It's Here!!! It's Here!!!!!

VISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I got my visa and I leave for Brazil on Monday! My flight leaves at 4pm here so expect a phone call monday afternoon/evening! It's crazy how it all worked out!

 

We got to go to the Gila Valley Temple on Wednesday and after we got out, I saw that we had gotten a text. It was from the guy in charge of money. It said: "Hi, I didn't know Elder Johnson was leaving monday. So elder johnson should take out $20 of the $40 that I put on the card and I will delete $40 on the next load." As I read that, my heart stopped. I'm leaving Monday?! That can't be right! So I called him and said that I had heard nothing about my visa. "Oh, crap... I shouldn't have told you..."

 

Well 15 minutes later I got a call from President Killpack and he told me that they had recieved my visa and that I would be leaving on Monday. Wow.

 

So I was kinda glad I opened my package from you guys. Thank you SO much. You guys really went above and beyond. I don't know why I'm so lucky! I hope you guys haven't sent anything recently because I don't know if I'll get it.

 

Besides the visa news, I had my first "bible bash" experience yesterday. These two pentecostal guys came up and chewed us out for a solid 45 mins. I was so frustrated. Finally I asked if we had changed their minds. "No you haven't." "Well you haven't changed ours either but it was great talking with you so good bye!" I replied. "One last question, please," asked one of them. "Will we see you in heaven or will you see us?"

 

Now, what I said wasn't very Christ-like but I had to say it. "Well, you guys are a bit older than us, I imagine you'll get there first so I guess we'll see you there!" They were stunned by my response. They walked away, having wasted their time and seeing us leaving with smiles on our faces and talking with someone else. Bible-bashing is lame and a total waste of time.

 

Well, I think that's it for this week. I'll be calling monday night so get excited :D

 

Love you guys!

 

Elder Johnson

Arrival in Arizona Tucson Mission!

December 10, 2013

Shawn Derek & Shannon Johnson

Williamsburg, Virginia  23185

Dear Brother and Sister Johnson;

It was a very special experience to personally greet your son, Elder Zachary Derek Johnson at the airport upon his arrival in Tucson.  We were impressed by his great spirit and desire to serve.  We are grateful to have him serving here with us.

From the airport we took him and the other missionaries to the Mormon Battalion Monument in downtown Tucson, where we talked about commitment, and leaving behind all the cares of the world to focus on the work of the Lord.  After a brief stop at the mission office to have lunch and meet the office staff, the Elders and Sisters received instruction and training from the Assistants to the President, Sister Killpack and myself.  I had the pleasure of interviewing your son and getting to know him personally and to feel his wonderful missionary spirit.  Later that evening we dined together, took photographs and took the opportunity to discuss our purpose as missionaries.

Elder Johnson has been assigned to the Tucson East Zone, located in Tucson, Arizona with Elder Netane as his companion.  If, in case of emergency, you need to contact your son, please call the mission office at 520-577-7076.

As you write to your son, please encourage him to continue to serve faithfully, being completely obedient throughout his mission.  We know that he, and the Tucson Mission, will be in your prayers.  We also know that the coming months will bring many blessings into your lives by your son’s faithful service and the sacrifice you are making for him to serve the Lord and his fellow men.  Thank you very much for having prepared your son to withstand the rigors of missionary life and now to be serving with us here.

May the Lord bless you.  We send our love and appreciation.

President Roger E. Killpack                                                                                          Sister Bobbie P. Killpack

Arizona Tucson Mission

Enclosed is a photograph of your missionary with us.