Elder Johnson's April 25, 2011 E-mail - Just Doin' what Missionaries Do -- Work.

Talofa lava Mom, (Samoan Greeting)

 

Thanks for the e-mail. I haven't received your package yet. But I am, oh so, pleased to hear that you did make things that I can give to my investigators. That will be great!

 

Jake's way funny. He knows mission rules, so anytime he's calling, he's away from me. So I can't hear you.

 

Not much to update you on the mission front. Elder Collins is greatly progressing in his skill as a missionary, and I'm happy to be a part of it. I wish I could get more pictures for you, but it's tough to do when you're trying to work. All I'm focused on all day is missionary work. I will try to do better. I will try to get Jake to take pictures, though. By the way, we are not allowed to take pictures during proselyting hours.

 

For mission information, please see my attached Weekly to the President. Again, this is sensitive information, so please don't copy or tell anyone anything that I write in these Weeklies.

 

Love,

 

Elder Johnson

 

*********************

Hi Dad,

Thanks for the e-mail.

I thought you already sent the flashcards to me. If you send the flashcards,
 that will suffice.

I will try to take more pictures. It's difficult to focus on pictures when
 you're trying to do the work. I'll see what I can do.

The week went well. Still teaching up a storm and trying to get some of our
 investigators over the hump. We'll see what happens this next week. Please
 see my Weekly for more information.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson's April 18, 2011 E-mail - New Companion!!

Hi Dad,

 Thanks for the e-mail. Funny story about Brittany. (Brittany was in a talent show
this weekend and Steve told him about it - she was awesome and funny!)

 Really busy today, helping Elder Sione Collins with all of his e-mail
 stuff. He's from Samoa, and English is his second language. I'll see if I
 can't respond a little more in detail, but you can call Jake Babcock, and
 he'll tell you about Elder Collins. He's been trying to call
 you and mom and text message you guys. Also tell Lauren to respond to his
 Facebook message. He's just messing around with her, trying to be her
 friend. She needs to respond quickly to him. He's way funny and cool.

 But my new companion is way awesome.

 Best,
 Elder Johnson

**********
Hi Mom,

Elder Collins is taking forever to write his e-mails, so I do have a little more time to write something substantial.

He's very loving and respects the heck out of me. I feel awkward sometimes with his praise and adoration. He blesses the ground I walk on--literally. As his trainer, I've made it a goal to make him the best teacher in the entire mission. We role play every day for hours. We role play always. It's funny: when speaking to people and teaching, he says the same things I say. He mimics everything I do. Sometimes he tries to walk step-in-step with me.

He loves rice. Eats mainly with his hands. I had to explain that people find that unpleasant here. He's learning a lot and has already improved greatly.

He's, as you should know from my first e-mail, from Samoa. Western Samoa, not American Samoa. He can climb a coconut tree without straps or anything, just by running up.

The members of the ward have really taken to him--they love him, and he's quite social and funny when he breaks out of his foreign shell of insecurity. He's a breath of fresh air.

I'm loving every second. Please call Jake and tell Lauren to respond ASAP. If she ever feels like she's too busy, it's because she's unorganized. If she planned her day out and stuck to a schedule, she'd have no problem. I work 17 hours a day, and I'm not too busy. She's not too busy.

Love,

Elder Bradley Johnson

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

1.    Who is your companion and what is he like?

Elder Sione Collins. He is straight from Samoa. He's awesome. Very humble. Not very big like you'd expect for a Samoan. Smaller, skinnier, good looking dude. They call us the good looking Elders.

2.    Where is he from?

See Q1.

3.    How does it feel to be a trainer?

Normal.

4.    What special information did you get on your 2 hour trainer's meeting?

Nothing much. Just encouragement and the such. I'll let you look at my notes when I come back.

5.    Should we not expect and e-mail next week since you will be in your week long meeting?

No, no. The leadership training meeting will be later on, and it will not affect e-mails.

6.    Who will your companion be with since you will be gone for a week?

He'll exchange with another companion in the area, whose companion is going to the leadership training meeting.

