May 21, 2013

 

1.  Mangos

2.  Lucy beaming at baptism

3.  Matt

4.  Me holding a parrot

5.  baptism

6.  Sisters standing by our favorite graphite

So fun right?! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH XOXOXOXO

Hello Family,

Its transfer week! I am going to be serving in Pines but, I am not sure who my companion is yet. I will find out tomorrow! I am excited to be going to Pines. There is a lot of work to be done there and I know I will stay very very busy! I know that in the strength of the Lord I can do all things! I'm still not a fan of packing nor will I ever be. Luckily a lot of my things were still packed from this last crazy transfer of moving apts. I am sending a box home today with our journal in it, as well as a couple things for Bri and some things I don't use out here. I am excited to get the bracelet bri made me!

This past week was crazy, to say the least! I loved every minute of it though! Yesterday it rained all day. Lots and lots of rain. Yesterday we biked all day. Not a good combination right? I was soaked all day. I felt and looked like a prune. Don't ask me why we chose to do that because I couldn't tell you why ha. We just did. We had a baptism in Pines this past week! it was great! Her name is Lucy and she is the coolest Latin grandma ever! She was so happy to be getting baptized! She was beaming! Her son was able to baptize her and it was a wonderful baptismal service! This past Sunday I got to go to my most favorite place ever... NOVA! I got to see all my recent converts and those I love most! And Sister Andrus and Sister Beck (love those two) they are now home... and they email me every week! I LOVE it! it really helps me! Heavenly Father blessed me with a great reward this week. As I was at Nova, my recent convert Matt came up to me as I was getting ready to leave and he expressed his gratitude. He thanked me over and over again for all that I've done. I told him that it wasn't me and that is was the Lord that he was the one who had blessed him and gave him this great opportunity and then he said, " Sister Johnson, I remember when you were sitting across from me on my coach and said, 'Matt, will you prepare to be baptized this Sunday?' you changed my life!" my heart swelled with joy as I felt the love of my Heavenly Father and Savior. I thank them always for allowing my to be an instrument to do their work. In all reality, Matt has changed my life. He has helped me to fulfill my desires of serving. "...yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy!" it was just such a blessing to be there again!

I went on two exchanges this week. So I wasn't in my area a whole lot. It is a huge calling but I feel the Lord helping me fulfill it! I did a lot of introspecting this past week to see where I've been where I'm at and where I want to be. I always have so much to work on and I always will!

While there has been so much going on lately I have been running one of my favorite quotes through my mind, "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get. It is what you are expecting to give- which should be everything." I've got to give it my all! everything! it is something that I have to remind myself every day. I know I've expressed this before in previous emails but its how I feel all the time! I can always give more! much much more! my time is short out here!

It sounds like you all had a great week! Bri's pics are really cute! its good to see you all happy because of course it makes me happy! well, I've got to get going for the week but know that i love you so much! i will have lots to tell you next week! I am getting a new comp! whooo! I know Heavenly Father is going to bless me with a good one! He always does! talk to you next week!

xoxoxoxo sis johnson

May 6, 2013

Dear Missionaries,

Thank you for all you do in this great Mission. You are the best leaders in the world and I know God has called you here at this time to do amazing things. I love when the missionaries write to me and say  “He [she] changed my mission, changed my life“. Our missionaries look up to you, let’s help them get to the next level with “stronger success”.

Love you, I pray for you,

President Don E. Anderson

Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission

 hello family,

So I figured since I will be talking to you in a week, I will kinda keep things short because I am chatting with Jake right now too! Sunday we won't call till after 3 your time. We aren't sure the exact time yet either. Someone will probably call you this week and let you know all the details!

I am beyond excited for Jake! (he was called to the Mexico, Tijuana Mission) he will do great! and the Lord watches over his missionaries so I am not worried about it all! He will love it! its going to be the best two years of his life that's for sure! When I found out where he was going I kinda freaked out with excitement! I am still in shock a little bit too haha but I know that its going to be a blast for him! and the time that he leaves works out great too! I just hope he gets his visa in time!

The DR's went okay.... my hives are getting a little bit better! She basically told me to take zertec every night and see if that helps then she said if not, to come back in ( for less charge thank goodness) and we will have to try some other things. I got a birthday package from Kinzie this week! She sent a lot of fun things and an adorable dress! I will send you pics of it. Its the blue and white one.

