October 22, 2012 - "21" in Chile!!

Well what a week! It’s been going great here in San Carlos! We are finding lots of people and having a good time while we do it. This week we did a lot of traveling again. We had Zone Class on Tuesday. The Zone Leaders gave it. So it was good. They talked about the stuff we need to be doing in our sectors. Like working more with the members and these new maps we got of our sectors. So it was cool. And we took a picture after to send the Clawson’s the mission secretaries. They are leaving in a couple of days. And then Wednesday we had to go back to Chillan for interviews with the president. It was good he talked for a little bit then we started interviews while we waited we did some practices with Sister Humphrey. We practiced street contacting so it was way cool. She is great she is so inspired! Then I had my interview and it was good. Then we went to a class with Elder Brule one of the assistants and he talked about the need to work with members and be more efficient with our time. The mission has had so much changes lately! It’s so great I’m so excited for the mission and for the way it’s moving. I wish I would of come during this time. The missionaries now that come to the mission are studs they already speak Spanish pretty well and they are super animated to just get at it! They keep me stoked. After that class we took the bus home to San Carlos and I went with Elder Turner to do an interview. And we stopped by Maria’s to help her continue stop smoking. She hasn’t stopped yet and we’ve done almost everything. We did a study for her and we dropped the hammer and just got her stoked to stop smoking and we made a plan and everything. And we said look if you really want to get baptized, do this and you will stop. But it’s just not happening so we are gonna have to drop her. And then Thursday I had to go back to Chillan for a leaders meeting with Elder Weston. All of the District Leaders and Zone Leaders in Chillan and Chillan Ñuble went. He taught us some great things of how we should do the exchanges and the weekly calls. So it was way cool I like it a lot.

  Friday we did some planning for church. And we spent the day getting our investigators ready for church. We found a less active member Named Siliva. We decided one day that we would contact a street. And we knocked a door and we talked to a lady and she was sick so she said to come back another day. So the next day we came back and we got in and we found out she was less active and she wants her son to be baptized and he wants to be baptized! So we were so stoked for that. Then on Saturday we did a family night with them. We watched the Restoration DVD and we played a game were you suck the M&M's out of the bowl while you try to roll doubles. So that was cool and we shared some cookies and juice! And they got all excited and they came to church on Sunday! And we also stopped by Talia on Saturday to prepare her for her baptism. We shared the baptismal questions. And she is still excited.

 Then Sunday came around and I got up early and took a shower and I studied a little bit, and then Elder Turner and I walked to the North part of the sector and we looked for some investigators and Elder Benitez and Elder Cruz went to the South part. They passed by Talia and her mom to wake them up, they knocked on the door and called them and yelled but nobody answered so they didn’t end up coming so that was lame. And we stopped by Javiera their possibility for baptism and they weren’t there either. So that was kind of lame. But we had Jose and Jordan come to church so that was good. So we are gonna help them get prepared to be baptized soon. 

And today for my birthday it rained hard all morning! Haha just my luck. So I ate some breakfast and Elder Turner had made some balloons for me and made a big one and he put a pack of Oreos in it. And I popped it and it whacked my finger and it hurt super bad! And Elder Benitez gave me some dumbbells to keep my Mr. Olympia form! And then we went to the gym and we worked out for about an hour and a half then we went and ate french fries and completos. And then to do internet. So it’s been a good birthday so far. And I also thank all of you who have wished me a Happy Birthday also! So thanks for that! I love you guys tons! I hope you all have a stellar week!
les quiero mucho!!
                            Elder Johnson

 

October 15, 2012 - Bus to Talca!

Yes my friends! The time has arrived! It’s that time of the week! How exciting!

Well I am just loving it down here in San Carlos Chile. Another week of progress to say the least!

Well Tuesday was a normal day. We didn’t have District Class because we had a conference on Wednesday. So we studied then we went out to work. We walked out pretty far looking for some less actives but we got to the entrance of the campo and it was an hour walk out or you had to hitch a ride so that will be postponed till later. So we did some contacts and went to lunch.

