Sunday, January 31, 2016
Transfers! Miracles! and Truth!
Dear, Family
So sorry for not emailing last week we had transfers and the way they did it was weird they have stopped transfer meeting so we no longer meet and the Karawatha Chapel and get are new companion we just go straight to our new area. But I stayed her in Rocky but when Elder Gilbert left my new companion wasn't going to come until 4:30 pm. So what I did is I got premission from President Henderson to Drive across town by myself to be with the Davey Family until Elder Ma'unoa came we played board game heaps of fun but I want able to email. But the funniest part is that Emerald An area in are district Elder Derhak companion got transferred so Right as soon as I got my companion we had to drive four hours to get to Emerald just before 9:00 pm so that was fun when then spent the night there and in the morning did service for this lady for 2 hours who was moving units from one side of the complex to the other but the whole time we moved all we moved were Plants, pots, and dirt. This 87 year old lady had like a nursery for plants in her back yard was just crazy how many plants there were. Then We Traveled back to Rocky (4 Hours) then we worked with Elder Derhak for 5 days Trio Companionship. Super awkward when doing the work. But it was hard cause I don't know the area that well it's huge! so we did lots of driving. But this week we set 2 baptismal dates on with John Hots who has been investigating the church for 8 years. And he went from $30 dollars a day smoker to Cold Turkey! All because of the Grace of Christ and because of the strengthen he received he was able to finally understand the process of faith. So his date if for the 5th of March. Lina is the other date and she is 15 years old and has been coming to church for a long time but her parents weren't letting her get baptized until now so we have been teaching her and we set a date for her on the 27th of February. But we also have been teaching an investigator his name is Simon and we have had 2 very powerful lessons with him where the spirit has testified to him of our message. We had set a baptismal invitation with him and he was really excited to come to church. Even later that day he texted us that he really enjoyed the lesson. But when Sunday came before the Sacrament he texted and said that he no longer felt comfortable with what we had shared and told us he didn't want anything to do with us. Broke my heart to know that someone who has received a witness of truth and to denied it. I hate Anti Mormon Literature Because of the Falsehoods that it spreads it's Destructive power when read by those who are beginning to grow in faith. The Words of Moroni are true When he told Joseph that God had a work for him to do and that his name should be had for good and evil among all nations, Kindred's , and tongues, and that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. The words are true which Moroni spoke. many will spread these falsehoods, lies, and Miss understanding about the Prophet Joseph Smith. and many will clam that he was a wicked man, a false prophet, Deceiver, Attention hogged zealot. But I know that he is a Prophet of God and that he was called to do a work. His name is know for good and evil. But I know that his name is good and that he is good. We can see by the Fruits which are now present with in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and The Book Of Mormon. I know that this work is true!
Love,
Elder Sterling Jaden Johnson
P.s if you are wondering I lost my Badge like 3 weeks ago that way I don't have one waiting for the mission to send me the ones I ordered in October! They are coming by snail mail.
So sorry for not emailing last week we had transfers and the way they did it was weird they have stopped transfer meeting so we no longer meet and the Karawatha Chapel and get are new companion we just go straight to our new area. But I stayed her in Rocky but when Elder Gilbert left my new companion wasn't going to come until 4:30 pm. So what I did is I got premission from President Henderson to Drive across town by myself to be with the Davey Family until Elder Ma'unoa came we played board game heaps of fun but I want able to email. But the funniest part is that Emerald An area in are district Elder Derhak companion got transferred so Right as soon as I got my companion we had to drive four hours to get to Emerald just before 9:00 pm so that was fun when then spent the night there and in the morning did service for this lady for 2 hours who was moving units from one side of the complex to the other but the whole time we moved all we moved were Plants, pots, and dirt. This 87 year old lady had like a nursery for plants in her back yard was just crazy how many plants there were. Then We Traveled back to Rocky (4 Hours) then we worked with Elder Derhak for 5 days Trio Companionship. Super awkward when doing the work. But it was hard cause I don't know the area that well it's huge! so we did lots of driving. But this week we set 2 baptismal dates on with John Hots who has been investigating the church for 8 years. And he went from $30 dollars a day smoker to Cold Turkey! All because of the Grace of Christ and because of the strengthen he received he was able to finally understand the process of faith. So his date if for the 5th of March. Lina is the other date and she is 15 years old and has been coming to church for a long time but her parents weren't letting her get baptized until now so we have been teaching her and we set a date for her on the 27th of February. But we also have been teaching an investigator his name is Simon and we have had 2 very powerful lessons with him where the spirit has testified to him of our message. We had set a baptismal invitation with him and he was really excited to come to church. Even later that day he texted us that he really enjoyed the lesson. But when Sunday came before the Sacrament he texted and said that he no longer felt comfortable with what we had shared and told us he didn't want anything to do with us. Broke my heart to know that someone who has received a witness of truth and to denied it. I hate Anti Mormon Literature Because of the Falsehoods that it spreads it's Destructive power when read by those who are beginning to grow in faith. The Words of Moroni are true When he told Joseph that God had a work for him to do and that his name should be had for good and evil among all nations, Kindred's , and tongues, and that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. The words are true which Moroni spoke. many will spread these falsehoods, lies, and Miss understanding about the Prophet Joseph Smith. and many will clam that he was a wicked man, a false prophet, Deceiver, Attention hogged zealot. But I know that he is a Prophet of God and that he was called to do a work. His name is know for good and evil. But I know that his name is good and that he is good. We can see by the Fruits which are now present with in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and The Book Of Mormon. I know that this work is true!
