HELLO MY LOVED ONES!!!!!

      This week has felt like a whole transfer and a half! I keep on realizing that "It's only been a week since ____" and it's messing with my head. It feels like I'm in the MTC again and, man I don't like the time warp!
       Other than the strange time wobble, this week's been nuts! We've not only found someone new to teach that's incredibly solid and keeping all of the commitments that we're giving her, but we put her on date!! AND she went to a baptism yesterday after church with the Sister Training Leaders to a baptism for the YSA (it was a baptism for one of the people one of the sisters were teaching). And after all that excitement with the baptism, there was a potluck with the YSA that she and the friend that referred her to us went to. THEN, after a meeting, we went over and taught her a little bit about the commandments of obedience, prayer, and scripture study, and it was SO COOL!!! I''m gonna need ya'lls help with praying for Brook, because shes doing fantastic. But we all know how Satan likes it when a precious soul is coming closer to Christ and learning more of the truth, so please pray for Brook's spiritual protection.
        It's pretty insane when you're meeting with someone so often and teaching them more about the gospel and growing together spiritually. You find that you can truly love someone with all your heart and want the complete best for them. It's been a long week, but a very powerful, faith filled and testimony building week.
        We were also able to meet with a man whos been having a lot of trouble in his life. His name's S____. When we first met S____ a couple of days ago, he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. He's been having a really hard time, and the previous Elders that were teaching him, just weren't meeting his needs, though it wasn't for a lack of effort. That was the first time that I saw the testimonies that both of us gave, truly touched someone inside so much, that they said that we GLOWED. We were able to meet with him again during the week and there was a difference that was just, palpable. It was so easy to see the difference that reading the Book of Mormon every day has done for him. Not only the incredible examples of faith and perseverance that are in the book, but the doctrine and prophecies of the Savior Jesus Christ which brings hope and peace the the soul that no other book can. We saw this in S____, and he saw it in himself. We were able to get him a ride to church, and he actually came! It was incredible to see him and his two little daughters. It was a spiritual and powerful sacrament meeting, and I could feel the Holy Ghost resonate through my entire being as I was able to take the sacrament amidst all these friends which we have been teaching, and have been growing in their faith in Jesus Christ, and finding the peace that comes only by His hand.
      In other news, this week I fell down my second set of steps on a porch, and found out that it does actually take me 5 years to fall down. You think I'm going to stop, but no. I just keep on going! My companion describes my fall in his own words as " The Leisurely but Expeditious fall of man"
      It's been a great week of meeting the members here in this ward, and of actually being able to teach more than the restoration lesson, but expounding on our great message of hope, and seeing someone keep these commitments that can help them so much and strengthen testimonies. WHAT A WEEK! I've seen the change that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring to someone, in just the past 7 or so days of being here in Cherry Grove, and it's phenomenal. If you don't have a testimony of this marvelous work, this incredible massage of hope of of life that's been restored to the earth in these, the Latter-days, then (though I do expect and hope that you will come to find a testimony of your own) you can use mine;
      I testify that this work is true. That it brings hope and peace beyond the abilities of that which is mortal. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true testament of Jesus Christ, and that Joseph Smith was in fact a true and living prophet who did in fact see God, our Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I've grown closer and closer to Him, andIi never want to leave His presence, because I know that it's up to me. It's my choice to follow Him, and keep his commandments which allows me to find a joy that is immeasurable and eternal.The Church is true, and is the only way to find true happiness. I hope the very same for each and every one of you, and for all those that we love and desire to have this same Joy which moves us to do or best to do as He would do, say what He would say, and love as He would love. I say these things in the name of Him who was sent to Redeem us, our Savior and Brother, Jesus Christ, Amen.


The Church is True,
Sure love you!
~ Elder Johansen

Special thank you to President and Sister Welch for their selfless service to the Ohio, Cincinnati Missionaries. May God bless you.

With a Cherry on top........

Well Hello There!!!
What an end to the Transfer. Another beautiful six weeks and here's to another six more!
This past week has been very, very busy with a lot of exchanges, meetings, trios, and to top it all off, a transfer call which has called me to Cherry Grove, Ohio 😁
This past transfer has definitely been a key point in my progression not only in my life as a missionary, but in my life as a son of God. I was so very lucky to be with Elder Krey, Hopkins, Chidester and a plethora of other great Elders. They've taught me more than I deserve and all I hope is that I can apply what they've taught me 😄
🚥 HIGHLIGHTS 🚥
Last week we put one of the young men we're teaching on date for baptism on June 29th! He was so excited and we couldn't be happier for him! I know he'll be able to do it, there's no doubt that he'll do his very best to learn what he can and to follow the teachings we bring to the best of his abilities.
Like I've said; we've mainly had meetings, so it's not been incredibly exciting, but you know that the next transfers going to be a lot of exciting changes.

