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.

      

Letter from Sister Tiffany Johnson March 17, 2014

Well I didn't realize how much I was going to miss my old area. I think about Yuba City all the time and the people I got to met while I was there. It really became home to me and the exciting thing is I get to go to Yuba this Saturday for a baptism. Dustin is getting baptized and I think president knew he has been putting a lot on me. So I thought I was going to have to pull out some tears and beg me to let me go. But when I asked he instantly said "Yeah, you can go just remind me the week you leave." So I guess that's a bonus of having to train and shot gun train, which is stressful. Haha i am not sure if that's even the reason but it makes me feel better so we are going to say that's the reason I get to go.

       The area is really doing well everyone is still so excited to have sisters in the area. So many of them were not able to have the elders in there home because they were single sisters. But now we get to go and work with them and they just love it. There are just so many less actives and they are all living basically in the middle of no where. So i have gotten  really good at U turns because with out fail we always can't find or drive right past the homes. A lot of them are scary shakes in the middle of orchards,  so it really opens my eyes to how blessed I am to know I will never have to or have had to live like that my parents would never allow it. But even if the people aren't interested they are generally really nice to us and just politely ask us to never come back. I think its because we are girls. The Elders used to get more shot guns pulled on them out here. We don't so no need to worry. Also we share the ward with Spanish elders and they are very protective of us. So there is one small town we work out of and it is super dangerous. SO the elders escort us there and back to make sure no one messes with us. Its nice to know we are safe, and I enjoy sharing the ward with elders because whenever we pick up a creepy guy as a new investigator i just turn them over to the elders. It works out perfectly.

      We now have 3 people on date for baptisms. One though is so sweet. she is in her 70s and I just love her so much. She is pretty hyper and just loves the church. The elders didn't really teach her before they would just hand her pamphlets and tell her to read them. So just developed her own testimony. She studies a lot on her own and loves what shes learned. But we decided we would reteach everything to her to make sure she has the basics down. The lesson this week went really well she opened up to us about things in the past that were really hard for her and we were able to show her scriptures that brought her comfort and answered her questions. She is committed to joining the church with or without her families support and has an amazing testimony. Sunday she came up to me and gave me a hug. She then whispered to me "Thank you for teaching me, I have learned so much more since you have been in town." Haha it made my day. I didn't teach her anything deep i just taught her what the spirit wanted her to know. She has been prepared for many years to receive this message and I luckily get to stop in at the exciting part and help her follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. But that's not the end she has the rest of her life to follow him and endure to the end. It is a big commitment she is making and we have been working hard to help her really understand that. I want her to be able to be successful through the trials that are ahead. I want her to stay active and to keep her testimony growing. It is so sweet and so strong. I know that she is going to be an example to all of those around her and she is making the right decision with her life.

     Sunday my companion and I got to speak in sacrament meeting. I was a bit nervous because we thought we would have some time before church to finalize our talks however, the bishop called us in for a meeting. I had my entire talk written and as I started to read it I lost my place and then thought to myself the heck with it these people deserve to hear from the spirit not me. So I put my papers aside and just said what I felt they needed to hear. It was a nerve racking experience as I sat down and i couldn't really remember what I said but just new I talked about missionary work and members getting involved. But I knew it was the spirit through me speaking. Afterwards many of the members complimented us and said that they felt like I was speaking directly to them. That's when it was reconfirmed to me that it was just the spirit talking. I love how it works like that. You prepare and do what you can, and as a reward the spirit does the rest. The spirit is a powerful thing it can bring peace to our mind and comfort to our soul. It is something I always want with me. I know that with out the spirit I would not be a successful missionary. It is truly the teacher. DO all that you can to have the spirit with you. It will get you through even the darkest of times. I know that coming to a new area with a new companion would have been a lot scarier if it wasn't for the spirit constantly calming me down and showing me the way.

           I love my area, it is amazing because I know this is where the lord wants me to be. I am far from perfect and this area is far from perfect but its truly perfect for me.

        I pray that each of you can find peace with where you are at in life. I know that you to are where the lord wants you to be. I love being a disciple of Christ that is my true calling.

     I love each of you and am glad to call you family.

                       LOVE always Sister Johnson.