 But Wednesday was quite the adventure. We had to get up early to shower and be able to get to the bus on time to Talca. But in San Carlos is a little town so the buses stop real quick so you gotta be on top of it. So we waited at the stop for like 30 minutes. And it was freezing and windy. But finally after the wait it got there and we got on. We got a ride for about an hour then we had to get off and run to the other side of the freeway to catch the other bus that was going to Talca. So we got dropped off right in time. And we had to be in Talca by 9:30 so we were just barely making it. But we finally made it and we hopped off and speed walked to get a taxi to the chapel. And luckily President and Sister Humphrey got there a little late. So we helped them get some bags out of their car. Conference was way cool though! We had some sweet classes given by the assistants and President and Sister Humphrey. The Assistants talked about how we need to memorize the lessons so that the spirit can be able to work through us, it was way good. And President talked about the need to work with members. Then we had lunch, then they did Birthdays! They called up all the birthdays for September and October and November. I got a bag of this chocolate ball candy stuff. Delicious. Then we went to the last class with Sister Humphrey! Her’s are my favorite her testimony is so powerful! I always receive a couple of pages of inspiration just listening to her. She got me pumped up to be a missionary like Ammon or Nephi. So that was cool, then all of the new missionaries and the 2 old missionaries who are leaving gave their testimonies. So that was cool. There is also two old couple missionaries in the mission. One is the Moras. The husband is the Branch President in Retiro a little farm town, and his wife they are so cool! And the 1st counselor of the mission and his wife Elder and Sister Pulsifer. He had served in this mission 43 years ago! So I’m excited to have them! Then we got our boxes and letters and said our goodbyes and we walked through the town of Talca to the bus terminal. It brought back some great memories of being there about 8 months ago so that was great! It renewed the energy. Then we took the bus home and the bus dropped us off on the side of the rode and we walked home and got ready and we worked for an hour because that was the time we had left in the day.

  We are teaching this girl named Talia! We had a Family Night with her and her family we watched a movie about the Plan of Salvation and the Book of Mormon. And we talked about it, and then we played a game. Where you put M&M’s in a bowl and you throw dice and if you get doubles you suck the M&M’s out with a straw until someone else rolls doubles. So they all loved it! And then we ate and we talked a little bit. But Talia is planning to get baptized the 27thof October! So pray for her! And we still gotta help out Maria stop smoking. So pray for her that she can do it!

 Today is a holiday so we played some soccer with some members and youth from the ward it was way fun and we went and ate. But I’m looking forward to this week! We got some good work to do so we are excited!

I love you guys and I hope everybody has a stellar week!

   les quiero,
   Elder Johnson

October 8, 2012 - General Conference with some Rain Drops!

October has begun and the rain continues! It was quite the week though that’s for sure. We spent most of it preparing our investigators for conference. So that kept us real busy.

Tuesday we had a normal day because everyone who got transferred was traveling. So we studied and we did some contacts in the morning before lunch. We found an older lady who accepted a baptismal date so that was great! Then the rest of the day after lunch we spent contacting and teaching. We got a lot done. We found a little kid named Jesus! He’s the son of a less active. He’s got a story. His parents just let him and his little 6 year old play in the street all day. They are little rag-a-muffins. They just spend the day playing in the creeks and dirt and launching stones from their wrist rockets. We took them to church Saturday and Sunday and they kept us busy. At one point Sunday they started fist fighting during Conference! haha I was like oh man I aint ready to be a dad yet! So I had some cookies luckily and another member helped us keep them calm for the rest of the Conference. Then after we were walking back home and he kicked the bags of an old lady! And I was like oh dude, so I grabbed him and told him he had to apologize ad after a minute he did it. So we took them home in taxi and told his dad. So we have some work to do their for sure. But he wants to be baptized none the less!

  Wednesday we had a sweet District Class. I prepared to talk about the importance of verifying with the investigators and the importance of bringing chosen members to lessons to help support the investigators it went real well, we all left stoked. Our District now is just us in San Carlos so that’s sweet! And some guy from the stake walked in and shared with us about how he had some success in his mission and he said they would plan family nights with members and invite everyone who lives close by.

  So on Thursday we planned one with Bernarda the new convert. And we went and invited all four investigators that live close by and it was a hit! WE had a spiritual thought Bernarda gave her testimony of her life before and after her baptism, we played games and watched the Restoration and of course we ate some good food! Maria Jocelyn and Jesus and his little brother all came so that was cool. The family nights are fun ways to teach and share the gospel! I invite all of you guys to do the same, and invite all of your neighbors and watch a movie or something! You never know who could be waiting!

