Sister Victoria Paige Johnson: California Rancho Cucamonga Mission: 2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

PICS! 10/09/14

10/06/14 MY MOST FAVORITE EMAIL SO FAR!!! (yeah, they are all soo good, but this one is AMAZING!)

From:	Victoria Paige Johnson (victoria.johnson@myldsmail.net) This sender is in your safe list.
Sent:	Mon 10/06/14 2:33 PM
To:	Lexi Johnson (papaversatiny@hotmail.com); Robert Johnson (cars4play@gmail.com)

I'm sure you are wondering how everything is going?

WELLLLLLLLLL BRO FORGET IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY HOLLLAAAAAA.

so excited for that. He is so ready. He came out of his baptismal interview beeeeaming. He told us that he was having doubts, that he was wondering if he was getting baptized for the right reasons. BUT after his self-evaluation he told us he is so ready, he knows it's true, and he knows this is the right time for him to be doing all of this. This man has come a long way! And his wife, who was less active, has come a long way too. She is receiving and acting on revelation, seeking help through the scriptures, and making necessary changes to bring her life in accordance with the teachings of the Savior.

We got 4 new investigators this week! A whole family! They are the Winklers. So coooooooool. And so gonna get baptized. They have been prepared to receive the gospel. They have members friends that called their elders to help the Winklers move, and then because of that, they referred the family to us and we were able to get in the door to teach them!! ALL BECAUSE OF MEMBERSSSSSS. So all the members out there that read this: TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE CHURCH, SERVE THEM, AND HELP THEMMMMM.

ALSO WE SAW THE MOVIE MEET THE MORMONS. IT WAS SO GOOD. ya'll will cry and love it. We watched it at the stake center with all the missionaries in this half of the mission. so INVITE EVERYONE. we missionaries are not allowed to use the movie as a proselyting tool. That means we can't knock on everyone's door and tell them to go see it. What it does mean though, is that all ya'll members out there CAN DO THAT. This movie is a tool for members to invite their friends to go see, to tell their neighbors, to bring their families, and to help everyone see how legitimately cool us Mormons are. And get to the movie on time because the beginning is hilarious.

wow, conference was awesomeeeeeeeee. So awesome. They just pounded to the max how important it is to have a prophet on the earth today. WE ARE SO LUCKY. Sister Martinez and I prayed tons and tons that our families at home would watch conference and would find joy and guidance from watching it. Of course I knew you would watch it, but know we were praying for you anyways! I loved all that was said about REVELATION. man oh man, I just love revelation. Continuing revelation. We, as individuals can receive guidance direction from a supreme being, our Creator, our Father, our God. I have learned on my mission that we are entitled to revelation, but we will not get it if we do not move. Revelation comes to those who are on the move! I also loved in conference all that was said about conversion- doing the little things. This world is spiraling in a scary direction, but when we plant our feet firmly on Jesus Christ, we are promised that we will not fall. I ALSO LOVED ELDER HOLLANDS TALK. Man. It blew me away. I hope that I can dedicate my life to serving the Lord and God's children, seeking out to help the poor and the poor in spirit.

I'm grateful for conference. I know we have a prophet on the earth today. I know that strict and exact obedience is necessary to entering into the kingdom of God. Do not pollute your minds with things of this world. It's not worth it. It's not worth the entertaining movie, the first pumping music. It's not worth the the degrading clothing, or spirit chasing language. It's not worth the little white lies, the lazy nature, the "I don't have time because I'm too busy" excuses. Forfeiting our Salvation is NOT WORTH anything this world has to offer. BUT gaining Salvation and relying on the Lord is worth everything we can offer. It's worth the sacrifices. It's worth the little things.

Something a former missionary said hit me hard. He said--- once you get home everything is weird and different. You spent 18 mos or 2 years of your lives growing and improving and changing at an alarming rate. Then you come home and everyone is the same. Everyone is at the same place they were when you left. and you feel out of place. ----

I can testify to you that that doesn't have to be true. You can spend the next 9 months and rest of your life growing and changing and improving at exponential rates just like missionaries do IF you will rely on the Atonement of the Lord, consecrating your time and efforts to Him. I love you all, and I know what you are capable of. I know that you will have grown and changed and become who He wants you to become over the next months, because I know you love the Lord and strive to follow and become more like Him. Know that I pray for you all like crazy. Know that where much is expected, much is given. As you live up to the expectations of the Lord, he will cover you with His power, and change you, mold you, and shape you into what you can become.

I LOVE YOU

Love Sister Johnson

PICTURES!!! 9/29/14

9/15/14 EMAIL FROM SISTER JOHNSON!

From:	Victoria Paige Johnson (victoria.johnson@myldsmail.net) This sender is in your safe list.
Sent:	Mon 9/15/14 12:40 PM
To:	Robert Johnson (cars4play@gmail.com); Lexi Johnson (papaversatiny@hotmail.com)

I need to think of a new word besides awesome... Because this week was awesome. FANTASTICO! MAGNIFICO! MUY BUENO!

hahaha things are going way good with working with the members. They are keeping the commitments we are leaving with them. They are studying the Atonement. They are studying PMG. And because of that, their desire to do missionary work will increase, and soon enough, they will be sharing the gospel all over the place! What's so awesome about the gospel, is that if they TRULY understand the Atonement, if WE truly understand what Jesus Christ has done for us, we WILL share the gospel. We WILL be obedient. We WILL hold a current temple recommend. We WILL share what we believe with everyone we meet. I don't mean WE as missionaries. I mean WE as members. Every member a missionary!

BY THE WAY. Last general conference, there was a push for all members to be studying Preach My Gospel! Who is doing that? What have you been learning???

Anyways. The cool thing is. We invited tons of members to pray for our investigators. AND IT'S WORKINGGGGG. They are praying. And because of it! We got three new investigators this week!!! :) and the ones we already have are progressing!

Brother Forget and his wife came to a baptism that the Elders had, and after it was over, we asked Bro Forget if he was excited for his baptism and he said, "Yeah, I didn't think I would be, but I'm so excited. I'm ready. I know I'm gonna be ready!" And we were worried that he was on the fence about it. Ahhh seeeee miracles.

