Love MY Mom

Elder Johnson

The Apartment

New Area Church and Apartment

Do you Believe

This week didn't have a whole lot going on. Yesterday was probably the most exciting thing that happened. Well let's see, As me and my companion were the first ones at church with the Branch President we were there for about 10 minutes and we see these two people walking to the church in this old old old clothes, One was the father (turns out he is a less active member) and one was the son(non-member). As they get to us the kid is just shaking like crazy and the dad tells us "he's possessed" so i'm like woah wait i've NEVER experienced this before, and this kid is just speaking weird things about satan and his dad is trying to explain us the story and the kid says "i saw satan, he was black and he had horns" and just keeps speaking about it. so we take him to the Branch Presidents office and we ask "Do you beleive in Jesus Christ?" he replies "yes" we ask "what do you feel right now?" and he answers "I don't have any strength in my body and my head is so painful." It wasn't one of those raise the right hand experiences but I ended p giving him a blessing and as I was giving him a blessing he was just shaking like crazy and it was probably the shortest and most powerful things i've ever said. After the blessing the kid stops shaking. He stays in church and I could look into his eyes and see that he was still scared of what happened, but I would just put my hand on his shoulder and tell him "everything will be okay, just have faith in Jesus Christ." I could just see his countenance change and see that he was returning back to his normal state. I know that the Priesthood is real. It is truly the power of God to do miracles here on the earth. I know that according to our worthiness we can do anything that the Lord will have us do. I love you all and pray for you all daily! 

Love Elder Cody Johnson

General Conference

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! finally the time has come.. yes like all the other foreign countries i was able to watch it a week later. But still, the same message. As i went in with a certain question in my head, of course it was answered. I forgot my notes so i'll share from memory and the spirit, but hey i'll share my favorite quotes that hit me the hardest. "Jesus. was. home-less." have we ever thought about that? i don't think anyone has actually thought that deep about it. Elder Holland explained so well how much we should help the needy and the poor, like Jesus who had NOTHING gave whatever he had to ALL those around him! another one was of course the most common invitation in this 184th session of general conference was Moroni 10:4-5. Sometimes we forget about it. Sometimes as members we just "accept it" we do not actually do because it's what we've been told our WHOLE life! The talks about gaining a testimony and truly asking our Father in Heaven if it's true hit me so hard. I cannot explain how I felt, But the Lord did touch me that that is what i needed to do, and so should we all. We need to know for ourselves that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God and until this very day there is a Lineage of authority from Joseph Smith to the Living prophet President Thomas S. Monson. Like David A. Bednard said "you just have to test it." I invite you all read from Moroni 10:4-5, ponder in your heard what is really inside this scripture from God, and to kneel in sincere prayer like the apostles have invited, and ask our Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ if Joseph Smith was indeed a Prophet of God. I know that he will answer. He will give you feeling that you have never felt in your life. And you will KNOW of a surety that Joseph Smith was Gods instrument in these last days. I love you all, I pray for you all, and I know especially that our Father in heaven does truly love you all beyond your comprehension.

Love, Elder Cody William Johnson

Transfers

Well, let's see if i can explain this week because it was a pretty fast but overall great week. Let's just start off bye saying that my time in Valladolid has come to an end. I was transferred last Wednesday and was told to be at Galo Chapel in Bacolod at 9:00to meet my companion. I get there and ask the Assistant to the President "so who is my companion and where am I going?" he replies, "well you just have to wait elder, it was kind of a last minute decision." and he laughs a little bit. So I then wait about 30 minutes elders and sisters are returning to their areas and going to knew areas and The Assistant comes in and pulls me aside he says "well elder johnson, you are going to open an area, your companion is Elder Monzales (he got here in april this year) and you are now assigned in the Manta-angan branch in North Bacolod Zone." So that's about it. Got put in a new area, new area book, no investigators, only the members! And let me say this week has been a pretty great week. We have found 7 new investigators from Thursday-Sunday and plan on making this branch into a ward. The work is great, the area is great, and the members are even greater. We have a set dinner appointment every Tuesday and Thursday at a members house every week and the members are SO enthusiastic about the work! There is so much potential in this area and plan on making it a progressive one! That basically sums up my week! LOVE YOU ALL!

Love, Elder Johnson

It's true!

This week.. AMAZING. FINALLY after working and working and working also after changing and changing and changing we see the fruit of our labor. The Abuana Family CAME TO CHURCH! Not just mom, but the WHOLE family!! YES!!!!!!!!  As we were sitting and as sacrament was starting they all walked in and was just sooo excited!! I can't explain the happiness for this family. But we did follow up that Sunday night and asked "How did you actually feel about church? Do you have any questions about it?" And she said "No Elder I do understand and everything I felt at church and everything you have said to us has all come out as truth and has touched me like I've never felt before in my life." It was like "what, are we hearing this right? As me and my companion just look at each other and smile" we ended up teaching and finishing the restoration that through Joseph Smith the Church of Christ was restored from it's lost state and how there is a living prophet, twelve apostles, and preisthood on the earth today only in the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. We invited for them to ask for themselves if joseph smith was a true prophet. Of course all said yes, but the mom said, "Elders I already know it's true, I cannot deny what I've felt." So, we return with a baptism invitation on the 18th of October and another blessing THEY ACCEPTED! YES!!! I know and testify that the Lord has led us to them through her daughter Stephanie. Without her this would not have happened. 
ALSO THERE'S MORE! As my companion asks "where are we going now" (this is thursday) i say "let's go to Dol-Dol" it's our furthest area in our boundaries haha(it was a prompting of mine)... but he hesitates and say's okay we go out there, we do contact these members like we planned BUT on the way back we are heading home this car drives bye stops and an american sticks his head out the window and says "HEY! where are you going!?" and we say "back to valladolid" then he replies "I've been looking for an opportunity to meet and talk to you guys!" so we say "well, how about now?" and he says "YES!" so we go to his house end up talking and he has been here in the philippines for 12 years, has a family, knows ilonggo, and is VERY VERY NICE! BUT don't say it's perfect haha.. But THE LORD DOES GUIDE US! just be prepared and ready to follow. He will bless and bless and BLESS us ONLY if we follow.

Love Elder Cody Johnson