OCM Zone Conference.......
Elder Conrad, Elder Johansen and Duke.
Courtesy of the Taylor Family
Elder Conrad and Elder Johansen
Courtesy of the Howell Family
Elder Johansen and Elder Conrad
Courtesy of the Haworth Family
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
WHAT THE?????
Hello hello!
I know that you guys have been sitting on the edge of your seats for so long to hear what the news is from Ohio
And man is there news.
First of all, I can already hear all of you saying: "What the heck Elder Johansen? What took you so long to email all of us?!"
I fully realize my mistakes but that's what repentance is for so WHAT'S UP I'M BACK! Now let's hop on this shuttle bus and get a goin shall we?
This week has been an absolute trip. I won't bore you with all the details, but here's the highlights.
If there was a single word to explain this whole last week, I think I'll have to go with the classic Disney movie title;
Frozen
Starting Monday, the weather was at - 6, but we were locked into our apartments when it went to a freakish - 33 on Wednesday! It's a genuine Elsa freak out over here in Springfield and the cabin fever is real ya'll. This isn't the only time Elder Conrad and I have been locked out of the work, but it was definitely the coldest and there is NOTHING to block the wind in this place so I was a complete popsicle.
If I could tell you about all the shenanigans that me and Elder Conrad pulled you would die. But I care about you all so I won't do that.
We've been able to put a few member families on date to introduce someone to the missionaries which I think is so cool! We have some incredible members and we really need their help! I love that when members are put into the mix, everything is so much more effective than if we were just out there knocking doors. P. Welch gave us a 500:1 via missionaries and 5:1 via members baptism rate. That's a big chunk of change so it's no small deal, and I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of Miracles here in Springfield.
The week ended with transfer calls. One of the more stress inducing calls that happens on the mission, though I've only been able to have two so far. They've been pretty full of crazy awesome doctrine from President Welch, and it's just a ball. But we all know what transfer calls meen. And man...
.... Did I get wrecked or what.
Once again, I'm a district leader. But I get to stay here in Springfield for 3 more months training a new companion! WHAT THE??? We'll be seeing who the victim is tomorrow. He's going to have a very confused trainer but YOU KNOW WHAT? It's all part of the experience.
We had a great testimony meeting yesterday. I always love to see those who are still new to the church and see their reactions to testimony meeting. It's a good chance to basically have a trailer to the ward and see their own beliefs. We were able to sit next to a young part member family who's been trying out the church, and who've been coming to church regularly! As long as it's open that is. I've never seen church canceled before coming to Ohio so that's really weird.
All in all this last week has been another great week full of Miracles and memories. I know that as we all press forward in the work that we've been called to do, we'll bless our families and friends so much more than we ever could back home. I know this work is true and I'm so glad I'm in it!
Sure love ya!!!
Elder Johansen
I know that you guys have been sitting on the edge of your seats for so long to hear what the news is from Ohio
And man is there news.
First of all, I can already hear all of you saying: "What the heck Elder Johansen? What took you so long to email all of us?!"
I fully realize my mistakes but that's what repentance is for so WHAT'S UP I'M BACK! Now let's hop on this shuttle bus and get a goin shall we?
This week has been an absolute trip. I won't bore you with all the details, but here's the highlights.
If there was a single word to explain this whole last week, I think I'll have to go with the classic Disney movie title;
Frozen
Starting Monday, the weather was at - 6, but we were locked into our apartments when it went to a freakish - 33 on Wednesday! It's a genuine Elsa freak out over here in Springfield and the cabin fever is real ya'll. This isn't the only time Elder Conrad and I have been locked out of the work, but it was definitely the coldest and there is NOTHING to block the wind in this place so I was a complete popsicle.
If I could tell you about all the shenanigans that me and Elder Conrad pulled you would die. But I care about you all so I won't do that.
We've been able to put a few member families on date to introduce someone to the missionaries which I think is so cool! We have some incredible members and we really need their help! I love that when members are put into the mix, everything is so much more effective than if we were just out there knocking doors. P. Welch gave us a 500:1 via missionaries and 5:1 via members baptism rate. That's a big chunk of change so it's no small deal, and I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of Miracles here in Springfield.