One of the new investigators we have is named Carol. She is old and has a lot of questions about the Plan of Salvation. Their were some tears shed in our lesson with her, and she accepted the invitation to keep learning more.

The other two investigators are Athena, she is 10, and Athen, he is 9. They are siblings! And have been coming to church with their grandparents for a while, and we didn't know they weren't baptized! Anyways, we will fix that :)

Such cool experiences and miracles this week. I am so grateful for being here!

So, our new motto is "THESE GIRLS ARE ON FIRRRRREEEEEE." And we sing it out everyday, just like Alicia Keys. And so every day we feel the fire of missionary work burning and pushing us along! woot woot! So I am sending a picture of my drawing on our white board. Appreciate.

hahahaha so I forgot to tell you this funny story about Joseph. We met Joseph while trying to contact a less-active in our ward. He was sitting on his steps outside and so we started chatting! He was hilarious.... but that was due to the fact that he was quite a bit tipsy with his extra large can of Coors Light. He was black, and talked exactly like he was trying to be gangster.... I'm not sure if it was working for him though. When he told us his name, "My name is Jospeh. Ya know, just like God's name is Jospeh and His Son's name is Jospeh. The Son of God. So I am God's Son and I am the Son of God." and so I politely but boldly said "How about we come back some other time when you aren't drinking and we can talk about a prophet of the Lord who's name was Jospeh Smith, just like you." He agreed and gave us his phone #... So when we called it the next day, it was the number to a Bank of America in Dana Point. hahahahahahahaha it was a really funny experience..... but I don't think it sounds as funny when I tell you over email.... So just laugh and it will make me feel better.

Thanks for the prayers and support!

Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister Johnson

Thursday, September 11, 2014

9/10/14

From:	Victoria Paige Johnson (victoria.johnson@myldsmail.net) This sender is in your safe list.

So! This week was a weird one. First of allllllll!!!!!!!!! I am emailing you today, which is Wednesday which makes it feel weird. hahahah but that is because we went to the temple this morning! Boy. Oh. Boy. Was that fantastically beautiful. So much joy packed into such a small temple.

I am not quite sure how to describe this week.. it was probably one of the most joy-filled and spiritual weeks of my mission. It was a week where all of our appointments cancelled and no one seemed interested in the message we had to share.. So Sister Martinez and I spent a lot of time in prayer, seeking for guidance, asking Heavenly Father what we could do to build up the ward here... Because let's be real. It needs some help. But all wards need help. And of course--Heavenly Father answered that prayer.

So I definitely know I am in this ward for a reason. Heavenly Father has some wise purposes that I am not sure of.. But after this week I have realized that one reason I am here is because up till this point in my mission, I haven't been the kind of missionary Heavenly Father wants me to be. Up till this point, I have been obedient, diligent, and successful. But I know there is more to missionary work than that. SAY WHAT? hahaha!

As missionaries, our purpose is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them recieve the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End." I've been so darn focused on investigators and less-actives that I haven't done so much focusing on the ward as I should have. So, Sister Martinez and I recognized that. And with some heavenly help, we devised a plan to help the ward. Whether or not anyone gets baptized in the next months, is not what matters right now. What matters is that we are helping prepare these members to usher in the coming of the Savior. So instead of making plans to help the ward and then not following through with them like usually happens--- we actually got to work! We prayerfully chose specific families to focus on, and we have already seen miracles come of it. We have had floods and floods of inspiration and revelation coming in on how to help these specific people.

I have developed a new sense of love, passion, and dedication to the Lord's work. I feel like I am finally starting to become who I am supposed to become, and I know Sister Martinez and I have been prepared through our past experiences for this transfer. I don't know if any of this is making sense. But I truly feel like running and jumping and singing, and laughing and have never been as happy as I am now! The key to missionary work is revelation. The key to revelation is submission. and the key to submission is humbleness and obedience. I know without a doubt that I cannot do this work alone, I need the Lord's guidance and direction through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. I have realized that right now, we are to focus what we teach on the Atonement and the Temple. We are setting hard core visions, goals, and plans for our companionship, our ward, and everyone we teach. We are committing everyone we talk to- members included- to do something and then following up. We are studying harder, learning more, and applying training we receive better than we have before! All because we had one crappy week and decided to ask heavenly father how to make it better. I know the Lord knows how to do His work, and I have every intention of helping Him do it.

And the icing on the cake was going to the temple this morning.

I love you! I love the Lord. I love the temple. I love love love this work.

Tue 9/02/ 14 Email!


Sent:	Tue 9/02/14 2:37 PM

Man oh man, I have no idea why I am back here in Hesperia Santa Fe Ward. But I know I am supposed to be here.

We got a new investigator this week! His name is Brother Forget. His wife is a Less-Active and she is now coming back to church! It was awesome. We taught him, put him on date to be baptized, and they came to church all in one week! Way cool.

The work here in Hesperia is different and slower than in Apple Valley. My Zone in Apple Valley was the highest baptizing zone in the mission.... so it's been quite the shocker coming back here and not seeing the same. But every area is capable of miracles and wonderful things. And I know there is good things to come here! Good missionaries are obedient. Good missionaries see good things happen. But miracles happen when we work with the ward, to find teach and baptize. Great missionaries, wonderful missionaries are those who work with members. So don't any of you ever think that it is okay to sit back and relax.. the work is hastening and now is the time for members and missionaries to unite together to gather the lost.

Sister Martinez and I have similar ways we work as missionaries, so we get along well! She helps me with my Spanish and I help her with her English! It was so funny to see her freak out as I spoke Spanish to her. She thinks I am really good, but in reality, everyone from Arizona can speak a little if they try. hahahahah It's cool to see how much I have remembered from High School Spanish though.

