What a week!

This week, we had a goal as a district to get 4 people on date for baptism, 6 to church and 9 new.
Our number, was:
 6 on date
8 to church
And 18 new!

I don't know if you think that's crazy, but as a DISTRICT we made more than half of the numbers for the ZONE!
Me and elder Conrad were looking for people all week and we ended up finding 5 people, 2 of which are FAMILIES, this last Saturday! How absolutely nuts is that! All bbn i want to say about it is that prayer goes a long way. It goes a lot farther than we give it credit for.

Let's talk about the week!

Tuesday-
We went to do our service at a food bank called Family Needs. We met the amazing couple that ran the place and let me tell ya, they're on fire!
We were able to help them with distributing food for the shelter and it was a lot of fun to get to know them.
Later, me and Elder Horton, one of the zone leaders, did exchanges. The zone leaders are honestly hilarious. And we were able to get 3 new that day. Good stuff. We went to a dinner with a young family and that was really fun. I spent the night over at the ZL's place and had a blast.

Wednesday-
We had specialized training today. We did some roleplay and got to learn a lot. We got a picture for the christmas card and you should be seeing that some time :)
Said goodbye to the zone leaders for now and went back home.

Thursday-
NATIONAL TURKEY DAY
My first Thanksgiving here was an undeniable success and we were as happy as we could be. We had dinner at a members house and it was absolutely incredible. I was one happy missionary. The members are incredible and they really know how to make a good dinner.
We also had a very big blessing that day. Sun!

Friday-
In the morning we went to the same numbers house and helped them get the decorations down and defrost the freezer. The husband just had a knee replacement surgery and the opening isn't closing up so he wasn't able to do it, so in come us! It was a great time. I vacuumed ice out of a fridge 😁
We went and taught a lesson to a couple new and it was fun. Look up the word Hoosier. They're fun to teach.
We had Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch and that night we went over to a member couple's house and had Thanksgiving pt. 3! What a weekend ☺
I was then asked to play a musical number this next zone conference. I'm officially learning the crap out of Consider the Lillies

Saturday-
We found those five people in the last HOUR before dinner!
New saying: Faith it till ya Make it.
We counted 23 gunshots that day, and a few were followed by sirens.
We went to a potentials house and a lady opened it for us, and invited us in. We went in, introduced ourselves and asked if there were any other males in the house. She said "Ya, my wife's in the kitchen she'll be here in a sec"
A very quick lesson followed

Sunday-
I was asked to give a brief introduction in sacrament and then I taught a lesson in the Gospel principles class.
No one believed in me. After my lesson, I received literal Applause. No joke,it happened.
Dang right.
I'm the best.
Prepared that morning.
No help from the companion for peak "teaching experience "

We had dinner at a members house again. They gave us beanies that they made themselves and they're really warm.
We got to meet an amazing family that night. A cat climbed into our car while we were waiting for them. It was great. We moved hay, they have a barn, stables, and a gorgeous home. Great couple.

And now we're here.
Things are turning out a little better than they were before. I'm not as scared and I'm more focused on my purpose.


Love,
Elder Johansen

This is the place everyone!

Hello everyone!

It's been an official week in Ohio. The big ol' seven right? Its definitely been an adventure this last week. I've seen and heard a lot in my stay so far.
Right now, I'm in Springfield. It's a city about an hour and a half away from Cincinnati and it is a real good size.
But it's not like the cities back home. Imagine if someone just took a rolling pin to Salt Lake.
It's all so spread out but still cramped somehow.
Honestly I know you wouldn't like where I've been for the past week, and I'm gonna come clean, I haven't either. We've been in the Ghetto for this whole week and honestly I was getting really depressed because of it, and I had no idea. I thought it was just because the sun hasn't shown and probably won't for a long, long time since we're going into winter. But we went into the more northern part of the city, and I just felt all my nervousness go away. It was honestly ridiculous because me and my companion, Elder Conrad, just looked at each other and nodded our heads.
That's where we're gonna be going to do tracting from now on 😂
Other than the freaky feelings, we've found a ton of families to teach! Things are going very well for the first week! And I'm very excited for the rest of the transfers here. I'm probably going to end up having my whole training here in Springfield. Which is good because there is a whole lot of work to do!
This place is really something else. But I'll get used to it 😄 as long as I remember to love everyone, then I'll be fine. So dont worry about me! I'm out ere doing my best to fulfill my purpose!