The week ended with transfer calls. One of the more stress inducing calls that happens on the mission, though I've only been able to have two so far. They've been pretty full of crazy awesome doctrine from President Welch, and it's just a ball. But we all know what transfer calls meen. And man...
.... Did I get wrecked or what.
Once again, I'm a district leader. But I get to stay here in Springfield for 3 more months training a new companion! WHAT THE??? We'll be seeing who the victim is tomorrow. He's going to have a very confused trainer but YOU KNOW WHAT? It's all part of the experience.
We had a great testimony meeting yesterday. I always love to see those who are still new to the church and see their reactions to testimony meeting. It's a good chance to basically have a trailer to the ward and see their own beliefs. We were able to sit next to a young part member family who's been trying out the church, and who've been coming to church regularly! As long as it's open that is. I've never seen church canceled before coming to Ohio so that's really weird.
All in all this last week has been another great week full of Miracles and memories. I know that as we all press forward in the work that we've been called to do, we'll bless our families and friends so much more than we ever could back home. I know this work is true and I'm so glad I'm in it!
Sure love ya!!!
Elder Johansen
There goes Elder Conrad.....
Transfer Sweaters......
Le District
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Oh well hello there......
What a week it's been and I hope that there's not all too many with these kinds of surprises!
We got Snow this last week and basically everything shut down! It was nuts! We even got a couple calls to go and get our groceries early apparently people in Ohio really just don't know what to do in the snow because we only got 7 inches and the whole world was freaking out. Church was even cancelled and I have never seen that before. BUT it's a great thing because for one- I need snow or I feel super disoriented with everything. Two- Sister Shnepff here in Springfield learned how to drive in snow so hey! Life skills!
This week we had a baptism! Her name is Sister J Rocha and she's super cool. She's married to Brother J Rocha who was baptized about 6 months ago. We talked a little bit about the temple since that's their next step, and they both looked at each other and just gave that smile. Goals!
They have two little kids so it's even MORE exciting! ETERNAL FAMILIES HECK YEAH!!!
It was a great service and it was pretty awesome seeing a convert baptism for the first time. We're all really proud of them and I bet they're both excited to have this in their life and their family.
I'm just about done with my training here in Springfield, and man that's nuts. It's almost been three months here. Apparently things seriously start picking up by the sixth month so I better start buckling up because I'm in for a wild ride.......
I'm just a dang Greenie
But hey! I guess if I'm ever called to anything while I'm here of in the field, it's comforting to know that if I don't rely on myself, but on the Lord, I'll be able to do anything that's needed of me
We met Duke for the first time. Duke is probably the biggest dog I have EVER seen, and he's about twice as calm. And I was thinking about Scooby Doo the whole time! Apparently great Danes were war dogs. They sat at the thrones of royalty, and we're meant to be really intimidating. But like I said, they're about twice as calm as they are big so the're pretty chill animals not exactly a "war dog".
My impressions from last week:
After reading Alma 45-48, I've seen an amazing example in Moroni. Mormon even tells how that if ALL men were like him, there would be no evil and all the armies of hell would be held at bay. It was super awesome. It was really cool to see that as we're humble in following the commandments of the Lord, and as we defend our faith and not seek the vain things of the world, we will be blessed with power immeasurable. I know that through Christ I can do all things and that there doesn't need to be any fear as long as we trust in him.
I know these things are true, and I love you all.
Elder Johansen
We got Snow this last week and basically everything shut down! It was nuts! We even got a couple calls to go and get our groceries early apparently people in Ohio really just don't know what to do in the snow because we only got 7 inches and the whole world was freaking out. Church was even cancelled and I have never seen that before. BUT it's a great thing because for one- I need snow or I feel super disoriented with everything. Two- Sister Shnepff here in Springfield learned how to drive in snow so hey! Life skills!
This week we had a baptism! Her name is Sister J Rocha and she's super cool. She's married to Brother J Rocha who was baptized about 6 months ago. We talked a little bit about the temple since that's their next step, and they both looked at each other and just gave that smile. Goals!
They have two little kids so it's even MORE exciting! ETERNAL FAMILIES HECK YEAH!!!
It was a great service and it was pretty awesome seeing a convert baptism for the first time. We're all really proud of them and I bet they're both excited to have this in their life and their family.
