#2moredays............

   Thank you for all your prayers and support, especially those who have been looking out for my mother and sister. I thought a lot, prayed, and read scriptures to know if I should go home to be there for my mom and Cadence. I thought what would my dad want me to do and anyone who knew him knows how selfless he was. I know he would want me to finish my mission strong. I also know he would want me to make sure my mom was taken care of. My brothers, and Rachel have been extremely supportive of her and cadence and helping her. I know that I'm meant to be a missionary and to help others. The testimony Ive gained of the Atonement is so powerful, and I have been able to share that with others, and they feel it. There have been so many miracles that have happened this past week. I will share them with you as we talk when I'm home. 

   I was thinking of all the stories I could share but I just feel like I should just share my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior, that He suffered for us so He can succor us in our time of need. Families can be forever through temple, and oh how grateful I am for my eternal family. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Its words ring true in my heart.The Atonement's power is real. Christ is very aware of us and our needs. Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for us knows what is best and what we need, when we need it.  I know my dad is still supporting me. helping me and influencing me (2 Nephi 32:3). I love yall and cant wait to see you in a few days. 

Love Elder Johnson

Snowed this week

   What a week this past week was! We have been teaching a lot and have been helping Chelsea prepare for baptism! She is going to get baptized this Saturday! I am so excited for her to make this covenant and come closer to Christ. She is a great example to those around her! Last Monday Judy took us out to eat Chinese. Elder Rasmussen was feeling bold so he ordered some squid... i dared Judy to eat a bite, and she said " Ill take a bite if you do! " So Elder Rasmussen recorded us eating it haha. It wasn't as bad as I thought but I wouldn't order it. So Elder Boer and I went on exchanges and had a blast! after we did our planning for the night, we went to the church (you can see it from the apartment) and went sledding down the big hill by the church, it was such a blast! I haven't been sledding sense I was really little with my cousins. 

    We were walking to the Haddix home for a lesson, a family we've been teaching. As we were approaching, Charlie got off his bus and started running to us with the biggest smile on his face. Hes 9 years old. He was so excited to see us and asked us if we were coming over to see him and his family. Even if we weren't, I wouldn't be able to say no to the little guy. They are such a great family. This week we are seeing a former investigator that Elder Harris and I found when we first got here, James has been wanting to meet with us but has been going through a lot. We have been sending texts and leaving notes on his door. We never said anything to pressure him to meet with us, just something like "We hope your doing well, you have been in our prayers." He never really ever texted or called us back. After church he called and He told me how much it has meant to him that we stayed in contact with him and that he wants to meet with us this week.

   President and Sister Salisbury will be at our district meeting this week, What a treat! We also have a World Wide devotional with all the missionaries around the world!! I'm really excited for that! It has been snowing the past few days -_-. I normally wouldn't mind it, but we walk in it and it makes my nose really cold and people probably think I have issues because the snow flakes hit me in the eye and I twitch haha. Theres no other thing in this world that could bring more happiness that this gospel. I love yall so much! Have a great week! Talk to you next week! 

Elder Johnson

I made an omlette!

One of the first snow balls I ever made.

Happy Birthday Clark!

 What a joy this week was!  We have a lot of return appointments this week and will keep busy! We put Chelsea on date to be baptized on January 23rd!  She is excited and starting to recognize the spirit! It was a wonderful Sabbath yesterday! The Cervantes family came!  A lot people came up to her and were very excited to see her! They were going to leave after sacrament but the primary president came and got the kids and took them and her visit teachers got to know her better!  If we orchestrate their experience for church, they will have a good experience. We texted her after church and said we were glad their family was there and she responded, " It felt good to be there."
    We found a new investigator this week and he was so prepared! It was amazing what I learned about being consecrated. After our amazing zone meeting, we were invited to go to lunch with the other missionaries. I really wanted to go because I enjoy being around my mission buddies. I then remembered we had an appointment with a referral that we have been trying to meet with for a week. It was tempting to push back the appointment or meet the next day. It was obvious that we needed to go but I felt a little like Lots wife, doing what I should but looking back at what I could be doing. I prayed and my heart was changed, I was really excited to meet with this person. It ended up being such a powerful lesson, Elder Rasmussen taught with such unity and he accepted a baptism invite! I leaned a great lesson.

