Hello Family and Friends,
I agree with you guys that the weeks just go by so fast. I barely blink an eye and its Monday again. I feel like I am running an up hill race and just some how serving. The coolest part though is when I lay in bed at night and review all that I have done in the day and in my mission; I am happy. I love being out here feeling every possible emotion and learning how to be happy in the dark times as well as the good. I can't really explain it but now I understand just a little better why we have trials. Its through those trials that we can learn to turn and rely on our Savior, feel his love and support, and truly feel what true happiness is. Trials force us to grow and make big decisions that will forever affect our lives. We get to choose if we are going to blame God for the trials or if we are going to praise Him for them. As I have been working through some of my trials I have felt that support of my Savior through prayer and through those around me.
As a missionary I hear one phrase so often which is "How can a Loving Father in Heaven allow this to happen to me?" my reply to that is its because he is our loving Father that he allows us to fall. Please find a way to choose the right way on viewing our trials. Do not allow yourself to become angry with God. I have seen how this will affect you life. If you allow those negative thoughts into your heart, I can promise you it will never bring you true and lasting happiness. Turn to him, Trust in him, and through him you can over come all things.
The miracle of the week for me has to be working with Monique who has been excommunicated twice. She approached the elders about visiting with her and they tried but allowed her to slip through the cracks because they don't believe in her. They think its crazy that she has been excommunicated so many times. We met her through a member referral. When we first met she was extremely hard to talk to and I really wasn't sure if things were going to work out. However, now after working with her and her husband for the last 4 weeks I have changed my views completely. They are truly amazing, together they are attending the addiction recovery meeting, reading their scriptures, attending church, and begging for us to meet with them more often. (They aren't in our boundaries so they drive to meet us each week. And we find a ride to attend church with them in another town each week) Her husband Dustin has a baptism date for February 22 and is doing all that he can to prepare himself for that date. Monique is now actively meeting with her bishop so that she too can be baptized someday. Talking to her on Sunday after her meeting with the bishop I was filled with so much peace. She looked at me with a big grin and said "I threw away all my illegal drugs this morning. I haven't been taking them since I have been meeting with you. So I thought why have that in my home." I just gave her the biggest hug and reassured her that she was doing the right thing. Its truly amazing that she did that one on her own because she was taking those drugs for her bad back pain. She decided she would rather follow and trust in God. So she just deals with the pain. I am so proud of her. They are also cutting down on their smoking. This week we are going to teach them the word of wisdom officially (they bring it up and we teach it but this week we are going to go over in depth and commit them to fully live the word of wisdom) I believe that they are ready and pray that they continue to progress like they have been. I feel like a proud parent watching them. Dustin also surprised me with the best news. He had been missing sacrament meeting and showing up for the last hours of church because he had work. But yesterday he talked to his boss so now he is no longer working on Sundays. :D YEAH!!!
I hope that all of you are doing well and are able to see the miracles that are happening all around you. Know that I love you and keep all of you in my prayers.
LOVE Always
Sister Johnson
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