Dec. 20, 2011

Hey mom,

Yeah it's been busy. The Battalion has been nuts because we've been having Christmas concerts every night. Tonight we're having a sign choir for which I'm really excited.

I'm expecting to be transfered tomorrow, but we'll see. I'll call you from our cell phone. But since I might be transfered, I'm not sure what time I'm going to have Church.

It was fun to see Sister and Brother See. I can't believe how grown up their kids are! I didn't recognize them. I never realized how long it's been since I've been to the 1st ward, but so much has changed. It's loco. Their family was great on the tour. They were fun, the kids were very well behaved and I was grateful to have had that chance. Paul and Kathy didn't take the tour, they didn't have time. But I did send your package with them and they said they'd get to Cache Valley on Christmas so you will probably get it later in the day. It's nothing fancy, but I hope you enjoy them. I've used my skills that I've learned on yours, Annette's and Hannah's gifts, but the girls' were from an event that happened a few months ago. I'm also going to be buying dad's birthday present and getting that sent off so I hope there is money available?

We're so spoiled in this season with all the senior couples. They're doing a great 12 days before Christmas and every day they bring a treat or dessert and it's crazy to say, but I'm really tired of sugar. Fortunately today they've brought oranges so those will be a good break.

The area has been really hard the past few weeks. People who promised us they would walk to church with us bailed. It was so hard to see them choose the wrong. We also had to drop an investigator. He's the one who would make such a great priesthood leader. Who had that cool dream and really had great potential. He says he's looking for the things of God, but he won't accept it when it's right in front of his face. I'm so sad and frustrated. I can't imagine how Heavenly Father feels seeing His children reject every good thing He places in front of them. I'm sure He's not frustrated because that's not a very godly trait. But it's so hurtful to see these people not accepting salvation. I don't know if I'm doing any good. Sometimes I feel like nobody is following Christ, but then I look around and see all the great members and their hard work so that's ok.

I was talking with President Clayton the other day about Heavenly Father's desire for us all to be so happy and he related it to the story of the city of Ammonihah who completely rejected Alma and the missionaries. The ones who were destroyed by the Lamanites after they said they would never be destroyed. Pres. Clayton said that God wants us to be so happy that sometimes He has to wipe people off the face of the earth so they don't choose more wickedness and sadness. Everything He does really is for our own happiness. I never realized that the destruction of the wicked is actually an act of mercy. It has made me think a lot the past few days. Sometimes we have to drop people because it's not doing them any good to have the chance but always reject it because that means more judgement in the end. I'm just grateful that I don't have to be the one to make that call and that it is directed by Heavenly Father. I don't want to be the one to determine their eternal salvation. I'll just be the little indian taking Christ's gospel to people. The chiefs get to work out the rest.

Anyway, the work keeps moving forward. We've had several missionaries leave today. Some of them are my good friends, and I wish them the best. They all seem so scared and sad to go home. The were good missionaries and those are the results of hard labor here. This really is a unique opportunity.

I love you all so much! I hope you have a Merry Christmas with more Christ and joy. Not just happiness, but joy in being together as a family and rejoicing in the great blessings we have from having the Gospel. True joy like the sons of Mosiah and Alma- the kind that exhausts your strength because you're so happy. You all have so much to be thankful for. You have a great, warm, clean, home. You have each other. None of you have been kidnapped and abused. You don't have to worry about being sent to another country away from each other without the assurance that you'll see each other in the next few months or ever again. You love each other and care for each other. You have food. You have clean clothes and clean teeth (I hope). You have health. You have Christ and His Atonement and you have the access to it. You can use and apply His love and sacrifice, and you know how. You know where to find the means to learn and know more about His love for you. Family, we are incredibly blessed and it is our responsibility to remember this and helps others see it too. We have challenges and hardships but we have Christ and that brings great peace. So I encourage you all to remember what He has done for us and help another person- someone not in the immediate family- to see that too. Maybe a neighbor or a cousin. Bear your testimony and share your love for Christ and our Father in Heaven. It does us no good to have these gifts if we don't do anything about them. They're not for us alone, they are meant for the world. I love you all and I'm so excited to hear your voices on Sunday. Have a great week and don't let this time get away from you without enjoying the Spirit of the season.

