The Dynamic Duo is Back

So I’ve been transferred and you’ll never guess who my new companion is…it’s Sister Kleisler again! Crazy! This is her last transfer on the mission and then she’ll go back home. The first time I saw Sister Kleisler was my first full day in Texas a year ago. A bunch of missionaries were on a bus driving to Austin and Sister Kleisler and her companion at the time sat in front of me. Sister Kleisler was talking and gabbing and talking like she normally does and then I remember her pointing to her companion who was about to go home and say, “And after I kill her off I’m going to— ”. ‘What in the world?’ I thought, ‘Who are these people? What is going on? Missionaries killing missionaries? What?’ I soon realized that she was using lingo to say that she, Sister Kleisler, would be her companion’s last companion before her companion, went home. Companion. I just wanted to see how many times I could use the word companion in one sentence, companion. Everyone says that a mission is like I mini life: you’re born leaving your old life behind, you fulfill your purpose, and then you die and go back home. So the first time I met sister Kleisler she was talking about how she was killing off her companion and now I will be the companion that kills her off. Haha. Yes, it’s a morbid analogy and I’m not sure why I perpetuate it. I guess I’ve just given up trying to fight missionary culture and instead embraced it.

So we’re up in North San Antonio in ward called Encino Park. On Thanksgiving we participated in the ward’s annual Turkey Trot to the Temple (the temple is real close to us…cool!). So we trotted to the temple and we were meeting a bunch of the ward members. Because we’re right by Fort Sam there’s a lot of military personnel in the area. Sister Kleisler mentioned that in our ward there were a lot of military doctors. Military doctors? I wonder if this is Gale and Theresa Skousen’s old ward. There are a ton of wards all over San Antonio so it was a slim chance, but I asked around and lo and behold this is the same ward that the Skousens were part of back however many years ago they lived here. Everyone that’s been here awhile remembers them and luckily for me the Skousens left a good impression so now they think I’m cool by nature of the fact that I know them. Blessings.

Here’s another cool connection. On Thanksgiving we were over at President and Sister Foote’s house for a Thanksgiving dinner (we actually had four Thanksgiving dinners which was awesome). So we were talking about how I knew the Skousens and then Sister Foote asked if I knew the family that was in a car accident on Thanksgiving years ago. Uh…yes, I replied, I’m the oldest daughter of that family. Come to find out she knew my mom in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Wiltbank and Peterson family were good friends in Fort Collins and two of the biggest families in the ward. Then they both moved to Texas. The Petersons moved to Bryan and the Wiltbanks to Beeville. What’s funny is that we realized that I had totally gone over and visited Sister Foote’s parents when I lived in Bryan 10 years ago. I didn’t remember the name Peterson, but I definitely remembered the names Lola and Delvar. So Jody Peterson Foote has a lot of connections with my family.

Here’s one more random connection. Brother and Sister Riding in this ward know Jill and Tracey Bellistan (I can’t spell it correctly but I can spell in phonetically). Jill was my young women’s president back in Lindon. Apparently they’re good friends.

It’s a small world, and the Mormon world is even smaller.

So the ‘Dynamic Duo’ is back! (That’s what the AP’s call us). It’s neat being Sister Kleisler’s companion again because we can just jump right in without having to go through the awkward first-week-as-companions thing. We teach really well together so it’s fun to be in lessons and just easily transition back and forth.

Oh, I forgot! I’m living with members again. Nancy and Jeff Smith are empty nesters for the time being so we’re living with them. They are awesome. Unfortunately for us their son is getting home from his mission soon which means we can no longer live here. So we’ll be moving out in January. Speaking of where I live, here’s my new address:

