tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24698934672646512082024-03-13T23:40:30.749-07:00Sister Kelsi Denae JohnsonElder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-8018162081578589402014-12-16T12:13:00.003-08:002014-12-16T12:13:38.492-08:00My Last Email From Historic Kirland<br />
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September 2, 2014<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This was a long week! I am almost done with teaching and preparing things. Tonight I am seeing Maryanna and Susie :) Then I just have a discussion to do tomorrow morning at District Meeting.... then I'll be on tour all day tomorrow and teaching people on the phone in New York and Arizona. Then Wednesday is transfers and I will have dinner and go to the <span class="il">mission </span>president's home, have an interview with President and then have a sleep over with Sister Clark and Sister Smith and then wake up at 4 to go to the airport on Thursday! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This last week was kinda emotional. It is slowly starting to hit me... I still don't think it has though. Friday I had to bear my testimony in training meeting and we had transfer breakfast and all that. Then they had me speak in church yesterday. Then Elder Sorenson grabbed me and Sister Clark and said, "Since you two are going home, do you want a really great opportunity?" I was scared because last time he said that it would be a great opportunity it was taking a tour with President Haymond. Then before that was singing with Elder Holland! haha. So I said, "oh no, what is it?" then he said, "Gladys Knight's managers are here for the big event coming up with President and Sister Vellinga. Have fun :)." It turned out to be great :) President Vellinga kept calling me "Marie Osmond." Sister Vellinga was crying in the School of the Prophet's and she started talking about the opportunity we have as missionaries to start and end our <span class="il">missions</span> in the School of the Prophets... then I started to tear up because she said that we were coming back this week to report back to our Heavenly Father on what we did as missionaries. I don't want to report just yet, but I guess I have to.... (ps- they said the Gladys Knight event coming up is just as big as Parley Pratt teaching Sidney Rigdon's congregation. This is HUGE! I wish I could go)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We also took another really great tour yesterday. There was a man who grew up here in Mentor/Kirtland. He was not a member of the church and he went to Catholic School. He ended up moving to Salt Lake for a job opportunity and joined the church out there. He said his family was so against it and wouldn't speak to him. Now he has a cute little family and when he came to Kirtland yesterday he said, "this is my first time back... I have never seen these sites before. You have no idea how many emotions are going through me." He said he is now in the high counsel and over the missionaries. It was amazing to take him on tour. You should have seen his face the whole time... he kept choking up. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I took another tour by myself... we took the CUTEST girl. She was on our previous tour (she's 6) and she really listened. Well, her dad took his other screaming child out so he came on the next tour so he could see it and he brought his 6 year old. Well, I told her she could help me since she just had the tour and she really helped me. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. She kept finishing my sentences and she would copy things I said in the previous tour. haha and I kept saying "my companion, Sister Isberger." Then when we went down to Emma's kitchen and I told her to tell everyone what it was... she said, "Well everyone this is Emma's kitchen. Now, can you find the toaster?" She was sassy about it then I said, tell them how many loaves of bread she would put in her oven and she said, "mmm, I would like them to guess. Anyone?" Everyone was laughing. Her dad was embarrassed. Then when we were leaving she says, "well everyone it was wonderful being your missionary. Sister Isberger has to head back to the visitor center now. Goodbye." And then she left. She was a cute companion!! I loved it :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We had some really great chats and new investigators. There was one Jewish guy who came on to chat and was bashing a little bit, but we turned it around and now he wants us to call and teach him! We called and he is so cool. I wish I could be there to teach him... </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Guess who got baptized yesterday? 3 people I taught... Patar, Alexandria and Kayla. All three!!! I wish I could have been there. ... I was really close to going but the person we were going to take got sick :/ oh well, I am just so happy! They said Patar is going to be a <span class="il">mission</span> president or a General Authority one day because he is so awesome! ahhh! Way to end the <span class="il">mission</span> :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Susie is also sooooooo amazing.... we had such a great lesson with her this week. She said she has always felt like an "island". She said she has never wanted to sleep around, drink or do any of that and has been made fun of for not wanting to do it. She thought she was the only one who had standards in the world. She feels like she is at home... and she wore my clothes again to church. It was so cute :) I love her... she is such a good person and really wants this for her daughters. We talked about the temple in our lesson and Kenzie layed on my lap and drew pictures of the temple and said, "I am going there!" Then she fell asleep on me. I can't wait to hold babies! But anyways, best news.... I promised Susie I would come back when she went through the temple annnnddd They are SKYPING me into her baptism! Because she is getting baptized in a couple weeks!! YAY! Brother Womack called and said, "Susie was telling me how much she loved you. He said, "I feel like you two met in the pre-earth life and you told her that you would come and find her." I love leaving on a note like this...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I also talked to Marsha... she is one of the sweetest people I have met on my <span class="il">mission</span>. She talks about my whole family. She knows everything about my life because of you mom. haha. We also saw some cool miracles when everything canceled this week and we found an old member standing outside who we have been looking for! It was amazing...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I just love <span class="il">missions</span>. I love seeing miracles. I love having so many experiences. I am so blessed that I can have these wonderful experiences. I want to remember them for the rest of my life. I love my life! I know the gospel is true. I know the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. They were here in Kirtland! They really were. So was Joseph Smith... I had the opportunity of teaching where he taught in the School of the Prophets... ahh I know he is a prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Orson Hyde had an experience with the Book of Mormon that I will never forget... His views changed on the church because of the Book of Mormon. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet. I am so grateful that conference is coming up so that we can learn more and more. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Looking back on my <span class="il">mission</span>, I could not have done it by myself. The Lord really lifted me up. I have never felt so low, I have never felt so high. It was hard, but so worth it... it really has been such a blessing to serve, just like everyone said it would be. Words cannot describe how I feel about the people, the experiences and Kirtland.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>See you Thursday. Love you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Sister Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-49056199452064367392014-09-02T20:10:00.001-07:002014-09-02T20:11:41.240-07:00I Hope The Lord Was Pleased With Me As A Missionary<br />
August 25, 2014<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A ton happened this week. They asked me to perform a musical number at Zone Conference and I grabbed my companion, Sister Pugh and Newren and we sang, "My Heavenly Father Loves me." We harmonized almost the whole song. I have a recording of it I will have to have you listen to. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Ok, What? Brooke Larson is engaged! Man, I feel like I'm so much older than her. She is 12 isn't she? ha jk. I just can't believe it. Also, ps- every p-day this guy follows us... and he smelled Sister Heckert's wrist last time and said, "it's my birthday." Then he was following us to our car. He is right next to us this very moment. And staring. Creepy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had Zone conference this week. I could talk about that for forever. I have not felt the spirit that strong and that consistently for a very long time... I have been praying so much... hoping that the Lord was pleased with me as a missionary. I feel like that was a confirmation at Zone Conference. Then when President closed the meeting, he said, "I want to read you all a weekly email that I got this week." Then he read my letter that I wrote him last week. He talked about how lucky he is to read all of our inspiring emails. He said "you all have our own beautiful stories and if only we could compile them all into a book. You are changing the world."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Also at Zone Conference, I found out that the Hiram ward was in charge of our lunch, so I told someone to tell Sister Busath to make Cafe Rio. So, they made if for our conference! I got to say goodbye to some of the Hiram people. I loved Hiram so much. I also had to bear a goodbye testimony at Zone Conference AND I have to speak at training meeting on Friday because I am leaving and then I was just asked to give a talk in church on Sunday. Lovely :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday, Susie came to church! (she wore one of my skirts I gave her. Made me smile) They were going to teach a lesson that she already heard in Sunday school... and we really did not feel good about it. So right before the lesson we talked to the teacher and then he told us that he wasn't even prepared for the lesson. Miracle! So a topic came in my head (the holy Ghost), and we threw the lesson together. We have no idea what we said, but now we know it was the right topic for Susie because she rose her hand! She said, "I usually don't speak up because I get nervous, but I just have to tell you all how good this feels." She said that she thought it was the Holy Ghost that was guiding her. She said, her mom is giving her a hard time.... and she said she has been on a spiritual journey for the last 2 years... and she thinks she found where she needs to be. Oh it made me SO happy! Then one of her little girls said that she wanted to be baptized. So they will definitely be getting baptized soon. They are sooo cute. Susie was a cheerleader for the Calves. She is so beautiful. She has such a soft heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We took the cutest tour this week. There was a sister coming home from the Halifax mission. She was with her parents and her mom was in a wheel chair. Well, it seemed that the Mom's bottom half of her body was paralyzed. When we got to the Newel K. Whitney store she told her husband that she really wanted to see the School of the Prophets. She said it was her dream. You could tell that he loved her so much. He said, "we will make sure you see it." Then he picked her up and carried her up the stairs... they almost died and fell down the stairs, but he really wanted to help her and she just cried and cried. It was really touching...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, it was an eventful week. We went to the hospital, saw a boy walking his pet sheep, took tours, taught, served and taught. I love the mission. I also love my mission President. I love my site director, Elder and Sister Sorenson. Elder Sorenson gave me a blessing this week and he did so many other kind acts. I love being surrounded by all these wonderful people who just build each other up. I want to be as giving as some of these people I have been associating with. I love this gospel. It's the only way to true happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Love you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">ps- I love my companion. She has such a good heart. Her parents wrote me this week and her brother that is engaged. They are the sweetest family. They have sent me things too! Really good people. Kory has permission to marry her ;)</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-11048993008253938312014-08-18T09:29:00.007-07:002014-08-18T09:29:57.750-07:00The Spirit is Our Connection To Heaven<br />
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How's it going? There have been so many things happening this week! First of all, a ton of Aubrey's friends came from Roosevelt! And this kid actually came to my apartment when I lived in Ventana. He was friends with Jessica. Anyways, it was ironic you sent me a picture. They told me it was Jessica's homecoming and Aubrey looks so pretty!! We also took soooo many wonderful tours. We even took people from Samoa!</div>
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I sang in church on Sunday. We had 7 investigators that were supposed to be there... none of them showed. I almost cried :( I am not sure what is up with Susie. But one of our investigators that we didn't think would show came! We hadn't met with him since Sister Tietjen, but he loved church. He looks tough... he has earrings and tattoo's, but a really good heart. My favorite. After I sang, Dieter came up to me and said, "you sing good for an old lady." haha</div>
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One of our solid investigators name is Derek. We found him after leaving a members home. It was soooo funny! Sister Heckert is learning how to contact and give cards to people. It's one of my favorite things to do and she won't do it. haha. I told her it was her turn when 2 guys were walking down the street. She turned around and jumped in the car and said , "no, you can't make me!" and so I started counting to three and telling her to get out of the car... just joking though. haha So I ran over to them and that is how we got Derek!</div>
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We ran into a situation with him as well... he called us and said he wanted to meet us at his work and so we were like sure, that is fine. Well, we got to his work and he said bye to his work friends and then opened the back door to our car and hopped in!! I started to panic... #1- strict rule... never be alone with a boy. #2- We aren't allowed to drive people in the mission car and #3- It was soooooo weird. We told him the rule and that he couldn't ride with us and he got so sad... because he had no ride home. Then we felt terrible! He said he understood, but he wouldn't get out of the car. We thought that it would ruin things... I just wish I could put into words how awkward we were and that situation was. He finally got out of the car 8 minutes later. It was the worst! </div>
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Then I found a frog this week. So I caught it and I brought it inside the visitor center. I walked up to Sister Walker and told her to hold out her hands. I put the frog in her hands and she dropped him and screamed! Oh man, it was so funny. Her husband is a prankster, so she is used to it. S he jokingly says she is never going to trust me ever again. I remember when I did that to grandma Johnson :) Sister Heckert and I are alllwwwaaayyyss joking around and laughing. It's really fun, but then we are serious when we need to be and have taken some really spiritual tours together, but she definitely brings out my joking side. So, Sister Clark and I scared her one night while she was in the shower. :) </div>
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We had some really neat experiences this week. As a back up one night while it was pouring raining...we went tracting. We had no umbrella, so we thought people might let us in because they felt bad for us. We brought our hymn books and we asked if we could sing them a hymn... it was amazing how quick the spirit cam. We want to do that again. It was a really neat experience with people. </div>
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We were also studying one day this week and someone knocked on our door....no one ever knocks on our door. Except when the seniors are coming over to do cleaning inspections. So, we go answer it and this lady is selling something. Right when we opened the door, she said, "Your Mormons!" She saw our name-tags... she said that she was a Mormon and that she was from Salt Lake! She called us Elder's, so we figured she wasn't too familiar with the church, but we were able to hook her up with the missionaries and she said she was wanting to go back to church, but didn't know where to go and didn't think there were many Mormons in Ohio. It was so meant to be!!!</div>
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Have you seen the new Mormon Message? It is really good. We watched it and it actually really helped this week.... Mike came to Sunday School and while we were sitting there, I felt impressed to share that story. It was almost as if the spirit was screaming at me to share it. Mike said before that he wanted to change his life, but he wasn't getting answered and he didn't feel like God was there or even cared if he was. Well, I shared the story... (you will have to watch it- <a href="http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3701964025001" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.mormonchannel.<wbr></wbr>org/video/mormon-messages?v=<wbr></wbr>3701964025001</a>) and right after that, he said he wanted to learn more, meet this week and become a Mormon. </div>