I got to see Matt and Santi this week! It was the best! They have become some of my best friends! I love it! Matt told me that he is going to go on a mission! whohoo! He has to wait a year because he just got baptized! But I am so excited! There is nothing better than your recent convert telling you that he's preparing for a mission!

We went to a ward BBQ this week! It was a lot of fun! It reminded me of home because there were all of these little kids running around! and it was good to have some BBQ food! I liked it a lot! the Davie ward is a lot of fun! They are so willing to help with missionary work! its a nice feature! so on Friday we went to Mission Leadership training.  Us four sisters in the pic you saw found out that we are sister training leaders! Sister Steg and I cover the north and the other two sisters cover the the south. Sister Steg and I are over 29 sisters! We will be going on about 2 exchanges a week and trying to maintain our area as well! Its going to be a wild time! I feel really blessed to have this opportunity though! I know that I am going  to really have to rely on the Lord for his guidance so that I can help others. That's all I desire to do! To help others! I will definitely keep you updated on all the details!

I love all of Bri's new fun clothes! I cant wait to talk to you on Sunday! Its going to be the BEST! You will be updated during the week on the details on Sunday. I hope you enjoy the pics that I am sending! I love you all so much! You are incredible!  Talk to you soon! yay!

xoxoxoxox all my love,

sister brooke johnson

April 29, 2013

*  Stepped on a thorn that went clear through my shoe!!

*  Hollywood Beach

*  This man was outside the mall.  He let us hold the birds.

*  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me!!!

Hi Family,

Today we are going to play some games at the chapel with elders!  It will be fun!  I will probably get a new companion next transfer which is in about three weeks I think.  I am in a family ward and I live with the sisters that are in the YSA ward.  Sometimes it's a little hard because I miss all my friends in the YSA ward and they talk about them all the time!  It is getting sooooooooo  hott!  It's almost to the 90s now but not quite!  

Jake is going to have so much fun!  I am happy for Jake!  I can't wait for him go get his call.  I am so anxious for him!  I know that where he is called to is where he will be needed though!  The Lord takes care of all his missionaries wherever they go!  

That is fun that Jordan got his sheep.  From the picture that you sent me of the family, the boys are getting really tall.  Jordan looks alot more grown up!  Things here have been a little crazy.  I, like you, feel so busy all the time.  I would rather be busy than not though.  When I call on Mother's Day I also need to talk about applying to school again.

I love the valley in the summer too.  I can't wait to go to the lake in a year..... ha ha.  I am going to send you some fun pics from this week!  I hope you like them!  Sis Steg and I got invited to go to zone leader counsel -- it's a huge deal that we were invited.  It is with Pres Anderson and all the leaders in the mission!  I feel like the Lord is blessing me with great responsibility and leadership.  Sometimes it's stressful but I try to keep an open mind.

I hope they start the temple in Star Valley this summer.  That would be GREAT!  The temple here won't be dedicated until around January is what we have been hearing so...... we will all have to make a trip back I guess :)  The members in the Davie ward are really good at feeding us about 3 to 4 times a week.  I wish I had more time to cook but I don't.  We got lasagna twice this week.  We just eat  normal food, lots of chicken and rice.  It is always a plus when we get fed by a member!  On Mother's Day we will be skyping probably later in the afternoon.  We have church from 12 -3 and then the member we are going to won't be home til a little later.  We will get all that figured out.  I am excited to see and talk to you all again!  and then I will be basically home after that!

We have an investigator that reminds me so much of Grandpa and his conversion story.  I just pray so hard that our investigator will come around soon so he can be as happy as Grandpa with the gospel in his life!  I am still so proud of him!  What a blessing!  

I love and miss you all!  Enjoy opening Jake's call with him this week!  Have a fantastic week!!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

sis brooke johnson

April 22, 2013

HAPPY #22 BIRTHDAY TO SISTER BROOKE ON MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2013!!!!!!!!!!

April 22, 2013

Hello Family,

So I am sure you are all wondering what happened with me... its kinda
really crazy actually. I am serving in Davie now with Sister Steg and
Merrill. We are in a trio and we are having too much fun :) we are the
dream team! I am living in my old apt. which was weird at first but now it
feels really good to be back. We cover Davie and Pines area but due to time
and car miles and everything we are mostly working in Davie and then on
Sundays going to both wards. We are doing a lot of splits with the ward
members so we can get everything done and keep the work going in both
areas.

For p-day last week we went to Hollywood Beach and it was a lot of fun.  Both the Davie and Nova sisters came so it was a good time! I also went to a RS activity on Tuesday and we learned how to make homemade noodles. Talk about time consuming! I got my tooth fixed which is a
great blessing! I am so glad it didn’t cost anything!

