Still in Grovetown!!

Oh man, this week was a blast! Way Better than last week.

My Companion, Elder Blain, tried to do the Gallon Challenge. It's when you drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour and you can't puke. He drank it all down to literally, just one cup of milk left, and then he spewed everywhere x) It was Disgusting!!

Knocking on doors almost every day. it's getting really old really fast. it's not productive. It's very discouraging. Ugh. Cause no one is interested or they say, "Sure, come back tomorrow at 2." and when we come, they aren't home. 

also, people will be like "No, not right now." So politely I ask "Is there a better time we can come back" and they say "No, not right now." I just wanna yell, "I DIDN'T SAY RIGHT NOW, I ASKED FOR A BETTER TIME." Or, they yell through the blinds before we can say Hi, "NO THANKS"

Anyways...

Elder Shelton, an elder who lives with me, asked me if I have ADHD cause we were in a car ride and I could not sit still to save my life. he made me think that i had ADHD. lol It was so flipping weird.

A family in our ward fed all of us the other night and i felt right at home. They're all weird and random. I said in my head "Holy crap. It's my family" LOL :D but one of the guys there served a mission in Calgary so it was awesome talking about Canada!! Talking about Timbits and Snow. I loved it!! and of course they all wanted me to talk in my 'canadian accent' so I did. and they all died laughing XD

So I'm gonna start talking in my 'canadian accent' all the time so people don't know what I'm talking aboot. ;)

Mike and Allonah are two of our investigators who are getting baptized on February 15th! I was feeling iffy if they were gonna stick to it for some reason, but this last lesson we had with them on Friday, they were talking about how they're talking to their parents about it and all their friends!! :) So I'm feeling really good about it now! :)

Kaylee, an 11 year old who we teach, just committed to baptism on February 22 also!! So This next month is looking really good! :) I'm so excited for it!!

There's a guy in the ward who owns a part of little ceasers and owns all the stores in the general area, so we get free whatever we want from there always :)) pizza, cheese bread, pop. everything. free :)

This man we knocked into this last week, we ended up talking to him for like an hour and we taught him one lesson, but he wasn't fully understanding it. But he took us on a tour of his whole house and shared his life story. and he looked at me and said.. "Wow, you truly have the smile of God on your face" :)

I think that's all I have for now!! :) Until next week!! I LOVE YOU ALL!! <3

xoxo.
Elder Johnson

He titled it week Three?? but its really week 2!

Oh my word. I'm gonna hate knock knock jokes. All I'm doing is knocking on doors!! It's exhausting. Hahaha, and no one wants to listen to us cause "They've already been saved" UGH. What a pain. A lot of Baptists and Catholics more than anything.  It's hard to stay optimistic sometimes. But I just have to try. "No effort is wasted"

We knocked on doors and literally after 30 seconds, we'd see a car pull into the drive way! DANG! Guess they're not ready for us. Phoo-ey. 

Also, a companionship is also a trial of faith, I'll tell you that! Flippin heck. I've almost socked him in the face like 5 times in the past 2 days. I'm not exaggerating. He's 20 months out. So he's ready to leave. I'm ready to have him leave too. Hahaha. He just has no respect. and it's either his way or no way. Unless it's something he doesn't want the blame for, then he makes me choose. Oh well, only 9 more weeks with him! yay! :D :l Oh well, it makes me stronger in a way I guess. Haha.

I've eaten more Mexican food here than I have in my life, and if you know me, you know I HATE Mexican food. Oh my gosh. AND SALADS D: UGH! All these beans and Tacos and salads. I'm tired of it xD Mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, salads, everything.  I just want some beef swimming in gravy already!!

And I've started learning Guitar from a missionary I live with! He teaches me a little bit each night :) So that's fun :)

Brother Riley, a member in my ward, fed us the other night. he also showed us his gun collection. OH MY GOSH. I've only seen more guns in one place at the gun store! It was ridiculous!! I just wanted to go around and kill things! too bad we can't :((

This whole "Making choices when I'm shopping" thing is hard! Oh my gosh! I'm almost broke already! I didn't even realize. So when the opportunity is there, FEED THE MISSIONARIES! They need it :)

We're supposed to get a new set of missionaries in our area, which is stupid cause there's barely enough work here for 2 sets. UGH. And It's gonna be sisters so they're gonna steal the car, which means I have to save up money for a bike or do my best to bum one off of the Mission President. lol

On Pday (Monday) we play football, and yesterday, I got the first TD then I started playing Lineman xD I got a couple sacks, but my body is broken now! I was playing so hard! LOL and of course the 2 biggest people in the ward are the Oline when I'm rushing! So I felt super tiny. But I put them on their backs and they looked so shocked Haha :D But my groin, hamstrings, and back are all screwed up now D: It. Sucks.