Con Amor,

Hna. Johnson

Dec. 13, 2011

Hey family,

Ok, first of all: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE!!! I didn't get it until last Wednesday night because of my schedule, but I literally squealed with delight at everything inside. I've worn my new coat almost every day, I've worn both scarves several times, I haven't made rolls yet since I'm saving them for closer to Christmas. I got dad's journal too. I was so touched and I've been reading it every spare minute I get. I'm so excited for all of you and your great Christmas festivities. Annette, of course I'm curious! You're killing me smalls! But I've become better than I was as a child and I actually wait to open presents until I'm supposed to now. Grandma Stratford sent me the cutest felt advent tree and I've been enjoying the small gifts every day. Lucky me she's put in a lot of hot chocolate, which is my favorite! My companion isn't very good at making hot chocolate, but she's improving and we enjoy it together frequently.

So this week has been nuts. Two exhanges (divisions as dad used to call them). We've added so many new investigators these past few weeks, it's great! I passed through a really bad time a few weeks ago, but the Lord has this funny way of blessing us and pulling us out to be on top. I know I'm blessed to be with Sister Ortez. She's so patient with me and we've grown together quite a bit. Communication is key and we're getting really good at it.

We've had some interesting experiences. We've been buffed a lot, but we've had some cool impromptu times. We went to visit an investigator, but ended up finding two of his friends, a neighbor and his mom (who came to church with us last Sunday). They all live near by another of our investigators so it's great to know that they'll all have that support of each other as they choose to investigate and grow in the Church.

Our district has been going caroling lately, and it's really fun to see people's faces light up as the Spirit of Christ is conveyed through music, especially this time of year. We got our Christmas tree in the Battalion and it's huge! And gorgeous! We've made little corn husk dolls that we've put on the tree, plus little army wagons, gingerbread soldiers and bags of gold dust. And we've been having Christmas concerts every night. It's been so special. I am profoundly grateful that I get to spend this season in the Battalion with my adoptive family, all my sisters and the Spirit of Christ. I've never felt less commercialized about the holidays. It's incredible to be on a mission proclaiming the glad news of the babe, Jesus Christ. But more importantly than His birth, His Atonement. As we trust Him we learn to trust ourselves and we can take that and love others because we know that they can be happy.

We had MTE (missionary training exchanges) yesterday and talked a lot about latin culture. I am so white! Oh man. But I have to forsake my pasty identity and learn to be mexican. How, I'm not sure. I'll have to learn to like to listen to people tell me their entire life story when I don't ask. I get a lot of that in the area and the Battalion. But I guess it's better to know every single detail about the illness they just had than know nothing about them. I'm just glad I have Sister Ortez to help out. She gets it, and they open right up to her. I'm telling you, having a brown companion is the way to go. I just realized how racist that sounds... just know that's it's not a racist comment. I also have to learn to laugh at myself. They laugh at me all the time. Supposedly that's a good thing?

Ok, as far as Christmas goes: I found out last Thursday that I can't Skype so I'll just call. I still don't know the home number, but I'll call a cell phone if all else fails.  Annette, thanks for your help. Family of AJ, miss you all! Hugs and kisses. Dad, I love you. Mom, thank you so much for helping me with all the details of my personal life. Ryan, keep on going in debate. Don't give up! Grandma, travel safely! Hannah and Alan, I love you all too and I expect you to tell Faye that I am her favorite aunt.

Thanks family!

Love, Hna. Johnson

Dec. 6, 2011

Family: I love you all so much! I'm glad you're all having such a great time of the year. I had no idea Ryan is doing debate, but I hope he enjoys it. Dad, I'm glad you're doing well. That miracle has really boosted me this week. The coordination sisters (kind of like the APs for the Battalion) had this great idea this week to list miracles we've seen during the day, a quality we appreciate in our companions and something good we saw another Battalion sister do. Having dad's miracle has really helped me notice other miracles too.