2210 Encino Cliff
San Antonio, TX 78259

Well, I love you all! Have a great day!
sj

just another roller coaster week

James got baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! He got baptized on November 22 which is cool for me because that date has not always evoked the happiest memories. It’s a sad day for me because of what I lost, but now it can be a happy too because it will remind me of the rebirth that comes with binding yourself to Christ through baptism. He almost didn’t get baptized though. Of course the adversary had to have one last stab at James. We had an appointment with James the night before the baptism. He called us on his way home from Austin. He told us that he wasn’t going to make the appointment because they were going to be late getting back. Why? Because they were having to stop the car every ten minutes to let James run out and …how can I say this delicately…well, so he could be sick. Anyways, he had the worse flu bug ever. Fever, puking everything thing. Was he still going to get baptized? Well…he still wanted to. He didn’t want to postpone it and said he’d be fine. The next day ward told us to postpone the baptism because he was sick and we were starting to come to the same conclusion…however, we are missionaries and we know that postponing a baptism is usually a very, very bad idea except for extreme circumstances…I don’t have enough time to explain why, but just trust me. Well, we left it up to James and there was nothing stopping him. So we filled up the font, set up the chairs, printed out the programs, and then waited because during the middle of church James had to go home and sleep. And we waited….everyone was asking us what we were waiting for…oh, just James, the person getting baptized. We called him and he kept saying he had to grab random stuff. What was taking him so long? It was only 45 minutes…but that is a long time in that situation. Anyways, no one really cared because Pleasanton ward is awesome and the people just relish life as they live it and aren’t bothered by sudden changes in plan. Well, finally James came in. Everything was ready to go, everyone was there…except for one person. Charles Bray…James’ best friend and a recent convert himself who had since gone less active. The whole time we taught James he told us how he knew Charles would come to his baptism because he would know how important it was for him. Oh sad day. He started to step into the font when suddenly the door opened and in walked Charles!!!! Everyone gasped and smiled to see him since he hadn’t been to church for quite awhile. Sister Dodge and I were ecstatic. So James got baptized. It was quick and simple…nothing fancy or huge because ordinances are just a gate. Baptisms are not my favorite part of the mission…they are way too stressful. My favorite part as being a missionary is visiting my recent converts after baptism and seeing their testimonies grow and watching them come closer to Christ. Best experience ever.

And guess what! Anna-marie is getting baptized. We taught her last week and invited her to be baptized. She was hesitant so we talked awhile longer with her and then we asked her again…and she said yes! As soon as she did the entire room filled with the Spirit. It was cool…and of course she started crying and it was great. She told her mom and her bother back in Dallas after our appointment. Her brother was so excited about it as she read parts of the Book of Mormon to him over the phone. He asked if he could have a Book of Mormon too. So we sent the Dallas missionaries over to him and they talked to Anna-marie’s whole family and her brother for sure is now getting baptized and the rest of her family wants to learn more. Oh wow, oh wow. Sister Dodge and I are so glad we stopped to talk to her the time we did a month ago. It made the hundred billion times we talked to people who were not ready totally worth it.

So things in Pleasanton are going really well…the sad part is…I’m getting transferred…tomorrow. Sigh. I’m totally sad. I am going to miss Anna Hopp (my October recent convert sooooooooo much!) She is learning so much and she’s coming back to church now because she is finally healed enough from her surgery to come back. I am going to miss James and Anna-Marie. I’m going to miss Clarissa and Toby (other converts) and the Swaims, Partridges, and Mitchells. I know going to a new place will be good, but I was not prepared for how much I would have to say good bye on my mission. It’s awful. But I’ll hold tight because the Lord has never led me astray and I’m starting to trust that more and more.

farewell pleasanton

sj

visualize whirled peas

People keep asking us about our political views so I’ve decided that in this letter I will give it to you. This applies to all nations, cultures, and ethnicities regardless of time and space.

If you are worried that your social and economical and political stability is about to come crashing down follow these steps:

1. Examine and evaluate your own personal righteousness. Are you keeping God’s commandments? If not, repent. Do you know what God’s commandments are? If not, find out. Before you start judging others take a deep look within yourself.

