October 21, 2013

 Shaking the hand of an apostle of the Lord

 At the ocean. This is Sister McKay, she lives with us.

 Oreo Cheesecake!!!!

 Missionaries (about 180)   Click on photo to see full view!!


 

FfOaRmEiVlEyR- - ->

This week was amazing! Especially hearing from Elder Dallin H. Oaks. All of us missionaries were sitting together for the picture and as he walked in the spirit filled the room so powerfully and quickly. It was amazing. I know that he is called of God and that he is a modern day apostle of the Lord's chosen prophet, Thomas S. Monson. Shaking his hand was amazing as well-I couldn't believe it! My friend Gina got a really good pic of it! I am so grateful for her! His message was great! Some of the main points were temples, holy ghost, testimony, and our life long calling of serving the Lord. I learned a lot and took great notes. He talked a lot about a missionary release and how we need to continue to do missionary work after our missions. He made a lot of funny comments too. While talking about a missionary release he said "we need to be prepared for our releases. I know that mine involves a mortician." he also made some good/funny comments about dating and hanging out. He said that "hanging out isn't a sin but that it is really close to one." I am really grateful for the opportunity that I had to learn at the feet of an apostle. Sis Dougal and I sat front and center! It was fantastic! It was my last time seeing Sister Tuia! I was really sad! It's hard to leave and to see others leaving as well. She gave the closing prayer at the conference and was just crying. I fear my time is not too far around the corner. I am excited to see Sister Tuai again after the mission! We learned a lot together!

I feel bad that Jake got so sick this past week. I am anxious to hear from him this week to see if he is doing better or not. I pray that he is! I got a Halloween card from Sheri this week. Her and Kirk have always been so good at sending cards to us every holiday no matter where we are! It's very thoughtful of them! I also got a package from Aunt Bobbie and Grandma Johnson with a bunch of homemade goodies and a cute scarf! I am grateful for them and all they do to support us missionaries! Sis Dougal and I just love our ward here to pieces! They are amazing. It is true dad, every area becomes my favorite! I have so much love in my heart for the members of the ward here! We have been making cookies and taking them to the leaders to express our gratitude and it has really strengthened our relationships with them. We also have been committing families to hold family prayer. And I encourage our family to do the same. I have seen the difference it makes in the lives of parents and children. It is something so simple. I know that as you do our family with receive unity and strength within our relationships. Sister McDougal (RS Pres) took us to Cheese Cake Factory this week! It was so yummy! We all got our own piece of cheesecake too! We were in heaven! That is only my second time eating there! We had a family invite us to there home for Christmas. It was a bitter sweet thought to think that I won't be here then. The mother on the family reminds me a lot of Dana we told them that Sis Dougal didn't even know if she would be here then. The mission has transfers on the 18th so people will be moved around right before Christmas this year. This Friday is our wards trunk or treat! We are excited to go! It will be fun to get some of our investigators there too! :) They are doing dinner and games! This past week we helped with the relief society lesson and the teacher gave us a whole bag of candy for helping. Just what we need right? ha. That's okay we will share it with a lot of people!

This Sunday my heart filled with joy as I watched our recent convert, Mario, pass the sacrament for the first time. Mario is incredible. He has had a lot of experiences in his life that have helped him to build a strong relationship with the Savior. As he passed the sacrament, he had the biggest grin on his face and the up-most reverence for what he was doing. They asked him to help a minute before sacrament started and he did a fantastic job. There is no greater happiness that comes than seeing someone embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives and to apply the atonement of Christ into their lives. What was a blessing on top of that was that Mario brought his niece with him to service. Before we found Mario we were teaching her but her mother didn't want them to meet with us. Then we found Mario and its made all the difference. We pray that the mothers heart will continue to be softened and that their family will be able to come unto Christ through baptism because of the example that Mario is setting.

This past p-day we went to the ocean and down town Palm Beach. It was a lot of fun! A member took us! She does a lot for us missionaries. She is in the other ward that meets in our chapel! This p-day we don't know what we are doing yet. We might play sports with the elders or carve pumpkins. We are for sure going to buy white shirts for Mario because he doesn't have any. It will be a great day! We have lots of knocking to do tonight. We are really trying to find! We haven't baptized this month and so we are working hard to find! We know they are here there is no doubt!

I am happy that the boys got their elk! That was a quick hunt! Yeah for jerky! I miss that!  I hope that everyone has another great week! I know Jake and I will on our missions! It's definitely not peaches-n-cream all the time but pretty dang close! I LOVE YOU! Talk to you next week!
xoxoxo

sis johnson

October 14, 2013

Johnson Family & Friends --->

Another week has flown by for me in my mission and I can't believe that Jake hit his 2 month mark. I will never understand where the time goes! 