All in all, i'm doing pretty good :) If you want to send me stuff, send me pictures, and send me food xD Lol :) I'm serious. 

Be safe all of you, and love everyone as much as you can :)

Love always, Elder Johnson :) xoxoxoxo

Jacob 3:1 

But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.

First week In Georgia!

SO! I'm in Georgia now!! I've written a couple of you already. Idk if you've gotten it yet :/ But I'm having so much fun! It's really hard though! Geez. I've been knocking a lot already and hearing the deadbolts lock just makes me laugh now. Lol :D Some people are so rude about everything. All I can really think is "Wow, just trying to save your soul. But whatever. :)" Hahah. But hey, in their own time they'll find out.

I've been teaching a bit and it's actually way harder than I even thought. I freeze up and don't know what to say. BUT!!! 2 of my investigators have committed to be baptized on February 15th!! I really hope it works out :) Most people down here are really nice. I love the weather so far. There was a tornado warning and we had to stay inside for like 4 hours. What a drag. We sat there and watched Bible videos. Haha :) it rains a LOT down here :) It was like 60 degrees and i was melting from the humidity. Ugh. that's the bad part about all of this. :/ It's so hot almost always. 

The plane ride over here was so much fun!! IT's the first time I remember riding on an airplane. :)) The landing made me feel a bit sick though. haha. That wasn't as fun. 

We played football with some members today and it was So flipping tiring!! My legs are like jello now. But I did get a bunch of catches and a TD ;) hahah it was a blast :) 

That's all I've really done. Just knocking on doors. 

The food is actually pretty good too!! MMMM :)  

*he's still learning to include details in his emails! lol  he is serving in Grovetown Georgia, just across the highway from Fort Gordon, which, I believe, is where our friends son and family lives! so he has a watchful eye over him!*

The best surprise!

Jake left the MTC on January 6th. Which meant we got a phone call from the airport! I was sooo excited! Never have I gone two weeks without talking to any of my three kids that I brought into this world! So these last few weeks have been super hard on me.  The only problem was, in his last email, he said he was "headed to Georgia at 4 am!" . that was it, no other information. No other details.  *sigh*  was he leaving the MTC at 4 am, was that when his flight left?  I knew nothing!  So I set my alarm for 1 am, I could NOT miss his phone call, and I have slept through others calling me when I am as tired as I have been lately, no way was I missing this!

About 3 am PST, I started to get a little worried, hadn't heard anything, and I flopped on our bed, Todd rolls over and asks what's wrong and I start to whine.. "he's not going to call, he won't get there on time, he's gonna call Aubree, TODDDDDDDDD  he HASSSSSS to call meeeeeeeeee!"

Todd is really good about calming my nerves and just letting me vent/whine.  So, bless his heart he got up and came out to the living room with me to wait.  Didn't really help though.

FINALLY, as I am getting ready to leave for work at 5:15 am, my cell phone rings,,

You seriously would've thought a bomb went off the way I jumped.  I grab my phone and yell at todd, shut up,, shhhhhhhh *he wasn't saying anything* lol  And I answer the phone this way.......

"HELLO, HELLO!,  JAKE, JACOB, ARE YOU THERE? OMGOSH HOW ARE YOU? HELLO?"

pause..............................

I hear chuckling in the phone  "Hi mummy!!!  are you ok??"

In part of our conversation I mentioned to him that I had sent him his camera that he got for Christmas last year, I managed to figure out how to get it working again, and could he send back the camera he took with him please.  he pauses and says "mummy, how do I do that?"
me: put it in a padded envelope and mail it bud
him: what's a padded envelope?  SERIOUSLY? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THIS BOY WILL LAST TWO YEARS WITH OUT ME?  he was saying all the elders in the MTC were up at 2 am packing, all of them were saying they wished their mom's were there to pack for them because they didnt have a clue what they were doing!  OIY!!!!

*Happy sigh*  he called! he really loves me!  *I'm a really pathetic mother!*  We got to talk to him for 22 minutes!  WHAT BLISS! what complete awesomeness!!  The hardest thing was hanging up and  knowing that I now have to wait 5 months to hear his sweet voice again! *insert tears here*

Yesterday I was able to go to St George and spend time with our oldest, Kenzie, and then spend the afternoon/evening with my bestie and exchange Christmas gifts with her.   Every year we try to give each other the best gift ever,,, and every year we both get stressed out about it, then suddenly it hits us as to what to give the other!