  
Well my brother Clark is having a birthday tomorrow! So be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday :) 

Our neighbor Mike and Susie had us for dinner a few times this week and she makes such good food, she used to do professionally! They had some visitors over, when we walked in they were like "wow! look at these two hot men that just walked in!". Hahaha 

   Ive been learning so much and grow closer to Heavenly Father Each day! At the end of zone meeting they asked Sister Lopp and I to share our testimonies; they didn't tell us before hand. It was powerful for me to be able  to share my testimony straight from the heart, which is sometimes better than a lot of preparing something to say. The genius of a mission is to take an young man and women and at the most selfish time of their life and tell them to spend every waking moment thinking about and planning for other people. I love it. This gospel is true and there is no other earthy thing that can duplicate the peace and joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a wonderful Christ centered week! 

   Elder Johnson

"The cats outta the bag!"

 What a week! first of all, the weather cant seem to decide weather to be warm or snow! It has been snowing off and on today! It has been a warm winter, so I'm thankful for that. This week there was this family in the ward that needed help with the addition on their house, so we helped put the trestles up. It was a lot of fun, never done work like that before. There was also a baptism in the ward. It was a young man that Elder Harris and I invited to learn when we first got to Clarksburg. He asked me to confirm him. It was the first time I've done it, it was an incredible experience! 
    We were able to meet with the Haddix grandmother, who has met with us a few times before and asked questions. We always would invite her to join us when we go see them but she is really hard of hearing so she politely declined. This last time when we came she decided to sit right in front of us so she could hear. She said she has questions and wants to read the Book of Mormon! She told us of some spiritual experiences that she had, and described feeling the Spirit just as you would hear in sacrament meeting. We explained that its the spirit she was feeling! It was so awesome! We have been having great lessons with the Pauley family. They have a less active and her non member daughter living with them, and the past two lessons have been so powerful, she accepted a baptism invitation! Her and her mom are well welcomed at church. Its always great going to see them and the Pauly family. 

   In sacrament meeting yesterday, Jerri and I were giving each other the eye to go up and share our testimony, so I did. Then she got up after me and decided to tell the whole congregation that I was going home at the end of the month! I just never told people about it, I just don't see the point, Ill say bye when the time comes! everyone started asking me when I'm going home. In gospel principles class the teacher and I are tight, shes like "SO! the cat is outta the bag, Elder Johnson." My response, "Is there any way to get the cat back in the bag?!" haha! Everyone had a good laugh. I don't mind talking about coming home, just got to much to do and to many people to see to worry about that! 

    Well I hope yall have a great week! Sure love ya! have a wonderful week!
Elder Johnson

Happy New Year!!

    Christmas has come and gone and now new years is upon us! As I look back on this year, I think of the man I have become and am so grateful that I spent the year as a full time representative of Jesus Christ. Being a missionary is the  best thing I could have done in my life. Ive been blessed by the people around me so much and those that aren't here with me but in my heart. I got to talk to those very close to my heart this weekend for Christmas! It was soo great to see and talk to my family! Everyone looks different, except my parents haha. Clark has a beard, Joseph and Rachael are off and married, Cadence is growing up fast and getting more beautiful each day, and good old Grant has a "man bun" hahaha! 
    We had a great experience with a family we've been working with. The mom has been in and out of the lessons, nice to us but not involved with the lessons. This last time she came in and talked to us more than she ever has! She started to ask so many questions that you can tell came from the heart, a lot of them answered by the message of the restoration. It was amazing to see her open up so much and share her feelings and past experiences that have been hard, in hopes that we could help her. I have grown to really love that family and everyone here in Clarksburg. I meet someone on the street and try to picture how the gospel could help them, what a great difference it can make and seeing them as a brother or sister. I have been so anxious to help people find the truth and help them see the peace the gospel brings. 

