A HAIL MARY

So I didnt plan this letter...like at all considering that I was packing instead of writing, but I promise to do the best I can.

To start off I am now in a BRANCH. A small branch that is "difficult." ...and apparently putting me here is a `hail mary`. lets just GOOO FOR IT. Hey, I`m cool with that. We`re gonna rock it here. 

I have a new companion from Peru! Her name is Hermana Carhuas. I am only her third companion...its her second transfer outside of her training. I think she is sad. She has back pain too....but that doesnt matter. I plan to cheer her up! I plan to make this the bestest change evvveeerrr! Its kinda cool to start all over again…but not quite because I kind of know where I`m at! ...I dont feel TOOO lost at least haha. 

As for my last week with Hermana Clark....it was hard. Not because anything bad happened, but we asked for diligence. And thats what we got (how funny that he ALWAYS answers prayers lol....I feel like I should stop asking for certain attributes of Christ because the package to recieve them often comes HEAVY!!! Lots of it haha) 

But thats how our week went....slow, but we worked with diligence. 

We had a very successful ward activity with several investigators and less actives (successful means 50 people lol) But it was super fun!! Guess what we did? SKITS IN A BAG! With scripture stories!!! 

Each day of the week this week Hermana Clark and I had a theme, and it was a really fun way to end our week. Ill have to send you pictures next time cause I dont have a way to connect my camera today, but I promise Imma send LOTS! 

One of our awesome investigators, C*, was trying to stop smoking. We made a deal that we were each going to give something up TOGETHER. Hermana Clark gave up everything with sugar, and I gave up everything with carbs (besides the times when we have to eat with members...because we really cant control that) and he`s gonna give up smoking!!! But we`ve been going strong...hes been struggling a bit, but I`m praying lots for him. 

One of the greatest miracles that happened was on Saturday night, T*, an AMAZING investigator that is totally going to get baptized this change (she calls us to ask for more reading....like for reals, shes LEGIT) called me up and asked to come to church. Asked for the direction and everything. AND BAM. She came!!! FINNAALLY we had someone in church! And it was aweosme because in the class we talked about prayer and there was a PERFECT talk for her about the book of mormon. It was like miracle after miracle haha. 

(Alex shared an experience that should be kept private but here is her response to that experience. I thought it was pretty wonderful.)

But to be honest, I really am learning a lot about what Dad is learning. It doesnt matter. God has EVERYTHING in control and He knows. He knows what we need, He knows what we feel, and He knows how to help. 

Even though this branch, apparently, is very difficult, we obviously need to change things up is all. So we're gonna get to it. And Im praying lots that I can see someone enter into the waters of baptism on my birthday. I dont think I could pray for anything greater. ....besides the temple! 

Thanks for everything. I love you all to DEATH. 

Love, 

Hermana Alex Johnson

The Pure LOVE of Christ

So ...I competed one year in my mission. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I honestly cant believe it. ...good thing I`m gonna serve another one...or two. We made smores to celebrate. 

Mom! I got your package and I loved it. ...I might have freaked out when I saw the bag of cheese its and root beer candies, and almond joys...and ....and everything else!!! YUM! And the letters are always my favorites! The boots fit great. Nice work haha! 

My Seahawks T-shirt can stay safe at home so I dont have to lug it around and then bring it back home. Keep it safe for me! 

Also I got Ella`s pouch letter! The same day that I got my package!! I loved it. thank you so much!!...speaking of letters, you are ALWAYS welcome to send more. No pressure. 

NEWS: Im not extending my mission. President cant authorise it because my last change is with a different mission president. And I wouldn't know till a month before...and praying and thinking about it....well I just feel like everything is telling me to NOT do it. Even though I want to...

But Im learning how to trust in him. 

And yes. ..to answer your following question Mom, Im gonna start school September 2nd. FIND ME A HOME. ...PEAS. Preferably in Campus plaza...south side. First floor....actually you could try to get S104!!! That would be the BEST lol. 

BUT. That changes NOTHING about our previous plans. YOU ARE COMING TO GET ME IN CHILE. NO EXCEPTION. 

But enough about that stuff....I HAVE A WHOLE MISISON TO FOCUS ON! 

Lets see...

P* is staying strong. She was on vacations this week so she didnt come to stake conference, but she is doing well all the same. 

