July 25, 2016

This week was really good! I really had a lot of fun and was able to learn a lot too! But this week, we didn't have anyone at church. Our one investigator, Mr. Linwood -who has the pet chicken, was supposed to come but he called and told us he couldn't make it a few hours before church, which was sad but next week we will get him there. He is really the only one that looks promising right now. I know Tyler came to church, but he doesn't seem committed at all. He is always asleep whenever we go over and his wife won’t wake him up. So it’s very annoying and we found out they’re trying to move to Texas, so that kind of stinks as well. But we are still trying to work on it and see what happens. We will see what happens next week! Otherwise we didn't find anyone new this week.

We did go on exchanges with the zone leaders, which was pretty fun! It was fun to be with Elder Nipko, who was with me down in North Carolina. We also had interviews this week and they went awesome!!!!!!!!!!! I was actually looking forward to them for the first time! This new President is amazing! He is such a great man and is so inspired! We had a great interview and a good conversation! He loved what dad said in his last email to me saying "we expect a strong finish" and President was like ‘Thank you Brother Johnsen! You are my new favorite father of a missionary in this mission.’ He went on to say that this is now my last little bit, so I need to kick it into high gear and work even harder! We also talked about school and what will happen there and we are looking at releasing me on the 3rd or the 10^th of January, most likely the 3rd though so I can be ready for school on the 14th. He also talked about next transfer and what will happen with me. So I know what is probably going to happen next transfer! But I’m not going to tell you until I get the transfer call! :) haha All I know is I’m pretty excited!

President Weed also came to our ward for church! It was incredible! He was only given 5 minutes for some closing remarks and he blew everyone out of the water. The topic was temples and he got up and said there has been a girl in the front row in a pink blouse listening so very intently, and she has heard all about... and he talked about what was said by others and then this is where it gets crazy. He then said ‘but today we are really here because on this day in 1846, President Brigham Young took his cane and jammed it in the ground and said “Here we will build a temple of our God”.’ When he talked about putting his cane in the ground he pounded the podium with his fist! It was crazy. Then he went on to say ‘because of this, we have the beautiful Salt Lake Temple right where he put his cane.’ and he continued on. The crazy part about this whole thing is that he didn't take any scriptures up with him, no reading from his phone, he made eye contact with every member and spoke softly and it was just powerful. By far amazing! I love him! I’m excited for the last part of my mission! I’m just going to make it amazing!

My favorite thing so far for this area has got to be the members. They are by far amazing! They do so much for the missionary's, and they are actually willing to come out with us which is nice. This area has a lot of potential, once we get member referrals, so that will be my focus once I take over the area. So there’s lots of good but probably a lot of negatives as well.. haha The area is soooo ghetto... haha But we look past that. :)

Well, that was pretty much our week! I hope you guys have a great week as well! :) I love ya!

Elder Johnsen