Converting Columbus: October 2013

October 21, 2013

Hello!! I hope everyone is enjoying the fall and hopefully staying fairly dry and warm! :)

Quote of the Week (is a little long but it is one of my new favorites!)

"No pain that we suffer, no trial we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God...and it is through sorrow, suffering, toil, tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in Heaven!" -Orson F. Whitney.

This quote just gives me so much comfort, hope and strength to keep going and doing my best. I know that everything I go through now is making me who I will become and preparing me to become like our Father in Heaven to eventually live with him again in Heaven! :)

Scripture of the Week

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

I know without a doubt that Christ and Heavenly Father are always there watching over us, and if we ask for it, they will give us peace and comfort with anything we are going through or struggling with. All we have to do is ask and let them in!

Stories of the Week

1. So a little more details about meeting the Amish members of the church. We were able to hear each of the couples bear their testimonies and they were so simple and yet so incredible! They gave up everything for this gospel but they know it was worth it for the peace and happiness it brings! They have the sweetest spirits and I am honored to know them. We saw the bakery and the school the children attend. Since all the families were shunned, they were kicked out of their school so our mission president asked a senior missionary couple to teach them and they have been for almost a year now.

We were also able to see the bakery and try some of the best cinnamon rolls in the world. They are all so hardworking and loving to all. Even thought they have been shunned, they still live in the Amish community and practice the Amish traditions in the hopes of being able to help bring some of their friends, family, and neighbors to this gospel. We were also able to see them again on Saturday because they were speaking a stake fireside and we brought our investigator, Lorie, with us. She loved it and the whole experience was so spiritual and truly amazing.

2. We now have Elders here in our branch along with us! There names are Elder Shields and Elder Moore and they have both been on their missions for about a year. Elder Shields is quiet but really funny and Elder Moore is super nice and kind. They have both been working hard already and I am so excited to see what happens in the next few weeks. I would absolutely love to see this branch become and ward and I know it is only a matter of time, especially with 2 sets of full time missionaries!

Miracle of the Week

My miracle this week was yesterday. We had this 3 hour leadership meeting we had to go to but we had an appointment right before so it was a bit of a stress getting there. Plus our GPS took us the wrong way so we made it right before it began. It was taught by Elder Robbins of the 1st quorum of the Seventy and it was incredible. He talked a lot about all the excuses people have to avoid taking responsibility for our actions and mistakes. He also talked about how we need to just cross that out of our lives. In order to have 100% agency, we have to have 100% responsibility as well.

We also discussed how important it is to forgive others, forgiving others is really more of a gift and freedom for ourselves. If we strive to forgive others, and take full responsibility for our actions, we will be able to develop more love for others and other Christlike attributes that are so important to have. The whole meeting was amazing and I learned so much. We have so many new insights and things to help us with ourselves and a lot of our investigators. :)

Well that is about it for this week! I love and miss you all and I hope everything is going well! I pray for you all and can't wait to see you soon! :)

Until next time!!

Love always, Sister Britni Johnson :)

Best bumper sticker I have seen in awhile, and I do agree :)

Fun in fall! :)

This one is just super cool!

The colors on this one are so vibrant!

One of our investigators, Lorie :)

And of course, there has to be a sky picture :)

October 14th, 2013

Hello!!!

So short email this week, our time was cut because the libraries were closed yesterday to Columbus Day. Anyways, Sister Mitchell and I are both staying together here in Madison Lake!! I am never getting out of here but that is ok because I love it!!

Scripture of the Week

"Now therefore go, and I will be with they mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." - Exodus 4:12

I know this is so true because the only reason I can do anything is because of the Lord. He helps me so much every single day and I love feeling his guidance and his courage instilled into me to be able to talk to anyone no matter who they are!!

Quote of the Week

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

I love this because lately I have been learning to accept some things that are out of my control and focus on the things I can change and I can make a difference in.

Store of the Week

This last week there was a leadership training so all the Sister Training Leaders and Zone Leaders got to go to Amish country and meet the 3 Amish families that have joined the church. They are incredible because they have been completely shunned by their families, friends and the whole Amish community for joining the church but they stay strong and keep the Amish way of life because they are trying as hard as they can to share the gospel and be missionaries.

All 3 families have been sealed in the temple. They even have a little school for just the children of the families and the teachers are a senior couple. They teach them church mixed in with school and it was such a humbling experience all around. We were able to see the authentic horse drawn buggies, dresses and caps and bowl cuts on the boys. I will explain more in my email next week but I loved everything about it! The only downside was I got the stomach flu that had been going around with some of the Amish kids. It actually hit 9 sets of missionaries and Our mission president and his wife. But everything is good now!! :)

Well time is almost up!

Miracle of the Week

I feel complete love and gratitude to all those around me. I can't believe how much love I feel for complete strangers and people I hardly know. I truly feel the love of Christ and I am so happy to be serving and doing all I can to spread that love and happiness!!! :)

Love you all!!

Love, Sister Britni Johnson!! :)

October 7th - Conference Was Incredible!!!

Hello!!

Scripture of the Week

"My son peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment: And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high: thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." -D&C 121:7-9

I love these verses because they are so comforting and full of hope. When things get hard, the Lord comforts us and promises us blessings. Something I have learned lately though is that when we pray during our struggles and trials, He doesn't necessarily change the situation or the trial, he strengthens us and our ability to handle and overcome the trial. Our attitude about and struggles change rather than the struggles themselves. I am so grateful for the strength I receive each day and how incredible the Savior's love and guidance is in my life every second of everyday.

Quote of the Week

"We must doubt our doubts before we doubt our faith." - This one was from conference but I can't remember exactly who said it.

