Family Easter Celebration

Thought you might like to see the pictures from our annual family Easter Celebration. This year our annual family Easter Celebration was held on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the home of Brenda and Brian.  We are in the process of covering our patio which made it quite "hazardous" to hold any kind party in our backyard.

 Not wanting to leave the adults out of getting candy for Easter, we provided  bowls of chocolate candy bars.  Brenda added the "Adult Candy" sign.   

 Keylena and Brooklyn

Barbara's smiling face in the background, Keylena, Aryn, Jordan and Brooklyn

 Jared Johnston

Britney's back,  Aeden Porter

 Haylee Wallgren

 The house next door to Brenda's is vacant which made a nice hiding place for the eggs.

Keylena, Brooklyn, Jordan, Aryn, Afton, Cami (a little girl that lives behind me).

 Afton Porter

 Brooklyn Snow

 Jordan Snow & Aryn Porter

 Mike Elliot & Eric Porter made homemade soda for our luncheon.  It was rather good.

 Michele & Haylee Wallgren

 Ari Porter

 Brenda Snow & Haylee Wallgren

 Layne Porter

 Jordan, Kyle, Stirling, Rebecca

 Layne Porter & Shawn Soelberg

 Food....Glorious Food!!!

 

Aeden, Allison, Afton, Brian & Ari

 Allison Carpenter

  

 The Crowd

 Waiting in line for food.

Jeff, Katie, & Daniel Howarth (neighbors that live behind me), Shawn, Rebecca, Nichole, Brenda & Dallin

 Giant Bubbles were a big hit.

 

 Austin Snow holding his new little cousin Jetton Dayne Christensen

 

Brian Porter with his friend Daniel Howarth

   Homemade "liquid Chalk". 

 Instead of the Holi Powder we have used for our Easter Celebration, this year I made a homemade "liquid chalk" for the kids to throw or spray on the other kids. They really liked it and best of all....it was easy to clean up afterwards!!!

 Stirling and Afton

 Amry, Afton, Stirling, Aeden & Jordan with their squirt guns full of the "liquid chalk"

 Good shot, Amry!! 

 Kyle  trying to decide if he likes being shot at by Afton

In case you are wondering what is on Stirling's face....Nichole & Shawn had just come from another Easter Party where they did face painting. 

 As you can see, the liquid chalk worked!

 

 Stirling & Kyle shooting each other.

 In this picture Kyle actually turned his little squirt gun on me and covered me in liquid chalk.  He thought that was pretty funny.

