This week I traded my Sister Kleisler for a Sister Dodge. Sister Dodge is from Blaine (nest to Bellingham). She's got an awesome voice so companionship study in the morning is pretty fun cause we sing a lot. It stinks cause I have a cough right now and I'm pretty sure I'll have it the entire time I'm in Pleasanton since I have had it the entire time I've been here so I can't sing through a song without having to cough in the middle, but it just adds character to our performance. Sister Dodge graduated from Western Washington University in Audiology and Speech Pathology. She's very prim and proper, but then a ton of fun. She is completely different than Sister Kleisler which is funny cause Sister Dodge was Sister Kleisler's companion once. They have a lot of funny stories from when they were together. Sister Dodge is a really hard worker and very obedient, but we have sooooooo much fun. Sometimes as we are laughing we'll stop and say, "We're having way too much fun. What are we doing wrong?" But we are realizing that it is possible to have fun and work hard at the same time. Good times.
Rebecca went to church yesterday. I was worried sick at first because it was going to be fast and testimony meeting and in Pleasanton these meetings sometimes end up being more comical than spiritual. When we told the brethern in PEC we had someone coming to church they were very worried too. But in the end we were just faithless, because the testimony meeting yesterday ended up being so awesome!!! It was the perfect combination of real people with real quirks combined with heartfelt/unrehearsed declarations of belief that penetrated Rebecca's heart in just the way she needed. All three meetings were like that. They definitely weren't super flashy or entertaining meetings, but the Spirit was present and she felt it. It was so cool.
It's weird that I'm half way done with my mission. I'm not sure what to think of it yet...
Love you all!
sister johnson
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
We got the plates!
Transfers: I’m staying sister Kleisler’s leaving. We knew she was, but we’re still pretty sad about it.
Our mission was told about 2 years ago to double baptisms. At the time we were averaging about 50 baptisms a month. So our new goal was 100. For the last two years we haven’t hit that goal. One time they got 98 baptisms, but that wasn’t our goal. Well, the Lord worked miracles in August and I mean miracles. Sunday night we got a text from President, “We got the plates! 105 :) Well done Elders and Sisters! I knew we could do it. We need to all give a prayer of thanks tonight. We love you.” Later the next day we got another text “Alma 26:16 Have a great day! Love, President Cutler.” He’s so happy-and so are we. By the end of yesterday we had 108 baptisms. It’s been so cool. Sister Kleisler and I, of course, only contributed prayers instead of baptisms this month :)
At the beginning of the month our zone leaders told us that our zone goal was 18 baptisms. We thought they were crazy because normally we hit about 8-10 baptisms. But when they told us the goal we felt the Spirit confirm in our hearts that it was the Lord’s will to have that as our goal. Really, the Spirit washed over us, I’ve never felt the spirit that strong when making a goal. So right then we knew it was going to be a good month. Sunday night Sister Kleisler said, “I don’t think we made our goal. President would have told us by now.” I started thinking she was right, but then suddenly I was filled with the same Spirit as when we first set our zone goal at the beginning of the month, and a little while later we found out that we indeed had reached our goal. I don’t know why the Spirit was so strong in confirming the reality of this goal to me especially since I did little to achieve it besides praying for and encouraging others. It’s cool not because we hit a high number, but because a prophet of the Lord asked us to double baptisms, a task that seemed impossible without resorting to unethical behavior which would defeat the end goal: eternal life for everyone. Month after month we fell short. The last two or three zone conferences President told us that some missionaries said the goal wasn’t realistic and that we needed to set a more realistic goal. He kindly replied that until the Prophet gave him word, the goal would remain the same. He told us the story about Nephi and his brothers getting the plates. They failed and failed and then a way was prepared for them to accomplish the goal that the Lord had given them. So we got our brass plates. A way was prepared for us. A way was always prepared, but we had to have the diligence to keep trying. This month he whispered where to find those who were ready and then poured out His Spirit upon them so they could begin growing their testimony. The best part about this goal is that 108 people’s lives were blessed. I hate to sound like a number counter, but I guarantee that the 50 extra people we found in August aren’t complaining, because our goal helped them enter the gate and begin the greatest journey of their existence. Yeehaw.
