July 23, 2012 - Conference In Concepcion, With a little bit of charity on top!

So here we are again! Sounds like everyone is having a fantastic summer so far! That’s great! Everything is going good here too!

  Well like always we started it out with a sweet District Class. We talked about the importance of the members and what they can help us do. Everyone gave some killer comments so of course we left stoked! Then we went and got some work done in the sector. We taught some good lessons so we were happy when we got back home!

  Wednesday I think we did service for a sister in our ward. We went to her house and we cleaned out her backyard! So it was nice to get some work done there. We shoveled some dirt and piled up a bunch of rocks, and cleaned out her garden. So it was cool. We also had to stack a bunch of scrap wood. So it was cool. She was stoked to have the work done. Then we ate lunch and got ready for the day. We got some good lessons in so that was cool. And we had a family night with the Verdugo Family. We taught about the Book of Mormon and how it leads us throughout our lives. Watched a movie also that brought home the topic. And of course we ate some calzones rotos. Which means broken underwear! So it was good it’s like fried bread with powdered sugar!

  Then Thursday we had another service we went to Freddy Bolaños house to help him finish his painting and put some curtains up. He’s the brother we helped out last week. So it was really cool, he was really grateful for the help. Then we ate lunch and taught some killer lessons after we showered. We taught a lesson to a lady named Nelly. Her sister had recently died. So we shared a little about the Plan of Salvation and testified of the truthfulness of it. The Spirit was so strong, and we committed her to baptism and she accepted! So it was way cool. And she lives with her niece who is like 40 and her husband and son. So there are 4 there that could possibly be baptized!

 Then Friday came around and we had the Mission Conference! So it was way cool. President Humphrey gave a great talk presentation on the importance of sacrifice, so it was great. He talked about how the sacrifices need to come from the heart. So it was cool. I loved it a lot! I got some great notes. And Sister Humphrey talked about the importance of studying the gospel well, and how it can help us be more efficient teachers! She is great I love them both they have helped me out a lot throughout my mission. Then the assistants talked about commitments. And why it’s important that the investigators understand what they can do and how it can help them in their eternal progression! So it was way great and lunch was delicious of course! We had half chickens, and a potato, and then dessert was a banana brownie thing! They are so good! And then they announced all of the birthdays for the next couple of months and passed out chocolate bars. And it’s always cool too because you can see your old buddies! And I saw Elder Bustamante my son! He was there, so it was cool to talk to him and catch up on somethings. And then we went home and we had a meeting with our ward mission leader, and we had English class! We showed up for English class and they were having a wedding so our investigators were standing down the hall, and it was pretty awkward because we were pretty under dressed. And I shook Elder F. Dereiras hand! He is an n Area 70 in Chile so it was cool.

 Then Saturday came and we had more service! We walked up the back side of this hill to this sister’s house. So it was cool the trail was all muddy and with a bunch of trees. And we had to go fetch water for her because her water was cut off. So we brought down some soda bottles to the church and we found a huge water barrel and I hauled that up on my back. It was gnarly but I survived I almost got ran over by a car! Haha He didn’t feel like stopping. And then I helped our Ward mission Leader chop some wood and cut some trees so she could have some firewood. So that was a real fun service project. And then later that day we taught some lessons, and did some contacts because we were a little behind on that.

  Then Sunday came and it was classic! We took a taxi across the sector to go invite Lucas, but he was still in his Pajamas. So we walked to Omar’s house to bring him but we were out of money on the phone, so Elder Caballero called him but he didn’t answer so the only option left was to..... throw rocks at his window! So relying on my water polo pass I hucked a couple of rocks at his window and accidentally at the neighbors....what can I say I’m a little rusty it’s been a year and a half since I’ve thrown a ball! haha But the rocks didn’t end up working but hey It’s the thought that counts! Then we went to church and Jocelyn and Evilyne came to church so that was cool! And we had some good talks too! Igor Marques and his wife talked because he is going to Utah to go work again, so they were great. And then we went to lunch after church

