September 3, 2013

Elder Jacob Johnson in the Provo MTC...........

OLAH MI AMORS! (hello my loves)

Its been a crazy fun p-day! It's my companions 23rd birthday! We went to a place called Lion Country Safari! it was the time of my life! I got to feed a giraffe! yep I said it - I did I did I did! It was so much fun their tongues are so long and they would wrap around my finger when I went to give them lettuce! I also got attacked by a bunch of birds.... it was still fun but started to freak me out haha I also made breakfast for my comp and all the elders today! So I've really just been going going going today! It's all been worth it though! Jake sounds like he is doing pretty good. I pray for that kid every night! He says he's happy and that his comp is awesome so that's a huge blessing. Thank you mom for sending me a fun little book that was a nice surprise :) I also got a long letter from Gina which I loved. Would you send me her e-mail its easier for me to respond that way. 

We had another wonderful meal at a members home Sunday night. mmmm am I grateful for awesome ward members or what?! Let me just tell you how awesome our ward is.... Thurs night Sis Doudal and I were going to appointments when we get a call from a member of the bishopric. He was calling to let us know that he had seen one of our investigators at the store and said hi to them and that it was a miracle that he saw her there. So in our minds we are thinking "how awesome is this, our members are calling to share miracles with us." Then he goes on to ask if we had any apts for the end of the night and we said that we were just getting ready to walk into one and then he says, "we would love to come with you, we will be there in just a min." So he hung up and as we were waiting we were like he said we....? who's he with? sure enough when the car pulled up, the whole bishopric jumps out of the car! We were so excited! We taught two POWERFUL POWERFUL lessons with them and the spirit was so strong! We felt like we were with the sons of Mosiah or with Alma and Amulek as the are walking out from the falling prison walls! IT WAS AMAZING! I'm so grateful for that experience and what I learned from it! It gets even better though... as we were walking back to our cars at the end of the night bishop gave us some money to go buy ice cream so... we did! What a perfect ending to our night!

This morning as I had mentioned I made breakfast for everyone and I asked the elders if they could bring over pancake mix. They said "sure no prob we have two boxes here" this morning I went to open one of them and there was a spider web and a LIVE spider just chilling in the box. They will never hear the end of that one.... elders.... haha. 

We got caught in a huge rain storm yesterday. We started knocking when it was light rain and said that before the storm hit (because we could see it coming) we would go back to the car. Well... it came faster than we expected and we got caught in it! It was huge! We didn't have to run too far back to our car but we were drenched. Then soaked for the rest of the day. It was a good time! I was on exchanges too so it made for a good little adventure. This week we have a packed schedule. Tomorrow we go on another exchange and have interviews with Pres. Thurs we have our weekly planning day Fri we have our leadership meeting with Pres and Sis Anderson and then Sat we are having a mission conference! Yes the whole mission is getting together. Its about 170 missionaries! There is a 70 coming so it will be a blast! 

I'm doing really well! I truly appreciate all of the love and support that all of you send my way! Especially you mom and dad! I brag about our family to everyone here! I LOVE YOU FOREVER! Next week will be a normal p-day for me I will be emailing on Mon at normal time! I hope all of you have a fantastic week! Enjoy my fun pics! love love love you!

xxoxoxoxoxoxoxo sis johnson

August 26, 2013

1. our little home
2. sports on p-day
3. our awesome investigator we found this week

Family,

What a week right? I'm so happy for Jake! I sent him an email today! I know the last time I was in the MTC it was hard to send pics through email and we couldn't print pics any where so I will be excited to see pics of him eventually! He's going to be a BOSS! I'm sure he's just loving it! the MTC food is great (although he's there longer than I was so he will prob get sick of it) and I have full confidence that the Lord has blessed him with a fantastic companion.

All of the pics were lovely! thank you for sending them. i love the one of dad and the boys! they are all about the same height! jord has grown like a weed! I think hugging him when I get back is going to freak me right out haha he's changed so much! sounds like everyone is staying busy with school and work!

