes! They knew there wasn't enough food to feed the multitude- however they gave Christ what they had and He made it enough. I love that. I was able to think of that in relation to our own lives and how we have weaknesses. I personally have always been aware of mine and I'm pretty hard on myself! but, if we give our everything to Christ, and just trust in what He can make us, our weaknesses become strengths- Christ will make what we have enough. (ether 12:27!!) I am so grateful to know and have a testimony of that.


I love being a missionary. some days are better than others...but my dad always reminded me that the good days will make the bad days not matter so much. I am especially grateful for my sweet family this week because of many different reasons- we got a phone call from a guy named Brandon who I guess knows my aunt Cindy- and she gave him our names because he shared the gospel with his uber driver lol. We had to send her to the Hermanas because our spanish is no bueno.
I also got to have lunch with my aunt Kristy and she's just the best. I needed her that day!
My aunt Leah sent the best southern treats and I got some awesome cards from my cousins who i love a lot! the Lord knew I needed those that specific day.
there are so many tender mercies here in the mission field. I am learning to be grateful for things that I may have overlooked at home. I'm coming to know my Savior. This work is obviously impossible without the guidance and hand of the Lord. I am helping others to gain a relationship with Him and know his true nature. there's really nothing better.
xoxo,
sister j

Sisters Whitney Wakefield, Morgan Miller, Ellie McGregor, Lainy Gates, Bethany Bulloch, Hanah Rennert

•can't watch the movie so I'll wear it.
•look at their sweet faces on that Christmas card!!! I got some great homemade treats as well and I don't even know what they were but it was heavenly. thanks Leah
•HOLY HECK I GOT A DR PEPPER. My comp doesn't believe in caffeine so she tried to get me to not buy it but I did anyway because I'm going through withdrawals lol (not really. take that lightly.)
•MTC buddies at trainer follow up. we made it an entire transfer (well, about 2 weeks remaining.)
•me and sister young after our ward Christmas party •KRIPPPPYYY!!!

Game Changer

Let me just say.. I get 18 months to share a message about Jesus Christ. how awesome?! This week was a great week and I love being a missionary every day that I am here.

Tuesday was Zone training meeting. I got to see some of my MTC buds. We had awesome training from Sister Clark and our AP's.

Wednesday- me and my companion met with our mission president. we got some really good council. We both got blessings. the spirit was so strong and there are specific things that he mentioned from my father's blessing and setting apart. He told me to remember those things and I just balled the entire time.
We then went from that to do exchanges. I got to go with Sister Shoemaker to Lake Nona. She leaves January 2nd.  We knocked 4 doors in the small amount of time we had and got 2 appointments! I seriously love this work. I felt on fire and was so excited because we haven't had that kind of success in my area (yet). That night we stopped to get peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks (I have missed that place) I took a lot of ideas from her and am really excited to put them to use.


Thursday- We got to do service all day at an Autism fair. I got to do face painting....just have to say that I am not an artist but ya girl can paint a good Santa Clause and some pretty snowflakes
at that fair me and sister Wakefield started talking to a lady named Debbie. she looks like my grandma sherrie so I just loved that. anyway, long story short she has worked for members of the church and works with a company based in Provo. as she was telling us about her life, sister Wakefield pulled out the scriptures and we shared a scripture with her. The spirit was very strong and I hope Debbie felt it!! we continued to bear our testimonies to her and I was telling her how much I admire her and she started crying....the awesome thing is that she lives in my area! I asked for her number and we are going out to 

lunch with her soon!

Sister Wakefield

As for the people we are teaching...all appointments fell through so we had no lessons. it should be a week full of lessons this week if no one cancels. it can be a little upsetting to try to call, text and knock on everyone's door and not have any answer. but we are doing our best.

This week I had a video come to mind as I was pondering some things. it is about a currant bush that gets cut down because it was yielding no berries. I love when he says, "I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to become". I hope everyone remembers that you are loved, even if sometimes it seems we are being cut down. it's for the best and God has a specific plan for you and so many blessings in store if you keep enduring to the end.
I will link it! I would love to hear your insights about the video(:


Love y'all!!! Keep lighting the world!
Love,
Sister Johnson  

The Perfect Lesson!

