Look at your "Missionary Mom"

Yes my room is beginning to look somewhat like a Post Office.. I have every size of box and have bought stock in packing tape!

Here is the package that Michael requested for Elder Doyle, his zone leader at the MTC. I sent him:

-sausage/crackers/cheese

-picture of Christ

-remote control car

-yo yo

-ties (from a friend)

-and more snacks

 

 Dear Elder Doyle

I know this probably comes as a shock to you, and who sent it. That is not as important as the work you are doing. As of yet, I don't know you but would love to get to know you through your service and your mission.
I'm Elder Johnson's mother and he let me know of your situation and wanted to do it anonymously, so I would appreciate if you want to say thank you ... do it discretely because that is how he would want it. I hope you don't mind the package because I'm taking it upon myself to surprise you with one. I thought you would want to know that people you don't even know are praying for you and have knowledge of your situation. I would love to hear from you and would love to correspond through e-mail if you feel you need support. My e-mail is cjohnson@mvdsl.com and it is totally up to you.
I too am a convert to the church. Your story touched Elder Johnson and I because I know first hand what it feels like. And Elder Johnson knows of my story. So, when he heard you were a convert and didn't have much support back home... it really hit home with us. I don't know if I am overstepping but would love to hear your conversion story. I'm sure ours are much the same. But just so you know your story will turn into a wonderful testimony that becomes unshakable in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I converted almost 20 + years ago. I was catholic and my family was devout; a very church going people. In summary I was disowned and kept everything very quiet until Elder Johnson (Michael) was born... and we blessed him in the Church of Latter Day Saints. I have never looked back... NEVER! I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel. It was probably one of my biggest trials and still troubles me to this day ... how a parent can do such a thing, but none the less... made me who I am and for that I'm so very thankful! I have felt many wonderful moments in my life where I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, knows of my situation, and is listening.
I hope I have not overstepped... and hope you know that as a mother, my heart is truly touched by your story and just wanted you to know you are not alone. That you have many people here and on the other side... rooting for you and your success on your mission! I'm sure you will be amazing! Keep up the hard work and you'll be blessed; this I know!
I'm here; if you need anything and I wish you well! I hope you know I just wanted to let you know; you are important to so many, people are waiting to hear your story, and your Heavenly Father is aware of your needs. Continued success on your mission, I'm sure you will be GREAT!!!

Sincerely,
Cristine Johnson
(Elder Johnson's Mom)

Michael's Package:

-cotton candy

-remote control car

-blanket

-sausage/cheese/crackers

-cracker jacks

-ties

-candy canes

-and more snacks

Request for: hairspray

laundry bag

Elder Johnson,

Hey here is a package for ya!! It will probably be the last one for the MTC; I think we did good keeping up on it and taking care of you! I'm sure you noticed that! As you well know Elder Doyle should have gotten his package before you. I did that on purpose; I didn't want them to arrive at the same time. Hope you don't mind. I did write him a letter and I don't know if he shared it with you or not... but the spirit was strong when I wrote it. I left the lines on communication open if he wants that.
I also need your address when you get to North Carolina. I miss placed where I wrote those; so FYI you won't be getting anything there until I get the addresses for letters and packages. I can't remember if they are the same or different. And let me know because moms here say I can mail directly to you? So, just keep me posted, ok?
I hope you are doing good? You sounded great in the last letter/e-mail! Just keep working on your letters, you'll get better at painting a picture and story for us! But I have loved what you have sent and how well informed you have kept us! It has been awesome! Thank you... It brings much joy to my heart when I hear from you!
Here are a few ties for you! Hope you like them... two are new and one is from home! So ENJOY and hope you like them! When you get back in the field you can buy some more if you have money left over in your account at the end of the month!
I know you'll need the blanket... in North Carolina. I knew your weight in your luggage was low so I thought I would send it now. Plus it is cheaper to send to Provo than North Carolina... so I know your find room!!
So everything going alright? Yes? We are all fine here... and can't remember if I told you but Justin's arm looks good... so in two weeks going to a short cast! Yeah for him! Dad is working hard as usual! And I'm setting New Year's resolutions as always! But this year determined to make a few of them stick!! Hope you are feeling the love and prayers from afar. I think of you so very often and know your Heavenly Father is watching out for you for me! Keep writing and working hard!!!