So Elder Nelson. Yes I got to shake his hand

One of the things he said that blew my mind: One of the missionaries raised his hand and asked the question, "So Peter went through a huge and amazing transformation, he went from denying Christ three times to leading the church with diligence and obedience. How can we have the same transformation as missionaries?" Elder Nelson responded: "Peter was being obedient. Christ commanded him to deny him three thrice...." there was a pause as we all gasped. Then he said "Peter had already been transformed. If you want to be the same, you be obedient." and then he asked for the next question. DUDE WHAT THE #MINDBLOWN

He was finishing up his remarks when he said "Wait, I cannot leave here until you know who you are." Then he turned around to one of the Stake Presidents sitting on the stand and said in a very very intense voice "Your youth do not know who they are." IT WAS INSANE. Then he turned back to us missionaries and talked about the gathering of the lost and how we are destined to help prepare the earth for the return of the Savior. It was magnificent. It was the answer to my prayer. I quite often kneel in prayer and ask Heavenly Father who I am. Not because I am lost, or searching, or feeling like I am worth nothing. But because I know my purpose is greater than what I see for myself. All of God's children have a purpose that is greater that what they see for themselves! We are children of God, we are part of the Abrahamic Covenant, and we are disciples of Jesus Christ.

Elder Nelson also said that there is more to the restoration that hasn't happened yet. boom. mind blown again.

The apostolic blessing he left upon us was the sweetest part! He blessed us to be able to feast upon the scriptures and apply the messages, he blessed us to have health and strenght, as well as our families, he blessed us with healing, and healing for our families, he blessed us to be missionaries in our families as well. He also blessed us to become all that the Savior wanted to make of us.

Awesome stuff. I wish you could have been there!

I love you! I love this work.

Love sister Johnson

Monday, July 28, 2014

7/28/14 This is a sweet one!!

This weeeeeek wassssss awesommmmmme.

It really was.

ISAIAH AND SARAH!!! Okay so Isaiah is an investigator we have been teaching for a while. He came to church last week for the first time and brought his girlfriend. Then this week we started teaching her too, and now they are both getting baptized!! They have to get married first, but that is okay, the Lord will provide a way. They are loving life and the gospel. On Thursday, one of our ward missionaries, Sister Smith, invited us, Isaiah and Sarah, and Brother and Sister Leon over for lunch. SHE WENT ALL OUT. She made bbq brisket, ham, carrots, cole slaw, and three different desserts. THAT WOMAN CAN COOK. She is my favorite sassy lady from NY. Anways. Isaiah and Sarah and the Leons became fast friends. (The Leon's have been members for 11 months.) The morning of the breakfast Isaiah called us and said "Sarah and I have been reading out of the Book of Mormon and praying every day..... and I know it's true." DUDE BOOOM RIGHT THERE THAT IS THE MOST GLORIOUS THING TO HEAR AS A MISSIONARY. now we just need prayers that they will be able to raise the money to get married.

The Leons brought Isaiah and Sarah to our Stake Pioneer Day Hoedown and they had a blast there too! They are loving life and so much happier now. It's been a miracle to witness. I have a picture with them that I will attach.

We also had interviews with our mission president, President Hobbs this week ( we have those every few months or so, so he can check up on us and see that we are being good missionaries). It was wonderful to sit and talk with a man who is so close to God, and also who can offer insight and spiritual upliftment for our young hearts. I felt rejuvenated afterwards and ready to tackle the world!

Two of the recent converts in our ward were in the hospital this week! AHHH everyone is getting sick and hurt and having surgery. It's amazing how much junk people have to go through, but in the process I see them coming unto Christ and seeking perfection through Him. His grace is sufficient!

Lets be real, a million other good and wonderful things happened this week that I cannot remember nor do I have time to write down. This week was busyyyyyyyyyy hahahaha

Last night, we were walking (because it was about to be storming and so it felt wonderful outside) and this lady stopped in her car and was like "Are you missionaries?" and we told her yes and she asked if we were mormon and she was so excited because she had never seen Girl missionaries from the Mormon church! She wasn't interested in learning more, but we gave her a card and she was on her way. It was still really cool to be able to be recognized right away as Mormon missionaries! GIRL POWER! Random experience for you. Who knows why I chose to share that out of everything else that has happened. hahahaha

Also yesterday, Sister Nash and I gave the lesson in Young Woman's about going on a mission. It was awesome, and the girls had wonderful questions! The generation under me has some great faith

This week I was reading a talk fro General Conference called "What Manner of Men?" by Elder Hallstrom. Also, I was thinking about some wise words that my dear sister, Lexi, shared with me..... In it he said "Once any of us conclude--'that's just the way I am'--we give up our ability to change."

This got me thinking.. and I gathered that the same goes for what we say about others. When we say, 'that's just the way they are', we are giving up our ability to help others change and ultimately we stop viewing them as a Child of God-- but instead a Child of Man, dammed, unable to progress, unable to use the Atonement, unable to become like our Savior Jesus Christ. We are synonomously saying 'The Atonement wasn't for them--therefore they are unable to change.' How dare we ever say that? How dare we ever handicap others with our words? Elder Hallstrom also says in this same talk, We should have "confidence that His Atonement gives everyone of us--no matter our weaknesses, our frailties, our addictions--the ability to change."

In the words of my favorite cheesy EFY song, "You can change. You can turn your heart around! A brand new heart can be found, if you only take on step! You can change, wrap your mistakes in a cocoon and let them die. And emerge a butterfly, you can change!" Anyways, that song always gets stuck in my head and one time I broke out in song in a lesson singin it. But I won't share that with you because you will all think I am too cheesy.

Peace and Blessings!!!

Sister Johnson

Brother and Sister Leon took this picture of us at the Stake Pioneer Day Hoedown and then posted it on Facebook right away. hahahaha they told us to walk toward them and act "natural".. so naturally I put my arms out and made jazz hands.

7/21/14 Pictures

the LOVELY PACKAGE I GOT THIS MORNINGGGGGGGGG

post water balloon fight....

#SOCAL

Us, Sister Moffett (the member we live with) and our Huge Zucchini that our neighbor gave us.

my zucchini baby, named Albert

7/21/14 Email Update. ITS A GOOD ONE!

This morning, when we were leaving for the library, Sister Nash opened up the door and was like "look your package came!" and I said "I didn't order anything!!!"