 And after lunch we had to make the long walk back to the house and we changed and we worked a little bit we found a new investigator. So that was good. And then we went to Freddy Bolaños house because the bishop was coming to bless it. Because if you remember a week before it was a drug addicts house and it was filthy. So it was way cool. We had a good time with him. He is a member that you won’t forget. He served a mission in Osorno Chile in the 70s and was a Bishop for 30 years, and has passed through a lot of hard times. But he is a ball of energy and always happy! So as we were walking out he thanked us, and he gave us a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It was pretty special because guys in Chile only do that if you are real good friends or something of that sort. So Iw as grateful for the opportunity my Heavenly father gave me to be able to help out Freddy Bolaño. Because we were able to turn that house into a little piece of heaven and he is eternally grateful. I will never forget Freddy Bolaño, a real saint in Heavenly Fathers army.

 But that was our week! Full of service and learning! I loved it, I love being a missionary! So have a great week everyone! And enjoy Utah! I love you all!

    Elder Johnson

July 16, 2012 - Clear Skies and Golazos!

Oh yeah my friends and family! Its been clear for 2 weeks now! So the weather is going crazy! It should be pouring rain right now, but hey I don’t got any complaints! So it was a great week-

  Tuesday we had to go help out in the office with the new missionaries that came in! So that was cool. I had to photocopy their passports. But they are all studs they were itching to get outside and speak some Spanish and share the gospel! So they got me stoked! They were all out of it because they had been traveling in an airplane for 1 day, but they were just energized! So I got to talk to them and share with them a little about Chile. Then after we walked to lunch and got the day started. We taught a bunch of lessons so it was cool! We also had sport night at the chapel, and some youth from the city showed up and we played against them. It got a little crazy because they started playing for keeps! And I was like oh no what am I gonna tell president if someone snaps a leg in half! But we started out the night with a prayer so nobody got to hurt! But that was cool, and then we shared a scripture with them.

 Wednesday we had District Class! It was cool. We had a good leaders meeting, half way through it the Assistants came and shared a couple of words with them. And I had to do a practice with one of them so it was cool I learned a lot. Then we went into the chapel and we did presentations. And then we went to the District Classes. I taught about the importance of putting baptismal dates in the first lesson. And everybody had good comments so it really helped out. And then I did a practice, and then everyone else did a practice so it was way cool! Half of my district is former District Leaders so that’s cool they help out a lot. Then we went to lunch with the Elders that work in the office. So that was cool. Then we spent most of the day doing contacts. And we taught a couple of lessons. We are still passing by the family that just got baptized to keep them progressing. Because there is a new new convert program in the mission because a lot of new converts go inactive right away. So its way cool!

 Thursday came around and we started it off well. We went and did a service for a member in our ward who had to move. So we helped him clean out the house he is moving into. The house he is moving into is a former drug addict’s house. So it was super nasty. I found an old syringe on the ground and the member said that one of the rooms was filled with beer bottles and cigarettes. So we had to haul and rake up a bunch of garbage in the backyard. It was like one of those houses on the packrat t.v. shows! So we finished that and then we went and dropped off my dirty clothes and then went to lunch! Then after lunch I took a shower and we got ready to leave. We had a good day. We taught a lesson to one of our new investigators and he had a question about something he read in 2 Nephi ch2. So it was a way complicated doctrine question and the member we were with Igor took care of it. He is a stud he is the member who served his mission in New Jersey! But now he is moving to Utah so we are gonna lose him! haha but it’s alright. But we had a couple other good lessons! So it was way cool!

 Friday was great also! My favorite weekly planning! We had a good session of weekly planning some good words were shared there! And then after we went to lunch and on the way the taxi driver honked his horn at a guy who had run a red light, and the guy that ran the red light stopped in the middle of the street and stared him down and yelled something. Then we turned and we were behind the guy and he stopped and got out of his truck and came over to the window and started yelling at the driver! And I was like somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. So then the guy gets back in his truck and starts driving and we start driving and then he swerves over and I was like whoa dude! It was crazy but the story would of been 10 times cooler if we got in a fender bender but that was one of the crazy stories of the week. But then I did a mini exchange with Elder Luna. He’s a Chilean from Santiago and we were in Curico together about a year ago. So it was cool. We put a baptismal date with our Mexican friend Omar! So that was sweet! And we did a bunch of contacts and found a new kid to teach. But it was a long day for sure. But that’s always good when you get back to the house at night and you are just gasssed that means it was a good day.

