ALASKA ANCHORAGE MISSION

Elder Brad Johnson is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the ALASKA ANCHORAGE MISSION. This blog will include many of the e-mails Elder Johnson sends to his family each week. It will extend from October 6, 2010 to October, 2012.


Monday, January 30, 2012

Elder Johnson's January 30, 2012 E-mail

Lights in Whitehorse, Canada

More Whitehorse lights -- pretty ...
 
 
Dear Mom:
 
Thank you for the e-mail. Let's get going on those questions, and I'll think of other things as well.
 
1.         Specifically, what are the cross roads of where you live in Anchorage?
 
We live on Denali and 15th Ave. There is a Masonic Center just east of us, one block down. 

2.         Did you see the northern lights this past week?  There was a huge solar storm, so there should have been some lights.  Newspaper had pictures.
 
No, but I saw them in Whitehorse, and they're pretty cool. I've got pictures. Didn't I send you some? Here's a few.


3.         Do you enjoy reading my letters?
Yes, I do.

4.     
  What did you eat today? 
I have yet to eat. I have spent a lot of money lately, but it's been all for the mission effort. Tell Dad I'm really sorry.

5.        What did you do for p-day today? 
I haven't done anything for p-day yet. It's just starting. But what I will do for p-day will be work on an Excel project that I've been doing for the past month each p-day. I come in on p-day, into the mission office and (don't know what happened to the rest of that sentence.)

7.         What do you and your companion talk about?
 
I don't know. We've had a member in the ward named Kali Lomu with us the entire week. Kali is a 20 year-old guy preparing to go on his mission, and we worked it out with President Beesley to have him serve a mini-mission for a week. So he stayed at our place with us. It was pretty cool.
 
We don't really talk about anything except the Work. 
 
Elder Flynn was called as Assistant to the Mission President. He and I will be in very close proximity now. We are in the same district. And we'll occasionally go on exchanges and things like that. 
 
I don't know if I had a chance to mention, but we were blessed with the opportunity to participate in two baptisms the past two weeks. Marquita Carroll and Jason Lee Welle. Both adult parents, part-member families. It was a great experience. We have more great experiences coming up.
 
Love,
 
Elder Johnson 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

No E-mail this week!

I guess no e-mail this week because of the holiday, so here is a picture of Elder Johnson's family instead!

Brittany, Mom, Dad and Lauren

Ok, Dad got the e-mail instead.  Here it is!

Hi Dad,

Tell Mom I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to e-mail her today. Tell her
to be on the lookout tomorrow for one. It was MLK Day, which means the
library isn't open.

I've been pounding away on Excel all day. I'm doing a system revamp for the
way the Mission Office reports baptismal stewardship and other things. My
Excel skills haven't digressed in the slightest--they've probably gotten
better. I've worked on Excel a lot so far on my mission. All with
permission of course.

They are just like the originals. The black pin-stripe is slightly
different, but that's okay. They are also both two buttons. I'm looking way
fresh right now: brand new white shirts and suits. I'm looking good, feeling
good. Thanks a lot.

Love,

Elder Johnson

P.S. Tell Mom that her e-mail comes tomorrow


Monday, January 9, 2012

Hi Mom and Dad,
 
Thank you for my suits! I got them in the mail. They fit perfectly and look great. It feels so good to walk around in slacks without holes in them. I want to take care of them. I'm considering just wearing different slacks and suits each day, separate the wear a little bit. Dad: How often should I get these things dry cleaned, as they are dry-clean only? Two months? 3 Months? Things are much cheaper in Anchorage.
 
The reason I don't have much time is because in Anchorage the only public computers are in the library, and they only allow you to be on for one hour. 
 
Yes, Elder Witt wrote the article. And I will ask him about it.  (google Deseret News article "One Missionary's Open Letter to the People of Alaska")
 
The "aw" portion in Elder Lawson's name is short for awesome. He's awesome and a wonderful missionary. I look forward to serving around/with him in the future.
 
As for your questions:
 
Did you have fun going out with E. Flynn.

Yes, we have a natural ability to teach in unity. We got to hang out from 5 PM to 9:30 PM. It was fun, and I imagine we'll get to do that each time we have Zone Leader Council.

What did you do exactly?

We went out and worked in my area. We taught two lessons to less-active members.

Did you get to go to Wasilla with him?

No. He was doing that the next day. Elder Witt and I simply had a normal day working in our area.

Who did you see in Wasilla?

No one. But the Harman's e-mailed me last week.

Did E. Flynn talk about Brittany?

Yes, he did. And we basically planned out all of our activities for the month of October. It entailed coming to AZ around when I return. Saying hi to me and then hanging out with Brittany for the rest of the time.

Okay, I'm running out of time now. A lot of great things occured this week. I'd be undermining their significance if I tried to rush through and tell you here and now.

But just know this: The sun comes up now around 8:30 AM; things are looking bright. The weather's cold, not too cold. There's a lot of snow. I'm in the company of good people. And I have ample amount of support in the Work.

Thank you for everything. For the suits, the shirts, the future book--and everything else. I'll keep plugging away and tell you all the stories when I get back.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Thursday, January 5, 2012

No E-mail this week!

Didn't get anything from Elder Johnson this week, but check out what Elder Lawson wrote on his blog!
 
Note to Elder Johnsons mom! (please post on blog) I am indeed greatful for your support and faithful subscription to my blog. I would also like to inform you, in case elder Johnson didn't, that your wonderful son is currently a zone leader, along with your potential son in law, elder Flynn. These are two of my best acquaintences that I have been blessed to meet on my mission and I am requesting to be an adopted son some day. I know there is quite the waiting list and that the credentials are pretty strict but I am hoping that someday... you might lower the standard to my level of just ordinary missionary! Once again, I am thankful for your continued support and reading of my blog... I think you might be the only one that does read it! Co that makes me feel good!
 
Adoption approved!
 
WE LOVE OUR MISSIONARIES!