 

Sis Dougal and I had a fantastic week! We are teaching some amazing people! We were blessed to have 4 investigators in sacrament this Sunday and its only our second Sunday here! Getting them to church was a wild time! We are working in an appt complex which has been really nice. On sun morning we went to get two bros (about the same age as Jake and Jared). As soon as we got to the door it started pouring rain. Their ride from a member was a good block and a half away..... so we ran in the rain with them to the members car. I'm sure you are wondering, "Why didn't the member just get them from their appt?" Well.... its a gated community and we have to 'sneak' in every time so we don't have a password for the gate so theres no way we could get a member in there. Anyways... we run them to the car in the rain and go back for another investigator. We get him (hes prob in his 40s) and start running back to the car. It was quite the scene. haha. Two sisters running through the rain with their investigators. It was great and a huge miracle and blessing at that! Then after church we went and ate at the Oaks for dinner! It was the BEST! they are an amazing family. They actually met on their mission haha it was a great story I loved it. She made homemade bread with a bouche and it made me think of your mom! She makes it the same way you do!  That made me feel right at home. We were there for a while. We helped with dinner then after we ate, Sis Dougal sang while Sis Oaks played the piano (she graduated from BYU in the piano performance program) so needless to say I got my own little amazing concert on Sunday. and I love music so I was in heaven! It was very enjoyable to be at their home. Our new ward here is pretty grand! I thought my last ward was awesome but this one might top it off ;) okay truth is I love everywhere I go!  I went on exchanges with my trainee this week! it actually went really well! We were able to have a fun time. She said she feels more comfortable around me now and that shes not afraid of me anymore... that's a plus! That training experience for me is something that I learned a lot from and something that I will never forget!

I hope as a family you can feel the blessings that come through Jake's and I service. I know I have felt the blessings this past week from Jake's service. The lord has promised our family specific blessings through missionary service. This past week my comp and I have strived to have an attitude of gratitude and its made all the difference! I invite you to do the same. Pay attention to the small and big blessings that God is giving our family, then immediately offer a prayer of gratitude in your heart as you see the blessing! I know we feel the spirit more often as we show the Lord that we see His hand in our every day lives!
 

Feel free to send Jake and I the same email if you want or what ever works... I'm not too picky. as long as I hear how everyone is I'm a happy camper! He needs the mail more than I do! I'm sending him a package today as well so I hope that makes him happy!

I  hope you all have a great week! I love you to the moon and back! I am so grateful for each one of you and all you do for me! I have the best family ever! and of course I let everyone here know it!

I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND ALWAYS NO MATTER WHAT!

love sis johnson

August 19, 2013

Bye bye temple, its no longer in my area

 With Sis Anderson after transfers

In our back yard on Sunday

Family,

Are you ready for my update? yay! I'm now serving the Wellington East Area! Its north of where I've been majority of my mission. Its actually just west of where I trained and opened an area in Palm Beach. I'm with Sister Dougal- I lived with her a few months ago! We both came up into this area to white wash. Which means they took the sisters that were here out and put both of us in. The area actually hasn't been opened that long either so is FRESH! We are excited and a little over whelmed as well. This transfer for sister training leaders we are only over 6 companionship's instead of 9 which helps so so much. There were two new sister training leaders called! a fun time for them! Now there is a total of 8 sister training leaders! I am grateful for this opportunity! With great opportunity comes great responsibility! Sis Dougal my new amazing comp is from Battle Ground, Washington! She is SO talented! Every night she sings me a song! So far its been, tangled, hercules, tarzan, my fav church song.... shes amazing. She also wrote a dating book called "Austins guide to girls" I think you can find it on the internet. Her name is Kelli Dougal. She's also on a Mormon message called "power of god". Basically shes famous haha. nah but I am really grateful for her. Living together previously, we know how one another is. We have our differences but, I know we are going to be able to get through them and work hard together. We have the same family line up as well. Her brother is serving in Guatemala right now. Our new area has a lot of rich areas. Its similar to the area of Pines that I just left. We've been praying hard to know where to go to find those who have been prepared!

