Eita is a Busy Place for Missionary Work

Dear mom,

It is so true about the whole following the spirit thing.  I know that as we allow for the spirit to teach, he does a lot better job than we could ever do.  Heavenly Father knows his children on such a personal level that when he sends that member of the Godhead to do the teaching.  Along with God, the spirit knows each of us on such a level that what he could be teaching us could be completely different than what the actual lesson is.  That is how you know that you are being a successful teacher. 

That freaks me out how fast time is going.  I really hate it....... ugh.............................

I am glad that everything is happening the way they are to make the best of all the situations.

The plan of Salvation cut outs are things I've drawn and used to teach the Plan of Salvation.  I've done them 3 times now because just as my companion leaves I have given them to him.  I haven't finished these ones yet unfortunately.... but I am hoping to do so this week. 

The Ap's are back and are staying here the rest of the year... Thank goodness!!!! hahah

Tooti has a mental disability that makes him think everyone is judging him.  Plus his wife is not very nice to him and calls him bad names so that doesn't help much....

Anyway this week's Journal entry:  December 10

"Well,  normal routine, hahah I bet you didn't see that one coming huh??? hahahaha  Well I had a nice workout, nice breakfast of oats, then a pretty great study.  I am really trying to get Elder Sagapolu where he needs so be, but we are still working on a few things.  At the end of my studies I went into the back room and prayed to specifically know what I needed to do in order to best help him.  My answer was pretty simple: listen  better to what he had to say and just play around with him.  (not prank him)  During companion study I tried to just listening to what he had to say, and I saw a huge difference.  And when he asked me if I want to wrestle I took off my badge, we both stood up and we made sumo stances.  It was so funny! XD  

The spirit just testified to me that THAT is what it is all about LOVE.  Companion study we role played Plan of Salvation in English to help him get down the order of what needs to be taught.  After today I decided I love role-plays.  As he taught he honestly explained to me what he didn't understand.  Most of the time if I casually ask him if he understands , He says he does.  sometimes I feel he just says that because I think he is worried about me thinking down on him for not knowing.  which I don't at all!!!  We got on the road and left to get my split companion for the day.  The AP's had a lot of office work to get caught up on, so they found me a split companion.  His name was Kaotan.  Great kid, but did not help me teach whatsoever!!! hahahah  

All of our lessons today were really focused on the atonement and repentance.  Even when that was not the scheduled lesson.  That is just what we seemed to teach on.  I almost wonder if it is something that Kaotan needed to hear.  Of all of our lessons today, the one that stood out the most was oona.  She is trying to quit smoking.  She is such an amazing old lady  She started praying on her own to quit smoking.  She reads, and has an amazingly beautiful testimony, and she wants to do what is right.  I made her a very cool promise, that I made sure I confirmed by the spirit.  I told her that if she came to church, that her smoking would stop.  The spirit was so overwhelmingly strong as I told her this.  

After the lesson I really had to pee.  Kaotan told me to go behind this certain tree, so I walked over there and at the same time a group of kids just stopped in amazement at the White guy peeing like a Kiribati person......  Well we then drove the car to Bwaewa's house where we had an awesome lesson on the Atonement.  We explained  how the lord's Atonement could help him over come the desire to smoke.  As we ended I gave him a picture of Jesus looking over a flock of sheep.  I explained the job of the shepherd and how we are all the savior's sheep.  He loved that.  

When  we got in the car I had the feeling not to back up a certain way.... I thought and pondered the idea and decided that just a couple days before Elder Christensen backed up the same way and that it would be a waste of time to back out a different way.  Again same thought... I took 5 minutes to think about it.... but backed up that way anyway..... and the van got stuck.... WHY DO I HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME LISTENING?????  If you have to think about it and the worst thing that could happen by doing it is just losing a few minutes DO IT!!  Dinner was ridiculous .  We had two kiribati people and Elder Sagapolu.  All of whom eat a ton!  Overall, a great day!"

Any way I love you mom,

Love your son,

Elder Johnson

Dad,

Well, I'm glad to hear that your humor hasn't changed over the past year or so! hahahahah you crack me up!!!!! well, I'll send a picture of something that we were given in the ward that I am working for the Christmas time. 