    Missionary work is such a rewarding work. You feel great doing it and it blesses the life of those being served and blessed by the gospel. I learn something new each day and the Spirit guides me on how I can improve each day. This past sacrament meeting was really wonderful for me because I felt the power of the Atonement work in my life. As a missionary, sometimes you feel like because you aren't perfect, that you must be doing something wrong. I learn so much during the sacrament when it quiet and I can reflect on my week and learn from what the spirit teaches, also from the speaker. 

    Hope yall have a great new years! Eat a bunch of junk food and drink a lot of sparkling cider for me!! Love yall! 

Elder Johnson

MeRrY CHRISTmas!

   Well of course CHRISTmas is this week, and its especially exciting for many reasons, one being that I am privileged to represent Him who the season is all about, Jesus Christ. Being a missionary during Christmas time is so special. There's no worry about presents, how cool my ugly sweater will look or what party I should go to. I get to focus and spend ALL my time and attention to doing the work the Savior did when He was here, I wouldn't rather be doing anything else. It is sad that I don't get to be with my family, but that's the other reason Its so exciting, that I get to Skype my family!! I know I will be with them eventually and that 2 years isn't really that long but my family means a lot to me so I'm really pumped!! 

    President Salisbury told us that when we press forward in the cold with a positive attitude our light will shine brighter. I took it to heart. It can be unwelcoming to go out when its cold but we don't let that stop us! Granted, its been the warmest winter recorded in West Virgina with it being in the 60-70s, almost like being in Huntington Beach haha. BUT it snowed the other day! It was coming down a lot at least in my Californian opinion ;) We had 3 people stop US and recognized that we were missionaries and asked us to come and teach them. #ChristmasMiracle 

    We were talking to this young kid during dinner and he asked " are yall Santa's little helpers?" We and his parents laughed and we told him "no, we are the missionaries". Then he smiled really big and said " Oh! so your Jesus's little helpers!". haha! I hope yall have a wonderful CHRISTmas! 

Love Elder Johnson  

#Regulars

  Christmas is right around the corner! I'm really excited to be able to see my beautiful family! They bring me such joy, more than anything the world could offer. We have been having a GREAT past few weeks! We have been staying busy and teaching a lot! Transfers are tomorrow, Ill be staying here another Transfer. My new companion is Elder M. Rasmussen, I think I've met him but not sure! I know We'll have fun!! :) Elder Harris is going to Buena Vista YSA! I'm excited for him! I served around there in the beginning of my mission! 

   We have been seeing so much good going on in Clarksburg! The Cervantes family is doing well! The kids are really excited to get baptized and the dad wants to meet with us! I am really pumped to see how it all plays out. Judy came with us to a lesson, her first time, It was so awesome! She bore powerful testimony about how the gospel has blessed her life, and she connected with Anita (who we taught) really well and made friends with her. Her and Jessie are great missionaries. We went to lunch with them and the other elders yesterday as a good bye to Elder Harris.

    We had a fun time bowling last week! I surprised myself and got 2nd place.out of 4! It was close! Mike and Susie our neighbors took us out to eat at this really nice Italian restaurant! Mike said the steak was really good and said i could get it if i wanted.. so I did! It was really good! They are such good people, great neighbors! :)

    So once or twice a week we go to subway and get a cookie just for a nice quick snack. Well this last time we went in the guy at the counter just started grabbing my favorite cookie and rang me up hahaha!  That's how you know if your a #Regular. We have been having such a great time here in Clarksburg! I love this place, not  just because its got the same name as one of my brothers :) Merry Christmas! Love yall!!!

Elder Johnson 

Cake Scandal

 A lot happened this week, not only here. My prayers have been with the people victim to the tragedies in California. We didn't have anything like that happen, thank goodness. We have been able to have good successes this week! We helped a family in the ward to trim a tree, there was this huge branch he cut and it swung down to the ground and barley missed hitting the neighbors house haha it was awesome. We were far, and safe! 
    We were able to meet with a inactive family. They have 2 kids over the age of 8 and the mom said "We need to get back to church and get them baptized." Its always exciting to hear! Im excited to see how that will play out. Also Had a great meeting with another inactive and her boyfriend. They are really awesome people! He seems receptive and willing to come to church! 