Hermana Clark keeps mentioning that I only have 4 more transfers in my mission...its a pretty big blow every time she says it...not gonna lie. I seriously start tearing up every time I think about going home...about the end. I love you guys, dont get me wrong, but I dont want this to EVER end. ...but its something that I dont have control of....TIME. Dang it. So Im remembering better about every moment,THE NOW. TODAY. I love it...but sometimes, being HUMANS, we forget. Sometimes I dont realize how cool it is to be able to carry Christ`s name on my chest. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am to have the gospel in my life, and I forget how loved I am in general. So Im determined to make EVERY DAY, even more. Make MORE, make it BETTER, and make it MINE. 

Thinking about this, Im learning to talk to everyone I can. Before it was hard to just start talking to someone, to do contacts in the street...but now we are working to do a TON. Im praying so much that I can improve. We had stake conference and there was a story about Elder Eyring who had a friend that moved to his town. Several years later he passed away...and Elder Eyring learned that he had moved for several reasons: many lost family members, a hard divorce, loosing his job...and Elder Erying says that he had a dream. This man came to him in his dream and said, "you knew ALL of this (the gospel) and you never told me?" ..honestly that hit home for me. I never want to feel that way, and as I have been reading in the scriptures, it says COUNTLESS times that we need to OPEN OUR MOUTHS and declare repentance. Im determined to do it. I am determined to talk to EVERYONE, and I am determined to declare repentance as well (Extending commitments). 

This week Im trying to remember more. Something I`ve been learning is that our faith is based on the rememberance of various evidences. For example, laman and lemual...they didnt have faith because they FORGET about the angel. And the brother of Jared, he didnt have faith, because he had KNOWLEDGE...because he had seen evidences of the Lord`s hands in his life (hahah...if you get my drift). I love that. We need to LOOK and REMEMBER these evidences in our daily lifes. 

This week we had a good week. We seem to be having lots of problems with helping our investigators come to church. For lots of reasons, one being the time, one being that they are all on vacations...but I know there is SOMETHING MORE we can do! What did you guys do to help your investigators come to church? 

We had some investigators, and we had to have a pretty good heart to heart....I felt like I was truly teaching with power and authority, and that was sooo cool!!!....and I KNOW they felt the spirit....but they decided that they didnt want to change. It makes me so sad for them because its what they wanted, what they needed.....and they KNOW it. But they dont want to accept it. Thats probably one of the hardest things for me on my mission. The things I can`t control. 

We have several investigators with baptismal dates. And ...well all but one went on vacations this last week or two, so thats been a little hard, but this week they should all be back!! We still passed many mission goals, in spite of it all. God will bless us as we work our hardest. AND with all of our investigators that have baptismal dates, we are working with memebers better, and its been helping a ton!! I love it. 

We are working lots with members. We are improving, and its helped our investigators a lot. We are opening our mouths and talking to the WORLD. We are doing our best to share the pure love of Christ with ALL. We are doing well with our obedience with exactitud....now we have to just keep improving.

BUT I am ready for changes. I will complete 10 months...and "it is TIIIMMMMEEE." I am ready to take everything I`ve learned here in Lo Marcoleta and put it into practice...OVERTIME. 

Also! Happy Valentines day. I hope you are all sharing the PURE LOVE OF CHRIST with allllll the world. ..and that you are doing it EVERY DAY! How do you do it!? HELP THE MISSIONARIES. I hope you guys are inviting people, giving the missionaries references, and helping them in lessons....if you arent, DO IT. Sharing your testimony is one of the greatest things you can do to grow it, and to have TRUE happiness. I promise! 

But yea. I realized who I really wanted to be after my mission..and I realized I`m a little far off. So I´ve made some goals, and I`m going to DO THEM. 

I love you all, 

Hurrah for Israel! 

Hermana Alex Johnson

It's fun that they both play BBall!

...and Bowl

... and like smores!

Hermana's in her Zone

Serious contrast of color here.

ROLLER COASTER RIDE

Well...I didn't have time to make a little bit of a plan about what I was gonna write so Im going to try to remember what I can. But lets just say it was a ROLLER COASTER of a ride. ..

Monday: we made an exercises video with some hermanas in the office. ...afterwards we played some bball...and then hermana Clark and I played AIRBENDERS. LIterally LEGIT. Its like before you get on the roller coaster and its something new....something fun! 

Tuesday: We had a blast. ..It was a day of perfection. We had interviews with President, and it was great. Everything seems well to me. He said I would have to leave, probably....unless I tell him otherwise because we are going to have a baptism or something. But S* moved...and I know God is telling me in a LOT of ways, that its TIME. But like I said, It was a great day. Without fail, practically every 2 seconds we had a coincidence. We ran into an investigator, or had a perfect contact, or arrived at the house in perfect timing...it was crazy. And I It was a perfect day. Its like EVERY time I decide to get on a roller coaster. Everything is perfect. There´s a cool breeze, I'm happy....and I don't see everything thats up ahead. 