I too love Joseph.  Just this morning I read about him in the New Testament.  This is what I wrote.  Matthew 1 and 2 Joseph had so much faith and courage.  To imagine what he must have been going through... Mary Pregnant with child, he not knowing whose baby it was.  He must have had such a personal battle.  The Lord allowed for him to make his decision on what he would do.  Even struggle a little bit.  He then sent an angel of the Lord to him to explain the sacredness of the entire event.  As soon as he was given instruction to take Mary to be his wife, he did not hesitate.  Joseph, an example to us all.  When the command came to act in the name of Mary and the sake of the Babe and savior of the world, he was obedient.  He didn't hesitate to follow through with what the lord wanted and required of him.  He knew that the message came from God. 

Right now, I am really stressed, overwhelmed and depressed.  I haven't had quite an enthusiasm for the work for some reason this past week.  I am feeling burnt out with all the load that has been put on me.  Training 2 people, having to issue splits, keeping the area up, going and being in charge of ward counsel.  I have been losing my temper and have been having some depressing thoughts.  Just pray for me okay?

I love the work and there is no way I am going to give up now, I just need some help from above. Training is so hard! hahaha

I love you dad,

Love your son,

Elder Johnson

No Shortage of Work in Eita

Dear Mom,

This week has been amazing! Really crazy however..... The APs get to travel to the different outer islands this week, and due to the break for school the flights were booked.  They had to stay in an outer Island called Onotoa for an entire week...... It made for a pretty stressful week, but we pushed through it and it turned out to be very successful!  This past week I have been trying to really focus on following the spirit on asking inspired questions.  At first it was really awkward because you have to have long pauses in the lesson to try to understand what the spirit is telling you to say.  I have seen some amazing things come from it, even when the questions catch me by surprise when I ask them. For example, we Just started teaching this new lady named Roata.  She is amazingly prepared to hear the gospel.  Anyway, during our lesson with her on Saturday, I paused and asked her a question that caught me by surprise.  "what are you thinking about?" To which her response was.... I just was thinking about where I was going after this life.   If I hadn't been following the spirit I would have never have known this is what she was thinking about!!!! It was so amazing!!!! At the end of the Lesson We asked her if she had any questions she asked how she could increase her faith..... SHE IS SO PREPARED FOR THE GOSPEL!!!!!!!

Do you want to know something cool about that Talk you read? I was literally JUST about to read it before I got on! hahah That's just a sign that I actually have to read it!!! hahah I'm way excited now!!!

That wall looks so cool!!! I love it you are so talented!!!!

So I don't know if you already sent my package or not but someone stole my exercise bands from my house when Elders came in for transfers.... so if you haven't sent it or if you know of anyone sending a package that would be something I would like.... I was so upset....

Anyway Journal Entry for the week Saturday December 3

"Holy lightning batman!  This week came and went in a blink of an eye.  I really hate how everything just just  flies by now... It felt like yesterday I was in Christmas and only a matter of days that I just started my mission.  Now I am one of the old guys!!  When did that happen?????? Personally I hate it so bad... Well any way, Great workout today.  I am putting more and more weight in my bag to do push ups and stuff.  

Personal Study was good.  I am trying to work on my new plan of salvation cut outs  ... They are really taking a really long time.  I might take some time on P day to finish them.  Anyway,  companion study was lame, but 12-week was really good!!!  Now that we have a portable dvd player we are able to watch district videos.  I am learning a ton from those things!  

Language was cut short so that we could go find myself a split companion.  I didn't get to work with my real companion all week because we have so many people.  We left to check on a few people.  Eibwati was at work and everyone else we tried to call were either busy or didn't pick up the phone.  Our last stop we tried Teveavea, who wasn't doing anything!!!  He told us he was happy to help.  XD  

When he got dressed and ready to go, we hopped in the car and dropped off Elders Sagapolu and Kaibakia.  Soon after we took off in direction of the airport since we had to pick up Elder Hunter and Elder Christensen.  It felt like a matter of moments that we were dropping them off!  Anyway we got them to the house and got to our lesson pretty quickly.  We were a little behind schedule.  Luckily the doctrines we were teaching were simple enough that we were at four lessons.  We taught a less-active family today on the Restoration.  They all have a testimony but the problem is, the mom is really sick and her legs are either infected or broken so she can't walk.  As I recited the first vision, I recognized the spirit in a different way than I usually do..  I just felt an overwhelming sense of Happiness.  Amazing outcome!  Roata is so prepared to hear the gospel!  While teaching her prophets I tried asking an inspired question.  What I asked her surprised me, but the result of me asking her was beautiful.  (I asked her "what are you thinking right now?"  To which her response was "I was asking myself what happens after this life?"  I was able to bear testimony that Latter-day prophets revealed the plan of Salvation to us.  Tokanuea was a great lesson, I just kept joking around and making everyone laught until it came time to be serious.  She told us she keeps forgetting to pray.  The reasoning behind that is because she is afraid of Ghosts... I told her the story of me driving home alone one night late in the evening after watching a scary movie.  I  told her I was afraid of what I didn't see.  I explained how I prayed and everything worked out, I felt a calmness in my heart.  

