Learning the Language

(Bits in blue are from my letters to Jeff to clarify his responses.)

Dear Dad,

We are related to Benjamin F. Johnson. His brother Joseph Ellis Johnson is our direct ancestor. Their dad, Ezekial is the one I told you about that stood up to the mobs in Nauvoo and lost his life for it. So you guys are cousins!
That is so funny that my first companion is a relative of mine! haha

I got the package and it had everything I need so that was helpful!

Ana had a swim meet over the weekend. She did great and dropped time on all her events. I have to admit it had me missing you pretty bad. But then I received a confirmation of the spirit that all those years of swimming and team leadership have prepared you for what you are going to face. I love those tender mercies that come from Heavenly Father.

I wrote her an email asking her about it, not gonna lie I wish I could swim cause I'm starting to get shin splints with how much running we're doing! haha

The whole family is doing good. The kids are doing good in school. Kaleb won an arm wrestling contest and it has boosted his confidence a ton. Josh is really busy with the SBO's. They are doing things almost every day. Ana is doing great with swim and working on her schoolwork. Vegard is gaining more friends and feeling more a part of the family every day. Mom and I are plugging along like always. You are in all of our prayers and we are already seeing blessings in our family for your service. We were looking at a video of the coconut crabs last night as they were cracking open a coconut. I made a really stupid comment. I said, wow, if they could crack a coconut like that, they could crack open someone's head. Your mom totally freaked out about it. I felt terrible. You may have to wear a helmet to bed now just to make sure your mom is at peace, sorry! ;)

I am glad that everyone is doing well, Tell everyone that they can send me dear elders on that website it's a little easier than mailing letters, and I can hear from you during the week. You are all in my prayers as well I love you guys, oh and tell mom that I will buy a helmet today for the crabs!! haha XD

I talked about you to the primary class yesterday. They all wanted me to tell you hi.

Tell all of them they are goofballs and That I miss them as well and say hi!

Yeah I made some pretty cool drawings so far both spiritual and funny! they help me a lot!

The food is getting better and I drink at least two glasses of milk every meal! I love the never ending supply!

That is soo cool to hear! I love that you started doing FHE with other families. We have been teaching our teachers as investigators and I am able to hold a lesson using broken Kiribati, but even though its broken, the spirit is still present and that's all that matters!

I had the impression during the week to tell you to read your mission scriptures, I don't know why I just felt like I needed to tell you that!

I came up with this poem today in the Temple:

You have no need to stress

You have no need to fear

for behold, Your Lord,

Thy God is near.

Love you

love,

Elder Johnson

Dear Mom,

This week has flown by! There is a saying going around, the days are long but the weeks fly by! It is absolutely true, it felt like yesterday that I emailed you last. I've been having a great time and felt have felt the spirit soo many times!

Thank you so much for the package you sent me it helped me a lot. It turned out super awesome! I love it! where am I supposed to mail the stuff I don't need when I leave the MTC?

I love you so much and can't wait to hear more about everyone. I went to the temple again today and the spirit was soo strong. I know that the person that I went through for was present during the whole session. I prayed about the family in the temple as well I hope everything is going well.

I am glad you are wearing the bracelet I bought you, I wanted to get something for you before I left, and I saw that one literally right before you did! haha! XD

I've been kind of struggling with the language, and it seems like everyone around me is getting it a lot faster than I am. But after my meeting with District Leader Elder Ellis, I realized that I have been putting in the work, but I haven't been praying constantly for the gift of tongues. I know that when I am putting in the work for the Lord, I have the right to ask him for blessings like that.

The food is pretty good, nothing like home meals but it's edible. haha anyway I love you and miss you and know that you are in my prayers.

love,

Elder Johnson