 Funny Story: Maxine is leaving to Mexico for dental work. She has an iphone so I suggested that we face time while she is away so she can continue to learn and prepare for baptism. She was excited and said that she had face time and wants me to come show her how I would face time with her. So we went to her home and she pulled out her phone by the way she was talking about it I started to realize her lack of skill with technology. I started to laugh and thought yep this is going to be interesting. Finally she said yep here it is on am on face time. SO how do you face time with me. I took her phone to see what she was on and realized her "facetime" was the camera. Haha she was just looking at herself and waiting for me to magically pop up on her screen. We realized we would be more successful to just call her while she is in Mexico :D

Letter from Sister Tiffany Johnson March 10, 2014

   

 

The big yellow area is my new area.  The area that I am pinching at the bottom is my old area and my old area fits perfect there between my fingers.  Its soooooooo much bigger here if you couldn't tell.  I feel like a small fish in the big ocean, but love it.

 I have arrived in Corning. Being completely uneducated about Corning I was assuming there would be corn everywhere. However, trick play this area is actually known for OLIVES. So basically if you want to know about my area read James 5 haha its all in there.

     I picked up my new Greenie Wednesday and then went through a lot of drama trying to figure out our car situation. Then they finally got me a car and said alright enjoy Corning. However, because I was shot gunning meaning I have never been in my area before I didn't have the area phone or any idea how to even get there. So I looked up at President and said so do you have a GPS I can use? He then started worrying and realized that sending me off with no phone, no directions, and in the dark was not safe he made the sisters heading in the same direction escort us there. So we had 3 other cars of sisters drive in front and behind us to make sure we got to our area safe. I walked into our apartment and found out that elders have been living there for the last 20 years. It was pretty messy and smelly but livable. The Relief Society sisters had a meeting going on when we arrived and asked us to come. I turned to my companion and said we have to hit the ground running. So we didn't even unpack the car and headed out to work that night. 

     When we walked into the room we were warmly greeted. Then Sister Call the president said with tears in her eyes "We have been praying and fasting for Sister missionaries for the last 3 years. And finally the lord has answered our prayers" Instantly I felt the weight of my call. I want to help this area and want them to truly feel like their prayers have been answered and to add to the stress I am also trying to train. I just felt completely humbled and overwhelmed. I don't feel worthy to be an answer to there prayers. I prayed there silently to know how I can help this area and that I can have the confidence to take on this task.  After the prayer I instantly had a list of things we need from the sisters. I told them what I wanted to see happen to this area and how we were going to get the ward involved. They wrote down the things I said and each sister spoke up saying their views and ways they can help. They then presented us with a list of 171 sisters that are less active in the area. I was no longer stressed just excited to get to work. I knew that it was the spirit guiding me and feeling me with peace. I had received a priesthood blessing the night before and I was now feeling the affects of it. 

    After the meeting we opened the door and saw a sit that hit me so strong with the spirit (This is Jean....sorry I couldn't figure this part out to correct it but if you read on it will become more clear :)). A rumor had gone around the building that we were there and all of the young women were jumping for joy and running up and giving us hugs. They were so excited to meet us and for the first time ever I felt like a celebrity.  I want to service with all my heart and strength for these young women. They too have been praying for us to come and I saw the joy that we brought to there face. I can not disappoint them. One girl as she hugged me whispered I have never met a sister missionary before. And then a few others said the same as well. I know I have a big role to play my companion and I are going to be looked to as an example and we can help them form a desire to serve a mission. All with the help of the Lord. I feel so blessed and happy to be working with so many amazing people who I have instantly learned to love. A few of the girls have already volunteered to go out with us. The work is pretty exciting here. 

    However, when we were finally able to make it home that night I took a look at the ward boundary and was overwhelmed its so huge compared to my old area. The farthest home is about 2 hours away. And its just country homes. Just like doing missionary work out in Hickman. To top it off I took a look at the area book to see what we had to work with and found no organization. None of the addresses were put in correctly, none of the papers were filed. The ward list was missing 3 pages and there were only a few sentences written about who they were teaching. I knew there is going to be a lot of work going into this area to clean it up. But all things are possible with the Lord and I know with him I can accomplish this big task. So I called our one investigator and set up an appointment. Then I called a member that lived near by. However, trick the contact information in the directory was wrong. So I then called the Relief Society president and said I need a ward list as soon as possible. 

    With the help of my new companion we started sectioning off the area and putting people together so that when we go to an area we can visit everyone there. We organized it in a way that would be most time efficient for driving. So far the system is working.  