Toti was our last lesson.  I had a very hard time concentrating at first and could barely feel the spirit.  As we were trying to teach repentance a bunch of naked children were running around screaming and smacking each other!  As we continued to teach they calmed down and we had an amazing discussion.  Tooti is amazing he just has a fear of people.....  He Looked so good! He got a haircut and shaved, he looked so clean!  I really think he is going to come to church.  As we got up to leave he thanked us for helping him feel the spirit.  We walked out and I remembered I had to to talk to Elder Kaibakia's family and explain to them that we couldn't eat with them since he is set apart as a missionary.  The spirit was present as we explained this to them... Then came the best/worst part of the day..... Dinner.... The food was amazing every time we go to Merika's house they feed us Americanized meals!!! coleslaw bbq chicken sausage, spaghetti and noodles and meatballs!!! cake and ice cream for dessert.  But the problem is since I haven't eaten it in so long... I over eat...................... I hate it I have no self-control!!!!!. Overall an amazing day!!!!"  

Any way Love you mom,

Have a great week!!!

Love your son,

Elder Johnson

Dad,

hahahahahahahahahahahah First off, that is the funniest story of my life!!!!!!!!! I was laughing so hard that I just had to show Elder Larson and Elder Hunter sitting right by me.  I used up a good 5 minutes of my email time trying to get a hold of myself I was laughing so hard!!!! hahahahahahah Oh man that poor kid....... hahahahah what has the world come to????? hahahah

That nativity scene turned out sooo good!!! Everyone is way impressed! Maybe you should start selling them!  Everyone I showed them to told me they looked just like the cartoon!

Elder Sagapolu, Elder Kaibakia and I are doing great... but I just wish that I had more time to work with them.  Ever since coming and working on Tarawa, things have been a lot different.  They are a lot more stressful, but I am learning that I really need to work on being a little more patient with myself and others.  I find my self getting frustrated so easily just because I have so much on my plate.  He's a great kid and I love him.  The work is on fire right now, amazing people so many are prepared to hear the Gospel.  I love Eita!! 

Please pray for Rerei and her mom Tirine.  They both want to be baptized but their dad/husband forbids it.  The culture here, whatever religion the man of the house is, that is your religion.  Well, yesterday they both wanted to come to church but the husband didn't allow it.  So when he was asleep, his daughter Rerei snuck out to come to church.  When she came home he beat both of them..... they really want to get baptized but are scared of him....

That would be the scariest thing.  We got a weird text from our member present right before we went to go teach them.  It said that we were not supposed to go to their house and go to her house first.  We tried that, but our member present wasn't home... so we went to Rerei and Tirine's house. As we are about to go up to the house we get a call telling us to go straight to the road.  Teretia (our member present) told us the whole situation.  The reasoning for them telling us to not go there is he told his daughter and wife that "if the mormon missionaries came to his house than it wasn't his sin!"

So we just about got beat but luckily God is on our side... hahahah I wouldn't mind, I've got angels on my back! I'd like to see what he could do! hahaha

My favorite spiritual  moment happend when we taught out investigator Taai.  HIs lesson was by far the most powerful of all our lessons this last week!.  We started off teaching book of Mormon, but it didn't seem right ... somehow by the power of the spirit we found ourselves on the restoration,.  Taai had made a moment that he was confused about which church was true and that he wanted to know.  I recited the first vision.... I can't even put to words how firm that spirit was.  It was as if I were completely surrounded by angels joined in one voice testifying of what I said by the spirit of the Lord.  I know  that God the Father and his son appeared to Joseph Smith.  I would be lying if I said I didn't believe it.  At the End he bore his testimony about the truthfulness of that lesson.  It was such a beautiful lesson!  

I love you dad!

love your son,

Elder JOhnson

Grateful for Missionary Blessings

Dear Momma Bear,

So I am sooooo relieved to know that you guys got my package!!! I was so worried that it was not going to get to you guys!! Was everything in there?? 

I am glad that you got the stuff to Amy. haha I too am so grateful to have such amazing support!!

