Alicia! 12-23-13 Oak Grove, TN/Ft Campbell, KY

HEY!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS THIS WEEK!!! Haha! I love you all! I did the math last night. Kind of freaked me out a little bit. I only have 17 pdays after this one... Whoa right?! Getting down to the line here! It is funny too how even after this much time being out, I still feel like I am constantly having to adjust to the work. I love it though. I really do :) Dad! You are so right about stupid sugar! The last week or two I was SUPER moody and I finally chalked it up to sleep, diet, exercise and water quality. So I bought some good filtered water, went to bed earlier and stopped eating sugar. Needless to say, I feel LOADS better! Airborne has been helping to. I have kicked out a cough before it even had a chance! I was a bit worried for a minute there... the weather here was literally starting to kill me. I could feel the effects of symptoms that seemed like SAD. So I was wondering if there was a way to get some of that Vitamin D? Or whatever the sun vitamin is? I miss that shiny, bright happy guy up in the sky a lot! We have had some absolutely crazy weather here too! The other night we were out visiting a less-active family when all of a sudden the wind started blowing like crazy and it started this vicious downpour! It turned into a tornado watch... it was really scary. But we survived without any problem. See?! An email to prove it! I am excited for summer again someday... Sunlight is my bestest friend! 

You are really probably not curious about all that random stuff I just told you. I just had to tell you! CHRISTMAS!!! First, I am glad the tradition lives and you watched the Magic Christmas Tree. I was telling my companion about that delightful flick the other day! Watch it again for me will ya? :) Love that movie! Second, skyping!!! Yay! We will be Skyping from the senior couples computers in the Fort Campbell area. I don't know if they have that Google video stuff...? I know they have Skype for sure! I am worried it would take a bit of time to get it all set up? I don't know! Maybe we will have a chance to call first to make it all happen. We get to call for 45 minutes and it works best for us to call at 4:30 our time and 3:30 your time. Hopefully that works for y'all! 

I am glad Mel made it home ok! I love her :)

Let's see here... this week was a bit of a rollercoaster. As is life I suppose. I have a really great companion, we are just different. And I have learned that I have a hard time being around some people for extended periods of time. I have to learn to overcome this over and over again because everyone is SO different. She is very sweet and very patient though and I am learning to accept her for exactly who she is. We are going to have a great Christmas :) 

Liz is doing great! I love that chica! She was confirmed on Tuesday. It was really powerful- as everything is with that wonderful girl! The picture I sent home is her husband and 2 kids. They are in the process of a divorce right now- which is why we haven't really been teaching them all together. The baptism was only the 2nd time we had met her husband. He needs the gospel for sure though! Everyone does... They left on Friday morning for New York and we won't see them again until after January 5th. Which is pretty much the story of EVERYONE who lives here! Military people are asked to try to take their leave around the holidays. So there are only a few families around for Christmas. Thankfully, now we have a car so we can go all over the Hopkinsville ward and not worry about Fort Campbell too much- unlike Thanksgiving where we got stranded. In fact, we have a BUNCH of families that want us to come over and see them so that is exciting :) We will have breakfast with the Stake President and his family, presents, visits with more families, skyping, dinner with the Brock family, second dinner with the Carlisle family- it will be heaps of fun! 

We found another really neat investigator! She was supposed to come to church two sundays ago but she got lost. She said she ended up in the middle of nowhere in this scary place that looked like a storage shed. There was a sign outside that talked about devil-worship. She freaked out and drove off realizing that that wasn't the right place... oh opposition! Anyways, she still really wants to come so we are mapquesting it for her this time :) Kelly is her name. She is awesome! 

The work continues to move forward! I am grateful for my call as a missionary. I cannot believe how quickly time moves and that I am getting so close to the end. I know though, that this experience has taught me SO much about the Atonement, about my Savior Jesus Christ and about myself. I know that I am a daughter of a loving Father in Heaven who knows me and cares about me. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be out at this Christmas time to be able to share the blessings of the restored gospel with so many of God's beloved children. Miracles keep happening. Even though this area is one of the most challenging that I have served in, somehow we continue to find and teach prepared people. We have been out tracting a LOT and we have found several new, prepared investigators this way and also some less-active, part-member families. We are going to have a great transfer full of miracles! Let's pray for more baptisms!! :)

I love you all so much! I am so excited for Wednesday!!!! You have no idea :) 7 months is a long time to go without seeing your beautiful faces :)

LOVE YOU LOTS!!! Be safe!