I'm just about done with my training here in Springfield, and man that's nuts. It's almost been three months here. Apparently things seriously start picking up by the sixth month so I better start buckling up because I'm in for a wild ride.......
I'm just a dang Greenie
But hey! I guess if I'm ever called to anything while I'm here of in the field, it's comforting to know that if I don't rely on myself, but on the Lord, I'll be able to do anything that's needed of me
We met Duke for the first time. Duke is probably the biggest dog I have EVER seen, and he's about twice as calm. And I was thinking about Scooby Doo the whole time! Apparently great Danes were war dogs. They sat at the thrones of royalty, and we're meant to be really intimidating. But like I said, they're about twice as calm as they are big so the're pretty chill animals not exactly a "war dog".
My impressions from last week:
After reading Alma 45-48, I've seen an amazing example in Moroni. Mormon even tells how that if ALL men were like him, there would be no evil and all the armies of hell would be held at bay. It was super awesome. It was really cool to see that as we're humble in following the commandments of the Lord, and as we defend our faith and not seek the vain things of the world, we will be blessed with power immeasurable. I know that through Christ I can do all things and that there doesn't need to be any fear as long as we trust in him.
I know these things are true, and I love you all.
Elder Johansen
Elder Conrad, Duke and Elder Johansen
(Duke is actually sitting on Elder Johansen in this picture)
Thank you to Sister Taylor for sending us this picture
Happy New Year.....
Happy New Year
Another one down!
What an exciting year for all of us! So many insane things have happened and hopefully were all the better for it right? It was awesome that Sister Howell did that [sent a picture of Elder Johansen and Elder Conrad while they visited with Brother and Sister Howell]. I don't know what the picture looks like, but that night I was holding at least 8 different dolls at a time, they belonged their great granddaughter and she is the cutest little girl. Brother and Sister Howell are always kind of surprised at what toys she has us hold. It's really cute 😁 they're a great couple and they love the missionaries which is so awesome. They told us that it's just fair to make sure that the missionaries are taken care of while we're away from home, serving the Lord. All in all they are amazing and happy people who really take great care of the missionaries. And she new that her sending you that picture would make you happy. Also, now they want me to play the piano for them 😶 more experience!
Quiz Question- What did Jesus Christ inherit from his mother and what did he inherit from his Father?
Answer- Christ was of course born of Mary and the Father. This was necessary because Christ needed to make the sacrifice himself and through being born of a mortal; he received the power to die, through an immortal; he received power over death.
-We talked about it in the MTC one night and that was pretty cool!
Right now I'm in Alma 37. And something that really stuck out to me was when Alma told Helaman that "through small and simple things, great things come to pass" (Alma 37:6)
I think that's just so powerful in our lives. And if we put that with 1 Nephi 17:8-10, when Nephi is commanded to build the ship, it's just a little easier to see that as we prayerfully put in our efforts to do the little things, we can make great things come to pass.
Me and my companion are really trying to scrounge up some recipes, so if there's anything you think would be good to make, we'd love to have em!
This week has honesty been a big improvement! We've been planning a whole lot better and now that the holidays are finally over, we can fully focus on the work and it won't be as hard to get to people! Things are going really good!! Unfortunately there haven't been a whole lot of things happen so there's not a whole lot to talk about. But! We did melt a whole bag of hard candy, had fun with that, liquefied it, made it into jello, then put a whole potato in it..... New year's day was a hard one on us.
ITS ALL PART OF THE EXPERIENCE!
I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you!
Love,
Elder Johansen
Another one down!
What an exciting year for all of us! So many insane things have happened and hopefully were all the better for it right? It was awesome that Sister Howell did that [sent a picture of Elder Johansen and Elder Conrad while they visited with Brother and Sister Howell]. I don't know what the picture looks like, but that night I was holding at least 8 different dolls at a time, they belonged their great granddaughter and she is the cutest little girl. Brother and Sister Howell are always kind of surprised at what toys she has us hold. It's really cute 😁 they're a great couple and they love the missionaries which is so awesome. They told us that it's just fair to make sure that the missionaries are taken care of while we're away from home, serving the Lord. All in all they are amazing and happy people who really take great care of the missionaries. And she new that her sending you that picture would make you happy. Also, now they want me to play the piano for them 😶 more experience!
