July 18th, 2011

Hannah had a baby!!!!! Finally!!! I'm so happy!!! If you ask anyone in my district, they can tell you how happy I am. My district leader, Elder Noorda, has been hesitant every day after the mail comes because he could never deliver the news and he knew how much I was anticipating it. He'll be glad to know I finally have a niece! He was actually almost as excited as I was. There are also a couple of elders on either side of me studying they're language and enjoyed seeing the pictures of Faye. They were happy too. She was so little, but so long! And she's stinkin cute. I am really happy that Hannah and Faye are safe. I've been praying for them. I'm glad you were able to finish the bumper pads. What fabric did you end up using? So now that Ryan is getting out of the house, is he playing with friends a lot? It's so great having Annette live so close because you get to see her all the time now :) When does she run to qualify for Boston? How was the symphony and fireworks? I remember doing that one year, but it was before Grandpa Stratford died. I hope it was fun. And if you do fireworks with Lisa, make sure she doesn't get in trouble by the cops like the last time we did fireworks with her. I hope all the fun summer festivites are going well. Thanks for getting me some clothes mom. I'm looking forward to them.

Today has been wonderful! The Provo temple is closed for cleaning, but we had the chance to go help clean today. We got to clean a lot of the sealing rooms and it was beautiful! There is no better place to serve than in the temple. One of the workers explained that by cleaning, we were helping create a place where people wouldn't be distracted by mess and they could receive insights and blessings they need. It was fun to be in the temple as they were doing construction. Another worker took us by the Bride Room to show us the new light fixtures they were putting in. Even though they were painting, and it's wasn't in it's full glory, it was beautiful. On our way back from the temple, an MTC security guard drove up asking if we knew a Sister Camille Johnson. Well, of course I said yes and I was super worried something bad happened because he said I needed to go to the front desk. But he clarified that I was getting fitted for my dresses. I made my companions run back to the MTC with me because I was super excited. When I got there Jannette fit me, I picked out my dresses (a blue one with reddish ribbing, yellow with cute flower ribbing and a green skirt with a white shirt and green detailing). They're super fun. I found out that I can't keep them, which is lame, but I'll just have to take a lot of pictures. I've been reading that information booklet the Mormon Battalion HC sent, and I am so stoked to go. I'm learning tons! It's been good to have all these new changes come because it's really helped me focus again. In less than a month, I'll be running around in my new dresses for real! I'll be getting one to take with me next Monday so I'll have something in the field. The only problem with my call is that I can't do my hair in braides, buns or ponytails. Which I knew, but it finally hit home. I have no idea how I'm going to manage. I've started just leaving my hair to dry curly, but that only works half the time. Sometimes I'll dry it with a difuser, but that won't last long because I have been using Hermana Miller's (I don't actually have a difuser attachment for my blow dryer). But I'll figure something out.

The Maglebys have been so nice and have sent me a couple of packages already with some nice notes and yummy food. I'm very grateful for their support. Jessica hasn't received any letters or packages from her family yet, and she's having kind of a hard time. But I know they'll right, and she's strong so she'll be ok. But it still stinks to not get mail. I don't know what she needs right now, but I'll keep an eye out. She actually lives on my floor just a few doors down from me. I knew her roommates because they're on the same schedule as us and we see them all the time. They knew I was expecting a friend so when Jess moved in they figured she was the one I was looking for. I love her so much and it's great to have her here. I don't see her very often, usually at nights or randomly on campus. but it's good to talk to her again. She has informed me that Klark and Ashley are pregnant and they're about 2 months along. That's so weird to think about. But I'm happy for him.

My companions are great. We're learning a lot about communication. We've had moments where one of us (yes, it's usually me) gets super frustrated and spazes out. But they're helping me open up and just talk about it. And you know, it actually works. Yeah, I know, it's taken me a really long time to even recognize that, but at least I'm on the right path. Hermana Miller plays the viola and is a music education major at BYU-I. She loves it and her mission president is letting her take it to DC. She plays a lot and we love listening to her. Hermana Bleazard loves to be active so she runs a lot and we play a lot of soccer during gym time. Which is great because she's helping me get better. Except, I think I play dirty so I shouldn't play for any actual teams. She is studying nursing at BYU. She's super funny and I feel like I connect with her better, but Hermana Miller teaches me more. Bascially, they're both super wonderful. I'm trying to convince them to come to San Diego instead of DC. They don't think it's a very good idea.

Our teacher, Hermano Steele is still out, but hopefully he comes back tonight. The subs we've had have been great, and the Spanish is coming along pretty ok now, but Hermano Steele is our teacher and it'll be nice to get back to normal. Plus he always has killer spiritual lessons and I love learning from them.

Dad, flying over Salt Lake sounds so cool!!! I hope you get pictures. And if you do, I hope you send some. I also hope you're feeling better. Enough of this whole being sick thing.

I love you all so much! Please give everyone hugs and kisses, but especially Faye. Give her lots of kisses from me. And I mean a lot. I'm praying for you all.

