Update from Elder Johnson–May 2017
Monday, May 8th
Mom, thanks so much. I love you.
I am glad that the baptism prep assignments are going well for Matthew. I hope they will continue to help him. I updated Matt's stuff to next Monday. They are on the document.
Thanks for the awesome email. I had to read it a few times to catch everything, which I was fine with, because I love hearing everything about you.
That is SO AWESOME! All of your email, but especially that Mike is going to Petra. Wow, I want to go. It is not too far from here anyway, If I wasn't a missionary, I would totally go. Mike is THE MAN.
Soccer games sound awesome. Congrats to a great season for Katie and Megan. They are awesome. Sounds like the boys are having fun too.
I love you. I am glad that you had an awesome discussion with the boys. I know that our discussions were always my favorite things ever.
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Thank you so much, Dad. You are incredible. I am so happy to hear about everything.
This week was awesome. It has been nice and hot out. We are starting to dread the summer months, when we will be contacting in the crazy heat. It is really nice now, though. We have been trying to meet with all our recent converts as much as possible. They need a lot of support. Some of them are having trouble with coming to church and with smoking. They are such great kids. We are praying for them non stop.
We have been doing lots of street contacting on the boulevard. I love it. Lots of knocking too. It is awesome. We love varying the messages we share. There is so much happiness and joy to be found in the gospel.
Language studies have been AWESOME. I love SHQIP.
On Tuesday, we took care of the makinë papers, and had to drive up to URA VAJGURORE to do it. Cool little town. I loved it.
On Friday, we taught seminary. This lesson was so great. We talked about James 1:5-6 and Prayer. What a blessing. Irini, Esi, and Aglend were there and all shared their testimonies and powerful experiences of prayer blessing their lives. We have such incredible members here in Berat. I love it.
Sunday was AMAZING. Lots of great testimonies. We heard from Petro, who is 7, preparing to be baptized once he turns 8. His mom spoke. Irini spoke. and Elder Harris and I spoke. It was a spiritual feast. I love the gospel. I know that it is true.
Today, we went to Durrës. It was fun. We checked out the beach, got gelato, and said hi to the missionaries over there. On the bus ride to Durrës, we met an awesome guy who is from Berat, but is going to university in Durrës. We gave him the Durres number. It was awesome and he spoke pretty good English. He showed us how to get to the pier. On the way home, we met one of his buddies, same deal. That was so fun. I love speaking Albanian and connecting with the people here. I love their culture and all the little things they do. Fun stuff.
Jesus Christ is our great and true shepherd. I am so grateful that he guides us and loves us. Love you all. Have a great week. Love, Elder Xhansën
Monday, May 15th
Mom, How are you?
No, I don't know anything about my new mission president yet. We heard that it was going to be Elder Rawson, but then he got reassigned to Russia. So, we are not sure.
i love the pictures of Matt's birthday. Sounds like a fun one. Golf clubs and scriptures sounds fun. Do you have any pictures or video of 'sneezy'?
It was so fun to Skype with you. Happy Mothers Day again. I love you so much and appreciate all that you do for me.
I love the members in Berat. Here is a picture of me right now emailing. That is Salmida. She is awesome. We get to walk her home from activities. She is almost 12 (June 20th) and has an older brother on a mission in England. (the first missionary from Berat)
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I love my life. This week was so fun.
Last Monday, we had a lesson with President Xhindi and an awesome kid named Xhonino. He is 16 and interested in learning about the truth. He is related to someone the sisters have been teaching. It was incredible to teach him. We met with him Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. All great lessons on the Restoration and Plan of Salvation. He is progressing quickly, reading the Book of Mormon, and coming to church. He will be baptized on June 10th and we are so excited for him.
Normal day Tuesday
Wednesday, District Meeting, and some solid contacting. The highlight of the day was teaching our first temple lesson to the Xheladini's. It was so fun. They are excited and had some great questions. We hope that they will be ready to go this summer to be sealed.
Thursday, Home teaching. We picked up Ramazan and drove to Adiol's village and shared president Monson's talk with him. We also home taught Maksim Koroveshi. He is the first counselor. Awesome guy.