(Picture sent to us from Sister Howell)
Quiz Question- What did Jesus Christ inherit from his mother and what did he inherit from his Father?
Answer- Christ was of course born of Mary and the Father. This was necessary because Christ needed to make the sacrifice himself and through being born of a mortal; he received the power to die, through an immortal; he received power over death.
-We talked about it in the MTC one night and that was pretty cool!
Right now I'm in Alma 37. And something that really stuck out to me was when Alma told Helaman that "through small and simple things, great things come to pass" (Alma 37:6)
I think that's just so powerful in our lives. And if we put that with 1 Nephi 17:8-10, when Nephi is commanded to build the ship, it's just a little easier to see that as we prayerfully put in our efforts to do the little things, we can make great things come to pass.
Me and my companion are really trying to scrounge up some recipes, so if there's anything you think would be good to make, we'd love to have em!
This week has honesty been a big improvement! We've been planning a whole lot better and now that the holidays are finally over, we can fully focus on the work and it won't be as hard to get to people! Things are going really good!! Unfortunately there haven't been a whole lot of things happen so there's not a whole lot to talk about. But! We did melt a whole bag of hard candy, had fun with that, liquefied it, made it into jello, then put a whole potato in it..... New year's day was a hard one on us.
ITS ALL PART OF THE EXPERIENCE!
I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you!
Love,
Elder Johansen
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Merry Christmas......
What a time!
Christmas!
Here's the week:
Monday
Christmas Eve was today. We saw the Maynards and it was a blast. Their adorable little girls made us little present and it was the cutest dang thing.
We've been singing a lot of Christmas songs, been given at least 3 boxes of diabetes and so much ham. It was a great day.
Tuesday
It's Christmas. Super Christmasy and full of said Christmas. We opened presents, played ball, talked to our families and went to the Abstons for dinner and hey we got presents from Sis. Abston! Ugly sweaters and such. Had a great dinner, then went to play basketball again. It was awesome
Wednesday - Saturday
Honestly it's been a total blur for the past week. Things are just cooling down. Elder Conrad is working on his talk, and he's trying a new way of doing it so that he better feels the spirit instead of just reciting a paper. I bet it'll go really well.
Sunday
Elder Conrad's talk went pretty well. I got to sit by Brother Cloud while he was on the stand. Today was our last 3 hour block for church. That's pretty crazy. That and starting in January, 11 year olds will be progressing the year that they turn 12, crazy stuff. Also, Brother Hines finally got a smartphone and he loves the camera so much, and he was really happy to get a couple pictures of us. He's pretty happy with his new Christmas present.
Monday
Today is new years eve. For today and tomorrow, we've been told to stay inside so that we don't get hurt by the partiers. Apparently it's pretty intense. We are kind of in a college area so I can see why we've been told that. In recent news: the sisters can now wear pants and the Springfield area is a bike mission now so hey that's neat.
But for today and tomorrow, we get to do whatever we want really so you know some naps are going to be happening 😁
Honestly, this last week has been a blast! All I hope is that I don't stop improving, because I definitely have a long way to go. Please keep me in your prayers, and I'll make sure to do my best in return!
With love,
Elder Johansen
Christmas!
Here's the week:
Monday
Christmas Eve was today. We saw the Maynards and it was a blast. Their adorable little girls made us little present and it was the cutest dang thing.
We've been singing a lot of Christmas songs, been given at least 3 boxes of diabetes and so much ham. It was a great day.
Tuesday
It's Christmas. Super Christmasy and full of said Christmas. We opened presents, played ball, talked to our families and went to the Abstons for dinner and hey we got presents from Sis. Abston! Ugly sweaters and such. Had a great dinner, then went to play basketball again. It was awesome
Wednesday - Saturday
Honestly it's been a total blur for the past week. Things are just cooling down. Elder Conrad is working on his talk, and he's trying a new way of doing it so that he better feels the spirit instead of just reciting a paper. I bet it'll go really well.
