Lots of Pictures

One of my favorite pictures of the Savior with children. It was printed on a canvas and hung in the primary room in Olmstead.

On our last district meeting we were trying to take pictures as a zone... unfortunately this is the quality of picture you get when there are 20 or so cameras lined up on a table. One day I will have to take better pictures from other missionaries off of facebook. lol

 based off of the picture you would think I was called Foreign! Nope, I'm just in New Canaan where there are insanely rich people. That in itself is foreign to me lol

I am pretty spoiled here! I'll def. try to get some better pictures of everything.

 Sarah and Elle (identical twins with Down Syndrome)

Jenny H. (whimsical headbands) who was visiting the Singles Ward

Photo shoot, welcome to new canaan

I love living with Sister Lavaki again!

 Yankee's Game! The whole mission got permission to go, so I got to see old friends!

-Sister Woo

-Sister Crawford 

(and plenty more I didn't take pictures of or with)

-Neils Topham (former missionary)

Cute kids eating cotton candy and very engaged watching the game

I wish I wasnt blinking... it's the best picture of the field

  

so here's one where I'm not blinking

taking creeper pictures of other missionary friends through out the stadium

my roomies! (i'm putting on sun screen)

tongan faces

back on the train

I love Sister Makanesi!

so tired after the game

My first week in Connecticut

Hello everyone!

This was my first full week in my new area. I live in Stamford and we serving in the Wavenly Park YSA ward (in Stamford) and in the New Canaan family ward with two elders.  It's really nice here! This week has been pretty peaceful. When we have been out driving I've reflected a lot on the experience Joseph Smith had in the sacred grove because we drive between these gorgeous trees all day everyday!  The spirit has impressed upon my heart with greater conviction the reality of the experience that took place that day. I know the Lord can truly guide those who are humble, pure in heart, faithful, and who have the intent of acting upon answers they receive. No we don't all have those experiences, but we can receive personal revelation and be guided in our lives.

Sister Ngosha is pretty awesome! I am her second companion so we are still getting to know one another and learning how the other person is. But  all in all we're doing really well. Also, I love living with Sister Lavaki and Sister Makanesi! They are sooooo funny! I laugh so hard every time I come home.

I loved church on Sunday! It was pretty long! Because we cover two wards and had correlation for both, but never the less it was enjoyable. We started at 7:30am and ended with a dinner appointment at 6:30p.m.

Both wards are super legit! I love the New Canaan family ward :)

There is even a couple that has identical twin girls who both have down syndrome! Naturally I feel in love with them =) Their names are Elle and Sarah. I took a picture with them. If I can get the computer to work with the pictures I'll be sure to include that one! Also, the ward is very active and very missionary minded. They have a lot of youth with mission calls right now. I'm pretty sure they have all been called to Brazil. There place they go through to get their visa out here is (apparently) a lot easier to get it then other places.  The houses are gorgous! All of them have this adorable style to them. They are modern, luxurious, yet antique cottage and picnic feel. Naturally I love all of them.  They preserve the greenery here and the houses have beautiful yards surrounding them. 

When I was at the singles ward on Sunday Jenny Hansen was visiting. She's my facebook friend who designs Whimsical Headbands. She served a mission in Arizona and was living in New York at the time I got my call. We had only ever talked through facebook and although she's since moved back to Utah, the ward she used to be in was the Stamford YSA ward =) It was so cool to meet her.  I definitely want to stay in touch with her after the mission. She's a very talented artist.

Let's see what else...

Today I went to a Yankee's game. The whole mission got permission to go because it's the only one that is taking place on a pday this summer. I took us 1 and 1/2 hours to get there from where we are. It's was pretty exhausting. But it was a lot of fun too!

In addition to seeing other missionaries Sister Maldarizzi was there with her sister. She's finished her mission but they are just finishing their week visiting NY. Also, Topham was there! He served with me for the majority of my mission and he was out visiting with his parents and they came to the game! It was so great to see him. I miss my mission friends. He went home in the March transfer. That one was hard for me. So many wonderful friends returned home.