Merry Christmas!

I love you always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 12-16-13 Oak Grove, TN/Ft Campbell, KY

Man! I was a bit trunky last Monday... That is the rollercoaster of life, I think. One minute you feel not so great. Then you have a good cry and everything turns out ok. Tuesday morning, I just got it all out. I wasn't sure I could go out and work but I did it anyways. The amazing thing- everyone we talked to was super nice. We taught some great lessons. Especially this one girl named Kelly. She was going to come to church yesterday- but she accidentally went to the wrong church :( But she said us coming to her was an answer to a prayer! She really seems amazing. We are excited. There are blessings that come from tracting in the cold! 

Plus, this week we had a baptism!!! Liz got baptized on Saturday morning. It was seriously the most beautiful baptism I have ever seen. I have not met anyone so prepared. I don't know if you remember- but when I was set apart, President Hanks talked about me coming to Tennessee for one very specific person. I know it is Liz. She is amazing. She was born June 1991 so we are only about 10 or so days apart. Her grandparents live in Brigham City Utah. She is looking at programs at Utah State and wants to move out there. Pretty much she is guaranteed to be a part of my life forever. And that is why I think she is it. Plus, she is just amazing. I love her sweet children. I just love her!!! She got baptized in a white dress and seriously looked like an angel. Her little 2 year old was throwing a fit... So after coming out, she was dripping wet, carrying her little girl and smiling at herself in the mirror. It was the most beautiful thing... I just can't believe that I got to be apart of it... Unfortunately, though, she got really sick Saturday night and couldn't get confirmed on Sunday. So we are going over there Tuesday to have her be confirmed and then she is headed to upstate New York where home is for the holidays. AND while she is on her trip she is going to visit Palmyra! I am really glad I got to go right before I came out. I could let her know how AWESOME it is there!!! Gosh, I just love her.... I feel so blessed. 

So you are probably wanting to know about transfers... Well... ok. I am staying here for another 6 weeks with Sister Roberts! Happy sad! I do love trying new areas and this area is pretty challenging- but we are finally getting the flow of it. Miracles are happening. And so it will be nice to finish some work here. It will also be nice to stay where we know some people for the holidays. That would be ten times more difficult to be with a new companion in a new area. But I will be blessed to be with people I have grown to love. So that is good. AND we have a place to skype on Christmas. Our mission president wanted us to do it during dinner so it will probably be within the time-frame of 4:00-6:00pm. We will talk to the members and figure out for sure times and I will let you know next week. :)

I promise I am not trunky today! It is getting really weird though... I only have three transfers left. We had a zone breakfast this morning and I was the oldest missionary other than those that are leaving this transfer... weird!!! It is ok though :) It doesn't really feel real so that's good! HEY!! Hopefully we are getting a car this week! Did I tell you how many layers I wear so I don't die?! I wear, hem hem, my underclothing (obviously), an undershirt, another shirt, a sweater, a puffy coat, my long coat, tights, leggings, socks, boots, a hat, a scarf (sometimes two) and gloves!! I despise humid cold.... grrrr...... But I am going to keep going! And drink lots of orange juice and airborne so I don't get sick! 

Saturday and Sunday evening I had a really neat opportunity. And Thursday too :) I was invited to do a special musical number for Christmas Zone Conference on Thursday. I stood up there, all by myself and sang Oh Holy Night acapella! Then, I had the opportunity for half an hour on Saturday and half an hour on Sunday to sing and play the piano at an event called the Festival of the Nativity. It was really really really fun. I think I love performing and singing and stuff! My companion got some of it recorded so I will try to attach it at some point. 

Missionary work is great! I love it :) It is also the hardest thing I have ever done- but I am growing and that is what matters. I love you all so much!!! 

You know what, I have a really good feeling about staying at home for the summer. I think I am going to do that. I would love to do the job that Zach has for me and I will see if there are other things I can do as well. I would be happy to do all sorts of random things really. Babysitting, painting, piano lessons, something! I think something great will happen! I don't know what though haha :) It just feels better than the BarT5. I will pray on it though. 

I love you all so much! Oh, last thing- I got your Christmas package! I love you!

