Ever since we reset our goals to double digit numbers we have been busier than we have ever been. which at times doesn't seem possible. I don't know how we are able to fit it in but thanks to The Lord we are. We are blessed with a full schedule and then some. But that doesn't mean it's smooth sailing or easy. Satan is working over time as well and this week I felt it.
To start, Glen who was on date for this last Sunday but called us and said "girls we need to talk. " with the somber tone in his voice I knew a break up was in our future. We went to his home with the relief society president and asked what has been going on. Turns out him and his wife had been fighting non stop about his baptism she doesn't support his desire and is coming up with everything to complain about and pull him away. She then said that she doesn't want us coming over anymore that it isn't appropriate. She said she never wants to see us in her home again. Which is weird because she was so friendly and appreciative of us just a few days previous. But glen tried to explain that we always have a female adult present and that we literally just talk about the gospel around the table. He said he has grown to love us as his nieces but she wouldn't change. He almost broke into ties having to tell us this. He wants to be baptized to bad but his wife just won't support him. He had to push back his date and break up with us. Luckily there are elders in the ward they are Spanish elders but we felt it was better then no missionaries at all. Glen loves them and is happy to work with them just sad he can't visit with us any more. The worst part is we don't think he has much longer to live. He is
just physically breaking down in front of us. It's slow and painful so it just breaks my heart. I pray he can make it in to the waters of baptism and that the elders can give him the spiritual support he needs.
But Satan didn't stop there we were about to go to our next appointment when we received a call from Laura who too had a baptism date and felt in a prayer that the church was true. When we answered the phone she sounded weak and trembling. She proceeded to tell us that she was in a terrible car accident the night before. That she was hit by a drunk driver. She should have died in the accident but was able to walk away completely fine. She was scared and overwhelmed so she asked for us to reschedule for next week she needed to breathe and relax and just didn't want company. It was scary to know someone we know came so close to leaving us. I feel that she was saved for a
reason, that god needs her still on the earth. I know she needs to get baptized and do the work of her family. We feel that every time we are there. Please keep her in your prayers that she can come to the same conclusion and also be able to see the miracle that was just preformed in her life.
Gaby was originally set to be baptized but I refused to approve her for an interview. She really really wants to be baptized but is not ready. She doesn't have a testimony of latter day prophets and
still smokes a lot every day. I explained to her the importance of these things but she could not move passed the thought that Christ just wants us to be baptized. She doesn't think it needs to be in any
specific way or that she needs to be living a certain way. I will not allow herself to take on this great covenant with God if she is not ready to take on her end of the promise. She was offended that I said
no, that she needs to take some time and make some changes for her betterment. She felt judged and that we were following the counsel from man not god. I bore my testimony of these things that we are
messengers of God called to share his truth and help people come to follow him. It is now up to her to decided if she will earnestly pray for truth or just stubbornly stick with what she feels is right. But
for me I am immoveable. I know these things are true that this is the way that We have been taught to do these things. And I will do all that I can to help her but only by what the spirit directs me to do. I
will not bend to her. I fear my father in heaven not man. I love her and because of that I am bold and honest with her. She knows we love her and feels that love just hurt by being told not yet.
Satan being so powerful didn't stop there though. Marcos who was on date to be baptized this Sunday had his baptism interview Wednesday. But he didn't show up his normal ride was out of town and then an emergency with a friend came up. I was stressed about him being able to get his interview and wanted to make sure he was really prepared for his baptism. So we reschedule for the next day. Luckily he made it there. We met with him before the interview. I was impressed to share with him truth. That after his baptism and theses few days before will be full of trials that satan will work hard on him. We expressed the importance of enduring to the end. we shared that we must create a rock foundation on Christ so that we can not fail in the midst of these trials. We all felt the spirit so strong and he committed to push through and hold to the faith. Sunday rolled around and he showed up looking sharp and excited. However his fellowshipper sister elder pulled me aside and said that her husband wasn't with her because he woke up and didn't know anyone. I looked at
her and said I think he's having a stroke you need to be taking him to the hospital. She stayed for sacrament and then called her home and heard her husband was still confused and so she rushed off. However in the process she took Marcos white underclothes. So before the baptism we realized this. We were worried about brother elder and prayed for his safety and rushed around trying to find someone to bring white underwear. I was talking to a lady in the ward and she said" you with
him having a stroke and not having the right underwear you guys should just push his baptism back" right when she said that I felt an over whelming feeling come over me and say no it has to happen today. All the signs point that this is the right thing to do and that even brother elder would say not to wait for him. It was a trial, of our faith. Marcos knew this as well. What we had warned him of just a few days previous came through and he held his head up and said I am still getting baptized. I turned to the elder that was performing the baptism and said what do we do. He felt we should look in the closet were the baptism clothes are kept. We did and found a random male garment shorts that was his size. We looked at each other and I said "if we cut off the symbol isn't it not longer a sacred garment?" He looked at me and said I believe so. I prayed in my heart to know if that's what we should do. It felt a little sack religious but we were running out of options no one in the area had white underwear for him. So we talked to a few leaders and the said we should go with what we
had. So we did. Marcos never knew where we got the white short or what they were but they fit and he was baptized an hour after church. I can honestly say it was one of the most spiritual baptisms I had been too. When I finally got to see him in his whites I just knew he had done the right things and that God was supporting us. As we shared the restoration during the changing period the spirit was so powerful, in the room. Everyone there felt it and expressed how touching it was. We know we were tested, and Marcos remained strong. I pray he continues to do so.
Brother elders as of now is doing well he had a mild stroke and is happily back at home, glad to hear Marcos is baptized.
Helaman 5:12
I know that things happen for a reason, that when the road gets rough there must be a beautiful sunrise around the corner. Things are going great and it love being a missionary I feel my testimony
growing each day. It's so important to continue working on the basics of studying our scriptures, praying, and family home evenings. When we do these things we strengthen ourselves and protect ourselves/family from the adversary. But the truth is it won't eliminate the trials but it will allow them to be manageable. We will understand that God still loves us and are able to have the strength to over come. Never forget who you are. You are children of God with great worth. You can over come all things. We must do our part though.
I love you all and so happy to call you all my friends and family.
Love sister Johnson
Update on the finger: this doctors office is frustrating I called and told them that I broke my phone and they needed to save my new number. But they didn't so when my doctor got called for an emergency surgery they couldn't get ahold of me to change my appointment. So we drove the 2 hours to show up and have them tell us he isn't there to meet me. So I begged for my X-rays to at least be done. That was done and then they said I could meet another doctor. So we waited for about 4
hours and went in. The doctor took one look at my finger and said he can't help me. He didn't know why they made me wait. So now I have to come back next week and meet the guy so I can plan the surgery. Sorry this is really late I literally just got home and am so sick of being
in the car.
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