Love Always,
Mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoo

(I only include the letters I send in packages... the rest will be put in a binder for Michael at the end of his mission)

 

Merry Christmas

Dear Family,

 

Today was a great Christmas and I really appreciate the packages and all the letters! I loved the photo book. It's awesome!!! Quero corbatas, por favor......(I want ties, please) The only things I need now is ties:) Today we had Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve speak to us today. Remember how people were saying that people were getting their calls a year to Hong Kong and then a year to China. . . . well he said that it was a rumor.

The MTC is going good I have seen Kelan Wiess and Kaden Brown a couple of times. So that was cool. The Spanish is coming along and I am doing really well and at least getting my point across:) I have been getting a lot of letters so that's amazing:) My companion is selfish, but what ever.. I'm fine with it. Just learning to deal with things.  I have been trying to be really patient and humble lately. I have been exercising my faith a lot lately by putting my trust in god and the holy ghost to help me with the language and I can feel the Holy Ghost all the time. It has been a humbling experience.

I am so pumped to be able to go out into the field and President Nelson said that they are opening new missions all over the world. He said, don't be shocked if you start in the mission your assigned and finish in another. So that is kinda cool. I have been doing well though. Thanks so much for the jerky it was soooo good and its almost gone after one day.

Did you get that letter I sent about that convert missionary. I hope you did and that you could please send him a package and put a little remote control car (like one of those 5 dollar ones, a missionary got one for Christmas and was having a blast with it) I hope you could do that for him. His family isn't tooo supportive and could you keep it anonymous. Well like I said I wrote a letter to you about so let me know what you can do.

Dad said he bought some more ammo so I guess its getting kinda crazy out there? That's too bad I heard about that shooting in Connecticut? How sad!

CODY Thanks for the letter! Never have had to much to say though I guess:) That's good your staying busy with baseball and such. I hope that is going well and that your crushin the ball. That's awesome that mission prep is full! I hope he started teaching it a little differently because the best way to be a missionary is the practice.  So, I hope he has started to have one play like an investigator and have one be the missionary. Try to teach the lessons because that is the best way to practice to be a missionary. Role playing (I don't care if you told him that I said that) we role play a ton in the MTC and it is actually a ton of fun! But its also in Spanish, so its kinda challenging.

 

JUSTIN Thanks for the letter champ! Did mom have to type it for you because you use perfect grammar. If it was you... wow! I'm doing great bud I just miss all my brother to mess around with! I am learning Spanish really well because all is possible through the Lord! I hope your doing good buddy and I hope that your arm isn't too much of a bother. I know how it feels and its funny how you filled in my shoes and are accident prone like me!

 

TANNER I miss you bud! I hope your doing great and are staying away from all them ladies!

WELL MERRY CHRISTMAS -------- LOVE, ELDER JOHNSON

Other Elder's at the MTC

CHANGE of HEART

Dear Family,
Something has come up that is super important to me.  The spirit has softened my heart and I have seen my Zone leaders in a whole new light.  One of them (Elder Doyle) I have always liked. Well, his birthday was on the 21st of December.  He is a convert to the church and has been a member for just a little over a year.  The kid is so sweet and full of love.  He has the kindest heart and would do anything for anyone.  The problem is his family still has not written him, even on his birthday.  Christmas he didn't hear from them either.  The kid always has a smile on his face, so no one would ever know that he is struggling with this.  But his family has pretty much left him "out to dry" with no support from home.  I can see this this saddens him. 
So, I was hoping the ward back home could make up a package for him (and make it anonymous).  They could send it to him. I know that this would make his day.  This is very important to me, so please do something and FAST! Dear Elder me when you get this.
P.s. Let's remember what the Christmas season is all about!

Love,
Elder Michael Johnson

(Put FROM 3rd Ward Not Logandale)
If you are interested this young man's address just let me know

MTC Letter (Before Christmas)

Dear Family,

I got your Dear Elder that same day, so I was able to right back. Yea, sorry I don't have a set time that I can get on the computers.  I appreciate the prayers, I can really feel them.  I miss you guys a LOT, but I know I'm where I am suppose to be.  Me and my companion are fine.  We had a talk and now we seem to see eye to eye.  But as for the zone leader, he has one coming if he acts like my babysitter one more time.
I'm glad Cody paid his tithing, apparently that was a big deal! I'm glad Justin is doing good. I pray for you guys.
I'm glad everyone is doing good.  I had two cold sores at once (stress/I think).  But they are gone now.  And on Sundays I can't write.  I know it's weird but its all fine. 
I love you guys and love the letters and packages.  And please send some pictures, that would be great!