Hahahaha but to my lovely surprise-- I had a package from mom!!! AND it made my day. The lovely Trader Joe's goodies were just what Sister Nash and I need. We opened up the melted-then-re-hardened bag of yogurt pretzels and chiseled away at it. SO GOOD. and perfect. I love those dried cherries BTW. UNSULFERED AND UNSWEETENED. hallelujah!

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A RED NECK WHENNNNNNN.... you fill pot holes with horse manure. Yes. #onlyinAppleValley. We were headed to meet a new part member family in the ward, headed down one of our usual crappy roads, and yes, there was manure filling up the holes. I'm not sure what different it made, but I guess it was cheaper than asphalt...

Also, another random funny story... A few nights ago, lovely Sister Nash randomly woke up in the middle of the night (2:30am to be exact) and turned on the light in the room. I twitched, rolled over and glared at her-- after which she realized what she had done and turned it off and went right back to sleep. It was hilarious. And she has no explanation for her random need to turn on the light.

Our investigator Sabrina! She hasn't been able to meet with us for a while. I'm actually not sure if I have told you about her before... There's too many people to talk about them all. But anywayyssss. She doesn't have a religious background, so teaching her is wonderful because she is thirsting for knowledge. But teaching her is also hard because she is so skeptical about everything and has never recognized the spirit before. Anywayyyyyysssss. SHE PRAYEDDDDDD. This is a woman that isn't really sure if there is a God. She prayed right before our eyes and it was a glorious thing. Angels rejoiced and I almost cried. I can promise you that God is indeed real, He does listen to and answer our prayers, and He does desire for us to be happy. God is the author of our destiny. But the choices we make plays an ever-important role in the outcome of that destiny.

Audrey-- the lady who's lawn we mowed-- has been really busy. So we haven't gotten in the door again. But we will! prayers for her please!

OHHHH YEAH! And we were able to re-establish contact with our investigator Isaiah!!!!!!!! We haven't been sure if he has been avoiding us or busy or what... but as it turned out.. his phone had gotten turned off. hahahaha so he really wasn't avoiding us. WELLLLL him and his girlfriend Sarah came to the ward picnic and then to church on Sunday! They were happy and had a good time. We have more appointments with them this week and Isaiah is on baptismal date, and Sarah we hope to begin teaching soon!!!

Which brings me to the story of the ward partyyyy..... Sister Nash and I are really good, sweet, obedient little missionaries and everyone sees us as that... So we decided to be a little crazy and we brought a trash can full of water balloons to the ward picnic... Some other kids there had the same idea and brought coolers full of water, and when they started throwing that at each other, Sis Nash and I ran to our car and brought out ours and joined the fight. Don't worry. We let them have most of the fun.... but then the kids ganged up on us and started chasing us with coolers full of water. So I did the logical thing and hid amongst the old people, so I would not get dumped on. But Sister Nash ran like the champion that she is.. and was chased until the boys caught up with her. Anywayyyssss... so this guys named Brother Poulson was so kind, and helped us dump all the ice water from the water bottle cooler into our bucket... then we sneaked up to the boys that were trying to get us wet, and dumped the ice water on them..... No shame. We are 12% positive that there is nothing against any of that in the white handbook. But that was my 30 seconds of rebellion for my mission.

AT CHURCH THIS WEEEEEEEEK. Okay so our usual Less actives were there. Sister Mays, Sister Kirchner, Ashley! BUT THENNNN Sister Bartok came! She is the sassy Italian lady from Chile. And Isaiah and his girlfriend came. ANDDDD our recent convert Sam, brought her littler sister to church. ANNNDDDD Sister Kammeyer came again. ANNNDDD Roxy (our other recent convert) has been bringing her boyfriend to church and he has been less active for sometime. SO MANY PEOPLE WERE AT CHURCH AND IT WAS FANTASTICCCCC.

Ashley is just loving life and enjoying being active. She followed us around at the picnic and took pictures of us with everyone, but wouldn't let us take a picture with her. BUT ONE DAY WE WILLLLL..

I read this article by Elder Ballard called "Do Things That Make a Difference". ITS WAY LONG BUT EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ IT. Especially YSA age people. It is from the June Ensign in 1983, but is from an address he gave in 1981. everyone read it and email me your thoughts about it. It's where I got the quote "Be creators of circumstances and not creatures of them."

He talks about controlling our life, our thoughts, our actions, and utilizing self-discipline to do so. It pretty much changed my life and made me want to be a better person, more effective missionary, etc. He says, "I believe that when we have the proper attitude, when we learn to reach our goals, then when we apply the ingredient or self-discipline, there is not much that any one of us in this audience tonight could not accomplish, if we are willing to pay the price." If we want to be in the midst of good circumstances, we must use self-discipline as well as the atonement of Jesus Christ- both which will enable us to over come all things and successfully move forward in life.. living the life we want to live. We must grasp not only our future, but also our present, firmly and press forward with faith.. otherwise someone else will come from behind and snatch it from us. There is a price to pay for success in life... but no price is greater than that which was paid by our Savior Jesus Christ. We must make sacrifices is we are to get along.

all in all.. this was a pretty favorite week.

I hope it was favorite for you all as well.

PEACE AND BLESSINGGGGSSSSSS

Sister Johnson

Oh. quote of the week--- by a littler girl in our ward.

Her- "Do you have lots of freckles?"

Me- "Not a lot, but I do have a big birthmark on my nose!"

Her- "Oh... well then what are those bumps on your face?"

Me- "ZITS!! And one day when you are a teenager, you will have them too"

Oh how she boosted my confidence that day.

7/14/14 Pictures

Check out their fly pinewood derby car!

7/14/14 Email

Julia got baptized! On Saturday. It was beautiful and glorious and the spirit was so strong. We got a member to drive us to Lucerne for the service. The church building out there is so tiny and cute!!! I thought that my area was spread out and filled with dirt. But wooooo compared to Lucerne, my area is hip hoppin and so nice. Lucerne Valley is HUGE in diameter, but it only has a population of 5,000 people. The ward there was so nice, and we are happy for Julia. She found a house to rent and she is so joyful to be living the gospel. When we walked into the chapel and saw her sitting there, she ran up to us and gave us the biggest tightest hugs and kept saying "I'm finally doing it!!! I am finally going to do it!!!" She was so so happy and excited. It's been a long hard road for her. It was probably one of the happiest moments of my mission to see her baptized! Sister Nash and I were both asked to speak. (yeah, I held back the tears.) I am thankful to the elders in Lucerne who took good care of her and got her baptized and fellowshipped into the ward.