I got to go to the temple twice last week (for our shift, not for a session). And it was fun to see all the lights they're getting put up. It looks beautiful! And we found some really great people both days. The second day I was on a temporary exchange (which is why I got to go twice). But cutest story: A mom pulled up in front of us in her car and told us her 4 year old had a question for us. So the little boy rolled down his window and asked if Jesus lived in the temple and could he go inside too,etc. Other really good questions for a 4 year old, I was impressed. But then before they left he asked, "Does Jesus drive a motorcycle or a sportscar?" Awww! CUTE! I told him he'd have to pray and find out for himself, because I hadn't asked Jesus that one yet. There were a couple of other miracle moments at the temple. We went in for lunch and ran into the new temple President and Matron. They were so nice and we had a good little chat, in which I found out they had been the mission president over the Wellington NZ mission a few years ago and Sean Juassi from Snow College was one of their APs. But the best part of the story is that they bought my lunch! It was the nicest thing done for me in awhile and I couldn't express my gratitude. So mom, I don't know if you're feeding the missionaries or what, but I'm being so blessed lately.

We have had some good appointments this week. One we went to a recent converts house for dinner and an appointment with one of his friends whom we've been meeting with. Well, our investigator cancelled and we're not allowed to go into a man's home without another woman in the home so we told him we couldn't come in. Well, he grabbed two chairs, and a side table and put them in the hall and then proceeded to sit on another chair over the threshhold. So we had a pizza dinner in the hallway of his apartment while teaching a lesson. It was the funniest thing. His neighbor came home at one point and he invited her over so we could come inside, but she looked at us like we were crazy and went in her own place. But this recent convert is on fire. He is so amazing and is progressing really well. He's been a member for two months and is already the first counselor in the Sunday School Presidency! He's doing wonders.

We've had a slower week as far as our investigators progressing, but we've added a bunch of new investigators lately and the work is continuing forward. We had a really cool experience last Sunday. One of our investigators is starting to get too comfortable with us, so he likes to jerk us around sometimes. We invited him to the Battalion and he wouldn't commit and kept saying he'd come in the morning even after we told him we wouldn't be there. So we got to watch the entire Christmas devotional, which was amazing [and ps: the man who plays Christ is one of the actors in our film whom I had the chance to take on a tour :)]. So it was wonderful to feel that spirit and we didn't have any guests come in during that time. But right as it ended, I walked out of the theator and saw a latino man. I said hello and looked to see who our other guest was and... it was our investigator! He just showed up and had perfect timing! So we got to take him on the tour and have a really good chance to feel the spirit with him. And he got to introduce his friend to the church and the story of the Mormon Battalion. We're going to try to meet with his friend soon. But it was truly a miraculous moment.

Yesterday we went on exchanges with the coordination sisters and I got sent to an English area. At first I was nervous because I don't teach in English very well anymore. But it was so fun, and again, miracles happened. We got two with a date, one who had been really unsure and unfocused, but she got it figured out. We had a great lesson with a recent convert and we had members present at all of our lessons (which is usually impossible). Plus I met a fellow ski instructor from the Beav. Small world. But it was a great day and a much needed reprieve from Logan Heights. Not that I don't love Logan Heights, but sometimes it's good to have a break.

 I am just grateful for this chance to see how the Lord has been working in our lives and how much He helps us, especially when all feels lost. I have such a strong testimony that if we just keep holding on, even when we are moments from breaking, He will send someone to lift us up and get us moving again. He never leaves us alone, it's just us that leaves him. In Preach My Gospel it talks a lot about faith, and we've been talking about miracles; but it all comes down to if we believe that He will help and bless us- He will. If we ask for His help, He'll give it. I know that He is always present in our lives and that He truly wants us to come to Him. Something that has been standing out in my mind a lot lately is that as our understanding of the Atonement increases, our desire to share it with others also increases. But our understanding never grows if we don't let the healing, forgiving, and strengthening power of that Atonement work for us. If we don't accept His sacrifice and gift, we'll never understand it. That's why we pass through hard times. So we can learn to find Him and rely on Him.