Love, Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 12-9-13 Oak Grove, TN/Ft Campbell, KY

Ok, so to start.... oh life! Thanks for finding out all that info about school and work and housing and stuff. I don't have any requests as far as roommates... luck of the draw this first semester back. Yay! If it is possible, request an upper level apt (no basement) and not the buildings on the bottom- they are in a different ward. So it would be the buildings that are closer to campus. 

As far as job stuff goes, I think doing afterschool stuff would be awesome! I just need a place to stay... If you could, ask Zach to talk to his friend and see what the process is like to nanny. Last summer I was looking into it as well and they did have some openings for nannies in Logan- so that might be a possibility as well. I just don't really know what would happen with paying for somewhere to live? I think a good nanny job mostly has to do with networking and knowing who you are dealing with. If it means a set job I will do the Bar T5. Let me know what you find out! Please and thank you :)

What else...? Why does my brain think I am coming home tomorrow...? We are on the last week of the transfer. It has been a pretty trying week. It is really interesting because at the beginning of my mission I told myself that the fire would never die! I would want to do this forever and ever! Well... After tracting in ice and freezing cold weather, I was reconsidering that this week. It has been a tricky week to keep my mind and heart excited to go knock doors again. 

I need to continue to count my blessings though. Liz is rocking and ready to get baptized! We are planning and preparing for that this coming Saturday. We have our second Family Home Evening on post tonight. We had a miracle day with 12 lessons on Tuesday! But the rest of the week was kind of weird. 

The weather started to get really bad on Thursday evening. Friday we stayed in all day due to ice rain. Saturday I was fighting really hard about tracting so we got to do service on post instead- which was awesome! We are finally starting to see progress in some of the investigators that we have had to find on our own. But things are good. I just don't really like the cold... and I think it is very largely impacting my mood :(

We are getting excited for Christmas activities though. We have a Christmas Zone Conference on Thursday. They asked me to do a musical number. I am excited about that :) We also get to do white elephant! No set times about calling home for Christmas yet. Let me know your schedule when you can so we can start figuring that out as well. 

Well, life is humming along. Still moving forward and doing the best I can. Keep me in your prayers.... My heart and mind need some kicking to get back into gear. Maybe transfers will help with that? Guess we will know by Saturday. 

I sure love you all! Have a great week :)

LOVE Always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 12-2-13 Oak Grove, TN/Ft Campbell, KY

Hey there! 

I am always so happy to hear from you all every week! You are just the best and I love you all dearly! This week I have had a LOT of emails to respond to- so I hope that this email is good. 

I can hardly believe that it is December already. I have been out for over a year... and i will be home in about 5 months. I can hardly believe it. The sign in Walmart said that Christmas is only 23 days away!?! WHAT?! I love Christmas!!! Speaking of which- I listen to those Christmas CDs all the time! I love them immensely. Thank you so much for sending them! And I DID get the boots finally! They are great! I wore them once and it wasn't a super cold day all of sudden so they made my feet EXTRA toasty! So now they are special occasion, cold and wet weather boots :)

Congrats with the new job Mom! We don't know much about Christmas yet. Usually they let us work around our family so I don't think we will have any problems getting it all worked out :) No stress! Just let me know what times will work for you and we will get it figured out. 

They got news about the car today... They are totaling it :( I ruined it... :( Our bodies are fine. No major repercussions. Walking around too much carrying my bag kind of wears on my back, but I do stretches everyday and that helps a lot. We should be getting a new car soonish though hopefully.

I am glad that Thanksgiving was fun for you all! This was an interesting Thanksgiving for us here. Being on post is so different! We were supposed to do member visits all day but because we didn't have a car and we have to be with members at all times on post, we kept getting stuck places and weren't overly productive. We walked an hour to go see a member in Oak Grove... and didn't make it before our ride picked us up for lunch. I love turkey though :) And pumpkin pie :) So we had about 4 lessons that day. Not as good as Christmas last year... 

So to make up for it, the next day we set a goal of teaching 10 lessons. We taught 11! We tracted all. Day. Long. It was a bit exhausting. But we did see many miracles from our efforts. We taught a hispanic man and his two daughters. They gave us Mexican food and horchata! That was a miracle :) Plus, the gospel is really going to help them. We were happy to find him. 

Yesterday was absolutely amazing. It started off kind of rough. I was just frustrated and being dumb. So I prayed that Heavenly Father would help me to find the good in this area and find a reason to stay at it and love it. While sitting in sacrament meeting, a family walked in and the Spirit poured over me. I wanted to cry. I DO love the people here. And I am starting to build relationships and make attachments to them. 