The new ward seems to be great! there are a lot of families here that used to live in Utah. its a very white ward with a little color! there is a man here who owns McDonald's so we again get free McDonald's... It is a great blessing to be able to  grab it when we need it! When we are on the go its nice! We ate a members home yesterday and she made Hawaiian hay stacks! I couldn't believe it! I was like, "did you talk to my mom? these are my favorite!" it was a tender mercy for sure!

We live with two other sisters! Sis Sablan and Moody. Let me tell you, its a crazy home! haha  We have so much fun! oh ya, We live in a little cute home! Sis Dougal and I park our car in a garage! crazy right? Sis Sablan is so much fun! She has energy and she keeps it lively in the home! Sis Moody had night terrors! they freak me out. all four of us sleep in the same room. she started screaming the other night and i didn't sleep the rest of the night. She's had two since I got here. I'm starting to get used to it though so hopefully it doesn't continue to effect me. It doesn't help that our walls are painted blood red and it drips. I will show you pics next time. They wont let us change the color either. When the lease is up they are moving missionaries out of the home. 

 

I cant believe Jake leaves for his mission on wed. I feel like he just got his call. It sounds like a lot of people came to support him at his farewell! that's a plus! I'm so excited for him and I'm proud of him for getting out on his mission! mom and dad you must me doing something right to have two missionaries out :) OF COURSE YOU ARE! i love you so much and I'm grateful for all you do for me! i wouldn't have it any other way!

 I will have more updates and info next week! I'm still just trying to get into a routine here and get used to this big change! I am forever grateful for your support, love and advice! thank you for taking the time to write me! i love you family! FOREVER! i hope this week goes well for you! i know it will be a little hard with dropping Jake off but it will be great :) just have faith and keep moving forward! talk to you next week!

love love love love sis brooke johnson

August 13, 2013

 

1. bon fire

2. roasty roasty

Family,

 

Today I write you with my heart! The Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I feel my faith increase each day and my heart fills with gratitude for all the great blessings I have been given. I've been pondering a lot about who I am and who I want to become. I've learned that I do what I can, and what I can't do, I let go of. A talk called The Fourth Missionary has caused me to reflect upon who I am becoming through the atonement of Jesus Christ. "For the most part, your life is yet ahead of you. What will you do with it? What will be your greatest work? What will be your most important creation? Your greatest work your most important creation is and will ever be you." I've come to a deep realization that one of the most important creations I will make is to make something of myself. Of this spiritual and physical gift that God has so freely given me. I know that as I do this, as I experience personal conversion, I will be able to then help others experience conversion through the atonement of Christ. As I "turn all of my desires, dreams, and wants over to the Lord and give of myself to Him he will make of me a new self in His image." And that is my purpose here in life is to become like my Savior Jesus Christ. He will make of me more than I can ever make of myself. This is something that I have been striving for my entire mission. That is to submit my will to His will for me. Its something I will strive for the rest of my life! When all is said and done, who will I be when I stand alone? What will my personality be, my heart, my thoughts, who will I be?

 

I found out that I am getting transferred which means.... NEW area and companion! I am excited to find out where iI am going! because I am in leadership I only have three option. kind of only two. Theres YSA in Miami (which is where I want to go) or opening a new area up north. The third one is to be with Sis Steg again in Fort Lauderdale but because we have already been together before  and so recent I don't think we will be together again. We will see what the Lord has in store for me this time! Its always good though! Sis Tuai and I have had a great week. We were blessed with that family that came to church last week. Its a mom, dad, and three kids. They are amazing. Its the first whole family I have ever taught. They are so welcoming and are so willing to learn more about the restored gospel.

 

It sounds like it what quite the fananza this past week! I'm proud of Jordan for selling the lamb that's great! I will always remember the fair parade and fair time as well. They are good uplifting memories and times that shaped my life. I can't believe how fast everyone is growing up and how fast life just keeps on going. It doesn't stop for anything. That's why we have to make time for the things that matter most. If we don't, they just fly by with the winds of life. Jacob is going to be a great missionary! I'm so happy for him! He's changed a lot since I left for my mission. His eyes have been opened and he's grown a lot! He will continue to do so the moment he steps foot into that MTC. The moment I got there I never looked back. Had I, it would of been much more difficult for me.The Lord is always aware of what we need and He send angels to bear us up during those times of change.