  There was a really cool event in Bridgeport called Light up night. There were thousands of people there! Sister Lopp and Nelson did all the hard work, they just asked us to be there to help pass out the #ASaviorIsBorn cards with candy canes on them! They had the video playing on Ipads, LOTS of people came and watched it! President and Sister Salisbury ended up showing up!! It was awesome to see them there! 
    So they had some half eatin cake in the cultural hall at the church before the sisters baptism that someone had left from a baby shower earlier that day... Well Elder Harris and I didn't want it to go to waste so we took a fork and took a bite into it. as we were munching we heard someone coming in so we tried to awkwardly scamper away to avoid embarrassment. We were comforted when we saw that it was the other Elders coming in to do the same thing we were hahaha.

   The stake had a Christmas music fireside last night before the first presidency devotional. Music has so much power to it! I love music so much, it was really nice to be able to enjoy the Christmas spirit through music. Hope yall are enjoying your Christmas season, I know we sure are! Love you!! 

Elder Johnson

First time for Everything.....

The Grinch says his heart grew 3 sizes during Christmas, my stomach grew 3 sizes this past week with thanksgiving! We were blessed to have a meal with members for all three meals of the day. It even hurt to breath or walk because we ate so much haha. Thanksgiving morning we had a turkey bowl for the ward, there were some other people that joined us to! Not to boast as to my own strength, but I may have gotten our team a touch down or two ;) hahaha But we had fun! 

   I cant believe that thanksgiving has already come and gone and Christmas is just around the corner! I'm so pumped to be able to represent Him who its all about! There really is a feel in the air, people seem to be  more open. Its such an exciting time to be a missionary and have your life be centered around the real reason for why we have Christmas. We have been have been having fun working with the Haddix family, we always have fun when we see them. They were cutting up their deer when went to see them last night, said they would make us some deer burgers! 

   Well  for the first time on my mission I was chased by a huge pit-bull! Its house is on our street so we saw it before we left the house, but we thought we could sneak past it. Its usually chained up but that day it walking free. we were so close to getting down the hill but he heard us coming; I don't think Ive run as fast in my life as when I saw that dog charged us.haha we went out with a cooking knife and with the help of our neighbor, we escaped the anger of the beast. 

    Wish I could share all that we experience. Have a great week!! love yall! 

Elder Johnson 

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg

 Pretty great week. They city is putting up the Christmas decor already! Cant believe its already that time of year!! It seems like it was just here, but at the same time not, if that makes sense haha. Weeks feel like one day, its so crazy how time is flying. It has been getting cold to; 30 outside when we got to the church to email!! Yesterday there was a really small flurry during church. 

     Jessie and Judy had the best family history experience they could've had this past week! Judy was able to add names and connect some dots! As they were looking for temple work to do, they noticed someone has been working on their names! Shocked, they were talking and seeing who it could be. We noticed the name and Jessie recognized her name. She looked her up on Facebook and messaged her. Jessie texted us that night saying that it was her cousin and was baptized 6 years ago!! Jessie and Judy had tears of joy as they found family past and present! The cousin thanked us for helping giving her an "eternal cousin". This is missionary work, and I am SO happy to be a part of it with them! What a special moment that was.

      We are all set up this week for our Thanksgiving this week! The members take great care of us here! Elder Harris and I have an adventure or story from each day because something makes us laugh each day. We have been having fun. I love my mission and being a missionary so much! I know yall are probably tired of hearing me say that but Its become a part of who I am. Ive grown and

   learned so much that  cant even explain. The gospel is so true, Christ is SO aware of each of us and Heavenly Father wants so desperately to help us to return back to him. Love yall, have a suoer happy Thanksgiving!! 

