I can't believe it's already that time again to summarize my week to you! Monday night was amazing we were able to have FHE (family home evening) with Wendy's family at the Hilburns. (Friends with the oldest Birchall Girl) It was perfect. We watched a 30 minutes video about Wilford Woodruff conversion story. Wendy started explaining how she felt attending church for the first time. She said that she felt welcomed and at home, then compared it to the feelings she had at her old churches. The most impressive part was when she said she felt like she has been climbing up this hill. That she's not at the top yet and doesn't have all the answers but can look back and see how God has been guiding her and her family here. She said things that were hard and or were struggling have been made better now. They love the ward and feel like these things are true. Before they never got answers to there questions but now she does.
At the end of the lesson her older daughter Alex came up to us and said "I know I need to be baptized and be a member of this church. How do I do that?" We were so excited and talked to her about her options and how we want her to discuss it with her mom privately. Well she has and her mom is so excited for her. She knows that Alex is a very genuine person and doesn't commit unless she knows it's true! We are so happy for her she actively attends church and young women's. She studies on her own and tells her friends about it. She actually has a less active friend in a different ward, when she found out she said "you need to go back to church" so this Sunday Alex went with her less active friend to church. She is simply amazing.
Her little sisters Erica and Ashlyn got to join the primary and go to the temple trip. They were so excited and asked us to teach them all about the temple before they went. Erica is 11 and said about her experience "When we got there my attitude changed. I loved how I felt and didn't want to leave." They felt so special there and told there siblings and mom all about it. They were all so excited that they all want to go now. So our ward being amazing like they are jumped at my invitation to have a few family's go with Wendy's family for a picnic at the temple. Wendy's family is so popular in the ward that we literally have a list of the people that want them over and we have to kind of tell them to spread out the meals etc so they can still have there family time. They are loving it. Just last night Wendy was talking and called it "our church" and said that she believes in the Book of Mormon and that we do have a prophet today! I love this family!!!
This week we have been trying to clean up the ward records so we spent a lot of time visiting less actives homes and trying to figure out if they moved or not. For the first time in my mission I got a forwarding address for someone who has moved so we get to send there records. We also got into a few new homes that we can potentially start visiting more regularly.
This week has been so exciting because.... Ethan got BAPTIZED in Washington. He was so sweet and sent me a reminder almost everyday. I like I could forget. There was a bit of drama before the baptism because the elders were late, didn't tell him he needed white underwear or an extra pair and then my iPad wasn't working. He didn't want to be late for his baptism and we weren't connecting on skype so he got baptized and I didn't get to see him in white. But right after his girlfriend Kacey facetimed me and he explained to me how amazing he felt and how much he is so grateful for this new turn in his life. He said he loves how he feels though he was wearing wet underwear and wanted to change. (So recap just incase you are wondering who Ethan is he was a guy I taught over Skype. He was dating a girl in the Chico YSA ward and his grandpa passed away. Over Skype we answered his questions, taught the restoration and invited him to be baptized. One month later he did it.) on his own he read and watched all the mormon messages. He loves the church and is happy with his new life style. He said being in the army changed his perspective and this brings him comfort. Kacey and Ethan are basically engaged now he's just waiting to ask her father first.Later in Saturday I got to go to the temple with my old companion sister Kimura. She and I worked with a member who was unsure about going on a mission and was planning not to go. We decided to invite her out with us anyways, she came to a lesson at least 2-3 times a month with us and fell in love with what we do. She loved helping and inviting her friends to love more. She put in her papers while we were in Chico and was called to serve in the Mississippi, Jackson mission and reports in March. We went with her through the temple. She was so surprised when we showed up and cried in the celestial room while hugging us. Her family came around and met us for the first time and expressed there gratitude. It was so great being there to support her.
Funny story though we almost missed the session because when we walked up we saw a ton of people that we knew. A girl sister Kimura taught was going through the temple for the first time, so we visited with them. Then we went to walk in side the temple. Literally everyone (and I am not kidding) everyone we walked by we new from one of our past areas. The member that drove us Sister Manzar started laughing and taking a seat because it was unreal. We finally made it in the session with 1 minutes to spare. In the celestial room we ran into a few other people we knew and visited with them Sister Manzar was in aw. Then I saw two people who are famous to me and all those I work with. (whom I will show you in a picture later so you can guess) Sister Manzar was like girl God is watching over you. Then we got dressed I ran into four different women in there. As I was walking out I saw my old mission leader, his girl friend, and then 6 other people for he Chico YSA who came to do baptisms. I thought I now had saw everyone and went to walk out the front door when a temple worker called out to me. (Sister Manzar was like seriously, we will never leave haha) and he was not from our mission but attended my Book of Mormon class and really enjoyed my thoughts. I was flattered he remembered since that was 7 months ago. Finally we made it out the front door. We took pictures with Melissa (who is the future missionary) as I was about to leave I saw my two famous individuals I was nervous to meet them but my companion ran up to them and said hi for me and explained that I was now hiding in the car with sister Manzar. They came to find me and said they would love to take a picture with me! I got to take a photo and get a hug from a celebrities. As we were about to take the photo Cheylene and her mom walked up to me. I about cried I didn't know she would be there but right before I left Chico she got her temple recommend. She about 9months ago was struggling with drugs and alcohol and now changed her life and help reactivate her mom and they went to temple for the first time together since she was a kid. It's was so special so they joined in the picture which I will send. Sister Manzar pulled the car up to pick us up and right before I got in two other ladies walking towards the temple called out to me. Sister Manzar was like dying laughing now and just in complete shock. Turns out today was the Chico YSA and Citrus Heights temple day (both my old wards) I saw over 25 people there. It literally took us almost an hour and a half to go from the changing room to the car.
Our amazing dinner didn't end there we went to the church book store with permission from president to get something for my recent convert Emily! (Who just had a birthday and got her patriarchal blessing) but we showed up and it was closed. Then a lady from the parking lot said wait I'll open the door I want you sister to get to go shopping. So we got in and were able to get what we needed! Miracles (she also gave me 10%off for being a missionary) the day was truly perfect. I love being a missionary and having all of these amazing experiences and relationships. I love all the individuals that I have met out here and the chance I have had to learn from them how to be a better individual. The Gospel is true we are one big family. We that have the gospel get to strive to help our brothers and sisters all around us find what they once knew. Never doubt the role you play in the grand life. You have a special purpose and are never alone. Today I was able to see a glimpse of that. Sister Kimura looked at me and said this was like the beautiful summary of your mission. So many of those you worked with gathering together at the temple. I couldn't agree more! The temple is our heaven here on earth and I am humbled every time I am able to entire those holy halls.
To preview my upcoming week I get to go back to Chico to witness the baptism of Jasmine. I am so excited for her and happy sister Kimura and I can be apart of her big day. Also I am giving me departing testimony on Thursday! I am scared out of my mind and in denial that I am going home soon. But let's be honest I am home! #caligirlforlife! (I got my trunkie papers as well, I am not looking forward to filling those out)I love each of you and so thankful to have been on this Journey with all of you. Thanks for your love!
Love always Sister Johnson
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