Wednesday: We had intercambios. I went to work with the hermana leader in lo ovalle. It was weird because just a little bit ago I had gone as a leader to a bunch of other sectors, but this time I didn't. But I love it...I like it even better NOT being a leader, because I don't feel the expectation to try to lead AND learn. Its just a soak it in experience....I don't know how to explain it really but I like it. It went well...but it was the part of the roller coaster that is like a tunnel...and you cant see whats going on and you kind of want to, but its also nice to let your eyes take a break...if you get what I mean. 

Thursday we had our weekly planning session. Then we went out to work....wow it was a crazy day. This was like the up, down, and around part. We visited a new investigator that never lets us talk and usually just screams at us. I started getting a little frustrated, and pulled out a couple scriptures in the bible that negated what he was saying...but that really didn't help. And it was dumb of me. Well Hermana Clark starts asking some questions, being the sweetie that she is, to help calm him down a little bit...and suddenly I felt this like...SURGE of power that we HAD to talk about baptism.. And I was like "WHAT?" We sung the song I am a child of God and he went off about how it wasn't true...literally. But with God on my side, and a spurt of the spirit, I was able to testify of what a real baptism is...and how we need to have the AUTHORITY to do it. As I did it I felt that something touched his heart. We left at that point, as we had been there too long already, but all I know is that SOMETHING touched him at least. We also went to visit Elder Garcia, Member of the 70 de area. ....I never thought I would say that I taught a member of the 70, but I did! ..that was cool. And they were really impressed with some of the work that we are doing for the ward. Knowing him well, I was thinking and observing some of the reasons why he was a member of the 70...one BIG thing stuck out to me...like A LOT. It´s the LOVE he has for his wife. ...like for reals. He loves her A LOT.. And thats something that ALL the authorities of the church have...hmm. Maybe thats why we dont here lots about our Heavenly Mother? God loves her SOOO much...

Friday was a good day too. We continued with the loop di loops. We started the day a little slowly...with investigators that decided to look on the internet, instead of asking GOD, annndddd..we had fasted twice for S* and her family this last week or what not.... That she could get baptized...and that she could have the means she needs for her family so she could go to church...and all that jazz. Guess what? She moved. Fun stuff. But hey, EVERYTHING happens for a reason. I feel like I really need to learn things about fasting, cause I don't think I have a very strong testimony about it. I think everytime I do it and its like...done. Now what? And I don't REALLY get it.  ...we did some contacts, and no one seemed to be home...but then things picked up. We found some FANTASTIC investigators, and I felt so blessed. Like for reals. I LOVE finding new people to teach!!! ...its crazy how after knocking on the SAME doors and talking to a bunch of people, there are STILL people who I don't know. And there are people who are prepared...NOW. Not before, and not after. We left one of our lessons a little late and we had walked that day, so we didnt have our bikes to ride quickly. ...so we ran LIKE THE WIND! THIS is the part of the roller coaster that declines super fast and they take a PRICELESS PICTURE. It was definitely a picture moment. We had a lesson with P*, and she is doing SO great in all the new member lessons. She is prepping for the temple. 

Saturday: The slow part of the rollar coaster, when you are ending the ride and just coming into the finish. I felt like we did lots, but not much. WE DID have a sudden JERK as we got to work with J* a bit, someone we helped to reactivate. Lets just say he was WAY on the other side, and now he can pass the sacrament and work with us!! ...actually this last sunday he received his patriarchal blessing...WOW RIGHT!?!?! We taught C*, with J*. Hes a progressing investigator. He was on vacations this week, but last week went to church and really seemed to like it! The lesson went super well too. 

Sunday: A chill day, and a finishing of the RIDE. We completed with A LOT of our weekly goals which made the both of us happy. Church was great, and it was a good ending...for a GREAT beginning. 