  Then Saturday we did some studies and did some more contacts and tried to pass by some people but right as we came they were leaving so that was a bust. But we did some contacts in a super rich part of the sector and nobody was feeling like listening about the restored gospel that day. But lunch was good none the less! Then we walked back to the office and switched back companions. Then I bought some toilet paper because we had been out for about a week. So we got ready for the day. Then we left. We did a bunch of contacts an Saturday also, and we taught some good lessons that’s for sure! We stopped by the Verdugos house to see how they were doing and it was Sara’s birthday! And she didn’t tell us! So we ate some snacks and some little pizzas they made and shared a little bit with her daughters who aren’t members. One of them is older and has 2 kids and the other one is 17 and came to the church once with us but lives like 3 hours away. So that was cool! And Sara shared her testimony with them so it was way cool!

 Then Sunday came around and it was sweet! Our main man Omar came to church we went by and picked him up. And we got to church and our Bishop finally got back. He had been in Utah for 2 months because he had to go and baptize his grandson. So that was cool. Sunday was the missionaries turn to talk. So Elder Arancibia gave a killer talk about enduring to the end and Elder Fuller talked about the Restoration and it was way cool! And then between the 2 talks Sara gave her testimony! But she teared up and wasn’t able to talk. But the Spirit was so strong from what she was able to say! She is so awesome and her daughters! Then the classes were sweet, and we had some girls from our English class who showed up! So that was cool! And the Elders Quorum class was way cool because Igor teaches it and he is a great teacher. He always relates personal stories and stuff so it’s cool! I always look forward to that class. And then after we had a killer lunch! It was fried fish and mashed potatoes! Then we went home and we changed and went out to work! We found a new investigator named Álvaro, and he accepted a baptismal date! So it was way cool. And at the end of the night we were walking on top of this hill in Las Aguitas in our sector contacting, and it was super dark. And we walked up to a bend in the road and we had to walk around some mud and then this huge Michael Vick dog came out barking and almost tore apart Elder Arancibia so I almost busted out some Jackie Chan there! It was crazy we both had our back packs off ready to go at it! haha But then we did some more contacts and headed home. We ended the week doing  212 contacts that’s like the most I’ve done all my mission so it was cool. We were stoked, and the spirits were high, but the body was wasted so that was a good way to end the week. Then I went home and took numbers, and we played some checkers I think. And today for P Day we played some good ol fashioned futbol!!!!!!! I scored some GOLAZOS for you guys so don’t fret!

 
Well there it is, I hope you guys have a stellar week! Thanks for writing and all of the prayers! I love you guys tons!

  Elder Johnson

July 9, 2012 - The Good Life in the Mansion!

Ya well it’s that time of the month! Exchanges! And I’m staying here in good ol Universitario! So it’s gonna be sweet! Livin it up none the less. One more exchange in the mansion so no complaints! Yayyay! So that’s cool Elder Arancibia and I are staying together! So we are stoked, we know the sector well together and things are going good!

 We started out with a stellarific District Meeting on Tuesday. The Zone Leaders talked about what they learned in the Zone Leader council. It was sweet they talked about how we need to teach simply and by the spirit, and how we can’t ever have excuses! And then we did some practices, so it was way cool! That day we taught a bunch of lessons and did some good contacts.

  Then Wednesday came we did some good studies in the morning, and then we left to go out and work, and it started raining. We taught a less active guy, and then went back home to eat lunch, and then after we had to switch with the Zone Leaders because they had to interview the family that got baptized Sunday! So I went to Laguna Redonda with Elder Wade and we had a killer day. We taught a bunch of great lessons, I learned a bunch from him he is a great missionary. Then since it was 4th of July we celebrated it by eating a pizza from Walmart! It was delicious. Then in the morning we had some sweet studies, and we did a bunch of contacts and taught a couple of lessons. So it was all time. Then after lunch in the house again in Laguna Redonda we switched back comps. And we had a killer day Elder Rancibia and I. We taught a bunch of lessons. We found a guy who is super Evangelical but loved what we taught, and we taught the Restoration. so it was cool, and we stopped by the family we baptized to visit and teach them real quick. So Thursday was a sweet day.