Love,
Elder Michael Johnson

Yo se que el Libro do Mormon es verdadero.
(I know that the Book of Mormon is True)

Package #3 gets READY for shipment

This was just to say... LOVE YOU TWICE! The family book I made hadn't arrived on time and I wanted him to for sure get his Christmas package before Christmas. So the photo book arrived and we know it will get there after Christmas but will be an awesome surprise to him! No one receives packages after Christmas, too! So, Merry Christmas twice Elder Johnson... We love you!!

 

 

-hand out cards for missionaries

(one in English and one in Spanish)

-USB card reader

-Caramel Corn

-Scripture Mastery Book Mark

-Butterfingers

-Reeeses

-A Family Photo Book

 

E-mail day makes my HEART happy

Dear Family,

Hey I'm sorry to hear about Justin. poor guy. Looks like someone took the role of accident prone. I got the package and thank you guys so much!  That was awesome! I have like 60 pictures to send:) Sorry I didn't write during the week we are only allowed to write and email on p-days so I trying to be obedient sorry!

Everything is going fine with me. I'm picking up the language and am learning so much. I weight like 193 and I have been hitting the gym everyday and i have put on some serious muscle:)  I have also got descent at volleyball:) I do have to say I love gym time.

The MTC is awesome! The spirit is so strong and the language is truly humbling me and putting my faith to the test. Yesterday we started to do member visits in Spanish and those are fun experiences because they only act like themselves with real questions and concerns so we are able to grow close to them and know them as real people.

We had to members of the Quorum of the Seventy come and talk to us one was in the Presidency of the Seventy. So that was kinda cool.

We have had snow almost everyday I have been here and we had this huge snowball fight two days ago and it was legit. It was way awesome and fun we also built a missionary snowman. I'll send you the pictures when I can.

We are getting 11 new elders in our zone today. We also got new zone leaders and they are driving me a bit batty! One was inactive growing up and the other is a convert for like a year so neither had many opportunities to be leaders. They try to babysit us all day and it is so annoying one walked into my room. (I did remove some of this paragraph... he seems to be struggling with the new leadership but this is one of his challenges)

But all is well I'm doing good and I am starting to sleep better. My teachers are awesome such good guys who teach with the spirit! We go for like 16 hours a day with no breaks. I love all the letters I receive throughout the week and look forward to receiving them they make my day same with packages! If you want I could use a couple of ties (green, Light blue, blue) ties are like gold around here!

I almost have the first vision memorized in Spanish and I no longer am taking notes into the lessons. I rely fully upon the Holy Ghost to guide me in my lessons:)

Do you know where Jovian got his mission call to and can you yell at Jake and Braden and him for me! (for not writing)
In your letters can you include more and some stuff that is going on outside of these walls i feel so clueless!

well im going to bear my testimony in spanish.....
yo se que jesucristo es mi salvador y mi rendentor.
yo estoy muy agradecido por la expancion.
yo se que el elvangelio de jesucristo es verdadero.
yo se que jose smit es un profeta de restrauration.
yo se que thomas s. monson es vida profeta.
yo se que el libro de mormon es verdedero.
yo soy muy agradecido por que testimonio!

Lets see how good dads Spanish is:)

Cody- I got a question for you ....What do you do if you are teaching an investigator and you invite them to baptism and they ask why is baptism necessary? (use a scripture and you better start writing punk)

Justin- please get better and tell mom to let you write me!

Tanner- start reading the "Book of Mormon"

With love,
 Elder Johnson (Write more I'll write you all another letter tonight to and dear elders get here that night)

Snowman... I think YES

The Zone

 

The Zone

 

His first Zone Leaders

(They already left to North Carolina)

Merry Christmas Elder Johnson

Someone tell me how you send Christmas in a box.  Well, the thought did come to me it is not in a box... it is the Spirit of Christmas.  Well, then I thought how do I send all my love to my son in a single, little box? It will definitely be different not having him here... but we did send him some fun stuff to remind him of the Christmas Season.  But I do think where he is at he will have the spirit of Christmas like he has never had before.  Merry Christmas my son... I love you!!

 

 

-twizzlers

-rice krispies

-candy canes

-candy cane gum balls

-candy cane resses pieces

-cologne

-swedish fish

-note books

-Christmas lifesavers

-mints

 

Alittle Weirdness... to say the least?

 

Missionary Life

Cereal Challenge

So much to say... so little time!

I attached twenty some pictures let me know if you received them because if not I will send you the SD card and by a new one. I only have a half  hour each week to email so I would prefer if you guys wrote me instead of e-mailing.  So, that on
e-mail day I can just have all my time to e-mail your guys.