Elder Johnson 

Officially Burly Man!

   What a busy week! On Friday everyone and their cat wanted us to either go see them or needed out help. I felt bad because I wish we could've seen and helped everyone we wanted to but we just didn't have enough time in the day. We went to the veterans day parade that they had in town. There were a lot of people who talked to us, One of them was one of the dignitary's from the state, he shook our hands and was really glad that we were there. He said his cousin is an RM and has been talking to him about the church a lot, pretty cool! 

   Jessie came with us to a lesson for her first time!! It was a lot of fun to have her come with us to teach! It was awesome because she taught very well and bore very powerful, simple testimony. It made me tear up a little to hear her bare her testimony because it was right from the heart. 

    We had an elders quorum activity called the "Burly Man" haha. We cut up a lot of wood for people who need it to warm their homes for the winter. We got 3 trucks and 2 trailers full of wood; there were 25 guys. We had a lot of fun and got er done in no time. After they did some shooting which we weren't allowed, but it was fun watching! Some of the guns were really loud! 

    My favorite part of the week was when we went up to Charleston for a meeting with Elder Kopischke and his dear wife came to speak to us. They taught us so much, I wish I could tell you everything. Somethings I really liked from him was that he said how Church can be full of personal revelation, but your going to receive what your ready to. So we have to prepare! Going with a question in mind. Its wonderful what we can learn from the spirit and those who have prepared. He also very powerfully taught, and backed up with scriptures about how we chose our challenges and knew what we were getting into coming here to earth. The way he put it "you really think God would put us here not knowing what was going to happen and get blindsided by the challenges in life? What kind of Loving God would do that?" Powerful stuff!

   Sister Kopischke is such a bubbly, funny German lady. She was just so happy and excited about the gospel. She bore powerful testimony to the newer missionaries (but said it applied to everyone, even when we go home) of how when we do something new to have fun with it and not get frustrated. And also writing down the spiritual experiences we have so we can look back on them. So great! 

    Well hope yall have a great week! Love you!!

Aloha Elder Kamauu

Well its been only a few days sense last email but we have had a lot going on. They had the primary program for our ward this past Sunday. It was such a flash back in so many ways. there was these 2 young men that were messing around and being funny during the whole thing and it reminded me of me and my buddy Jason (who recently returned from his mission). haha It made me smile.

   We have been working with John to quit some addictions which are holding him back from baptism, but he's getting close! He has been meeting with the missionaries for a while but is starting to really progress, Elder Harris and I have been able to connect well with him.

    This past Thursday we had to say Aloha to Elder Kamauu who just returned back home to Hawaii! It was hard to see him go. As he was walking out of the door of the apartment we all saluted him and sang taps haha.

    It has been cooling off here! They said we were supposed to have snow on Sunday but thank goodness we didn't! I like looking at snow but not how cold it is, but it does make it fun. The leaves have been so  beautiful here but they are starting to go away cause winter. Elder Harris have been doing well together and having fun. This past weekend was full of walking a lot, people keep honking and waving and we don't recognize any of them!

   We get to go up to Charleston this week to hear from   Elder and Sister Kopischke of the 70. Half the mission will be there so it will be awesome to see a lot of my missionary buddies but most importantly to be spiritually fed!

    Hope yall have a great week! I know we will! :)

"Chicken or beef?"

 I have been walking on cloud 9 this week! We had so much going on and a lot of AMAZING experiences! HUGE highlight of the week was this weekend when Jessie and Judy got baptized! I cant explain how happy it makes me happy that they entered into that covenant! They both had great spiritual experiences both at the baptism and with confirmation. They are preparing to go to the temple this weekend to do temple work for their family! 

   A member took us out to eat and as always, when a missionary walks into anywhere everyone notices us haha. I overheard the people in the booth behind us talking about baptism and confirmation.  I felt that I had to get up and talk to them, no  matter how awkward it might be. They said they saw us and decided to look up and see if someone could be a convert in the LDS church and as they were looking it up is when I talked to them. He asked for a Book of Mormon and to meet with the missionaries! Shows how prepared people are! 