 Dallin taking aim at someone.  Jordan & Donnell

 Brenda, Brian, Jean (see the liquid chalk splatter), Rebecca & Brandon

Letter from Sister Tiffany Johnson, April 7, 2014

Conference Weekend:
 This weekend while listening to conference I felt one story hit home. It was Elder Bednars talk and he shared an experience of a friend getting stuck in his truck. Well when he started sharing the
story I did all that I could not to laugh. Because well Friday I got stuck in a mud puddle.  So my comp and I were driving home from an appointment and it was 8:30pm we were in the middle of no where and on a really muddy dirt road with tons of pot holes. I didn't want to get stuck when we came up to a puddle so I thought let's go around. I barely got through half the puddle and then I couldn't move. I ended up getting stuck it was awful there was no one around and it was so dark. So I thought let's get out of the car and see the mess I am in. But when I opened the door I couldn't even step out with out getting wet, then I looked back and there were 4 pit bulls growling at us. Now feeling a little scared I thought we should say a prayer. Afterwards, I felt okay drop my pride and call the Spanish elders for help. The elders laughed and laughed but rushed to our aide. Right after we hung up the phone a cute Hispanic guy rolls up in a cute bug and says in broken English you need help. We exclaimed yes. So he said he would go home and get his truck. So he flipped a U'ie and went back. I thought o just make it look easy driving in this puddle when we are in the nicer car completely stuck. But the elders came and laughed at us and took pictures until our Spanish friend returned. It was so
embarrassing he brought his entire family of 10 people to rescue us. But after pushing and getting everyone muddy we were saved. So how was my prayer answered well. Right after the satan looking dogs took off and a man came to our rescue. It was perfect that we called the Spanish elders because they were able to translate for us and help us get out of the hole. In a funny way it was a miracle. But it was so embarrassing. However, when we got out of the car safe from the mud I ran to the cute family and gave them all hugs well the girls and shook the guys hands. I felt like we should talk to them about what we do and invite them to meet with us. But it was dark and late so the family was trying to go home. So I asked to take a group photo. They quickly left after that and we weren't able to get any contact information from them.
     The rest of the night I felt awful. I just wanted to thank them and I knew the best way was to share with them the gospel. I hated that I hesitated and missed my chance. That night I prayed for forgiveness and for an opportunity to see that family again. The next day we were talking with the elders investigator who is a sweet Hispanic in her teens. I thought hum I should show her the pictures
and see if she can help me in my search. I showed her and she laughed saying yep that's my good friend Brenda. We looked her up on Facebook and now we are friends on line. It was a miracle. I am so thankful to be a Facebook missionary. It gives us so many opportunities to meet people and keep up with the changing world. We are able to fill our investigators pages with up lifting messages. I have truly enjoyed being a missionary through the internet. And there is talk of us testing more things out in the future so it's pretty exciting.
    What I learned from this crazy experience is that I want and need to share the gospel with everyone I come in contact with I can not wait. They could be the person The Lord has been preparing. I want to help them receive this restored truth. I am no longer afraid of rejection. It happens but it's not the worst thing that can happen. Honestly the feeling of not opening your mouth and sharing what you
know to be true is worse. I hate that guilty feeling. My goal is be complexly open and ready for everyone around me.
     Conference was such a spiritual experience. I loved all the talks and wished everyone I have been working with watched them. The spirit was so strong that I can never deny it. I love that we are able
to listen to modern day revelation from a prophet of god. Each time I see him the spirit testifies to me that the things he says are true what God is wanting to say to us. Three of my investigators watch
conference and all of them loved it. Glenn even quoted it to us and said he needs to make some changes. He said priesthood session called him to repentance about being selfish and not keeping God as his priority. I can't wait to see how he makes these changes in his life.
   Now I want you to do something for me. Just like we make it a priority to study the scriptures daily, please remember that this includes the modern day scriptures as well. Study and feast off of the
words that were shared this weekend. I know that the things that were shared were the things we need now to get us through the trials of this life. It's proof of how much god loves us today!
    One last miracle there is an older man named Zack that just moved into the ward I think I mentioned him last time. Well I taught him once in Yuba and thought I would never see him again. But yesterday we were talking in the hall and someone was talking to him about paying tithing. He then smiled and said Sister Johnson taught me this and then proceed to quote me by saying after he had said sorry I don't think I can afford to pay tithing. He said quoting me "honestly Zack, you can't afford not too. God has blessed you with all that he has. He is willing to give you the 90 and only asks for 10. It's a small amount to show your thanks and then he can bless you with so much more.
Satan though wants you to focus on the 10 not the larger number of 90." I was completely taken back. I told him that 4 months ago. I couldn't even remember what I taught him. But he than looked at me and said I never got to thank you for what you taught me. I have paid my tithing since that day and I have seen the blessing of that. I now know I can not afford not to. I just felt do blessed and need to hear that someone had listened and applied what I taught. And really not what I taught but what the spirit taught through me. I know I didn't say that to him. But I appreciated the thanks. I have been struggling through the week because some of the people I was teaching in my last area have reached out to me saying they are falling away and things they feel. So it was nice to see a success. I needed that and I am grateful to know the spirit touched him.

     Love you all so much.
       Sister Johnson

Funny story with conference. While sitting at church in the chapel watching conference one of the elders came up and asked me to come outside. There is a drunk lady that wants to be saved. They said we think out of everyone that you would be able to talk to her. So I went out said a few things to her. She got super excited and decided she would like to listen to the prophets with me. So she came in sat down and started calling out amen ect. I explained reverence and she sweetly said ok and stopped then she fell asleep. She then got up and asked if she should go home. I said yes go home and sleep off the alcohol. I got her contact information and invited her to come to the Sunday sessions. She said yes and took off. Sunday she surprised us all by showing up. She said that she was sober and would like to sit with me. I scooted over and talked to her about what was being talked about. After one talk she looked at me and said o no I am having the shakes from not having alcohol and I think that guy over there is going to kill me I should go home. I gave her a hug and said yes go sleep it off we will call you in the morning. Haha she was super crazy and all over the place but it kept things interesting at conference for the total of two talks that she watched. I'll let you know if something
comes of it.

Letter From Sister Tiffany Johnson March 31, 2014

     Sometimes we get spiritual impressions or promptings and you wonder why? That is the tricky thing about the spirit, most of the time you don't know the why. You begin to question them whether it was the spirit or just yourself. So it becomes a test of faith in a way. Are you going to follow the spiritual promptings you receive or not. Well this week I believe I was tested in that way. I received an impression to learn how to say "I am a missionary from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." Before I had just been learning funny sayings. But I felt I should know how to say this phrase. First I questioned whether it was a prompting by the spirit or just myself. Than I figured well the why must be because I run into so many Spanish speakers every day. But I thought there is no point in learning the one sentence because than they think that I can speak Spanish and I can't. But the feeling didn't go away so I asked the Spanish elders to teach me the phrase and force me to practice saying it. 

    I mastered saying it Tuesday, when Thursday rolled around I still had not used my phrase and thought yep I guess I just learned this for fun. I was on exchanges now and an appointment we had fell through. So we went tracking through the trailer park. After the third trailer we came up to a trailer that had a little 3 year old Hispanic girl outside of it playing in the dirt. I called out to her by saying " Hi" she didn't respond so I tried again "Hi, how are you?" She didn't even move or look at me. It was really odd. But than I felt the feeling to speak Spanish to her. Feeling a little sheepish I called out "Hola, Como estas?" She looked up and said "Bien Gracias" I than felt like I should say my new learned phrase. "Soy una missionara de la iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias". The girl smiled and I felt like I should than ask "Hablo English?" She smiled again and said "Si". Speaking now in English we asked her if we could talk to her mom. Excited she ran inside and told her mom to come and talk to us. The mothers listened to us as we briefly bore our testimonies of the restoration. She said she would like for us to come back and teach her more. It felt amazing to be able to feel the spirit so strong and be proud that I had followed the promptings I had received. 

