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Sunday, August 31, 2014

The Drop-Off

A new adventure has surely begun. Who knows what great things are in store....not me cause I'm poor. Dirt poor to be exact (Get the word pun? I thought it was pretty good) but that just makes for a funner adventure!
Yesterday we got to my apartment complex after trying some Firehouse Subs, and started unloading my stuff. I had lots of memories come back to me, but in all everything just felt like a dream. I've been getting that sensation way to much lately...maybe get it checked out? I don't know, but it was weird.
Well, the light was on in the apartment, but after some knocking, still no luck. I called the office man and he said he was on his way there, and would be there in 30 minutes. Dad decided to unload the entire car and just plop all the stuff outside my apartment and wait. Which we did. ..but in style.
Lucky for us I had my basketball loose and we played a game of horse. I kicked butt. Johnson butt. ..but Uncle Greg ended up winning in the end. Oh well.
After a game of horse, we continued to wait like homeless people outside of my apartment.
Dad said that they were going to hold hands, and pretend to be my dads dropping me off. They received a penetrating glare for that one.
Overall, everything felt a little like a dream...like I was here, but not. Like I'd been here, but not. I'm not completely sure how to describe what I was feeling, but it's definitely a unique one.
I unpacked fairly quickly, to be honest. I couldn't believe how fast I did it, in the amount of time that I did it in. Although, I still have more things than I'd like. I would like to get rid of some stuff still.
Two of my new roommates speak Spanish, and the one that sleeps in my room wants to talk in Spanish with me all day, everyday. WORKS FOR ME.
Everyone seems nice, and I'm excited to start.
To be completely honest though, I feel a little nervous. This is real life! And instead of worrying about matters in the lives of the Chileans, I'm stuck with my OWN life. Bluck. I loved the mission, and sometimes it just makes me so sad to not be teaching every day. To not be doing my contacts every day, even though I try to talk about the gospel as much as I can with as many people I can, its just not the same. Obviously I'm still in the after mission adjustment period. Yes, it's still a struggle to speak in English, wear pants, eat american food...I have yet to wake up later than 7:30 AM, and I still look at my name tag with eyes of longing. But the only thing that's left to do is move forward..and upward, if at all possible.
Lets just hope I can figure out what I'm doing, cause at this point I'm still in dead water...lets get GOING.
Since it's Sunday, I want to share a little food for thought...healthy food. Get it? ...yea stopping.
Anyways I wanted to remind you all to pray every night. There are few things that are as powerful as prayer. He listens. It works way better than wishing on a star, that's for sure. He loves you and wants to not only hear you but bless you, answer you, guide you.


PS. In regards to any English errors...Like I said, #missionafterlife #stilladjusting


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

The Closing Adventure of Alex the Great... in Chile

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Honestly. I don`t even know what to say!! The normal stuff right? Here`s the weekly letter...
The week went well...it was hard with changes that president made. Just cause after hearing for almost a year and a half to NOT do things, and having it drilled in your head, we are now being obligated to do the oppossite. But all I know is that He is obligated to bless you for being obedient.
The schedule change isn`t as much power house go...its like stop go, stop go...etc...and so I feel weaker? like we don`t have as much time.. I don`t know. It just doesn`t feel like the same mission. We had a zone capacitation, zone training...no sé. Our district leader played the violin and it was so pretty. Our zone leaders gave a great training as well. 
A*, Y*, y D* are gonna progress so quickly! They have baptismal dates, and they came to church last week..they didn`t come this week, but they are doing great reading and praying and I just adore them. Its great to have two families supporting each other in what they`re doing. We had some very powerful lessons with them this week...I can always feel the spirit,and I`m so excited to see pics of their baptism. 
People whistle, we whistle back. People yell "I love you" I yell "BAPTIZE ME!" ...hopefully they learn. 
We did have some amazingly spiritual lessons this week...I love that. I think that the mission HAS to be the greatest time of ones life...it`s just to amazing to NOT be. 
We did a service painting project...but not just "painting" we did ART! It was so great...I painted the tree top, the mountain, the clouds, the river...yea. IT was super fun to get paint dirty again. 
We went to a house and I looked up above the fridge, and the 19 yr old kid had written on some broken speaker "I love you Johnson" with stars and hearts and all that jazz... I was ticked.  THEY ARE MEMBERS (even if they are less actives) THEY SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
We did anotehr service project helping kids with school projects and that was super fun. I love HELPING! 
Jorge was confirmed this week...and he`s different. De verdad. He`s doing great and helping his family. I really love him. Bring him a tie from up there! 
Yesterday I felt like I should go talk to this little old man while waiting for the church to open up to go to Branch Council, and we ended up teaching him..then 2 members ended up coming over and helping us..and it was a real miracle and blessing from the Lord. 

Hurrah for Israel! Para Siempre JAMAS! 
LOVE YOU ALL...and yea...I guess...I guess I`ll see you soon.
Hermana Alex Johnson

And... in a sweet surprise... a second email. Darling.

Once upon a time there was a silly gal with a fairly interesting life. She`d lived many things and learned more, but alas...God needed her to reach a higher potential. He told her that "if [she had] desires to serve God [she was] called to the work" and to "be strong and of good courage, to be not afraid, neither ...dismayed" and promised her that he would be with her. With trust in Him and "an eye single to the glory of God" she arrived in Chile,Lacking knowledge concerning His plan for her, she put herself to work and lost herslef int he same. She strived to change the world...spreading light and happiness to all. She completed her purpose by inviting and helping. She knew God had sent her to "preach the gospel" ...and felt privileged to be working by his side in "His work and His glory." She better came to know God and Christ. She changed, and became His disciple. Steadfastness made her stay, diligence made her go, and charity made her give everything for the people of Chile. 
...And suddenly, as a blink of an eye her time was gone. She knew she`d given it her all. Yet the time had come to remember learn and apply everything. 
I was this silly gal, who wanted to serve God my whole life, but I never knew how. And as time passed He helped me understand my purpose. I have served My God with my whole heart, might, mind, and strengh. I love him. I know He lives, as does my Savior and Redentor lives. he loves us and knows us personally.More than we can imagine.f He has a perfect plan for each of us, but it is our responsability to trust him and keep his commandments. 
I repeat the words of Ammon,
do not boast in my own strength,nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, mheart isbrim with joyand I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, know that am nothing; as to my strength am weak;therefore will not boast of myself, but will boast of my God, forin his strength I can do all thingsyea, behold, many mightymiracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise hisname forever.
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know that which the Lord hatcommanded me, and glory init. do not glory of myself, but glory in that which the Lord hathcommanded me; yea, anthis is my glory, that perhaps may bean instrument in thhands of God to bring some soul torepentance; and this is my joy.
And behold, when see many of my brethren truly penitent,ancoming to the Lord their Godthen is my soul filled with joy;then do remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, eventhat he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do remember hismerciful arm which he extended towards me.
I love Him. I will serve Him forever.
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL 
Con amor siempre, 
Hermana Alex Johnson