It has been a great week. I went to the temple last Tuesday. I love going to the temple. It just feels so good. I don’t really know what to say other than it’s awesome! And then afterwards, the Swaims (member couple who drove us to the temple) took us to dinner at a fancy seafood restaurant for their anniversary dinner….yeah… I’m not sure how we pulled that one, but I got stuffed crab which was AMAZING!
We got 3 new investigators this week. One of them we met knocking. Her name is Brandy and she’s looking for a church for her kids. We met the other one in Poteet (quaint little name; dumpy little town-but nice people). We went to see a potential just because we had nothing else to do. It was a woman that we met at the park, but neither I nor Sister Kleisler could remember meeting her. We found the address and knocked and Jessica answered. Our potential wasn’t home, but Jessica said we could teach her. So we taught the restoration, the Spirit was strong which means that she was connecting with what we taught. Sister Kleisler and I are awesome teachers when we teach together…I know it sounds conceited, but it’s true. However, being an awesome teaching team is useless unless the Spirit is there. I can’t tell you how many beautifully crafted lessons we’ve had that are good for nothing in the end because the Spirit isn’t there. Usually the Spirit comes when we are personally worthy for it to be there and when our investigator is ready to understand and accept the message. She was locked onto to what we were saying even during my recitation of the first vision which was accompanied by her 5 year old daughter’s laughing and yelling. The Spirit needs a quiet place, but sometimes he makes exceptions for mothers of loud little kids when those mothers need to feel the Spirit. So we’re excited about her. Then we had a lesson with the Swaim’s friends. Margarita worked with Brother Swaim and she brought her parents who only speak Spanish. They were over for dinner. We asked if we could share a thought and they consented, and sister Kleisler felt like we needed to teach the restoration. She told them she would teach in Spanish and I would teach in English and Margarita would translate for me. We’ve taught like that before and it worked really well. Sister Kleisler began and she spoke beautifully. Her Spanish is alright, but she’s struggled with it her whole mission, but for this lesson she was given the gift of tongues…and then it was my turn. I don’t know very much Spanish, but I can understand quite a bit of churchy stuff. So I knew when she looked at me it was my turn to teach about the apostasy. I opened my mouth and I couldn’t speak. “Ummmm….uh…” Sister Kleisler whispered, “The church fell.” “Ummmm….the church fell. Uh…. Then…” I mentioned earlier that we were a really great teaching team; normally we transitioned between one another flawless so both Sister Kleisler and I were dumbfounded when I couldn’t talk. I looked back at her and we both knew in that moment that I was not supposed to help teach the lesson. So she started teaching in Spanish again and she felt the Spirit guide her words. She felt like she was supposed to direct her teaching entirely to the parents so it felt like the rest of us were just observers. Her Spanish was awesome, and we both knew that this lesson was according to the Lord’s will. Then she asked, “Quierre leer el libro de Mormon?” Without hesitation or thought the mother answered, “No.” Ouch! Sister Kleisler was crushed. Those lessons hurt. We get rejected all the time, but when you feel the Spirit and know it’s for the person you are teaching, rejection is heartbreaking. Oh well. We both left knowing that we did all we could, we followed the promptings, and no effort is wasted. The friends of the Swaims were touched that we shared with them even though they didn’t accept right then. I’ve never felt the Spirit shut my mouth before...it was interesting. Now I feel like I can relate to the lions in Daniel’s den.