7.    Elder Piiparien has a blog and I can follow him.

Good. He's cool. Nice guy. Elder Bird's new companion. Former AP.

8.    Tell me about any investigators that you want us to pray for.

You just pray in general for investigators and for success in the AK ANC Mission.

Sorry. Helping Elder Collins do his e-mails and Letter to the President.

Please call Jake Babcock on the number that I gave to you. You can talk to him and ask him questions about my companion.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson's April 11, 2011 e-mail - Still in his beloved Colony Ward!!!

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the e-mail. I've got to be quick, but I wanted to update you. Technically, this is not our P-Day, but we won't have a chance to do e-mails tomorrow, so we're doing them today.

We got our transfer call:

I'm staying in Colony for another transfer! I don't know who my new companion is yet; however, I have been called to train a new missionary coming into the field. There are only two new missionaries coming in this transfer, so it was cool to be chosen as a trainer amongst such a small batch.

Elder Bird will be going to Anchorage, and his companion will be Elder Piiparinen, who has been AP the past two transfers and was my ZL for the first two of my mission. Elder Piiparinen will be senior companion, Elder Bird, Junior.

Tomorrow, we will travel to Anchorage, and at 10:30 AM I will have a trainers' meeting, where President and Sister Dance and the Assistants will council me and the other trainer on how best to do our new responsibility. The meeting will last two hours. Also, the third week this next transfer, I will be attending the week-long Leadership Training meetings in Anchorage. So it's a neat responsibility. I am excited and ready to keep working hard and making this new missionary the best in Alaska.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson's e-mail dated April 4, 2011 - Splits with Jake Babcock and Conference

We (the family) got a call Sunday night from a young man named Jake Babcock from Alaska - he said he was with Elder Johnson and he just wanted us to know what a great missionary Elder Johnson is and how much he enjoys going out on visits with him!  Wasn't that cool? We had a great conversation with him.  And our Elder was close by ... :>  Brad told us in his letters about Jake Babcock.  Enjoy the e-mails!!!

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the e-mail, and I'm glad to hear that Dad is sending another flash drive; I'll take some more pictures.

The Jake Babcock Call:

Here's how it got started: Jake's the man, so we try to take him to lessons with us a lot because he's an awesome teacher and a former AP in the Riverside CA Mission, so we tear it up together.

Jake was sitting up front in the car while we were going to a lesson (Up front, because I offer my passenger's seat to all of our guests who we take to lessons--a courtesy thing). And Jake was turned around talking to me about something, and then he goes:

Elder Johnson, did I ever tell you how unbelievably good looking you are?

I tell him: You're making Elder Bird jealous.

He goes: You got a picture of your 19 year-old sister?

No, but I could probably get one.

Do you know her cell phone number.

No, but call my mom and ask.

So he calls you and as you answer we pull up to Joe's house. Elder Bird and I leave to go in, and Jake stayed outside for a second to talk to you.

So, technically, I was in the same care while he was talking. There's nothing in the rules that say members of our wards can't talk to our parents. Shoot, most missionaries have their companions call home for them and ask for stuff and what-not. I think that just totally spoils the experience. But I thought that you thought it'd be funny, so I told him to call.

He wants to talk to Lauren, though. And he needs her cell phone number. So will you please call him back or text him and give it to him? Tell Lauren that she's not being disloyal to David if she talks to a Jake Babcock from Alaska. And tell her also that he's way funny. So I want her to talk to him on the phone once or twice. Jake's just messing around; he's not a weirdo or anything. A very, very good teacher.

I do like what you write. I take it all in. I don't comment on it because I don't have much time to write you. But keep updating me. It's good to hear what's going on.

You asked:

 Where did you guys watch conference?  Give me details like “the ward house on so so road. “  Was there a large crowd there or does everyone have BYU tv like us?

We watched them at the stake center and had 5 investigators attend different sessions. Conference week is the best week for missionaries. No, not large crowds--most everybody has BYUTV.

