Well this week I have had the opportunity to be transferred. I have a new companion and his name is Elder Dulalia from the Philippines. But when we got to Binalbagan (New Area) I promised myself I would start off new and be a leader (I had the reputation of trainee). And the first day I acted like a new Elder. I was a new Elder Johnson!! I went in running, I didn't know the area or anyone there but I promised myself ... I was going to be BOLD and talk with EVERYONE! Yes, that does not sound like me at all ...haha but yes, I did it!!! All I wanted to do was work!
I want to share some numbers, not to brag but to show how we can ALL really change... and ONLY with The Lord's help is it really possible!!
The first row is my companion and his companion the week before I got to the area. The second row is the three days that I was here in Binalbagan (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
Baptisms- 0 0
Confirmation- 0 0
Inv. w/ baptism date- 0 3
Inv. lessons w/ member- 3 10
Other lessons- 10 24
Progressing Inv.- 0 1
Referrals Received- 2 4
Contacted- 0 1
New Investigators- 1 19
Lessons to recent conv. and less active. 5 12
Recent converts @ church- 1 5
The point I want to get across is ...it's never to late to change, "Don't live under what your full potential is!" We are never to young to start ... and never to old to change. The atonement is for everyone and we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Start Now and Decide To stand up for what you believe in even if people laugh! It is not just this life that matters ...but where we go from our decisions here. My new goal this mission is to TALK TO ALL ... and share what I know to be true! ! I have been doing so ... and we have had 34 lessons and 19 new investigators in three days!! Now is the Time to change and stand up for what you know to be true!
I want to share a story about one elect "golden" investigators we found yesterday. His name is Romnick. As we were walking we felt like we were supposed to go to this investigators house, so we did. But when we asked if he was there he wasn't. So we waited because his dad was on the phone. We were talking to him. But his brother came up and he is 24 and started talking to us. He said he was going to school for police and criminal stuff. And we asked if we could pray for his schooling. He said "yes, come inside". So, we enter into his brother's house and prayed with him. After that I pull out a plan of salvation pamphlet and told him, "Brother, we need five things in this life in order to return to our father in heaven: 1st Faith in Jesus Christ, 2nd Repentance, 3rd Baptism by Immersion by those who hold the power of God or also know as the preisthood, 4th Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and 5th Enduring to the End. If we do not do these five things in this life ...we cannot return back to our Father in Heaven." We then go on to testify ... and give him a pamphlet and wrote on the back, "church @ 9:00 in the morning" and said to him, "brother every Sunday we have church at 9:00 in the morning. If you have time you are welcome to come." His reply was "okay ... is it okay if I come next Sunday?" Then we said to him, "yes brother ... all people are welcome!" He said to us, "Is it okay that I am catholic?" We replied "yes"!! He said "Okay next Sunday ...I'll go to church and I want you to come to my house and teach me more.... I live over there, and brothers what are the requirements I need to do what you are doing?" We then explained to him further what he needed to do. He said "okay just come to my house every day you walk by!" I know The Lord blesses those who are exactly obedient to the call "SPEAK TO ALL". This is our calling as missionaries and what we are supposed to do. "to accept or to deny." I have made the goal to talk to all until they tell me not to come back! I love you and am grateful for the example and help you have been giving me and hope the best luck for you!!! Thank you for all the letters and support and you are amazing!!
Love Elder Johnson