Also, Elder and Sister Burkhart got to Berat. They will be our senior couple here and help us out with the branch a bunch. It will be great to have them. They are so fun.
Friday, Seminary. I love teaching seminary to the youth of the branch. Now, Elder and Sister Burkhart will be taking over, but we will still have to translate for them. I love translating. It is great practice for the language and I am getting better.
Saturday, We did service in the morning. We went to Ramazan's village and helped him put down fertilizer and other stuff for his potatoes and beans. It was so fun, but hard work. Elder Harris is still sore. Then, that night, we had a sweet branch activity hiking up the mountain across from the castle. It was so fun. I got a cool picture on a tree. I love love LOVE all our members.
Sunday, Branch Council and Church. Elder Harris, Mama Xhindi, and Aglend gave talks and I played piano. Not as many in church this week, but that is alright. Skyping was incredible, of course. I am pumped to keep working. I love my life.
Today, we went to Tirana, got some sweet pictures, and ate at Stephen's Center. Success. I love you all. Have a great week.
Jesus Christ is the Lord that has mercy on thee. (see 3 Nephi 22:10) Look to Him for help and a perfect example. Love, Elder Johnson
Monday, May 22nd
Here are some fun notes I took on the day focused on mothers during the Christmas initiative and I thought you would appreciate them! I love you SO MUCH!.
Sounds like an Incredible week. I am glad you had some fun and helped Grandma Johnson with all that work moving. The baptism sounds awesome. You did the confirmations at the baptism? Awesome. I am glad the video worked. I love all the awesome pictures.
Highlight of the week was the baptism of Marije. She is a sweet old lady who we found tracting on April 9th. We showed the sisters her house, and they taught her. The next time we went to her house was last Thursday, so that Elder Harris could do her baptismal interview. She got baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. I took some fun videos on Saturday night, just for fun. And, I explain a bit more in one of those videos.
I love hearing about your crazy awesome life. The summer is coming up so quick. It is so hot here in Berat. We got some nice rain yesterday, though. We ran in short sleeves through the rain to Leo's house for a lesson. It was so sweet. Berat is beautiful, all the time.
Also, some fun facts
It is cherry season here in Albania and they are the best cherries I have ever tasted. I love them. All the fruits and vegetables are incredible here, because Albania has the richest and most unspoiled underground in Europe. It is incredible. Albania is beautiful.
Fun fact: Elder Harris and I are the 2nd and 3rd youngest missionaries in the entire Adriatic South Mission. Elder Harris was born 6 days before me, on June 17th. We thought that was pretty funny. Just us two 18-year-olds taking on a foreign country, language, and the great and miraculous work of the Lord. It is crazy stuff, but we are doing great!
President Xhindi lived in Italy for 6 years, where he met the church. He is now teaching us a bit of Italian, so that is fun. I am fantastic. Io sono fantastico. Very good. moi bene. That is basically all I know so far, but fun stuff. I should totally learn Italian too. That would be an adventure.
Here are three videos. One is just Elder Harris messing with a soccer ball in the house. One is the branch in a furgonë heading to Lushnjë for Marije's baptism. One is part 1 of a two part fun saturday night video for your enjoyment. Part 2 doesn't come out til next week. Just kidding, it just took too long to load. Sorry about that. It is a good one too. I talk about Marije and it is just fun.
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Dad,
Everything is going great. We haven't been able to find too much recently. We actually find a fair amount. I think it seems like a small amount compared to the non-stop finding, street contacting, and tracting that we were doing at the beginning of the transfer. Happily, we are spending more time now teaching. Our friend, Nino, is progressing rapidly. He is happy to meet as often as we like to learn more. He does like to talk, but we believe he has a great desire to do what is right. We meet with him almost daily.
We are so happy with the progress of our previously-called less actives. Leo comes whenever he can, and only doesn't when he is at work. He is a firefighter and works 24-hour shifts. He passed the sacrament on Sunday, and is doing great. Adiol, lives in a village. He was not coming for a while, but all he need was a little push from Irini, one of our incredible youth. He has come the last two weeks, and actually brought a friend named Koli, who we are now teaching. He is doing great.