Thank you again family for all the love, support, packages, prayers, letters and everything else. I love you all so much. I know I say that every week, but I truly don't know how else to express it. I'm excited to talk to you all on Christmas. We're trying to see if we're allowed to Skype, and if we are, I'll try to do it probably around one or two in the afternoon my time if that works for you. As far as I understand our schedule for Christmas, we have church from 9-10 in the morning, then at 11ish we're having a brunch in the Battalion. Then our shift (I think) will start at 4 pm. But let me know your schedule and I'll try and figure something out. I'll also need our house number and dad's Skype information because I don't remember what it is. I can't believe how much everyone is changing and growing, but it's beautiful to see- even though I'm not there. I love you all again!
Love, Hna. Johnson

Nov. 29, 2011

Hey mom,

Thank you for tellling me all that's happening! It sounds like Thanksgiving was amazing. I'm grateful that everybody had that chance to spend time together and enjoy each others' company during this great holiday season. It truly is a season for miracles and blessings. And they probably happen so abundantly because we're focusing and recognizing them more during this time.

My own Thanksgiving experience was wonderful. We had a huge dinner with all the sisters, couples and some of their families at the Battalion. It was amazing and I was grateful to have some familiar dishes to rely on. Everything was done so well and I ate far too much food- but it was worth it. I ended up taking a tour right after, which was hard since I was so full I couldn't sit down or move very well, but lo and behold there was none other than Zach Allen and his family on the tour with me. Which, I'm sure you know about by now. He is the kid that dad and Ryan ran into on Logan Peak. It was fun to get to know them and have that common bond. Nice family. I took a Chinese tour later that night and they loved it. They accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and tipped us- which we don't normally accept, but it's rude to reject it in the Asian culture so we graciously accepted their gift and put it in a fund we have for purchasing more materials. I've been reflecting a lot on my time as a missionary giving tours vs. my time in Alaska giving tours. It's much more fulfilling and easier to give tours when the Spirit is helping you and you're doing it for a higher reason than trying to get tips. I love to tell this story and I love helping people feel the Spirit of their great legacy. Even when I'm having an off day or a bad tour, it's never as low as it would have been in Alaska. Everything is amplified, but it's been amplified for the better. Our Thanksgiving evening was slow and ended with a few of us watching the newest Joseph Smith movie. Once again, I'm grateful for the history of the Church and the early pioneers.

I've been learning new skills as a missionary. You mentioned that I've been learning to live within my means lately, and yes, that is true. I've run out of money this month so the past few weeks I've been washing my laundry by hand. I've decided to write a short book called the "Three Things You Can Do While Bent Over The Same Tub In An Hour". The story would consist of a girl cleaning the tub so she could wash her laundry and then deciding to wash her hair because she ran out of time to shower. It's still a work in process, but it's based on true events so it should be a big seller. I've also learned to trim my own hair because I don't want to spend the money for someone else to do it, and the same goes for waxing my own eyebrows. I've become quite proficient.

But don't worry family, it hasn't been all fun and games. I've been doing missionary work as well. Although, last week kind of flopped with lessons. We had a lesson with a less active girl and we're trying to get her to go to institute. Turns out, however, that she's only 17 and our Branch President told us that we probably shouldn't send her to the singles ward until she's out of high school. What an ingenious idea- and I had completely forgotten that would have been an issue. It's a good thing we have leaders to help us out. Now we have to come up with a new plan for her.

It felt like no one else was home to teach and help progress. We had a lesson with one of our older investigators and it was bomb. She knows she needs to get baptized and come to church. She said it herself. But she still won't commit to a date. It's so frustrating! And we have to re-establish a line of respect for our calling with another investigator who has taken to not being serious about why we teach him. And the family we've been working with is never home, or won't come to church, or won't come to the door. There are so many times when I walk away from someone's home and I want to kick something. But I know that eventually it'll pay off. I've been really discouraged lately and the people I've been talking to for help keep telling me that Satan pushes the hardest before something big happens. Now I just have to keep pushing back until whatever is supposed to happen does. But it's definitely not easy to always keep that in mind as I'm facing the darkest and lowest valleys, before I can climb to the top of the mountain. I've never worked at something so hard in my life. We all know I'm kind of a whimp when I don't want to do something. All I can say is that I am grateful for the help of a loving companion, the prayers of everybody, and the tender mercies of the Lord. I'm finally starting to realize that He gives me little boosts each day and moment when I sit down and say, "I cannot move another step further." Then He answers my prayers with a story through the scriptures, or the words of His Apostles. I don't know why He keeps helping me when I am faltering so badly, but He's there for me every step of the way. I think I'm finally beginning to understand how much He helps me. I just hope I can hold on to this small, but bright understanding until I can get me feet back under me.