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I really love the spirit. The spirit is our connection to Heaven. If we follow those promptings, miracles will happen. I really really feel like this was one of the miracles. </div>
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I love you!</div>
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Sister Johnson</div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-59777436651078963812014-08-11T14:13:00.003-07:002014-09-02T20:13:47.427-07:00I Was Called to This Mission For A Reason<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">How are you all doing? How is the weather in California? We have taken a lot of people on tour this week from California... some have been from our area or have family in Aliso. I didn't know any names though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">To answer your question... We did help out with the Kirtland 5k. It was super fun! I just wanted to run it so badly! We helped pass our water... there were some quick guys there. They ran the 5k in the 16 minutes. It was nuts! There was also a ton of fun music... we were dancing and singing along... Elder and Sister Sorenson were dancing too, so all the Sisters took that as being okay :) I also was able to see a ton of people from my previous areas. It was so good to see them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I am singing 2 more times before I go home... I will be singing next week in church... and then Sister Heckert and I are doing a duet at Zone Conference. We have no idea what we are going to do! But hopefully we can figure that out soon! President Vellinga just loves music, he always has us sing a ton. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I really know that I was called to this mission for a reason. I keep realizing it more and more. Something I really wanted to learn before my mission was how to be a better teacher. It turns out, my mission president is one of the BEST teachers in the world. Everyone always knows who he is. He teaches people how to teach for a living. He specifically teaches people how to teach the Gospel. I love my Mission President. I want to be like him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We took 5 tours on Saturday. We kept coming back in from tour and they would ask us to go on tour immediately again. Well, right when we came in from our second tour in a row, they came up to us and said they needed us again. As I walked in the doors, I saw a familiar face and then I saw another familiar face... I wasn't sure if I was seeing things clearly. <b>It was Russ and Ann!!</b> They came to Kirtland! It made me nervous at first and we had to take a really big group. I hugged Ann and started to tear up. Russ said that he couldn't hug me yet. haha. There was a family with 10 kids... I didn't feel like the best tour guide because I just wanted to talk to the Sewell's, but it was really fun to see them! They are really so sweet.... I feel like since I have been a missionary, you can always tell who is really in tune and prepared to come to Kirtland. The Sewell's were prepared. They are wonderful people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Susie did not come to church. In fact, we have not heard from her since church. Will keep you updated :( I really don't like Satan, but on the bright side... Sister Clark and I were able to be companions again this week! It was so fun :) I love her... our day pretty much fell through but we were able to see a lot of miracles and even muck horse stalls again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I heard a quote this week that says, "Your personal knowledge of God is not only the greatest gift you will ever give, but it will bring you the greatest joy you will ever have." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I know that God and Jesus Christ live. A big part of how I know this is because of how I feel when I read or hear people who have seen Them and then testify that God and Jesus Christ live. Do you remember the apostles this last conference? Especially Elder Holland when he said, "<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I am more certain that those keys have been restored and that those ordinances are once again available through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than I am certain I stand before you at this pulpit and you sit before me in this conference." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">or Elder Packer when He says, "I </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">bear my witness that the Savior lives. I </span><i style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">know</i><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Or even when Joseph and Hiram bear testimony of them right after the Father and the son showed unto them the plan of Salvation... </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">“For we saw him” </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Sans, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I feel it's true when I hear these testimonies... the world may try to prove it otherwise, but whenever you doubt, you can lean on these great testimonies. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Sans, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Go to heaven!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Sans, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Love, Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></span><br />
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-53462004052235774422014-08-04T09:48:00.003-07:002014-08-04T09:48:16.447-07:00He's Everyone's Personal Savior<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This was a great week... there were some sad things that happened too and also funny. One of our investigators doesn't really understand our purpose.... we accidentally woke him up when we called trying to set up an appointment and I said, "oh I am so sorry that we woke you up, we can call you later!" Then he said, "No. Don't worry about it Sister Johnson... I just love waking up to the sound of your voice..." Then I said "what?" because I wasn't sure if I heard what I thought I heard... and he kept repeating it and was way flirty. I just tried to talk over him and was awkward. Hopefully he will understand our purpose more when he meets with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My companion is famous! She is in a picture in the For Strength of Youth pamphlet (pg. 21) and she is in bible videos. If you want to see her... watch the video "A house divided" at <span class="" data-term="goog_1649206013" tabindex="0"><span class="">1:50 and 4:45</span></span> I think... :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/a-house-divided?lang=eng" style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/a-house-divided?lang=eng</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/ForTheStrengthOfYouth-eng.pdf?lang=eng" style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/ForTheStrengthOfYouth-eng.pdf?lang=eng</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone keeps reminding me that I am so close to going home. It's hard to avoid it, especially when I am on tours every day and the 2 questions they ask are.... "Where are you from and how long have you been on your mission?" I'm so glad that I am training because it keeps me focused and on top of things. I really want to do EVERYTHING before I leave and I just want to keep talking to everyone. We are going to go tracting this week (we usually don't plan for that, but we want to sing at people's doors. I am so excited :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Our investigator, Susie, found out that I am pretty close to going home... she was not too happy. We met with her this week and it was so wonderful. We taught her and her kids about the Book of Mormon and they LOVED it. They told us that we were going to church but then last minute we got a call from a member and he said that she didn't want to come to church because she didn't have clothes....soooo.... I grabbed almost my whole closet and put it in a bag and gave her my clothes. I really love Susie, Kylie and Kenzie and didn't want clothes to be an issue not to come to church. So they came and they loved it :) I bore my testimony for the last time on my mission and I looked at Susie and she was crying. Then in Relief Society, she started to cry too. She really felt the spirit <span class="" data-term="goog_1649206014" tabindex="0"><span class="">on Sunday</span></span>. She keeps saying, "I don't know what I am going to do without you. You aren't allowed to leave me and the girls..." She said I can live at her house. She isn't joking when she says it. ha It's kinda stressing me out... we just all connected really well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">On a sad note... Justine dropped us... she said not to go back to her house....bubuuuuutt we are missionaries. So of course we aren't going to give up that easy! We ignored her text and we are going to make her cookies and bring them to her today :) Her heart will soften, I know it will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sites have been less and less busy. We had thousands more come to Kirtland this summer compared to last summer (over 22,000). Kirtland has such a special place in my heart. Some of the tours were really spiritual this week.. I wish I had time to tell all of the experiences...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We went to a trainee meeting with President Vellinga this week. I really learned so much. I want to be like my mission presidnet one day. He is such a great teacher and he really makes it so you do a lot of self-reflection. He was talking about how there are missionaries who just went home and who are about to go home this next transfer. He was talking to the new missionaries and telling them how he wanted them to feel when they ended their mission. He said he usually asks the missionaries if they can list people that they have grown to love on their mission... I started to think about all the people that I have grown to love and I could not stop crying. As a missionary, you really do feel how much the Savior loves these people. He loves every single one of us and He is everyone's personal Savior. I have really come to understand that more and more....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">President Vellinga also said, "No lazy people will go to heaven." It's so true. Our church is not a "once a week" kind of church. We are constantly moving, serving, helping and trying to become more like our Savior and trying to become closer to the Lord. Work... is a big piece of how we are going to get to Heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Go to Heaven! Love you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">ps- I have a video... we sang to Bill from the Community of Christ because he is moving... it was so sweet. I don't think it will fit on my email... so I might have to wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">pss.... I've been at 2 meetings with Elder Hutzler because all the trainers and trainees have been together. So I saw him the moment he met his companion and<span style="color: black;"> he was excited to see me! I am shocked he remembers me. He looks just like Jared. <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I won't see him again.... we already said, "Bye" T</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">ell Dave Hutzler that his son is a power house. He kept raising his hand at the trainee meeting and I commented on what he said and I said, " I like what Elder Hutzler said."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">oh I forgot to say... I mucked horse stalls this week!</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-82893495967620142182014-07-28T10:14:00.006-07:002014-07-28T10:14:51.143-07:00John Bytheway and My Birthday!<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, another week has flown by. Actually this was a longer week. haha. I have had 2 different companions this week. Sister Tietjen has now gone home. So crazy. I keep sending missionaries home. My new companion is cute. Her name is Sister Heckert and she is from Orem Utah. She is Italian and loves to be healthy... soooooo hopefully we can be a little healthy together. I still can't run :( I ran today and my knee didn't like it too much. There still inflammation, so I am still just taking a lot of medication. </span><div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So much happened this week. First off... whoa such a great birthday. I got sung to 100 times. Maryanna (from our branch) talked to Sister Wygant, who talked to Mom and when I got back from a tour in Kirtland yesterday... there was Happy birthday signs and balloons and presents, confetti cake (with trick candles) frozen yogurt (cake batter) and she even went to the Disney store and got be a stuff animal of Goofy because I guess Sister Tietjen told her that I draw Goofy all the time. haha.... there was even more. Sister Sorenson and Sister Wygant sent a little baggy of my favorite Dark choc acai berries from Costco. Then I got the cute necklace from Mom and oh I just felt so spoiled. Too much fun. Sister Germaine (a less-active from our branch) drove a half hour to come give me a hug and say Happy Birthday. I just loved it. And at the end of the day, we were stuck at the sites. Alarms were sounding and there were tornado warnings and a big storm, so we just hung out at the Visitor center. I LOVE thunder storms. It was really fun. Thank you to every one who wrote me... made my day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had some neat experiences this week. We have a solid new investigator. She is a member referral with two little girls. She is so beautiful and loves God. She has family prayer every day with her girls. She kept saying, "I have an open mind. I am searching for something in my life.... I need it, especially for my girls." She is such a great mom and she told her friend that she really connected with me... she almost wasn't in our area, but a miracle happened and she is! So we are teaching her again tonight and she will be at church this next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We went to a pizza place with someone the other day in Chardon and we were listening to these people talk. They seemed really cool and the guy looked like a guy off a movie, so I took it as an opportunity to talk. I told him he looked familiar... then he said, "hmmm do you go to the YMCA? I said no... then he asked a ton of other places and then he said, "well what church do you go to?" It was the perfect way to start talking about the church :) Turns out he and his wife lived in Kirtland and never went to the sites before. We invited them to go and then he said, "I will never be a Mormon. So don't try to convert me." I told him not to worry... then he told us he went to Salt Lake and they did family history... well, the conversation kinda stopped, but then he turned back around and said, "I have to tell you something. One time, I felt prompted to go to the Chardon library. Then I felt prompted to go to the basement and I never go to the basement. I walked down and saw two girls. They looked Mormon, so I asked if they were Mormon. We got talking and they were very nice." Then he turned back around.... It was so cool that he said that he had a "prompting". As we were leaving, I reached for my wallet and accidentally pulled out a<a href="http://familysearch.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">familysearch.org</a> card instead. I was like... well that is a sign, so I went back and gave the card to them and told them how I got called to a place where my ancestors were. It really just felt sooooo inspired. They are going to join the church one day :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">There was another really neat story. This lady joined the church a couple weeks ago and she came to one of the missionary training meetings. She walked in with a giant suitcase... it was heavy full of books... she said, "I have a ton more of these books at home." She told us that she had read every single one of those books (and there was a ton!) and she was searching for answers and found nothing. Then.... she held up the Book Of Mormon and said, "I read this book and I found...everything." It was so powerful. Never underestimate the Book of Mormon. It really does help us find peace in this life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">One more quick funny story. We were talking to John Bytheway this week. He came on tour with his family. He's awesome. We shook his hand and said bye and we were called straight on another tour.. then I asked the next tour if they saw him. I told the tour that we were just talking with him and Sister Tietjen looks at me with the most shocking look. She says, "YOU MET JOHN BYTHEWAY?" I said, "You did too hunny. You even shook his hand." haha She was freaking out and said, "why didn't you tell me?!" It was so funny. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, and I got to drive a tractor this week as we were pulling weeds and stuff. It was so fun, I really love doing service. I wish I can finish telling you all the miracles we saw this week. I guess there was a lady who hasn't talked with anyone from the church in a long time and didn't want anything to do with it. We stopped by this week and she stepped out on the porch... wasn't going to let us in, but then I really had to go to the bathroom.... so I asked if I come in. haha Then she let us in and we were able to teach her. The spirit was so strong and by the end, she said she would think about going to church in the future. It was so powerful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love being a missionary. I love talking to anyone and every one. Probably one of my favorite parts about the mission! I just love people. I just love missionary work... too much. It will never end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Love you all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-61121722107128880162014-07-24T11:14:00.001-07:002014-07-24T11:14:44.804-07:00I'm Training for My Last 6 Weeks<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi family,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Guess what? I am training a new missionary! It's crazy. Last preparation day President called and I wasn't thinking anything of it, but he said, "can you train a new missionary for your last 6 weeks?" When you train, you train for 12 weeks, so I didn't think that was a possibility, but I am excited. It will really push me to work even harder for the last 6 weeks! I can't believe I am sending another companion home. I have had so many companions for only 6 weeks. I had an interview with President Vellinga this week and we were talking about that and he said, "well at least you know you aren't a problem missionary, every one just needs a taste of ya." He's just trying to make me feel better. ha </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">We have been fed soo very much this last week. 2 dinners a night makes ya sick. And I have made a promise to Elder Sorenson that I would not exercise in the mornings because I hurt my knees. He has tons of experience in the health field, so I will comply. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Did Aunt Laura get a message from her friends in Nashville? They took a picture of me and they are friends with Jed and Alyson too. Oh and someone else's family came a took a picture with me? There was Elder Fogg, that served in our home ward, who sent his mom my weekly emails and she wanted to meet me. I also met all the seminary and institute directors. They all came to Kirtland. So... I asked them all who they knew! They all knew my mission president and they all knew Angela's dad. Angela's dad was the boss for most of them and tons of them knew Russ Greiner. I love making connections with people. I have found a connection with every tour I took this week! Oh and there was one set of sisters this week that took over 47 tours! They were at the Johnson home though and that was a bit shorter, but that is pageant week! The pageant in Palmyra is now over.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Justine LOVED church this week. She really loved it and will probably get baptized in the next couple weeks. She says it seems great for her boys and then SHE was the one who brought up baptism and was talking about how she wants to learn more because her boys want to get baptized when they are 8. It is really wonderful. It's so important to talk to every one... I just keep thinking..."what if we didn't talk to her?"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">I have really learned more about being Christlike this last week at the training meeting with President Vellinga. He brought up a really good scripture...it was in Proverbs. I can't remember it at the moment, but it talks about how a fool uttereth his mind and the wise people know how to listen. As a trainer, as a friend, as a sister and daughter... I can be so much better if I listen better. He talked about how that is one of the hardest traits to accomplish. To be more interested in other people than yourselves. I am definitely going to be working on that even more! I love learning... I feel like I have really started to see more of the eternal perspective of things. I was asleep before my mission. I didn't understand. I still don't understand, but I have just a little bit more and I am eternally grateful for that!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">I love you!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-925779426143055052014-07-15T00:00:00.002-07:002014-07-15T00:00:56.215-07:00Busy in Chardon<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">okay this week.... well, it was my first really, really great week in Chardon. Except I have a knee brace on my knee... and I have to get another one for my right knee. Looks like I am getting old. Elder Sorenson has been chastising me a lot. He says I am not allowed to work out :( (Sister Vellinga said that too) I told him I'd be fine and could do a little :) and he gave me a scary look. haha. He said, "do you want Mr. Right to be pushing you around in a wheel chair at your wedding?" He said, "you are done until you heal." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So, we took some really great tours this week. We took 11 between Friday and Saturday. There were people from Tahiti and Australia and literally just ALL over. We took this tour with a cute Australian family and there was another couple that joined in as well. Well, I didn't think anything of it, but the next day... I saw that couple again! They ran up to me and said, "Sister Johnson, we need to talk to you." I was thinking I did something wrong, but he said, "You probably don't ever get to hear feedback and we wanted to come and tell you that you did an amazing job on the tour yesterday." He said that his testimony had been strengthen so much and he was very overwhelmed by the spirit that we brought. It was so sweet. His wife was standing there crying and said it was a wonderful experience for them, especially when we sang, A Child's Prayer in the Whitney home. Made me smile so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Wygant is here... she came and worked out with us all this morning... since I can't do anything, I just bossed Sister Newren, Pugh, Tietjen and Wygant around. We run together every morning. Well, most mornings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I have to tell you some amazing miracles in the Chardon West area. We had 2 days in our area this week. Basically it was 2 half days and an evening and we worked as hard as we could. The mission goal is to have 20 lessons a week and we got 20 lessons in our 2 days! It made us so happy. We only had a few more minutes left before we had to head home and so we prayed for where we needed to go and which door to knock on. Well, we knocked on a door and asked if we could teach him and he said yes! So he was our 20th lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We were also stopping by a less-active this week and he was not home. We were walking by another home and I said, "hey I think we should knock on this door." A man answered and we asked him if we could practice teaching him for 5 minutes. He told us that we only had 5 minutes. As we started to talk, we asked him a couple of questions to get to know him a little bit and turns out he knew a lot about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, so we taught him the Plan of Salvation. During the lesson, he kept asking us so many questions and we went well over 5 minutes... it was over 20 minutes. Turns out, his TWIN brother served a mission and is Mormon and living in Salt Lake. How neat is that! He was having a hard time figuring out if there was a God. We testified and he loved it. It was really a miracle... we were so happy that we were able to meet him. That happened a couple more times this week as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Chris, the recent convert in our area that has been coming teaching with us is not doing so well. I can't disclose a lot of information, but it is really bad. We got involved and his dad yelled at us and told us to get off his property. Sister Tietjen cried a lot. I really wanted to say a lot of things to that man, but the spirit was there and my mouth would not open. We were very Christlike about the whole thing and I learned a lot. I have never experienced something like that before. Pray for Chris and his family...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I have a lot of random things to tell you! For starters, the thunderstorms have been AMAZING here. We have been soked on tour. Justine and her 2 boys came to church. The Packer's also went home :( I cried so much... I love the Packer's. They were my grandparents here. Sister Packer has to get surgery I think. She needs a lot of prayers too. I got to meet her new son in-law that I heard so many stories about! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Oh and yes, I have had so many connections on tour. One family has my number and I "have" to go have Sunday dinner with them in Utah. That is what they said. :) They were fun and yes I took a tour with Brother Short's son and the Garlock's grand-daughter :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We also got to sing in the Kirtland temple this week for the Emma Festival. It was a neat experience, now I can say that I sang in the Kirtland temple!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Also, I totally saw a kid yesterday that I have been on quite a few dates with... it was weird. He was walking out of the School of the Prophets and he said my name! Well, then he turned and said, "meet my wife!" Oh it was great. I said, "I didn't know you were married!" The senior couple taking them on tour saw what happened and so they told all of Kirtland that I saw an old boyfriend and he was married. He was never my boyfriend. haha. They keep telling everyone that, but they just like to joke. haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Lastly, Mom, I can't believe you called the cops on Marsha. hahah. She really enjoyed telling me. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">How was your birthday Kierra? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, sorry this all over the place. Too many little things to tell you. It was a fun week! I love you! very much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And... that is weird that you have my flight information!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-28549214557976032992014-07-01T14:51:00.001-07:002014-07-01T14:51:27.090-07:00Marsha is Baptized!<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, my week was so fantastic! SO many wonderful events took place.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">We have a recent convert named Christ, who got baptized the week before I got to this area. He is awesome. He is in his 20's and really new the church was true. Anyways, we are teaching him the new member lessons and we asked him if he would stay and teach another guy with us. He stayed and taught this kid, Nate. Christ LOVED it. He was bearing testimony the whole time and he kept saying things like, "I promise you, if you read the Book of Mormon and if you pray about it, you will know that it is true." "Dude, it's changed my whole life, especially since I got the Holy Ghost." He even was talking about how it's sometimes hard with the law of chastity and the word of wisdom.... and I kinda stopped him there.... Nate hasn't been taught anything and had never even heard of the Book of Mormon. ha ha But Chris was just so excited and when we finished, Chris said, "he totally has potential! I hope he comes to church." Then when Nate didn't show up to church, Chris was really sad, but we are still going to teach again this week. It was so awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">So many amazing things happened... I got to go to <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">MARSHA</span>'S baptism! Oh, it was so wonderful. I was in Kirtland the whole day and so I decided to call<span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Marsha</span> and have a lesson with her to prepare for her baptism. Mostly just words of encouragement. I was sick a lot this week... and she said, "oh, you sound so sick, are you going to come? Did you get permission?" I told her I did not get permission, but I told her that I knew of someone that was going and I said it was a surprise. Well, of course, that someone was me! It was hard not to tell her right then because she was so sad I couldn't go. BUT when I got there, I saw the Elders and they said, "She is going to scream!" I said, "where is she?" I ran to the bathroom and I walked in and said, "<span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Marsha</span>", (in a different voice so she didn't know it was me). Then I walked up to her and said, "I'm here!" It took her a second to process what was going on and she said, "It's YOU! Oh hunny, I told everyone you were sick! Did you trick me on purpose? Were you that secret spy? Oh I can't believe you came all this way!" She kept talking... that is <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Marsha</span>, she is a talker :) Then, she kept saying, "did you know, this is my 3rd time to get dipped? I sure hope it's the last one." Then when she went to get baptized the men were helping her and telling her again what was going to happen. She said, "I got it, I am going to lean forward , right?" They told her no.... and that she was going to be going backwards. Well...<span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Marsha</span> was almost in tears after that. haha. She kept whispering, "Oh dear Lord, Oh dear Lord. Please help us all. " It was hilarious because she was so serious. Then they told her that she could plug her nose and I have never seen someone hold on to their nose so tight! After it was done, she said, "oh, that wasn't that bad." ha ha. She is a sweetheart and so complimentary. I really love her... and I was so grateful President Vellinga allowed me to go. We didn't get home until after 10:30. It was so fun to go on a road trip with Elder and Sister Sorenson. :)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">We have also been taking so many tours. I love it, we feel so fulfilled. We fell right on our beds last night, we were so tired. We took 4 two hour long tours in a row.... my brain was fried, plus we had phone lessons and chats. We took so many cute little families and prepared families. So many connections. One girl was way good friends with McKenzie Hunter and Kenny Roberts. One family worked for Angela Whimpey's dad and knows Angela's family! And the boy is dating Heather Allan... almost every tour, we have some kind of connection. It's so fun. Two girls are adding me on fb too.... ha ha.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">One tour was non-members stopping in from New York. That was amazing... they accidentally made a wrong turn and pulled into the parking lot. They thought, "well, let's see what this place is." They were letting us share a ton of information with them. The dad was really into history and loved learning about it all. We bore testimony and told them what happened in the School of the Prophets. I wasn't sure how they would react, but when we asked them what their favorite part of the tour was, they said, "the school room upstairs." I asked why?... they said, "It just felt peaceful." That was the best answer! We talked about the spirit and they kept saying, "this is so cool". We asked if they wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon and they said that they did. So we gave out 4 copies. Then the girls said, "I am definitely going to read this." I asked the girls if they wanted me to call and read the Book of Mormon with them and be there if they had any questions. They said, "oh you are so cute, yes! We would love that!" So now I am going to call them. It was MEANT to be that they randomly stopped in Kirtland, Ohio. They are going to be baptized. :) It was one of the most powerful non-member tours I have taken. Kinda like<span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Marsha</span>'s tour. :) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I wish I could tell everything.. I gave a discussion this week and I made everyone do planks and had them do certain things while doing the planks. It was so funny. We then related it to "enduring the end". We met a guy who teaches people acrobats. Like at sea world... I totally want to do that now! We watched it... it was amazing! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I really felt like this week I was in my only little world and have been evaluating my life a ton. I have realized that when I get home, I want to do things differently. I love the spirit. It really can change you and make you want to be a better person, if you have an open heart. I realized that I want to be the best that I can be now, and when I get home. I want to be better at studying and constantly nourishing my testimony. I want to have the spirit with me always and make my home like a temple. I have been surrounded by so many people who really understand the gospel and they are just so inspiring. I want to raise my standards even more. This gospel truly is what makes us happy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I love you all so much!!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">ps- 2 boys came in preparing for missions ... I felt inspired to share an experience Dad had on his mission, when he remembered a time when he was in seminary. I told them and they were really appreciative..</span></div>
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Sister Johnson with Marsha</div>