Saturday was incredible. After cleaning the church, studying, and having our branch presidency Addiction Recovery Program, we left for Lushnjë for Marije's baptism. So, guess what. We found Marije tracting on the 9th of April. She invited us in and expressed a deep desire to learn more. The sisters started teaching her and she quickly gained a testimony of the truthfulness of our message. She was baptized on Saturday. We drove to Lushnjë in a furgonë with the branch, where they have a portable font. President Xhindi baptized her and I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.
Sunday was amazing. Sacrament meeting was the most reverent and spirit-filled that I can remember in Berat. Marije was confirmed by Elder Harris. Tomi and Aida gave incredible talks on Service and Charity. Then, I spoke, and really felt the spirit guiding and empowering me as I spoke. It was an incredible meeting.
That is it for this week. I love the Lord and His eternal restored gospel. I love my life. I hope you are all doing great this week. Thank you for your email and love. I love this incredible work. I hope that you will all look to the Lord for comfort and support, because he freely gives it. I love you.
Love you, Elder Johnson
Monday, May 28th
Dad, Good to hear about everything. You seem to be transitioning smoothly into Summer. I hope it is a good one. I hope you are seeing many blessings from my service. I know that I am.
This week was incredible. I love being here in Berat, serving the Lord.
Many people have asked me, and, Yes, there is a transfer coming up. This Saturday we will get transfer calls. So next week, I will tell you all what will be happening. Elder Harris will probably be transferred out.
Some highlights of the week include: Lots of lessons. Teaching is so fun, especially with investigators that are excited and happy to learn. We got tools from Pres. Xhindi's beautiful village, and then on Friday, we did service at Maksim's house.
President Weidmann came to Berat yesterday. Lots of people came to church, including many less actives. It was awesome. We hope that they will keep coming and feeling the joy. Elder Harris and Motra Godfrey spoke, and then President Weidmann spoke, as Rigers translated. I love President Weidmann. I will be sad to see him go. He has loved and helped Albania a lot.
Today, we went to Apallonia. It was incredible. We saw many Greek ruins and got some sweet pictures. The nonmember father of a less active family took us. A good chance to help them out and maybe to help him come to church. Then, we got back and had lunch at Anxhelo's with the Fier and Lushnjë Elders, who were visiting Berat. I love this beautiful country. It is a hidden treasure. Literally some of the most beautiful countrysides and landscapes I have ever seen. Especially around Berat.
I want to end with a wise Albanian phrase. Shpresa vdes e fundit. Hope dies last. We will always have hope. We can change. God will provide a way, and Christ will provide the means. We can have a perfect hope in Christ as we build our Christ-like Faith and Charity. Christ said, Feed my sheep. We, at least in a little way, can help people come unto Christ. Just have hope and you will overcome.
Mom, So good to hear from you. I love you so much. I love all of you. That is so fun that school is out. What will you do with your time. I can't imagine having a break. I hope you do tons of fun stuff this summer. The points chart and other stuff is so good. Don't forget to pray together and read the Book of Mormon together as much as possible, especially now that it is summer. Well, sounds like you had an awesome week. I sure love you. You are so awesome.
Pictures with the Xheladini's…
Pictures from Maksim's roof. We did service there. and cleared up a bunch of trash and weeds. There is a nice view of Berat from there, so lots of pictures.
Pictures in APALLONIA. a fun little area with an ampitheater and greek ruins, lots of turtles, a swing, and a great view. There was also a fun arch there where we posed for a district photo. It was an hour and a half away.
Pictures with one of our investigators, Koli (Super excited to learn about living prophets, so we got a picture with Thomas S. Monson too.)
And finally, Xhindi's fshat (village) we had to go there to get tools for the service and it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I was literally dying from the beauty. I could not fully explain it. it was only 20 minutes outside of Berat, but it was like you could literally feel the presence of God there. It was incredible and unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
Oh, and when I was at President Xhindi's fshat, he showed me his illegal gun. Fun stuff. President Xhindi is the best.