Later that night we were knocking and Sister Kleisler spotted some guys playing electric guitar. We talk to everyone we see so we went and talked to them. We sat out in their front yard and talked about our beliefs. Luz was the one we talked to the most. Apparently he used to play basketball with the elders about 10 years ago. He told us all about his beliefs and we listened while drinking the water that he and his friends had provided. He kept talking and talking and then a miracle. When he and his two friends were present (they kept getting up and walking away during our conversation) a perfect moment came and I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon. When I first started talking about it he said he wouldn’t read it, but by the end of the testimony he said he would take it and read it. Why? Because the Spirit was there. The Lord had shut my mouth earlier in the day and then a few hours later he opened it and His words came out. I love being a missionary!!!! Then Sister Kleisler told Luz that I could play the guitar so I turned it to acoustic and played the cowboy song and Sister Kleisler sang with me. It’s a Tim McGraw song, but I changed the last verse to make it about the Lord. Well, it was one of the best moments on my mission. I was sitting in a wooden rocking chair on a warm Texas summer evening surrounded by investigators (two) and I was playing the electric guitar and singing about God. Can life get any better than this? I submit that it can not! I love music because it brings such an incredible feeling. When we were done we all just smiled. “The Holy Spirit is present. That was anointed,” Luz said reverently. It was really cool.
One last thing. This week was Stake conference and it was so cool. Sister Kleisler and I and all the Pleasanton ward members sat together in the Stake center chapel. Only about 30 came, but I felt so united with them. I love Pleasanton!
I love you all too. Have a great day!
Sister Johnson
Our mission was told about 2 years ago to double baptisms. At the time we were averaging about 50 baptisms a month. So our new goal was 100. For the last two years we haven’t hit that goal. One time they got 98 baptisms, but that wasn’t our goal. Well, the Lord worked miracles in August and I mean miracles. Sunday night we got a text from President, “We got the plates! 105 :) Well done Elders and Sisters! I knew we could do it. We need to all give a prayer of thanks tonight. We love you.” Later the next day we got another text “Alma 26:16 Have a great day! Love, President Cutler.” He’s so happy-and so are we. By the end of yesterday we had 108 baptisms. It’s been so cool. Sister Kleisler and I, of course, only contributed prayers instead of baptisms this month :)
At the beginning of the month our zone leaders told us that our zone goal was 18 baptisms. We thought they were crazy because normally we hit about 8-10 baptisms. But when they told us the goal we felt the Spirit confirm in our hearts that it was the Lord’s will to have that as our goal. Really, the Spirit washed over us, I’ve never felt the spirit that strong when making a goal. So right then we knew it was going to be a good month. Sunday night Sister Kleisler said, “I don’t think we made our goal. President would have told us by now.” I started thinking she was right, but then suddenly I was filled with the same Spirit as when we first set our zone goal at the beginning of the month, and a little while later we found out that we indeed had reached our goal. I don’t know why the Spirit was so strong in confirming the reality of this goal to me especially since I did little to achieve it besides praying for and encouraging others. It’s cool not because we hit a high number, but because a prophet of the Lord asked us to double baptisms, a task that seemed impossible without resorting to unethical behavior which would defeat the end goal: eternal life for everyone. Month after month we fell short. The last two or three zone conferences President told us that some missionaries said the goal wasn’t realistic and that we needed to set a more realistic goal. He kindly replied that until the Prophet gave him word, the goal would remain the same. He told us the story about Nephi and his brothers getting the plates. They failed and failed and then a way was prepared for them to accomplish the goal that the Lord had given them. So we got our brass plates. A way was prepared for us. A way was always prepared, but we had to have the diligence to keep trying. This month he whispered where to find those who were ready and then poured out His Spirit upon them so they could begin growing their testimony. The best part about this goal is that 108 people’s lives were blessed. I hate to sound like a number counter, but I guarantee that the 50 extra people we found in August aren’t complaining, because our goal helped them enter the gate and begin the greatest journey of their existence. Yeehaw.