Hello everyone (:

Well, just another week in the field! honestly every day is mostly the same. the days go by WAY fast. except for the hours between 2 &5. they seem to drag.
I got permission from my cousin to make my emails longer. it's a good one so keep on reading ;) the people we are teaching are great. bless their hearts.

I'm getting used to being here haha. (slower than i would prefer) it is is a huge adjustment from the MTC.....thats for shizzle. my companion and I are getting along pretty well! we white washed an area so we have to figure it all out together. she's awesome though and loves missionary work. she also loves to sing so there's never a quiet moment haha. I like it though because my sister sang everywhere she went and so did my best friend in Idaho! I was prepared well.

Sister Young and Sister Johnson - Orlando Florida Temple 

We live 8 miles from the temple and the stake center is right across the street. 

we had the BEST Zone training meeting on Wednesday. this is the best zone to be honest. we have some awesome district, zone leaders, and sister training leaders. Elder Wright (all Wright's must be the bomb) taught about the atonement. He brought out a box of donuts and then invited the leaders to come up. (zl,dl,ap,etc.) long story short, they had to do 7 push ups for each person that wanted (and even didn't) want a donut. this turned into a pretty spiritual lesson. those poor elders were in so much pain. they wanted to be done. Elder Wright then talked about how the atonement was hard. we would have wanted to sub in for Christ, and wouldn't have been able to watch any more. it was such an eye opener and I hadn't felt the spirit that strong in a  while.

My Zone!

we also do service on Wednesdays at Second Harvest. it's organizing meat-for a good cause. I forgot exactly what it is but it goes to a food bank. it's fun to talk to other elders and sisters in our zone! they are so cool.

*before reading this next part....if anyone has experience with teaching Baptist/Catholic religions,let me know. (:
ok cool, you can continue on.

We taught our very FIRST lesson this week!!! it couldn't have gone better. Her name is Evangalina and she's an older lady. she's interested in learning about many different religions and mostly goes to Baptist churches. this area is alllllll about their preachers and God. so we didn't have a problem introducing God to her. we talked about the restoration, and Joseph Smith. I got to recite the first vision and wow.  that part of the lesson is SO powerful. she had no problem with that (some people do) and she thought it was amazing. The thing that really got her going was that we had one true prophet. she knows a lot of prophets apparently haa. so we had to explain to her the authority that they have. she said she would read from the Book of Mormon! we invited her to be baptized, and she didnt say no! she said that if she came to know these things were true she would. We just love her.

Me and my mission best friend- Sister Wakefield. 

Sister Siddoway, Sister Johnson and Sister Wakefield

Another person we are teaching is Terry. he is on date for baptism. he has to stop being a preacher.- he preaches from the Book of Mormon and has for a few years. he's such a good man and really loves God. but yeah, he is a preacher and isn't willing to give it up yet. he also claims he is a prophet- we are going over prophets this week in his lesson. (:
something about our name tags means "tell me your life story". it is truly a good time and I love talking to people! we get a laugh about some things we talk about with people because we are in a special area.

we were driving by a nice little house and a lady was hanging up lights on her house. I got a solid prompting to stop and talk to her. so we parked our car and walked to her house. we asked if she wanted help and she said no....BUT we wrapped books of Mormon with Christmas  wrapping paper and wrote our testimonies in them with a few of our favorite verses highlighted. we gave it to her and so I'm hoping something will come about it! (:

missionary work is the best. I've learned so much already and honestly can't wait for what is to come in the next few months! i'm so blessed to have the opportunity to serve. I'm trying to soak in one day (or 5 minutes) at a time.

Our cute little Christmas tree. A member dropped it off with some chocolate. It was the best! Then we put the wrapped books of Mormon under it that we will be giving out!! 

Love y'all. seriously, when i say to write me i mean it! thanks for the updates and love you send. don't forget about #lighttheworld 🎅🌲
Xoxo,
sister j

First Area and First Companion

28 Nov 2018

Dear Evan Johnson,

We are excited to have Sister Johnson serving with us in the Florida Orlando Mission.  Attached is a picture with her first companion, Sister Young and another picture with President and Sister Clark, who have great love for the Missionaries.