2. Declare God’s commandments to those around you and lovingly encourage repentance.

3.Read Daily (Scriptures and accurate reports on current events)

4. Pray Frequently

5. Participate Regularly

6. Stand Firmly…but learn constantly

7. Ask yourself honestly, “Are my actions motivated by love for God and His children?”

That’s it. If your society is falling apart this is how you can save it. How do I know that? Because I have been studying a book that describes the rise and fall of civilizations and I have concluded from my studies that if you keep God’s commandments you will prosper in the land and if you don’t keep His commandments then society falls apart…Not necessarily because God is inflicting punishment, but because the natural consequence for breaking God’s commandments is destruction! He didn’t randomly pick a certain way of life and choose it to be His commandment and then attach a magical spell to it and those who live that lifestyle are magically happier and more successful than those who don’t. He knows what choices will naturally lead to the most happiness and those are the choices in which He commands us to make…but it’s still our choice. Choose you this day…

Well, shoot my chickens…my times almost up. Missionary work was soooooo awesome this week. Two people: James and Anna-marie. James is the son of a member. He has been around the church for 10 years, but never wanted to be a part of it. He was a teenager and wasn’t interested. But then he hears that the sister missionaries were going to teach one of his best friends who happens to be a less active member. So he randomly showed up for the appointment and this time it really hit him. He was ready to change…and three weeks later he’s decided to be baptized. Awesome!!!!

Anna-marie: we saw her walking down the street and felt a strong impression to go and talk to her, but because of where she was at it was really hard and awkward to go up and talk to her…but awkwardness defines our daily lives so we talked to her anyways…and guess what…she wanted to talk to us. She went to the relief society talent auction on tuedsay, had a lesson at the swaims on Thursday, and went to church with us on Sunday. After Pleasanton ward Sister Dodge and I got this crazy idea to bring Anna-Marie and James up to the singles ward (an hour drive away!) And even though they had already had 3 hours of church they totally came with us for 3 more hours!!! It was awesome. The singles branch was so excited to see two new investigators. It was awesome!

I love you all,
sj

crying-time's over

When Pleasanton started paving roads there were some trees that the people just couldn't bear to part with, so they build the roads around the trees. So as we drive through town there will often be huge oak trees growing strait up in the middle of the road. It's pretty cool. I'll send a picture home.

We started up New member lessons on Wednesday nights cause activity on Sunday increased when fellowshipping occured on wednesday nights as a result of the class.

A member gave us "Dramatized Church History." It's like a radio show that depicts church history. It was made back in the 50s or 60s. It's very interesting actually, but also extremely hilarious. The cheesy jokes and the fake laughing...it's almost too much for me to take. One of my favorite moments is when Lucy Mack Smith says goodbye to her husband and her son, Don Carlos, who were leaving on missions. As they rode off she cried and moaned a bit and lamented about being a woman in the gospel and after about 15 seconds she suddenly chippers up and cheerfully says, "Well, crying-time's over. Back to shelling peas!" Hahaha! oh my goodness, I almost died laughing. Well, sometimes that's what we have to do: pull up our boot straps and go back to shelling peas. So that's my motto this next week.

This week missionary was good next week will be better.