   Speaking of prepared, we had an appointment with a guy were teaching, he wasn't home but his roomate said he wanted to talk to us. It turned out that he had a Book of Mormon and said he'd read it and prayed about it and feels that its true! Hes been to church before and loves it, He said he wants to get baptized but wants to make sure he knows for sure its true! Elder Harris and my jaw was on the floor! It was like every missionaries dream to talk to someone like that! 

   For our wards trunk or treat, we handed out Ramen and when the kids would say trick or treat we would say "Chicken or beef!?" hahaha! It was our fun way to hand something out that was cheap. Last night, our neighbors had us an the other elders over for dinner! They are so good to us! We always have a good time when we got see them. 

    Such a great week, full of great memories. I love this work, it brings a happiness that cannot be explained! love yall! 

Elder Johnson

Baptism Weekend !

There were a lot of interviews this week! We were able to meet with President Salisbury this week for interviews! I soak in every second of being with him and Sister Salisbury because they are always on the go. During my interview He asked me when I go home, I told him January and he slammed his fist on the chair next to him and said "Im really going to miss you". #TenderMoment  

I got to interview Issac and Jennifer, a mother and son that Elders Boer and Kamauu have been teaching. They are getting baptized.
    JUDY AND JESSIE ARE GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO excited for them!! They have become such close friends. They are really excited! I know this is going to be just the beginning of a wonderful journey. They plan on going to the temple the next weekend with names from their family!!! The gospel is so true! 

   The Turner family is so much fun! We have dinner with them every Sunday. Their kids always got us laughing. We spent some time with Ben and Sariah (Waldron). They are seriously the funniest people ever! I LOVE spending time with them. The members here are great, especially them! haha The Pauley family had us over to! They are wonderful. She grew and canned her own apples and gave me some homemade apple sauce, apple jam and best of all apple pie filling! Soo good! 

   So my dear sister sang a duet in church yesterday and so did I! So it was kinda special to know that :) I also gave a talk. They asked me to give a talk on Hymn "Now Let Us Rejoice". It was fun, I get nervous at the begging of giving a talk but then i get into it and I love sharing my testimony. 

   Last Tuesday we were so jam packed busy! We were literally running from appointment to appointment! It was a lot of fun! We have been trying to stay as busy as we can. I say it all the time and im sure yall are tired of it, but Im not! I lve being a missionary!! Its the best thing Ive ever done! If you have the chance to serve, in any capacity do it! 

Love yall!! 

Elder Johnson

Grandma Cookie

 There were a lot of things this week where I was able to learn a lot and feel good about what was accomplished. One thing I was particularly proud of was how I was able to make myself fried rice!! Sister Turner in the Ward taught me and showed me how simple it was! I was so excited that I could make something other than something on a BBQ and was edible! haha. My mom wasn't lying when she sent me recipes to make stuff and said how its simple! We also had some really great lessons. Jessie and Judy are doing so great! They are planning to get baptized on the 31st! They have become such good friends and I love them both so much because of the Gospel. I'm so excited for them to make the covenant of baptism and soon after go to the temple! 

    We have been having a blast every time we go to see the Haddix family. They are so much fun to see and they enjoy us coming over to! Their grandma always is happy to see us and has us come in! The little 8 year old reminds me of my brother Clark so much! He looks just like him at that age and acts a little like him to. haha We also have a great time going to see the Turners every Sunday evening for dinner! They have such an awesome family and the kids are just so much fun! We always joke that we get dinner and entertainment because they kids are energetic and are fun! The Sabbath is always a delight. 

   John riddle is awesome. We have been teaching him sense we got here and he had a friend over Saturday. He invited him to learn then told him he would pick him up for church the next day and he did! It was so cool to see him be happy to share the gospel with Shawn (his friend). After church he was like "Im glad I came today". It was great!  