I feel that this week I was a little too stuck in my head....like when I get on the roller coaster and I freak out cause I think that Im gonna die, or pee my pants, instead of thinking...oh its okay! We got this. Someone is in CONTROL of this machine. ...but I have some stuff in my head...DECISIONS to make. I´ve actually been studying a lot about decision making, why it´s important...and everything. Ive been having problems with a balance. I want him to guide me in EVERYTHING. But he wants me to make some of my OWN decisions too. So Ive been studying that in the liahonas and in the scriptures...and its made a BIG impact on me. Also...I was thinking about the story  the wizard of oz. ...about dorthy. and her desire to RETURN HOME. I know thats what we want...what we NEED. ...and guess what? There were LOTS of paths, but there was only ONE WAY for her to do it. AND FIRST she had to have three important things....A MIND, A HEART, AND COURAGE. Those things are what WE need to be able to make decisions. ...we also have to trust in the wizard (in the spirit) to click our heels THREE TIMES (or be willing to do three things) which for me are praying, reading the scriptures, and going to church. As we do those things we will be ABLE TO GET HOME!!! ...its a process but he has given us not only a path, but the way. I need, and want things, and I know if I follow this path...even though its USUALLY A ROLLER COASTER, that he will guide me and I will get what I need. 

I love you all!!! 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL! 

Hermana Alex Johnson

Santiago at day... and at night. 

God`s PERFECT Plan

Well...I`m going to form my letter how mom forms hers lots of times. Chronologicly.

Lunes: lets just be honest. Monday sucked big time. ...so we`re gonna move ON from that day. 

Martes:  I did an intercambio...not gonna lie, it was nice to get out and just focus on what I could do. I focused on helping the sisters and the PEOPLE. It was a better day...and I felt that God really helped me to be calm and to be filled with love. 

Miercoles: We had our zone capacitation...an interviews with President. They went quite well to be honest. As soon as I got into the meeting President asked a couple things and started talking and I had a thought pop into my head about something Dad would totally do. So I kindly stopped him and asked if we could start with a prayer. ..immediately I felt the spirit enter the room and I knew that it would be there to guide both of us and know Gods will. As I wrote previously, this change I asked for two things....humility and patience. Lets just be honest and say it was probably a really dumb idea...but I KNOW that God answers prayers. We talked about that in my interview. Something I have learned about humility is that it is doing Gods will...even when it isnt your own, or that of the world. And as I said that I felt strongly that it was something that I had to learn, but that I had learned it...and president read it in my eyes. I learned a lot there...but it was just not working out.

Guess where Im at? Lo marcoleta...with hermana Clark. Finishing her training. Till the end of this change and then I have no idea whats gonna happen...I feel like this was Gods plan ALL ALONG. Like for reals. Not gonna lie. And I love him for it. I am LEARNING SO MUCH and he is ANSWERING MY PRAYERS. 

Jueves: I felt like I was HOME. Im not going to lie....my home in Chile. And its good to be back with hermana Clark. Shes grown so much. And Im letting her basically lead this sector....to learn and everything. All is well so far. I know there is a wise purpose in Gods plan to have us work together here in lo marcoleta yet again. 

Also...teaching S* again, she stopped smoking on her own. ...she just FIGURED that she probably shouldnt do that if she wants to get baptized. DANG. ....shes doing great.

Viernes. I realized that one of the great lessons God needed to teach me this last change was that I dont CARE about others opinions. ...in the sense that they talk bad about me, or they dont love me or things like that....in a companionship setting or group idea setting CLEARY I care. 

But I remembered a lot about what dad would say....

I would come down stairs all bugged and teary and say something like " my sister said Im STUPID, or LAZY, or UGLY"...or some sort of insult and Dad would ask me..."are you?" ...and I just have to remember those two words. I was also reading in the scriptures and it talks about when the truth hurts...Nephi`s brothers were ALWAYS offended...and thats cause what Nephi said was the truth. The truth hurts the wicked. ...and it was yet another answer to my prayer that God knows!  

Sabado. We fasted for S*. 

Domingo: ...even though we were fasting for S* ...she didnt come to church. We will probably have to change her baptismal date. But there was a lesson to be learned, and a trial to overcome. 

Its good to be teaching Haitianos again too. ...there werent any in my other sector. They are really only in Quilicura...its actually KNOWN for haitianos...I dont know WHY exactly, but it just IS. 

We also ate lunch with P*. She is doing great! And I KNOW that she was ready to be baptized. I had a dream about it the other day...a dream or her and her grandson in the temple garden SMILING and laughing. It made me feel GODS LOVE. 

If theres one thing Ive learned this week...its that God really DOES have a perfect plan for each and every one of his children. 

And as Matt...Elder Wyndham said, "you can feel joy even in deep (darkness)"

Thank you for all your encouragement and prayers...and most of all LOVE. 

I love and pray for you all!!! 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

Love, 

Hermana Alex Johnson