 

Last night we had dinner and a bon fire at the parents home. The mom and her two boys are recent converts. The father and older son are not members. WE LOVE THEM. The dad and I were trying to see who could make the best smore... we both were bad haha the fire hadn't died down yet but I knew we had to go soon so I was trying to make a perfectly gold marshmallow. I've seen a great change take place as we have shown are love to this family. To care about what they care about and to love what they love. As we were waiting for dinner to be finished we tossed the football with the boys. It reminded me of my brothers and how much I love them! Today I will be packing once again. It's crazy to think there's only 36 weeks of my mission left! I wonder if this will be my last area.... we will see! Packing is such a pain. Every time I start I just want to throw away everything I have! I definitely have not been a pack rat cuz I don't have room for anything extra. I would love to get Jakes MTC address asap as well as his email, hopefully you were able to figure that out. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with him preparing! I am praying for him like crazy! I love that kid! He's in for an adventure that's for sure. No more back packing and biking this is the real deal ha. I'm stoked for him!

 

I have been a failure at writing people and as such, I have gotten no mail lately. You reap what you sow right? Thank you for the package mom! I just got it today! the mail has been slow! I look forward to reading through the BOMs and the journal that you sent! I LOVE YOU MOM DAD JAKE JARED JORD AND BRI! Don't tell Jake this but man I cant wait to have my room back! haha just teasing. Well kinda I definitely call dibs on it! I'm the oldest- its only fair!

 

Please enjoy the pics! This is my life! and I love it! I hope you all have a FANTASTIC week! I can't wait to tell you where I am next Monday! I love you all so much! Enjoy taking Jake to the MTC give him a big ol hug for me! Take care! Until next week!

 

all my love, sister brooke johnson

 

August 5, 2013

Hola,

Oh boy, Jake doesn't have to much time left! That is crazy and exciting all at the same time! He is going to love Mexico! I enjoyed the emails mom and dad as well as the pics that were sent! It is always a great thing to see your smiling faces! Next week is transfers so I will be emailing on Tues. the weeks are going by way to fast!

For the bulk of my e-mail I would like to share details about the miracle day we had yesterday as it will be one of the most memorable days on my mission. Our church attendance each week has been very low here. We've managed to get 1 maybe 2 people to church each week. The last two weeks we had 0, it can be discouraging because really we can't baptize if we don't get people to church. So Saturday, was a long long day. No one was home, no one was showing signs of repentance, no one was committing to church, we didn't know what to do half the day.... IT WAS LONG! At the end of the night for the last hour we felt like we should knock doors. So there we were, sitting in the car, getting ready to go out. Out of no where this grandma and her two grand children walk by. Both Sis Tuai and I were prompted to get out and talk to them but we hadn't prayed yet so we pushed it aside (don't ever push promptings 'aside') then we went about our evening knocking on doors. We were getting ready to leave (and had seen where the family lived) and we turned to each other and said lets go knock their door. Let me remind you its 8ish at night on Saturday. Needless to say we knock, they accept baptism and church. We found them a ride and all three of them were at church yesterday. It gets better. We saw that miracle, said a pray of gratitude and asked for another miracle. And what do you know, the SOLID family we met at the beginning of the week(who was never home through out the week) was home Sunday morning when we knocked on their door to invite them to church. The mom said they would be a little late but that they would come. Sure enough this family of 5 was at sacrament meeting. So what did we do? We saw a miracle, offered a prayer of gratitude and asked for another miracle. We called the Ramirez family at 9:45, church starts at 10 (who we stopped teaching because they weren't really progressing) just to invite them in hopes they would come and Carmen's response was "we actually just pulled into the parking lot we are coming to church today." I about died! So of course we saw a miracle, prayed with gratitude and asked for another miracle. After sacrament, we saw two faces we didn't know, we went up to them and what do you know, they just walked into church that day. They stayed for all three meetings too. At this point I feel like I'm in a daze I've never seen so many miracles in a row! Long story short, we had 12 non members in church yesterday through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. Yesterday I had a huge increase in my testimony concerning fasting and prayer. I know that they Lord hears and answers our prayers and that according to our faith he will answer them!  Also, two of our recent converts bore powerful testimony and the ones non member dad Omar was there! It was beautiful! Also a less active we have been working with bore pure simple testimony and many of the members went up to him afterwards and thanked him!  