I am so excited for Jacob and can’t wait to see where he will be going! I am
more nervous for him too than I was for getting my call! But don’t tell him
that! He will love his mission where ever he goes and he will do an
incredible job! I finished reading the Book of Mormon again! I love reading
it! I know that it is the word of God! Every page testifies of our Savior
Jesus Christ!

We have been biking every day! Let me tell you- I am out of shape! Bad! We
also run in the morning! Hopefully it will ease up a bit after I keep
working at it. I actually like biking during the day. It gives me time to
think and it relieves any stress. After receiving a blessing on Fri my
hives are now gone. I had them every morning and night for two weeks. I
don’t know what it was but I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood!

I love the pic that you send mom of you and all your sisters and mom! You
all look so great! And dad thank you for sharing with me what you learned
in stake conference! I have gotten really lazy when it comes to writing and
emailing people. Sometimes I feel like I am writing the same thing each
week! Everything just blends into one story. Exciting news! We had a
baptism on Sunday! Her name is Angelica and she’s 14. She’s so fun and she
was so happy after her baptism! I am excited for her to be in YW and to
start on her personal progress!


I feel good. I feel more like myself right now. I am happy and finally feel
like I am where I’m  supposed to be for the transfer. Heavenly Father has
blessed me so much these past few weeks to have the ability to just keep
trusting in him and keep pressing forward. It was a little bit of a roller
coaster ride but I made it through.

So... the assistants live in the apt in the building next to us and I had a
bright idea one night.... it was about 9pm and we stopped at the mission
home to drop off the baptismal program to President Anderson because his  son in
law was going to make more programs for us. As we got there, there was a
HUGE  frog  in the middle of the drive way. Bigger than the size of my hand.
I wanted to catch it. So I got a Chinese box we had in the car with cookies
in it and I caught the frog.... it gets better... then we broke into the
elders apt with a subway card and put the HUGE frog in their tub... it was
hilarious. They are being sneaky though and they haven’t said anything about
it. They are just going to get us back really good. I’m kind of scared
actually ha-ha.

Well that’s about my week in a nut shell! I can’t wait to hear where Jake
gets his call! Family, I miss you, everyday! And I love you so much! Thank
you for helping me to be out here and to have the best experience of my
life! I love being a missionary and I wouldn’t change a thing about where I
am at right now in my life! I get to chat to you for mother’s day in like 3
weeks! I'm not counting down or anything ;) I love you and will talk to you
next week!

Xoxoxo
sis Johnson

1. at the beach
2. we forgot to have the guy baptizing up plug the font so we were trying
to do it haha
3. The three of us on Sunday. Yes I am short ha.
4. Sis Clayton and I at the end of last transfer waiting for call

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! -----------------

April 15, 2013

first off - i love you all so much!

 

This letter is just going to be full of information! I will try to make it flow and sound good. Oh wait that's what I always try to do ha. My new area is called Pines. I am in the Pembroke Pines/Weston area. It is a very rich, white area. Almost all of the area has gated communities. If you hear I am in jail you will know that I got caught sneaking through a gate ha just teasing we will figure something out! Member work is going to be huge, if not everything, here! The ward is incredible. Someone signed up to feed us every night this week. As if I don't eat enough all ready ha. Some of the YSA from Nova (my first area) are in my ward so that makes it really fun to be able to talk with them and see them! There is a member of the ward who we ate dinner with yesterday and she is a dentist (amazing or what?) she said she will fix my tooth for FREE!. She is just going to put a temporary filling in because the filling has just fallen out. She said it will last til I get home when I can get it done.

 

Don't freak out- I've had hives for a whole week! idk what is going on. They come only in the morning and sometimes at night. Luckily they haven't happened for twoish days so I hope they are gone. Life's great though. I've just gotten used to being itchy all the time.

 

Our apartment is nice and big. Its just the two of us that live there so it can be a little quiet at times but that's okay I need quiet time. It was really dirty because no one has lived here for about 7 months and the last ones that were there were elders. I love them but they need to learn how to clean ha.  We are in the same district as the Davie and Nova sisters. So basically I am back to where I was but not really. I'm home but not at home. Its been the weirdest thing. We had a training in my old ward building the other day so I drove through my old area. It was bitter sweet. I feel so close to everyone but so not at the same time. Things will work out though I will get used to where I am and then they will move me again - that's how it works right?