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Sister Johnson with Marsha at her baptism 6/28/14</div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-31920277802392749912014-06-23T09:09:00.000-07:002014-06-23T17:29:32.855-07:00Baptisms<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hi family,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Oh my, my heart hurts. My prayers are going out to the Minor family. I actually met someone yesterday who knew them from Hemet...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">3 people I have taught are getting baptized this Saturday. I have been asking for for a while to go to Marsha's baptism. It's usually not allowed because otherwise missionaries would be traveling all over the mission to see people that they taught. I asked my District Leader and I never heard back. He was waiting for the Zone leaders to talk to the AP's so they can talk to the Mission President. Anywho, I just asked Elder Sorenson...(because I was impatient) and he said, "one second". He turned around and called President Vellinga.... then he text him and long story, but President ended up calling me. Still, nothing decided. Then I saw him at the fireside last night and I said, "I have been thinking about it and I don't think that I should go. " He said, "Do you think you shouldn't?" I told him it wasn't fair because other sisters have been able to go to their baptisms after they got transferred.... well, long story short, he said..."hmm... I think you should go, you have my permission." I was SHOCKED and reallllyyyy happy. Elder Sorenson is driving me and we wont get home until after 10 (after curfew because it's far away). I am reallllllyyyy spoiled. All the sisters kept saying, "how do you get permission for everything?" I feel guilty :/ but I get to go to MARSHA'S baptism! And Alexandria and Kayla's was on Saturday and he said I can go to all 3, but Alexandria and Kayla didn't show up to church, so they had to cancel...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Elder Sorenson was out of town for a while sealing his grandson and new granddaughter in the temple. He said, "Do you realize that this is a dedicated site, just like the temple is dedicated?" He said that being in the world really opened his eyes again and he said that being on site feels just like being in the temple and he said, "basically, we get to live in a temple every single day." So cool, huh? :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I talked to Dakoda! Did you hear? He is pretty cool. I told him about the Johnson home and how we have section 76 in the D&C. Then we talked about the Plan of Salvation. I also talked to Kent twice! He has a cool hick accent. I told him about Newel K. Whitney and Joseph first meeting each other in Kirtland and talked about prayers being answered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We were pulling weeds this week and It was sunny and hot outside. We were so sweaty. We were going to stop by a few people after we were done and when we did, we ran into a cute lady and told her about Primary (we had just practiced telling people about Primary in district meeting in the morning). She was so interested and says she has been looking for a church that is family oriented. Well, all of a sudden HUGE clouds were rolling in...and there was a ton of thunder. We were thinking... "we better get going" but there was another lady sitting out front. We HAD to talk to her too... so we ran up to her and she said, "what on earth are you doing outside? Did you know there are tornado warnings!? It's almost here! Get in my house!" Well, as missionaries, we definitely cannot decline that, so we went in her house and we were able to talk to her about the gospel. She was the sweetest lady and really so prepared. She saved us from the storm and we stayed in her house until it ended :) It was meant to be and really a miracle. She is going to be a strong member one day, I know it. We are so grateful that we were in the right place at the right time. Before we left, I felt strongly like I needed to testify from the bottom of my heart that I knew that these things were true. I prayed really hard that the spirit was there and that she felt it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sorry I am so long winded today. We did too much this week and I took so many neat tours with non-members and people from all over the United States. We even got to play volleyball and go on a hike for Family Home Evening with the Community of Christ this week. We did not feel like missionaries. It was too much fun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We have also been in Kirtland a ton and have given so many tours. Kaden, guess what? I took a tour with this family and this boy kind of looked like you. I said, "hey you look like my little brother." This kid said, "really? No way. That is cool!" I asked him how old he was and he said that he was 12. I said, "Hey! My brother is 12! Then I said, "what is your name?" And he said, "Kaden." I said, "How do you spell it?" He said, K.A.D.E.N. I said, "Do you play basketball?" He said, "I am playing on a league right now." Then I told him that my brother's name is Kaden and it's spelled the same and he plays bball! He got really excited. ha ha. It made me happy because it reminded me of you :) I love and miss you too much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">When we ate dinner with Uma the other day, she told us what the food was called, "white melon soup." Well, then she said it in Thai. When she said it, she said the F word! The word melon in Thai is the F word! She started laughing and said, "we have melon all the time, it don't bother me." It was kinda funny, but I was kinda uncomfortable. ha ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love being a missionary. I learn so much. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Anyways, I love you a lot. I hope you have a great week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Love always,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">"For those who feel physically or emotionally exhausted, start getting regular sleep and rest and make time to eat and relax. Recognize that being busy is not the same as being worthy and being worthy does not require perfection."</span><br />
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-4517046794169367982014-06-16T12:03:00.001-07:002014-06-16T12:03:38.695-07:00Letta<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A big part of this week we were in Shaker and the other part of the week, I was in Chardon. I had a last meeting with Laura and we really set expectations. We were going to drop her, but she said she understands and she said she will start keeping committments, so that is good.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We took Jason to Kirtland. The School of the Prophets was really awesome. We told him about the men who threw their pipes and tobacco straight into the fireplace and we invited him to do the same with his coffee. He said, "I don't think the senior missionaries would be very happy with me if I broke glass all over." ha ha.... everything is sarcasm. I kept pulling pranks... we just have to do that with Jason because we are so bold with him and then we have to lighten things up a bit. It was good and it was sad to say bye. He will get baptized one day soon. I told him he better go quick so he can find a cute Mormon girl and get married in the temple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">They had me bear my testimony when I left Shake Heights and then they had me bear testimony in Chardon. I am officially in my first branch. Man, it was so small. Not much is going on in Chardon right now... so we have a ton of work to do. A ton... It's all country- kinda like Rootstown again. There is one area where they have a couple shopping spots and food, but that is it. It's weird not being the only white person anymore! I kinda really liked it :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We went to the Strawberry Festival again this year! We served yummy Strawberry shortcake. It was SO fun.... I loved seeing so many people and talking to so many people in line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, we had the sweetest tour yesterday. An elder from our mission came with his family (Elder Williams- She tried to set me up with him and his companion all the time ha ha and the bishop told her to stop). So he actually was one of the elders that I sent Marsha to! So we got to talk about Marsha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">There was a couple of families combined because it is getting so busy again. One family was just moving here... and guess what there new ward is? Shaker Heights. They were adorable... they would have been in my area too. Anyways, one of the little boys was named Luke and you could tell that he had a disability. We kept talking to him and directing everything towards him. When we were in the School of the Prophets, Luke was acting up and moving around a ton. After we read the testimony of John Murdock of the vision he had, I turned to Luke and said, "Did you hear that Luke? Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ came in this room." He smiled and turned his head into his mom as if he was embarrassed. Such a sweet little boy. After we went out of the store, the mom came up to me and said, "When Luke has high emotions, he reacts just as he did in the School of the Prophets." Then she started to choke up and cry... she said, "It was very special to get to see him react to the spirit. I know that he was feeling the spirit."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I heard a quote the last couple of days, it said, "the key to know God is a struggle." Sometimes that is very true. I did not realize how hard it would be to leave Shaker and get released... it's been really hard. A lot harder to get released than to get called. At least I am still serving and still a missionary! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, I have to run, but I love you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I attached the note from Elder Holland...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-52667510555795442342014-06-09T10:13:00.003-07:002014-06-09T10:13:29.877-07:00Being Transferred One Last Time<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Another really fun week and last week in Shaker Heights East. I am really sad.... I am getting transferred. I have spent 1/3 of my mission here being Sister Training Leader and I will really miss it. It's almost like a weight is being lifted because I don't have to do training meetings and other training meetings and exchanges and scheduling and all the tasks anymore. But then again, I really really liked being able to serve in that way. I will now be ending my mission in Chardon West. It is the Amish Community and very rural. So, it will be such a change from Shaker! We aren't teaching a single white person here and I love it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">President called me and asked to talk with me alone. Then he released me as a Sister Training Leader and complimented me. I was trying not to cry. Then Elder Sorenson called me... he made it seem like someone was dying. I was balling. He told me that he honored, respected and that he has really grown to love me and that he would really miss serving alongside with me. He kept going on and on.... it made me even more sad to know that I am leaving. I love Elder Sorenson and Sister Sorenson. He said, "thanks for being my AP". I am so ssadd.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">More crazy news... remember how Jeanie Owens tried to set me up with a guy? Then I found out his sister was going to be in my mission? Well, she is my new companion, starting Wednesday! I am killing another Sister! I sent home Sister Wygant, Frankenberry and now Tiejten and then someone will send me home.... crazy... I said to president, "I am sending another one home!" He just laughed and said, "Hmmm, Heavenly Father must think your good at pushing them to the very end." I don't think so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">MORE AWESOME news. Elder Holland wrote Elder Sorenson and thanked Sister Newren and I for our musical number and complimented us... Elder Sorenson said that he will send us a copy :) I am so excited to see what it says.. did you realize in the picture that it went, Karl Anderson (Mr. Kirtland), Elder Seldon (area 70), Elder Holland (12) and Elder Hallstrom (pres of 70). That's a lot of Priesthood!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Haha Sister Newren and I were just talking about how we also ate more this week than in our entire lives... pretty sure I gained 100 pounds. Sometimes we had 2 dinners a night. Lots of fries and pizza this week. I also had my last Zone Training (where I did some training), Mission Leadership council (so spiritual), and my last Kirtland Training meeting (we wrote love notes to each other, it was fun:)) ....so sad :( I had to say bye to every one.. I got a couple pictures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We have so many people who are about to get baptized. Susan, Jason, Alexandria, Kayla and Patar. We taught Patar last night. He is from Indonesia and his wife is a member from Thailand. They are so dang cute. He really wants to know the truth... he really feels it and when he prayed last night, Uma jumped on him and started kissing him! She was so happy that he prayed. We committed them to remind each other about praying every night and pray together. He has never really prayed, so this is a huge step.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We also took MORE great tours.... I wish I could talk about all of them. SO great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Have you ever heard of the Parable of the push-ups? The seminary teacher had a boy do 10 push-ups so that every one in the room could have a donut? I will tell you :) We decided to do that this week for part of our discussion. We asked Elder Vavra to do the push-ups and we turned it into a roll play. To describe Elder Vavra... he reminds me of Jordan Wheeler, just very sweet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We walked up to each person in the room and said, "Elder Carr, would you like a cookie?" Elder Carr said yes and we turned to Elder Vavra and said, "would you do ten push-ups so that Elder Carr can have a cookie?" We weren't even half way through and Elder Vavra was really struggling. He had to keep stopping and regaining strength in order to continue with the push-ups. It really was so touching. Elder Vavra was struggling so much... we really wanted to help him. Some people didn't even want a cookie, but he still had to do 10 push-ups.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We talked about Jesus Christ and how he gave us a wonderful gift. He suffered so much for every single one of us, even the people who didn't want his gift (like the cookie.) Then we talked about how we can accept His gift by repenting. I am so grateful for the wonderful gift that we have received. I am so grateful that we are able to repent, change and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Have a wonderful week!! Love you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-55320971712578835102014-06-02T11:22:00.000-07:002014-06-02T11:22:03.865-07:00This IS Real Life<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, I am so excited it is p-day. I don't know what is wrong, but I was soooo tired this week. I kept falling asleep everywhere. We didn't eat too well, so maybe that was why. It will be nice to eat what I want one day... we get fed so much in our ward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This week was great though. I went to the Johnson Home for the last time on my mission... we took Jason there since he didn't get his tour last week. He really is so close to getting baptized. We prayed with him before we started the tour and I know that really helped. It invited the spirit immediately. He didn't talk too much, but he said that he was taking everything in. I kept asking questions to try and open him up... he said he felt really good though and we said, that is the spirit and he just smiled. :) We are taking him on tour in Kirtland next Tuesday and now he is really excited to go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We also took other special tours this week... there were these boys who came on tour from all over Utah. You could kinda tell that their moms made them come on the trip, so that they would consider going on a mission. We started the tour at the Sawmill and Ashery... they were not listening to anything we said and just joking around. Well, by the time we got to the Whitney Store, they were still hyper and I was pretty blunt with them and told them that this could be a special experience for them, but only if they wanted it to be and I bore testimony. They all got really quiet and by the end of the tour... they were sharing their testimonies and some were even crying and sharing their experiences. It was amazing to see how the spirit can work with people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Another tour we took came up to me and said, "Your parents would be proud." and he started to choke up... it made me feel really special...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We went on exchanges this week. We were supposed to go on 2 exchanges, but I really wasn't feeling well one day and we had to cancel. I felt so bad... :( On exchanges we went to Uma's house. She is from Thailand and she is just the CUTEST! We got there to do service because they just moved into their new home, but she said, "in just a minute we will do service because I am hungry". So we taught a lesson and then she has a friend who is a chef from Indonesia who was cooking us food! We had 2 giant dinners.... It was so weird because their dessert was a red bean pancake. They don't use jelly and stuff because it's too sugary. No wonder they stay so thin. But they sure eat a lot... we felt so sick. We are going back tonight- her husband is a non-member and wants to take the discussions and get baptized. It's wonderful. Hopefully they wont feed us, but I bet they will! They are too cute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We seriously have so many cultures around us. We go to Kirtland and it's all Utah and Mormon people, then we go to our area and we are the only white people. It's the best of both worlds for sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Okay, continuing with Elder Holland.. did I tell you I cried when I was singing? I was really embarrassed.... I really learned so much from him and I have been sharing my experience with everyone all week. (except for the singing, because I can't tell anyone in Ohio). All of my notes are pretty much quotes. I could put almost everything that he said and frame it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He said that they have a huge fear that missionaries are going to get home from their missions and He raised his voice quite loud and said, "Don't you EVER leave this church. DON'T leave us. How are we supposed to find the sheep when we are looking for the shepherds? You can never go, not in my lifetime, you CANNOT run and you CANNOT hide. Clint Eastwood is baby talk. If you are hiding down a dark alley, don't you worry, I will come and I will FIND YOU!" He was pointing his fingers and very serious. He told us to stretch to the very end, to the last moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He told us that he has a friend from high school who won 4 Gold Metals in the Olympics. Elder Holland said that he went and asked him what is trick was and his friend replied, "It means I kick when I don't want to kick and I stroke when I don't want to stroke."