love,
sister johnson

we're not the only ones having a bad day

Once upon a time about four months ago Sister Johnson and Sister Kleisler were saying a prayer when Sister Johnson spotted a mouse darting across the room and in an instant the sisters were on the couch. The next day there were four mouse traps around the apartment, but the mouse was untraceable. We put cheese and peanut butter on the traps, but nothing. Not even a teeny nibble. Sister Kleisler began wondering if Sister Johnson was seeing things. Then Sister Johnson was in the kitchen one morning and she saw the mouse again dart across the kitchen floor and she was suddenly on the stove squealing. A few days later Sister Johnson walked into the kitchen and spotted the grey little devil again! But Sister Kleisler thought it was a little suspicious that Sister Johnson was the only one having these mouse sightings and she began commenting to Sister Johnson that the mouse sightings might more appropriately termed mouse visions. “I promise I saw a mouse!” Sister Johnson would cry, but she herself began wondering if she was in fact losing her mind. Then Sister Dodge came. The second day the sisters were together Sister Johnson saw the mouse again scamper across the kitchen floor. “Why am I the only one who sees this fury friend?” She wondered. Sigh. Well, then a few weeks later Sister Dodge was hungry and all day long she craved for nothing but “Cup-O-Noodles.” At last the sisters were home. Sister Dodge reached for the long awaited cup o noodles only to find a huge hole chewed out of it. “Ha! I’m not crazy!” Sister Johnson exclaimed. But the mouse didn’t show himself after that…until a few weeks later. During comp study the sisters stopped when they heard “Crunch-crunch-crunch.” It was unmistakable. Something was in our pantry chewing away our box of food…or chewing away at the food in the box, rather. He kept chewing and we were way too scared to remove the box of food so we took out our traps and set them with peanut butter and shoved them back by the end of the box. Then we shut the door and waited…but not for long. We were too grossed out that we cut comp study short and shot out the door. When we returned home…nothing. Not a nibble or scratch. The next day we checked again and you’ll never believe it. The peanut butter on one of the traps was completely gone! And the trap was still set! What kind of mouse is this?! Well, yesterday was a bad day. We had 6 people set to come to church and not a single one showed up. We had 3 baptismal dates set in the morning and by the afternoon they had all fallen through. It was awful. (I went back into first person without realizing it…whoops) Anyways, I was moaning and groaning and just feeling sorry for myself. I opened the pantry door and as I was looking for something to eat I began to monologue about the woes of missionary work when suddenly I looked down…..*HIGH PITCHED GASP!* I slammed the door and ran for the couch. “What?!” Sister Dodge exclaimed. “We’re not the only ones having a bad day!” Yes, that’s right. The mouse was unsuccessful in his attempt to acquire the peanut butter on the second trap. So we took a picture and needless to say, that photograph will soon find its way into Sister Kleisler’s mailbox.

As for the rest of the week…We were running out of miles so we dusted off the apartment bikes and rode around P-town on our sweet rides. Mine is a bike for a 13-year-old and sister Dodge rode a boy bike which doesn’t really make a difference unless you wear a skirt while you ride a bike. Who does that? Sister Missionaries! I think we are the only ones currently on the planet who participate in skirt bike riding. I won’t go any further into that aspect of a sister’s mission. Anyways, according to Sister Dodge, we got cat-called at twice. I didn’t notice because I was suffering from too much exercising. Later that night during district call our District Leader asked, “Why would any one cat-call at you guys? You’re like nuns!” ….Thanks Elder Finlayson. Later that night we went over to the Swaims (some members) and Sister Swaim asked, “We’re ya’ll riding bikes today?” She told us that her non-member sister-in-law called and asked, “Do your missionaries ride bikes?” Sister Swaim said she didn’t think so, “Rachelle, There are two girls riding bikes around Pleasanton in skirts! The have helmets and everything!” So the entire town of Pleasanton saw us. Partly because we had to ride through the High School football game to get to an appointment and everyone in town goes to the football games. And let me clarify…we didn’t ride through the football field…that would have been ridiculous.

We also had zone conference this week!!!! I love Zone Conference. The days leading up to the conference always make me feel like I’m crawling through a desert in search of water. “Just a few more days. Blah. I can make it…..” I love zone conference cause you get to see other missionaries, you get a lot of upliftment from the talks, and you get good food. This transfer we had a member of the seventy come visit, Elder Snow. He emphasized having faith enough to repent (aka change, become better). We often think of repentance as taking the bad and making the good. But it is also taking the good and making it better. He told us our job was not to increase the membership of the church, but our job was to help others come to Christ (which would increase our membership cause baptism is one of the greatest ways to come to Christ, but baptism is not the end…Christ is the end and the beginning and everything in between). He asked us to raise our hands if we were perfect and none of us did obviously, but then he read Moroni 10:32. He said that in God’s eyes, if we are continually having faith unto repentance and if we have been baptized, then we are perfect in Christ. I thought that was pretty neat. I forget that Christ’s atonement can be applied before entrance into the celestial kingdom. We are perfect today as long as we are living the four principles of the gospel: having faith in Christ (and therefore in ourselves and others), repenting (doing our best), and then reyling on our baptismal convenant and on the power of the holy Ghost.

I love the things I’m learning. It was a bad day yesterday, but it was also a good day. I love you all.

Love
Sister JOhnson