Bago Zone Conference

Bago Missionaries 

Cody with Zone Leader, Elder May

Merry Christmas

It was an amazing Skype ... one that was anticipated for quite some time!!  Only getting to see them on Christmas Day and Mother's Day... we LOVE our Skype calls from our missionaries! We had 20 minutes with Elder Cody Johnson.  He looks so good, so happy and grown-up! He sounds amazing and just like I remembered! Oh the JOYS of getting to see him... one of the BEST Christmas gifts EVER!  I guess Matthew couldn't say prayer before he left, because he was quite surprised to hear he can say prayer on his own now.  So he asked if he could say a prayer for him, so we had our family prayer with Cody!! He also said Christmas there is different.  Some have Christmas Trees but instead of presents they have food under the trees.  The last few minutes are always hard because you know the time is coming to a close... so we asked Cody to bear his testimony in Hiligaynon.  It was beautiful and tears were streaming down my face... he has a testimony.  Whatever language you speak the Spirit will testify of it truth and I felt it and couldn't deny that my son has a testimony of Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for my son.  He gives me tremendous strength and my faith has been strengthened by having sons serve missions.  I've been blessed... very blessed!!!

 

 

We had technical difficulties at first... we couldn't see him and then we got disconnected!!

 

And then we get to see his SMILING face!!

 

So grateful for technology that we are able to Skype with Elder Johnson half way around the world!!

 

This is as clear as it gets of his face!!!

 

We LOVE our brother who is serving The Lord on a mission in the Philippines!

Enduring to the End

This week was a decent week. I remember our mission president saying "if you don't have baptisms EACH week you repent every week" and we didn't have one this week sadly.  But this Christmas day we have two baptisms!!  It's crazy how the Lord works! Our vision for this Bacolod Philippines mission is that we baptize weekly. This mission is the highest baptizing mission in the world. we average 100-200 baptisms each month. This is what the Lord's work is about. We are preparing souls to return back to their father in heaven. As we teach, I learned there are three things that we are judged by and 5 things we need on this earth in our life the three are: 

1.  By our words  

2.  By our works 

3.  By our thoughts

But that's how serious our father in heaven wants us to take "our body is a temple" by our thoughts, words and works. The five things we need here on this life are:

1.  Faith in Jesus Christ 

2.  Repentance 

3.  Baptism for the remission of sins 

4.  Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and 

5.  Endure to the very end!!! 

Sounds familiar no? But this is what every person needs here on this earth to enter into the kingdom of god! And how great is it that not only missionaries can share but also members!!! This is the Lord's work not ours and we sustain president Thomas S. Monson but through his commandment to us "members and missionaries work together now, in the LORD'S vineyard to bring souls to him."  The promise to us is that "how great our joy shall be if we but bring one soul unto him, but how great if many" and how great of a promise is that!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!! HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR AND ALWAYS TRUST IN THE LORD! IMPROVE AND WORK

Love Elder Johnson

I Dwelt In a Tent

We had our first baptism and it truly was AMAZING!!  When he was bearing his testimony the question popped into my head that our president asked us, "when we leave the area ... will he stay in the church and is he truly converted?" But as this 13 year old kid ... bore his testimony, with tears in his eyes, and barely able to speak ... says "I know that this is the only true church on the earth". I couldn't help but answer, "Yes, of course he is going to stay!!" This is what this work is about. This is where all the hours and hard work go, to saving souls and bringing them to find happiness. I have been so blessed and guided by The Lord here in Pulupandan for five months. The Lord truly does answer our prayers, if we truly mean it. He will not hesitate to answer them.

I had an experience this week was with a less active member family. We went there and of course, one of my favorite songs was playing next door. I have previously attempted to pray and ask to stop the music, for just a little bit in earlier lessons with other investigators... but I realized I didn't really mean it. But this time was different, I asked from the bottom of my heart, with all my trust in God to stop the song. And to my surprise the song stopped ... for the whole lesson. These little miracles are welcomed to all. I thanked The Lord for what he did and the help he gave me! He truly does listen to each and every one of us!! I promise that he hears our prayers... No matter how simple they might be.

I am doing good! No worries over here. Not a lot of work in the area ... the storm wasn't bad at all in our area.  The work is moving forward.  We are doing great! I have learned in this weeks training for our  zone about leaving things behind. It really did help me and that was one of my problems. We read the scripture "and my father dwelt in a tent" everyone knows it! But there is more to the scripture than that. It is saying that Lehi and his family left all their "gold, silver, priceless possessions, his house" and more! He was a wealthy man it seems as we read, but that scripture means more. He left all his things, just to listen and obey the commandment of The Lord.  He left all his stuff for NOTHING! That is why that scripture is there. To teach us that he left all his comfy stuff at home and is now living in a tent.  With the things that are really important, his family and The Lord.  This is what I learned. I hope it helped you learn something just like I did.  I'm grateful for the knowledge that I have! 

Love Elder Johnson

Grateful for My Savior

I'm so grateful for My Savior,  the holy ghost, and the atonement. Those three things in our life will take us anywhere we want to! We are all judged by three things.... Our works, words, and thoughts. As we center all we do around our savior we will become what Ammon, Alma, and Nephi were ...   "consecrated missionaries" and like President Monson said, "every member a missionary, now is the time for members to work with missionaries in all they do" ... what a great challenge for people all over the world and how great the blessings will be ...if we accept it!

I'm good!!!! GREAT actually!!! We have a baptism December 13th!! So excited but transfer day is on the 4th! So nervous but ... I'll go where The Lord wants me! But, I am so good here in the Philippines!!! I'll send you pictures! We email in Pulupandan and they don't send there that's why.. but sorry! And everything here is great! Not that much happened this week but it was my week to lead everything! It was a great learning experience and I felt I did well! ! We had thirty lessons this week just to investigators!! Nice... no?? but sorry not much to write! I was late today! But love you love you love you!

Love ELDER JOHNSON

Thanksgiving:  Chicken, Rice, and Potatoes

Another package! He loves his packages!!