The Church is Smaller than You Think

Once again the church is smaller than you think! We were having a wonderful supper with the linford's one of the temple couple missionaries, and I mentioned "Tiny" Grant, a man who I truly love and admire, and used to live next to in Utah. Well they Sure knew him! and it's so great to see how the church brings us together. I had the opportunity to teach a couple my age this week about who God is, and How the Gospel Has blessed me. I was able to be so simple and open with them as I testified that I know God know's and Love's them and want's what is best for them. I Taught them twice, and the first time James seemed to check out for the bulk of the lesson (which we had in a Dairy Queen!). But as we taught them the second time in their apartment, he totally remembered everything we taught them! It was awesome. I love being a missionary, I would tell my mom in the past that I want to be a hobo, and hitch hike across the United States. Now, looking back, I see that this is what I was Craving! I love talking to random people about Jesus, and It's great to see that Many people still do have Faith in him (at least up here in the East coast of Canada). I am so grateful for My Saviour Jesus Christ! and pretty stoked to hear from his prophets this weekend at conference. Challenge: Invite someone to watch it with you, someone who wouldn't normally watch it. Watch on LDS.org Conference times : Saturday and Sunday April 1-2 9am-11am and 1pm -3pm both days - Arizona Time Elder Johnson

Sidney Crosby, Eh?

Well we all know good old Sid the Kid. The man, The Myth, the Legend. Well for those of you who don't know him, He is the leading Forward in the NHL currently, and a man pivotal to the success of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Well we were knocking this week, and we walked up to a humble abode with two brand new Mercedes-Benz in the driveway. Lo and Behold, It was the home Sid was raised in, and his parents still lived. They didn't give us the time of day, but that's alright, God's got a plan for them to find the greatest Joy, and I guess we aren't a part of it at the moment. I had the opportunity to teach with the Zone leaders this week which was pretty cool, they were both great men. One thing I especially noticed in one is that he taught what he was, more than what he knew. He wasn't a man trying to simply prove a theory with scripture, but he taught according to experiences that he had. In the new "teaching in the Savior's way" it talks about living what we teach, and a challenge that I took and am extending to each of you is to pray for experiences, and teach from these as you prepare lessons and talks. I'd love to hear back from you, and I'll report back on what I learn this week. I love you guys, and so does our Heavenly Father Elder Johnson

Member Missionaries

So president Evans (stake prez) and sister Evans are the best! They were the pivotal people to help us teach our 3 recent converts, Mary, Dolores, and Marisa! They brought them into their homes and showed them with their examples how we can find joy in living the gospel of Jesus Christ! Now that they have helped them so much God has sent them a few more people, Mary's sister, as well as their grandson. I love having them in our lessons, they are able to add so much from their fellowship, and it's always great to have the outlook of someone who is living a normal life! President Hinckley has an awesome quote about missionary work, he says roughly "to all those of you who have been engaged in missionary work, we know there is a better way! (than knocking doors that is)" we need to share the of Christs restored church with our friends and loved ones, not to increase numbers, but because we love the gospel and love those we associate with it will come naturally! I challenge you this week to take one part of the gospel that you love, and share it with someone you love! Just because you love them ☺️ Elder Johnson

Monday!

So last Monday was P-day, a great day. We had mixed up two dinner appointments we had, and so we asked the Evans (The Stake president of Nova scotia and his wonderful wife), who happen to be some of my favorite people if we could reschedule with them for that night. They agreed, and sister Evans told us "Well this maybe a change from God! Mary's sister is coming over tonight for supper, and I think she's been having a rough week." (Mary is our recent convert here) Well we were excited for the opportunity to teach her during our "spiritual thought", and so we considered what we should share throughout the day. Well we simply decided we should teach about who God is, and how much he loves us! This was a simple and powerful lesson, we each testified of god's love, and Mary's testimony was amazing! she shared about how her life changed, as she had been facing many trials, but then learned of God's love for herself personally. Well, her sister had her guard up, but I was able to see in her eyes the desire for the peace and joy Mary felt! Well I invited her to meet with us to learn more, and she gladly accepted! It is so neat to teach this plain gospel of peace love and joy! So our plans were pushed back due to this lesson, which was ok😊 we were worried to drop by one guys house that we had planned on because he had kids. We dropped by at 8, and he let us right in, and told us that this was the only time that we would ever be able to meet! This man was brother Cory Brown! and our lesson was amazing, he shared with us his witness of the restoration! he had watched the restoration video, and felt the spirit witness it's truth to his heart. We committed him to be baptized, and he agreed, he was so excited and this was our first lesson with him. We had dropped by so many times, but God blessed our efforts! I love you all and I want to challenge you to ask God for one opportunity to testify of His love today. And please search out an opportunity to let someone know that they have a heavenly father who knows and loves them! Elder Johnson pics, us at peggy's cove, doing a booth in downtown Dartmouth. (I was totally jamming on the trombone with sister Champ) Eating Mexican food at the ONE place in all of the maritimes that has Authentic Mexican food, (it was such a blessing!)

Give Me the Keys

So Saturday, Both Elder Fullmer and I were feeling pretty sick. We are devoted missionaries though, so no matter how we felt we went to work! By dinner time Elder Fullmer felt better, and I felt way worse, I crashed and took a nap the whole dinner hour, which is just not something I do! We Got ready, picked up some drugs from shoppers drug mart and we were set to finish the evening. Well, as we continued to work I thought I was doing real good about hiding how I felt. After Contacting a former Investigator, Elder Fullmer asked "Hey can I drive?" "Sure. I'm down" I said, Well we hopped in the car and started her up. Elder Fullmer Looked at me and Said "Elder Johnson, We're going Home." "What? Why?" "Well" He said, "you're sick, and obviously unaccountable." And that's the story of how my awesome Greenie Elder Fullmer put me to bed Early. So last week we had One really bad storm, and a decently bad storm, that turned out to be a lot of snow shoveling! we worked our Tail-ends off, but that was awesome, and the lord definitely directed us to those who were prepared to hear our message. One man we met, he openly admitted to us it took a leap of faith and swallowing some humility to allow us to help him. We were able to have an awesome conversation about the temple which was almost literally in his back yard, and told him we'd love to come teach him more about our church. Because he had already taken some humility, he was totally prepared to agree! Pretty cool how the lord works, Eh? So this is a stellar talk, i've studied this subject a bit, and I've concluded that we should not compare ourselves to others. That simple bit is enough to be pride, whether that leads you to put yourselves beneath or above someone it doesn't matter. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng Well, I love you lot's. None of us are perfect by ourselves in this life, but that's why we are so blessed to have Christs's Atonement! And all he asks of us is to work "line upon line, and precept upon precept". We cannot be perfect by ourselves in this instance but we can strive to consistently draw closer to our saviour. Love Elder Johnson Ps. Here's a super sweet dark pic by a frozen lake at night!