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Elder Holland said that, that is how we should always be in life. He said, "There may be a struggle or 2 but welcome to the mission, welcome to life." "Don't say, 'when I get home from the mission and be in real life... This is the CLOSEST we are going to come to REAL LIFE, with a capital R and a capital L. Understand that."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He said that salvation is not easy and we need to come home from our missions SO powerful that the little kids in the front row have their eyes wide open.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He said to think about this... "we are God's investigators. Just like you want your investigators to be praying more sincerely... are you praying sincerely? Just like you want your investigators to come to church with a question and read to learn, do you come to church with a question and ready to learn? Just like you want your investigators to read the Book of Mormon with real intent, are you?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This all really opened my mind. I told us that as missionaries, we are apostolic. I do what the apostles do. Their mission is for their life, mine is only for 18 months. He told us to savor it all. He said that he has looked back on his mission for the last 50 something years and we will too, so do all that we can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">One more thing.... Elder Holland said he prays for the 2nd coming every night. I thought that was interesting. I am going to start doing that as well. We live in a corrupt world, but I know we will make it to the end if we work as hard as we can to the very end. if we "kick when we don't want to kick and stroke when we don't want to stroke."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love this gospel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Ps- I forgot to say I went to th</span><span style="font-size: medium;">e Morley Farm as well this week. It was my first time.... and they said, "It's just like the Sacred Grove and it was a Sacred Grove like experience." We invited Karl Anderson for our training meeting to come and speak there.</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-24652688226837803672014-05-26T10:52:00.000-07:002014-05-26T10:52:45.812-07:00BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Well, this has been the <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">BEST</span> <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">WEEK</span> OF MY LIFE! Where do I even start? I have no idea... this was the most inspiring <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">week</span> of my life. My FAVORITE<span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">week</span> of the whole mission. Sister Newren and I were saying, "there is no way we can tell everything." Good news.... I wrote in my journal a few pages so I will be able to remember the little details. Sorry if this is the longest email.... it will be good, I promise.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Okay, for starters. We took some great tours this <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">week</span>. On Tuesday we took a mission president who just released, 2 BYU professors and my singles ward stake president from Provo! It was so funny... because when I saw him and his wife, they looked SO familiar. I was thinking that maybe she was on the general board of the church or something, but we started chit chatting and come to find out, I met with his wife a few Sunday mornings when I was the temple Prep teacher with the other temple prep teachers from the other wards. It was so fun to see them, they were really so sweet. Then I had to take a tour all by myself in Kirtland because there weren't enough sisters and it was a mission president who was just released. I was so tired after that.. they had over 700 people here yesterday. It's now SUMMER!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Because we have a shortage of sisters and we kinda set the schedule... we put ourselves at the JOHNSON HOME on Saturday! They needed a set of sisters and usually we wouldn't be allowed because we are too far, but we were going there that night with Jason for a fireside, so they let us take the bus tours! It was the 2nd <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">best</span> day of my life this last <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">week</span>. The youth were so cute.. the girls were saying, "can I hug you?" "Can I take a picture with you?" "I want to serve a mission now." I LOVE taking youth groups and again there were so many people that I had take the tour by myself, but Sister Newren joined me on the last one (she went with Sister Smith because they both are learning) and she walked in right when I was telling a joke and lying to the tour... she told everyone not to believe me... ha ha. I love teasing all the people. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Okay, the next <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">best</span> thing. Jason came to the fireside. Guess who the fireside was with? That's right. Brother and Sister Dalton. The recently released General Young Woman's President. Who did I hang out for 2 days with this <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">week</span>? Sister Dalton. No big deal. Ok, just kidding. Not really 2 full days, but we chatted a ton, then we went and listened to them speak in Kirtland and then chatted again at the Johnson home and then after the fireside in Hiram. Jennie <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Best</span> was with her... we almost got a picture, but my companion said no because she didn't hear Jennie right. ha ha. Oh well. But Jason connected SO well with them. Sister Newren and I kinda started dozing off in Brother Dalton's talk... he just has a soft voice, but Jason was so in tune! We were so grateful. Jason said he felt as though they were talking to him. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We introduced Jason to the Stake President. The Stake President said, "why aren't you getting baptized, you are denying yourself blessings?" He was way blunt and stern. Elder Sorenson did the same thing. Then Sister Dalton did the same thing and Brother Dalton started talking to Jason about the organization of the church and how wonderful it is! He didn't even know that that was Jason's issue. Then he told Jason he could bore him forever and Jason said, "probably not, you are a really good speaker." That was huge coming from Jason... he really wanted to meet this guy and Jason hates people. The other thing is that both talks were on making covenants and receiving the Holy Ghost. Jason is getting baptized now. Finally.... he is praying about a date. We told him that Lake Erie frozen over is not acceptable. He's stubborn. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Susan knows it's all true, has read Book of Mormon 3 times and wants to be baptized, Alexandria, Kayla and Jason are all progressing very well. I love seeing results :) We also had a great training meeting and we had an idea to report numbers at sites, so we are now in charge of that as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Another thing I can't forget is laughing. I have never laughed so hard... Sister Newren and I have our lives planned out. I am moving into her house in January by the way. :) We are creating a work out studio when we get home. It was so funny. I grabbed the mustaches that you sent me and I put one on and we went to all the senior houses and said, "my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die." ha ha ha. They thought it was hilarious. Sister Newren taped me.... it was so funny. We just like to be weird together.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Okay....... drum roll.... Elder Holland. We were at the visitors center waiting for him to come and when he came, we were on our knees over the balcony eaves dropping on him talking to everyone downstairs. Elder Sorenson called us while we were being sneaky and said, "Go now." That meant that we needed to run to Elder Sorenson's house. So by this time as we were quickly walking to his house, we were both saying, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe." We were so nervous and then we saw a shadow and boom he walked in. He said, "it's the musicians." I walked up and shook his hand and then Elder Hallstrom was right behind him.. Elder Sorenson told him that we were going to sing before they ate. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">At this point.... I have never been so nervous in my life. So selfish. Elder Holland said, "wait before you start, where are you from.? We told him and he said he knows right where Aliso Viejo is, and then we started. I really tried hard to think of the words... my voice was a little shaky at the beginning. The General Authorities sat and listened.... you can see in the picture I send (sneaky Elder Sorenson). The spirit was really so strong... I couldn't look at Elder Holland, but I looked at the others. When we finished, he said, "wow, that was perfect. Just like you two." (We were told that we were perfect from an apostle!) Then he got up and shook our hands and said, "aren't you glad that you listened to your mom and practiced?" He said it was beautiful and then Elder Seldon (area 70) said, "you just set the tone for the entire day, thank you." They said some other really nice things... as I was leaving I shook his hand again... he is beautiful and just such a wonderful person and very humorous.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then we get to the meeting with the missionaries. He remembered me as I shook his hand again and said, "hello again, thank you so much for singing again." Elder Hallstrom said that as well and then Elder Seldon grabbed my arm and said, "thank you so much." Sister Newren and I aren't allowed to tell anyone in Ohio about this experience, so we just felt so special. We felt as though we were <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">best</span> friends with him by the end of the day. haha He looked us in the eye so much during the meeting and even spit on us. He got worked up ha ha. He is so wonderful! We learned so much from him.... this is way long, so maybe I will share what I learned next <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">week</span>, but as he was leaving... he said, "I love you. Now get to work." and he quickly walked out of the room. I was crying... I don't even know why, but I just loved him and it was just powerful. It was as if the Savior was saying that he loved me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I will quickly tell you a story that Elder Hallstrom told us. He said that he was working with President Kimball and he said one day President Kimball grabbed Elder Hallstrom by his collar and pulled him down to eye-level and kissed Elder Hallstrom's cheek. Then he told him he loved him. Elder Hallstrom started walking away and he told him to come back. He grabbed him by his collar again and kissed his other cheek and told him he loved him again. Elder Hollstrom said that he had just recently purchased the biography of President Kimball. He said he had the biggest desire to read it at that moment and he ran home as quick as he could to find it and read it. He said... "why did this happen?" "Because I knew he loved me and I loved him." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Now, it is the same with our Savior Jesus Christ. We know that he loves us. We love him... so why don't I have a stronger desire to constantly be reading his bio? The Scriptures are His biography. He really loves us so much... I will definitely be reading and studying the scriptures even more. I love my Savior and I know He loves me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I love you, I love you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-5893072447313330482014-05-19T09:28:00.004-07:002014-05-19T09:28:27.585-07:00I HAVE THE BIGGEST NEWS OF MY LIFE TO TELL YOU!!!<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Okay I have the biggest news of my life to tell you. But, I will tell you about my week first. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Zoo last p-day was so fun. It started down pouring and we were soaked and the elephants were super lovey dovey.... don't worry, I got it all on video. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It was great and great. Jahred came to church. It was soooo cute! He asked if he could take 2 friends, so these "cool" 7th graders came. They didn't want to stay for all of it, but they liked it, so they stayed for all three hours. Everyone said they participated in class and they invited them to play basketball on Tuesday night. The ward was excited. Before Jahred left... he was doing back flips off the stage and he grabbed a baby and put the baby on this tall things and said, "jump!" I felt like his mom... saying, Jahred... what on earth are you doing? haha He was acting too cool for school with his friends yesterday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had 8 non-members at church yesterday. 9 including the Elder's investigator. There is a lady who wants us to teach her boyfriend and so we said, BRING HIM and she brought him to church. Then Alexandria, Kayla, Kevin and Kaden came. Then Jahred and his two friends. It was fun... and the Elder's investigator. Sister Pickett also came! She is starting to come now :) We were SO happy to see her. During sacrament meeting, we changed seats 3 times because everyone kept wanting our attention. It was funny... just a crazy Sunday and so much to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had another meeting with President Vellinga and our stake President, President Haymond. It wasn't as scary this time. There is always a little bit of arguing in those meetings... and I think I started one. Just a lot of different opinions... :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Funny story.... we went to an appointment with Jason. He is doing good. It was great to finally see him. He is going to a fireside on Saturday with Sister Dalton and I am taking him, Sister Newren and the Taft's on a tour of the Johnson home. None of them have been there :) It will be SO fun! After Jason's we were running a little late... like 15 minutes. Sister Newren put in the GPS "go home." Well... I have a "Kirtland home" and a "go home." We were in a different side of town, so we thought that is why it looked different, but nope. We finally passed a sign saying, "Barrington Apartments!" That is my old apartment in Hiram! I was screaming.... ha ha. I was like, "we are in Aurora!" 45-50 min away from Kirtland :) It was so funny, we were going to be so late for curfew. Elder Gubler will probably be calling us for sure... then we were REALLY hungry so we stopped to eat at 10 pm. Ha just kidding. We definitely would get in so much trouble... it was a good night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Mitchell from Salt Lake came and trained us for 2 mornings. He left and said tat there was nothing that we needed to do better. He said... "it doesn't seem like a group of missionaries here, it seems more like a family." It made me happy. We really are all so close in Kirtland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had Zone Conference right after... we did a musical number. An elder who played the violin has a twin who serves with Kory. Elder Taylor... So he played the violin, Sis Spong played the flute, Elders Toolson, Gates (who was sick), me and Newren sang and Elder Carr played the piano. It was a disaster... When you don't have time to practice.... it really doesn't sound well. The out of tune sounds are still in my ears.... we were going to just not do it, but everyone wanted the opportunity to be a part of it so badly.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Anywho...Sister Vellinga made a new packet for the mission. She made a comment at the pulpit saying, "Kirtland bootcamp won't be around forever.... one day someone will have to go home." Then everyone looked at me. I have forever still, I don't know what they were talkin' about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I was reading in Ether and we can learn SO much. In chapter 2 he learns how he needs to build the boat, then the Lord verse 16 & 17 he describes how they build the boat and that they made in tight like unto a dish. In verse 19 he expresses that they can't breathe, so the Lord immediately tells him to make a hole in the top and also in the bottom. (he received instantaneous revelation-rare). Then Jared tells the Lord... we can't see, how are we going to see to get across the great waters and the Lord basically says, well what do you want me to do about it? ... Elder Hales talked about how this is a pattern and we should use it constantly if we want to see miracles in our lives. In chapter 3 verses 1-6, we learn that he works hard, climbs a mountain and did molten out of a rock 16 small stones... that would not be easy. Then in verse 2 he expresses humility and the inability to solve this problem that they are having. He then explains his reason for petition, bears testimony and the Lord in verse 6 touched the stones and they became light... the Lord also was willing to grant even more blessings and showed Jared his finger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Now think, what is something that you want the Lord to light in your life? Jared was doing EVERYTHING he could. The answer to his prayer did not come quickly. He had to put as much effort as he could, humble himself and then the Lord showed him more. It is such a perfect example and we can learn from Jared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Okay...now ready for the news???? I am "on-call" this Wednesday morning, between 10:30-12 to go to Elder Sorenson's home. Sister Newren and I will walk in.... with Elder and Sister Sorenson, Elder Seldon (area 70), Elder Hallstrom (just spoke at conference) and ELDER HOLLAND. Then Sister Newren will start playing the piano and I will sing... then we take a picture and then leave. WHAT?! I might not be online next week. I might be dead. That is the scariest thing of my life. It's only a couple people in a tiny room.... Elder Sorenson really did set it up and he said, "you are not going to turn down a once in a lifetime opportunity are you?" Oh man........ who gets to privately sing to 3 general authorities? I don't know....we are both so scared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Anywho, I loooovveeee being a missionary. We shall see how this week goes! I love you all! Go to heaven!