Love,

Elder Johnson

****** READ THE NEXT LETTER TOO ******

 Hi Dad,
>
> Thanks for the e-mail.
>
> Who said I was being transferred? I could very possibly stay in the area
> another one.  It's very possible I'm in for another one unless you've heard otherwise from President Dance, which is unlikely. But I put in a request to stay another transfer, so we'll see what happens.
>
> Jake is effective because he's funny and personable. He knows his scriptures
> and knows how to explain things in entertaining ways. He tells stories when
> he teaches, uses analogies. He's just wild when he teaches and people love
> him. I've modeled a lot of my stuff off of his. My teaching skills are
> greatly improving. I could get up and speak for 15 minutes in sacrament
> meeting on just about any gospel principle without any preparation, wouldn't
> be scared a bit. I've already taught the Relief Society and the entire
> priesthood about missionary work.
>
> I gave mom all of the information to my ASU ID and Password. She has it. But
> it should be: ***************--please note the capital "S".
>
> Please check my account and make sure there is a little extra cash in there.
> If I do transfer, I may need money, so please make sure there's about $100
> to be safe.
>
> Thank you for everything and for funding this amazing experience. I'm loving
> every second of it.
>
> Love,
>
> Elder Johnson
>

Elder Johnson's e-mail dated March 28, 2011 - Questions and Answers

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the e-mail.

Can you buy me Religous Truths Defined by Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. off of Amazon and send it to me, ASAP?

What service projects? where?

Monday - P-day: e-mails, shopping, laundry

Tuesday - District Meeting

Wednesday - Food Pantry

Thursday - Musk-Ox Farm

Friday - Weekly Planning Session

Saturday - Various, hopefully lessons or tracting

Sunday - Church

Are you and Elder Bird doing these service projects together?

Of course, we have to stay within sight and sound of one another at all times. So, if I'm working on the computer at the Musk-Ox Farm, Elder Bird's chopping wood just outside the office--where I can hear and see him.

Are there other missionaries there?

Yes, most often times there are other missionaries--mainly from our district.

When you go on splits, who are the other missionaries that you trade off with or do you do splits with members?

Splits are with other members, and we only do splits on Wednesday evenings. Priest-age young men or priesthood holders take us out, and we have to companionships working the area at once. Exchanges are with other missionaries, and we only usually do it once a transfer, where our district leader will go on exchanges with the senior companion--a way to check up and oversee how things are going. Elder Luke was District Leader my first two transfers, so I went on exchanges four times a transfer (one for each companionship in our district), but now we don't do that.

What are their names?

I went on exchanges with Elder Flynn this past transfer. Elder Flynn, from Arkansas, I think.

Who are those other missionaries? 

Every missionary in our district or zone will usually play basketball at the stake center. Other missionaries include: Elders Flynn, Williams, Christenson, Benage, Woratyla, Anderson, Goodwin, Rarig, amongst others. 

What do you feel about them? 

Most of them are a bunch of goobers. But some of them like to work hard--and are here for the right reasons--and some of them don't and are not.

Anything funny ever happen when you are around those guys?

Sure. Just the random you-had-to-be-there-to-think-it's-funny kind of funny.

Are you prepared for a transfer? 

I need to stay one more, and we'll have six baptisms here in Colony.

Transfers are next week, right?

Wrong. Transfers are the week after next--April 11.

Where in Alaska would you like to be transferred to eventually?

I don't care. But I'd prefer somewhere in a city, like Fairbanks or Juneau or Anchorage. Missionaires in the bush don't teach much. Honestly, I don't care where I go. I like reading, teaching, and talking to people. When you're on your mission, all that other stuff doesn't matter because you don't get to take advantage of it. I don't care about fishing or anything outdoors. I just want a heavily populated area where I can talk to as many people as possible.

What was your most recent spiritual experience. 

Blessed a sick, non-member with the Stake Patriarch.

Are you writing these down in a journal?

No. I'm too busy reading and recording. But I have detailed records of everyone that we're teaching, so that's journal-like.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson's e-mail, March 21, 2011

Hi Dad,

Yeah, I've heard a little about BYU's b-ball success. That's pretty cool.

