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

Letter from Sister Tiffany Johnson January 27, 2014

Hello Family and Friends,

I agree with you guys that the weeks just go by so fast. I barely blink an eye and its Monday again. I feel like I am running an up hill race and just some how serving. The coolest part though is when I lay in bed at night and review all that I have done in the day and in my mission; I am happy. I love being out here feeling every possible emotion and learning how to be happy in the dark times as well as the good. I can't really explain it but now I understand just a little better why we have trials. Its through those trials that we can learn to turn and rely on our Savior, feel his love and support, and truly feel what true happiness is. Trials force us to grow and make big decisions that will forever affect our lives. We get to choose if we are going to blame God for the trials or if we are going to praise Him for them. As I have been working through some of my trials I have felt that support of my Savior through prayer and through those around me.

As a missionary I hear one phrase so often which is "How can a Loving Father in Heaven allow this to happen to me?" my reply to that is its because he is our loving Father that he allows us to fall. Please find a way to choose the right way on viewing our trials. Do not allow yourself to become angry with God. I have seen how this will affect you life. If you allow those negative thoughts into your heart, I can promise you it will never bring you true and lasting happiness. Turn to him, Trust in him, and through him you can over come all things.

The miracle of the week for me has to be working with Monique who has been excommunicated twice. She approached the elders about visiting with her and they tried but allowed her to slip through the cracks because they don't believe in her. They think its crazy that she has been excommunicated so many times. We met her through a member referral. When we first met she was extremely hard to talk to and I really wasn't sure if things were going to work out. However, now after working with her and her husband for the last 4 weeks I have changed my views completely. They are truly amazing, together they are attending the addiction recovery meeting, reading their scriptures, attending church, and begging for us to meet with them more often. (They aren't in our boundaries so they drive to meet us each week. And we find a ride to attend church with them in another town each week) Her husband Dustin has a baptism date for February 22 and is doing all that he can to prepare himself for that date. Monique is now actively meeting with her bishop so that she too can be baptized someday. Talking to her on Sunday after her meeting with the bishop I was filled with so much peace. She looked at me with a big grin and said "I threw away all my illegal drugs this morning. I haven't been taking them since I have been meeting with you. So I thought why have that in my home." I just gave her the biggest hug and reassured her that she was doing the right thing. Its truly amazing that she did that one on her own because she was taking those drugs for her bad back pain. She decided she would rather follow and trust in God. So she just deals with the pain. I am so proud of her. They are also cutting down on their smoking. This week we are going to teach them the word of wisdom officially (they bring it up and we teach it but this week we are going to go over in depth and commit them to fully live the word of wisdom) I believe that they are ready and pray that they continue to progress like they have been. I feel like a proud parent watching them. Dustin also surprised me with the best news. He had been missing sacrament meeting and showing up for the last hours of church because he had work. But yesterday he talked to his boss so now he is no longer working on Sundays. :D YEAH!!!

I hope that all of you are doing well and are able to see the miracles that are happening all around you. Know that I love you and keep all of you in my prayers.

LOVE Always

Sister Johnson

Letter From Sister Tiffany Johnson January 20, 2014

From: Tiffany Johnson <tiffanyj@myldsmail.net>

Subject: Weekly letter

Date: January 20, 2014 3:28:54 PM PST

Hello everyone, sadly it's been another one of those hard weeks where
I am just glad it's over. To start on the high Monday, my relief
society president took me shoe shopping. She cried after my talk than
saw my shoes and said please let me buy you new shoes. I felt bad.
Because it's not like I am broke but she wouldn't take no for an
answer. So she bought me two new cute pairs of shoes and two pretty
dresses that actually fit (because I picked them out). I was touched
by the love she had shown for me and wore my shoes with pride. Tuesday
came with a crash. Literally I crashed my bike trying to prevent
myself from getting hit by a car. I banged up my knees and elbows
pretty bad. When I got up I heard my companion screaming and then
looked to my right to see 5 young construction workers running to my
aid. Embarrassed by what just happened I tried saying I was ok and
jumped on my bike to ride away. But as I tried to pedal away I
realized I wasn't moving and that my chain had fallen off. Turning
more red I pulled over and fixed my bike 2 of the construction workers
were looking at my now blackened hands and said for me to follow them
to there truck so they could help me clean up. They thought they had a
towel but didn't, so one man had a shirt in the car that he had been
wearing earlier and handed it to me. Of coarse it was white. I tried
telling him it's ok but he insisted so I whipped my hands and totally
ruined his white shirt with grease and blood. We had 2 more
appointments so I decides we would continue working and I would
bandage myself later. But the lady at the last appointment took one
look at me and said "sister Johnson what have you done to yourself"
she helped me clean my cuts and then I realized the worst thing that
had come from my crash. I had destroyed my brand new shoes. They had
tons of holes in them.
   So that night on the way home I sadly walked to the relief society
presidents home and showed her the shoes apologizing. She started
crying again and said "she didn't care about the shoes and was worried
about me." (If you couldn't tell she is pretty emotional) She took my
shoes and literally came back the next morning with not only a
replacement pair but also another more durable pair. She explained
what had happened to me to the workers at the store who remembered me.
so for free they exchanged my shoes and gave her a discount on another
pair. Blessings!
       Things started to cheer up. We had a new investigator and I
had new shoes. But Thursday changed that. When we went to Yuba skilled
nursing home we found out the lovely Sister Burton had passed away.
She was like our loving mother here. We visited her 2 times a week for
the last five months. I promised myself I wouldn't cry but when we
walked into the room to see an empty bed and her husband there alone
it was hard to take it all in. When we asked if we could do anything
he said "just say a prayer please Sister Johnson" as I started the
prayer I just lost it and started crying. I had tons of flash backs of
all the good times we have had. And I felt the love that she had for
me and the church. I felt that she had found peace and was finally
able to make it back home. I am so thankful for the knowledge we have
of where we go and that we know we can see our loved ones again. It
brings joy to my life to think that finally Sister Burton is no longer
in pain and one day I will see her again in a perfect state. Right
when we left the room I got a call our new investigator dropped us.
Just adding to the pain.
     Don't worry I am not depressed I realize this is just a test. I
have so many great people that we are still teaching and this weekend
we found a few new ones. I love this gospel and I love my mission.
Transfers came and I am staying in Yuba there is still work for me to
do :)
      Love you guys.
        Sister Johnson.
Sorry this letter seems depressing. Things are looking up.