I also had a cool insight during gospel principles. We were talking about temples and family history. The Spirit washed over me again and I realized that every effort we make is being watched by those on the other side of the veil. As a missionary on earth, the lessons and people we teach, impacts the work that is being done on the other side. I had never realized that before.

Last night, we had a lesson with Liz. Liz is our miracle investigator. We met her about a week ago when we decided to do a member visit. This member happens to be moving in about two weeks and she said she felt like Liz needed to meet us. We went over to her home and taught her about the Atonement and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was strong. We set a return appointment and invited her to our FHE. We a Family Home Evening on post! It was very successful! We had 4 active families, a less-active family, a part-member family and an investigator there! It was cool. We made hand-turkeys and did fun kid stuff :) Anyways, Liz came to that and had a great time. She also came to church. Then we had our second lesson with her. 

She told us that she has been searching for a way to have more peace in her life. She wanted to know how to do it. We taught her, more in-depth, about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the role of the Holy Ghost. We then shifted gears and taught her the Restoration. After we had finished teaching, we paused. I asked her, "Liz, do you believe that this is true?" She said, "Yes, yes I do." Then she proceeded to tell us that after we left the first time, she had said something aloud- like a prayer to God. She said she felt a hand on her shoulder and peace filled her. We all started to cry. I asked, "Liz, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?" She nodded. We sat in silence as the Spirit filled the room with an extraterrestrial force. God loves Liz SO much! She is VERY special. A choice spirit and daughter of our Heavenly Father. We set a baptismal date with her for December 14th. We will be having a white Christmas this year. 

I am so grateful for the opportunities that Heavenly Father has given me on my mission. I have been pondering about all of the lives that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of. I was thinking last night of all of their names and faces. I could see them all dressed in white, standing together in the bright hallways of heaven. Liz, Cheryl, James, Jon, Jenn, Briana, Corey, Denisa, Hal, Cindy, Sister Phelps, Sister Lawrence, the Driskills, Sister Brewer, the Leckies, Kevin, Miranda, the Brocks, all of my family, all of my friends... they are all numbered and counted in heaven. All of them are known. Every single person that I have been able to meet has been sent here for a purpose. God's purposes are great. I am so grateful. So grateful. 

The work of salvation is a beautiful thing. I hope that I never forget. I hope that none of us forget. This is what life is all about. 

I love you all so much. I am very grateful for you. 

Love you always, 

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 11-25-13 Oak Grove, TN/Ft Campbell, KY

It is COLD here too!! I did get your packages :) I got the one for Joe and an Ensign from Dad! I haven't seen the boots yet :( But since I bought some, I have been ok. Thanks for the socks and the warm tight things though! I have been layering up like CRAZY! If you don't, you die. It is super cold and humid!!! Worst thing ever... I would take the humid heat ANY day over the humid cold. Guh. It is ok though. We just have to tough the weather out a lot more since we don't have a car for a few weeks. I think Heavenly Father is teaching me to be stronger. Once you get moving, the cold isn't as bad anyways :)

It truly is by small and simple things that great things are brought to pass. I really have this love-hate relationship with cars. Getting in a car wreck has forced us to get out and walk and talk to people WAY more. Not that we weren't doing it before, but it is more a test of faith when you have no other means of transportation. It takes us about an hour to walk to the areas where most of our investigators live. So during the day, we have made this walk several times. And once you are there, you HAVE to plan on staying and working the area. It would be useless to walk there and walk back.

So... we have tracted a lot this week.

MIRACLE #1: Yesterday we had a member drive us home from church. We tried an investigator on the way who bonked her appointment and didn't answer the door. While we were in the area, I saw a door. The Spirit prompted me to go over there and knock. I didn't listen... we got back into the member's car and drove back to our apartment. Well, I couldn't shake the feeling that we needed to knock that door. So we repented and started the 45 minute walk back to that area. On the way, we found a five dollar bill. We walked by a door with a family looking out at us. We talked to them and they invited us to come back. We arrived at the door that I had felted prompted to knock. I felt the Spirit strongly- although the man said that they were all drunk. They were partyers- that was their lifestyle and we shouldn't come back. Interesting. We decided to knock their neighbors door. A young lady named Emily answered the door. She was SO sincere and you could just feel that she is prepared! It was incredible! We were able to follow the prompting and much good came out of it.