It has been a great week. I went to the temple last Tuesday. I love going to the temple. It just feels so good. I don’t really know what to say other than it’s awesome! And then afterwards, the Swaims (member couple who drove us to the temple) took us to dinner at a fancy seafood restaurant for their anniversary dinner….yeah… I’m not sure how we pulled that one, but I got stuffed crab which was AMAZING!
We got 3 new investigators this week. One of them we met knocking. Her name is Brandy and she’s looking for a church for her kids. We met the other one in Poteet (quaint little name; dumpy little town-but nice people). We went to see a potential just because we had nothing else to do. It was a woman that we met at the park, but neither I nor Sister Kleisler could remember meeting her. We found the address and knocked and Jessica answered. Our potential wasn’t home, but Jessica said we could teach her. So we taught the restoration, the Spirit was strong which means that she was connecting with what we taught. Sister Kleisler and I are awesome teachers when we teach together…I know it sounds conceited, but it’s true. However, being an awesome teaching team is useless unless the Spirit is there. I can’t tell you how many beautifully crafted lessons we’ve had that are good for nothing in the end because the Spirit isn’t there. Usually the Spirit comes when we are personally worthy for it to be there and when our investigator is ready to understand and accept the message. She was locked onto to what we were saying even during my recitation of the first vision which was accompanied by her 5 year old daughter’s laughing and yelling. The Spirit needs a quiet place, but sometimes he makes exceptions for mothers of loud little kids when those mothers need to feel the Spirit. So we’re excited about her. Then we had a lesson with the Swaim’s friends. Margarita worked with Brother Swaim and she brought her parents who only speak Spanish. They were over for dinner. We asked if we could share a thought and they consented, and sister Kleisler felt like we needed to teach the restoration. She told them she would teach in Spanish and I would teach in English and Margarita would translate for me. We’ve taught like that before and it worked really well. Sister Kleisler began and she spoke beautifully. Her Spanish is alright, but she’s struggled with it her whole mission, but for this lesson she was given the gift of tongues…and then it was my turn. I don’t know very much Spanish, but I can understand quite a bit of churchy stuff. So I knew when she looked at me it was my turn to teach about the apostasy. I opened my mouth and I couldn’t speak. “Ummmm….uh…” Sister Kleisler whispered, “The church fell.” “Ummmm….the church fell. Uh…. Then…” I mentioned earlier that we were a really great teaching team; normally we transitioned between one another flawless so both Sister Kleisler and I were dumbfounded when I couldn’t talk. I looked back at her and we both knew in that moment that I was not supposed to help teach the lesson. So she started teaching in Spanish again and she felt the Spirit guide her words. She felt like she was supposed to direct her teaching entirely to the parents so it felt like the rest of us were just observers. Her Spanish was awesome, and we both knew that this lesson was according to the Lord’s will. Then she asked, “Quierre leer el libro de Mormon?” Without hesitation or thought the mother answered, “No.” Ouch! Sister Kleisler was crushed. Those lessons hurt. We get rejected all the time, but when you feel the Spirit and know it’s for the person you are teaching, rejection is heartbreaking. Oh well. We both left knowing that we did all we could, we followed the promptings, and no effort is wasted. The friends of the Swaims were touched that we shared with them even though they didn’t accept right then. I’ve never felt the Spirit shut my mouth before...it was interesting. Now I feel like I can relate to the lions in Daniel’s den.