Thank you for sending that package mom! It had just what I needed in it! The sticky notes were so cute! Me and my companion were wondering where you got them from? They are adorable! Thank you for sending my contacts too!  You are super mom and I LOVE YOU! I was also wondering if I could get Jake's address from you so I can write him. Thank you! 

This past week for p-day we went to Buches Wildlife Area. There were just a bunch of animals. It was fun! When I saw the deer and the ducks I just thought of the boys hunting haha. In two weeks our ward is having a trunk or treat and we are really excited to go to that. We are inviting all of our investigators! It will be a lot of fun! I remember going to the one in Etna growing up in WY and taking Bri one year too! 

Dallin H. Oaks is coming on Saturday and I cant wait! I am so excited for that! I'm preparing by reading one of his talks each day! I can't believe I will get to shake his hand. That's kind of a BIG deal! I am so excited! I've been setting some goals like you asked me to dad. :) thought you might like to know that!

This past week I got to go on exchanges with my trainee again. Sister Ellett. we had an amazing spiritual experience. We had parked at a home to follow up with a family we have been teaching. We spoke with them briefly and then went down the street to leave a prayer with a family that we had seen outside. After we had a great experience with this family, we started walking back to our car that was just up the street. There was a man outside washing his car and Sister Ellett said, "I'm going to go give him a card." I was so happy that she wanted to do that! because his hands were full he asked her to set it in the garage and that he would look at the card after he was done washing his car. As we walked away I felt prompted to turn around and offer to say a prayer with him but, I kept walking to the car (I had a little fear in me). When we got into the car and all buckled in, I turned to Sister Ellett and said," sister we need to get out had go say a prayer with that man." She jumped right out of the car, we blessed him and he really appreciated the prayer. This increased me testimony and it is something that I will never forget. Time and time again I am reminded of the importance of following the spirit as soon as we get a prompting. I am grateful for experiences like these that help me remember the gifts that I have been given from God. It was also a blessing to see how she is improving and growing in her mission. 

Today for p-day a member is going to take us to the beach! That will be fun! Thank you for all your love and support! I know that I have the best family ever and I'm not afraid to tell everyone! Man it's crazy to think that Brandon leaves so soon! I will just miss him by a week! I hope that all of you have a great week and can feel of my love! I keep all of you and especially Jake in my prayers always!

xoxoxo love sister johnson

October 7, 2013

 Our favorite place to knock..........

All the food she gave us!

Ice cream from Bishop

Family,

Oh how I love conference weekend! I have so many fond memories with the family on this weekend. I remember a lot of the time for the spring session we would be traveling and listen to it in the car. Conference weekend went by so fast for me! It always does now a day! I remember when we were kids and conference used to take so long and so much of our time. Now it flies by and leaves me wanting more. I believe the greatest message I got from conference was that of member missionary work. It's caused me to reflect and begin to set goals for the member missionary I want to be when I return and for the rest of my life. I too encourage you, as did many of the speakers, to pray about who you can share the gospel with and to invite them over to hear from the missionaries. I can't begin to tell you the blessings I have seen just since Jake left for his mission a short 8 weeks ago. I pray that our family can see the many many blessings from our service. Last night our relief society pres. came over and brought boxes and boxes of food for us. She stocked our shelves and our fridge. We couldn't believe it! I was overwhelmed, again, with gratitude for all of the service that many here are offering me. I don't doubt that Jake is getting taken care of as well.

I was also wondering if you can send me Cassie Seamons e-mail address. I need to write her. I got a letter from Krista Nielson this week! She's awesome. She will be graduating from BYU-I.  I feel like it was just yesterday we were all in young woman's. 

I was able to receive a lot of guidance and direction at conference. I cant wait to study the talks. I went really wanting to know what more I can do to endure as well as increasing my ability to receive personal revelation. I was blessed to be given just the direction I was in need of and more! I am so thankful for a modern day prophet and for the organization of the church! 

This week I made taco soup! it was super yummy! Trying to get back in to the habit of cooking actually meals. My dieting out here has been well... NOT AT ALL. and I'm just looking forward to feeling good and healthy again. We found out this week that we have 181 missionaries in our mission! That's quite a bit I must say! There are new areas opening up left and right. It's been fun to see the mission grow. Sis Dougal and I just found out today that on Nov 5 we get to go to the Ft. Lauderdale Temple to help trim the chandeliers - I am beyond excited! I almost started to cry when I found out! Only the sister training leaders get to help so I am definitely counting my blessings! 