 

Today I am going to finally buy a straightener. A good way to describe the ward is a "Utah ward". Lots of moms are pregnant and there are tons of kids. I love it. The work is slow right now but it is going to pick up fast! work work work. I also want to get my hair cut today. we will see if it actually happens. I cant wait any longer.

 

I'm sure you are all wondering about my new companion.  She has such a fun personality! We get along really well and have become great friends! We laugh all the time and we have a lot of similarities. Although all of this sounds perfect its not.  She will be going home tomorrow or Wed. Its heart breaking. I want her to stay more than anything and not just for me but for her!!! On Wed (the day of transfers) we got all the new things for our area and went and bought a few things at the store because there was nothing in our apt. That night we had a baptism at our ward because they were still doing missionary work even though they didn't have missionaries here (incredible). We went to the baptism, went and worked for an hour and then it was nine. Long day. Thursday I talked with her in the morning because I could tell something was wrong. At this point I am just in a daze. She chose to return home.

 

I'm sure you are wondering how I am doing and how I am feeling. I am doing great! I have received so much comfort. I don't think I have ever felt so close to the spirit before. Its been hard don't get my wrong, but I haven't worried once. I have really been sad that she is leaving because I know what she is going to miss out on - the best experiences in the best mission. She doesn't understand. She doesn't know. I will let you know how it all goes next week though. If I am in a new area. Who my new comp is. All the fun details. I had pics to send but forgot my cord! I will send them all next week

 

 Today for p-day I am going to write a few thank you cards and we are going to Hollywood Beach. I need time to think and breathe.  And I love the ocean. So what a better place than there? We are also going to YOGURT LAND with Shayna (my recent convert). I'm stoked! Its just what I need!

 

Well family thank you for the updates! It sounds like you had a great week! Thanks for the story dad! its one of my favorites! :) I look forward to hearing from you all next week. I can't thank you enough for all that you do and mean to me!

 

I LOVE YOU FOREVER!

 

xoxoxo sister johnson

April 9, 2013

 

 

1. Daphka and Angela came to conference with us

2. the awesome district that I am leaving

3. Sis Clayton and I waiting for transfer calls last night

4. group of us at specialized training two weeks ago

 

 

Hello fam,

 

Well you all shared exciting news with me this week! as did my friends! I am glad that I can communicate with them on email. I will use almost all of my time to write the fam because I can use the rest of the day to hand write my friends. I can't believe Cassie is going to Japan- what an experience that will be. I prob would of swallowed a lung if I read Japan on my call letter haha. She will be a great sister missionary!  It sounds like everyone had a blast over spring break which makes me very happy!

 

I feel like I have so much to tell you every week. I get to the computer and because there are so many things I never know what to type first! I found out last night that I am getting transferred to a new area. and I will also be training a new missionary again. I'm sure you are wondering how I feel about this.... well the answer is - I don't know! for the most part I am really excited, as always! I wonder where I am going and my new comp will be like. I have learned a lot from my experiences with Sister Ellett and I am looking forward to improving and applying new things with my new trainee! This is going to be another big change but I know that with the Lords help I can do it! I can't wait to tell you next week all of the fun details! I personally am guessing that I am going to Port St Lucie or that I am going to Wellington. We will see if I am right! I would love to go back down south though! I want to serve in Miami! We will see!

 

Conference was incredible! I love conference! it goes by so fast on the mission. I feel like I only watched one session. I always get a little sad during the last one because I know its over for 6 more months! I can't wait to get the ensign and study the talks! all of the talks given on Sunday afternoon really hit home for me! I am so grateful for the restored gospel and the organization of the church!

 

I got a Easter package from Bobbie this past week! She sent a cute scarf, some cookies, and candy! I will write her a thank you card today! its so thoughtful of her! also Lani sent me an Easter package! I love her and Tony please let them know how grateful I am for them! I got as many packages at Easter as I did Christmas! as you can imagine I was a happy camper :) if you ever wonder if an outfit is mine in a pic when I send home it probably isn't. One of the wonderful things about the mission is that I have 3 other wardrobes on top of my own! What a nice feature right! I love it haha. We had a HUGE thunder storm this week. I didn't sleep at all that night for a couple reasons. I ate right before bed so i had a lot of energy. then I was thinking about everything. then the thunder storm happened and I thought our house was going to be hit by lightening. The thunder shook the house each time. I was really tired the next day because I slept a whole 2 hours that night!