    Teaching has been a little hard because I don't know what the Elders have taught so I told my companion we have to go in with a prayer and just ask inspired questions so we can find out for ourselves. It worked out great we were able to simply find out concepts they didn't know and teach to there needs or concerns. I feel like the spirit has been with me all week when meeting with individuals and I am truly thankful for that. I know I could not have done this with out the spirit. 

     There is still hours and hours of work a head but I am excited to do it and to get this area into a functional state for missionaries. 

    I love this gospel and love being a missionary. My new companion is sweet she is from Washington State and is extremely smart. She really wants to work hard and that is the type of companion I need in this area. So I feel like I am not alone and that is a comfort. Her name is Sister Smith so we go by John Smith :D to keep it easy. The members love it. 

     Keep us and our area in your prayers. 

             LOVE Always 

                    Sister Johnson

Also it wouldn't be me if there wasn't a funny/embarrassing story. So here is one for you. While driving home from an appointment late at night we missed our turn by about 20+ miles and ended up in Chico. Its hard to see these tiny signs while going 65 mphs. So we flipped around and started heading back. I wasn't sure where we were or how we were going to get home but I just kept driving trying to stay positive for my companion. I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was going but then looking in the rear view mirror and saw flashing lights. We were the only other car on the road and I was like awww I need to get out of the way for this cop. So I pulled off and he pulled off as well. I instantly started to freak out. It was only day two with the car and I was sure I was getting a speeding ticket. The cop came to the window and asked the famous questions.  "DO you know why I pulled you over" I looked at him in complete fear, trembling and said "NO, was I speeding, I am soooo sorry I am new to the area and we are so lost." He looked at me and laughed and said " No you were actually going fine with your speed but your back lights aren't one." I was completely relieved but then asked how are my front lights on and not the back. I told him I was kind of blonde and new to this car. I asked him to help me. He laughed and started messing with somethings and then fixed the problem. He was really sweet and sent us on our way. I turned to my companion still trembling and said o my goodness I never turned the lights on. It was just the emergency lights that kick on in the front that we were using. But don't worry now I know and turn my lights on. It just took a cop pulling me over to teach me that lesson. So yep I had a nice warm welcome to Corning. :D 

             LOVE YOU ALL. Sister Johnson (Sorry there is probably a lot of errors in these letters. I type them fast and don't have time to read over them. So I apologize.:)

Letter From Sister Tiffany Johnson March 3, 2014

 So if any of you remember last night was transfers. I began all week to worry about what's going to happen to me. I was finishing up training, meaning I was on the chopping block. I was pretty sure I
would be moving and if so i was hoping to just move into a normal companionship. Then I started to feel like maybe I would train so than I can stay longer here. Well the zone leaders took forever sending out the transfer call. It was almost an hour late. While waiting for the call I got a call from the assistant to the president (ap) elder Austin  That is never a good sign on transfers. Everyone in the room begins to cheer, excited to hear what was going to happen. The first thing elder Austin said was "Johnson you get the transfer call yet, ... what do you think?" My heart was racing and I yelled no what's happening. He than laughed and said "pack your pages your moving to Corning to shot gun train. See you at the mission office Wednesday."

We talked for a moment about how they prayed about my call and have full confidence in me. I just kept thinking to my self what am I getting myself into. I am extremely nervous. Not only is it my first
time moving but it's with some one who doesn't know the area. We have to go in there and figure everything out the hard way. I don't know anything about my area and I have to train on top of that. I am pretty sure it's also a car area which is really bumming me out. I love my bike and will try and figure out a way to use it in my new area.  I don't know how to be a missionary with a car. Going with out one for 6months really makes me hate them, i get car sick when I am in one because I am not used to going that fast. But the weirdest thing of all is that by the end of training in Corning I will have been on my mission for 9 months. Which also mean I will have been going through the training manual (12 week program) for my 9 months with out a break. Man there really must be something I am supposed to be learning and I am just not figuring it out yet haha. :) but I am touched that my mission president does put so much trust and faith in me.