My district leader checks the mail every day!! So, those Dear Elder letters and written mail would be awesome! You guys can never send enough letters!!!  I have been writing in my journal every night!

My companion is Elder Conner Reid or John Reid one of the two he is from billings Montana and he will be my companion for the whole time. I leave on the 4th of February to North Carolina.

You'll notice a few withdrawls in the account.  I had to buy a few things because I ran out.  I bought some pens, a note book and a few differnt books, so sorry! The MTC is going fine and all! We started learning Spanish the day I got here.  We taught our first lesson two days later! The investigators we teach are trained actors and are as real as they get!  It's crazy!! You really start to care and love the man. that the actor, is portraying! 

A funny story for today:  Today for breakfast we did the cereal challenge. Its crazy!  Six guys have to eat one of those huge cereals and it was gross. I ate eight bowls of cereal. Elder Dowell ate 12 and we have to do this challenge in under 30 minutes. We almost finished we have two bowls left and no one could do it.

The zone is awesome!!  I have grown close to almost all of them. I will take a picture this Sunday of everyone. My zone leaders are going to North Carolina, as well. So, they might be my companion in the future. I'm the Senior Companion at the moment. I know one week in and the Senior Companion!

The picture of the four guys is the guys in my residency(room) and the red head is my companion he is a hunter/country boy (I shared in the first letter) and we have a lot of similar hobbies. The one with my roommates the one that is making the funny pose is my district leader and man is he a hoot. I have never laughed so hard in my life.

The Spanish is coming along but I kinda get frustrated. I can understand more than I can speak so I get frustrated. When I know what to say, but don't know how to say it. I have taught three lessons to Juan. I have committed him to baptism. I have to keep reminding myself that I have only been here for "seven" days and to not get frustrated with myself so much.

Dear Cody/Justin,
You guys know how prepared I thought I was. Well I was not. So, I challenge you guys to start studying and almost memorizing the preach my gospel lessons.  There are four of them. Know them, learn them and be ready to share them! Please do this and you will be soooo much more prepared for your mission, when that time comes!

Cody,
Good luck with baseball and DO WORK HARD! I hope you are stepping it up in the house. I want to challenge you to finish the Book of Mormon at least twice before summer I hope you can do that!

Justin,
Keep doing the good things that your doing and start to study preach my gospel and learn of that great work.

Tanner,
I hope you are praying and reading your scriptures every night and not getting caught up in them girls!

Mom and Dad,
Thanks for the letters and all the LOVE and care you guys give me. Keep on them boys! The only things I can think of that I need is a Nerf gun and a usb card reader.  I had to borrow one today. Thanks for the package and please continue to right me so I can e-mail you guys for the full half hour. I so look forward to more letters and packages. Please tell them cute girls to start righting we are having a competition.

P.S.   I am a pro yo yo-er and have taught a lot of my zone how to do it.  I'll right though out the week!

Class Experiences

Overlapping Letters are AWESOME!

Dear Family,

Yo soy muy bien. (I am very good) I am doing GREAT!! The MTC is good.  I wake up at 6:30 a.m. and start classes at 7:00 a.m. I study all day till 9:30 p.m. and am in bed by 10:30 p.m.  That is, if I am lucky. 

I only have a half hour to e-mail on Wednesday, so I would prefer the Dear Elder Letters and MORE letters during the week! Then I can e-mail everything on Wednesdays.  Please more letters and a Nerf gun!! :)

My roommates are awesome and "mi companero es muy bien".  (My companion is very good)  We have already taught two lessons to investigators already (in Spanish).  The guys are actors, so the lessons are real and it is stressful and tense at times.  But, I know that through faith and obedience, I will be blessed with the Gift of Tongues. 

I leave February 4th and will call you guys then!! Everything is great and it did snow today! I will try and get pictures to you guys on Wednesday. 

The guys in my zone are awesome and have such great conversion stories.  A couple have only been member for a little over a year.  One is from Vegas, his name is Elder Fish.  He lived in Las Vegas and friends with Will Durkin, Payedn Yates, Eric Anderson and knew the Cook's, too.  Actually, his little brother is the one who sang with Sydnee at Padeyn's Farewell. 

My district leader rooms with me and mi companero (my companion).  He is one of the funniest guys I know.  I am working hard and studying much.  I look forward to hearing from you guys!!

P.S.
Yo soy que es la iglesia de JesuCristo es VERDADERO!
(I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is TRUE!)

With Love,
Michael Johnson

First Snow in Provo