I am feeling happier than last week. When I emailed last week I was so dead haha. Anyhow I am trying my best to draw nearer to the Lord. I hope you are doing well.

I am grateful for this time I have to serve. Sometimes I have to remember to take a deep breath and breathe. 

"Be still and know that I am God."

Love,

Sister Emily Johnson

What a week!

Honestly I can't remember much of what happened last week because I have my new planner with me. After only one transfer in Olmstead (Bronx) Sister Crawford was called to be a trainer! So as of last Thursday I knew I would be getting moved. This came as a surprise to many people from our ward because of how little time I spent there. However,  I have a firm testimony that the Lord knows where He needs us.  For multiple reasons I felt it was my time to leave Olmstead.

I've been preparing mentally for the move since Saturday and Sunday. Sister Crawford had a trainers meeting on Friday. It's been pretty rainy this last week. This has been kind of a tough week. Usually when I look back on the week I am reminded of all the wonderful things that have taken place. Don't get me wrong, it's still been a good week. It's mostly that I have been emotionally anticipating the changes and also helping Sister Crawford with the changes.  It's been a very emotional week... lol

Changes are hard, but when it's all said and done it's not too bad.  On the plus side the apartment I'm in now is LEGIT!!! It's the nicest one in our mission and I feel like I'm in a hotel. It is seriously impressive! It is elegant, each companionship has their own bathroom, there is a washer and dryer IN our apartment, and a gym in the same building!!! That is luxury!!! Absolutely crazy... I was stunned. Oh and I'm in a car again. It's a Ford something.

I am companions with Sister Ngosha from Tanzania Africa. She is a very friendly person. I think we are going to get along just fine =)

It's hard to believe I only have two more transfers! I am planning on diving in to this new area and giving it my best.  I'm in the Stamford Connecticut singles ward. Apparently a few weeks ago they started covering the New Cannon family ward. So Sunday will be six hours of church! Good thing I know this is the Lord's gospel haha.

Anyways I am doing well. I look forward to getting through this week so I can have a better feel of this area. Also, I'm roommates with Sister Lavaki again so I am very excited about that!!! I love her =)

Lets see what else is new or worth sharing...

I got to see Sister Awerkamp today at transfers and it was so great! I love her to pieces.  Sister Maldarizzi finished her mission today. A lot of missionaries from my going home group are leaving early (whether by a week or a transfer) for various reasons (family member wedding, school, etc) so my group is dwindling. Oh well. I am going strong.

During the past few emotional days I felt a greater sense of peace and understanding through the atonement. I hope that feeling from Christ continues to carry my through this change.  I am thankful that Christ promised to send us the comforter. I don't know how we would ever be able to cope with the challenges of life without the tender mercies of the Lord.

I pray that each of us will strive to feel the Holy Ghost comforting us and helping us understand what we are experiencing here in mortality.

Love,

Sister Emily Johnson

May 16th-May 22nd

How is it already the end of May-ish and nearing transfers?

Well you know what that means?!  Come May 27th is the count down of 12 weeks! I'm not trunky... I'm just making sure I appreciate each day. It's weird being close to the end of the mission because I've never experienced this before haha.  It's something new to me. By time I wrap my mind around it it'll be over.

Twelve weeks is still quite a bit of time. However, let me tell you about this past week... since I will only email you 13 more times as of this email.

Right, so this has been a pretty great week. One of the fastest weeks since I've been in this area. There was a lot going on and that was a little stressful, but once you make it through you feel good.

Thursday the 16th the Elders (Elliott and Portillo) had a baptism for two young women named Jeannie and Joy (16 & 14 yr old sisters). I might have mentioned them last week. Anyways, it went really well.  Our investigator Gifty accepted a baptismal invitation the day before for June 29th! It was awesome because Sister Crawford didn't even finish her question before Gifty responded yes.

Gifty was going to come to the baptism but something came up for school so she didn't get there until after it was over, but we gave her a tour of the church! She liked it. She's coming to church this Sunday.

Friday the 17th we had an awesome lesson with our investigator Jeff and one of the members made all the difference in the lesson going well. At the end he (Jeff) said an amazing closing prayer! He is really taking his baptism serious after this lesson.