President Clark, Sister Johnson and Sister Clark

Sister Johnson will be serving in the Winter Garden Area.

Sister Johnson and Sister Young

Thank you for your sacrifice and support in hastening the work.

Sister Ekenstam

So This is What a Mission is....

Hey fam and friends!

first off I would like to say CONGRATS to my newly engaged best friend Faith and her fiance Mitch. I cried alligator tears over it haha. I am so excited for pictures!!

Sister Johnson and Sister Young

anyway, I got my companion on Tuesday! her name is sister young. she has been out for five months. she's very giggly, and exactly obedient. so I'm getting whipped into shape (: we are serving in winter garden! smaller town and an old town too. the previous sisters did a lot of finding so we have been working on meeting those that are interested. also lots of inactive people. everyone has been very friendly! especially the ward members! we had dinner with a family my first night in the area that has 6 kids. the little boy that is 10 came to pick us up with his mom and automatically reminded me of my little brother camron. it was a tender mercy for me and a comfort. he's now my favorite little boy here and we are bffs. 😊

My favorite little boy!! the family is the sweetest 

Travel companions!

We are meeting with a sweet new convert named Maci. she's 19 and is struggling with some mental health issues. she has a really good heart and good desires so keep her in your prayers.

I got to introduce myself in sacrament today and give a talk on being humble! I did it with no notes so that was really cool..!! God is good. I'm working on Christlike attributes and it's actually so amazing to study.
A thought that came to my mind was a reminder of how cool it is to have a straight year and a half to love people, teach & baptize, work on goals, fix weaknesses, and learn to trust in god. I've really been working on letting go of my pride and acknowledge the saviors power and mercy. this past week has been a huge eye opener!!

Florida!

My first area is a car share. We have to bike every other week but I love it! Thanks mom and dad for the nice bike. 

The new bike! Nice helmet - safety first!

I also have prayed in a grocery store with a random man, my companion got hit by a truck (she's alive)..miracles and angels are real.

Sister Young's bike tire after almost dying 

Thanks so much to everyone that writes me throughout the week. it was a week of adjustment and tears, so it was nice to read emails of encouragement and love. y'all are the best. (Florida is the south and they alllllllllll have accents here haha)

I'm excited to see where things go. but I'm lucky to be here. (: it's a good week to be a missionary!!

Xoxo,
Sister Johnson

my address: (I like letters so send away!)
1240 winter garden
Vineland rd #F3
winter garden, FL 34787

Final week in the MTC and....I Am In Florida!

Hello!!

let me just start off by saying that I know my emails are so long..maybe one day I wont have so much to say.

Tuesday we got to be spoken to by Gary E. Stevenson and his wonderful wife!! I also sang in the choir! I'm not the best singer but I feel the spirit so strongly through music. it was a medley of called to serve!!!
Wednesday- our zone got to host the new missionaries. it is so so different from our perspective because I knew they would be taken care of. it was hard to see the moms crying. :(

It was fun being a host!

SUNDAY!! OMGOODNESS. what a good day. I have so much to say but I will shorten It haha. (ok not really)
our district meeting we got to meet with Brother and Sister Chandler (he loves his wife. I love and admire their relationship) he gave a very powerful lesson. we talked about the story of Esther..and then he talked about the Lord's timing.
READ THIS!!
if we live to be 83 years old, in the pearl of great price it talks about heavenly timing. 83 years of our life is equivalent to TWO HOURS in heaven(mathematically). WHAT??!! He then went on to talk about the Lords timing and just how exact it is. it was such an awesome lesson.

The best view at the MTC - favorite study spot on the 6th floor!

i'm so sad to be leaving my sweet district. over and over our branch presidency told us that we were so blessed to have the bond we did!

I'm in florida!
When i got off trax i looked behind me to see CONNOR! My hefy trip leader that has been someone i admire and look up to so much. it was most definitely a tender mercy.