   Went on exchanges, I got to be with Elder Kamauu! We had soo much fun! We have served around each other before. There's this hole in the wall restaurant  that's good called "Grandma Cookies". (Paul LeBaron would be proud;) ) We met her on exchanges!! Shes super nice and they are making a shake called the Razlet because we kept ordering a chocolate raspberry shake haha. 

    Final story, at church this lady was staring at me and Elder Harris. She finally came up to us and turned to me and said, "I'm sorry to stare. I just think your so handsome!" haha of course I was taken back! haha "Well thank you" was all I could get out haha She said I look like this guy in the movies she watches haha 

  Well hope yall have a great week! Love yins! 

Elder Johnson

Fire pit for days

There are so many highlights from this week I don't even know where to start! We started off the week with a really powerful lesson with James. We didn't have an appointment with him. I thought about him that morning and felt that we should go see him. So we went and he was having a really hard time and was really glad to see us. We told him that we felt prompted to see him and he started to cry and said I know and feel that you were sent from God to see me today. It was amazing. We had the same kinda thing with Jessie. We felt strongly that we needed to see her so we tried going to her home and she wasn't their so we knew we needed to find her and we did! We had a great lesson with her and I felt so glad that we were in tune with the spirit. 

    We have been working with the Haddix family, they are so awesome! We have had to take a little different approach because they are between 8-17 and their dad. Its a lot of fun being there because they really like us coming over to teach and want to learn. We explained priesthood authority and how you have to be worthy and prepared and one of them was compared it to Thor and his hammer, pretty cool! haha

   Our neighbors Suzie and Mike are way to good to us! My suit pants not only did I rip them, but shredded them! Not sure how she did it but Suzie came in clutch and was able to fix them, as if it never happened! They had us over for dinner Friday and it was soo good! Shes a chief, so she made filet mignon with potatoes and really good home made bread! oh man, she made this really good cake! Dessert is my favorite part of a meal haha. They put on music during dinner that you would hear at Olive Garden or some fancy Italian restaurant and lite candles, and they even made a toast to us, the whole nine yards! It was a lot of fun! They are great people. 

   Yesterday, we were asked to go into primary and sing "We'll Bring the World His Truth". In the chorus we said "and we are now the Lords missionaries.." It always makes me tear up when I sing it that way because Ive prepared my whole life to be a missionary and here I am doing it!! Its such a blessing, best decision Ive ever made. 

    Great week! Hope yall are doing great! We're working hard in Clarksburg! Your prayers are felt and help a lot. Love yall! 

Elder Johnson 

Knew Elder Renlund before he was an Apostle ;)

What a Spiritual feast conference was! I loved all the talks and learning so much. How historic to have 3 new apostles called! Elder Renlund came to our mission a year ago and sheared, with his wife, powerful messages! It was exciting to hear that hes able to serve the Lord in a greater capacity.  

   We had a great week! Elder Harris and I have been started off great being in the Gladwell/ Waldrons home for dinner! They are such a fun family, love them a lot! We also went to the Sterretts, they are a lot of fun! We have awesome members here! We had a chili cook off before the priesthood session of conference, it was an epic battle haha, it was almost as intense as church ball! 

   Went on exchanges, I got to go to Ohio again! It was awesome, and such a beautiful place! I was able to drive a truck! It was a lot of fun! We had some cows crossing at one point, not typically a problem you have when I'm from haha. 

    We have been working with and seeing a less active member, brother Tenke. Hes from California. Hes a fun person and has been showing interest in coming back to church! Jessie has been doing so well! She is planning to go with the Relief Society to the temple this weekend! She cant go in but she want to just be near it and see the beauty of it. I wish we could go with her. We have been seeing success here in Clarksburg. We aren't called because who we are but who we can become and to serve the Lord. I Love my mission. I love the people Im serving. I love the Lord and who Hes helping me to become. Theres no other work on earth like this! 

   Thank yall for what you do, weather it be prayers or letters. Love yall!! 

