Nov 24 - Villa el Salvador

Hello All,

That`s awesome to hear about all the things that have changed. I don't have a lot of time this week so I will just give you a little update on whats happening.

This week was my first week in the new area. The area that I'm in was opened up the transfer before me so we don't have a lot of investigators and people to teach. I have already learned so much and the necessity to work a little harder. In my other area it was easy to get complacent because there was already a lot of people there to work with, but now I will have to work for every single thing that we have. I'm grateful for this opportunity to grow and become better.

I love you guys soo sooo much. It is crazy to have updates about how different things are. Everything has changed haha. I cant wait to be able to see your faces on Christmas! Keep doing well and being HAPPY!

Love you all soooooo much,

Elder Johnson

Nov 18 - Villa el Salvador

Hello All,

This week has been crazy CAMBIOS [Dad translation: changes, I think?]!

I have been transferred to Villa El Salvador (like 20 minutes away from Lurin). My new companion is Elder Izquierdo from Lima Peru. He told me that his house is like an hour away! crazy! He is awesome and I can`t wait to share the gospel with everyone here.

This past week me and Elder Paravicini were able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead with our recent converts. It was such an amazing experience. I can truly see the difference in them. That is the one thing that has been truly awesome here is the light of the gospel in these peoples lives. I love it!

Saying goodbye to the people in Lurin was soo hard. I was literally holding back tears.. The people here are soo awesome! I am so glad for the opportunity to serve the Lord here in Peru. The gospel is growing soo much and the work is definitely being hastened. I will never forget the people in Lurin and how special they are.

I know that this church is true, and is the true church of God here on the earth that was restored by Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and contains the fullness of the gospel. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true and living prophet to direct us on the straight path in these latter days. There is a scripture in Corinthians that is now my favorite. I can`t remember the reference specifically, (i think 1 Cor 15)[v. 8-10] but it goes something like this, (Apostle Paul)

´The Lord then appeared to me last. I was the least among them to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church. Nevertheless, by the grace of God, I am what I am. And the grace of God will not be wasted on me. I have worked harder then them all, but not me, but the grace of God which is in me. And so I preach..´

I want to be able to say that the grace of God was not wasted on me. I have made so many mistakes and sins, but by the grace of God, I am what I am, not because of me, but by the grace of God which is in me.

I love you guys soo much and there is not a day that goes by that I don`t pray for you all. CHRISTMAS! I cant wait to be able to have a skype call with you all. I am so grateful for all of the examples that you have given me and for all the blessings and help that you have given.

Much Love,

Elder Johnson

Nov 10 - Lurin

Hello All,

I hope things are going well for you guys back in the US. Things are going great here. Its weird to think that next week I will be done with my training. They say that the mission changes really fast once you get your second companion, I guess we will see.

This week was awesome! We had another wedding and two more baptisms. It is crazy how many weddings we have here. When we are in the lessons and ask them if they are living together or married, and they say married me and my companion just look at each other like ahh. haha. We have another wedding coming up in December and probably more to come. I will keep you posted.

One thing that I have been focusing on this week is to try and thank the Lord in when anything good happens. We were in a training with the Mission President and one missionary asked how can we stay humble and still have confidence in ourselves. President thought for a minute and responded thank him for every single thing that happens. If anything makes God mad it is when we dont thank him for the things he gives us. This past week whenever anything happens, I thank Him for allowing me to be an instrument in his hands. This has been a great experience and I would recommend it to everyone!

Dad, to answer your question about the church here in Lurin. There is no official ward building in Lurin. (Interesting Fact, the house that we live in is located in Puente, Lurin and it is in the house of members. The father used to live in Lyman [Wyoming]. Small world haha.) We meet in a casa capilla (house chapel) in KM 40, which is next to Lurin. Our area covers all of the Lurin and it is huge! Lima is soo big. Another interesting thing is that our ward has about 500 inactive members! Wow. It is hard because a lot of people have to travel an hour to get to church every week. Also in our ward, we have us and another companionship. It is a little weird to literally be in a house but it is an awesome experience.

Mom, I have had pasta with green sauce haha. The food here is awesome and I can feel my self getting more and more out of shape haha. Typically cereal in the morning, rice with chicken in the afternoon, and crackers and bread for dinner. haha. Chicken Feet in our soup and who knows what else haha. Not exactly El Rocoto every day.

I love you guys so much and pray for you everyday. I hope that you will be able to continue to enjoy life and everything that it has to offer. Tell everyone I love them!

Much Love,
Elder Johnson

Nov 3 - Lurin

Hello All,

This week has been fantastic, we had baptisms and weddings and this coming week we again have another! Weddings are a lot of work, but to see a family be closer together makes it all worth it.

From the baptisms we had last week we have John and Patty and their son Cristopher. John, a convert of one week was called as the 2nd Counselor in the Young Mens Presidency and his wife Patty called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society! One week! haha it is so awesome. In ward council every week we work with the informe de progeso (progress form) and it was weird to have them be on the paper and also lideres [leaders]. haha Lo Maximo! (Awesome) :)

I have been thinking a lot about college and have been actually thinking about U of U. I could do the UofU and play for the PDL Real Team maybe. I have also thought about getting more than just a bachelors degree. I was looking at the bios of the apostles and a lot of them have gone to bigger universities to get more degrees. I think I will make it a goal that if it is possible get a bachelors from the U in Business Administration and then get an MBA from Harvard School of Business. I want to accomplish this goal because out here in the mission I have realized the importance of education. We are so lucky to have all of the schools we have. I plan on making the most of the opportunities that I have. :)

I am so glad that you guys are doing well! Keep enjoying life and living the gospel. I know that if you do you will find joy in everything you do, spiritual and temporal.

Much Love,

Elder Johnson