ALSO SISTER NASH AND I ARE NOT GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!! We got an email from president and he was like "Once I heard you had a contract with Audrey to mow her lawn, I couldn't split you two up." Hahahahah it made me laugh because president is a really serious guy (or at least he appears that way but he's really not) and then he makes a joke and it's really funny. He was referring to the lady who's lawn we mowed last week and then she let us teach her. We have an appointment with her this week to teach her some more so I will let you know how that goes.

I can't remember what happened this week to be honest. hahahaha

Oh! There was a pinwood dirby for a father-daughter activity! Sister Nash and I were invited to attend and make a car! So we asked and knocked on everyone's door, members and less actives, that we thought could help us in cutting out the shape of our car! but we had no success. So instead, we used Sister Moffett's craft room (she is the member that we live with and she is a crafty person) and decorated it like champions in hopes that no one would recognize that it was still a perfect rectangle..... But we went to the event and it made sister nash and I grateful for our Fathers.

Speaking of fathers. I had a dream last night that all of us missionaries were sitting in a restaurant eating and down plop mom and dad right at our table. And you were like "Hi Tori!" hahaha and I freaked out and thought I would have to tell the president. It was random and made me laugh because I don't really ever have dreams with people in it from home. But it was good to see your faces in my head! hahahaha so if you are planning on creeping on my in Apple Valley, don't surprise me in a restaurant.

GUESS WHATTTTT. so remember how in May Elder Anderson from the 12 came??? Well what the random, we are having another Member of the 12 come and talk to us again. That rarely ever happens that they come that close together. Elder Nelson is coming the end of this transfer. Which is halfway through August I believe!! How cool is that??? This time he will just be talking to our mission. Last time the Apostle came, it was our mission and the California Redlands mission. Hopefully we aren't getting yelled at. But we are a pretty obedient mission, so I don't think we are. 'm so pumped for that.

I spoke in church yesterday. I talked about the Plan of Salvation!! I focused on Agency- the gift of choice that Heavenly Father has given us. Although while here on earth, we have forgotten the things which took place in the premortal life, God promises that all mysteries, secrets, and understandings will be unfolded to us. (DC 76:5-10) The Lord is our God and His purposes fail not. (DC 76:1-4)

I've developed this extreme love for this quote form Elder Ballard, "Become a creator of circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances." We, as Children of God, have the divine ability to be "Agents to act, instead of objects to be acted upon." (Elder Bednar said that) We are in control of our circumstances, and God has given us the tools, including our Agency, to govern ourselves and find joy. My favorite example of this is in the book of Ether. In chapter 6, the Jaredite people travel across the ocean to the promised land in boats tight like unto a dish. FOR 344 DAYS. The wind never ceased to blow!! But they sang praises unto the Lord the entire time- thanking and praising Him. When they landed, the immediately got on their knees and thanked the God for delivering them and blessing them. THEN they immediately got to work, tilling the land. (Ether 6:7-13 ish) These people were straight up creators of their own circumstance instead of creatures of the circumstance. They took the tools that the Lord has provided them with, and acted in faith to do the things that needed to be done. There was no sitting around and whining, just faith and action.

The same thing happens in our own lives-- we get beat upon the water for 344 days. But we can choose for ourselves what the outcome is. We can pull ourselves up on the sand and take a break, basking in the sunlight. Or we can get on our knees, thank God, and immediately get to work. Creators instead of Creatures. Christ himself, was teh ultimate example of turning outwards to others instead of inwards to himself. He did not confine Himself to the circumstance that he was born into--a lowly carpenter. Instead, He followed the Father's will and worked with unwearied diligence.

Elder Richard G Scott said "You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in gull pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself, so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you. The tempting effect of patience is required."

I know that we have the power to carve out our own destiny's. We have the tools to rejoice and feel complete joy each and every day. We can praise our God, even as we are beat across the ocean for 344 days-- all because Heavenly Father sent His Son. I know all things are possible through Him.

Love you!

Thanks for the support. I thank God each and every day for letting me be here, serving Him and His children.

Sister Johnson

7/07/14 pictures

7/7/14 Email

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULYYYYYYY

Sister Nash and I made 3 loaves of banana bread on the evening of the Fourth of July because we had to be in our houses at 6pm. LOCKDOWNNNN. They don't want us out on the streets... So we sat inside and ate food to our hearts content, while sitting in front of a fan because we were so hot. BUT THAT BANANA BREAD WAS SOOOO GOOOD. We made sure to dress in Red, White, and Blue though!!! :) As a missionary, it's hard not to appreciate Independence Day. I'm grateful that we can worship, how, where, and what we may! That we can preach, how where, and what we may. And that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is able to thrive here in this country. Yay for serving in the bread-basket of the church!!! Really though. Serving in the states is the best place to be.... In my opinion. And I'm always right. :)

ROXYYYY. She got baptized and boyyy oh boyyy was it a glorious day!!! It has been one of those weeks where everything is crazy and random and falling through and the adversary works hard and puts up some intense road blocks, but it all worked out and she was able to make those sweet covenants with the Lord.

okay so the coolest thing that happened this week--- We don't tract that often, but when we do we always tract places that the spirit has been urging us to go . I call it spirit tracting. Anyways, so we were knocking this strip of like 10 houses, and no one was listening (but that's pretty common for tracting.. which is why we like to find through members instead) Anyways, this one lady Audrey, when she was closing the door after saying no, Sister Nash asked, "Hey is there anything we can do for you? Do you need any yard work or house work? We can do anything?" And so Audrey was like "Well I've been trying to find someone to mow my lawn. I even tell people to come and I will pay them. and then they don't come!"