     This week though has been a bit of a struggle. With the rain you would think more People would be home and ready to listen but no everyone was shutting there door on us saying hey we're sick. I was getting frustrated with the lack of work. I figured I was leaving and wanted to leave on a high note. So I wasn't taking no as an answer. I told my companion my goal. I wanted us to get 5 new investigators for a 3rd week in a row. I also wanted double digits in number of lessons. She seemed a little doubtful with how things were working out and didn't want to work in the rain. But knowing I wanted to work no matter what she supported me in my goal. So we made tons of jokes about the
rain and how the more drops that hit us the hotter our husband gets and competitions if who gets the biggest goose bumps. It made the wet and cold more enjoyable. I am happy to say after a long cold week of rain and talking to everyone  we made our goal. We found 5 new investigators. And had a good number if lessons. Over all it was a good week and it makes me sad to think I don't get to teach the 15 new investigators. But I feel good about leaving the ward better than I found it. We had an amazing turnout at church. 4 investigators came and 8 less actives. I believe that is a record for us.

     There was an amazing story to go along with on of the less actives though. So we went to their home knowing that they have been offended and have some judgements about the church. When we got there they were just pulling up so We began to talk to them on the sidewalk. the wife opened up to me in a very defensive matter. She through out bold statements like Joseph smith just wrote the Book of Mormon and God contradicts himself in that book. I felt instantly like I was
being attacked and wanted to say how dare you talk so poorly about something so beautiful. But then I felt the spirit prompt me to ask her simply why? She shared some examples and I was able to explain those verse to her. She than dropped it like they were suitable answers for her. Than I felt the spirit prompt me to say "I know you are a logical women so here is some logic. We believe god is the same yesterday today and forever. With that we then should believe that the same way Christ established the church in his time is the same way it should be established now. That is how this church is established. we have a prophet who is led and guided by our savior.  we also have 12
apostles who are special witness of Christ. We are the only church with that" I bore my testimony of the church and of Joseph smith right there on the side walk. My companion than bore hers. The lady stood there speechless and than said quietly true. She new that she felt the spirit and that she was taking her personal feeling which were hurt by members and blaming them on the church. We left with excitement because we both felt he spirit so strong. And to our surprise there she was Sunday morning at church and when we walked in she gave us a huge wave and smile. It was such a miracle to me to see her heart being softened. I know that was because of the spirit testifying to her and we were just blessed to be an instrument.

        I can't get over the fact that I am finally leaving.  I am also sad to leave because I have 2 baptisms at the end of the month both of these individuals are so excited to join the church and say I
am like there family and now I am leaving them. The few weeks before baptism is really a hard time. I want to be here to help them through it. But most importantly I want to be here to support them on there big day. They asked if I would be there and it broke my heart to say I will try but I don't know if I can. I pray that they will both make it to there goal of being baptized by someone holding the proper
priesthood authority with or without me. I know this is the lords work and it can run smoothly without me but that's my controlling personality wanting to be here and over see everything. But I have faith in these individuals and most importantly I have faith in my father in heaven. I know that he will bless and protect them along with this area. I feel so blessed to have worked in such an amazing area and with so incredible people. I have loved watching there conversions and have seen miracles everyday. I will always have a love for Yuba city and it will always be my mission home. A lot of the members already have plans on what they want to do with me after my mission and have opened there home to me whenever I need.

     I want all of you too know that I am happy and loving my mission. His church is true and because of at it will require us to do hard things. It will make us stretch farther than we have stretched so
that we can reach our full potential. It's because our father in heaven loves us and wants to help us to grow that he requires us to do so much work. And if you really think about it, he doesn't ask for too
much for all that he has done for us. I know this to be true and I love the challenge the mission is. But it may lead to me getting grays sooner in life. :)

      Love you.
         Sister Johnson

I will post my new address next week when I get it.
Sent from my iPad

Letter From Sister Tiffany Johnson February 18, 2014

 

 

 

 

 This week I was able to feel special in a way I don't believe I have ever felt before. On Monday I went in for my X-ray like I said in my previous letter. My chiropractor took a look at them and quickly said that I dislocated it and so he grabbed my finger and pulled it. Pain shot through my finger and it felt worse than when I originally injured it. But I thought nothing of it and went home thinking i was fine and just had to wait and heal. However,  Wednesday early morning I get a call from him and he was extremely apologetic and said "it's actually broken. You are going to have to see a specialist will most likely need surgery." I was in shock not because I have been working
for the last 3 weeks on a broke finger but because he called two days later. I knew he filed my X-ray away with plans to never look at it again so why did he go into work early to look at them again. So I
asked the question. He said that night he couldn't get the report of what he said to me out of his mind. He said he felt like it was wrong and that he needed to look again. So  he rushed into work an hour
early and instantly felt awful because he than realized I had a broken finger. He bought me a brace and now I am waiting to go talk to a doctor tomorrow to find out what will happen now. My mission president said I might have to stay in the mission office during my recovery. I don't think I will be okay with that. I will ask to stay in Yuba. I have already been working on it broken and I can ride my bike with my brace so I am fine to continue working. But we will see what will happen.