Saturday night all the missionaries got permission to go to stake conference (even without an investigator going) because a big focus was on member missionary work. It was a lot like what our mission president told us from his meeting with the stake presidents as they counseled with the Lord about the needs of this area. They received strong revelation that the member missionary work needs to be strengthened. Why else would Heavenly Father send 100 new missionaries to our mission in the last couple of months. The field is white and ready to harvest. The finding is going to come from members and less active members.

It was also such a treat for me to go to the adult session of stake conference because 3 of the 4 areas I've served are in the stake and I got to see a ton of amazing families all gathered in one room! Not to mention previous missionaries I've served with! I was ECSTATIC! I literally was so happy! I was freaking out. lol

Sunday's session of stake conference came from Salt Lake and was broad casted to three states (NY, New Jersey, I forgot the other) It was wonderful too! It was a lot about member missionary work, family history, and going to the temple often. It was very similar to what was said by our local leaders. It was great hearing themes repeated by other church leaders (Boyd K. Packer spoke and a few others).  

One thing that stood out to me was what was said about Family history. They pointed out that family history and genealogy are not the same. Rather genealogy is part of family history, but that family history is much broader. One one of the family history websites they have updated it so you can upload stories and pictures of your ancestors! That really caught my attention. I am going to do a lot of family history work when I come home! It's not just people who have passed away, it's for the past, the current, and the future!  Also, while talking to some other missionaries on Sunday evening I decided something about my future goals =) I am going to learn Swedish so I can travel to Sweden and do family history work! Plus that is such a righteous desire Heavenly Father will help me learn the language! 

Monday the 20th I went on a split! I got to go to Kingsbridge (my first area) and be with Sister Maldarizzi! Sister Broderick came here to be with Sister Crawford (Sis. Broderick's first area). It was awesome! I got to see some old members in Kingsbridge.  We had dinner with the Britton family and the Cruz's (two of my favorites!) It was an absolute delight =)

Well after I get off here I am going to Manhattan with a member from our ward Hanzy. He's super funny and has been helping us a lot with the work. He's going to show us around the city (even though I know the city lol)

but actually we are going to a few spots I haven't been before.

Oh and it's official! It's NASTY humid again!!! lol

I love you! Thank you for your love and support. I know the Lord knows our struggles. If we are open, honest, and share our raw emotions with Him... even when we don't actually want to think about what we're feeling or thinking, He truly can comfort us. If we draw nearer unto Him, He will draw nearer unto us.

I love Him very much.

Sincerely,

Sister Emily Johnson

Hello! I'm at the Apple store emailing before we go to the temple.

That sure is an exciting subject line if I do say so myself.

Let's see what's new...

I got to skype with the family for Mother's Day! That was legit =)

It's crazy to think that in a few more months I'll see them in 3D. I think that was a crazy thought for the other sister missionaries who were with me because they have been out 1 transfer, 2 transfers, 3 transfers, and then you have me who is at 11 transfers! lol

But I've served my time and it's sad to know it's coming to an end. But I know there is a time and a season for everything.

I'm trying to make the most of these final months as a missionary. I know Heavenly Father has been training me this whole time to be the very best missionary that I can be right here at this time.

The members have been coming out to appointments with us recently and they are so funny! I especially love having the ones around our age come out with us because we always have a great time being spiritual and laughing a lot!

The work wouldn't be the same without them and I appreciate all the effort they make to be available to help us.

The talk I gave on Sunday went really well =) it was a lovely sacrament meeting. The talks were on happiness/motherhood (that one was mine), gratitude, and opportunity. I definitely needed a refresher on all of those topics.  One of my goals right now is to be more grateful. I have so many blessings in my life that I sometimes don't acknowledge or recognize. However, I know Heavenly Father appreciates when we show our appreciation for all the many ways he has blessed us. In addition to recognizing that trials or hardships give us opportunities, opportunities to use our free agency and do our best to face it with faith in Jesus Christ.