So we showed up on Friday and mowed her lawn. And then she was so flabbergasted that she sat down with us and let us share the Message of the Restoration with her. When we finished she said, "Well... MAYBE IVE BEEN GOING TO THE WRONG CHURCH THIS WHOLE TIME." Just imagine this hilarious sassy black lady. So she committed to read, pray, and come to church. HALLELUJAH.

It rained!!!!! Only for like 10 minutes or less. AND THEN IT WAS SO HUMID I ALMOST DIED. but it's cool. It's monsoon season at home?? That's awesome. I love the AZ rainy season, driving in the rain, dancing in the rain, almost dying when trees are falling from the wind every which way. So every time I tell someone I am from Arizona they say, "Oh, okay, so you are used to the heat then?" AND EVERY TIME I AM LIKE NOOOOOOOO. Hahahaha It's the best though when it's hot because people are nicer to us, and they give us water.

GUESS WHATTTTT! remember Julia? I told you she is getting baptized? This Saturday!! and Sister Nash and I are going. I am so excited. I have never cried at anything here on the mish, but if there was one thing that I cried at, it would be Julia's baptism. I can't contain my excitement

Every week is a hard one, but every week is a favorite one as well. I love missionary work. I love the spirit. I love California. I love the people here. And I love serving our Lord and God. To them both I am very grateful, and I owe my life. This week I was surprised to see Jakelle in my dreams! She came and said hello and gave me a big big hug!!!! It's the coolest to be serving a mission right along side of her. I am thankful to know that she is nearby, cheering me on, and helping me along the way! The times when I need upliftment and encouragement the most, I feel angels surrounding me and bearing me up, and I know it's because of the prayers of my family and friends. I am forever grateful to you all!!

Thank you all for the support and prayers!!!!

Oh by the way. 6 months in the mission field. What? Where has the time gone??

With gratitude in my heart,

Sister Johnson

6/30/14 Sister Johnson's Email

Random miracle news. Roxy- our investigator- is getting baptized this week! woot woot at that!!!! She has been an investigator in other wards multiple times and knows the missionary lessons backwards and forwards. We are lucky to have been able to commit her to baptism. and NOW SHE IS GETTING BAPTIZED. I am so excited for her. She is Bffs with the less-active who has been coming to church consistently for a month-Ashley. So, next week you will be hearing all about my excitement with that.

ALSO GOOD NEWS. Our investigator Julia that moved to the middle of no where- a place called Lucerne- is getting baptized on the 12th!!!!! YAYYYYYYY. The elders there have been taking care of her and are making sure that she is baptized in this transfer so that me and Sis Nash can go for sure.

This transfer is over on the 13th of July. I won't be surprised if I move again. One day, it is my dream to stay in an area for 6 months. I will rejoice in that.

This morning we drove back down the mountain to Rancho Cucamonga to take our 2 week missionary companion (Sister Bills) back to the mission office for her parents to pick her up. Don't be surprised if she gives you guys a call and says hello! hahaha I gave her ya'll phone number. There is so much pollution/smog down in rancho and ontario and upland. woooooooo. here in the desert it is clear and high up and safe from all that. It makes me grateful to be here. Also down the hill it is HUMIDDDD to the max. The desert is where it's at.

Sister Kirchner is still killing it at coming to church and loving life. She is a champion in the gospel now. Another less-active sister that we have been working with, Sister Kammeyer, CAME TO CHURCHHHHHH. That was the bomb as well. She is always in pain, so it was a big step of faith for her to be at church-sitting still for quite a bit of time.

Also, for an activity with the other missionaries in our Zone, we had a water balloon fight this afternoon. It was awesome. That is why I am emailing so late!!! It was wayyyy fun.

One of our new investigators this week.. We actually got a referral from the mormon.org website for him- he requested a bible and book of mormon. (it's awesome because when people online request a BOM, they think they are going to get it in the mail, but instead us missionaries drop them off. hahahaha so the people get way surprised.) Anyways, so the first time that we talked to him, he totally made himself sound like he was a member. But then when we actually had a sit down lesson, we found out that he wasn't! random and funny story. but it didn't sound funny when I told it to you. hahah

We have been trying to stop by this less active and recent convert family, the Castillos, and have never had success getting in the door. But Sunday we took them some cookies (genius way to get to their hearts) and they let us in!!! turns out that sister Castillo had been praying for us to come. It was the sweetest experience to see her recognize that Heavenly Father had answered her prayers yet again!! We were able to testify to them of Heavenly Father's love and watchful eye, and are going back again to see them soon! yay for miracles.

I guess this is kind of a short update-- sorry about that. Anything specific you have questions about? I will gladly answer them.

There are so many people to tell you about, and so little time to do it all. The work in this ward is so good!!

I love you all!!! Prayers for Roxy that she will make it to her baptism this week. please.

Sister Johnson

6/30/14 PICTURES

we said goodbye to Sister Bills, our 2 week companion, this morning

I went on exchanges with the sister training leader, sister Anderson this week to Victorville. Ma it's not as ghetto as you seem to think it is.

Our new investigator Patrick gave us VEGGIES FROM HIS GARDEN. yeah, he grew those. and they tasted soooo goood.

This cat fell asleep on my lap in the middle of me playing with him. IT WAS HILARIOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. This is at the Leon's house. They are recent converts on their way to the temple! They are taking us to get sushi this week. So excited.

Sister Kirchner and us and Sister Bills. No, sister Kirchner does no have teeth. She is probably my favorite lady ever though.

Pictures from Apple Valley

6/23/14 Email from Sister Johnson

From:	Victoria Paige Johnson (victoria.johnson@myldsmail.net) This sender is in your safe list.
Sent:	Mon 6/23/14 1:23 PM
To:	Lexi Johnson (papaversatiny@hotmail.com)

There are 4 kinds of missionaries. 1) Missionaries that aren't obedient or dedicated and sometimes don't make it through the mission. 2) Missionaries that just do enough to stay and skate by. 3) missionaries who are obedient because they know they need to be obedient. 4) missionaries who are obedient because they love the people, love the lord, and want to be fully consecrated to his work. It's impossible to be a #4 missionary all the time, but when we are---miracles happen. We see people change, and we see ourselves change. That's the kind of missionary I hope to be, and strive to be. And some days are hard. Some days I only wake up because I know I have to. But most days, I love getting up, I love pressing forward through the heat, and I love teaching people. I hope that I get to see others change, and I hope that in the process I am able to change. I hope that I can be more like our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. But man, I have a long way to go.