Love,
Elder Sterling Jaden Johnson
P.s if you are wondering I lost my Badge like 3 weeks ago that way I don't have one waiting for the mission to send me the ones I ordered in October! They are coming by snail mail.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
I'm Still Alive!
Dear, Family
Well as you can tell I'm emailing you another week so I'm not dead so don't worry:D Well this week not much just a normal week just pushing and enduring the Heat it will be a bit warmer this week yippy. Thanks for the Sunscreen for Christmas I use it like 3 times a day My neck face and arms would be black if I didn't have it. This week We have some leads with investigators their are 2 non members that come to church one is Lina who awesome and she went to FSY and we spoke with her and she want so be taught and be baptized which is really good, but were not too sure what her parents think. I know in the past they didn't what her to be baptized but from what we have heard they are going to let her chose. There is also a guy who name is Mathaus who has been coming to church for the last couple of years and we asked if we could begin to teach him. His parent aren't super supportive of his religious decisions but he's 18th birthday is soon. So that is a great blessing to see they both have really intent to learn and grow in the gospel. So slowly getting there with our teaching pool. I wish there was more that happened this week but not much apart for normal missionary work. We did have a lesson with one of the members brothers his names Kevin and his wife and they know the bible inside and out and we won a 3 hour discussion The Spirit was Present so that was good but, they aren't interested in changing anytime soon. Sad to see that happen but hopefully in the future they will experience a change of heart. Well I love you all and Remember that it's through the Grace of Jesus Christ that we are brought through our trails,afflictions, and Pains I love you all! have a good week
Love,
Elder S. Johnson
Sunday, January 10, 2016
To be like a child
Dear, Family
Well I don't really know what to say not to much has happened this week. Prince our investigator is going back to school earlier then we thought so that was upsetting but he will meet up with missionaries down in Brisbane. Then when he comes up for vacation he will be baptized with his family and friends. Scary thought because the adversary does work hard to stop people from coming closer to Jesus Christ. But we have tried to see a lot of our investigators it's hard because a lot are either really hard to meet up with or don't progress. I gave a Talk in church yesterday about the Purpose and Blessing of the Book of Mormon I felt so bad though I just lost track of time and I went over 8 minutes my talk was suppose to be a 12 minute talk. I felt bad because I caused brother Crane to give like a 10 min talk. But it was good had a member come up to me after and said you will be a bishop one day. Scared me!!! We have a mission tour soon and They usually don't fly the northern missionaries down for it they just do a Skype thing. But this year they have decided to fly all the missionaries from the North down for it.Yeah!!!!!! So happy. This morning for studies I was reading in Alma 46 and in verse 9 it say's "Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men." I was just pondering this and it's so true the influence of Evil is everywhere it doesn't have to be person but just that influence has such a powerful effect up our soul, and It can cause our soul to become unclean and unworthy of the influence of the Holy Ghost. And if we let sin or mistake hold us back they can cause our destruction. But in and through the power of the Atonement we can come clean of these sins, transgressions, and mistakes. That are influenced by the Evil and wicked influence of the world. What we all need is to become more like Children! Submissive, Humble, Wise, and Full of Love, and Happy as children are. Listen to the talk "To Be Like A Child" by Brad Wilcox It's funny and super powerful! And will help you to know what you can do to become more Christ like and how you can resist temptation that may influence you greatly. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.
Love,
Elder S. Johnson
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Dear, Family
Wow, That Baptism that I mentioned happened I can't believe that it actually happened it was so rushed. But It was wonderful and such a great day for Kiisharnah - Leigh Hinarai Waerea Kireka (Convert) and Tane Montoya Povey and Amelia Royalene Emere Watene (Child of Record) But was a great spiritual experience it was great to see a baptism feels like it's been a long time. But we also had a miracle at the baptism Taela and Prince (Part member family) her son were at the baptism. Prince really enjoyed it but he didn't tell us much more but just yesterday we met with him and his mom and we taught the Plan of Salvation. Toward to the end, We asked if he would be willing to work towards baptism and he said he wanted to get baptized before he goes down to Brisbane for School (He plays Rugby so he got a scholarship for a private school) So Hopefully we are able to get him ready in time because he either leaves the 15th or the 19th so his baptism will either be this Saturday or on the 16th. Ahaha but such a wonderful blessing and Miracle. Found a wonderful scripture that I like a lot. The lord is with us just learning to follow the spirit and follow that counsel is what will give us great protection and help us to through our trials. I love you all have a wonderful week!
Be strong and of a goodcourage
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