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sorry so long!</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-32409560010634860982014-05-12T09:13:00.001-07:002014-05-12T09:13:26.428-07:00POST MOTHER'S DAY SKYPE<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: medium;">Hey!<br /><br />So...since I talked to you yesterday, this is going to be brief. We had another busy week. It's been fun! We are going to the Zoo today, and I have never in my life been so excited to go to the Zoo. :)<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: medium;">We made Mother's Day cards for all the Senior missionaries and some less-actives. It was really good. Sister Frazier said that she is going to frame the card that we gave her. It was so very cute :) We love her so much.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: medium;">We had Mission Leadership Counsel this last week. It was probably my favorite mission leadership counsel. When we ended... we sang our mission song. I will attach it on the e-mail. Listen to it. After we finished singing it, it was silent and he said. "I consider you equal to Helaman's Army. You are all amazing." It was so powerful.... I am excited for you to listen to the song we sing ALL the time.<br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: medium;">We have a solid new investigator named Susan! She has read the Book of Mormon 3 times and is reading the Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants and Joseph Smith history. Story... She met with missionaries 4 years ago... right when she started meeting with the missionaries, she got really sick and has had 16 surgeries and a ton of other issues. She is JUST starting to feel better and willing to meet with us. Last Monday night, we scheduled a time to meet with her on Thursday. We show up Thursday and she was back laying on the couch. I was like...oh no....what is wrong? She had mentioned that every time she meets with the missionaries, she ALWAYS gets sick. Turns out... right after we left her house, she broke her foot! Good news, she is still willing to meet with us :) She is awesome. She knows it is all true already... then she said she would want to get baptized. Alexandria and Kayla also know it's true. They are getting baptized on June 27th... I love this ward/area so much.<br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: medium;">Well, I have to run....the gospel is TRUE! I love being a missionary. It was fun talking yesterday... Mom, I hope you had a great rest of your Mother's Day yesterday. Have a wonderful week.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: medium;">Love always,<br /><br />Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Ps- this week and next week are going to be AMAZING! Training from Salt Lake, Zone Conference andnndndndndnd ELDER HOLLAND!</span></span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-59341139499116861272014-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:002014-05-05T09:07:08.670-07:00Singing for Elder Holland???<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, it was transfers again. I now am with Sister Newren. She is the cutest. We get along really really well. She is from Utah, she has a beautiful voice, she's tall and has curly hair. Oh and she wants to be a midwife. She is probably the most humble person I have ever met... I hope I can learn from her a ton about humility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">President Vellinga really is the best speaker. He told us this amazing story at transfers... he said his brother went on his mission to Holland. He baptized 1 person. That 1 person had a friend that he shared the gospel with and now his family are all members of the church. In Salt Lake City a couple of weeks ago, President Vellinga's brother saw a sister missionary. He asked her where she was from and she told him that she was from Holland. He told her that his brother served his mission there. She asked what his brothers last name was and he said... "Vellinga.." She said, "That is my new mission President's name!" We go to transfers and she had just arrived. President Vellinga said.... "my brother just saw one of the fruits from his labors a long time ago." Now she is on a mission because of President's brother serving a mission and baptizing that one person. How amazing is that??</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It's so important that "we do something more that just dream of our mansions above." President always says, "Do something. Go to heaven." And help others get to heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So we have less and less time in our area now. We decided one day this week to conquer as much as we could. We planned 10 lessons in one day. The goal for the whole mission (without sites) is 20 lessons a week. We reached 9... and by the time we got home, we were so dead. We saw a miracle that day... we have a new investigator, because the sisters left and she has a baptismal date. I taught her a while ago on exchanges, but we wanted to just see where she is and what was holding her back. A miracle happened and she said that she might want to get baptized sooner (she was thinking July) and now she thinks she could be ready. Her daughter Kayla also wants so badly to get baptized, but she is just waiting for her mom. She kept saying in the lesson, " I believe, I believe, I'm ready to get baptized."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">SO many less-actives came to church on Sunday. It was very unusual. I don't think any of them had been there since I have been in this area... Sister Frazier (my favorite) came, the Roberto's (we are teaching their son so he can get baptized) stayed all 3 hours, the Holdaway's and the Avery's. BUT none of our investigators came. No Carmella, Tina, Jason, Laura, Alexandria, Jahred, Kayla... so we will get them there next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We were actually in missionary coordination meeting yesterday and they said, "so where are you going to skype home?" We were like, "for what?" We kinda already have appointments scheduled the whole day.... and I have no idea when we are going to Skype on Mother's Day. We both forgot... we just have a lot to do and so little time! So we were thinking during studies which is 9 o'clock our time :) Is that too early?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I have to tell you 2 more things I just remembered!! Remember Gaey or possibly named Gary???? Sister Wygant and I stopped by and I asked him if he was gaey...well, I thought I ruined it. The elders talked to us the other day and said they were teaching 2 guys in our area and we said it was fine... blah blah... and did not connect the dots! They are teaching the same Gary! His name isn't gaey and I didn't ruin it. haha</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">.. well you know how elder Holland is coming? The AP's text and asked if I could sing with another elder and sister... we were thinking it was for transfers and I said, "I can, but maybe you can give someone else the opportunity because I have sang a lot the last little bit..." He said. "Ok" without telling us what it was for. Turns out, I'm really smart. I turned down singing for ELDER HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was almost in tears. Elder Sorenson made me call them back.... so I did and nothing could be done. Elder Sorenson said that he is having a private lunch with Elder Holland at his house and he said, "you are singing." I said, "um no way". I am not singing a solo for Elder Holland... no way jose. Sister Sorenson thinks it's a great idea.... they are totally serious. I am too hah. I was nervous and red faced just thinking about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Our investigator is having an issue with the prophet seeing God. Elder Sorenson is smart and has worked with general authorities his whole life.. We asked Elder Sorenson if anything was really documented of that. He told us a story.... he said it was while he was on his mission and some of elders were having a meeting with Howard W. Hunter. They were recording him as he spoke. Well, Howard W. Hunter told them all that he felt impressed to tell them about an experience that he had. He asked everyone to turn off the recorders. Then he said, "Are they all off?" The missionaries did not turn off the recorders... they ran home to show some other Elders... they turned on the tape player... and you hear, "Are they all off?" Then a long pause...... then you hear, "ok now you can turn it back on." It did not record what he had said. Howard W. Hunter told them of an experience that he had with the Savior. It really was sacred... and something not to be shared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I know without a doubt that the Savior lives. So does Heavenly Father. They are so involved in our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Love you!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">ps~ my companion is attatching my <a href="http://mormon.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mormon.org</a>, so here is hers :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.mormon.org/me/CHY7/Hannah" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.mormon.org/me/CHY7/<wbr></wbr>Hannah</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">pss~ Ya'll need to have a <a href="http://mormon.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mormon.org</a> page! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">pss~ Listen to Elder Ballard's talk from last night at the CES devotional. Amazing. </span></div>
Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-37280352804855264382014-04-28T18:51:00.000-07:002014-04-28T18:51:14.011-07:00What Do You Need To Do To Help in HIS Work?<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It has been a big week. We made another trip to the emergency room yesterday. Sister Frankenberry had vertigo or something... it's been hard because we have had to cancel a few appointments and it's almost her last day in the area, she is about to go home. Her parents are coming to pick her up Thursday and she is going to give them a tour as a missionary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Our area has been dying... Laura keeps canceling. Jason has been "too busy". Most of everyone else has dropped us and we haven't been able to pick many new people up... we just received transfer information last night and they are closing the other sisters area in our ward! We are picking up all of SHN's area... they have a ton of people that they are working with... we are going to be so very busy! I also know who my new companion is. Her name is Sister Newren. She is really cute :) I prayed for her as a companion.... haha, so I am really happy. Prayer works!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We were able to see Sabrina this week. She is so cute... she always kisses me on the cheek. I love her, but she is so hard to meet with. Oh, so we had stake conference this last weekend. It was amazing. I loved it so much. They had a presentation of how we can really work with each other and they brought up people from our ward. The person that they demonstrated with was actually in our area and miracle happened! This lady only speaks Spanish, but her nonmember kids do not. We have been trying so hard to meet with them, but the apartment complex was locked and so we random called a ton of people asking them to open the door. :) One of them did! Then we walk upstairs and Sister Hernandez was walking in with all of her kids (they are in their 20's). We were able to talk to them and set up an appointment to teach them on Wednesday. They announced it at stake conference in their "skit" about our little miracle. I hope that made sense. There were a ton of other little details. It was a miracle that was acknowledged so we thought it was even cooler.... but any who. ha ha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We went and visited bishop's wife this week. We talked our the the atonement with her. I have no idea how it happened, but she started talking about marriage and said, "BE SCARED. Wait, etc. etc. She freaked us out and now we don't ever want to get married. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My favorite part about this week was stake conference. It was so inspiring. Sister Frankenberry and I were just talking about how the work truly is hastening. It isn't just a "catch phrase." It's real. President Haymond read D&C 138: 53-56. Then he said....do we understand the magnitude of this responsibility? If there have been about 10 billion people who have lived on the earth... how many know about the gospel? Such a select few and WE are one of them. God expects us to reach out and do our part. He needs you and me... and He trusts us. Heavenly Father is really putting everything into place. Faster than ever before. The work is moving quicker and so we need to learn how to move quicker as well. We don't need to worry about , "planting seeds." Those things have already been done. People are ready. The work is hastening and we were chosen before we were born to be here in the last days. WE NEED to do our part. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">If a name of a friend ever comes in your mind, act on it. Don't think, "nah, they aren't ready yet... Heavenly Father places that thought in your head for a reason. We were all prepared before we came here. Remember that. This is a choice blessing that we have to share such a unique message to everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">President Haymond gave us something to do. I want to give it to you to do. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Think about what you can do to help more. Then get on your knees. Pray. Then be quiet after you finish your prayer. Don't get off your knees. An impression will come to you. You will know what you need to do to help the Lord in His work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">If you want to be truly happy, then serve. It will change everything. I have seen that so many times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I know that the work truly is hastening. Don't be afraid to open your mouths wherever you go!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Love, Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-91218373961466729162014-04-21T08:53:00.000-07:002014-04-21T08:53:13.471-07:00We Have All Had Ancestors Who Were In Kirtland<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thanks for my flowers mom. They are pretty... They are in the kitchen at the visitors center. I am there more than I am home. It was a great week this last week. We were in Kirtland one day about to take my first bus tour of the summer and Elder Teh, of the Seventy, decided to hop on in and take a tour. Do you remember him from General Conference? He and his wife were really sweet. Karl Anderson was also there and wanted to speak to the group. He talked for an hour straight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">He talked a lot about the temple and about all of Kirtland. He asked everyone who had ancestors who were in Kirtland... only a select few raised their hands. He then moved on from the subject and preceded to tell us how Heavenly Father and our Savior appeared 6 times in 4 locations in the Kirtland area. He talked about how a seminary teacher (who taught for about 30 years) came to Kirtland on a youth group. The seminary teacher said, "I have been teaching for over 30 years and I have never seen nor heard of any appearances other than the sacred grove. Karl said, "how do you tell a kind man that three of those are listed in the D&C?" Everyone laughed... Karl then preceded to tell him that we have the documentation and that it was in the D&C as well. The seminary teacher said, "ok, but those are visions. Not appearances." Karl laughed and said, "Do we call the first vision the first appearance or the first vision?" He also said that Joseph Smith never knew if he was dreaming or not, but they had happened. </span><div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then he explained to us the 15 prophets have appeared in Kirtland.... if you turn to D&C 1:37, you will see that it talks about Father Adam. Adam is definitely our ancestor as well as Elias, who was actually Noah. We have ALL had ancestors who were in Kirtland. :) He told us to always tell everyone from now on that we have all had ancestors who were in Kirtland. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We had another lesson with the Barker's friends... it went really well this time and they all really enjoyed it. They are excited to meet again. We also met with Andrew. He had the Book of Mormon open when we first got there and it was opened to 3rd Nephi. It was highlighted so I decided to look through it to see what else he had highlighted. There was nothing.... My companion and I looked at each other thinking that he had lied and didn't read. Well, throughout the lesson he was bringing up all different parts of the Book of Mormon. He really did read from the beginning to 3rd Nephi since we had met last! We were shocked. He is pretty awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">When we were on exchanges this last week, we had a really neat experience. We went into Cleveland to teach our ward mission leader's friend. On our way out, we saw a couple standing and talking so we went up to them and told them about the "Because of Him" video. The girl had dark sunglasses on and the guy kept thanking us and said we were an answer to his prayers. I then felt prompted to give them a temple card and tell them that we also share a special message about how are families are eternal. The girl began to cry... and the guy grabbed her and hugged her. He said, "her mom just died." I asked her if I could hug her and we told her that Heavenly Father has a plan. They told us they were so appreciative and they were really excited to watch the video and get on the website. They promised they would. It was so tender.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This week was another great one. I sang in church yesterday... it wasn't my best. Bishop told me he cried though. It felt very not rehearsed. We did drills in the car on the way to Missionary Coordination. Sister Frankenberry just kept laughing. It was funny saying "gee gee gee and nay nay nay with the windows down." But good news, we told everyone it was Sister Frankenberry's last Sunday before she goes home and that I was singing, so less-actives came.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I really love my ward. It is the greatest. I never want to leave it. I wish I could tell you about everyone... all our investigators and the whole ward, but not enough time. :(</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Have a wonderful weeekkkkk.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I love you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ps- I have been teaching so many people from India. Another man from India came to sites... we gave him a 2 hour tour with a couple from Mexico, then the elders taught him. A random lady showed up to church yesterday wanting to pray to Jesus from India. So cool!</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-56363411956796064812014-04-14T11:58:00.002-07:002014-04-14T11:58:37.595-07:00Kirtland Temple<br />