So short and simple but powerful. It is essential for us to stay strong and not doubt our faith. If we have questions or concerns, we must pray and seek counsel, not just deny our faith and turn away. I am learning to turn tho the Lord in all things, no matter what they are. He is there ready and willing to take part in every aspect of our lives if we will simply let him in and seek his help and strength.

Conference this weekend was incredible. There was so much great stuff shared and I am so excited for the Ensign to come out so I can reread and learn again and again. It was exactly what I needed because it renewed my faith, my testimony and my determination. I was so uplifted and inspired and I am ready to do the work and do my best. I don't want any regrets and I want to work as hard as I possibly can. The work has been a bit difficult lately because we are just hitting a rough patch but we will keep pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ knowing that he is always there, he recognizes all that we do and he is waiting to bless and strengthen us.

Miracle of Week

I was able to help a lot of the sisters around me. We went on 2 exchanges this week and it was really cool because I was able to grow more confident in my abilities to strengthen and uplift those around me. Each of the sisters I was with, opened up pretty quickly and they felt comfortable with me and trusted me with their struggles and trials. I was able to talk with them, encourage them and uplift them. Through helping them and boosting their spirits, I was able to pull myself right out of my own frustration and discouragement. It's amazing how serving others can be such a blessing to ourselves and the things we are going through.

I absolutely loved being able to completely forget about myself and just help those around me. Being a missionary, especially a leader is so much about strengthening, uplifting, encouraging and boosting all those around you and I really discovered a new part of myself I never really realized I had before. I love how much I learn each day and I am so grateful for the ability to constantly improve and progress through our mistakes and experiences!!

Well next week is that time again. We have transfers on Tuesday and we will see if Sister Mitchell and I can come out unscathed again. Hopefully we stay together because I love her, I love this branch and I love this area.

We are getting the elders next Tuesday as well so we will see how that goes. Hopefully they will be hardworking and regain the trust of the branch to get everyone excited about missionary and finally turn this branch into a full-blown ward!!!

I love you all and I hope all is going well!!

Have a fabulous week!!!

Love always, Sister Britni Johnson!!!! :)

One of the craziest doors I have knocked on! :)

Sister Rasband

The sky!!!!

The cutest little boy ever! I am a little in love and it is so hard to not hold him! :)

September 30th, 2013 - How's it going?

Hello!! I hope all is well with everyone!! :) Things are pretty fabulous here!

Quote of the Week
"Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying. There's hope and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." -Jeffrey R. Holland.

I love that quote because it is so important to always remember, never give up and never quit. This life is about showing what you are made of and what you can do. We are promised blessings according to our faithfulness and obedience. And when the Lord promises something, he is bound as long as we do our part and always keep the faith.

The only thing to do is keep going, there is no other option. We are blessed with happiness and hope according to our obedience to the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ. I know he lives, he loves each and everyone of us and he is waiting to help us, strengthen us and bless us, we just have to reach up to him and let him in!!! :)

Scripture of the Week
"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength nor in my own wisdom; but behold my joy is full, yea my heart is brim with joy and I will rejoice in my God. Yea I know that I am nothing, as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." -Alma 26:11-12

I may have already done this one before but it is so good I have to do it again. This is really how I have been feeling lately. I have learned to find peace, joy and comfort in the Lord. As I have found that, I have learned to rejoice in my success or our companionship's success according to the blessings and strength from God and Jesus Christ. It is because of them we can do anything and it is only with them that this work is possible. All of our baptisms and anything else we do, are blessings from our God according to our faith and hard work.

This is the Lord's work and naturally he is a part of it. He labors right along with us and and softens hearts and prepares souls ready to receive the message of the restoration. Our job is to talk to everyone and be led by him to those precious brothers and sisters of ours that we can help bring unto the fold of God!! :) Look to him for strength and guidance in all you do and say, every aspect of your life, and he will stand by you and lift you up in every way!!
Miracle for the week: Vicki was baptized yesterday!! The whole thing was incredible. The Spirit was so strong the entire time and it was such a blessing to be a part of! There is nothing quite like seeing someone you have come to know and love so much, dress in white and take the first step to coming closer to Christ. They make those sacred baptismal covenants and promise that although they don't know everything and their testimony is fragile, they will continue to learn line upon line and wax stronger in the Church of God!

Other Events of the Week

- I was sick for like 3 days, In a 27 hour period of time, I slept for 19 hours and it felt so good. The mission presidents wife ordered me to get the rest that I need to heal quickly and get back to work so that is exactly what I did. And I am feeling so much better now!!!

- The relief society broadcast was incredible. Everything that was said was exactly what I needed and so inspired. Even though Savannah doesn't want to be baptized right now, she still came to the broadcast and even took notes. She really enjoyed it and I am so excited to watch general conference with her this weekend. I have complete faith that what will be said will be exactly what she needs to hear and will continue to touch and soften her heart!!

- We are getting elders in this area in 2 weeks and I don't really know what to think. I am so used to be the only set of missionaries in the branch and our branch truly loves us. It will be hard to compete with other missionaries! :) I'm just teasing but I really am excited! There is so much to do in this area and so much potential, it will be nice to have another set of missionaries to continue to push the work forward. It will be fun to get the excitement of missionary work, going again in our awesome branch.

Well I love you all and I hope everything is still going well!!

One last thing, I might be needing a GPS here in like 2 weeks or so if Sister Mitchell and I get separated because we are using hers and I was wondering if anyone could maybe help out. Maybe it could be an early Christmas present or maybe someone has one that isn't currently being used!! If anyone can help out please let me know, that would be so nice and such a life saver!! I love you all! I know this church is true and the Lord is with each and every one of us always!! Love and miss you all! Till next week!

Love always, Sister Britni Johnson!! :)