Later that night we were knocking and Sister Kleisler spotted some guys playing electric guitar. We talk to everyone we see so we went and talked to them. We sat out in their front yard and talked about our beliefs. Luz was the one we talked to the most. Apparently he used to play basketball with the elders about 10 years ago. He told us all about his beliefs and we listened while drinking the water that he and his friends had provided. He kept talking and talking and then a miracle. When he and his two friends were present (they kept getting up and walking away during our conversation) a perfect moment came and I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon. When I first started talking about it he said he wouldn’t read it, but by the end of the testimony he said he would take it and read it. Why? Because the Spirit was there. The Lord had shut my mouth earlier in the day and then a few hours later he opened it and His words came out. I love being a missionary!!!! Then Sister Kleisler told Luz that I could play the guitar so I turned it to acoustic and played the cowboy song and Sister Kleisler sang with me. It’s a Tim McGraw song, but I changed the last verse to make it about the Lord. Well, it was one of the best moments on my mission. I was sitting in a wooden rocking chair on a warm Texas summer evening surrounded by investigators (two) and I was playing the electric guitar and singing about God. Can life get any better than this? I submit that it can not! I love music because it brings such an incredible feeling. When we were done we all just smiled. “The Holy Spirit is present. That was anointed,” Luz said reverently. It was really cool.
One last thing. This week was Stake conference and it was so cool. Sister Kleisler and I and all the Pleasanton ward members sat together in the Stake center chapel. Only about 30 came, but I felt so united with them. I love Pleasanton!
I love you all too. Have a great day!
Sister Johnson
Monday, August 24, 2009
Last week we were knocking and I opened and walked through a gate in order to get to someone’s house. There was no “beware of dog” sign so I thought I was fine, but of course, once I was inside the yard I heard the jingling sound of a loose collar and I saw a black dog racing across the yard bearing the look of death. I screamed and ran back through the gate. Missionary work is dangerous. I could hear a conversation I had had with my dad years early. We were walking down the street and a friendly black dog came running up to lick me to and I flipped out. My dad asked, “I thought you liked dogs?” And I responded, “Not big, black ones!!!” So I guess I’ve never overcome that fear. Fortunately the dog I saw last week wasn’t the biggest black dog I’d ever seen. He was more like a medium black dog, but I don’t really like those either.
Then this week Sister Kleisler and I were knocking again and we walked up to someone’s house and under their big dodge truck was a big scary dog, unchained (because country folks are crazy), and ready to eat us. We slowly started backing away and then two more dogs ran up barking something terrible. There we were standing face to face with three missionary-eaters and all we could do was back up. We were trying to decide if we should run or just act casual. “Hey dogs, good to see ya, sorry we disturbed your nap, what fine fur you have, and what large teeth…” Needless to say, we made it back to our car in one piece which is lucky because our district leader got a pretty bad bite from a dog a few weeks ago.
I went on exchanges this week with Sister Dodge who was Sister Kleisler’s old companion. We had tons of fun. I went up to central San An which was nice. They share a ward with elders so we spent a lot of time with them. I love being with other missionaries! Sister Kleisler hardly ever get to see other missionaries which stinks. AS missionaries we are always a separate identity from everyone else. From the people we talk to everyday, to our investigators, even the members in our ward: we are just different. So it is so nice to be around missionaries who are the same…the same as people who aren’t different. Anyways, it was fun. We helped a member family move. One of the kids, an eight year old, was helping and by the time we got there he was dripping with sweat. The kids love the Elders so one of the missionaries started playing around with the eight year old and then jokingly asked pointing to a sweat bead, “Dude, what’s that?” The eight year old snapped back, “I HAVE SWEAT PROBLEMS, OKAY!!!!” I almost died laughing. It was hilarious. I don’t know what that kid’s medical history is like, but when you live in south Texas, everyone has sweat problems.
Yesterday was the best day this week. We didn’t have anyone at church. Bummer. But we did find a girl named, Alyssa. She had seen us before because everyone has seen us before. Because Pleasanton is so small I almost feel omnipresent. Anyways, we taught her and her friend the restoration. She liked it, her friend…not so much. But that was really cool for us. Then that night we taught Rebecca again (the science teacher). She’s so cool and we asked her about coming to church and she said she didn’t like to go to church because she always cried and it was embarrassing. “Hey! Our church is the perfect for people who cry a lot! Everyone cries.” We told her about the spirit and how sometimes you get overwhelmed by it and all you can do is cry and then she started to cry. It’s really sad that we were excited she cried. We don’t necessarily like it when people cry, but we do like it when they feel something as a result of the thing we teach. Booyah.
