Week 21 - December 15, 2014

Family,  

There is a lot on my mind.  I'm getting transferred to the other house in my area. I'm getting a Korean comp named Kim teh Wook.  I am very excited!  He doesn't speak English very well from what I heard.  I know that I am going to learn a lot of Korean in this next transfer.  I'm very excited and I trust in the Lord that this is the right move for me.  It's going to be tough, but I'm excited.   

 (Books everywhere!)

There is always something to learn.  I am learning so much everyday.  The Lord is teaching me so many lessons.  I am so grateful for the chance to serve everyday.  One thing that I have noticed as I have been gone is to always be grateful.  I am sooo sooo grateful for everything.  I always try my best to express gratitude to the Savior. There is wayyy wayy too much to be grateful for.  I have really noticed that by showing gratitude everyday, I have been blessed so much.  I see things so much differently.  I can see the love of the Lord and I know that He is here helping me. 

How do I know He is there?  How do I know that through being grateful we can receive blessings?  Why is being grateful so important?

I want to share with you a very special miracle that happened this week.

About two weeks ago, Elder Skinner and I were at the train station and for some reason Elder Skinner lost his wallet.  We think that he set it down on the pay machine counter and some one stole it.  Well, we ended up spending the rest of our p day looking for it.  We didn't find it.  Because he lost it, we realized that we would only have to live off of about 150 dollars for both of us. (my money)  This is very difficult because we have to put about 50 dollars each on our bus card to get to appointments and church and things.  Well, that left us with about 50 dollars left over to buy food and things we needed.  Any way as the week went on, we were able to get by with spending about 20 dollars.  (We get money every 2 weeks.)  This last week we only had about twenty dollars to spend.  However.. It was Fast Sunday last week which meant I needed to pay my fast offerings.  My first thought was, "How in the world am I going to get by this week with just 10 dollars for me and my comp.  I can't pay fast offerings."  But, I knew without a doubt that there would be a miracle if I trusted in the Lord and paid a 10 dollar fast offering.  So I decided to pray before I paid my fast offerings.  First, I was thankful for what I had.  I was thankful to the Lord that I had the opportunity to pay fast offerings.  Then I pleaded with the Lord and asked him that by being obedient and paying a fast offering, I would be blessed and I would somehow or somewhere receive a miracle from Him.   Well, after I prayed and paid the fast offering, I immediately turned to my comp and told him that no matter what, we would be blessed and see a miracle.  We just need to do that right things and to give thanks for everything we have.  Be GRATEFUL. 

 As the week went on and on, nothing happened.  Well, as we were sitting in the church doing our studies, we received a call from the sister missionaries who had just left the church.  As we answered the phone, they sounded so excited and they told us that as they were walking down the street, they looked over and in the corner of the sidewalk there was 10 dollars lying on the ground.  They looked around before going to pick it up to see if it was anyone else's, but there was no one around them.  As they went over to pick it up. the 10 dollar bill was folded.  As they picked it up, miraculously a 50 dollar bill fell out from the center.  It was a huge miracle.  Me and Elder Skinner were so happy, and we realized how much the Lord loves His missionaries!  

After the sisters hung up the phone, I got down on my knees and told the Lord how grateful I was for this huge miracle he provided me.  I really know that when we obey the Lord's commandment and when we show gratitude in all things, we are blessed and miracles are provided.  I have a testimony that the Lord lives and that He loves us.  He knows us and He is always there for us.  I have seen many miracles as I have been serving my mission.  I am so grateful for all the Lord gives me and that I get to serve Him everyday.  It's not always the easiest thing, but I have learned a lot, and I know that this is HIS work and he is very involved. 

Once again, I love my family so much and I am so grateful for the love and support you show me and send my way.  The packages and presents have been great!  SOOOOOO GRATEFUL:)  I am trying to send a package as fast as I can. I have a few Christmas presents for the fam and a few letters.  I love you so much, and I pray for each of you every day.  What a great time to focus our thoughts on the Savior and all that he has given us, around this holiday season.  I wish with everything that I could be there with you and experiencing the things you guys are doing. 

(Elder Johnson's family is in Paris at the present time picking up his brother who just completed his successful two year mission there and will be going home with them.  Elder Johnson says, "Even though my family is in Paris, I am with them in Korea.)

It's tough spending the holiday season without your family. BUT, I know I'm exactly where I need to be--becoming my best self and spending some time coming closer to my Savior.  I am trying hard everyday to rely on Him and to become like Him.  I'm learning so much.  SOOOOOO MUCH.  It's crazy.  I love to learn and to just study.  Hah never did I think I would say that, but I am learning the hardest language in the world, and I am learning new things about myself every day!  I love you guys!!!  HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!!! 

 LOVE ELDER 존슨

Johnson