This year, our dear son went behind me back and talked to Jen about making me something special from him,,

here is what he came up with:

first my gift from my bestie,,,,

 AWESOMENESS at it's best!!!
You would think!!!  and then this.........

Reading a hand written note from Jake....

  Realizing what is happening....

a rear view window charm for my car with my boy on it, and his mission and Missionary Mum

Took this off and added it to my heart that I got from Jake and Todd for Christmas

Seriously!!!  I have the best family and friends!!!! I  can't wait to email him and tell him I got it!! I absolutely love it and will treasure it forever!!!!  Thanks Elder Johnson and Jen!! You guys rock!

My Biblical Story,,, written by an Elder in Jake's district

This is way cool,, I love reading it over and over, ,,, for those of you who know our family really well,,, see if you can interpret it into 'english' and figure out the places or people he is talking about...

A tale of a man named Johnson and his journeyings from his lands into other lands and his accounts of his trails and blessings. and this is a true account and it is written in the ways of our ancestors. It is written in the year 2014.

Now there was a man in the age of his youth, he being a man of small countenance but boystrous attitude. He lived in a place far northward, in an area with cold winds and vast plains. He did live with his family in the land of his people, and they were delightsome people. And they did give freely of their pastries to all who inquired. And did act kind with one another, but they did teach their people strange superstitions that they should fear, yea, that they should even uphoar the darkness. And this they did and did teach their children likewise.

Now there was a time when the man and his family were sore afraid of the darkness, that they did flee from the land. They did pack their belongings and provisions and did set out for land southward. And on their journeying thither they did reach the border of their land. And they were in the mindset to never return to this land. So their father did convince the guard of the border of their land that they were going to receive the things of their inheritance. (He being a man from the land southward) And when he hath received his inheritance that they would return hither. Since the people were a trusting and gentle people one with another, he did send them on their way. And thus he and his family did flee from the land of their nativity.

Now during their journeying they did come upon the desert in a place South-westward. The land was filled with high rocky mountains across the plains. But there was a place which was dry and sunny, and seeing that the sun did beat down and cover the land with it's brightness they did terry there for a time and season. There was a place in the desert that was most prosperous and the place was bountiful and did consist of many righteous people. It's city was named after a Saint and had the Lord's temple residing there. So they did prosper there for a time.

And it came to pass that the darkness did follow them to this land and did torment them in the night. So they did lift their feet and flee in great swiftness. A mighty dust cloud did come about because of their haste. For great was their haste, so mighty was the dust cloud.

And they did see a city which was far southward and it's cities name was Vague-Us. For the sins and the iniquities of the city were unclear but known to us. And the darkness did not follow them for the city was surrounded by lights of great brightness and did light up in the day and in the night. And seeing that the light did protect them from this darkness in both night and day. They resided in this city and made it their rest bit from now and this time forth.

And the man did grow in this land he still being a young man but reached the age of maturity when the people did go about to learn the ways of the land in a place of learning. and He did go on an expidition that was a similitude to his past ancestors and there, he and members of his faith (which was the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ) and while on his journeying, he did meet a wondrous maiden. Who was a strong example unto the others and unto him. And the fair and beautiful woman did encourage and strengthen all those around her. And the man was strengthened both physically and spiritually, and all this she did in humility before the Lord, and the Lord did bless her.

And a time and a season did pass away and the man did grow (in spirit but not in size) and he was a mighty man in spirit and was living his life in God's standards, even in the city of great iniquity.

By this time, many days did pass away since he last saw the woman of stunning countenance who had helped him on his expedition. So feeling that he should seek her out, he set forth to find her. Now at this time, the woman was being tempted and tormented with the advances of the adversary. and was harrowed up in her sadness from this affliction.

The man whose name was, at this time, Jacob found the woman and seeing that her countenance was sorrowful did straightway and with haste go assist her in her trials and tribulations.

He did his best to help lift her burden and tarried with her till the trial had passed. Now because of this, the damsels mind was at set at ease and she was strengthened by the kindness and support of Jacob. They did celebrate in their happiness. And they did praise God for their joy. For he knew the prompting to visit her was of the Lord. After a time they did depart in peace, in both body and spirit.

Now the adversary was very wroth in this and put burdens on their shoulders and also many deceiving teachings which were taught round about in the land were taught unto them. To try and make them fall from their righteous paths. Now they were troubled but not discouraged. So they did seek each other out once again. And when they were in each others company their troubles were forgotten and their joys were increased. So they did take it upon themselves that they should tarry with each other in their way places and in their house of learning and started courting one with another. and they did tarry in the land and grow in both mind and spirit.