Thanks for your prayers and support. Have a great day!
~sister johnson
Then this week Sister Kleisler and I were knocking again and we walked up to someone’s house and under their big dodge truck was a big scary dog, unchained (because country folks are crazy), and ready to eat us. We slowly started backing away and then two more dogs ran up barking something terrible. There we were standing face to face with three missionary-eaters and all we could do was back up. We were trying to decide if we should run or just act casual. “Hey dogs, good to see ya, sorry we disturbed your nap, what fine fur you have, and what large teeth…” Needless to say, we made it back to our car in one piece which is lucky because our district leader got a pretty bad bite from a dog a few weeks ago.
I went on exchanges this week with Sister Dodge who was Sister Kleisler’s old companion. We had tons of fun. I went up to central San An which was nice. They share a ward with elders so we spent a lot of time with them. I love being with other missionaries! Sister Kleisler hardly ever get to see other missionaries which stinks. AS missionaries we are always a separate identity from everyone else. From the people we talk to everyday, to our investigators, even the members in our ward: we are just different. So it is so nice to be around missionaries who are the same…the same as people who aren’t different. Anyways, it was fun. We helped a member family move. One of the kids, an eight year old, was helping and by the time we got there he was dripping with sweat. The kids love the Elders so one of the missionaries started playing around with the eight year old and then jokingly asked pointing to a sweat bead, “Dude, what’s that?” The eight year old snapped back, “I HAVE SWEAT PROBLEMS, OKAY!!!!” I almost died laughing. It was hilarious. I don’t know what that kid’s medical history is like, but when you live in south Texas, everyone has sweat problems.
Yesterday was the best day this week. We didn’t have anyone at church. Bummer. But we did find a girl named, Alyssa. She had seen us before because everyone has seen us before. Because Pleasanton is so small I almost feel omnipresent. Anyways, we taught her and her friend the restoration. She liked it, her friend…not so much. But that was really cool for us. Then that night we taught Rebecca again (the science teacher). She’s so cool and we asked her about coming to church and she said she didn’t like to go to church because she always cried and it was embarrassing. “Hey! Our church is the perfect for people who cry a lot! Everyone cries.” We told her about the spirit and how sometimes you get overwhelmed by it and all you can do is cry and then she started to cry. It’s really sad that we were excited she cried. We don’t necessarily like it when people cry, but we do like it when they feel something as a result of the thing we teach. Booyah.
Thanks for your prayers and support. Have a great day!
~sister johnson
Friday, August 14, 2009
Mon, Aug 3, 2009
Have I told you about Fritz and Kline? I met them the first time we went running. I was running down the street thinking, “I love running! I love being a missionary! What a beautiful tree! La La La!” When suddenly from across the street I heard a rattling chain and Fritz comes tearing across his yard towards me: “Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff!” (Ruff’s are barked as eighth notes). Ahhh! I almost fell over. I stopped jogging and decided to walk very carefully while in sight of Fritz—But then suddenly I heard another rattling chain as Kline barreled right up to the chain link fence—the only thing standing in the way of me and the jaws of death: “Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff!” I started to do some breathing exercises and tried not to make eye contact with them as I passed by the fortress (a simple brick home on a two acre lot) that they guarded so well. So every morning we run past their home and keep running until the end of the street and then we turn around and run past the house of Fritz and Kline again. And every single stinking morning and every single stinking time we run in front of their house the same thing happens: the two German Shepherds come out to bark us out of their sight. You would think that after six weeks they’d lay off a bit, but no. Every morning they come running out with as much furry as they did the first day—they have a lot of pride for where they live and they know their duty. One day I was running back home with Sister Kleisler behind me. We had already been barked out of sight so I was waiting for round two. As I ran in front of their yard I saw Kline (alright. I actually don’t know which dog it was. And I don’t even know their real names, but I personally I believe Fritz and Kline should be their real names) licking and sniffing a cat. He was so distracted that he didn’t see me pass by. I thought it was hilarious and I almost called out, “Stop flirting with your girlfriend!” Of course I didn’t say that because I knew he would eat me. But he must have heard my thoughts because he all the sudden snapped out of lala land and came chasing after me. Ahhh! Gets me every time.