Letter from Sister Tiffany Johnson, January 6, 2014

From: Tiffany Johnson <tiffanyj@myldsmail.net>

Subject: Family Email

Date: December 30, 2013 12:22:13 PM PST

To: Scott Johnson <Scott4599@sbcglobal.net>, britney Johnson <britneycheree@yahoo.com>, Nichole Soelberg <nicholesoelberg@gmail.com>, Tyler Johnson <tylerjohnson321@yahoo.com>, Miranda <andamir64@yahoo.com>

Hello everyone,

       I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy new Year. I can happily say that I had a awesome Christmas. I got to see my cute family over skype even though half the time the screen would freeze. Then I got to visit a few families we are teaching and then spend the even with an old lady named Sister Wallace. I basically made half of the dinner which I enjoyed because I felt like a normal person again. Being served food all the time gets a little tiring, its nice to relax and cook with a cranky lady.  But the best part of my Christmas was Tasha, Kiona, and Janessa's baptism. I was so worried about it all week because I was basically the one in charge of it. But it turned out amazing probably the best baptism I have been to. There was a great turn out of about 40 people, half members and half were non members. After they were baptized my companion and I taught the Restoration.  It went well and I felt the spirit as we taught. I watched some of Tasha's families faces and they were all smiling and nodding there head in agreement. After words we had some nice refreshments and were able to pick up a new investigator and schedule a lesson with a few people. It was an amazing experience seeing how the gospel has really blessed the Azevedo families lives. They were so happy and love sharing with there family and friends why they are so happy.

     On Sunday the girls received the gift of the Holy Ghost. They were all really excited. When Tasha sat down next to me afterwards, she whispered to me saying "Its wonderful I actually feel apart of the ward, they do not look at me like a new person or an outsider. This is my ward." I couldn't help but smile. It just goes to show why it is so important to bring members and included members in all that we do with our investigators so that when they are baptized the transition is not difficult but smooth. I know that she felt welcomed into the ward because she has been visiting with numerous members every week. We always made it a goal to bring a different member each time we taught so that she could meet a good group of people. She loves it and always tries to guess who is her surprise guest.  I love this ward and how much they love and welcome Tasha and her family. The next two years are going to be so important for her. I pray that she continues to feel apart of the ward and continues to strengthen her testimony so that she can become a strong righteous daughter of god and Mother.  

     I don't know how I have been so blessed with such an amazing area and with great members who love and support me. Lately the members have been so incredible that they are giving us referrals. But not just giving us a name they are so excited to be apart of the missionary work that they are literally picking us up and taking us to personally meet there friends and family. Just this last week we received 5 new investigators all from the members. We have 6 referrals to contact this week with a few members and a 3 for two weeks from now.  Its wonderful to know that the ward trust us with there loved ones and want to be there with us when we start teaching them. I feel like the ward has finally caught the missionary fire and have seen the success in the area. Who doesn't want to be apart of these miracles.  Tasha is also wanting to do all that she can to be a missionary with us. We are teaching as of right know 3 people because of her efforts and she plans of finding us more. :D

      Keep us in your prayers that we can meet the needs of this area and that the people we meet will be spiritually ready for this message. I love each of you so much and am truly happy to be able to call you family. Thank you for your love and support.

         LOVE Always,

               Sister Johnson

Funny Story:  My companion hates having open doors in the apartment and I love having all the doors to the room open (there are only 2 doors :D small apartment). One day when she was finished using the bathroom she decided to shut it behind her. About an hour later I went to go use the restroom to find that not only was the door shut but we were locked out. I wiggled the door in hopes that maybe I was mistaken. But nope we were really locked out. I tried to card swip it open but that didn't work. Than I decided to go from the outside and break through the window. I had to go to the restroom so bad I guess my judgement calls were lacking because that window would never let me through. Its about 7 feet off the ground and way to small. So that was a bad idea. So we threw our pride out the window and went to go get our manager (a recent convert we are teaching) for help. No luck she was not at work yet. So I said a prayer I really had to use the restroom. So we went back to the apartment and I kneeled down at the bathroom door and tried wiggling the door more saying please let me in. Then I looked down on the ground and saw a bobby pin that had fallen out of my hair. I had a feeling I should pick the lock with it. So I didn't and after about 3 minutes of wiggling it I succeed at breaking into my own bathroom. SUCCESS! So dad you can't hate those bobby pins that I used to leave around the house all the time. They are so convenient.

MIRANDA--guess who i am quoting "you little criminal"