Monday, October 13, 2014

Everyone is in Brazil!

Family,

Sounds like you guys have had a crazy week with Dad gone and Cullen leaving and Cameron giving boss talks! But another week has passed and now everything is back to normal! Normality is good... sometimes.

My letter wont be super long today. This week went by without anything super notable. Though we did have one day with the Assistants. We went to this one neighboorhood out in the boondocks and we built a house. Pretty impressive right? not really, this house was pretty sketchy but it was better than a lot of the houses I have been in. But way out there we ate sugar cane. Yeah it was pretty cool. It was like chewing on a massive sweetened toothpick. I had never tried it but you actually cant eat it. You have to chew it up and suck the sugar juice out of it.

Yesterday was the primary program here in the branch. We only have 8 kids and one has special needs. They sang a ton of songs, or at least they tried to. They had to sing to tape recordings of the songs and it was angelic. I never would have thought that a choir of out-of-tune and out-of-time kids could bring such a powerful spirit. Almost everyone was in tears! What faith, what joy, and what a heavenly experience!

Last night we had a mission wide emergency transfer and almost all the problem missionaries were taken out and we got absolute all-stars! I am really excited for the rest of this transfer and we will see some great success!

Also, two of the elders that were in the MTC with me and were reassigned to Tucson with me finally got their visas and will be here tomorrow! All Elders from my MTC district are now in Brazil! Took almost a year, but it happened! We truly have to work on God's time, not ours!

we had an activity and I was in charge of the treat... Banana, strawberry, and 3 plates of brigaderio. It was celestial. Look what you have to look forward to when I get back ;)

Also, this other pic was taken close to where we built a house for a service project.

Austin - How will you live without Cullen for the next 2 years??? I am super stoked for him and only have one thing to say.... YOU'RE NEXT. I would encourage you to start preparing in the non-gospel things now like laundry, COOKING, and playing the piano. Try to learn the hymns. Even when missionaries only know a little bit, the members prefer that than a recording that the piano has downloaded on it. Sooooo sounds like you have some talents to develop :D Good luck and have an awesome week!

Cam - email.

Lexi - SIS! I miss you! I hope you are doing well and that school is going well. Are you making new friends? Is the work harder? Are you too smart?? I hope you have a good week and keep being a stud! :D

Love you all,

Elder Zac Johnson

10/06/2014

Family!

How did you like conference?? I thought it was pretty fantastic myself! Hearing the talk in portuguese was pretty insane, not gonna lie, and that talk was one of my favorites. Though I really enjoyed the talks by D. Todd, Uchtdorf (about the testimony), and Jörg Klebingat. So many answers and blessings were received on those two days.

So, this week has been kind of crazy. I got to meet all of the investigators here and we have quite severe cases of laziness and lack of physical ability. One is in a wheel-chair, the other has a prosthetic leg, and the other has had a broken leg for the past 6 months. We aren't exactly hitting home-runs in the physical department and they all have a lack of motivation to learn more about the church. So, we will be focusing on finding new investigators that dont have so many physical disablilities. These disabilities wouldnt be a problem if they were spiritual giants, but the lack of effort they put in to the appointments and reading really limit the spiritual progress.

A MIRACLE HAPPENED LAST NIGHT. President Monson 's final comments really touched me. His blessing at the very end rang in my ears long after he finished. "For those of you who are far from home, I invoke Heaven's blessings so that when you return home, you will find everything in order." I was confused at why I felt the Spirit so strong when he pronouced that blessing. But I knew that I would benefit from it soon. Soon? 13 months is a long time!