Elder Johnson

It brought immediate peace to my heart

  It wasn't to long sense i last emailed, but we have been keeping busy! We have been seeing so many great things happening. We also have been having some people try to put us down for what we're doing. At first it made me pretty mad because they don't even give you a chance to defend yourself. I said a prayer to help me calm down, cause I was pretty mad haha. I was reminded by the Spirit what President Nelson told the mission presidents to tell us. "Remind the missionaries that Christ loves them". It brought immediate peace to my heart knowing that Christ is on my side! 

   My mom looked up this Ice cream place in our area called Toni's Ice cream... man was it really good! We are most defiantly going back! 

   Well got to give 2 shout outs this week, one to Elder Yocom, His birthday is tomorrow! Also, the infamous Elder Millard has a birthday on the 3rd! Love those 2! 

Well I gotta get going. Have a great week! Love yins!

heres the sandlot, Clarksburg

UnClE RaTcHeT TuRtLe

What an amazing week we had. Do I say that a lot? I feel like I do but how could you not have an amazing week when you represent Jesus Christ! haha We had a meeting with President and Sister Salisbury. We drove up to Charleston because they installed this thing called Tiwi in the missions cars. It tracts the missionaries driving and helps us drive safe. We don't have to worry about it cause we don't have a car. At the meeting the missionaries in Pikeville Kentucky were there. They were telling me that the members and people still remember me and talk about me! It made me really happy cause its been over a year sense Ive served there :) 

   We got a referral from the Washington DC temple! It was really cool! There was a guy who went to the visitor center and asked for missionaries to come see him! and He lives here in Clarksburg. So we are excited to meet him! We met and taught this family! They are awesome, they are looking for a church to go to. Eric, one of the family members, told us to call him " Uncle Ratchet Turtle" hahaha! He accepted to be baptized! 

   Jessie and her mom are doing so well! Her mom Judy, came to church for the first time on sunday and she loved it! they are both really excited to be baptized! They are progressing really well! Ben and his girlfriend are doing well and excited to come to church. We have been meeting so many awesome people. The other day we told this lady that we liked her necklace and she had us sit on her porch and gave us milk and pumpkin bread and told us to come back Friday to teach her family! People are being prepared! 

   LOVE the mission! Love the people, and love the things Im learning! Have a great week! 

Love Elder Johnson 

DeEr On ThE LaWn!

Wow, what a week of testimony builders and funny moments! Elder Harris and I seem to have something funny happen to us everyday. One hilarious experience this week was being on an elevator. We got on this elevator to see someone and half way up, it just stops! So we were awkwardly stuck for like 10 minutes. (for any office fans) I almost decided to establish a pee corner! haha! And if that wasn't enough, we got out  on the wrong floor. I got back in and the door closed before Elder Harris could get in, i pressed the door open button frantically because we are supposed to stay within sight and sound. But the elevator started going down! I was alone for a few minutes till Elder Harris got down. Had a mini heart attack! 

   We went on exchanges this week! I went with Elder Corless who is from California to! Part of their area covers some of Ohio! So I got to go into Ohio and do some work! It was fun! I have been in 5 of the 7 states that our mission covers! They have a truck to drive around so it was nice to be able to drive haha. 

   We had stake conference! It was such a great meeting!! The Spirit was so strong at them. President and Sister Salisbury were in attendance and even spoke! I think one of the MANY powerful things that happened was when the stake president had all the Primary kids stand and sing the first 2 verses of "I am a Child of God". It then we all sang the last verse. It made me tear up, It made me think of my sister Cadence and how beautiful and pure she is. It was also a reminder of how God loves each of us and who we are, 

   Jessie is doing really well which doesn't surprise me! She is just eating everything up! Its amazing to see her progression and how much she enjoys the gospel.

   We went to the Black history festival, this weekend. back to back festivals haha. It was awesome! There was a man who gave us a meal in honor of a young man in the ward who passed away a few years ago. We told his family about it and they were very touched. 

   I love being a missionary! It excites my soul. thanks for all you do! Transfers are next week so ill be back on Wednesday. Have a great week! 

Love, Elder Johnson

Its normal for deer to be on peoples lawns in these parts

Me in Ohio