    The hardest part though is we went for our return appointment with this family and they didn't answer the door. When we had originally visited with her we brought a young women from the ward with us. She was impressed by our spiritual experience. She asked about the return appointment and was sad to hear the out come. Looking at this young girl, I thought man this makes our spiritual experience look bad because it doesn't seem to have the best outcome. However, I was quickly reminded that that isn't true. This was a spiritual experience because I was asked to do something and I did it. The lady we spoke to felt the spirit and had her agency to choose for herself what she was to do. My companion and I will be blessed for following the spirit even though it didn't turn out the way we would have hoped. But I know we planted a seed in that young ladies heart, we also showed our Father in Heaven that we are willing to follow what ever promptings we receive. Now he knows he can trust us and give us more spiritual promptings.  I have learned to enjoy not knowing the why behind the feelings I get. It motivates me to continue working hard and doing my best. The work we do is unpredictable and because of that I know that it is Gods work. I just get to be apart of it and for that I am so grateful. 

    Don't worry we plan on visit this lady again. I am a bit stubborn and don't give up on people that easily. 

     In our area we have some pretty amazing people that we are teaching. One is named Glenn. He is such a sweet man in his 60's. Sadly he was told by the doctors that he only has about 1-6 months to live. He found out about the church through a friend and has been investigating for about 5 months now. He loves that families are forever since his daughter was killed while in high school. Teaching him is always fun and the spirit is always present. However, before he wouldn't commit to be baptized because he wants his wife to join. She refuses and wants nothing to do with the church. So almost every week Glenn hobbles into church by himself. He is such an example to me of the importance of coming to church even though you don't feel good.  This week while in a  lesson with him I felt the spirit prompt me to read a scripture with him.  Mosiah 18:9-10 which ask the question "What have you against being baptized in the name of the lord". He looked at me and said "Start warming the water up" He committed to be baptized but he is not ready to set a date yet because he want his wife to be there and to support him. So please keep Glenn in your prayers that his wife will allow us to come and talk to her so that she will commit to attend his baptism.  

    On a extremely positive note we have a baptism on the 13th of April. Maxine is getting baptized. She is so excited that while in Mexico she said I didn't give her enough homework that she ended up reading the entire Gospel Principles book. She is so cute and I just love spending time with her teaching her about the gospel. She already wants a calling and is willing to do what ever she can to serve the ward and follow the prophet. She was supposed to miss the women's broadcast because she was in Mexico but she felt after our conversion that it was important to be there so she ended her vacation early and forced her husband to take her home. She is simply incredible and has such a strong testimony of this gospel. I can't wait to see what is in store for her in the future. 

   I love servicing in this area it literally reminds me of home. It is filled with small town gossip and drama. Which honestly just makes me laugh. Lately we have been having tornado warnings which is really freaking people out. But none have touched down in our area just in local towns. Don't worry we are safe.

    Love Always

             Sister Johnson

  I forgot to mention this exciting news. (If you remember Jon the guy I met and taught on the plane this story is about him and an update on him) 

 I met this guy on the plane on my way to California. He was big and super intimidating. I didn't want to talk about the gospel with him for fear of public rejection and then I was stuck on a small plane with him for a few hours. But my missionary purpose kept flashing threw my head and I knew what I had to do. I had to open my mouth. So we started by talking about teaching he used to teach. Than it progressed to what I was doing on the plane. So I told him I was a missionary and what we do. He than looked at me and said ok then what would you teach me. Completely freaked out I prayed for the answer and I told him the plan of salvation. I would talk to him about his purpose on this earth etc. He took a breath and said well what made you say that. I was honest and said the spirit. He proceeded to explain that he had major depression and was bipolar. He went on to say he had plans on taking his life. He even went on to say how he was going to do it. I luckily had to deal with that often in vantage point. So we began to talk openly on how God has a plan for us and how we should not take that into our own hands. He was impressed and said he will keep fighting for his daughters. He also told me that the was going to stay and take care of his sick aunts for a few months. She happens to be lds. So I talked to him about reading her the Book of Mormon and what it was. He committed. I wanted to ask for his contact info when all of a sudden he said sister I have had this paper out for about an hour so I could get your contact information. I would like to hear about the work you are doing. I was so touched. Every week for the last six months I have sent him my mass emails along with every few weeks writing him a personal email. Such as teaching him the restoration in an email. Since our meeting he has attended church a few times and just last week wrote me saying three sister missionaries came to the door and he let them in because he knew me. I knew that was my purpose not to get him to baptism but to get him to finally be ready to accept the missionaries into his home. I was and am so happy and can't wait to see what is ahead for this man. His name is Jon.

    So it really means a lot to hear that you enjoy my letters because I really want them to be spiritually uplifting for not just Jon but everyone who reads them. Thank you.