After church we ate at the Anderson families home it was really yummy and it felt like home. It was amazing! What a Sunday! This week will go by fast with transfers being next week! I am looking forward to seeing what will happen! Due to me not feeling well right now I'm going to end my email! I hope you enjoyed the miracles we saw as well as the pictures! I love you all so much! More than words can explain! I hope you have a fabulous week! Take care! Love you forever!

xoxoxxo sister johnson

July 29, 2013

The Moronta family. The husband isn't a member neither are the two grand kids in the front. We are working with our bishop to help them. We love them though! They are great! 

After a long day of work........

Johnson Family,

I am so happy that Jake was able to go to the temple on Saturday. We are all growing up! its weird! I never thought it will all work out like this but its great! The Lord is blessing our family in so many ways! Something that I have learned this week is the importance of having an attitude of gratitude! It changes the way we see everything! I'm grateful for many things some of them being, the gospel, family, friends, the opportunity to serve, learning experiences, the beauty of the earth.... I could go on forever! As we remind ourselves of these things then we are able to better feel the love our Savior has for us!

This past week I went on exchanges to Miami, Florida (again)! I had a great time, as always. When I was in Miami, in the morning Sister Eldridge and I ran to the pier that isn't too far from the house! It was beautiful! The sun was rising, there were a lot of fishermen at the end of the pier trying to catch something. The water there was so clear. At 20ft you could still see the bottom. We got to see a few sting rays one was huge! As you stood at the end of the pier and looked back to the shore all you could see were the tall, tall buildings all along the shore! It was a tender mercy to go there and to see nature!

Our area is struggling a little in the fact that we have yet to find someone in these past few weeks but, Sister Tuia have the faith and we know that we will be led to those who are prepared the receive the restored gospel into their lives! I studied from one of my all time favorite talks by Elder Holland this week. It's the one he gave in last years general conference. It's offered a lot of motivation and encouragement! Here are a few of my favorite quotes from it, "What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do."

"To all within the sound of my voice, the voice of Christ comes ringing down through the halls of time, asking each one of us while there is time, “Do you love me?” And for every one of us, I answer with my honor and my soul, “Yea, Lord, we do love thee.” And having set our “hand to the plough,”we will never look back until this work is finished and love of God and neighbor rules the world.." this is the wonderful opportunity that I have been given at this time! All day every day to show the Lord that I love him by sharing his gospel to others! Its not always easy but it is definitely worth it!

To help the work hasten in our area, Sister Tuia and I have started a 40 day fast with our ward. We sent around a sign up sheet and each family chose a day that they would be willing to fast for 3 things. 1. Families and individuals to be prepared to enter the temple when it is completed 2. activation and reactivation of worthy priesthood holders 3. someone the missionaries can visit. We are really excited to see the blessings that come from this. We know it will really unite our ward as well as us as missionaries to our ward. We will be able to help those who have been prepared because we will be striving to be selfless and show our love to God through fasting. I look forward to sharing miracles with you that we see from this!

It sounds like everyone is enjoying their summer! Bri's dance outfit is adorable! Jake leaves so soon I can't believe it! From my end it doesn't seem real because I'm not there for all the hustle and bustle. He will have to make sure to send me his email and his MTC address, or maybe you could help him out with that mom haha. He will prob forget to send it to me.

I love you all, more than I can share through an email!! I hope you can feel it all the way from here! Because I am still there! The mission is the best, I love it so much here! My life has been changed forever, no doubt. I'm excited to hear from you next week! Be safe, know I love you, have a fun week!

xoxoxoxo

sister johnson

July 22, 2013

 Florida, Sunshine State!!

 Sis Clayton and I reunite! We lived together in Palm Beach and we got to go on an exchange this past week.

