December 2019...........

Ohio, Cincinnati Missionaries 2019 

🎄!!! CHRISTMAS!!! 🎄..... (almost).......12/16/2019

Well hey Hey HEY!

Another week bites the snow and another week to look forward to.

It's been a busy, busy week and we've had a lot of fun. There's been a ton of meetings and things that we've had to do, but we've enjoyed it.

This week we had interviews with President and Sister Ensign, had Christmas conference and then had a Christmas Social at the branch. We've had a lot of great service and have been able to be around a ton of people!

One of my favorite parts of the week was one morning when we decided to go try by someone. Unfortunately we didn't have any luck in meeting with the person, but on the walk back, we ran into a few people doing some service and asked if they would let us help. We helped them cut up and move a big ol branch that was laying on someone's lawn. After clearing the wood, we talked a little bit and they told us they were from a curtain ministry and were going around the community giving service and prayer and we asked if we could join them and they could put a couple pairs of hands to work. They gladly accepted our help and we got in their car and went. During the ride, the woman there asked if we could use a prayer and I said that a prayer on my family would be amazing. We shared that very nice moment and finished the prayer as we pulled into a rest home. They told us that they visit pretty often and just talk to those in the home. So we went in and we met some sweet ladies having lunch. Their names are Beety and Mary. As we prayed and visited with Beety and Mary, Mary told us that her sister met us at the front and came to tell her that two young men from the west were coming to see her. She said that she was told that we're represented the Savior and we're doing His work and that she was so glad that we came and talked to them. With tears in her eyes she told us thank you and we left with a special feeling in our hearts. Walking from the rest home to get the stuff I left in the car, those that we joined were beaming and were telling us how happy they were that we joined them. They told us that whenever they see us they'll make sure to say hello. Through serving others, and ultimately serving Jesus Christ, we had made a wonderful friendship. Elder Lawrence and I had a wonderful walk home and knew that we had been led by the spirit to have gone where we needed to be. 

There hasn't been a whole lot of crazy things that've happened, but we've had a dandy ol time. I hope everything's going great back home! 

Merry Christmas!! 

LOVE YOU!! (Christmas card is coming 😁) 

Ornamental Destruction...........12/9/2019

Well Hey There 😀
It feels like it's been a fat minute since I've emailed!.... Probably cause it has...

... Sorry bout that 😅....

But hey! In other news, I've had some changes of assignment! I'm now in the great Branch of Greenville Ohio! (staying @ 112 Quindora Dr, Greenville, OH
45331).

My companion is the wonderful Elder Lawrence and we're having a ball! Thankfully we've been super busy and I wouldn't have it any other way honestly. There's nothing better than being able to just put your boots on the ground and WORK.

Some of my favorite moments of these past couple weeks HAVE BEEN:

1. I slapped a goose

2. I had as sweet Thanksgiving full of food. There are some sit ups that need to be done now.

3. I'm in my first 🌿branch🌿!

4. We found probably the best Christmas tree in the mission in our basement and yes it is absolutely decked out and epic.

5. We were able to put one of the great people we're teaching, Jared, on date for the 28th of December! I'll make sure to update you on what happens 😁

6. We found a few nerf guns in the apartment, and we also have a ton on extra Christmas ornaments.
Well, we HAD a lot of extra Christmas ornaments.

7. Moved up to 100 full totes of Christmas ornaments

8.Watched The Christ Child and Light the World videos dozens of times

And many many more great adventures here in the wonderous world of the Great Cincinnati Ohio Mission!!!

Just know that I'm having and the time of my life and wouldn't rather be anywhere else in the world!

Recently a scripture that's been very powerful to me the past week's been 1 Peter 1:7
It talks about how the trials that we face are more than just inconveniences or things that we go through for no reason, but that they're worth more to us than any worldly treasure, fame or praise. They're worth more to us because that's what we're here to do: to go through trials and to learn to rely on the Savior. If there's a moment or a season of struggle that you're going through right now, or even past and future, know that the words given to Joseph Smith, that "all these things will be for thy experience.".
Whatever your experience is right now, know that the Lord loves and cares for you and that your eternal identity is linked to what you're feeling and doing right now. AND that I'm wishing you the best!!!

I love you guys! I'll talk to you next week!

Sure Love Ya!
~Elder Johansen