 

Well that's about all I can remember right now! I have to go home and pack for the day! blah.... I hate packing! there are a total of 30 new missionaries that are going to be at transfers tomorrow! its going to be a good one :) don't worry I will tell you all about it next week! Jake didn't get on the comp today... send him my love. I hope that you all have a great week! I love you with all of my heart! talk to you on Monday!

 

all my love,

xoxoxxoxoxo sister johnson 

 

April , 2013

4. giant star fish

3. Ricks baptism

2. Sis Beck me and Sis Andrus

1. Sis Sablan and I at the end of exchanges

Hello family that I love so much!

 

Things are going a lot better because I feel better! Its been such a blessing to gain my health and strength back! Heavenly Father loves us and knows just what we need and when! Although I didn't enjoy being sick one bit I am grateful for the things that I learned during that time. Hopefully I won't get sick for a loooooong time! I would be perfectly okay with that! There is a new policy and we can email our friends now too! I am really excited about that! I can type way faster than I can write! I am glad I learned how to type fast- another blessing I didn't realize when I was in 7th grade trying to learn from Mr Haderlie hahaha. good times.

 

EXCITING NEWS: Sister Ellett and I had our first baptism on Sat! Our investigator Rick got baptized! I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to be a part of it! His favorite song is "Onward Christian Soliders" so we sang that for the opening and closing song at his baptism! It was awesome. President Anderson came to support us! He is so great! He truly does love each one of us missionaries! Our mission baptized 168 souls in the month of March! That is incredible! The work here is progressing so quickly is amazing! I am happy to be out here at this time and great change and excitement! There are ten sisters coming next week and twelve sisters that will be available to train them. So my chances of training again are very high. I will email on Tues next week because its transfer week- you are getting it down mom :) all this week I will wonder where I am going or if I'm staying or who my new comp will be or will I be training! the thoughts the week before transfers almost kill me every time ha. Its all good though I am excited to see whats going to be happening. I know that what ever happens is what the Lord wants and I will go and do what he wants me to do.

 

On Wed I went on exchanges to Boynton Beach South with Sister Sablan. We had a blast. She is a fireball! She has so much energy and excitement in here! She's a really happy positive sister! I learned a lot from her. I was still pretty sick that day though so she kinda had to drag me around haha. I regained all my strength back around Fri. On Fri we had a specialized training! It was so great to be able to see all the mission friends. At training we learned how to better teach the first vision- which I love! President Anderson is so inspired! I am so blessed to be serving in this mission. Its the best! I saw Sister Andrus and Sister Beck for the last time at specialized training. They both go home next week! I will miss them! That's okay they will go home and get married like everyone else haha. They are great sisters and I have learned soooo much from them!

 

Yesterday was Easter! I am glad Bri did and Easter egg hunt at grandpas! I actually wrote in our journal that we will be sending back and forth about a few memories that I have of going and doing Easter egg hunts and grandma and grandpas old house. Great memories! We had a great Easter Sunday... sorta. my comp got a migraine during sacrament so we left right after the first hour. On the way home she said she was going to throw up and asked me to pull over... well I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story. I tried to pull over as fast as I could. As soon as I put the car in park she lost it. half in car half out. We drove home and I cleaned the car. All I have to say is I hope my husband has a strong stomach because I don't know if I can handle cleaning that up! hahaha. Good old being sick experiences! She felt better though toward the late afternoon and we were able to get out and work! We also ate at a members home. It was a really simple meal which is just want I wanted! I made a really yummy lunch and was still full from that.

 

I can't believe that I only have 8 months left in the mission field. That's less than I've been out. Time is going by so fast! This is the best experience I have ever had! Thank you so much for the Easter package! I loved it! I got it last p-day right after emailing you! The magnet board looks really cute on my dresser! Bri did a great job of picking that out! between the 4 of us sisters we have enough Easter candy to last us years haha. Grandma Johnson also send me a package as well as Haile! So I was spoiled this last week and of course I loved it :) not like you already don't know but.... I turn 22 this month. Is that real life? It doesn't feel like it! I am getting old haha. I have been very blessed to not get too homesick. I feel bad for the missionaries that do. Your support and love really helps me still feel at home. Thank you for all that you do for me!

 

Well mom I hope you have a great week in Utah and dad, in Arizona and where ever else you and the boys are going :) I sure do love all of you with my whole heart! I look forward to writing you next week and tell you about transfer calls!!!! Let you know whats going to happen! Talk to you in a week!

 

xoxoxoxoxxo love, sister johnson