I should be just fine in my bank account. I've had to spend a little bit of
money from it recently. But I don't anticipate spending anymore for a while.
Thank you for keeping me up-to-date on it; I'm being frugal and am budgeting
my expenses. But I've had a couple unexpected expenditures.

*I was going to ask you if have been able to keep up your work out schedule each morning and continuing eat a pretty healthy diet?  *

I am. I eat a bowl of Cherios every morning.  Then for lunch I have a sandwich or

salad--and then whatever is made for me at dinner. But right now I'm 220, down

from 243, when I left. I imagine I'll lose even more weight once I start running

this summer--whether I have a companion who wants to run or not, I'll make him.

*Did you get your new watch yet?*

I did. It's working wonderfully. Thank you. I'll send the old watch ASAP.

*Are the basketball shoes working out ok? Do you need any other gear?***

They are. Thank you for them. I do not need any other gear as of now.

Thank you so much for everything.

Love,
Elder Johnson

***************************************************** 

Hi Mom,

I did not receive your e-mail last week while I was on the computer. For whatever reason--but I have the letters now. This letter, however, is in response to your most recent one.

I haven't seen the Northern Lights yet. They come out pretty late, and we go to bed early, so it's tough to catch them. But I'm sure I'll get a chance to see them sometime in the next year-and-a-half. Year-and-a-half . . . can you believe I've been out nearly half a year? I just realized that. Time's going by SOOOOO quickly. I'm in no rush, though. A lot more work to be done.

We have been teaching a lot people. That's what we do in the Colony ward. We teach more lessons than any missionaries in Alaska. We taught 38 total lessons last week, nine of which were with members present. We teach all day, every day. In the mornings, though, from 10 to 12, we usually will do service or have district meetings. And we tract a little bit. Haven't had much time to tract yet. But in the four doors I knocked last week, we found four new people who are interested in having us come back and teach them. My tracting success rate is almost 50%--for every two doors I knock, I find one potential investigator.

  

You asked about the rule of three.  I don't know what the rule of three means. If it was you, Lauren and Brittany--we'd be able to come into your house. The Missionary Handbook, however, advises that missionaries have a member when they are visiting with a single woman. But the language says, "When possible;" sometimes it's just not possible. So missionaries must go by the spirit. But we'd walk into the house with three women, without reserve--that wouldn't be a problem.

The mission has emergency evacuation proceedures in the event of a major natural disaster. Don't fear, my dear Mother.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson's e-mail March 14, 2011 - FIRST BAPTISM!!!

 Elder Bird, Michael, Lisa and Elder Johnson

Same folks with Patriarch McNair

Hi Dad,

 Oh yeah, I know Elder Macpherson* very well. He's very sharp for a new
 missionary--one of the most impressive missionaries I've been around. I
 loved the guy. We did an exchange not too long ago for a day. I'd love to
 serve with him.

Thank you for sending me a working watch. I'll send you the broken one ASAP.

I hope you start feeling better.

Please check my account regularly. Sorry I had a few miscellaneous
 expenditures this week that added up. I do not forsee using my personal card
 anytime soon. Please make sure that I didn't overdraw.

We had a wonderful baptism on Saturday. Michael Kulowiyi and Lisa
 Lehrman-Bon. Here's a picture. In it you will also see our Stake Patriarch,
 Brother McNair, who, by the way, absolutely loves me. He's asked me to come
 back and marry his daughter when she gets back from Med school, so that he
 and I can spend more time together. Never seen the daughter--not even a
 picture--don't even know her age--but I told him I would anyways, because
 he's way cool. Reads a lot, knows a lot. Most of our lessons with Lisa and
 Roger and Michael were me and him making fun of each other. Patriarch McNair
 performed the ordinances for Lisa and Elder Bird for Michael. I wanted Elder
 Bird to get a chance to perform the baptismal ordinance for Michael. I
 thought that'd cheer him up, so I recommended it to work the way that it
 did.