I have felt Gods awareness of me more than I ever have. I see promised blessings that are found in my patriarchal blessing come to pass and I feel the trust that the Lord has in me.

Dad it sounds like fishing went really well! Thank you for sending the pic. We will have to go fishing next summer I don't know how I feel about ice fishing. haha. I am glad you got to go to Utah mom and spend time with your family. I cant believe Brandon leaves so soon for his mission. Dana e-mailed me and it was nice to hear from her! I can't believe Gracie is in jr high. I hope Jake is doing well! I won't hear from him until next week which is okay! I pray for him all the time. I know he is doing a great job! 

i love you all so much and hope you have a great week! i will talk to you in 7 days! woot woot! 

xoxoxoxoxoxo sis johnson 

September 30, 2013

 My plant is growing haha

 PJ time

 Yes, every drives "donked" cars 

Exchanges




FAMILY--->

hello hello, first off, I love you all so much! It was great to hear from you today! I didn't hear from Jake which is a bummer I hope he is doing well! I will try to answer all your questions and share some fun details from this past week!

I will be watching conference at the chapel unless we go to a members home. There are a few homes we've thought of going to but, have not asked them yet. It depends on what sessions our investigators come to. I had the same thought that you and I were watching the RS conference at the same time-- sort of haha. Because it was 8 pm here and 6 pm there. It was incredible and I was to happy to hear from Pres. Monson. I was looking for Cassie the whole time and never saw her! I will have to re-watch it! I had a feeling she would be in it! I cant believe I missed her! 

It's still really hot here in FL. The evenings and mornings are just right! With a nice breeze! That's fun that Jake has a blog! I'm impressed with your comp skills mom! You will be teaching me how to use a comp when I get back. Now its all backwards! haha. I'm glad my application is complete! thank you for taking care of all of that for me! it helped more than you know! Sis Dougal just smiled when I told her she was popular at our home! I cant wait to see all of her videos! All I know is I love that she sings for us each night! 

 

I'm so grateful for Bobbie, Grandma, Lani, and all others who are supporting me while I am out here! Words fail to express my gratitude. In fact I had an experience this week that really just dropped me to my knees in prayer of gratitude. So as you know, I had a filling in my tooth fall out at the beginning of the year. I was really blessed to find a member in the Pines Ward (my last area) who put in a temp. filling. She told me it would last til I got home so I thought I was good! and she saved us a lot of money. Well the other day I was eating noodles of all things, and a big piece of that same tooth chipped off. I was worried because I didn't want you to have to pay for it- I felt really bad. As the mission nurse had me calling around different dentist offices, I remember one of the YSA from my Palm Beach ward telling me of a LDS dentist here in the area. It came as a stroke of inspiration. I called her up and got his info. They got me in right away and he fixed it up quickly. I went to check out and pay and.... they didn't charge me anything. It was absolutely free. My heart swelled within me for the generosity of this man. He is in the stake presidency and spoke two weeks ago at stake conference. He also just moved into our ward and came to church on Sunday here for his first time. I didn't even know what to say to him I was just so grateful. I will send his address home next week so you can write him a letter. I will be writing him one today. 

Exciting news! Elder Dallin H. Oaks is coming to our mission in a few weeks! I am beyond excited! I can't wait to hear from him and to be taught directly, in person, by an apostle. Sis Dougal leads the music at all meetings so I get to sit on the stand by her! yay! so I will be sitting by him on the stand! woohoo! The temple is still moving along here. I can't wait for it to be done! I wish it would be done by the time I leave but I don't think that's going to happen! I really really really miss going to the temple! I plan on going often when I get home. It's something that I am going to make the time for. 

We are working with a couple less active families that are really trying my patience. I've been praying for understanding as to why people go less active. When people tell me why they aren't coming to church its always the craziest excuses. I recently listened to a talk by Elder Bednar that opened my eyes and helped me to know how to better work with those who are less active in the gospel. I suggest you listen to it as well it offers great advice.This month I am really focusing on charity. in Moroni 7:48 it states, "My beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love(charity)..." As I have been praying daily for this God has really blessed me with many opportunities to show love and compassion towards others. After a meeting with a less active member yesterday, I realized that God is answering my prayers and helping me to become more like him. She had fallen away because she didn't feel like her calling had come from God. I was shocked, but strived to say and do what the Lord would do in that situation. It helped me to remain calm and to fulfill my purpose. I am grateful for opportunities like such to gain Christlike attributes. 

