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

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

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