Now the man Jacob was a happy man and did live his life righteously and did grow and become a man of small stature and round body. Now he did delight in this for he knew that his short and plump body was given him from his Father and Through his prosperous life. For he knew that he was given his body from his Heavenly Father and did his best to boast of his body and how it was designed. And this he did wherever he went.

There was a time appointed when the young men and women of this generation reached a certain age that they were to decide the direction they wished there lives to take. And Jacob wished to be a healer and learn the arts required. So that he could assist the people around him and bring joy to their sorrows. So he did set himself on this path and did make provisions and plans to do so.

and it came to pass that he was on this path to become a physician . He was inspired that he should step off this path for a time and prepare himself to walk the path of a holy man. And he did ponder on this thought and did feel in his heart that this was the right path to take. For he understood that this inspiration was given him by God. and that He wanted him to heal the peoples hearts before he healed their bodies. And he told his family of this desire and they did rejoice, for they knew also. For they knew he was a righteous man and would do the Lord's work with diligence and strength.

So he prepared himself and made it known unto the people. And it came to pass that he did send a message unto the Prophet. and this message did contain a history of his health and also the recommendations from his Bishop, and any concerns he may have had. Then it came to pass that this message was answered and the Prophet did call him to a place far eastward, close to the sea eastward. and that he should come to a place northward of the land he was residing in to be better trained to feel and teach with the Spirit.

And Jacob was joyful in this and did make preparations to head to this place and he did meet with the Priest who had authority over him and he was set apart. After he was set apart, he was no longer known as Jacob. But was called thenceforth Johnson, and Johnson did go to the land northward and the place was called Provo. He said his goodbyes and departed from his family to begin his mission in the Lord's service.

And Johnson did meet a group of his peers who received the same calling and a calling to a land Northward of his residing land. and they were from far lands, close lands and lands across the sea. They were kindred in spirit and did joy in each others company. They knew not of each other before hand and only knew of each other for three weeks of time.(As time as we so measured it) But they were brothers and sisters and did tell of each other their burdens and blessings and great joys they had for their Redeemer and became close with each other. For this they did, and did so also, while learning more of the Spirit of the Lord.

Now I am a man from this group of people and am known as Schiers. and Had been asked by Johnson to write of his journeyings so it can be remembered by him and those who read it and this I am writing and make an end hereof.

Saturday P day??!!! WHAT??!?!?!?!?!

I was at work yesterday and my phone kept dinging to me that I was getting emails,, I didn't think anything of it. I get a lot of emails from coupon places offering me this or that..  so I just ignored it until I was able to take a break and go through them,,,, when I finally got a few minutes and sat down I had THREE emails from Jake!! WHAT?!?!?!?!?!  I call Todd and tell him, (very sad that I have missed "chatting with Jake" via email) and it dawns on Todd that because Jake flies out on Monday, he gets saturday for a p-day,,,, Here is his email....

Dang!! I leave for Georgia on Monday!! (when I would normally email but I leave at 4 am so I have time now) I am SOOOO excited!! This past week especially has been very uplifting and inspiring :)

I've had this "investigator" for the past 2 weeks and it's been very difficult. He's a strong baptist and not to open. But LONG STORY SHORT...... We have him committed to get baptized in 2 weeks!! It was just a roleplay with our teacher, but we're the first companionship to get a baptismal date!! So I got super happy about that :)

And from Monday, we started teaching this girl named Kya. She's straight from Russia. She's Russian Orthodox and very VERY closed minded.. The very first lesson, we read the first paragraph of the Intro of the Book of Mormon and she yells "this is blasphemy!" My companion and I froze up. We had NO idea what to say. Hahaha. She thought it was fictional and blasphemy. Well yesterday was our last day teaching her and we left her a Book of Mormon to read. She actually started to seem interested in it. So that's good :)

Flipping heck. I had to get 3 shots!! I wanted to say no but they are 'required'. Pfft. Bull crap. I don't want little doses of diseases that could potentially kill me floating around in my body. I'm not about that life. I'm not okay with that...!

I ran into Breanne Parker! She's my cousins sister! (hard to explain) but it was really awesome! weird I couldn't hug her. haha, but she's going to Australia!! :) I'm so proud of her!! The Spirit is SO strong here.

I've been apart of about 4 or 5 blessings!! It's crazy how much trust and faith we have in one another. I'm really gonna miss all the Elders and Sisters in my district :(

Send me pictures that I can fit in my photo album! just a regular sized photo :) I want to fill it up by the time i'm done :)

I love you all so much and miss you like CRAZY!!

Love tons, Elder Johnson. xoxoxo

3rd Nephi 27: 7-10"Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it shall be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call upon whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it"

I  love getting his emails.... I love how excited he is to get out in the field!!!