So Friday here, (Thanksgiving in America) I spent the time to write out the things I am grateful for.....What am I grateful for Thanksgiving 2016 

My family allowing me to serve my lord.  My family and their support.  My mission.  Mom for always knowing what to say.  Dad for always knowing what to do.  Both for being such a great team, for marrying in the temple/keeping covenants.  Josh for being such a homie/ good friend.  Ana for her goofy/loving nature.  Kaleb for being the life of the party.  Scriptures/words of the prophets.  The Atonement and road it provides us to come back.  The Plan of Salvation allowing us to come home and live with our families forever.  Weaknesses/challenges, without them, we could never grow.  All those who have helped me get to where I am: Grandparents, family, friends and loved ones.  Amazing friends who have helped me stay on the straight and narrow: Amy, Lucas, Brian, Katie, Ally, Gibson, Tyson, Tyler, and everyone else I've missed! XD  Amazing coaches working me hard and helping me to understand that hard work brings results: Jason, Jason, Cory, (Johnson Family) Kyle, and Audrey.  Not making that sectionals time.  Who knows I might not be serving.  Church leaders and teachers: Bother Rose, Arslanian, Burbage Thurston Scott, Bishop Benedict, President Gifford, the Osbornes, and the Crawfords.  The people of Kiribati.  The blessings the lord has given me during my time as a missionary.  Christ, and his life.  President Larkin and his leadership and support.  All my mission homies.  Elder Osborne for teaching me the importance of having fun.  Elder Seguine for teaching me the Atonement is more than just for sinners.  Elder Powell for helping me see the importance of looking past differences.  Elder Vula teaching people not lessons.  Elder Kennedy for teaching me that it is all up to us if we will get upset.  Elder Carrington for teaching me the true meaning of a successful missionary.  Elder Darm for teaching me how to really love those around us.  Elder Hunter for teaching me that Humility, charity, and Patience go a long way.  Elder Ellis for teaching me how to by example how to be an extra ordinary missionary.  Elder Gilbert on how to make jokes, and not letting the little things bother you (also how to cookXD) Elder Jackson how to be patient with yourself and others, also to just enjoy the little things.  Elder Sagapolu on being a happy guy.

The list could go on, there are so many things that I am grateful for.  This year I have selected some of the most outstanding and amazing blessings I have received and seen the passed couple of years.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I love you mom!

Everything is great, I am healthy and loving the work it is so much fun and I love training even though it is hard at times.  I know that as I pray for help all things will work out!

Love your son,

Elder Johnson

DAD
hahahahhahahahah I could not stop laughing when you told me about the picture "Ana wanted for Christmas" hahahahahah that is sooooo funny!!!!!!!! hahah

I am doing awesome! Really crazy week with transfers and stuff but things are going great!!!! I love it here in Eita It is so much fun!!! Thanksgiving sounds soooooooo fun! I really wish I could have been there you know? Ah man what a bummer! OH well.  I do like the idea of having fish for dinner.  Maybe you and I could go catch a couple then cook them up!!!! I could make us some fish head soup as a side!! or maybe some cream of squash! I am learning some pretty good stuff! XD All the Elders around me are really impressed with the drawings you did for our yard, it's wayyyyy good! I wish I had more time to draw.... I think that it would be awesome to do that Star Wars one!!! hahaha

Yeah, Every missionary in the mission is coming in.  Christmas day we are just going to have sacrament, then spend the day together.  The Senior couples are holding on to the Christmas packages so that we can all open them together on Christmas day!! hahah President Hallic is the 70 coming in, that is why everyone is coming in from Outer Islands. It is going to be a very hectic time!! No news on skype yet but I am sure they will tell us shortly!

My comp is amazing! He is a funny kid.  He is having a rough time though, he's had bike problems all week.  We had to patch his bike 3 times and I even carried it one day after his bike exploding! XD But he is just a happy kid.  Really funny to pull little pranks on him! hahah He takes it like a champ!

The funniest thing that happened this week is we got fish at a dinner, and well me I love to eat the fish head... including the eye. (it is sooo tasty) So I told Elder Sagapolu to try it.  He sucked on the eye like a boss..... buuuuuuuuuuuut he did not like it! XD He had the must disgusted face on the entire time he was eating it!!!! XD

Most spiritual is a little more difficult... There were so many!!! Lately I have been working on asking inspired questions.  In order to do this you have to have a slight pause in the lesson, that can be a little awkward at times... but I saw so many great amazing things come out of it.  The investigators talk more and the spirit is so strong.  by getting this down we have been able to better focus out lesson on our investigators.

Please pray for Tenati and his wife, they are less-actives that just had a miss carriage.... We just taught them temples and the spirit was so strong testifying to them that they could see their family again.  They just need a little extra heaven sent help.

