Week 104 - July 18, 2016

Family,

The time is closing and there are so many blessings being poured out from upon the Heavens.

I am most grateful to God, my Father and His Son Jesus Christ, for the infinite amount of blessings and miracles that have been given to me throughout these last two years of my service. 

I have learned more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me in my life, especially to my family.  I love my family.  I feel your presence oft, and I know that throughout these years we have been far in person but closer than ever in our gospel progression! 

I have learned many things throughout these two years. 

I have learned that our potential is infinite and that the only thing stopping us from succeeding to heights we want to reach are our own thoughts and the temptations of the adversary. 

We must have a Believing Heart to reach our potential and become all that God would have us be.

This last week was busy and we were able to see so many miracles.

One of which is that one of my old investigators in Onyang has decided to be baptized on the 31st of July when the family is here!  How special that will be!

The lesson was incredible and the Spirit was so strong!

Mosiah 2:41 changed his life as we were teaching him!  

 

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

 

 

We felt prompted to share it and he spoke of wanting to accept the "Never Ending Happiness," and we commited him to follow the Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized!  He accepted!

This was a huge miracle!

The first time I met this man, Brother Jo, he told me in broken English, "I will be the hardest person to convert on your mission."

He has accepted to be baptized on July 31, 2016! 

He kept commitments very well and it has lead him to conversion to the Savior!

I love you all. 

Be safe.

Follow the Spirit in all things!

I love my mission and am so grateful for all the support.

Love,

Elder Cole Thomas Johnson

PACE

Weeks 101, 102, and 103 - July 11, 2016

Family!

I love you.  I feel your love.  I feel your prayers and I am so grateful for so many incredible people in my life.  I appreciate your support and I look forward to seeing you all in a short few weeks!

I love the land of Korea. 

Throughout these last few weeks I have developed a love for the people more than I ever have on my mission.  Of course, throughout my mission I have loved these people with all my heart, but as it comes down to the end of my service, I have gained a special love that will remain in my soul for an eternity. 

It's a blessing.  I am truly grateful.

I have been learning a lot about the Lord's timing and His will.  I have also learned much about the characteristics of Love and Gratitude. 

Love is the very Essence of the Gospel.  The Prophet declared it!

The most important, most essential thing in missionary work is love.  Without it, we can't fully experience the fullness of the blessings that come from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I have learned recently, as well, that love is a two-way thing.  In order for investigators to progress towards baptism, they must love us and we must love them.  It creates a special love.  The love of God.  Most investigators have one hour of the week to meet with us, the Lord's representatives.  The absolute most important thing in that one hour of the week is to feel of the Spirit testify of the truth and love that comes from this message. 

I have been recently praying for what it is that I need to do before I return, and I received my answer throughout this last week at the meeting in Daejeon where we met our new Mission President, President Madsen, and I also received a confirmation as I knelt down  and prayed.  It was, "All must know that they are a Child of God."   At the meeting, each foreign missionary stood up and sang the first verse of, "I Am a Child of God," in their language.  We then finished all together with all the missionaries in English, then Korean.  The Spirit was super strong and we all felt the truth of the words.

This week our recent convert, Brother Kim Yung Ho, received the Aaronic Priesthood and his mother came out to all three meetings of church!  (She is not a member but is quite interested in our church)  He is the best!  He is 16 and just such a funny kid.  We play soccer together on Saturdays.  He is changing through the gospel and it is going to give him an eternal prospective throughout his life!

I love you!

Thanks again for all the prayers!

Be safe and jump on Ship ZION!

Love, Elder Cole Thomas Johnson

PACE