Some crazy things happened this week. We are grateful to have our two week missionary! It's fun to have someone with that new-missionary fire. This experience of being with someone who doesn't know very much about missionary work is so good for both Sister Nash and I, if we ever get the opportunity to train someone.

Julia, our wonderful and favorite investigator, moved to Lucerne Valley. She is such a champion and pressing forward and exercising her faith. She got kicked out of the house she was staying at, and she had to move in with her daughter. Fortunately we are able to pass her off to the missionaries in Lucerne. She went to church there yesterday and loved the ward. She was so excited because they were going to buy her a dress so she could wear one to church! She also told us that she signed up to help clean the church building. I thought that was really sweet of her! She was crying and hugging us when we had our last lesson with her, asking us over and over again if we would be at her baptism. We of course will be. We wouldn't miss it for the world. She kept asking "Will you forget about me??" and we are like, "Heck to the NO!" She is forever in my heart.

This week we got a bunch of people's life problems dumped on us. Peeps like to tell us their life problems because they know we won't judge them. That's the truth. But it stinkin hurts my heart. All we can do is teach correct principles and let them govern themselves though... which I guess is a lot like being a parent. It kind of weighs down emotionally on Sis Nash and I. But it's okay, because the Savior helps us through it.

So one of our investigators, Roxy, she is friends with the recently activated less active, Ashley. So anyways. Roxy has taken the lessons a couple times before in a different ward. She hasn't been baptized because she is afraid of the water and also because her mom is really anti. BUT. This past week she got kicked out of her house. Which is so sad. But fortunately it was just the Lord preparing the way for Roxy to be baptized. So at church on Sunday, I was sitting next to Ashley and Roxy during Relief Society and Roxy says, "Well.... the church is my family now. I guess it's time to get baptized." I WAS LIKE WHATTTTTT WOAHHHHHH. Holla at that. Miracle within that difficulty for sure.

Another Less active that we have been working on, Sister Mays, came to church on Sunday!!!! She's also been reading the Book of Mormon pretty heavily. it's awesome. She is the one that we invited to be baptized and she responded with "WEllllll I've already been baptized in Sacramento... In the Mormon church!!!" hahaha so she finally came to church! She is old, and fell asleep during sacrament meeting.... but that's okay. She stayed for all three hours! Seeing all the less actives coming back to church makes my heart sing with joy! It's such a tender experience to see them partake of the sacrament and renew their baptismal covenants.

OH ALSO, craziest thing, we found 4 lost members this week. Those are people who are members but who's records aren't in the ward and no one knows they are there. It's pretty awesome to see the Lord lead us to random people. But in reality, they aren't random people... To Him, they are His precious children who have previously made covenants with him. We also have been tracting this specific apartment building, and it's crazy full of the nicest people. We usually don't get many new investigators from tracting, or many appointments from it. But in this apartment complex we found a lost member, and three different people who invited us back for lessons. One of them is Steve, and he has some Mormon family. He called us after we left our card on his door, and wants to make some changes in his life. He is super cool, just has a lot of things to overcome. But the miracle of the gospel in our lives is that we are about to overcome anything with the precious help of our dear Savior.

Well, there's a really long email that I hope you enjoy!!!! Can you believe that it's almost July??

I hope that everyone has a rocking day.

Peace and Blessings.

IZ U GOOD. IZ U OKAY. CUZ I WANTED TO NO.

Sister Johnson

7/07/14 EMAIL

From:	Victoria Paige Johnson (victoria.johnson@myldsmail.net) This sender is in your safe list.
Sent:	Mon 7/07/14 3:09 PM
To:	Lexi Johnson (papaversatiny@hotmail.com)

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULYYYYYYY

Thank you all for the support and prayers!!!!

Oh by the way. 6 months in the mission field. What? Where has the time gone??

With gratitude in my heart,

Sister Johnson

Monday, June 16, 2014

You Might Cry 6/16/2014 Sister Johnson Email!!

THIS WEEKKKKK:

So here in the mission boundaries they do this program called two-week missionaries. Teenagers like 17-20 or somethingish sign up to come out with a set of missionaries for 2 weeks and test out the waters. So today Sister Nash and I got a two week missionary!!! Her name is Sister Bills, she is from Ontario (MY FIRST AREA- but a different ward) and she is 20! She wants to put in her mission papers as soon as she returns from being a 2 week missionary. So we had to drive down the hill (lingo for drive down the mountain to the valley where rancho cucamonga is) this morning to pick her up from the mission office. There is probably only like 10 guys and 10 girls who signed up to do it. So Sister Nash and I were really excited to be chosen to have a 2 week missionary! Anyways, it's 50 miles to the mission office. And of course 50 miles back. And on the way back, we missed our exit to get off the freeway because we were talking and went 20 miles too far. hahahahaha so we ended up in the middle of the desert on our way to Las Vegas (which is surprisingly only like 120-160 miles away). Hahaha fortunately after a while I realized and we turned around. It was hilarious and such a good way to start our day with Sister Bills, so she could see my blonde-moments shining through. Don't worry though, I am a safe driver. Me and Sister Nash know how to use a map like champions. But I have no sense of direction without one.

This week was crazy awesome. we got 3 new investigators!!! Man, I am so lucky to be in this ward. In Ontario, we were lucky if we got a new investigator within 6 weeks. Julia is on the road to baptism like a champion. She is the sweetest. This week she told us how much she loves us and is grateful we are teaching her. I almost cried, because at that moment I knew that I knew her before this life. It was a sweet tender mercy from the Lord for me to see that I was sent here to this area for her. What a privilege to be teaching such a wonderful and humble woman with such a sweet spirit. Man, I love missionary work. Have I mentioned that I probably won't come home??? I'll be a missionary forever, thank you very much.