I love you all!
Elder Johansen

This guy puts engines on bikes and they go up to 60 mph. Pretty crazy.

 I have no idea what these fruits are and if anyone else does please tell me, they're super gross.

I have a comfy apartment so we're good there. It even has a washer and dryer in it!

 How great is that!?

Big ol' turkey

I found the street of nightmares 😁👍

Arrival........

November 12, 2018

Sister Walsh, Elder Johansen, President Walsh

Mission in Ohio, Cincinnati: Hello everyone!Another week down and I'm on the 7 ...

Hello everyone!

Another week down and I'm on the 7 day count down to get into the field! 

It's been a really great but very difficult time over here. 

It's strange to think that I'm the "experienced one" compared to the new Elders coming in, but I'm alright with that 😁

I've highly improved in my scripture study. I'm able to understand quite a bit more than I used to now. It's really a handy bit of knowledge :D the Book of Mormon is really awesome.  I've just gotten into 2nd Nephi since i started not to long ago. It's a real crazy adventure story and it's amazing to see how the Lord works.

We've been able to finish teaching with our first TRC, and we just started our second TRC, on Monday. It's getting a bit easier to teach and meet new people, and hopefully it gets a little easier from this point.

I've already seen miracles in this last week. It's a very special experience. I can't wait till the field.

I know my purpose is to invite others to come into Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism and enduring to the end. 

I know the things I teach are true, and I will help bring others to the joy that we feel.

With love,

Elder Johansen 

Elder Davis "Big Guy Small Tie"

Elder Mulburry

First 5 days..............

Hi Everyone,

This week has been an incredibly different week for me. I think I've felt the spirit more in these five days than I have in my entire life combined.

I was talking to a Brother last night after my studies and he told me Elder Holland once said that there were more prayers per square inch in this campus, than in the entire world. I bet that if you listen hard enough, you could hear them.

I hope that everyone's had a good week so far. It's been a real mixed bag of nuts for me. I haven't been able to get a whole lot out to you today because of the problems I've had with my device and never actually having any time, even though its P day.

Some crazy updates, I've been called to the office of District Leader, and we've begun teaching an investigator who volunteers here in the MTC. We don't know whether or not he's a member, they say that there's a good mix of non-members so we can't know for sure. But they do say that they can never keep any non members because there's always someone being baptized, and it's always best, even if it's an employee role playing, to teach them just as we would an investigator. That's the only way anyone will actually learn anything so it'd definitely be best :D

Like I said, it's been a real rocky couple of days, but if I said everything that was rough wasn't beautiful, I wouldn't love my mountains so much! Throughout the trials that I've been experiencing, I've found how important it is to be vulnerable before the Lord.
On Sunday, I was able to let loose the gate of very overwhelming emotions of seeing everyone leave, the stress of getting ready to leave myself, then the very day that I left. I was able to take everything out, while praying for help. I had no idea that letting out those emotions, would help so, so much during the end of the day. Letting me enjoy the rest of my day, going to the MTC choir, and learning much more.

My week's been really crazy, but it's getting better here and there. I hope that as the week goes on, all of you will email me. I get immense strength from all of you and I need that strength so much. Please email me so that I'm able to talk to all of you on Tuesday. I hope that I'm able to receive your letters, emails, and your support.

My purpose as a missionary is to invite other to come into Christ, by receiving the restored gospel through father in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
I believe in these things with all my heart and I can't wait till I KNOW them, with all my being.
Please send me a little more emails during the week, its be incredible :D

It feels like I've been gone for years, so this is going to end up going really slow first bit. Hopefully it ends up a little faster, but I guess I'll see.

With love,
Elder Johansen

Leave a comment on the blog for Elder Johansen.

And off he goes.....

Elder Johansen was set apart as a full time missionary for 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Tuesday October 23, 2018. 

He played the piano for me one last time that night.  

He entered the Provo MTC the following day Wednesday October 24th.