  Then good ol Friday rolled around and we did some weekly planning. We made some sweet plans for this week. And we had a sweet talk. Then we went to lunch, and then we got driven over to the family that got baptized and we started a fast with them. And after we did that we went to the office to do another mini exchange with the assistants. I worked with Elder Weston. He’s great he’s from La Cañada! So it was cool to work with him. We taught the super Evangelical guy about the Restoration and he understood it a little more but didn’t accept a baptismal date. Then we stopped by the mission leader’s house to plan the baptism but he was sick so we gave him a blessing, and then Elder Weston had to do an interview for the Zone Leaders so we went and walked over there. But that was the first time that the Assistants had gone on a mini exchange with someone in this Zone. Because they usually only do mini exchanges with the Zone Leaders throughout the mission. So it was way cool. Then we switched back at night.

  Then Saturday came and we did some good studies in the morning, and then we went to the chapel to clean and fill the baptismal font. And like always something didn’t go right. The heaters for the water didn’t work so we had to fix that. Then we went to the Verdugo family to eat lunch with them and we ended the fast together it was way cool. We had a soup that she made from a chicken that she grew in her backyard! So it was way delicious. And then we had to go to the house and change and get ready for the baptism, and we got to the church. And the service ended up starting way late. But it went good! We took some great pictures, and all 3 got baptized! So it was way special. It truly was a miracle worked by the Lord to see that family arrive to that moment in their life.

  And then Sunday we confirmed them! And we did a family night for them! I made some chocolate chip cookies American style to share with them! So it was cool they were all stoked. We shared a message about the Holy Ghost, and played a game and ate sopaipillas and cookies and hot chocolate! And took a bunch of pictures! It was way cool!

   So it’s going great here. I’m loving it! We are looking to baptize a couple people in the next coming months so it’s gonna be epic! And The weather has been great it didn’t really rain at all this week and we are supposed to be in the dead of winter! So it’s cool. So have a great week and make it stellar! haha

les quiero,  

 Elder Johnson

July 2, 2012 - Muddy Trail Sunday!

  Man how about it, only one week left in this exchange. Goes by fast. We had a STELLAR week!  Full of contacts, rain, lessons, and muddy trails!

  So Tuesday we had a sweet District Class. I asked Elder Arancibia to share a little bit about how no effort goes unseen before the eyes of the Lord. It’s true every word and action does something for the eternal progression of them! So it was cool. And I talked about the importance of using the Book of Mormon in the teaching because if it’s true then everything else is that has to do with the church! Isn’t that awesome! Great book. Oh and we are reading it as a mission in 3 months, and we are gonna end it this week! I’m in Ether. So I’ve learned a lot from that lately! Then later on Tuesday we taught our family that is gonna get baptized this Saturday. And then after we went to the church to play some soccer for sports night. So it was great.

 Then Wednesday We did a lot of contacts and taught some good lessons. We found the dad to a family. He doesn’t work on Wednesday. They are super great, they live on top of this huge hill. But the only thing is that they aren’t married so we gotta work with that. I also did a mini exchange with Elder Glazier. So it was great. We taught some good lessons. We stopped by the Verdugo family, the family that is getting baptized this Saturday to watch a movie but they didn’t have a DVD so she had made a potato casserole thing so we ate dinner with them and talk to them a little bit about their baptisms. So they were way stoked to be baptized.

 Then Thursday in the morning Elder Glazier and I we did some contacts then took our lunch to the office to switch back with our comps, and it was Elder Millers birthday he is one of the assistants. And so they left to go to a restaurant. And then Elder Arancibia and I walked back home because we had another mini exchange because they had to interview the family for their baptisms. So we did a 3 way exchange. I went with Elder Lopez to Lorenzo Arenas. So we worked there all day and I interviewed Pablo for baptism. He was sweet he was way ready to be baptized. He had a huge testimony and a huge smile on his face the whole time! So it was cool. And before that Elder Lopez and I had found a couple people to teach who were new, they were great lessons, so that was cool. Then we got home and I had to take numbers, and then we went to bed. Elder Lopez had left the portable heater on all night so I woke up at like 3 in the morning and my mouth was super dry, hahaha it was pretty funny. Then we switched back early in the morning so that we could to weekly planning on Friday.