We ate over at the Scotts house this week. They are an older couple who have been in the ward forever and they know everything about everyone. While we were over there they had a sign on their wall that read: “When I die I want to be buried in the Wal-Mart parking lot so my wife will come and visit me every day.” Then they showed me another sign that they found. This sign was located underneath a handicapped parking sign. It read: “Stupidity is not considered to be a handicap. Park somewhere else!” Haha.
Then my favorite thing that happened this week was during testimony meeting. We had some investigators visiting so of course we were super paranoid about what is said during the church meetings. Someone in the ward went up and bore a beautiful testimony, and in the middle of it they testified of the importance of learning all different kinds of skills. “Who would have thought that learning how to belly dance could save someone’s life?” We heard “belly dance” and about fainted. Then the person recounted how one of their relatives was choking and they would have died if they had not been taught a belly dancing move that acted as a self Heimlich maneuver. So there you go. Belly dancing can save your life.
As far as missionary work goes, I don’t really know what to say. This has been one of the most memorable weeks of my entire mission. It was up then down then up then down. But we found a bunch of people to teach so it was all worth it!
Hope you have a great week! Talk to ya later!
Sister Johnson
Have I told you about Fritz and Kline? I met them the first time we went running. I was running down the street thinking, “I love running! I love being a missionary! What a beautiful tree! La La La!” When suddenly from across the street I heard a rattling chain and Fritz comes tearing across his yard towards me: “Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff!” (Ruff’s are barked as eighth notes). Ahhh! I almost fell over. I stopped jogging and decided to walk very carefully while in sight of Fritz—But then suddenly I heard another rattling chain as Kline barreled right up to the chain link fence—the only thing standing in the way of me and the jaws of death: “Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff!” I started to do some breathing exercises and tried not to make eye contact with them as I passed by the fortress (a simple brick home on a two acre lot) that they guarded so well. So every morning we run past their home and keep running until the end of the street and then we turn around and run past the house of Fritz and Kline again. And every single stinking morning and every single stinking time we run in front of their house the same thing happens: the two German Shepherds come out to bark us out of their sight. You would think that after six weeks they’d lay off a bit, but no. Every morning they come running out with as much furry as they did the first day—they have a lot of pride for where they live and they know their duty. One day I was running back home with Sister Kleisler behind me. We had already been barked out of sight so I was waiting for round two. As I ran in front of their yard I saw Kline (alright. I actually don’t know which dog it was. And I don’t even know their real names, but I personally I believe Fritz and Kline should be their real names) licking and sniffing a cat. He was so distracted that he didn’t see me pass by. I thought it was hilarious and I almost called out, “Stop flirting with your girlfriend!” Of course I didn’t say that because I knew he would eat me. But he must have heard my thoughts because he all the sudden snapped out of lala land and came chasing after me. Ahhh! Gets me every time.
We ate over at the Scotts house this week. They are an older couple who have been in the ward forever and they know everything about everyone. While we were over there they had a sign on their wall that read: “When I die I want to be buried in the Wal-Mart parking lot so my wife will come and visit me every day.” Then they showed me another sign that they found. This sign was located underneath a handicapped parking sign. It read: “Stupidity is not considered to be a handicap. Park somewhere else!” Haha.
