This last week was a wonderful one! I can testify that miracles happen and that my
mission president was called of God and he receives inspiration to help us missionaries.
Transfers are coming again next week...I just
wonder what will happen with Hermana Marshall and I regarding visas ---
transferred to new areas? No idea. Hermana Harris thinks she's leaving. She's been here during 3 transfers. This is the only area she's ever been in since
being out of the MTC. Vamos a Ver.
Monday (23rd) – We finally went to a P-day activity! I got to play my favorite: Volleyball! It would have been better if some elders would've
rotated and shared the ball. Haha. Poor Hermana Marshall got hit pretty bad in the
face during dodge ball. It rained/snowed. We are SO GRATEFUL to have a car-until Feb 8th.
Good lesson with 8 yr. old Maya. She is the sweetest girl ever. I just want to take her home with me (I find that
with a lot of these adorable kids). We watched
the Restoration movie. She didn't really understand it; big words in English. So I explained it using simpler words. :)
Tuesday (24th) – My favorite lesson to teach is about the Plan of Salvation. That's
one of the main reasons I came on a mission.
It is because of this amazing knowledge that I am so blessed to have. Without
this knowledge, I don't know if my family or I would have been able to get through
Jared's death. When people ask me why I'm serving a mission, I often tell them it's
because of this wonderful knowledge. I am
so lucky and it would be so selfish of me to keep this to myself. I love teaching the Plan of Salvation; especially
now that I have my very own "dibujos" or like drawing things.
Did I write about Eduardo from Cuba? I met him
2 weeks ago out in the rain. The other sisters
went back later on and he said to them that I was the nicest person that he has
met since moving here, and that I showed genuine love for him when I asked him if
he needed help with his car, twice (not like I could have really helped him ..ha)
but it was worth it because it made such an impression on him. He is amazing! He is very spiritual, and loves when we teach
him and just wants to get closer to God. He called us angels sent from God --- me
out in the rain an angel?
Wednesday (25th) – For the first time we got to the rotation where we got to eat dinner with our ward: (North
Star). The Mexican food has been great. We even discovered a little Mexican tiendita down
the road from our house that makes decent food as well. It's next to a store that plays Mexican songs
on a loud speaker --- got to love it.
Our investigator named Sarahi told us the saddest
news. Her husband won't allow her to go to
church and does not want us teaching their children and "confusing" them
and doesn't really want us teaching Sarahi.
She is sad and wants to go to church and be baptized on the 11th
like planned. She wants her kids to learn. They love listening to our lessons. We
were sitting at her kitchen table talking with her, and tears filled up in my eyes
as I listened to her. I thought about the
situation and realized the tears were because, even though I barely know her, I
love her spirit and feel her frustration.
I love being a missionary and being able to feel God's love that He has for
His children. I try to be an instrument in
His hands and have a wonderful blessing and opportunity to feel this love. I gave her a hug and bore my testimony about fasting. We will be fasting together (4 of us and Sarahi)
Tuesday night.
Thursday (26th) – We had interviews with Pres. Winn. I
still feel a bit out of place because I am waiting to go to Spain, but he's great
and this weekend I really gained a testimony that he has been called of God and
that he can receive revelation to help us individually. He gave us advice for our language study and we
tried it Friday and miracles happened.
Beverly made us a good Honduras dinner. It’s fun to be with her. She's so happy now that
she has the gospel in her life. We taught
her about temples. She can't wait to go. We shared our feelings and love for her
and she shared her feelings and love for us.
It was special. :) :) It’s going to
be so hard to say good bye to her someday. We already have a list of things we want
to do together after my mission.
Saw Antonio who is 23 years old, has a strong
desire to get baptized. He is trying to figure
things out with his girlfriend.
Friday (27th) – We taught Norma Norescal (from trailer park where I had an adventurous experience
a couple of weeks ago --- a story to tell after my mission, for sure). I followed Pres. Winn's advice for language study.
I had the best lesson I have ever had on my mission! In this small trailer, the spirit was so strong
and incredible. She's getting baptized on Feb. 18th.
Saturday (28th) – We had an interesting experience with a 91 yr. old practically deaf in-active
man. I've been getting better at Spanish
ever since Pres. Winn's advice. I can feel
the Spirit so much stronger and also feel the love that Heavenly Father has for
all of His children.
We got to teach Maya. I love her. We got her mom's permission for her to be baptized
Feb 18th :)
Sister Mayberry's baptism! She was amazing and her example is incredible.
I have learned so much from her. She is my "adopted grandma." :) The Spirit was strong and it was nice that so
many people went and there was a pianist, a chorister and a beautiful program with
musical numbers and talks and I got to give the opening prayer. It was truly one
of the best gifts our companionship could've received. It was great.
Sunday (29th) – We had a good meeting with the Bishop. We expressed our concerns and he expressed his
interest in them. Some changes are now going
to happen. This Saturday all new recent converts will be able to do baptisms at
the Temple. :) Then we are going to have a class to teach recent converts, the less
active, and investigators at the church on Thursdays. He is also working on getting callings for the
recent converts.
We have been praying a lot to find someone who
can get baptized this week: Feb 4th. I put
sticky notes all over our house and put a list of possible people that could be
ready. We had been trying to contact a guy
named Javier Luna. It was a miracle. We found him at 8:40 P.M.! He just got back from Mexico (had 1 lesson with
Hermanas. Harris and Picuasi back in November) and is ready to get baptized! The spirit was so strong and his heart is so pure. He has a picture of the Salt Lake City temple
in his apt. He wants to go to the temple
so bad. He's going to make it! He's getting baptized Saturday!!!! :) How incredible!
Monday (30th) – Today! First of all, it's the
second week in a row that my companions and I have reached the Standard of Excellence
set by President Winn! Second of all, last
week our whole zone got the Standard of Excellence which is every companionship!! So for lunch today, Tucanos restaurant was full
of about 35 missionaries!! :) President Winn
paid for us all! We went to the Gateway (shopping
mall built for the 2002 Winter Olympics).
I have many memories there-weird... haha. Our zone almost got the Standard of Excellence
again this week but 3 people didn't make it to church. But our companionship did and we will again this
week because of Javier. Today has been great so far.
I am so blessed!! Baptisms are amazing. I feel so lucky to be here and this last week
was one of the best. I love this gospel and
Heavenly Father with all my heart.
Thanks for your support, love and for all the
wonderful letters I have been receiving and for your prayers and friendship and
for everything. My heart is full. :)
I love you all.Have a good week.
Love,
Hermana Laura Johnson
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