We had the McNairs at every lesson with Roger and Lisa. I knew right from
 the beginning that they'd all love each other. That's the way it worked out.
 Lisa's already got a calling. Michael's already got the Aaronic Priesthood.
 The family is solid. A solid conversion--it's been a blessing to be a part
 of.

Love,

Elder Johnson

*Steve wrote this to Brad in his e-mail, "We had a visiter (high priest) from Utah in our ward yesterday who said he has a newphew who has been serving in Alaska (the Valdez area) for about two months now--Elder Macpherson.

Elder Johnson's E-mail - March 7, 2011

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the funny letter. The screen door stories were funny.*

Speaking of baptisms: we do have a baptism--two actually--this weekend. Lisa Lehrman-Bon and Michael, the son are getting baptized. It was funny how it worked out.  Two weeks ago, I extended an invitation for Lisa to be baptized--we call it a conditional baptismal invitation: "Lisa, as you come to know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, will you be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?"

It's a reasonable question, so most answer in the affirmative, as did Lisa at that time. Then after she said yes so willingly, I thought it appropriate to extend a specific date. I said: "Lisa, we will be holding a baptismal service on March 12, will you prepare yourself for baptism on that date?"

She said no, no I'm not ready for a specific date. Sorry, she said, don't mean to shut you down, but I don't like dates.

Usually, we would then pry a little and try to find her concern--why she feels she's not ready to accept a specific date--and then resolve it. But I felt prompted to not do that. So I just said, "Okay, no problem. This is a big decision; baptism is a serious step of faith, and we want you to feel comfortable--we want to go at your own pace." And then we left it at that.

The next week, we watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration with her and her family. Afterwards she said: Okay, I'm ready to be baptized and so is Michael--how soon can we do it?

Lisa's pretty cool. She's a very smart lady. Got her master's degree in some ancient historical study. She's studied many different religions. Was formerly Lutheran but left because she was unsatisfied with their doctrine. But she's 100% pleased with the Book of Mormon, says it totally makes sense. We still have to teach her the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Tithing, so we'll see how she responds. But I feel good about it. If God wills it, her and Michael's baptism will take place this weekend at 5:30 PM.

I don't really care about P-days. It's the worst day of the week. It's long and boring, no teaching, nothing, so I usually just do whatever my companion wants to do.  Elder Bird likes to be around other missionaries, so we usually play sports. And now its getting to be lighter outside, usually light from 7 AM to 6:30/7 PM. It's extremely noticable, compared to what it was. And it's changed quickly. Each day we gain about 5 minutes of daylight. It hasn't been too cold lately, but the wind has been killer. 30+ MPH for 7 days straight--today's the first day without much. Makes it tough to do missionary work, though. At least the finding aspect. People don't want to talk on their doorstep when the wind's kicking, so they tell you to come back later, or simply just go away, preferrably somewhere inside.

Here's an e-mail that President Dance sent me. He doesn't usually respond to weeklies, so I thought it was pretty cool.

Dear Elder Johnson,

 

Exceptional letter as always - exceptional missionary.  We are so blessed to have you!!

 

I loved your comments about Mormon.org.  You have really amplified its early use in your area and we will all learn from your good example.

 

There must be a baptism around the corner in Colony.  I can feel it!

 

Much love,

 

Pres. Dance

I HAVE ANOTHER NEED: TO DAD

My watch sucks. Sucks majorly. It hasn't worked since I got to the MTC. I haven't mentioned it, because I've too busy to think about it. But I'm fed up. I wear it every day, only for looks, because it can't keep time to save my life. I have to reset it every hour if I wanted it to stay on time. Will you please send me another watch? I don't care what kind, as long as it has a leather band and can keep time. Or you can send me money sufficient to buy a decent watch up here, which is $50. But I think it'd be cheaper if you sent me one. If you want to take a look at the one I have, take it back or whatever, then I'll be happy to send it home.

Let me know what you want to do.

