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Sunday, February 24, 2013

First real letter.... from day three. (Handwritten)

This hand written letter arrived the same day as her first real email... 9 days after she entered the MTC.


¡Hola Mi Famillia!
Today is our mini P-day. P-day for us is on Friday, but the computers are out of service today. SO if you are wondering why you have not heard from me, that is why.
I feel so much peace and happiness…honestly. It is phenomenal.  I think about my purpose, which I've memorized (and still need to memorize in Spanish).  and it’s amazing. I do so little, but the spirit teaches and testifies of the truthfulness. Because,  right now and for a while, my Spanish is mediocre.  But what you say isn't as important as what they feel. I really learned this as we taught our first investigator. We taught her all in Spanish on our third day. I can’t believe I was able to do that. Mí compañera is Hermana Richins. Although I know very little Spanish, she has no 2nd language background at all. She is doing very well though. We try to help each other as much as we can. So. Teaching Taylor. Amazing. I can’t believe we did it! Ten minutes in, we’d used almost all the prepared material. So we had to wing it and keep following the spirit to know what to say and try our best to put it to Spanish words. She started to cry at one point so… we did something right, or REALLY wrong. We asked her to pray and she said she would. I explained how she begins and ends her prayer and she did it. (also… pretty sure I figured it out. Pretty sure she is my other teacher) HA. I’m a smartie….or a dumbo. Don’t know yet. I hope you all had a fantastic  valentines day! I didn't get any letters till the night of the 15th. There was a problem with our box combo. I was talking to the sisters and said, “It’s just Satan being rude.” They got a kick out of that one. We made a “you know you’re a sister missionary when…” and have been posting on the back of the door. The girls in our district are phenomenal. We all get along. One of the sisters left us and is in advanced. So there is eleven of us. A trio and then me and Mí compañera, Hermana Richins. I love her so much. She’s so wonderful and sweet. Totally cute too!
Oh. Seriously…thank you so much for the mail. I. Need. That. Stuff. *Please send more.*
Day Two, first day of Gym, (which Hermana Richins and I call Recess) I jammed my thumb playing volleyball. But my wrist is holding up just fine. The 14th my head hurt so bad that I took some medicine. I actually took some medicine Mom!! Oh. I still have to look up those scriptures you sent me, but until you told me about the treats I didn't even know haha.
Guys, I seriously feel at home at the MTC. I feel the spirit so strong ALL the time. I can’t imagine doing anything else right now. The MTC is magnificent. When the girls go on missions, they will love it. I get constant reassurances of my purpose and potential through the spirit and am so blessed. Oh! There’s no musica en el MTC! Say what?! I know. That’s kinda hard. Also, mom, I will soon send you my cars DVD and CD that I got from Allie and your pink pen. Lociento.  To take care of business matters. I do not want to haul around two backpacks and it’s not like I need it immediately. I might save up money from my card to buy a carry on case… if not, I don’t know. It’s not immediate so I guess just wait and see. I DID invest in a mini PME (Spanish PMG) as well as the best scripture markers I’ve ever used. They don’t bleed or smear and…it’s like highlighter chalk that glides. I love it. No se…I don’t know my old ward. You’ll have to message Daniella Barriga, Kira Hamilton, or Joce Wrubell to find out. Sorry! Thanks for the help though. I got LOTS of books and supplies. Good thing we got that backpack because it’s DEFINITELY a necessity. Hermana Richins bought a Jansport here and man we’re so grateful. Thank you all so much. I love you all and miss you. I so much appreciate all the love and support. This place is amazing and the missionaries are amazing. I am so happy to be a representative of the Lord and his church. I know I can learn Spanish with His help.

Con amor,
Sinceramente, Hermana Alex Johnson

P.S. PLEASE SEND
Tape, pictures, hoodie, anything cars, *AND PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE (por favor) SEND MORE MAIL!* Gracias!
Also, more medicine and Sister Leavitt’s journal…the one she gave me. Oh yeah…and it’s really hard because I keep thinking in German. With everything!
P.S. Today (real quick) I figured I should tell you I broke out in hives. Yeah… no se. I swelled up. Still swollen. Look like I have tomato/marshmallow boy hands. 

Some photos taken the day she went into the MTC...
with Daniella

With Allie

 With Hermana Kacy Murray during week one. Hermana Murray is from our home ward and went to school with Alex.
A-town Hermanas unite!!!


Friday, February 22, 2013

First Big Email & Photos!

HOLA I LOVE YOU!!!!
OKAY. Gonna try to DO THIS....I have so much to say! 
First of all, thanks to ALL for the letters and the support! It's fantastic. MOM. That package was AWESOME. What a surprise and DANG. My roommates are gonna LOVE the Cars stickers for our wall! How could they not!?
Special thanks to everyone who sent me a letter. It's hanging on my wall. LOVE YOU.
I LOVE MY DISTRICT AND MY COMPANION SOOO MUCH. Her name is Hermana Annalisa Richins. She is absolutely fabulous. Love her. We get along SO great. She's from Idaho. Our district is already sooo unified. We like to do everything together. 
I broke out in hives. 3 days in a row. Sunday was the worst though. My hands swelled up like tomatoes. Don't know how that happened..but it hasn't happened since Tuesday so we're good there! Besides that my wrist acts up on occasion, but I jambed my thumb so that's what's worse.
Me and Hermana Richins are the laughing sisters in our district. yep yep. 
I told that joke to my district but all I got was a pity laugh. No bueno haha.
I love the scripture D&C 50:13-14. Actually...all of D&C 50 has been a favorite lately..