 On Sunday after the morning session we went to work because we had set a goal of having 4 in church and until then we had only had 2. So we took the 2 kids home and passed by some investigators to re invite them and then we went by Maria and Nadia. It had rained all weekend so the rain usually scares the people away from coming to church. But the sun was out yesterday afternoon and we stopped by that family. And they hadn’t come to any of the sessions and the afternoon one was their last chance. So we got in and I was like oh boy we aint letting them get their way out of this one its game time. So I whipped out Luke 14. About the Lord who made the big supper and how he invited people and they all had excuses. And we just testified to them of the blessings they could receive by coming and how the Lord has everything prepared for them. And with a bunch of help from the Lords hand we were able to bring Maria and Nadia to church. They were our goal, and they are preparing to be baptized in 2 weeks so they had to go. But I am so thankful for the Lord having helped me step out of the normal comfort Zone to help them get there. That’s one thing I’ve found out being out here in the field. Heavenly father always has things prepared and ready for us, sometimes he just expects us to take one more step, give one more prayer, or sacrifice something else. And then that’s when the blessings come. So I am so grateful for my mission. I know that if I hadn’t come out here there is no doubt in my mind I probably wouldn’t have learned this principle for another 30 years or maybe never. So go on a mission those of you who are preparing. The Lord has lowered the age standard, take advantage of it and do it! There are miracles and many blessings to be had. I give my personal testimony of that. 

  But that was the just of our week. I’m excited to see what this week has in store. We have Zone Conference this week, so I'm way excited for that! And there is still a lot to do here in good ol San Carlos! Thanks for the prayers and love have a great week!

        les quiero,
        Elder Johnson

October 1, 2012 - Chancho!!!!!

Oh Yes! How goes it my fellow followers! Here we are again. Well what can I say San Carlos is the place to be during this time of the year.

 The Lords work is moving along quite well. ElderTturner and Elder Cruz had a baptism. They are the other Elders in the sector. I baptized her. Her name is Bernarda. After I did her interview for baptism I asked her who she wants to baptize her and she said ...¨it just came to me!... you! So that was cool.

 But it was a great week. We found a lot of people through less active people so that’s nice. That means that they already have support system so we are stoked about that. We found a little girl named Talia. Her mom is less active and she was way stoked to hear that her daughter could get baptized. She is a little timid but we just gotta get her animated and to know some members.

  O on Tuesday great news! We went to the Registro Civil with Marcela and Sebastian! They put in their hour for marriage! So they have planned to get married the 23rd of October and Baptized the 27th of October! So pray for them that they can do it! But it was a crazy story. Elder Benitez and I arrived there at 815 and we were waiting and Sebastian pulls up on his bike with that look on his face so I was like awww dang it! He told us Marcela’s mom lost her I.D. (she was going to be a witness for the wedding) so they looked for it all night but couldn’t find it. And so Marcela was in the house crying. So we just said pedal as fast as you can to your house and get Marcela and bring her and we will find witness´. So we were like aw dang who are we gonna get. We thought about just asking random people on the street! haha no. So I whipped out the good ol cellphone and started making some calls. And with a little blessing from the Lord we were able to get the Ward Mission Leader to come over in 15 minutes and another member who is sweet, all last minute so I felt so bad doing that to them because they all have work and other stuff and we usually bug them last minute to help out with lessons or stuff like that. But these members are GENUINE here in San Carlos they really pulled through. So after a little wait they went in and listened to the Marriage Class, and they left with huge smiles on their faces! So we were way stoked for them! Then we went to the corner bakery and I bought some treats to celebrate! Then after that we caught the bus to District class and we made it in time to do some practices and take pictures with the whole Zone. Because it was the last one of the combio. So that was cool. And then we went home and started a fast so that the possibilities for baptism could get baptized that weekend.

On Friday I did a mini exchange with Elder Siebach and we had a sweet day. We worked in our sector and we found some good people, and we put some baptismal dates so that was cool. And at the end of the night we went to see Sebastian and Marcela and they were a little mad at each other. So I was like oh no this aint happening you guys are getting married and getting prepared to enter into the Celestial Kingdom! So we just pulled everything we had out to help them fix their problems and just testified to them of the blessings they can receive to live and put into practice the Restored Gospel. And when we left they were smiling, the Lords spirit was with us on that one for sure. I know I didn’t do much there. So that was good.