I love you all, have a great week!
        Sure love ya!
      -Elder Johansen

______________________________________________________________

-Cherry Grove Ohio-

Hello Hello Hello!

This week has honestly been one of those weeks that felt like it took 2 years to get through, in 2 minutes.
There's been a lot of figuring out what's going on in the area, and trying to meet everyone that we can.
The best part of the week was teaching a young woman that was referred to us by her friends who are returned missionaries. They're all doing summer sales here in Ohio, and will be here for the next few months. Elder Goodwine and I are pretty stinkin' lucky to be able to teach her.
Yesterday, we went over the Plan of Salvation with her and her friends. It was a very spirit filled and emotional lesson. There were many testimonies born, and beautiful doctrine taught by the power of the Holy Ghost. Yesterday was a great day of learning more about Jesus Christ and what he's done for all of us. One of my favorite scriptures that I read this week was Alma 7:11-13.
It says: 
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains afflictionsions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

This is the great message of Jesus Christ that we bring to the world. The Love of the Lord and His complete and utter devotion to each and every one of us. He shows the love of our Heavenly Father, and the greatness of His everlasting and eternal love for us.

Remeber that I love you all!

The Church is true and is led by a living Prophet in these days,

Sure Love You!

- Elder Johansen

I get knocked down! But I get up again...........

Hello and Happy Memorial day!
What a great weekend! This past week has definitely been one to behold, but most of all was the miracle that happened last night. There were many small things that had happened to make it so we could meet a certain young man, A____, and teach him about the gospel. All I can say tonight is that the Lord will put you where you are needed so that not only your life will be blessed, but that you may bless others.

The Lord loves and cares for you all, and so do I!
The Church is true,

Sure love you!
Elder Johansen

Hello hello hello!! 

This past week has been one giant roller coaster for Elder Krey and I. Rain, heat, and physical as well as spiritual whirlwinds! But if I know anything, I know Mom didn't raise no quitter, so bring it on!! 

Elder Krey and I have had quite a few exchanges in the past month, which I'm not entirely used to but I'm enjoying it quite a bit, so we've been able to spend some considerable time with the wonderful Elders we have, and it's a blessing to see them do such great work. It's insane to think that we've been out this long (7 months) and all that we've learned and have been able to apply. 

This last week was also a wild ride for our teaching. Remember A___? The young man who we found? He didn't even make it a week and he dropped us. He told us pretty much all the basics; that we've been deceived, that only the Bible contains the truth, he even found out about the word of wisdom and tried to attack with that right in the middle of trying to teach him what a prophet is. We asked him whether or not he's been reading the Book of Mormon and obviously he hadn't been in a couple days. We told him why it was important but he wouldn't listen. He kept saying that because he was a miracle, we should listen to him, and leave the Church. We were not getting anywhere at all. At the end, I asked whether or not he actually wanted to know whether or not this church and our teachings are true, and he said, no. We left it at that and bore our testimonies, and told him that if he's ever wanting to actually come to know the truth, he can get a hold of us. But it was a very hard lesson, and we had to spend a few minutes to recoup, but if anything, he'll come to know the truth at some point.

Thankfully, we have another young man that we're teaching, named C_______. It was another one of the "we should go this way" moments that led us to him. He's gone to church, even gone to conference before and is a friend of one of the Partlows. We've had great lessons with him and we're all really excited. I'm still very nervous, but not incredibly at this point.

These lessons have really shown how important the Book of Mormon is in coming to know that this great Church is true and not just a group made by man. If we come to know the Book of Mormon is true, then we come to know that all our sacrifices, hardships, rules, obligations, and covenants are true and bring everlasting peace and happiness. How beautiful is it that we get such amazing evidence, in our day, of God's presence? 

Elder Krey said that during interviews, president said that this would be the only transfer we'd have together. I'm glad that President put us together. I've learned a lot of lessons about loving myself and the importance of finding what makes me, me. I've actually taken a lot of notes recently. One of the most powerful things that he's taught me is the importance of doing things because you love God, and not for any other reason. I put the advice that Elder Krey has been giving me together with the advice president gave me during interviews, and I feel like I've been put in this companionship so that I can not only learn to love God more, but to learn how I can love myself more 😁

I'm so thankful for everyone who's helped me get this far and I really implore each of you to open your minds and hearts to feel the love of the Lord, and learn of Him, follow his example to love God, and love one another!

Sure love you!

- Elder Johansen