Monday, August 21, 2017

My last email as a full time missionary serving in the Philippines

I can't believe it's over. My service as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is complete. Wow, these 2 years flew by. I'm eternally grateful for this life changing experience. It's truly been the best 2 years. I love my calling more than anything. I'll cherish this the rest of my life. Anyway, writing this just makes me cry, I don't want to come home. All I want to do is lose myself in the service of my Savior. 

I want to testify to you of the work of the Lord. It's real, it's true. I know that Jesus Christ died for us. He suffered, and He lives. I'm so happy right now though. I've done my best, and I know that because of the person that God has made me in these past 2 years as I've labored in His vineyard as His instrument.

I can't wait to see y'all!! I'm filled with JOY!! See y'all in like 2 days haha. Love y'all so much!!

Love,
Elder Johnson












Monday, August 14, 2017

2nd to last email ata :)

9 days na lang family!!!
So crazy, I can't believe I'm coming home so soon! It's been an amazing 2 years!!
Guess what.. we baptized MARY ANN!!! After almost 2 years of waiting to be baptized, it finally happened! She got married on Friday, and she was so happy. When she bore her testimony she was just so grateful. She bore a very simple and powerful testimony of the truths of the restored gospel. It was amazing. I feel so blessed!!! The joy of the work :)
We also baptized Claudine and Clyvhin :). It's just been a blast here in my last area. I'm so lucky that the Lord just continues to bless me tremendously. It's incredible.
Last night we experienced the powers of Heaven in our work. I'll have to tell you all my special experiences in a few days!! The mission is simply the best. The spirit is literally everything in this work. Heavenly Father will bless us and give us His power if we desire, call upon Him, ask, and if we are willing to sacrifice and do everything to be His instrument. I just love it.
I'll send some pics. I love y'all so much.
I want to testify to y'all that this church is true. I know it. i know that Heavenly Father loves us and knows each and every one of us. I know that the Spirit is the real teacher and is absolutely necessary to have in order for us to be  powerful and successful in the work and harvest in the Lord's vineyard. The spirit is everything. It's so true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love, 
Elder Johnson










Monday, August 7, 2017

2 weeks na lang :) :(

Family!!

Amazing week! We're just working harder than ever, teaching more than ever, and best of all baptizing like crazy!! Lyrick was baptized on Saturday! I was able to baptize in the dagat again! Nothing better talaga. 

We are going for 6 baptisms this coming Saturday.. It's been wild this past week, a lot has happened.

The Sales family talked to the dad and long story short he doesn't want them to become mormon. They are now doubting and don't know if they will be baptized this Saturday. Of course it's not going to be easy! We've literally done all we can, and we aren't stopping. They will be baptized. Elder Young and are exercising the most faith in Jesus Christ that we ever have. It's more powerful when as a companionship we are both united and believe. I was able to study more about Faith this past week. I learned that for a specific purpose, we are in need of God's strength and extra Power. We can't make this happen, but according to our faith, we can be like Nephi and Lehi in the BoM where their faith changed the hearts of the Lamanites and they were all baptized by water and fire! 

The BoM is so true, it has blessed my life more than anything.  It's my guide and fires me up to do the Lord's work. I love in 3 Nephi when it talks about how Nephi testified boldly, teaching with power and authority. That's what it's about, being on the Lord's errand, being His instrument. 

Also, we are still working out Mary Ann.. we are trying to get her husband to take a day off from work so they can go with Pres Abrea and get married. It'll happen this week. 

Claudine and Clayven (part member ages 13 and 16) told us last night they are ready for the lubog :) So we are happy, they'll be baptized this Saturday.

In Buskad where we did the special sacrament, we taught and gave a bapt date to this family of 10! 7 of them are baptism age so we are excited for them for August 26, They're so humble and submissive, it's awesome.

Regards from the beautiful island of Mindoro, ingat.

P.S. I'm gonna just stay here and live with the Mangyans (look that up lol )

Love,
Elder Johnson



Special Sacrament in Buskad :) There is the Beltran Family..10 of them :)




Lyrick this past Saturday :)