Love,

Elder Johnson 

*(from my letter to Brad) So, yesterday, Dad is walking though the kitchen and he grabbed a bag of trash and BOOM walked right through the screen door!  Pulled it off its tracks and everything.  We had to take the handle off to get it back into the track and get it pulling open and closed again.  If it had to happen, I'm glad it happened to Dad first.  That way, he can't be mad at us if we do it!  Wow.  But it is great to have a screen door open and no bugs coming in.  Oh yea, Sugar ran into the door too, but she just bounced off of it.  Then she wouldn't go out when I tried to show her that it was ok.  Poor Suggie.

 

MTC celebrates 50th anniversary - ksl.com

MTC celebrates 50th anniversary - ksl.com

E-Mail, Monday, February 21, 2011 - Finally, some pictures!!!

The Musk Ox Farm

The Musk Oxen

Elder Johnson, the Musk Ox Farmer

Dear Mom:

Thanks for the e-mail. I'll do that thing with the pictures next Monday. I'm running late already and need to finish this project for the Musk-Ox Farm, which President Dance gave me exclusive permission to do. But you will be happy to know that I did take some pictures at the Musk-Ox Farm and am being a little more picture conscious now.

Those D&C movies are good. Watched them all on a P-day a couple P-days ago.

All that stuff is cool about Coach Roach and the Wall's.

Thanks for the V-Day package. It was a nice thought. But I'll be honest: Sweets don't do a thing for me. We get fed like crazy up here. I appreciate the thought, though.  I'm sorry but I'm on a diet and trying to stay fit. If I don't shun sweets like the plague, I'll blow up again.

But, I do know what you can do for me during holidays. This would help me greatly. Whatever the holiday is, you can create something that is in keeping with the holiday, but at the same time has a spiritual message, and then make 20 of them, send them in the mail, and then I can give those to investigators and potentials.

For example, this is what I did for Valentine's Day. I bought a bunch of Whitman's Sampler V-Day heart boxes, wrapped them in red wrapping paper, then I wrote on a little heart stationary note-paper the verse from John 15: As I have loved you, love one another . . . something like that. And then we went to all of our investigators and gave it to them. That type of thing really helps me. You and the girls could do that for every holiday, and it would be a wonderful gift to me and do a lot more for me than candy. Will you do that for now on?

Thank you for everything you do, Mom. I love you.

Love,

Elder Johnson

Hi Dad,

I wish we had more home teachers like you out here. We might be able to activate more of these less-actives. But we do have some solid members with resources and skills. We just had Brother Lentz and his two boys tow an investigator of ours. I'm not afraid to ask members for help--but I try to spread the
service opportunities.

That's really been my focus this past couple of weeks--working with members,
getting them to help spread the Gospel and serving. I've started a lot of
finding programs that I hope will garner more member referrals.

As for your questions:

So how the heck are you doing?

I'm doing great. Feeling great. Man, I wake up every morning at 5:45 AM,
then I get to freaking work, and I don't stop until 10:30 PM. Been losing
weight, playing B-Ball on P-days, which, by the way, I need my B-Ball shoes.
I want to wait and see if they transfer me though first, so don't send them
yet.

We're killing it right now, we are teaching up a storm. I was talking to the Assistants the other day at Zone Conference--we've got the best numbers in the mission right now.  So I'm as happy as can be.

What have you been studying lately?

The New Testament--read through the Pauline Epistles in chronological order
(which I'd recommend you do when you get there) this past week. I'll be done
in three days with the NT, and then I'll re-read Jesus The Christ, and then
D&C.

What book would you be reading right now if you were able to read anything
you wanted and why?

I'd be all over those Finance books, particularly the CFA study manuals and
the modeling books. I really miss finance and numbers. I also miss fiction,
but mainly finance--the scriptures sooth my need for fiction as of now.

But surprisingly enough, I've been working on Excel a lot. President Dance
has given me permission to work on Excel to create forms, models, etc. that
benefit the area. He also gave me permission to create a model for the
Musk-Ox Farm. Oh, and that recording system I created--President Dance loved
it, and he's going to send it to all the missionaries in the mission.

Have a great week. Thanks for the letter. Talk to you later. Tell Marcus I
said Hi, and tell him to write me a letter when he gets a chance.

Love,

Elder Johnson