  Friday we did weekly planning and it went quite well. After we went to lunch and then came back and got ready for the day.

  We taught a bunch of lessons so that was great. At the end of the night we had English class. Girls came that aren’t members so that was cool. I taught them how to have a basic conversation, and after we gave them Restoration pamphlets, so it was way cool! And Olga also came! She is a great investigator. We showed her the baptismal font. While we were in it she said she was very thankful for having been let in there. And we talked about baptism, and shared some scriptures and a sister from the ward shared her testimony. The spirit was so strong! It made me have goosebumps. And then we said a prayer on our knees to end it. It was way powerful, the spirit was testifying to her that these things are true. She has been given many answers to her prayers but just has trouble taking them to be answers. So that was great.

  Then Saturday we set out on a long walk to Las Aguitas and our appointments fell through so we ended up doing contacts for a while. Then we went to lunch and then home. We taught some good lessons that day, and found some people. At night we watched The Restoration with the Verdugo family. They loved it! And they had their other sister there too. She usually is living in Canyete but came over for the weekend to visit. And we taught about baptism, and she accepted a baptismal date! So it was way cool!

 Then Sunday came around and we had to go to a meeting early. But we got there late because the office elders had to drop off the van at our apartment and the assistants had to take us in their truck to the chapel. And The Verdugo family all came all 4 of them! So it was way cool. We had a good fast and testimony meeting, you could definitely feel the spirit there.  And then after church we went up the hill to a sister’s house for lunch to get to her house you gotta walk behind a bunch of houses down a trail to get to it. So lunch was good. I ate a bunch of homemade blueberry pie! And then after we went down the backside of the mountain down a sketchy muddy trail, because it had been raining the whole week. Elder Arancibia almost slid down it in his suit it was pretty funny, and he put his hand on an electric fence! So that was cool. So we made it down alive it was quite the adventure.

 Then we spent Sunday doing some contacts and we found a college student from Mexico. So that was cool. And we taught a lesson to a part member family. And at the end of the night we taught Olga with a member. So that lesson was great. We are just trying to get Olga to notice the answers she receives, and to help her know that this is the only true church.

  But we had a stellar week! I’m really looking forward to this one! I have the feeling that we are gonna find a great family! And it’s the last week of the combio, and we are gonna have 3 baptisms! So we are way stoked! I love you guys tons and hope that you all have a great 4th of July, and that you eat all of the peanut butter squares for me! I love you guys tons, and thanks for the prayers!!

   les quiero muchisimo!

   Elder Johnson

June 25, 2012 - Big Mansion, and Pirate Cave Point Break!

Hey FAM BAM! What’s up! How is everyone doing! Congrats Uncle mark for getting engaged! That’s so cool!

  Well what can I say! We had a stellar week! We are really seeing a lot of blessings and progress here in the heart of Concepcion! No complaints!   It started out with a nice bag packing afternoon so that we could move into our new mansion! We moved into the apartment of the assistants. They moved out so we took their room. It has its own bathroom, and the shower is so hot it burns me! So that’s sweet, and it has carpet I haven’t seen carpet in like a year and a half! So I’m loving it! So we did that on Monday, and we taught a couple lessons. We taught Sara Jennifer and Franchesca, and that went well. Then we taught another family we are teaching and it was good. Then we went home and planned and I started preparing for District Class.

 Tuesday came around and we got a taxi to district class, and it was sweet. I shared D&C 4:5-7 and about how we need to keep an eye single to the glory of God when we teach. And we talked about how our testimony can do that so it was way cool. Everyone had good comments and we left stoked! Then we went to lunch, and then to work. We found an older lady and put a baptismal date with her. So that was cool, and we taught another lesson, and then at night it was sport night. We played some ping pong, and Jennifer and Franchesca came and they went to young womens. So that was cool. And then we went and taught a lesson to a member that lives close to the church.