Then my favorite thing that happened this week was during testimony meeting. We had some investigators visiting so of course we were super paranoid about what is said during the church meetings. Someone in the ward went up and bore a beautiful testimony, and in the middle of it they testified of the importance of learning all different kinds of skills. “Who would have thought that learning how to belly dance could save someone’s life?” We heard “belly dance” and about fainted. Then the person recounted how one of their relatives was choking and they would have died if they had not been taught a belly dancing move that acted as a self Heimlich maneuver. So there you go. Belly dancing can save your life.
As far as missionary work goes, I don’t really know what to say. This has been one of the most memorable weeks of my entire mission. It was up then down then up then down. But we found a bunch of people to teach so it was all worth it!
Hope you have a great week! Talk to ya later!
Sister Johnson
Mon, Aug 10, 2009
Well, I forgot my planner so I can’t really remember what happened this week. Oh yeah! Zone Conference!!! That was good. We had to do role plays with President which was TERRIFYING! Role plays in and of themselves are no fun, but with President…We knocked on President’s door ( the pulpit in the chapel) and he answered it. Our objective was to get into the house. Afterwards he told us that sister’s are good teachers, but we’re not very bold door approachers…surprise, surprise. This week we tried to apply what we learned. So we started knocking and at the first door (where someone actually came to the door) we basically said, “We’re missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’re sharing a message about Jesus Christ that brings a lot peace and happiness. Do you have time for us to come in (bad bad bad thing to ask, but don’t worry we recovered.” “Well, I’m leaving.” “This message is very important. Will you allow us to come into your home and share this message with you? It will take five minutes.” And then the miraculous happened…she said, “Alright” and then let us in. Okay, maybe that door approach seems lame to you and uncreative, but it works a ton better than us going on and on about what a prophet is and the history of the Book of Mormon. It’s weird how willing people are to let you into their home if you just ask. Sad it took me this long to learn that, but oh well.
Other things that happened this week…hmmmm…I got to see Sister Denison at Zone conference which was cool. She was transferred down to San Antonio. We played a song for President during our interviews. It’s a song all about Pleasanton and our inside jokes. Sister Kleisler came up with the ideas and I wrote the lyrics and played the guitar. She has a guitar so I get to play it. It’s fun.
I don’t have a whole lot to say this week so I guess I’ll sign off. Hope everyone is doing well. I love you all and I really appreciate all your support! Welcome Home Grandma and Grandpa Johnson (on Friday)!!!!
~Sister Johnson
Well, I forgot my planner so I can’t really remember what happened this week. Oh yeah! Zone Conference!!! That was good. We had to do role plays with President which was TERRIFYING! Role plays in and of themselves are no fun, but with President…We knocked on President’s door ( the pulpit in the chapel) and he answered it. Our objective was to get into the house. Afterwards he told us that sister’s are good teachers, but we’re not very bold door approachers…surprise, surprise. This week we tried to apply what we learned. So we started knocking and at the first door (where someone actually came to the door) we basically said, “We’re missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’re sharing a message about Jesus Christ that brings a lot peace and happiness. Do you have time for us to come in (bad bad bad thing to ask, but don’t worry we recovered.” “Well, I’m leaving.” “This message is very important. Will you allow us to come into your home and share this message with you? It will take five minutes.” And then the miraculous happened…she said, “Alright” and then let us in. Okay, maybe that door approach seems lame to you and uncreative, but it works a ton better than us going on and on about what a prophet is and the history of the Book of Mormon. It’s weird how willing people are to let you into their home if you just ask. Sad it took me this long to learn that, but oh well.
Other things that happened this week…hmmmm…I got to see Sister Denison at Zone conference which was cool. She was transferred down to San Antonio. We played a song for President during our interviews. It’s a song all about Pleasanton and our inside jokes. Sister Kleisler came up with the ideas and I wrote the lyrics and played the guitar. She has a guitar so I get to play it. It’s fun.
I don’t have a whole lot to say this week so I guess I’ll sign off. Hope everyone is doing well. I love you all and I really appreciate all your support! Welcome Home Grandma and Grandpa Johnson (on Friday)!!!!
~Sister Johnson
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