Sunday
Elder Conrad's talk went pretty well. I got to sit by Brother Cloud while he was on the stand. Today was our last 3 hour block for church. That's pretty crazy. That and starting in January, 11 year olds will be progressing the year that they turn 12, crazy stuff. Also, Brother Hines finally got a smartphone and he loves the camera so much, and he was really happy to get a couple pictures of us. He's pretty happy with his new Christmas present.
Monday
Today is new years eve. For today and tomorrow, we've been told to stay inside so that we don't get hurt by the partiers. Apparently it's pretty intense. We are kind of in a college area so I can see why we've been told that. In recent news: the sisters can now wear pants and the Springfield area is a bike mission now so hey that's neat.
But for today and tomorrow, we get to do whatever we want really so you know some naps are going to be happening 😁
Honestly, this last week has been a blast! All I hope is that I don't stop improving, because I definitely have a long way to go. Please keep me in your prayers, and I'll make sure to do my best in return!
With love,
Elder Johansen
Merry Christmas
The District.....
Christmas breakfast......
Christmas in a box.....
The spoils......
Look at those socks :) just keeping the piggies warm.....
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Short and sweet week.....
This last week was full of Christmas, miracles and way to much desert.
The real climax of this week was the Christmas conference that we had this last Wednesday. It was a great time and I was able to make some really solid friends! I actually got to meet my grandfather 😁
We watched some bible videos for the Christmas season, which totally wrecked me but that's fine 😂 I played a lot of music, and it was a very spiritual start to the whole thing. After we had that first bit, we had an actual Talent Show!!! It was the most amazing, cringe worthy and hilarious thing I've seen so far. Each one of us were thrown under the bus by President and Sister Welch by being told on Sunday that we had to do something during Christmas conference ( I had to play piano a few times and sing. I really hope I won't have to sing again cause, oh man 😅) so all of us weren't exactly what you would call "prepared" for literally anything, so we all understood the awkwardness and just embraced it! As we always should right!
After the "talent show" we had a great lunch and then played some games, then had a devotional. There were some rumours from the older companions that they watched Polar Express last Christmas so there was a lot of hope on some Christmas cheer.
We did not get that.
The President decided to be mean and show us 17 Miricles.
And man oh man,
That hurt a lot more than Polar Express ever did.
We all cried at least 3 times. I know I had to take a drink of water to keep myself from crying 😅 I got pretty choked up that's for sure.
We said goodbye to friends and came home to good I'm Springfield, and that's pretty much the highlight of it all. We've found little acts of service to do in the last week though! There was a couple of guys who broke down in the road, so we pushed them into a place that they could work on the car. Raked some yards, all the such.
But, over all, it's been a super week.
I miss you all. Not too much, but I still do I promise 😄
MERRY CHRISTMAS (I hope you like your E-Christmas Card :D)
Elder Johansen
The real climax of this week was the Christmas conference that we had this last Wednesday. It was a great time and I was able to make some really solid friends! I actually got to meet my grandfather 😁
We watched some bible videos for the Christmas season, which totally wrecked me but that's fine 😂 I played a lot of music, and it was a very spiritual start to the whole thing. After we had that first bit, we had an actual Talent Show!!! It was the most amazing, cringe worthy and hilarious thing I've seen so far. Each one of us were thrown under the bus by President and Sister Welch by being told on Sunday that we had to do something during Christmas conference ( I had to play piano a few times and sing. I really hope I won't have to sing again cause, oh man 😅) so all of us weren't exactly what you would call "prepared" for literally anything, so we all understood the awkwardness and just embraced it! As we always should right!
After the "talent show" we had a great lunch and then played some games, then had a devotional. There were some rumours from the older companions that they watched Polar Express last Christmas so there was a lot of hope on some Christmas cheer.
We did not get that.
The President decided to be mean and show us 17 Miricles.
And man oh man,
That hurt a lot more than Polar Express ever did.
We all cried at least 3 times. I know I had to take a drink of water to keep myself from crying 😅 I got pretty choked up that's for sure.
We said goodbye to friends and came home to good I'm Springfield, and that's pretty much the highlight of it all. We've found little acts of service to do in the last week though! There was a couple of guys who broke down in the road, so we pushed them into a place that they could work on the car. Raked some yards, all the such.
But, over all, it's been a super week.