This past week we only went on one exchange due to transfer meeting being on Wed. It was so nice! I loved it. Sis Dougal and I had a lot of time to work in our area together and we were able to get a lot done. I went on exchanges with a sister who is from Nigeria. She actually went to BYU-I before she came out. We didn't know each other though. As I was with her all day I got to know her and it allowed me to be humbled. She hasn't seen her mom in three years or been home in five years. She can't e-mail her family weekly because they don't have computers and she can't write them because they would have to walk hours to the post office there. She communicates through her brother that lives in the states. There are people who go through so so so much more than I do. I need to be grateful for ALL that I have. We had such a fun day together. We worked one of my old areas in Palm Beach. The area that I opened with my trainee. We laughed and had a great time! Being a leader can be hard at times. I'm constantly striving to uplift, strengthen, and motivate others. I love when sisters take what I share with them and run with it! It's a huge blessing to me. 

By now I'm sure you've heard that Cheyenne and Matt had their baby boy. She has sent my many many pics and he is the cutest thing ever! I'm so happy for them. Halie just emailed me and her and Mike are doing well! Her two kids are growing up so fast! I can't believe how fast time goes! Everyone here thinks Bri is adorable. I have her pics all over the house-- we just love her here! 

Thank you for taking the time to email me! I hope that you all have a great week! I love you to the moon and back!

xoxox love always

sis brooke johnson 

September 24, 2013

 Cute!

 

Our ghetto kids. We work in a specific complex almost every day. Everyone there knows us(almost). We see these kids often and have prayed with their families. When they saw us walking the ran up to us yelling "its our church people" we were so happy! We just had to get a pic with them that day! I love everyone here!

 Random pic after a lesson- we needed to relieve some stress, so we took funny photos

Yesterday we biked and it was a lot of fun! It always helps me to relieve stress! We had stake conference on Sunday and President Anderson shared Sister Dougal and my e-mail with the whole stake! He shared the time that we had the whole bishopric come to a lesson with us! It was awesome and the bishopric loved it! brownie points....? I think yes :)

Transfers: well we all guessed correctly! I am staying here in Wellington with Sis Dougal and I will probably end my mission here! and I am happy with that! I love this area and the people here so much! Things are picking up for us. We've had a few slow weeks but God has blessed us with some awesome families and we can't wait to teach them! We had our first lesson with one of the last night and it was a powerful lesson! I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I have to share the gospel with others! This week we had exchanges back to back and that was pretty crazy I wasn't with my companion for two days! It was wild trying to update each other on what had happened each day! I went with Sis Sablan one of the days! She is such a fun time! We drove down some dirt roads, saw long horn bulls, pet some horses! She was loving it! It reminded me of home. That's the first time on my whole mission that I have been on a crappy dirt road! good times!

Sis Dougal and I were blessed with a lot of miracles this week! I'd like to share one of them with you. This week Sis Dougal and I were praying to ask God to know where to harvest (knock doors). Where His elect were who had been prepared. An apartment complex came to Sis Dougals mind so that's where we went. As we got there, we said another prayer to know which doors to knock. We felt prompted to go to the back of the complexes so we did. I started walking up to a home, we knocked and a women answered. She said she didn't have time then but would love for us to come back. I then quickly testified to her that it would take a brief moment and help her to feel of the Saviors love. She let us in (so grateful for that). We knelt down and said the prayer. With tears in her eyes she expressed that her husband had passed away a year ago and that she was looking for spiritual guidance. We then told her that we were sent straight to her and she couldn't believe it! We let her know that it was her faith and prayers that led us to her door that day. We have an apt with her tonight and can't wait to see her. I know that the Lord hears and answers the prayers of all of His children. This spiritual experience was made possible only because of prayer. It changes everything! I know that communication with our Father in Heaven is so important! As I was studying about prayer this week I thought of Enos and the mighty changes that were caused in his heart and others because of his prayer. He received an answer in his mind "And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came unto my mind saying...." (Enos 1:10) this also helped me to realize the importance of controlling our thoughts. We need to have clean thoughts so that God can guide us through our minds. Just as Sis Dougal pictured the complex we needed to go to! I know the power of prayer is real! God indeed hears and answers our cries.

Jake is going to love Mexico I cant wait for him to get there! I feel like he just got into the MTC! Time flies when you are serving the Lord and his children! That's for sure! it sounds like everyone is busy with work and school and that's a good thing! mom, I heard a song that I love and know you will love to! check it out and let me know what you think its "Every Shade of You" by Jim brickman.  I've had a great week here in Florida! Just loving life! I also had a tender heart moment in stake conference when I realized I don't have all the time in the world left here. I've been working really hard! I want to come home spent! give it all I've got!  