We had Zone Conference yesterday and learned some very good things we need to do. I am grateful for that added direction to help me focus better. I learned also that I need to forgive myself better. We never actually spoke about that, but I am a believer in personal revelation and I know that we receive guidance when we least expect it. All I can say is that I hope everything I've been learning, whether in meetings or study will help somebody while I'm here. I truly don't know if I'm making a difference, but I sincerely hope I am. President Clayton is a great man and mission president. He does so much to lead us and help us. I'm glad I'm not in his shoes, but I am glad for how much he does for us.

To the practical things, we have a Distribution Center next to the Temple and it's very easy for me to go there so it might be easier to purchase my own garments. And the rain coat I was thinking of is that black one that looks like yours mom. We usually email in the mornings before 1 and we receive our letters or packages shortly there after. But we do receive them on Pdays in the afternoons. I'm just grateful that I live in the states so it makes everything much easier to coordinate. Thank you so much mom for everything you do for me. I don't know if I can ever express how grateful I am for the constant things you send or the things you do. It makes me feel a little more stable when everything else is out of my control. Those packages and letters help me feel like I have an anchor. And so I hope you can get a feel of how much it means to me that you help me so much. And grandmas and everyone else too. Thanks dad as well.

 I hope your hike goes well mom and that you get the house all festive in time. I bet the ladies love having a great place to stop and spend a few minutes for refreshments. And that's nuts about Kristina and James!!! But so exciting.

I love you all! And happy December in a few days!

 Love, Hna. Johnson

Nov, 22, 2011

Hey family,

Mom, Thank you so much for the package last week! I didn't get it until after I had emailed and so I didn't get to say thank you. But I have been wrapped in my blanket literally every possible moment. Sister Ortez keeps laughing at me because of it. But thank you for getting that sent.

It's been a busy week. Sister Ortez and I are working really well together and every one adores her. It's great to have a brown companion because it really helps people relax and open up to us. But we've had some pretty cool miracle moments. One was last night. We have been teaching one of our investigators how to read, and when we went by last night for a cita she was clearly home, but didn't open the door. It was super sad, but Heavenly Father knows what He's doing. A man who lives across the alley from her saw our efforts and saw that we were rejected. He knew she was home and that she didn't let us in. We were walking away and he followed us to put some stuff in his truck. We started talking and he knows about Mormons and knows one of the members in our branch. He used to have a Book of Mormon, but lost it and wants another one. And he said that he was so impressed with us because we were two women doing the work that men should be doing, and even though we got rejected we were pressing forward and still preaching the gospel. He was so nice and friendly, which most people we contact aren't because they're suspicious of us. It was nice to have someone talk to us who is open to talking to us again. And he wants the Book of Mormon. It was a tender mercy from the Lord. In fact, all day yesterday was. Our appointment with Daniel went well and he didn't drop us like I was expecting him to. We taught him the restoration and word of wisdom. And he finally asked us questions about some of his concerns. He's always been too cautious to open up like that. It was a good lesson. And we had another lesson with a less active who has been hard to get ahold of. I don't know how powerful the lesson was, but we were able to find her.