Love, Hermana Johnson

July 10th, 2011

Oh my goodness!!!! Mom, thank you for the package! I got notice that it arrived on Saturday, but the post office was closed so I couldn't pick it up until today. My companions wanted me to tell you that my face is pretty funny when I open packages. We call the fruit snacks "fruities" (with a weird Spanish accent) so when I opened them up I was super excited and my companions laughed at me. This week has been better than last. I'm finally starting to figure things out between me and the Lord and I'm making progress. The biggest thing of this week was a calling I've received. I'm the new coordinating sister for my zone. Which basically means I go to all the meetings and I keep track of the welfare of the sisters in my zone, which will be just me and my companions after next Monday. Hopefully we get some new sisters soon. We had a district leave today. It's weird that we're getting into that cycle. After the next district leaves on Monday, my district will be the "oldest" in our little zone family. It's funny here because you think people are older than you if they've been here longer, which may or may not be true. Another big thing that happened last Wednesday was our teacher had a 4 wheeler accident. He was in Idaho at his cabin and rolled his 4 wheeler over himself. He was in the hospital for a few days. He didn't break anything, but he was one big bruise from his chest down. We have been praying for him as a district and he says he wants to come back to work tonight. We'll see if that happens. But I love seeing the power of prayer. From what we're being told, he's healing very well and very quickly. I like to think that it's because we're all praying so hard for him.
I've been praying that Hannah will be healthy and that this little girl will be healthy too.  I've been spazing out all weekend though and everyone knows that I'm super excited for my sister in law to have her baby. Some of the Elders asked me about it today and laughed when I threw my pen across the room as I exclaimed that I hadn't heard anything. I'm so excited for this baby to come! Just as I'm sure you all are.

The MTC is such a weird time. Everything is crazy. The schedule, teaching, classes, everything. But it's good. It's nice to have some down time after all the rushing from classes to more learning. Last night my companions and I were a little bit silly. Hermana Bleazard was trying to give me a hug, but was crawling on the floor so I ran away. I couldn't go far because we were in our room. When she caught up to me she hugged my legs, picked me up over her shoulder, put me in bed, tucked me in, took off my glasses and proceeded to tell me that she loved my hair, teeth, smile, soul, etc. While she was saying this Hermana Miller was standing in a surfer stance nodding her head and they joked about this youtube video of a little girl talking to herself in the mirror about how much she loves her hair... etc. It was just super funny and silly and it was nice to bond through a different kind of moment. We're all learning how to serve each other and we're working hard on learning to cater to each other's love languages and needs. It's good for us.

Anyway, I love you!!! I love everyone!!! Have a great week.

July 4th MTC message

Hey mom, I´m glad you´re all well. Last week at the MTC was actually pretty rough but I talked with both of my teachers about it so things are a lot better right now. Although, I´m starting to get really excited to get to my field. Only 6 more weeks. I am grateful, however, that I have 9 weeks to prepare with teaching and the Spanish and a week for VC training. I have a lot to learn.

 

I'm super excited for the Majors to come! Mom, I can't believe how many people I know here. Jennifer Major is here (I think she leaves next week) and I see her all the time. I see Curtis Clayson, Evan Argyle, Darin Walker, Mo's friend Maddie Eborn, my friend Kim Allred from high school, Alissa Pettit (who just left) from Snow College plus a girl I used to swim HAST with, but I blanked on her name. I know everyone! It's insane. Oh, and Jessica and Nick Wimmer just got here on Wednesday so I saw them recently too. I feel like I'm in high school again, but this time with all of my friend's siblings.

Saturday night was definitely the best night to be in the MTC. We had an amazing Patriotic and Freedom devotional at which a bagpipe band played, including none other than Nick Lawyer on the snare drum. But it was amazing! We had a speaker who has worked a lot with many Presidents of the USA. I love this country and I love Patriotism. It was a beautiful event. Then afterwords the MTC Presidency announced that we were allowed to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks (from our little campus). It was incredible!!!! They were huge and we had the perfect view of it all. I loved it! What a blessing.

Last night we had a devotional and instead of a speaker, Jenny Oaks Baker played her violin for us. She's Elder Oaks daughter. I think she is my new favorite artist and I exhort you all to look her up and appreciate her music. In fact, when I get to San Diego I think I'm going to get a couple of her CDs. Another thing I think everyone needs to look up is a talk by Elder Scott called "The Sanctity of Women". Mom, you probably remember that one, but anyone who doesn't NEEDS to read it. Hermano Steele gave it to us Hermanas (we asked him for it because he had quoted from it) and I have literally made all of the Elders in my District read it. And they all enjoy it so men and women alike need to read it.

I'm learning a lot. I'm learning patience, which we all know is not my strongest point. It's hard, but hopefully I'm doing well enough that the Lord can be proud of me. I love you all! Happy Independence Day!