 Then Saturday we had sport day and we played some sports and then we went to lunch. And after we showered and we set out to invite all of our investigators to church and to the baptism. We took a taxi to the baptism because we were a little late, and I put my white CINTAS pants on (Dad haha!)  And we did the service and Bernarda got baptized. She is a sweet convert, her life has changed completely she is so stoked to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! Then after we went to a little shop and ate some completos to celebrate! Then we went home and went to bed.

 Sunday was good we went out to pick up investigators and no one was home or couldn’t come so that was a bummer. I went with Elder Turner and we stopped by one of his investigators and she was in bed she didn’t want to go and we talked to her and Elder Turner just blasted her with the Spirit and the Gospel and she came! So that was cool. We missed Bernardas confirmation though but that’s all right.

  After we had lunch with the Bishop in his house with his family out in the farm fields so that was cool, then we came back and we got out early of the car and we stopped by some investigators and we stopped by a new convert and her friend was there and we taught her and she accepted a baptismal date! So that was way cool!

 Then today we went to Yungay.. pronounced... John-guy... so don’t get any ideas haha. And we say a guy kill a pig and skin it and we cooked it up and ate it! It was gnarly! We also played some soccer while we waited for it to cook so that was cool. There were about 26 of us. And it’s about an hour and a half on the bus so we traveled a lot today because from San Carlos to Chillan its 40 minutes then another 1:30 to Yungay! But it was way cool I took some pictures.

  But hey I’m loving it here. I now have just 3 exchanges so that’s lame but that means there’s still plenty of time to do the Lords work here in Chile!!!!

 I love you guys a ton have a stellar week!

     les quiero,

                     Elder Johnson

September 24, 2012 - Stake Conference in Chillan!

How about it! Well it was quite the week here! And good to hear that the weather is keeping you guys warm up there!

 Well on Tuesday we went down to Chillan and played basketball with the Zone for about 2 hours. So that was pretty fun! Then we came back home and watched a movie and then we got ready to go to the ward party. The ward party was fun. They had like traditional Chilean games. Like Musical Chairs and stilt walking and the 3 legged race. So it was way fun. And then a bunch of people danced the Cueca. The Chilean Dance so that was cool to watch. We showed up in our Huaso outfits so everyone liked that. Then it got late so we had to take dinner home. Then we planned and went to bed.

  Wednesday was good ol District class. So we took the bus down to Chillan again, and the class went good. I talked about the difference between a planting seed missionary and a harvesting missionary because we need some more urgency to baptize here. So it went real well everyone left stoked so that was good. Then we went back home after stopping by at the corner bakery to eat our Berlin! Then we had lunch and came home and we went to work. It went pretty slow Wednesday because everybody was shaking off the effects of the 4 days of vacation so there was a lot of impatient short tempered people about. But we found a couple of people none the less and taught some lessons. So it went well.

  Thursday we had some good studies then we went and did some contacts before lunch. It was alright we talked to a couple of people so that was good. Then we ate lunch and after Brother Miguel showed us his property. He has his own saw mill. So he showed us some equipment like his tractors and stuff so that was cool. Then we went home and started working. We taught 1 lesson so that was pretty tough and we did a bunch of contacts. It was weird because when we left the house it was sunny and then at the end of the night it poured rain! haha and we had left without rain jackets again and we learned a good lesson. SO that was quite the adventure. We were outside for like 3 hours in the rain! haha it was classic.

  Then Friday we did some planning for church after we studied, and then we went to lunch but she didn’t have it so we went to the other one with the other elders. And then we came back home and got ready to go out and work. I did a mini exchange with Elder Turner. We found a couple people, and they had a reference from our mission leader and we went to teach the guy. His name is Camilo. He is a Black belt in Karate, a good guy. And he pretty much said he has been looking for this church for a while now. So I was like Brother Camilo this is the church you are looking for and we are gonna share with you why. And we shared the Restoration. It was a way powerful lesson. He had some good questions and he accepted a baptismal date. And we showed him the picture of the 1st presidency and he just held it in his hands and stared at it for a couple of minutes. It was way powerful. He came to church on Sunday so we are way stoked for him! And we taught a couple other lessons. At night we went over to a family they are teaching and we talked about getting married before they get baptized. We had a convert with us who had to get married to get baptized so her testimony helped out a lot. But at the end they didn’t want to do it. They didn’t want to give up the money that their son receives for her being a widow because if she gets married she looses that money for her kids school. But one day they will do it their kids are real great too. And then we walked home and ended the night planning.

