AP Week 8

My loving family,

I feel a sweet spirit right now emailing to you. I thank you for your words to me. You make me happy. We are so blessed to have the gospel as a family, and I can't wait to talk with y'all (in 2 months!!) about the wonderful experiences im having in the Philippines. I feel at peace at this moment, I love you all :)

It's been a joyful week for Elder Benosa and I. We have been able to work our area more than ever, and the Lord has truly blessed us. Our progression of our investigators has increased rapidly. It's beautiful to be a part of. 

Guess what!? We aren't going to baptize in June, but our July is looking to be one of the successful months I've ever had as a missionary. Heavenly Father has answered our prayers and is granting the desires of our hearts. Which is to baptize converts. There's nothing more sweet than this work.. ah i love it. 

Vince Lapena has come out of nowhere again and is preparing to be baptized on July 1! President will interview him this Monday, so we are in need of your prayers that Vince's baptism will go through! 

We have weekly baptisms lined up for all of July and we couldn't be more excited. July 8 Brother Abby Duterte will be baptized. Man we had a crazy experience with him this week (let's just say his faith is stronger than I've ever witnessed an investigator have). Jellian and Mariel are also preparing for July 8 (Sister Jellian cried in our lesson yesterday because she realized that she needs to be baptized, the spirit was strong, the members are on fire here!!) We are teaching the kids of brother Orlando who is an RC. Their names are Rebecca and Felly, and they're awesome! They'll be baptized on July 15. 

Have a great week family, mahal ko kayo!

Love,

Elder Johnson

AP Week 7

Mayong udto! (magandang tanghali in Hiligaynon- the language of my companion Elder Benosa!)

We're doing well! We survived transfer week, and managed to get out and work in our area quite a bit and also have some exchanges so it's been great! As of now, my companion and I are kind of stressed because of the situation with our investigators. We had 6 at church last Sunday, and many more miracles that the Lord has prepared for July, but for June we don't know if Abby and Rod will be able to be baptized. We haven't been able to contact them all week. It's been frustrating, but we know Heavenly Father is preparing a way for the next week for us to baptize someone. We think it might be sister Mariel (referral ng member). We actually are unsure right now, but that's the beautiful thing of being on the Lord's errand.. He'll prepare a way for us, as long as we are doing our best. I know that to be true. 

iyan lang muna for this week, I love y'all so much! ingat po kayo..

p.s.

Maligayang Araw ng mga Tatay!! 

Maligayang Kaarawan sa akin Ama!! mahal kita Dad

2 months na lang :) 

Love,

Elder Johnson

AP Week 6

Dear Family,

This week we have really felt the reality of Satan and his desire to bring the missionaries down and to stop the work from progressing here in the PQCM. But it will not stop, ever. Especially now. It's been a hard week. This calling has just brought so many challenges..personal, within the area, the mission, every aspect of the work. I've never experienced this before in my mission. It's spiritually, physically, and emotionally stretching. 

The work in our area is progressing. We are still teaching and preparing Rod and Abby for the 24th. We need fasting and prayers to be able to accomplish the Lord's vision of 4 baptisms this month. 

It's transfer week.. I really have no idea what I'm going to do, I feel overwhelmed and stressed with trying to balance all my responsibilities and also my area. 

Elder Fano is getting transferred. My new companion is Elder Benosa. I don't know what to expect, all I am relying on is the Lord.

In my personal study this week I read the talk from Elder Nelson from last general conference. He talked about accessing the Power of Jesus Christ in our lives. He stated , " There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His Gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought; but when we do, our doubts and fears flee. " .... *D&C 6:36

My personal goal for this next transfer and last full transfer as a full time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.. *D&C 19:23

I will give my all to my God and His glorious work. I know these things are true.

Love,

Elder Johnson

AP Week 5

It's been a pagod week for us. Lot's of things going on, we're just trying to magtiis and continue to adapt and overcome. The challenge has been to find time. Time is our worst enemy right now. We're mastering trying to manage it. I've grown a lot even in this last week, just in little things. I've improved on being a leader and a missionary in general. I feel like I'm preparing myself for when I get home. By the way, I only have less than 3 months to go..,which thinking about depresses me.. but Elder Fano and I are so excited, because we are going to set goals of the things we want to accomplish in our mission before we go home. We've both been giving it our all. I've felt the joy of being in the service of my God this transfer. I know He is pleased with my efforts. 

We had 2 zone conferences. We went to Mindoro, and had MLC this past week. I saw Billy (YSA) and the Santos family in Mindoro.  It was incredible to go back to Sablayan (even though it was only for a couple hours). I hope I can die there (finish my mission there). 

Kidmar was baptized :) we really saw the change in him. It's was beautiful. The Sunday of his confirmation he had the light of Christ and had a sense of quiet dignity with him. 

We're still working with a few families and preparing them for June. Brother Abby Duterte and Rod are our most progressing as of now. June is here, the Lord will bless us with at least 4 this month, I know it. 

June projection for PQCM: 284 souls is our goal for baptisms this month. We need your prayers and fasting! 

*Alma 17:3 : But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."

Love yall,

Elder Johnson