I love you dad,

Love your son,

Elder Johnson 

Welcome Elder Sagapolu, New Missionary to Kiribati

Dear mom,

Things go great!!!!! I have everything all figured out and I'm getting back to normal. I think the problem was that I was in a new situation I didn't quiet know how to incorporate myself in with training but I now have it figured out a little more.  The most success I am going to have is BEING MYSELF!

Well you will be as surprised as I was when I heard the news myself that I am training a new missionary....... Again!!!!! They sent Elder Jackson off to Tabiteuea south and I am now with Elder Sagapolu from Taylorsville  Utah! such a great kid. I am sad however that Elder Jackson left me.... I had such a great time with him! Elder Sagapolu is a big kid, whose dad played for The Steelers back in the day... HOW COOL IS THAT??? hahah well he's a big kid, a little intimidating until you get to know him.... He's just a big Teddy Bear, I love him!!!! hahah

I did lose my wallet.... all the money was stolen, but I didn't pray to get the money back, I prayed that I would get my license and my temple recommend.  One of the Less actives in our area found it buried under the dirt, took it and gave it to me.  What I think happen was it was taken on the bus, then thrown out the window after the money was taken out... but I have it!!! XD 

One thing that I would like if you can find it, a book of object lessons I can use to teach gospel doctrine. Thank you so much for getting stuff for my companion and Elder Hunter! 

The lump on my foot is just a callous that is painful from sitting cross legged.... It's HUGE hahahahah

anyway the journal entry for this week is Last Thursday:

"Today was an amazing day!!! Woke up went on a great run, came back did a leg set, then I sat down to write in my journal. I got distracted talking to Elder Jackson.  I talked to him about things to remember as he goes out to Tabiteuea. The things I told him were keeping an open heart, be teachable, remember to stay on the playing field, keep your mind focused, don't tell any when when you get thoughts when he gets brown fever. (Keeping his heart locked.)  He was very thankful, and the spirit was definitely present as we spoke.  

When we were done, we went and did our service with Nei Mwaiango.  We did cleaning around her house.  We joked with a bunch of little kids that Elder Jackson was so strong he could lift up a car! XD  They thought it was so funny.  When we were done cleaning, we got fed orange cake, and a really great tasting soup with half cooked fish.  When we got back to the house we showered in the last bit of our rain water and did our studies.  It was so great! The studies were super spiritual and very productive.  We went out today and we just had so much fun, joking around and working hard.  We tracted a lot of houses and found several potentials that were very interested in hearing the gospel!  

One gentleman was very against letting us in and hearing from us, but we told him that all we wanted to do was listen. He explained his religion to us and by the end of the lesson he told us that we could be friends and stop by any time to talk and we even got him to agree to let us do service for his family. As we walked away we thanked him for his faith and willingness to share his beliefs with us. When we were finished explaining this to him, his entire countenance changed. Very cool experience for sure

When we went to confirm to dinner we almost got drawn into a bootaki, which would have been a huge dent on our schedule!!! but I got us out of it!!!  We taught some amazing people to day even though a lot of our normal plans fell through, I know that god watches out for us and has our backs.

A little later we get a call from the APs telling us to meet at the house to where I met my new kid!!!!! I met him with a new tie and a huge hug! Except I couldn't quite get my arms around him!!! hahah He is a big kid!!! I love him!  He really wants to do good, and is very willing to work our  lesson fell through and I gave him the opportunity to choose some houses to tract and each one had someone very prepared or  a less active very cool experience. 

Elder Sagapolu had an amazing time as we were walking to dinner, we say this guy strumming a  guitar singing in English.  So beautiful, we sang How firm a foundation to him and he explained how god gave him talents and how he was going to use them to praise him and thank him for everything.  I started bearing my testimony to him and he just started strumming his guitar and what I was saying just kind of starting sounding poetic, so beautiful.  The spirit was very strong and it was a cool experience.  Dinner was amazing Elder Sagapolu had the best first dinner possible. Mai chips bread fruit soup, sweet fruit leather made out of a local fruit, bbq fish, chicken. It was so tasty.  As we were waiting for the food I played with the kids pretending to shoot them and they thought it was so funny so we started shooting each other with pretend finger guns and "dying" so funny!  some of those kids were pretty good actors!! hahah.  AMAZING DAY!!!

Love you mom,

Love your son,

Elder Johnson

Hanging out with the AP's

Looks Like Elder Hunter got a hold of Jeff's camera again! 

Letters to dad were all about college, Jeff is starting to get a bit worried about coming back to normal life!