 Saturday was sport day! We played some soccer with those 2 kids and some members so it was way fun. Then we went to lunch. It was good then we went home and showered up to go out to work. We stopped by a couple of old investigators but they weren’t home and we got into a house but they weren’t really interested. Then we taught Marcela and Sebastian. they had been in Santiago for 2 weeks so we came back expecting them to still have desires to share with us, but they had done a 360. They didn’t want to share really or get baptized or married. They had lost all desires so that was lame. But we just testified to them of the experiences that they had been having while they were sharing with us and the blessings they could receive to be married and baptized. But we left them with something to read and to pray. Then we stopped by a couple more investigators to invite them to church for Sunday. But it was a good day. I had felt that we had done our part of inviting people to come unto Christ. So we ended the day satisfied.

 Then Sunday we woke up early to take a shower and study a little bit before we went to pick up Juan to walk to the church to take the bus with the ward to Chillan for Stake Conference. It was way sweet! President Humphrey and Sister Humphrey spoke and the Stake President. And Elder Alliaud of the 70 from Argentina came and spoke it was real great. He’s a great guy. The Argentinean people are super funny so he had some good stories to tell that related to the gospel but he had a good message I took some great notes.  Then we got back on the bus after and we headed back to San Carlos. We ate lunch and then we went home and got ready to go teach the restored gospel! We taught Maria and Carmelo. They need some help as a family so we taught them about the need to pray as a family to fix their problems. The dad is a little hard headed. But we hope and pray that things will get better. The mom and the daughter want to get baptize. On Friday Elder Benitez and I had gone running and when we left this park we were at we saw Maria walking to work so we ran up and started walking and talking to her and she had just had a bad night at the house. She wasn’t able to sleep because of some problems so she was a little disanimated so we did our best to help her. But it was a miracle because the one day we went running we just happened to go by her in the morning after that bad night she had. So that strengthened my testimony of the love our Heavenly father has for every one of his children. So we had taught a couple of lessons before that we taught Juan with a member because he is going out to work this whole week and he won’t be home all week. he’s a great guy Pray for him that he gets baptized this Saturday! And then we walked home and we planned for the week and I took numbers like usual and then I watched some Mormon Messages with Elder Turner before we went to bed.

 And then today after we studied we went and looked for a gym and we found one. The owner is a less active guy Frans. He let us workout for free! So that was cool to get a good sweat on. And then we went to eat some completos and french fries and now we are writing so it has been a sweet week! This is the last week of the exchange! It sure goes by fast. I’m pretty sure Eder Benitez and I will stay together we are having a lot of success together. So we’ll see!

  I love you guys! Stay cool and have a great week!

      les wuiero muchisimo!

      Elder Johnson

                                        

September 17, 2012 - Chilean Independence Day!

Well here we are the Chilean Independence Day has arrived!

 We had a sweet week! We found the most investigators that I have found all of my mission this week! We found a bunch of families! So now we just gotta get them to know some members and get them to church! It rained a little bit yesterday. We left the house with just normal jackets and it poured so that was quite the adventure. So I wish I could share some of that coldness with you guys! haha But slowly we are entering into the summer! So I’m excited.

 We found this one family of a mom and her 2 daughters and little son. We were contacting at night and we saw this little dog attack this guy’s leg so I was like O no I aint contactin that house! And Elder Benitez said O no we need to contact it the Adversary put that dog there so we wouldn’t contact it. So Elder Benitez went and contacted and I strolled up behind him after seeing the dog had calmed. And a teenage girl walked out and we started talking and she said The Book of Mormon! I’ve been waiting to have my own! So we went by later on in the week and she accepted a baptismal date and on Saturday we watched the Restoration and her little sister loved it too! When we went by yesterday the mom said that they were fighting over the Book of Mormon to read it so we gave Carmen Gloria the younger daughter her own copy! So we are so stoked for them!

 Well I don’t have much time to write but I thought I’d leave you guys with that little story! That Heavenly Father always prepares His children and sometimes they are behind wild and ferocious dogs! But I’m loving it here. Tomorrow we are gonna go to Chillan with the Zone to play some basketball and have a BBQ. Tomorrow is the real P Day we just have a little bit of time today to write!

But I love you guys! Have a great week!

les quiero mucho!

Elder Johnson