      This week was amazing. I had exchanges with the sister training leader and I was asking her about her new investigators. She reported that she has been getting about 5 new a week. I first started to think aw man why can't we have that many new investigators we must not be as good.  Then I quickly had a feeling that, no that's not true I can have the same numbers I just have to have more faith. So that night I said I am finding 5 new people this week to teach. Drum roll it's the end of the week and we found 5!!!!! I feel so blessed. But I know it took work. I had to force my self to talk to everyone and even if it was awkward I was going to invite them to meet us again. When they would say sure I would instantly say a time and they would say no. I just kept saying a different time until they would say the magical yes. Luckily we work everyday all day, so it makes it hard for someone
to say we cant work around there schedule.

         One of our new investigators is named Kareem. He is 18, black, gay and just moved here from Miami. So if you couldn't assume he is classic crazy and obviously gay. But he is so sweet and seems to really want to learn more about the church. We had the first lesson with him and he literally started jumping saying amen amen. When we read helaman 5:12 to him he ripped the book from my hand and while hugging it he said my book. He came to church Sunday which was assume but sadly he thought it was boring because he is used to the really exciting AME churches. But he said that he is okay with learning more and will give church another chance. However, the miracle that goes along with Kareem was that while on exchanges I turned to my companion at the time and said I need to figure out who should go to the lesson with us. Who would be accepting of him and not judging. No one came to mind. But after I prayed about it a lady named sister Gibbs game to mind. I thought that would be a bad combo because she is really blunt and could say something that would offend him or she might not feel comfortable a with him. But as I tried thinking of someone else it was as if there were no other members in my ward. Which is weird because I know almost ever active members name and availability. So I decided this must be the spirit and I need to trust in it. So that's what I
did. She was so excited that she took work off to come. While there we learned that he only had a bike for transportation and it was pretty broken. It didn't have a pedal and the other one was bout to fall off. Before we could even say anything about it she speaks up and said I will take care of that for you before you go to work today. She explained that a few years ago she used to own a bike shop and can still get parts. Who would have known. Kareem was so touched by her generosity that I think it played a part in his desirous to attend church. I love the way the spirit works. It never gives you enough information to know for sure if it's the spirit and what the outcome will be. But it gives you enough to act and if you act then you will receive all the blessing you need. It requires faith and when acting upon these things it strengthens your faith.

        With experiences like this happening all the time I have felt my faith in my savior and in his gospel grow tremendously. I feel as though nothing someone says will change the way I feel about this gospel. I personally know that it is true because of the way it makes me feel. We learn in the scriptures that we have the ability to judge good from evil. If it is good it's of God and if it's bad than it's of the devil. When I am teaching, praying, reading, attending church the over all emotion I feel is good. So I know that it is of God. (Moroni 7:12-18)  I know that I am doing what my father in heaven is asking me to do and the only reason I know that is because I asked. Do things that will require faith and you will gain faith. If you have any questions take the counsel in James and ask. Make a good judgment and really listen to the counsel by elder Utchdorf "please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."8 (Come, Join with Us)

          I love this gospel and I love the over whelming feeling of peace I get as I share the message of the restoration. It just simply makes sense. This gospel is simple but true. It is challenging to be
obedient and do all the things we are commanded to do but I promise you it is worth it. Fight for what is right, be willing to make the hard choice but know that you will be supported in all that you do.
You have your savior as your best friend and with him by your side all things are possible.

          My companion has been spreading the rumor that i am transferring. However, we won't know for another 2 weeks so I have to go around and put out the fires. It's sweet though to see how much the people in this area love me and are not sick of me yet even though I have been here for almost 6 months. I love them as if they were my own family. Two people ( Janeen and sister Gillming) know are getting married and they want to call president to see if I can go. But I don't think he will let me haha but it's nice that they are going to try.

    Thank you for the loving letters and packages they are amazing and really help. I love each of you and hope you enjoyed your valentines day.

       Love sister Johnson
Sent from my iPad