From:
Tiffany
Johnson <tiffanyj@myldsmail.net>
Subject:
Re:
first email:)Date: September 17, 2013 2:51:32 PM PDT
To:
Scott
Johnson <Scott4599@sbcglobal.net>
I am in ROSEVILLE!!!! I woke up at 2:30am (only sleeping 2hours) and board
the train to Salt Lake City. When I was boarding the plan I realized that my
seat was not going to be by anyone I knew. So I thought to myself, this is a
defining moment. Am I going to hold my head up high and say I am a missionary
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints or am I going to hide my
testimony because of fear and say nothing. Then the words of my MTC teacher came
to my mind (Brother Starkie) he said " when ever I fly I sit in the middle to I
have two opportunities to share this gospel. This is what the Lord wants me to
do." I know that this is what the lord wants me to do. My name is no longer
Tiffany it is Sister Johnson. I am a disciple of Christ and I am going to share
his gospel. Right after I made up my mind that I was going to talk to whomever
sat next to me a large man who looks exactly like Uncle John sat down beside
me. Since I was sitting next to a window I knew this man was going to be the
lucky man I was going to talk to for the next hour and a half. I took a deep
deep breathe and tried to hide my fears. I didn't even have to start the
conversation he turned to me and said "I promise I don't bite." So I looked him
straight in the eye and said "even if you did I am not afraid. I have been
bitten by students in the past and am still living." That sparked the
conversation or should I say him just talking to me haha. He just talked and
talked about how he was a teacher and how hard it was. He also taught some
students with autism. Then he started saying things that would normally scare
me. He talked about how he is very educated and loves to read books. He was very
philosophical and said he never loses an argument. Instead of getting scared I
just responded by saying its a good thing I am not hear to argue anything with
you. He than asked me a question that at first I didn't know how to answer. He
asked what would you teach me? I prayed and thought hum.. I didn't know what but
I just went with my heart. I just said I would teach you that God loves you and
that he has a purpose for you. He then opened up to me saying that he is bipolar
and has thoughts of suicide often. He even shared with me how he would take his
life. But I couldn't hear it anymore and I just said don't. I explained that my
heart would break if he did and so would his daughters. He than said I have to
show you what keeps me from stopping myself. He showed me a picture of is
daughter laughing and dancing with her friends. I chocked back the tears and
said "That is worth living for to me". He than asked " I can't figure it out why
are Mormon's more successful than everyone else." I then taught that it was
because we live life in a positive outlook. We know our purpose and love our
families. We would do all that we can for them but understand spending time with
them is the best things we can do for them. He said that he agreed, he loved how
important families are to the church. We talked about this a little more until I
found out why he was going to California. It turns out that his wife's aunt has
cancer and needs help but the most touching thing about this is she is a mormon.
He knew about the Book of Mormon and said that he was planning on reading it to
her if she asked. I pray that she not only asks but begs him to read it to her.
He than pulled out a note pad and I thought he was wanting to end the
conversation. But I wanted to talk to him so much more about the church and give
him a pass along card. So I kept asking him questions just trying to find the
time to give him the card. Then I said can I give you something. He looked at me
and said Sister Johnson I pulled this note pad out a while ago because I want
your contact information. I want to check up on you and hear about the work you
are doing. I was so shocked and filled with joy. We exchange information and I
then slipped in mormon.org and that he can show his aunt amazing
mormon messages videos online. I promised him they would make her and him happy.
I love the note he left me. It is now a constant reminder that the lord does
know me and puts people in my life for a reason. I pray that John and I keep in
touch that he will understand his purpose and know of gods love. I will keep you
posted on the progress of this story because I know its not the end. My
president said that I have to write him and I get to decided when to send
missionaries to him. But heres the funny part of the story the man told me his
name as we were walking away. Any guesses???? Well his name is John I just
laughed and said of coarse it is. I know that I wasn't afraid of him because to
me it was like talking to Uncle John.
I love this Gospel and I love my Mission president. I am
Home.
Sister Johnson
From:
Tiffany
Johnson <tiffanyj@myldsmail.net>
Subject:
Re: bike
etc.
Date:
September
30, 2013 11:38:08 AM PDT
To:
Scott
Johnson <Scott4599@sbcglobal.net>
Hello Family and Friends,
I have completed another week in the
field. It was over all a good week. Will riding around after our appointments
had canceled we felt like visiting a few people on our less active list that we
had never met. So we road across town as fast a possible because it was already
8pm. The first home we got to was Sister Berger, she answered the door and was
so excited to see that it was not only missionaries but sister missionaries. She
said she had to go to bed but wants to visit with us this week. So we exchanged
numbers and have plans to see her in a few days. We had time for one more home
so we skimmed through the list and saw the name Brother Ryan. So we went to his
home, non of the lights were on but we decided to knock anyways. After minutes
of waiting we thought well they must be asleep so we started to walk away. Then
the door slowly opened and we saw Brother Ryan a 76 year old man. We were so
excited we spit out who we were and looked to his face to see his reaction. In
response he said "I have been thinking its about time to go back to church". So
he invites us in. He said that he was about to go to bed when he heard our
knocks and thought it was worth answering. Then he went on to explain that he
was born and raised in Utah. But when he was fourteen he moved to California
with his Dad when his parents got divorced. They didn't know where the church
was so they just never went. That was the last time he had been to church. He
also explained that his wife passed away last year and now he is living with his
daughter and her family. He explained that when these things happen you start
realizing the things that are really important. So we said you are so right and
we committed him to coming to church with us on Sunday. 
No comments:
Post a Comment