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<span style="color: #500050; font-size: medium;">Hello, hello!</span><div style="color: #500050;">
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<span style="font-size: medium;">How are you all doing? I hope you are doing great. We don't have much time today. SO much to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I just got asked to sing on Easter in our ward. Super nervous. I'm leading the discussion tomorrow in District Meeting on the new video, "Because of Him". You should check it out. The missionary department e-mailed President and said to tell everyone. Millions will be watching it for Easter. You can also type #BecauseofHim. I forgot what hashtag was! You can type it on any social media site and it will automatically pull up the church websites. Youtube estimates that over 109 million will be watching it on Easter, but we know that it will be SO many more if we get the word out. So put it on your facebook pages and all your social media pages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had a ton of cancellations this week, but somehow we still made 4 1/2 hours of service with quite a few lessons. We didn't make our 20, but we were so close. As site sisters, we lose a lot of time in our area to make the 20 lessons. We haven't been able to meet with any of our main investigators this last week. EXCEPT Kia and Kayla. Kia dropped us. That was so sad. She said, "My mind is not in this, so I am done. See ya". It was really sad... Kayla is 11 and she said she wants this so much.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: medium;">We met with Bob at President Stacey's home. Bob taught the lesson and President Stacey's children and grand-children were there, so he asked us to teach a lesson for them. We are going to teach his other grand-children this week. Sister Frankenberry was nervous during the lesson. It was very intimidating because he tells our mission president everything. haha It was an intense lesson. The spirit was so very strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We also had an amazing training meeting in the school house this week. Everyone kept talking about how spiritual it was. We decided to talk about our mission study on Friday and talk about all the things that have been restored in Kirtland. The sisters last year made a time-capsule, so we wanted to make one for the 2015 sisters and seniors. We read some of their testimonies and then we say a, Child's Prayer. So many were crying because of the spirit that was there...... I loved it so much. This next week we are going to do some kind of spiritual Easter egg hunt. We haven't decided yet :) We shall let you know! If it's not snowing, because it is supposed to be snowing tomorrow. :( </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We were asked to attend a meeting yesterday. We weren't sure what the meeting was about and who was going to be there. Well, when we got there... it was basically just us and the zone leaders, President Vellinga (mission president), President Haymond (Stake President) and President Stacey (mission presidency). It was so scary! We felt so mature and in charge. They asked us a lot of questions about how the bishops and ward mission leaders could change and do better. They are now inviting us to this meeting every month. We also helped with a Kirtland missionary Academy. The Tanner girls were there and we were the investigators while the cute high school kids practiced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My favorite part about this last week was Monday. John came. (He asked me out on a date to a theme park haha). He loved it.... we sent him off to the other elders now. We took the Sacrament in the Kirtland temple. Are you jealous that I get to see the 1st temple every day? :) It was so powerful. Karl Anderson spoke on the sacrament. He read in D&C 110 when the Lord tells them that they are forgiven of their sins. He said that he has been asked so many times, "Why does it say that they are forgiven of their sins?" He said that he has a ton of answers for that, but for 1, he said that they had just taken the sacrament. He said that we can all experience what they experienced after we partake of the sacrament. Go back and read section 110. It is so great. We can be clean of our sins every week. He also had us vision the Savior standing behind him. He said, "We don't know which pulpit he was standing on, but why don't you all pick one and picture it. Do you see him?" I tried so hard to picture it... again, there were angels in the Kirtland temple with us. We are so blessed to be in such a great place . The Savior appeared 8 times just in the Kirtland temple....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love Kirtland. So many things were restored here. It is a special place and is being build back up again. I feel the spirit here everyday. I love that I can see the Whitney Store and the School of the Prophets from the old home I live in. This is a once and a life time chance. I wouldn't trade it for anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-40735667058329735582014-04-07T11:03:00.000-07:002014-04-07T11:03:10.770-07:00I Am Grateful<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Wow, what a General Conference! Wasn't it so great?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">John and Jason came to the last session at our ward mission leaders house. We had to make sure John was there.... he is so interesting- he is like 50 years old. He is the one that we met when we were helping him move and it was negative degrees outside, so he said, "whatever your message is about, I'll listen." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Anyways, he has been texting us a lot... he has been saying inappropriate things. He has a crush on me and keeps calling me, Miss American and beautiful, etc, etc. He said he would come to Conference if I was going to be there.... the only reason we still went through with it was because he sincerely still has interest in the church. So we made sure a lot of Priesthood holders were there. The Zone Leaders came with their investigators as well. I really think John can progress really quickly. He asked us already what he needs to do to get baptized. We will be transferring him to the Zone Leaders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Jason- we are unsure how he felt, we will be calling him today. :) Nitin was there and Nitin bore a powerful testimony and told them what they both needed to do to receive their answer. He hasn't even received his own answer ha ha. I love Nitin sooooo much! I wish we were still teaching him. He is the greeatest. Elder Gates, our Zone Leader, told him that the words and phrases we taught him were used with 5 year old little girls ha ha. So Nitin said, "you taught me little girl words!?" It was really funny. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had such a miracle, busy week... I will tell you a little bit about what happen. 1st- I had the most lessons that I have ever had on my mission. We worked so hard. 6 people still canceled, so we could have had more. We had Mission Leadership council - which lasts most of the day, but so inspiring. We had Zone Training (we had to lead discussions), A ton of preparing for all our meetings this week, We had 2 days of Kirtland (took a tour with non-members from Thailand), had an interview with President Vellinga, we had our Kirtland Training meeting (we made another video for the seniors on Christlike attributes), We planned two surprise parties (at the same time). It was Sister Sorenson's birthday and this Recent convert was planning a breakfast for another senior couple for their anniversary and we had another breakfast upstairs for Sister Sorenson. A lot of secrets, but it eventually worked out. :) We had a good plan. We had exchanges, General Conference and a lesson every other minute! We never finished weekly planning....but we are being so blessed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We taught the Barkers friends again.... we hardly got a word in. They had a recent convert come and she didn't want anyone else to talk.... so Sister Barker was really worried, but don't worry, her friends are still interested! We also taught Jason... Jason is great and still progressing. He went into General Conference thinking about if we need organized religion or not. We aren't sure about Latasha. She promised us she would go to conference. She was texting us and said she would text us back. Never did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I really loved this last week. I wish I could write about every moment. To sum it up, the hardest working week of my whole mission. Next week, hopefully I can work even harder. I know how important this work is. President Vellinga asked us as a mission to think about this question during conference, "How can i better fulfill my Purpose as a missionary to bring more people unto Christ?" I really listened for answers to that during conference. We are reporting to him this morning of our experience. One that really popped out to me is the talk on being grateful. No matter what we are going through, no matter how hard things are, etc, etc, there is always so much to be grateful for. I know that if I were more grateful and not just try to "endure the day", hoping for a better tomorrow, I would be a better missionary. I would be better at everything that I do. I want to be more grateful. I want to enjoy every moment and remember that tomorrow will come and right now I have so much that I am blessed with, even when it is really hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love my mission. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful for my family at home who is very supportive, as well as so many great friends. I am grateful for what I know. I am grateful that I have the opportunity and blessing to help others know about this gospel. I am grateful for the scriptures. I am grateful for the wonderful General Conference we just had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love you all so much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Ps~ Okay. Go to Lds.org. Type in "remembering Kirtland" and then after you watch that, type in "Kirtland a Holy Place." Those videos are new! I know so many people in them and they were made when Elder Ballard was here, we were watching them film at times. I didn't see myself though. In, "Remember Kirtland" my stake president is in it. Sherri Moss ( I was just at her house) and President and Sister Vellinga. Then the other video, Sister Davis is in it. I was at her house doing service when the window fell on my hand and now I have a cool scar on the top of my hand :) Elder Seldon is also in that one and he was the one that we just asked to do a fireside for us in Kirtland. So now you can see some of the people that I have been talking about. Our bishop's kids are also that ones who are shaking Elder Ballard's hands. So cool! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/remembering-kirtland?cid=HPTH032714627&lang=eng" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/prophets-<wbr></wbr>and-apostles/unto-all-the-<wbr></wbr>world/remembering-kirtland?<wbr></wbr>cid=HPTH032714627&lang=eng</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/kirtland-a-holy-place?lang=eng" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/prophets-<wbr></wbr>and-apostles/unto-all-the-<wbr></wbr>world/kirtland-a-holy-place?<wbr></wbr>lang=eng</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Pss~~ Another cool fact, My companions brother is serving in Oregon. Me, Kory, her brother and Sister Frankenberry are all in O states :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Psss~ picture is with Sister Mohler... she went home early this week. Snow pics are with me and my companion, Sister Frankenberry.</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-1527704782723873102014-03-31T11:39:00.004-07:002014-03-31T11:39:41.573-07:00Crazy Week<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear family,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This has been one of the craziest weeks. I keep saying that, but this week might have topped it all. Sister Frankenberry was sick this week. She had the flu at one point and then after that was over with, she woke me up at almost 2 in the morning and we ran to the Emergency Room. We were there until about 7:30. We had talked to a nurse on the phone and she told us to go because it could have been her appendix. It was a fun night. I love being in hospitals. She is fine, no appendix issues. Speaking of the middle of the night, I got up for a second last night. Sister Frankenberry saw me up and she got ready and put her workout clothes on. It was 1 in the morning... so funny. Then I randomly woke up laughing so hard. I don't know what is wrong with me. She heard me and said something that woke me up. I was laughing in my dream, so I wasn't conscious, Then we both were laughing. That happened multiple times last night. So weird. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had a lot to do this last week. We decided to make a video for training meeting. I made so many videos for school and thought we should do it for the Sisters. We filmed missionaries talking about the key messages in Kirtland, then we had them say what they knew to be true in 1 or 2 sentences and then we put it all to music with pictures and bloopers. It turned out really well, but kinda stressful putting it together when we were out sick. We are doing one for the seniors this week. We are having them say, "I love my hunny because..." We had them take prom pose pictures too. It will be so cute. Their video will be on Christlike Attributes for the Training meeting. We have a very busy week. That family we taught really wants to know more, so we are having another meeting with them this week, as well as 3 training meetings that we have to train at and we don't have time to plan anything because we will be on exchanges. So lots to do... it never stops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We took our ward mission leader, Nitin and our Zone Leaders on tour this last week. It was such a great tour. Nitin is very intellectual. He is like a computer. When you talk to him, he records everything into his memory. Serious. He has a hard time feeling, so we really focused on that in our tour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We also took Kayla to Activity Days. They went to the Cleveland Art Museum. It was really good that we were able to go with her. She is really shy and has a hard time branching out. We hope that she will be able to find some friends. All the Activity Day girls were about 4'3" and Kayla is about 5'6". She looks 17 and she is 11. So we might take her to Mutual. She is too mature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We were also able to teach Latasha twice. She promised us that she would be at church on Sunday. We even bought her Chipotle they day before to remind her and get her to come. Did she come? No. :( We were pretty sad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It was a great week. We just kept going and going and going. We loved being able to sit down and watch the broadcast for all the women. We are especially excited for General Conference. I am grateful to be on a mission. I remember being so excited to receive my mission call. I couldn't wait. Literally. I opened my call the second I had it in my hand. (Only because dad pressured me...;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I recently heard a story of a boy who was preparing for a mission and awaiting his call. As he was anxiously awaiting his call, he got up in Fast and Testimony meeting and told everyone that he had, had a dream. He said that in his dream he was in the pre-existence and he was talking with a friend and they were both waiting for their calls to earth. He said a man had appeared to him and gave him a letter. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The letter stated that he would be born in a place of religious freedom. The letter also told him that he would be born into the true church of Jesus Christ. It stated a lot more about his life. It was also like a Patriarchal Blessing. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">His friend then received his call. It said that he was going to experience a lot of trials, not going to be born into the true church and will be born in the country of Costa Rica. His friend looked up and said, you need to come find me while we are on earth. The two friends cried together and he woke up. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Later, the young man preparing for his mission received his mission call, to Costa Rica. One y</span><span style="font-size: medium;">ear later he wrote a letter to the ward saying, "I found my friend."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I know that we are here on earth for a reason. We are here to help all those around us. We don't need to be on full time missions. I want to always be so grateful to be born in this true church. I love this gospel and how much it truly can change us. I also know that as we are doing things that the Lord has asked of us, we will have the spirit with us more and will be led to those people who are searching for truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Remember to watch General Conference! </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I am so excited to hear from the Prophet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-28430885044274378372014-03-25T00:12:00.001-07:002014-03-25T00:12:35.950-07:00My New Companion, Sister Frankenberry<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Well, transfers have hit again. I am now companions with Sister Frankenberry. She is so cute, a very hard worker. She is also from a small town in Pennsylvania. Everyone keeps asking her where she is from and she receives the same answer after every time. They say, "That's not far!" ha ha it gets funny. I started making tally marks of how many people say that. We are in the 30's. :) She is 4 hours away from home, so no, she is not far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I have been seriously so exhausted this last week. I don't know how I am still moving. We literally have been running from one thing to the next. Transfer day was... a little overwhelming. I sang for transfers... we practiced a few times before transfers, I sang, "I am a Child of God". Sister Wygant played her flute, Elder Chapman played the Cello and Elder Barnes played the piano. It was pretty music all around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">When we got to our area after transfers, our appointment fell through. Sister Frankenberry and I started walking down the street and we were about to give some boys <a href="http://mormon.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mormon.org</a> cards and she stops and says, "Jared?" She saw a boy that she taught at the very beginning of her mission. He had a baptism date and everything. So she knew, right when she got to the area that she was meant to be here. We are going over to their house tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Guess who is coming to our mission? Ellllddddeeerrrr HOLLAND! I am so excited. We get to be with him for 6 or 7 hours. It will be so great :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Have I told you much about Robert? Sister Wygant and I taught him. He really is the most prepared person we have ever met. He is from Washington and randomly called into the visitor's center one day asking if the Book of Mormon talked about faith. He is Jewish and has no Christian background. Well, over a period of months of calling him, he is now getting baptized. He is sharing his testimony to everyone around him. We were about to get off the phone the other day and he said, "Wait!" We said, what do you need? He said, "I know this is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know God lives..." He went on for a few minutes bearing testimony. He told us that he wants to serve a mission. He said he has been watching youtube videos with people opening up their mission calls and he can tell that it is important and that it is something he knows he has to do too. SO COOL. He has read all the Standards for Youth and told his girlfriend he wanted to live the Law of Chastity. He really is a person who has a strong gift for feeling the spirit. He knows what the spirit feels like and he has grown to have a strong testimony. He is a miracle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We have pretty much 4 new investigators from this week. We had a lesson with this guy named Andrew. He is pretty cool and already believes most of what we believe. We also had a lesson with Latasha and she cried. I am just REALLY sad... because she isn't showing up when she says she is going to show up. We can't get her to go anywhere :( We also had an amazing lesson last night. A member in our ward has been talking to her friends at work. They have been curious about Mormons and so she said, "can the missionaries teach you more? Come over to my house." So we went and had dessert last night at their house and had a veeerrrryyy long discussion. They asked so many deep questions. It was a really cool experience and they want to meet again. Two of them are in our area :) It was a powerful experience.... the spirit was strong, I had goosebumps :) I loved it so much. Sister Frankenberry kept talking about how amazing it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I know that this gospel is true. I know that we can always become stronger and regain strength through the Savior and His Atonement. I know that we can change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Johnson</span></div>
Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-51495207698709522372014-03-17T13:00:00.003-07:002014-03-17T13:00:28.418-07:00When You are Diligent, You See the Blessings<br />
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">How are you doing? I love you and miss you family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This week was probably the busiest week of my mission. I am so tired... our ward mission leader is AMAZING! He calls us non-stop and people in the ward call us and ask if they can come to our appointments. It's pretty amazing. We had a ward missionary conference at President Stacey's house. It was fun. We just ate and practiced teaching. Sister Wygant and I had to leave early for the Elder Seldon fireside last night as well. It was crazy bouncing from one thing to the next. I also got to teach the primary kids in sharing time yesterday. It lifted my spirit. I LoVe little kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">So guess what happend? We went to see Cheyla and Dazia. I was really sad... Cheyla said, "I have a really bad feeling about the Book of Mormon." Then she told us she wouldn't read it. I have never had anyone say that before. We both just bore testimony, not really sure what to say after that. We tried to understand why, but I honestly think that she is just saying that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Jason came to church! Yay! He is moving soon :( So we need to find more. We have a ton of potentials, but it's just hard to meet with them. Remember when I told you that he was inspired by a little boy to read that Book of Mormon? Well, we told the little boy's mom. I called her and she was crying. She said she wrote it in his "baby book" and has been telling everyone. She was really touched. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Laura came to a baptism with us this week and guess who was there? BOB! He is back in action and was at church and even went to the Stacey's, as well as the fireside with Elder Seldon. I love Bob.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We took 2 amazing tours in Kirtland this week. We have seriously been so busy and the tours are starting to come again. We are calling so many people all around the world right now and teaching them the gospel, I will miss calling them all the time, but i'm super excited to take more tours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We first took a tour of a group of young woman who saved all their money for a year to do a church history tour. They were sooooo prepared. One of the Young Woman said that they had decided on our tour that they wanted to serve a mission after watching us. So cool :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">After the tour, we were spiritually drained. It lasted over 3 hours... it was awesome, but really long. After the tour, we went upstairs to start on some of our other responsibilities. Well, then the Senior couple called us and said, "we have another tour for you." So we went downstairs to take another family. I don't know why we were soooo tired, but we were. I told myself that I was going to push through, be diligent and really try my hardest. Well, as we took this tour, the spirit became really strong. We focused on the needs of the children. They had 3. One was a baby, then a 3 year old and a 5 year old. As we walked into the School of the Prophets, we told these two little girls that Heavenly Father and Jesus were in the room. We told them all the stories. While we were talking, the 5 year old took her dad and whispered in his ear. He said, "tell the sisters." She wouldn't tell us, she was embarrassed, but he said that she told him she was feeling the spirit and it was making her really happy. Then the little girl came and whispered in my ear, she said, "I closed my eyes and I saw Heavenly Father and Jesus." Then the 3 year old came and whispered in my ear and said, "I am going to obey mommy and daddy more."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">How cute is that? I about died. When you are diligent and do all you can to, you truly will see the blessings. I love Kirtland. It is one of the greatest missionary tools. It brings the spirit, because it is true. Joseph Smith really is the prophet and he was there. As well as Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I love missionary work. Since being out here, I have seen a change in myself. I know the Lord can strengthen us in all things... sometimes it just takes time. I love my family. Be safe. Be good. Be happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Love always,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ps- transfers are this week! My companion, Sister Wygant goes home. I know who my new </span><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">companion is. She goes home in 6 weeks, so I am going to kill 2 sisters! (my new companion is in front on the left with the black jacket).</span></div>
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Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469893467264651208.post-78706096806352692902014-03-10T23:40:00.000-07:002014-03-10T23:40:09.290-07:00The Holy Ghost is Vital to Our Salvation<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">How are you doing? Hope all is well at home and I hope you are enjoying the weather. Good news, it is warming up! It has been in the thirties the last few days. Much better than 0. When I was on exchanges this last week with Sister Mertlich, it got up to 47! Warmest day since October, but then it went right back down. It was so weird, my body couldn't handle it... we went to a nursing home and I started to feel really warm and then slightly nauseous and then while we were talking to a lady, I leaned over to Sister Mertlich and told her I was going to throw up, so we ran out. I'm not sure what happened there. Drastic weather changes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Exchanges were really fun. I learned a lot from her... she "could" be my new companion. I am playing the transfer game. She was in my singles ward when I lived in Ventana and we have all the same friends, we were not friends, but now we are! I can't believe transfer breakfast is this next week. While on exchanges we went to teach Cheyla and Dazia. Their aunt kicked us out and told us they were busy... and while we were walking out, their neighbors door swung open and then closed. So I knocked on it and this guy named Andrew opened the door. His uncle was drunk.. they asked us where we were from and we told them. Then, Christopher (his uncle) said, "you get the California one, I'll get Utah." We were like... oh no... maybe this isn't good. Andrew just laughed and then Lefia came. She is so sweet. She invited us in and told us she LOVES Motab. We were able to give them all copies of the Book of Mormon and teach them. They have been texting us. They really want to come to church this next week and Andrew wants to bring his "girl". He's engaged. So all four will be coming to church and they are reading the Book of Mormon! Not sure about Christopher... but the others are :) It was really great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Then, last night we went to see Vincent... he wasn't home, but his son opened the door. His name is Chaz and we talked to him about how the message we share makes us happy. He grabbed a piece of paper for us to write down our number. He was pretty brief, so we didn't get his number :/ We were walking to the car and said, "do you think he will call?" Well, right when we got home, he called! He said, "I have been going through a lot of things and it's been really hard. Can you tell me more about what you are talking about? You caught my interest." We are going to teach him on Saturday. :) From both of those stories, you can see that the work is truly hastening. We couldn't get anyone to listen to us when we first got here. It's really amazing to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Do you remember when I wrote and said my Stake President was told by Elder Ballard that a lot of blessings are about to come to this area and a lot of hardships as well? I believe this is it. The ward is going to be pretty busy balancing their lives and going teaching with the missionaries and helping fellowship all of our investigators. People are seriously ready to listen, it's amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Workouts are still going well. Sister Rigby came in our room the other night, I asked her if she felt anything from working out. She just stared at me and said, "are you kidding me?" I was like what? haha She said, "YES I AM SORE!" I said, "oh great! Where are you sore?" She stared at me again, and screamed, "EVERYWHERE!" haha it was so funny. She said, " I can't move after every work out!" It's the shortest workouts... doesn't do much, but it's better than nothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We had Mission Leadership Counsel. They talked about working out... we went around the room saying how much everyone in the zones were working out percentage wise. It's about 40 percent of the mission. President said, "Not good!" He got to us and we said, 100 percent in Kirtland :) Sister Sorenson said, "Sister Johnson is the inspiration. She has everyone doing Zions Boot camp!" </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I might be making work outs for the mission. haha It was so funny, I feel like I am helping now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">President Vellinga also read my letter to everyone that I wrote to him last week. He asked me permission, I wasn't sure what I wrote about! We talked about listening to the spirit. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">We also had Zone Training Meeting and Sister Wygant and I had to give 1/2 of it. It was all on the spirit. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">We talked about the roles of the spirit, how we prepare to have the spirit, feelings of it, how we feel when he leaves, etc, etc. We talked about the word Holy Ghost. When we were teaching Nitin, he said, "that is contradictory, Holy and Ghost." I really thought about that. Who was the first to create the word? The world or God? God was. The world sees the word "Ghost" as spooky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Holy Ghost truly is a member of the Godhead. He knows all. He knows as much as Heavenly Father. Alma 17:13. He is working alongside with two perfect people. Do we realize how valuable He is? Do we thank Heavenly Father for Him? If we didn't have the Holy Ghost, we would not have the testimony that we have today. We wouldn't be warned of danger and we couldn't progress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I remember when I really wanted to go on a trip to Utah. The car was packed and as I was walking out of the door, I had a thought, "you shouldn't go." But, I thought back, "But I want to." So I did... on the way, I got pulled over twice after never getting pulled over before, I got in a car accident, etc etc. and my life was going in a different direction. Heavenly Father knows all and knows why even if we don't know why. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">You don't always remember what you see, but you can always remember how you felt or feel. That is what kept me coming back on the right path, were because of the feelings I felt from the Holy Ghost. He's vital to our salvation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love you all more than you know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sister Kelsi Denae Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Ps- we had our training meeting in the Kirtland temple this week. :) It was pretty amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">"Repentance diminishes the distance between you and God."</span></div>
Elder Kory Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892444447145281023noreply@blogger.com0