  Wednesday we went out and contacted in the morning, and had lunch. Lunch was delicious and filling. And then we taught a bunch of lessons. So it was way cool! We taught a bunch of lessons with members. We talked to a less active mom about letting her kids being baptized but she said she would have to talk to her husband about it. And we taught Sara and her daughters about the importance of reading and praying. And we found a new person to teach. So it was a pretty good day. It had been raining off and on all week.

 Then Thursday came and it was the same, we had lunch with some Ecuadorians and it was delicious they gave us fish! And then after we went and taught Jacob and Jessica. They just got married Jessica is the lady from Washington that teaches English. But they didn’t really accept it. Jacob is less active and he doesn’t believe that baptism is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. So we taught another less active family later on and got them excited to go to church but they didn’t end up coming.

  Then good ol Friday came and we had weekly planning! It was great we started it out with a song like usual, and we planned out our week. We planned what lessons we needed to teach each of our investigators that are progressing, so it was way sweet. Then we went to lunch. We taught Sara and her daughters about the importance of baptism and what it really does, so that was cool. And we gave a blessing to Alvano because he was sick. We went with a member from our ward named Igor. He served his mission in New Jersey. He is a stud, he shared a scripture in James about giving blessings so it was way cool! I know for sure that Alvano felt the Spirit. Then we had to sprint to English class, because we had the keys and some people were waiting to get in. so we ran like a mile through the mud and we got there and we were sweating bullets. Elder Glazier gave the class. We learned how to sing I know that my Redeemer lives in English. Olga one of our investigators came and she loved it! Then we went home, and planned.

 Saturday came and we walked over to Olga’s house and we talked about how the Lord only wants to see your desires and that he doesn’t require that we have read every scripture and that we understand everything. So it was good! Then we had lunch and we ate a lot. She made some rice with like chicken and vegetables and she gave us 2 desserts so we were way full. Then we had to go to a meeting with our Mission Leader and that was good, he’s super animated to get things going in this ward. Then we taught Sara and her daughters again, we talked about the importance of keeping the commandments, and how we are blessed and truly happy when we do it! So it was great, and we got them excited to read more in their Book of Mormon and to go to church so it was way cool! Then we taught Marcos and his family. We watched the movie Together Forever. It was great! They loved it, and we talked about Eternal families and what baptism can do for them, and how it can make their lives better! And then we went home and planned for Sunday!

  Sunday was great! We got up and got ready for church, and we went and looked for some of our investigators, but they were asleep or not home like they said they would. So that was lame, and then we started to walk to church and we helped a guy push his car to his house. And then we had to run to the church because Sara and her daughters were gonna be there before us. So we ran another mile or so in our suits, and they had beat us there so we were sweating bullets again. Church was good. I met a guy named Garry Zebarth. Hes from Fountain Valley and had served his mission in Ireland. He’s teaching Linguistics in a local college so I talked to him for a bit and that was cool. He’s looking for an apartment nearby. And then we went to lunch and we ate a lot. It was good, then we had to walk to the house and change and then we started to work. We spent most of the day looking for people because we were behind a few. And at the end of the night we found a young family. They aren’t married yet, but had been to the church before! So it was a sweet little miracle. And then we went back down from Las Aguitas and went by Amrcos and his family but they weren’t home, so we went to the Ecuadorians house and said hi to them and saw how they were doing. And I ended the night calling in numbers. So it was a long week I was way tired at the end of it. But that’s always the best because that’s when you know that you had a good week, and that the Lord is happy. Now we just gotta keep up the good work. This sector hasn’t been like this for more than 6 months. The Lord has blessed us tremendously, it truly is a blessing to be able to be here. I just have so much joy inside it’s hard to keep it in some times! Sometimes I just break out in song! haha

 But we are looking to have 3 baptisms this Sunday. So Pray for Sara Jennifer and Franchesca that they are ready for Sunday when it comes around. I know they can do it. They have made a lot of changes since we first found them and they have truly been touched by the Spirit of the Lord.

  I love you all! Enjoy summer!  Thanks for the prayers and love!

Elder Johnson