I miss you all. Not too much, but I still do I promise 😄
MERRY CHRISTMAS (I hope you like your E-Christmas Card :D)
Elder Johansen
Merry Christmas from
Elder Johansen and Elder Conrad
Monday, December 17, 2018
This week was Sick!!!
And by this "week", I mean me! And not the fun way that gets you high fives and sweet shades, I already have those. I mean I got to have a really great time this week with my body hating me!
Last week around Sunday, I started feeling a bit crummy right? Not so great, just hangin out, everything else in me go'in out, and we call Sister Curtis our mission RN, and tell her what's going on. We take it easy that day and just don't work quite as hard. Next day I feel like crap the whole day, I still go to do the work, but there's just a point where I can't move! So after I push through that and we're done with our day, we call Sister Curtis again. She tells us to "Go into the ER right now!"
"Right now?"
"Right now!"
(She thought that it was appendicitis come to find out. To bad I didn't know because otherwise, I would be told her that I already beat her to the punch with that one)
After a seven hour wait, getting my blood drawn, shots and an ultrasound to check my gallbladder, we found out that it's something so absolutely attritious and life altering!!
A really bad stomach flu.
That's it. That's all it was.
7 hrs.
Waiting.
Still in a lot of pain,
But still.
Bleh.
We got home around three and were just told to sleep the next day, so we took that opportunity as fast as we could!
The week was honestly just a lot of throwing up, and not quite as many miracles. Elder Conrad did find out that he really likes the idea of doing ultrasounds since he doesn't really like blood, but he still likes to look at what the heck is going on inside the body.
So there ARE perks!
This week we were able to meet with Brother Hines. A less active member that was converted last year and that's been having quite a bit of trouble recently on deciding whether or not to come to church. Long story short, he told us this last Sunday that the meeting we had with him was the real turning point. That he's finally ready to move on.
We then got an awesome talk from President and Sister Welch in sacrament meeting. President Welch is seriously, the most savage grandpa.
The main thing I really took from this week is, that we can't ever be so far in the dark, that the light of Christ doesn't find us. We have the responsibility to change, but we have the chance to change because of him and his love.
I love you all so much!
Elder Johansen
Last week around Sunday, I started feeling a bit crummy right? Not so great, just hangin out, everything else in me go'in out, and we call Sister Curtis our mission RN, and tell her what's going on. We take it easy that day and just don't work quite as hard. Next day I feel like crap the whole day, I still go to do the work, but there's just a point where I can't move! So after I push through that and we're done with our day, we call Sister Curtis again. She tells us to "Go into the ER right now!"
"Right now?"
"Right now!"
(She thought that it was appendicitis come to find out. To bad I didn't know because otherwise, I would be told her that I already beat her to the punch with that one)
After a seven hour wait, getting my blood drawn, shots and an ultrasound to check my gallbladder, we found out that it's something so absolutely attritious and life altering!!
A really bad stomach flu.
That's it. That's all it was.
7 hrs.
Waiting.
Still in a lot of pain,
But still.
Bleh.
We got home around three and were just told to sleep the next day, so we took that opportunity as fast as we could!
The week was honestly just a lot of throwing up, and not quite as many miracles. Elder Conrad did find out that he really likes the idea of doing ultrasounds since he doesn't really like blood, but he still likes to look at what the heck is going on inside the body.
So there ARE perks!
This week we were able to meet with Brother Hines. A less active member that was converted last year and that's been having quite a bit of trouble recently on deciding whether or not to come to church. Long story short, he told us this last Sunday that the meeting we had with him was the real turning point. That he's finally ready to move on.
We then got an awesome talk from President and Sister Welch in sacrament meeting. President Welch is seriously, the most savage grandpa.
The main thing I really took from this week is, that we can't ever be so far in the dark, that the light of Christ doesn't find us. We have the responsibility to change, but we have the chance to change because of him and his love.
I love you all so much!
Elder Johansen
Agent Johansen and Agent Conrad
We put Agent on the Elder.
The sisters put Detective on theirs because they were kind of involved with a crime (Witnesses and first responders) "Part time Sisters, part time detectives"
So we put Agents because we were pretty much Bodyguards for the sisters last night, and we saw that and thought, hey, we need to do something now. So we sent that and said
"Full time Agents of the Lord"
It was great 😂
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)