There was more I liked about that talk but I don't remember what it was! haha but I remember how I felt! I felt the spirit encouraging me =)

This past week our bishop put together a beautiful mother's day dinner. We helped a little bit with the set up and preparation. It was a little last minute planning wise so we werereally worried no one would show up. We started texting everyone in our phones lol and it actually turned out really nice! It had been raining really hard earlier that day but it was a very nice gathering.

Our investigator Jeff even came with his friend Trevor (who is a member) and Trevor's grandma. It was so exciting to see him there! He really liked it and got to meet a lot of the members. Sister Crawford and I were floating in the clouds knowing that Jeff came. Then he came the following day to church =)  

We also had a lesson with him last night and we discussed the first half of the gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, and baptism). The spirit was definitely there and he's going to work toward June 8th for his baptism =)

I love teaching Jeff. He is awesome. Some of the other missionaries said they were jealous that we get to teach Jeff haha. That's just how solid he is as an investigator. He's even coming to the baptism that's happening this Thursday (the elders investigators Jeannie 16 and Joy 14). Then we're meeting again on Friday.

We're going to the temple right after I finish emailing. It's going to be a much needed spiritual boost =)  

I got some wonderful mail from Janice and Jill yesterday and it really lifted me up =) I am grateful for such amazing friends! 

Transfers are in two weeks. That's crazy. I hope things stay pretty much the same in the zone. But I don't know if they will. In fact I feel like a lot might change. Oh well I guess we'll see what the Lord wants and we'll just accordingly.

Well I want all of you to know I love you!  You are amazing individuals and I am grateful to know you so well.  I know the Lord is waiting to draw nearer unto us as we draw nearer unto Him. We just got our General Conference Ensign and I am so excited to feast upon the different talks! I invite you to pick one of the talks to study and apply into your life this week. I know the words of the prophet and members of the quorum of the 12 are inspired for you and for me. I started reading Elder Eyrings talk this morning and I have felt a great sense of peace in my heart as I reflect on his words.  The Lord is reaching out to us in love through the words of His servants.  Are we listening? Are we searching? Are we seeking Him? I hope that this week you will feel that you are doing your best to put Him first. I promise you that as you do you will feel refreshed and the Lord will begin to soothe and heal the wounds of daily mortal life. He has the power and the love to do so.

I pray that you will use your agency in a way that you may take full advantage of the blessings available to you.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer, Amen.

Love,

Sister Emily Johnson

Today is my 15 month mark!

Where does time go?! =) Serving the Lord obviously.

I look forward to writing to you each week. Wednesdays can be very crazy, but also reflective during the 45 minutes to an hour that I have to write. 

It's nice being able to reflect on this marvelous work and wonder that I am experiencing as an instrument in the hand of the Lord.

These final months as I try my hardest to do my very best I have truly felt the Lord doing more with me than I would be able to do by myself. That in itself is a miracle!

Yesterday (Tuesday the 7th) we had Zone Conference and we were spiritually nourished and instructed on how to help our investigators progress in their learning so they will truly be learning. Since our last conference we have been focusing on teaching shorter lessons with the pamphlets. Since then we have been teaching a lot more, but now to help assist us with these lessons we focused on helping those we teach learn and actually understand so they too can feel the spirit working within them! 

Sunday was a really rewarding day! I shared my testimony in sacrament meeting and I felt the spirit take over.  I love when that happens. Then I taught the lesson in Gospel Doctrine because the teacher was out of town. I loved teaching that class because in the preparation for it (lesson 17 about tithing and fast offerings) there was a lot of material that I could read to expand my knowledge. During my mission as I've served in Gospel Principles its focused more on the what, but I really liked reading about the why.  I've been studying other chapters from the manual just for fun. I actually learned a lot about spiritual gifts from lesson 15! It's something I've been trying to understand better for a while now, so it was perfect.

This upcoming Sunday I'm giving a talk in Sacrament meeting about Happiness. I asked the bishop if he would like me to also tie it into Mother's Day. Luckily I just got the idea that I could connect the two by talking about what brings true happiness (living the gospel) and then explain how it was my mom that taught me that! Anyhow I haven't started writing it yet, so it'll take more time and reflection.  I am happy I get to speak about happiness. For those who know me, I'd say I'm a pretty happy person! lol

Well I am short on time. We started emailing at the library today. After we leave here we are going to the church to have a picnic and games. We were going to go to the park but it's been raining today.