Well, the District President asked us to lock up the chapel for him. We decided to stack all the chairs and clean up the chapel a little bit. Since this was a last minute decision, I left my bag on the floor in the lobby. This lobby is a small room with a front and back entrance. Both were wide open. I leaned my umbrella against the bag and got to work. We finished quickly and I decided to go get my bag. Before I turned the corner of the lobby, I heared my umbrella hit the floor. Turning the corner, I saw that my bag was gone and the umbrella was on the floor. My first thought was that one of the youth must have returned to the chapel and was trying to be funny, so I walked out the back entrance. Seeing a male-figure in the dark behind a wire fence (still thinking it was a member), I let out a laugh and said "I caught you!" This random man I had never seen before walked out from behind the fence and asked about the church and with a smile and a handshake, I invited him to the ward activity on wednesday night. He accepted the invitation, walked back behind the fence and, getting on his bike, left the chapel. I returned inside and asked Elder Machado if he had seen my bag. He hadn't and the Sisters gave me the same answer. I felt the need to go look behind the fence. When I got there, I found my bag on the ground, unopened and with nothing missing (i only had my scriptures in there). I had literally caught the guy before he had a chance to search it.

As I shared my discovery and put the puzzle together about what had happened, President Monson's promise echoed in my head. Oh how I am grateful for a prophet and the Celestial protection that I have.

I know that Conference can answer any question that we may have. Remember the promised blessings and commandments that we received! That is God speaking to us today!

Austin - Powerful essay. Really made me think! Just do better with Cameron than I did with you.

Cam - email

Lexi - Congrats on your project and with Irish dance! Keep doing your best, and you'll be happy!

Love you all,

Elder Zac Johnson

Monday, September 29, 2014

Mission Conference September 2014

Zone Leader in Registro

Fam,

What a week! I got here in Registro on Wednesday night at midnight... it was a long bus ride (one that I have to take again today!). But deciding where to start is going to be hard...

Basically, my area is 10 cities. Yes, 10. And yes, we have investigators in 4 of them. So, we have to be super careful about when we plan things and we have to use almost all of our money on bus fares. We have a branch here that is pretty weak but there are some awesome people in it. The branch president looks like Bro. Potter and his wife looks like Sis Bealer. But they are hilarious and freaking awesome so it is all good. This city was built by the Japanese and there are a ton of steep hills... Walking all day is very tiring. I will lose some weight here!

This zone is known as the "punishment zone". Basically, you break the rules and get exiled here. Leading these elders and sisters will be hard, as they know why they are here and do not respect you. But I am really excited for the challenges and the necessity that I have here to grow and improve.

View out our window

My Companion, Elder Henrique Machado, is pretty cool. Honestly, a little "different" and kind of lacks in the social skills department, but that does not stop him from doing contacts and trying (TRYING) to make jokes in the lessons. He has already hit his year mark and really knows his Bible. I feel like we will be a good team though we will need some time to work out some kinks. We have a huge house and it is just us in it so I can't complain. Though, my comp managed to break the fridge, so we are limited in the food department. Just keep swimming!

We had a mission conference about Keeping the Sabbath Day holy... and I discovered that I didnt do a good job keeping that commandment at home. Many of my Sunday activities will change when I get back home. Learn what I learned by watching this: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-053-upon-my-holy-day?lang=eng

Austin: Thanks for all the deets! Sounds like you are making the most of your time! Keep up the good work! I think I had Mrs. Smith as my english teacher... Sophmore year. If it is her, I hope she doesnt hate you because of me haha Those were some great Spirit week ideas! I hope you took some pictures! And all those bands would come to VA when I am in Brazil.... Oh well, I will see them when I get back! Love ya brooooo

Cam - email

Lexi - congrats on your quiz score! Are you still doing Irish Dance?? My new companion is pretty cool! He is short and kinda weird but he is chill. I hope you feel better and stop throwing up!

Love you all,

Elder Zac Johnson

Monday, September 22, 2014

LATE POSTING from 09/01/2014

Family!

Elen's baptism

Well this was an awesome week. It really was one of the best week of the mission. Elen was baptized on Sunday! It was such a special day. We had over half the ward there and it was the most spiritual baptism that many of them had ever attended. She was baptized by Diego, who is the best member the church has and she was confirmed by the second counselor of the Stake Presidency, President Arauju (from Enseada). I literally cannot describe (in English or Portuguese haha) what I felt during that sacred experience.