Week 3 at the MTC

June 27, 2011
(Camille starts off with birthday wishes for me and how clean she left her bedroom) Plus it's super clean! Speaking of which, you will never believe the person I have become. I can't stand messiness right now. There is so much clutter in my head from all I'm learning that I literally go crazy if my desk, closet, room or shelves are messy. I feel kind of like Annette when she goes on her random binge cleaning sprees. My roommates think I'm actually a tidy person, and I just chuckled inside. Actually, this is a habit I really do want to continue. I like the peace of mind it gives me when everything else is up in the air.

This week was definitely intense. I got to meet my mission president, President Clayton, and his wife. They're from Sandy and I'm really excited to serve with them. He is just filled with so much love already that I feel like I will want to serve well under him. We had a devotional from Elder Bednar the other day and it was incredible. 

So mom, you remember how I was an emotional wreck the whole week before I left? Yeah, that hasn't changed. Every day is up and down up and down.  Last Saturday our teacher, Hermano Steele (the one who served in Philly) bore his testimony on the importance of prayer. The entire last hour of class he talked to us about how important it is and why our investigators need to know that. Not one of the 12 of us had dry eyes. We all cried like babies. But it was so INCREDIBLE!!!!! After the lesson none of us wanted to go to dinner. We hugged (the sisters to the sisters and elders to elders) and shook hands and just loved each other. The unity we have as a district is amazing!

My companions still bless my life daily and it's good to learn how to be with someone all the time. (Her companions are Hermana Bleazard and Hermana Miller) As we were walking back from the temple we realized that missions really do prepare us for marriage because you have to learn how to make compromises for each other and serve each other. But we decided missions are easier because it's a lot easier to focus on exactly what you need to be doing all the time. I'm definitely learning a lot about relationships. I'm so not ready to come home (which is a good thing). I only say that because I'm starting to see the glimmer of who I could possibly be and I don't want to stop where I am. Ok, sometimes I don't want to be better, but I keep going because I know that I will be a much better person. I wonder if this is a faith thing. People say I'll be blessed so I'm having faith that they're right and giving that faith to the Lord. Man, lightbulb moment. Trust isn't something that comes easily for me so trusting the Lord all the time has been hard. But I think it's coming, slowly and surely.

Anyway, I'm glad that weddings and bike rides and weather are all progressing.  I love you all!!! Someone give Ryan a huge hug for me.

MTC Experiences

Dear Readers,
Camille has asked me, her mom, to post mission info. Since I have never even commented on a blog it will be an adventure, so here is the first posting from Camille's MTC letters:

June 20, 2011
We study so much and we have a ton to do in a little amount of time. Trying to keep track of everything is definitely a brain work out. I was thinking about people who use their brains a lot and how you get wrinkles on your brain because you learn new things and I've come to a conclusion. Wrinkles on your face are just an extension of that because you have too much wisdom for you brian to hold in anymore. Yeah, I think I'm slowly going crazy. With all the studying we're doing I wish I had worked harder in school so my mind could handle it better. I get burned out sometimes while my companions can keep pushing through. So Ryan, work hard now and it will be so easy for you to keep it up in the MTC.

Mom, singing in the MTC is pretty impressive. My companions and I do the choir which is really fun. We practice a song on Sunday then perform it on Tuesday. They pick pretty easy songs for us. Yesterday at the Sunday fireside the whole MTC sang called to serve. Imagine how the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings it then apply that to over 2,000 young adult voices singing with experience. It was AMAZING!!! I got such goosebumps. Then after we had some time where we could watch a movie or study. I couldn't read anymore and we only want to watch Spanish movies so we opted to sing some hymns instead. Hermana Miller plays the viola and the piano so she accompanied Hermana Bleazard and I while we sang our little hearts out. Sometimes when we have a few minutes we'll listen to Hermana Miller practice and we love it! It brings such a spirit of peace to our little companionship.

Things are stepping up here at the MTC. This week is when all the new mission presidents come in, which means we will have (it has been rumored/ kind of confirmed) 10 of the 12 apostles and the entire first presidency wandering around campus periodically this entire week. I keep praying that I'll get to meet the Prophet, it has been a desire of my heart for years and years, but we'll see what happens. I know that whether I meet him or not the Lord loves me and continues to bless me every single moment of every day. On Friday I will get a chance to meet my mission president though. They let all the missionaries who are getting new presidents spend some time with them. Which means I'll be the first missionary in my entire mission to meet the president. Hoo ha! I'm really excited to get to know him and his wife.

One really cool experience where the Lord blessed me was two days ago. One of our teachers is out of town so the sub came and taught us entirely in Spanish. The others will teach in Spanish then translate. Not this hermana. But it was cool because we practiced teaching each other about the Book of Mormon and can I just say that the gift of tongues was definitely present. I said things I didn't know I knew. I had heard them, but retaining the information and getting it out is not something I've mastered yet. But we were able to teach and understand each other in Spanish. It was amazing and I was completely blown away.

I had to laugh today while leaving the temple because I remember you saying that Alan only sent home temple pictures while in the MTC, so I'm working on taking different kinds of pictures. But you'll still get a lot of the temple. Or silly ones when we're getting ready for bed. There isn't much time or opportunity to take other pictures.

Tell everyone hi and that I love them. Until next week!!!