Both Ashley and Sister Kirchner are still coming to church. They are on the road to being active again!!! Sister Kirchner hasn't smoked for 8 days. I am so insanely proud of her. She is almost 60, but I feel like she is my little daughter that I get to watch out for and cheer on when she chooses the right. Idk if that sounded really weird. But you hopefully know what I mean.

Okay, so I feel like I should say this, because I know that missionary work sounds really beautiful and easy when I talk about it. It is wonderful, but it's not easy. We have to face rejection, hatred, anger, disappointment, distress, heartache, poverty, hunger... Every day I go into people's houses who don't have enough to eat, or they are struggling to find a job, or getting evicted from their homes. They struggle with every sickness, injury, and physical handicap you could imagine. There are the one's who are depressed, angry at God, angry at themselves, or searching for hope. I want so badly to reach into my wallet and hand them everything I have (which by the way wouldn't begin to put a dent into the amount of debt they have). But instead I am called to Preach the Gospel. I am called to deliver a most sacred message, one that won't fill their mouths, but instead will fill their spirits. Jesus Christ lives, and He loves them. Christ died for them, He paved the way for them to return to live with our Loving Heavenly Father. Salvation isn't easy because it wasn't easy for the Son of God. They face these challenges because they need to experience the Atonement working in their lives. We are meant to learn how to rely on Him. I know that God has a Plan for each one of His children, and it pains me to see them reject that Plan. It pains me to see a door close in our faces, not because I feel offended but because I know that they are rejecting the Son of God, the man that we stand as representatives of. I am so grateful for the comfortable life I live. I am grateful that I have always had a roof and food. I never had to question if those things would be there. I have the most wonderful parents who have raised me in the gospel and taught me how to rely on Christ. I am so grateful to teach, to share, to testify, and to be a listening ear. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have to get on my knees and plead for the upliftment and strength of the enabling power of the Atonement, and I know that if a day goes by that I don't turn to Christ for help, then I'm not trying my hardest, not giving my best. And trust me, I still have a long way to go. I just want everyone to know that missionary work isn't easy, but it's not meant to be. The best missionary to every walk this earth was rejected by man, bled from every pore, and was hung on a cross. Out here I see the world, and the world isn't really happy. But we aren't meant to be of the world.

Adam fell that mean might be, and med are that we might have Joy! So Break Forth into Joy! The Lord will Redeem His people, and all ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

With love and gratitude

Sister Johnson

6/09/2014

--->SO THIS WEEK. It was crazy and weird and awesome and wonderful.

So this morning all of us missionaries in our Zone went on a hike!! It was awesome. Except we didn't start till 9 am and it got real hot real fast. But there was a small waterfall at the end and we put our feet in and cooled off. (don't worry, we didn't swim). It was 3 miles long!! My tan line is pretty stinking awesome! #missionarytan It was really fun though! And we made it to the end safely and completely hydrated. ishhhh.

So apparently, once upon a time. There were apples growing here? I don't believe it. I think they call this place Apple Valley as a way to con people into thinking it's a beautiful and lush place so that they will move here.

The three main towns up here in the Cali High Desert are Victorville, Apple Valley, and Hesperia. We call them Victimville, Snapple Valley, and Hysteria. Hahahahahhaa

SOOOOO. Anyways. This week. It's hard to remember what happened. So yesterday at church we had TONS OF PEEPS THERE. We had our investigator Julia- who should be getting baptized soon-- she was there and is loving the Mormon life. The less actives that were there were Sis Kirchner, Ashley, Sister Bartok (she is a sassy Italian lady), The Dubiel family, and Brenda and her husband Bryant.

So Ashley is loving life and the gospel. She randomly decided to follow the prompting of the spirit and finally has been coming to church after so many years of not coming. She brings her friend with her, Roxy, who is an investigator in another ward. They are awesome because they have crazy psycho young kids who run around, but they still hold strong and bring their kidddos.

The Dubiel family is a cool one-- we just stopped by their house a week or two ago and talked to their daughter (who was visiting from another state) and then they randomly text us a couple of days ago and asked what time church starts. Then they showed up and we had no idea what they looked like. But fortunately the spirit was able to help us out with that one and we found them :)

So usually I hate tracting, but we tracted a small random dirt road this week and found some solid people! I'm glad Heavenly Father has a hand in this work. We also have been less-active finding. We are trying to visit/meet all the women in the ward who aren't visit-taught. THERES A LOT OF THEM. We usually just talk to them at the door, just make sure they are alive and doing well. It's crazy when we find houses with the members who haven't lived there in years.. and I'm like how come their visiting teacher or home teacher didn't figure it out sooner. Anyways. Word to the world. DO YOUR HOME AND VISITING TEACHING.

We also came across quite a few people with some crazy ideas about life and about religion and God. It makes me so grateful for the knowledge and stability that the gospel provides us. God is real, Christ is our Savior, and we are on Earth for a reason. We are here to learn, to grow, to make choices, to get a body, and to prepare ourselves and others to meet God. We aren't meant to do it alone, we are meant to do it along side our Christ, for through Him, all things are possible. I know that this church is true and I know that missionary work- whether it be in our home or in our ward or anywhere else in the world- is necessary. Christ wants to come! And we, as His disciples, get the privilege of preparing the world for His coming. What a glorious day!!

"Far from eloquence, I'm not enough. My words are not unique...I'm a witness of His miracles, and how they've changed my life.... When my voice seems too quiet, and my words are not profound, He tells me not to doubt. It's a privilege that He gave me and I won't let my voice be still. I have something, someone needs to hear."

These lyrics have been stuck in my head all week. and I love it! I can't remember all of it though.. that's why there are dot dot dots. But it's the truth. The gospel is true, otherwise God wouldn't allow psycho teenagers to go and preach it.

This song is magic and I would kill for the sheet music. It's called Someone Needs to Hear on the Called to Serve CD by Jenny Phillips. We already looked online to find the sheet music. ahahahah and we can't find it. But it's beautiful. Actually Sister Nash's trainer in Ukraine wrote the song and it ended up on the CD. Cool huh? LISTEN TO IT.

Anyways I love you all!!!

I love the mish, love the people. I love the gospel and I love Christ!

Miss you!

Love love love Sister Johnson