There are few moments in life where you feel like you are touching heaven. Some I have already experienced and some will come later in life. But I dont think I have ever been so happy nor felt so much love. She is only 12 but her mom came back to church and was in tears the whole time. She calls us her "sons" and could barely get out the "thank you" after it was all done. I couldn't have asked for a better baptism for them. And really it was their day. There really was a party in heaven on Sunday.

Beyond the baptism, there really wasnt much that happened. I went on a division with Elder Richards again and I went on another division 2 days later to help another Elder with "lazy" investigators. The problem turned out to be a lack of effort on the teaching side. That was sad to see.

Saturday night we went to a stake activity with all the ward choirs and it was awesome. I was able to see a ton of members from Enseada again and it was nice to hear how much they were sad that I left so quick.

Also, I did the baptismal interview for one of Andrew's investigators that I met when I was in Enseada. He works at a store in Enseada that I went to a lot and I had a couple conversations with him about the church. Well, he lives in Andrew's area and the missionaries found his sister while tracting. He listened in on a lesson and that was all he needed! He was baptized on Saturday and has already asked to go on splits with the Elders. He is 18 and wants to serve a mission. He truly is one of God's elect!

Whatever happens this week (If I am transferred or not) I will be super happy. We have some more people with baptismal dates for the coming weeks and hopefully the ward is more excited and willing to help us out!

On to the next,

Austin - Did you get one of those hipster haircuts?? I saw the ice bucket video and I thought u had that kind of haircut. Cool! I hope you have an awesome first week of school. What are you taking?? Send da deets.

Cam - email.

Lexi - Dont be a bum! send your email so that I can send you one too! Have a good week at school!

Love you all,

Elder Zac Johnson

LATE POSTING from 09/08/2014

Hey there family!

What a week! We have been focusing on doing an activity for the ward... This ward hasnt had an activity in 3 years! No wonder everyone complains about not having activities. but more on that later.

Igor is an investigator that we have who has a baptismal date for Saturday but we will change it to Sunday after church... Those baptisms always have a ton of people! But we taught him yesterday after church and we had the help of one of the youth who is about to send in his call and another who is less-active and is returning to activity! What a powerful lesson! The less-active had tears in his eyes as he testified of Joseph Smith. What an unforgettable spirit! We have increased the attendance at church every week this transfer and people are really liking us! It is awesome! A missionary will return home to this ward tonight and the ward is so antsy to see him. Hopefully this will spark a missionary spirit in the ward!

But the problem in this ward is "Sunday Members." They come to church, TALK about doing visits, improving, being more loving, etc. But then they go home and before they know it, Sunday comes again and it is the same thing. My companion and I were lectured on how we dont work as hard in the Lord's vineyard as the members of the church... (Insert super humble and inspiring discourse on how they are right and that missionaries are prideful to say that they live the law of consecration...) "Living your religion" is the hardest part about about the church in Brazil. So when we live our religion we are being true disciples of Christ. We are being real members of his church (see this talk here)

I love this quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.”

With these two examples, one being one of the most doctine-filled quotes of all time, my challenge for you guys is to live this principle. Can we say that this description of Christ's disciples applies to us? "What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do."

I sure hope so.

I know that the sacrifice is worth it. The reward makes the sacrifice that we need to make appear insufficient. It is all worth it. Nothing that this world or Satan can offer is worth giving up on the gospel because "it's hard."

Like Elder Holland says: "Salvation is not a cheap experience. The Gospel isnt easy because salvation is not easy."

Austin - I cannot believe that football has started. I had a feeling that it would be an ugly season for the Cowboys... I loved APUSH but I took world geography and colored maps all day, so I cant say anything bad about your classes haha. Everyone deserves an "easy" year every now and then. Just dont let the easiness turn into an excuse to not do your best! I am doing good! Just working working working haha! Love ya bro

Cam - email

Lexi - SEND ME AN EMAIL GIRL. I hope school is going well for you!

Love you all!

Elder Zac Johnson