 Stuck in traffic.....

 Mini golf with some elders....

This is the Florida Fort Lauderdale Zone! The best one in the mission! I have served in this zone for my whole mission! (except for 3 months of it) it has been fun to come back and to serve here as a leader! When I first came I never would of that of it! I hope you enjoy these pics! I LOVE YOU!

Sweet Family Of Mine,

This week has flown by! In fact, I had to take a minute to gather my thoughts so I could put together an email. I have just over an hour to email and majority of the time is taken e-mailing President on the progress of the sisters that we are over. So please forgive for the lack of information and stories this past while. I try to do my best at managing my time and I hope you understand! First off, I love you all very much! I pray for your happiness daily and know that the Lord is watching over each one of you! I am grateful for the power of prayer and the comfort of the spirit! It sounds like everyone enjoyed the lakes this weekend! I look forward to next summer! I am going to live at the lake, just so you know! I am excited for Jake to go to the temple this weekend! He is already doing missionary work and this will continue to help him while he prepares to leave in a month! Time goes by so fast! I enjoy hearing from him each week! We are best buds now! I got some mail this week which was really nice! it had been a while! A few friends wrote me and well as Grandma Johnson. There was a missionary here who just returned from his mission. He served in IF. When I introduced myself as Sister Johnson he said, "do you have family in IF?" I said yes I do. He then said I know your grandma and I was like there are a lot of Johnson your prob don't and then he was like I saw your picture in her living room. (my first thought, 'what a creeper' haha) no just teasing. I guess he when and saw Grandma. He served in her ward just before Christmas. It was Elder Workman. I don't know if she will remember him or not. What a small world. I also got pics from the primary kids and that was real cute! They are all growing up! We took some boys out this week with us. They are cousins and are both preparing to serve. On the two days they came out with us we saw great miracles! We knocked into someone that goes went to school with and he asked them if he could offer them a prayer! it was very bold of him and we were proud of him! Then when Danny came out with us he invited someone to church and he said he would come! (he didn't but that's okay) They both did a fantastic job! We also took Mike, our recent convert, who we love so much, to a lesson with us and he did amazing! The spirit was so strong and he was really able to help our investigator understand the blessings that come through baptism and keeping the commandments! I'm excited for Mike and Ariana to get married! They are great friends! I will have to drive out to their sealing in AZ in April prob. We will see. Mike also fed us this week! He is also helping us out! We call him our big brother! Going on exchanges twice a week has been really good. I enjoy going with all the different sisters and to different areas to see how the work is going there. I am constantly striving to become a better example and a better person. I know a lot of people watch me and what i do- so I want to do my best! Sister Tuai and I get along pretty well. I know she gets frustrated with me sometimes because she feels like I dominate the companionship. I set some goals this week to help her feel like that is not the case because its not. Its also hard to regroup after each exchange! I've learned a lot from that. we are also striving to improve our communication! its a very nice day today! I'm not sure what we will be doing for p-day. They go so fast anyways! I'm at the point in my mission where I really have to work hard to focus and give it all I have. I've been studying about sacrifice and turning my heart to the lord. I feel like these are things that I have been striving to do my whole mission and will prob strive to do my whole life. Sacrifice is always accompanied by prayer, devotion, dedication, gratitude, and acknowledging my duty to God. This has been a trial for me but one that has brought great miracles and blessings. "we can not always see the end from the beginning" I am striving to take one day at a time and do my very best each day. I am forever grateful for this opportunity i really have to stretch and grow! There is no room for decreasing!

thank you for all of your support in helping me have this opportunity to serve! I hope you are seeing blessings from my service as a I see many daily. I love you all with my whole heart! I will be there in spirit this weekend as you go through the temple! Enjoy your week family and I will talk to you soon!

Bear Lake trip looked like so much fun! I am beyond excited for Brandon! Paris will be a dream! I am so proud of him that he decided to go! I cant believe Jake is going to the temple Friday, that will be great! 

with all my love, sister brooke johnson

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! I HOPE YOU KNOW IT AND NEVER FORGET IT! XOXOXOXOXO