And the boys came to church on Sunday! We asked their mom for blanket permission to walk with them to church on Sundays and she said yes. So even though she's still stressed with everything she's facing, she loves us and loves that we are bringing something good into her life. And her godmother is opening up to us too. She sat in on one of our lessons, and she doesn't really accept what we teach, but she's tolerant and lets the family learn. Yesterday we saw her and she smiled at us. Things are opening up with that family. They didn't get baptized on their date, but I'd rather they keep commitments and be prepared then just baptize them for the number. Because they would be the dumbest thing we could do for them and the branch. During Sacrament Meeting I was sitting next to Pedro, the youngest boy and I have to tell you all, I adore this kid. He gets it. He gets the gospel and the Atonement. But I turned to him and said, "Pedro, do you know that you're one of my favorite people?" In his cute, humble way as he was looking down at the Book of Mormon in his lap he said, "Thank you." It was such a tender moment. I am going to adopt this kid some day, he's so amazing. A ward missionary brought someone to church who ended up spending the whole block with me (he is a smoker and Sister Ortez couldn't handle being too close to him). He was a funny guy and wants to learn more, but at one point he left the meeting for a cigarette break - and of course I did not endorse it. I told him he needed to wait, and he didn't listen to me-. Anyway, I didn't want the boys thinking that it's accepted to smoke during church so I wrote them a note explaining the word of wisdom a little bit and how we'd talk to their family more in detail this week. I explained to Pedro that it's important to not start those habits because it's like being at the top of a hill already vs. climbing the hill later. He is so cute and explained it back to me several times during the meeting and on the way home. Like I said, he gets it. He learns so well! We're going to come up with a calendar plan for their family and on it assign specific chapters they need to read, and things to do as a family and then put their new date on it. We'll hang it on their wall so they can visually see their goal. But we've definitely gained their trust, which is so critical for them to open up to the Spirit and then take those steps back to Christ.

One of the Elders' recent convert has become so solid in the branch and has started the missionary work among his friends. He gave us a referral for a man named Luis who came to church and was dressed nicely! Slacks, white shirt and even a tie! The recent convert has been preparing his friend very well. Luis liked church and stayed all three hours. We're going to meet with him tomorrow for our first actual appointment. He's been hard to get ahold of, but we'll get him taught.

I took my 200th tour on Sunday. Only 799 more until I reach my goal of 1000. Sunday was super slammed at the Battalion and it was raining so hard, but we had a lot of good people come through. I met another lady that knows Lisa Dudley. I wrote down her name, but left the paper somewhere. I think her name is Mitsy Sigmeyer... or something. She knows her through running. And I'm sure you know by now that Shannon and Uncle Bruce came through the tour with me. It was so crazy to see them. Very surreal. When premission life crosses with missionary life it is a whole other sensation. I was grateful to see them though and have the chance for them to share this experience with me. I was glad to get an update on Peter too. I can't believe he's nearing the end. But it sounds like he's doing great things for the people in New Zealand.

By the way, I am so embarrassed for all spelling mistakes I make now. I literally cannot spell anything in English because it doesn't make sense. Spanish spelling is so much easier! I have come to the conclusion though that I am more blessed with the gift of tongues than I realize. There are moments when Spanish just comes out and it's not me. It's Heavenly Father. We don't have the time to study the language very often and so I know that any Spanish I do know is a gift from Heavenly Father.

Anyway all, I hope everything is going well. I love you all so much. I was reading in the Book of Jarom today for a lesson tonight and I remembered how much I love his story. I encourage you all to read it again and see how much it applies to us! He was so humble and wrote because he was asked to by his father. But he reiterated how important it is to follow the Lord and trust in the blessings He has promised. Prospering in the land, among a million other little blessings. I can see how well this applies to the Mormon Battalion. Even though they went to war, they didn't seek out the fighting. They were prepared in case they were called on for a battle, but because they were humble and faithful they didn't have to fight. And even more incredible is the work they did here. They were great examples to the citizens and helped build the community so the Californios could prosper in the land too. Because they didn't fight them or oppress the locals, they people only wanted a group of Mormon soldiers to stay there. They signed a petition trying to get the men to stay because of their great example. And we can be that example too. By continuously building up the good in communities and giving support where ever it is needed, we can be an example of the believers and live like the righteous Nephites of old, but also like the Saints in our more recent history. What a great legacy we have!

Have a great week and I hope you hear from you next week.

Love, Hna. Johnson