Connor! Honestly my heart dropped and I could have cried because I was a nervous wreck to be going into the field and out steps the person I am a huge fan of. Blessings!

everyone at the airport was so kind to us and let us use phones....it was so hard to talk to my parents because I miss them more than I thought (😉) but It was a good way to be sent off to the next chapter of the mission. I love them!!!
I'm so so excited to be serving. I love love love people so much and want them to be just as happy as I am from such a simple message. we got a sneak peek of the light the world videos for December. they are so awesome. I love this work. I love the book of Mormon. I love Jesus Christ and heavenly father and I KNOW that my prayers are answered.
xoxoxo
Sister J

Made It!

Hi!!

I made it to Florida and am in the mission home. I love everything about it. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STATE. mission president is the best. I'm so excited to serve. love all of you! pday will be on Monday. Yay!!
Xoxo
Sister J

Orlando Florida Bound!

Sister Forsyth (AKA Girl Camryn) and Sister Johnson

MTC to SLC Airport to Orlando Florida!

Missionary Training Center - Week Two

Hey everyone!

Just another great week here at the Provo MTC! me and my people got our flight plans! we leave next Monday and will have to check out of the MTC at 4:15 am and arrive in Florida at 4:15pm. I'm more excited than I can explain!

The best district ever! the elders are such dorks...apparently smiling is bad for their health or something. 

I think my thoughts and feelings are going to be summed up by saying that I am amazed at how easy it is to automatically love gods children. all of their struggles and worries can be fixed by the hope that we teach them-all through Jesus Christ. my companion and I have taught three amazing girls...maddie,Ines,and Kristina. they each have such a sweet spirit, willingness and hunger to learn the message of our savior! I have loved learning how to improve my teaching skills and how to rely on the spirit...it makes a WORLD of difference. (who would have thunk ;) )

Sundays...seriously the best day ever

The cool teaching experience we had is the most recent TRC- her name is Kristina. she has a lot of medical problems including depression and anxiety. as we talked I got the impression to just start to testify of the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for her. He knows HER name and exactly what she is going through. I have been studying Christ's attributes and it has been my main focus here at the mtc-to just to know and understand who Christ is. anyway, in that moment I felt the spirit so strong. I wasn't only testifying to her, but to myself also. it was the coolest moment I had while teaching...to see the light in her eyes to hear that message was really touching and I'm really excited to get to share this message to everyone who will listen!!

Missions are so hard- I couldn't understand what people meant by that and wouldn't until I did it myself. it's sometimes a mess but when the doubts come, it is always followed by a light of hope. without failure. every time. I know I'm lucky that it's like that right now because it may not be at times. I'm really focusing on serving with everything I have. one thing that is hammered here is obedience and forgetting yourself-which I'm grateful for!! i love being a missionary.

My favorite ladies!

A few random things:
I got stuck on a team of elders during volleyball and it ended with a concussion. I'm on three different medications and have physical therapy haha who knew. i felt like I was walking on a cloud for a few days. that was rad.

My wonderful medication that I'm happy about (eye-roll) 

i saw Noah Leavitt! what a cool guy to stop and say hi...i almost called him elder Leavitt because no one says first names here so I wasn't sure what to do (haha sorry noah) but It was awesome to see a familiar face from home!! and I didn't get a picture because I am awkward so that's cool.

Noah Leavitt and Sister Johnson - Random "Noah sightings"

I have also seen my friend Justin from HEFY around a lot and he left yesterday...luckily I spotted his avianca blanket wrapped around him and knew it was him and it made me smile (hefy buddies know how important that blanket is in our lives)  :) he is gonna be a great missionary.

Elder brown and I!! Not a suit coat he is holding...avianca!

Everyday I think about my family and the blessing they are. I miss them a ton...but they are so supportive of me and I couldn't have asked for better parents or siblings....or aunts or uncles.
Thanks to my auntie Jill and Maria for the sweet packages that really hit the spot....those made my week.

Remember I can see emails throughout the week and read them whenever so please send pictures!!

I love you all so so much. the church is true. go read the book of Mormon because it's the best book in the world. oh, and go serve your neighbor because everyone needs a little service
XOXO,
Sister Johnson