I love you very much! I am so humbled by the opportunity to be a missionary and serve the Lord. Please pray that I may be fully invested in the work here.  I am doing pretty good, but I want to continue to finish strong! I know Jesus Christ lives. I know the spirit can teach, inspire, and guide our lives. I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us very much. I invite you to have a heart to heart with Him today =)

Love,

Sister Emily Johnson

May 1st

Hello again! I have to say I always look forward to emailing on Wednesdays! Well more so reading emails, but writing them is good too.  What a week! The weather has warmed up a lot. Despite putting on sunscreen I still manage to get a little pink each day. That's what happens though when you are a Svenskafleka =) Oh well it's always gone by the next day.

Last week, after emailing we went back to our apartment with two of the English sisters and we played games for a few hours. We had a lot of fun playing apples to apples. One of the highlights was the fact that while cleaning a junk missionary closet I found a working type writer!!! It was like finding buried treasure! Literally it was buried under junk haha. It was my prize for cleaning out the closet of abandoned missionary items. I've already typed up a few letters so anyone who writes me on a regular basis has a very high chance of getting a typed letter! Maybe that can be incentive to write me haha. 

When we were playing Apples to Apples Sister Lee (my favorite sister from Taiwan) had to choose a card that was awkward! Out of all the choices we were explaining what each one was. After we had explained all the choices she chose Barney as the best match for awkward. We were all laughing about how Barney could be awkward. Then in her cute Asian voice she said, "Yea, Dinosaurs aren't purple and green!" haha it was a priceless moment =)

Our correlation meetings are getting a lot better. No one argued this last week and we all discussed wanting the ward and the missionaries to work together. We even talked about what we want to include on the ward mission plan. This is a big deal for us! =)

A less active family that we've been working with came to church this week! They are so solid and we need them in our ward. It was great to have them there and for them to be able to partake of the sacrament! Renewing that covenant is so important in us feeling the atonement cleanse us =)

If we live our lives in a way that we are able to partake of the sacrament each week we will always be prepared to meet our maker. Our loving Heavenly Father has provided us the opportunity to renew our covenants every week to help us endure to the end! We can always be ready =)

I also got a blessing of comfort and council from one of the Elders I serve with because there were a few things that were weighing on my mind. Heavenly Father didn't council me in the way I necessarily expected Him to, but He did in a way that was even better. He gave me things to think about and ponder. I know that God's plan for us is perfect. I know He loves us and everything that happens is for the immortality and eternal life of man.

Yesterday was a really good day! We've been pushing ourselves and trying to rely on the Lord to achieve the standard of excellence. It was one of our best days yet! A lot of it had to do with the senior couple being willing to drive us between look ups. Senior couples are the best! Every senior couple should serve a mission =)

Anyways we had a total of 8 lessons! 5 others (not members), 2 less active, 1 active. 2 of the 5 others became new investigators because we were able to set return appointments! It was sweet! 

Well I hope you are feeling the Lord in your life.  If you are not, have you considered getting a priesthood blessing?  The Lord is there. He wants to speak to us, he wants to guide and counsel us. Why can't we hear Him? Do we not want to know the answer? Let us be strong and of good courage and open our hearts to the Lord. He has not put the pavillion there. He will see us through. I know this is the Lord's kingdom on the earth and as we seek His help he will strengthen and protect our families. I love the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. He called His prophet Thomas S. Monson, and the prophet is the reason I am in New York today! As of next week it'll be for 15 months! I love the Lord and I'm thankful for the refining process this has been. I only have three months left to serve in this way and I'm going all out. I invite you to strengthen your commitment to the Lord. Whether by: spending more time in the scriptures, or doing gospel related activities with your family, or going out with the missionaries, or investing my time and attention into your calling. I testify that it is through our families and the gospel of Jesus Christ we will find lasting happiness! I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Sister Emily Johnson

p.s. Mother's day is just around the corner! More details on our call home soon = )