Well I hope you all have another fun week! I sure do love and miss you all! I keep you in my prayers daily! My heart goes out to you and I am so grateful for all you do for me! xoxoxo! i love you so so much! talk to you next week!

with all my love, sister johnson

September 17, 2013

 Stuart District

 Sis Holyan, I miss this girl

 Sis Sablons 9 month mark hahahahahahahahah I love this girl

Mario's baptism 

Family,

Well another week has come and gone and I can't believe it! Sis Dougal and I had our first baptism in Wellington on Saturday and it was amazing! We met Mario about 4 weeks ago outside of his sister apt. We left a prayer with him and he accepted baptism right off the bat. As we continued to teach him, there was something holding him back but we pressed forward. there are four principles that helped us share the gospel with Mario and I know you will recognize them dad. They are from the book you sent me at the beginning of my mission "drawing down the powers of heaven". 

1. Select righteous desire (we wanted Mario to be able to receive the blessings of the restored gospel and continue to prepare for eternal life through baptism)

2. Plead your case with God (we prayed every day all the time for Mario. that he would be able to resist temptation that he would continue to search the scriptures and continue to receive the strength that he needed!) we also put forth our best effort to help him in his learning process

3. Exert yourself mentally (all we thought about all the time was what more could we do to help Mario feel that he was prepared for baptism.) he came for three Sundays in a row and then he went out of town for a week! the real miracle came in the last step

4. Sustained effort. As we continued to trust in god and to exercise our faith, Mario got back on Sat morning and we went and saw him, got him interviewed, and he was baptized that night! 

From this my testimony of Christ and trusting in him has truly been strengthened! Mario is amazing! He has such a strong testimony and such a great desires to come closer to his Savior! He has changed my life! He's taught me that all things work out in Gods timing. He is such a happy man now too! In his confirmation it was mentioned that he would be a leader and also help him family learn of the gospel and that he would learn and grow much! What a blessing it is to me to have this opportunity to meet him and to share the more important thing to me, the gospel of Jesus Christ, with him. 

We had a pretty great week! Went on our two exchanges, ate Sunday dinner at a members home, went to a zone training and looked for those who are prepared for baptism! 

It sounds like Jake is doing good! I cant believe he is going to Vegas for a day! That will be fun for him! change it up a bit. Next week is transfers for us so I will be e-mailing on Tues. I'm pretty sure me and Sis Dougal are staying together and staying in our area! This might just be my last area! That is a crazy thought! The plant that you sent me is growing mom! its cute! all the girls love it haha. They want it to flower but.... I'm pretty sure I need to plant it outside for it do produce flowers! Jenny Lake looked like a good time! I haven't been there for years! 

I hope that you all have a fantastic week! I LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH! I look forward each week to hearing from you as well as seeing your smiling faces! Thank you mom for sending my that info I will get my application finished! talk to you next week!

all my love, sister brooke johnson

September 9, 2013

3. Sis Tuai and I - it was so fun seeing all of my old companions and all of the missionaries at mission conference this week! Sis Holyan is doing great her brother just got his call to Pocatello, ID haha he will have fun there.   Elder Soares of the Seventy was here! He gave a wonderful talk about why we were called to our specific missions and how we can better work with the members in our missionary efforts! We also all got flu shots right after his message! Only 5 dollars so that was a huge blessing! I'm getting so used to those things that I don't even feel it!

2. This is my companion and I at a gold mine... just kidding but we are looking for some gold right now. We are really trying to find people to teach and baptize! Its been some what challenging but we know that there are many many people here who have been waiting for us to find them! So we pray that they will be patient in the process while we strive to more fully understand the guidance of the spirit so that we can find them! It sounds like Jake is doing great in the MTC. He said he didn't get any mail last week which is really sad! I'm trying to stay on top of it because I know how hard it is to not get mail! He needs the love and support right now! He says he's doing awesome though, he loves life. I pray for him and our family every day! 

1. I'm still so happy that I got to feed a giraffe. I will be talking about it the rest of my life I'm sure!

I had the busiest week of my mission this past one as I expressed in my last letter. It went by so fast and we had so much to do. Sis Dougal and I also talked in church yesterday! I talked about the atonement of Christ and how as we learned more about it our desire to share the gospel will increase! There was so much that happened last week that I don't even know where to begin. It sounds like you all had a similar week! I will come more prepared next week to e-mailing so I can send a really good one! 

thank you for all you do! i hope you have a wonderful week family! i love you so much! keep doing what you're doing! :) until next week! xoxoxoxoxoxo

love always sis johnson