June 27, 2016

Our week went fairly well! We haven't met the new president yet! He gets here tonight and we have a meeting with him on Thursday to officially meet him! I will probably see him tomorrow, since he is going out proselyting with the assistants and we live with the assistants, so we might cross paths. But otherwise our week was pretty lame, not going to lie. We didn't really do all that much, we taught a lot but we are just teaching people that won't progress. So our numbers look good, but really it's not really going anywhere. So I don't really have much to say in regards to missionary work, since we are trying to adjust our efforts to try to find more solid people. So we have yet to teach anyone past the second lesson. 

If you remember in New Bern when I was with the Zone Leaders, we did the same thing. Taught huge numbers of lessons, but didn't actually have anyone progress. So hopefully we can figure things out. We did get a referral from someone on mormon.org that said 'Hey, I wanna be baptized'. So that was a big blessing! We are just trying to find a member to get us on base to go see him. And it's a legit referral, not a fake one like some might say or think. No one is toying with us. My convert in New Bern, Ashley, was the same way so I'm excited about that! 

We are also meeting with a part member family that Bishop had talked to the other day. He told the non member husband that he needs to get his life right with God and that meeting with the missionary's is the best way to do that. So super bold of Bishop to do that, but we are excited to try and meet with them! 

We had stake conference this week which went amazing! I loved it! I learned a lot! This stake presidency is great! They're a great bunch of inspired men! And it was the last time seeing President and Sister Baker before they leave, so that was nice. And it was nice to be able to hear them speak to us one more time! I have really learned a lot from the both of them. 

I have a select few companions that I want to stay in contact with and see them after the mission, but a lot of them might just be in passing or at the Lake Powell 2k17 mission reunion I am planning.. :) But there are some that I don't plan on ever seeing again. Probably will never talk to them again, but maybe, who knows. People change over time and a lot of people are different when they're not a missionary. That's pretty much been my week! I hope y'all had a great one as well! I love ya and miss ya! Can't wait to see you in a short time! :) 

Love,

Elder Johnsen

June 20, 2016

This week was great! We had a good time doing the Lord's work! The week started with us having some good success in teaching lots of people! Since we have really only been in the area for 3 weeks it's been hard going from nobody to teach to now teaching 15 a week! And it will only continue to go up from there! So that's super exciting!  We also had zone conference which was amazing as always! We pretty much got blasted by the spirit and got to have a good time seeing President Baker for the last time. We will be getting a new mission president next week and it was actually really sad to see him for the last time. Pretty much every Sister was crying and some Elders were too. But it will defiantly be crazy to see what the new mission president will do. I have no idea what to expect!Ii'ts 7 days away. Crazy!  I'm sure he will be great for this mission and will continue to hasten the work here in the mission. The biggest thing I took away from conference is how much I love the Bakers. Before, I wasn't really into them, I wasn't the biggest fan of President Baker. But after this last conference I really learned a lot about him and really grew to love him. Not because I was like 'finally, he is finally leaving', but because something really hit me in that conference. I'm not sure what. But it was good.  Also this week we still don't have anyone set for baptism, and we didn't have anyone show up to church. We are teaching a few people that might show potential but we need to see a little more commitment out of them before I will talk about them. So we are trying to work hard, but we'll see what happens. I'm hoping for the best.The other Elders have a girl they are teaching that is set with a date for baptism and is moving to our area, so we might just walk into that one! haha So we'll see what happens in the coming week! :)  I love you guys and I miss you guys so much! Keep doing what the Lord wants you to do and you will be blessed for it. Love, Elder Johnsen