Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone had a great week.  I forgot to tell you guys that President moved our P day this week from Monday to Thursday.  He didn't want us to have two days off in one week lol.  Anyway, I hope you all have a bomb Thanksgiving--eat lots of turkey, watch lots of football and give lots of thanks!

This past week has been pretty uneventful.  I think the most exciting thing that happened this week was Elder Wuthrich stepped on a cat in the middle of the road.  It was like 8:30 pm and it was pitch black outside and out of nowhere I hear a cat squeal and a very loud, feminine scream from Elder Wuthrich.  It was the funniest thing I've ever seen.  It legit sounded like he stepped on a squeaky toy.  Good times.  I hate cats.

Another thing that happened was elder Wuthrich got yelled at for the first time.  He tried giving a guy a Light the World pass along card and the dude went off.  He brought up all the classic bible basher points about how we don't believe in Christ and all of these other lies.  it was pretty funny.  We tried talking to him but he wasn't having it.  Another lady straight up lied to us.  Elder Wuthrich went up to her offering her a Light the World card and she was like, "Oh, I already know about that I am a part of your church."  Then I say, "Oh sweet, what ward are you in?"  Then she gives the most panicked look of all time.  "Oh uhhh you know that one that we all go to over at the church over there."  Pointing in the completely wrong direction.  So, we're just like oh nice.  When we left she asks, "hey, do I have to pay for this card?"  The card is about the size of my palm.  I was so tempted to say, "yeah, they're a buck a piece" but I didn't.

On Sunday, we were able to watch the YSA Face to Face with Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard.  It was super good--those guys are so inspired.  They gave lots of good advice about life that I want to apply after my mission.  it happened in Logan so I saw a couple familiar faces in the crowd!

We're starting to get a little taste of winters here in Oregon.  It does not stop raining.  It has been dumping all week.  I haven't seen the sun in days.  Pretty sad and apparently once it starts, it doesn't stop for like 6 months.  Yay!!  It's so weird though because yesterday it was pouring but at the same time it was 60 degrees....so it's pretty warm, but every time you walk outside if feels like you're showering!

That was basically my week.  The work is pretty slow, but we know that if we are obedient and diligent that the Lord will bless us.  I am so grateful for all of you and all the love and prayers you send.  I know that this is Christ's church restored to the earth today.  I know that Christ lives and that through Him we can all find peace and happiness in this life and in the life to come.  I love you all and hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving!

We received this picture in a text message on Thanksgiving.  This member bought all of them new coats for the wet winter!  We are so grateful for the members in the Oregon Salem Mission and all that they do for the missionaries!

Love,
Elder Johnson

What Up?

How is everyone doing?  This week was a pretty good one.  The work is still a little slow but we are still pushing through.  We had no car this week so that sucked.  We had to walk and bike everywhere we went.  It was trash!  I finally got a bike from the mission office but it is legit garbage, ha ha!  Since we have walked a lot, we have been able to talk to more people so that's good.  We found four new investigators this week but we have already dropped two of them.  We had a Facebook lesson with one over Facebook yesterday.  It went pretty good, she seems solid and we have a lesson with the other one on Tuesday so hopefully that goes well.

We were hoping to put two of our investigators, Josh and Eddie, on date this week but both of them cancelled.  I was so mad because we had straight fire lessons prepared.  Welp, guess they'll have to wait!  Josh is a beast though.  He's a junior in high school and literally goes to seminary everyday.  He has some solid fellowshippers which is nice.  There is nothing really new with any of our investigators.  They are still doing well.  We have had struggles setting up appointments which sucks.  We always set them up buy they always cancel last minute.  It's all good!

Elder Wuthrich and I are starting to get more comfortable with each other.  He's such a funny dude!  We are having a blast right now even though the work is slow.  There isn't really anything special that happened this week.  I went on an exchange with the homie, Elder Mitchell.  He is fresh out of the MTC just like Elder Wuthrich.  He's from Syracuse.  We did some work that day.  We met an excommunicated member who tried to roast us.  We shot down his concerns and he ended up asking for a Book of Mormon because he had misplaced his.  He also said we could come back by and teach him.  Yay!

Hope you all have a good week this week.  I'm guessing you all heard about Light the World this year!  I would challenge you ALL to participate every single day this year.  It is such a good thing the church does to help spread the light of Christ all around the world.  I know that if we do it ever day we will make the most of the Christmas season and we will be blessed for the service that we will render.  I love you all and I love this gospel.  Honestly do know where I'd be without it.  I know God and His Son, Jesus Christ, live and they know and love us personally.  Try your very best to be and stay close to them.  I know that when we do, it is easier to go through life with all the trials and temptations that we face.  Have a good week!

Saying goodbye to Elder Radmall

Elder Johnson's P day is on Thanksgiving next week--instead of Monday.

Love,
Elder Johnson

Hello From Salem!!

What up, everyone?

I hope everyone had a good week.  This week was pretty good and stressful.  I was with Elder Hill from my MTC district (and my new DL) for half the week.  It was a good time.  We did some street contacting in Downtown Salem because YSA has a huge area.  We talked to a lot of crazy people!  We had a lesson with one of our investigators, Eddie, on Tuesday.  IT went really well.  Elder Hill has a powerful testimony and Eddie pretty much told us that he believes the Book of Mormon is true!  So solid!  I had to say goodbye to some homies this week--Elder Hunt left to McMinnville on Tuesday.  That was sad.  Love that guy!  Also, had to say goodbye to my DL, Elder Radmall.  He's a beast, he's the one from CV.  He went to Sky View.  I was with Elder Hill until Thursday.

On Thursday, we got up and headed to Newberg to pick up our trainees.  Mine's name is Elder Wuthrich.  He is from Mapleton and knows the cousin, Josh.  That's pretty sweet.  We went right to work but we have seen zero success, unfortunately.  We are getting dropped left and right and nobody we talk to is interested.  It's all good though, we are still doing our best.  We still have a few solid investigators we are working with.  Josh is doing good.  He is still reading, praying and going to seminary.  He just never comes to church!  We are working with him!  James is still doing good and meeting with us and coming to church.  It is frustrating, though, not being able to find any new investigators this week.

Honestly, nothing too special happened this week.  Just been living life as a missionary.  I am really loving having the spirit present all day, every day.  I could not imagine living life without this gospel and I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have as a missionary--to help others feel that same joy and happiness.  I know that this church is true and have been blessed to be raised in it.  I was blessed with the best family ever and love them so much.  I hope everyone has a good week and stays safe.  Love you all--oh and it was really good to hear that the Dodgers took a hard L ha ha ha (@ElderAllen hehe)

The place where Elder Folkersen broke his ankle

Saying goodbye to Elder Hunt

The Taylors delivering Halloween treats

Elder Johnson and Elder Wuthrich

Love,
Elder Johnson