SO HAPPY THAT I GOT IN THE COMMS PROGRAM! I have a PLAN for when I get home! I'm so excited it's not even FUNNY. I was crying in front of my district. 
Well...a couple of days ago we talked about a lot but one thing really hit home for me. WHY am I on a mission? Well I realized I definitely needed to REALLY be able to answer this question better. I know why, but I wanted to REALLY KNOW WHY. ..if that makes any sense. I mean, I'm here serving the Lord for 18 months (which is a long time) and I'm leaving my family, friends, and loved ones to serve the Lord. If I'm making that sacrifice, I better really know WHY I'm making that sacrifice. SO. 
I am serving a mission because I know this gospel is true I have a testimony of its truthfulness. I know the gospel brings happiness, joy, and peace in my life as well as many others. The gospel is so important and valuable to everyone. I know God loves all his children, and because of that, he has provided a way for us to return to him. I know that I have a strong desire to serve him and his children. I know I have a desire to invite and help others come unto Christ. I have a desire to take people by the hand and show them exactly what they need to do to be happy and have Christ in their lives with everything they do. I know the spirit testifies of truth and I can feel it so strong whenever I am doing what's right and when I pray to Heavenly Father for strength and for others. My heart aches to think about those who don't have the gospel in their life, and I can only imagine how difficult that would be. And as simple as it sounds, I am serving a mission because I have a testimony. Simple but sure. And I can't imagine a life without the knowledge I have. 
I AM A MISSIONARY BECAUSE I KNOW.
I know God has a plan for me and all his children. He loves his children. I know that I have a desire, and now a responsibility, to testify what I know to be true through the spirit and with faith in Jesus Christ. I know the gospel can bring happiness and joy to everyone and that coming unto Christ is FOR everyone. When I rely on my faith and testimony, and especially the spirit, I am so blessed. With the gospel, everything fits together like puzzle pieces. 
And lastly, I am here to help that one person. I don't know them yet, but at the same time. I do. When i think about them...the spirit is so overwhelming. They are out there, and I know that I was called to Chile to help bring the gospel to their lives and help them feel the spirit. I know that I am called to my mission to teach them. Whoever that person is, or those people are, I love them so much. 
I'm a missionary because I KNOW. 
Sorry I can't write more but I love you all and I'm so happy to be in the MTC. Praying for you all and thank you for all your prayers!
With Love, 
Hermana Johnson

Other fun tidbits from another email that came with photos...

OH! and about being exact in obedience! our companionship is SOO good about it. We're always doing what we're supposed to WHEN and WHERE we're supposed to. We're so good together!

I only get letters once a day. Everyone else gets letters after lunch AND dinner, but it's our branch rules that we just get them once a day. (9PM)

TELL THE GIRLS I LOVE THEM! SOOOOOO MUCH!
oh! And one last thing! The boys played a trick on me! THey penciled around a quarter and told me I had to hit a target with it by rolling it down my face......yea....there was a big lead line down my face. #classicalex #evenintheMTC 

Now for the photos! I have a few more but since I'm now to blogger, being a Typepad girl, I don't know how to rotate them so I need to do it manually in PS. - Lisa

Alex with her companera, Hermana Richins!

The famous world map... pointing to Santiago Chile!

Here entire District.

The "real" way they look as drawn by Hermana Howell

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Well... she's off!

Hermana Johnson with her little sister Ella at the Seattle Airport.

Dad says goodbye.

She made it to the TSA guy and I kissed her goodbye. I walked away as she passed through security. Bittersweet. We are SO please with Alex's choice to serve the Lord! 

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

MTC address... write for free!!!

Here is Hermana Johnson's  address to write her in the MTC... You can write her for FREE and anytime through DearElder.com and they will print it and put it in her mailbox for you! Cool huh! Here is her info that you will need...

Sister Alexandra Elyse Johnson
MTC Mailbox # 44
CHI-SATN 0326
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793



Monday, February 11, 2013

And I'm OFF!

     Well I'm officially headed out to get set apart. What a ride it has been! I'm so very excited, but so very nervous all at the same time. Keep me in your prayers will ya?
By the gift of the Holy Ghost, I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth and translated the Book of Mormon, which is the keystone of our religion. I know that Jesus lives and loves us. I know that we are led today by a living prophet, who leads and guides us through the priesthood keys. I know that the prophet and apostles are led by the Holy Ghost. I know I'm blessed to serve a mission and that missionary work is so important.
     My mission scripture is Joshua 1:9. Read it and live it.
Love you all. May God be with you till we meet again.
Hermana Johnson