MIRACLE #2: We did a tracting roleplay at one of our meetings. That prepared us as we had to actually go out and tract. We have run out of Book of Mormons so we have only been able to give pamphlets away. We were trying to find a former investigator. We knocked on a door of a house all decorated for Christmas. The man let us right in. They gave us some juice and we shared our message about the Restoration. After we had clearly explained prophets, he seemed to really understand. The Spirit was there and we invited him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon! It was AWESOME! That doesn't happen very often- people don't just let you right in. Unless you listen to the Spirit. Then miracles happen.

MIRACLE #3: Working on post is a lot different. You have to stay with members all the time. And setting up appointments is ALWAYS tricky. We had dinner with a member. She was driving us around trying to find someone to visit. We decided to try an active member. This family is AWESOME! Both are return missionaries. They have been working with their friend who has family that is LDS. We were able to go next door and meet her and share a message about the Atonement. The Spirit was strong. She is SO prepared!!! She has been going through some very difficult circumstances. She is very young... My age and she has two kids. Crazy. She really needed us and the Lord helped it all to work out! She is coming to an FHE that we are having tonight. YAY!

Miracles are happening! I love this work so much! It is challenging and yet so rewarding. Learning to listen to the Spirit is truly so important. And I am grateful that the Lord is giving me faith-building experiences to learn and grow from. This week is Thanksgiving! We are excited about that :) The members are going to try and fatten us up... They will probably be successful.

I love you all so much!! Have a happy Thanksgiving!!!

LOVE ALWAYS!

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 11-18-13 Oak Grove/Ft Campbell, KY

My dear family,

I am really sad for the Meldrum family... I am in shock about all the deaths since I have been out. There have been so many! And so many family and friends.... I am grateful to know that God has a plan for each of His children. I have been feeling that over and over. And I am overwhelmed with the comfort of the Spirit at this time... I don't know why things like this happen. I do know that our loving Heavenly Father has a purpose in all things. I was reading President Monson's general conference address this morning. I loved this poem: 

"Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.

The further the sky, the greater the length. 

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow, 

In trees and men good timbers grow."

I know that through Christ's Atonement we can be strengthened in all things. It seems like the trials just keep coming. But as we rely upon Him, He will strengthen us to endure. 

Yesterday, it was raining and storming pretty severely. We were driving to church and the GPS was struggling a bit. I was doing my best to follow it without getting us crazy lost. We finally were about 1 block away from the church. We stopped at a stop sign. I thought it was a four way and felt sure that I had looked both ways.... And as I drove into the intersection we T-boned the car passing through.... The lady's car smacked into the truck that was at the stop at the other side. So the three of us had our cars pretty messed up. It happened way fast. I don't even remember seeing anything. It was a giant blur and then it was over. We pulled over. I got out to see if everyone was ok. I got completely drenched in the rain. The lady's car door wouldn't open so I pulled it open and we all waited for the police. 

Meanwhile, half the members of the ward drove by and saw us standing out in the pouring rain. No one was injured.. although I am feeling repercussions from it today. My body is pretty sore and I am really tired with a headache. 

This is one of those things where I know that we were protected and there must be a reason for this. I don't know what. Like any challenge or trial we are given, we must continue to be grateful for the Lord's hand in it. 

We were able to drive the car to the church, dragging the front bumper. The members fixed it up as best they could. We tried driving it home and made it about halfway when the temperature shot straight up so we pulled over and waited for someone to get us. We made it back safely and have had the help of many members. All is well in Zion. 

Another interesting series of events for this missionary. Don't really know what to think is next haha. First the ER. Second a companion going home. Third a car wreck. All within a few months. Gosh. I need to be wearing a helmet all the time or something! What's next- a tornado?? Missions really help you endure all types of trials. Emotional, mental, physical, spiritual- you name it, we endure it. But I know that this time is a great gift. I feel blessed and protected regardless of the craziness. There are angels all around and I know that angels will be with the Meldrum family and with all of you at this tough time. 

As far as the work goes, it was a pretty great week. The work here is starting to take off. We have great members that want to be involved and we are teaching nearly all the time. There are families that are ready to come back- and it is neat to see the Lord giving us the tools to help them. 

My companion and I are starting to get into the swing of things. Interesting about Uncle Orange :) There was another Seely in our ward yesterday! Small world. 

Mom, that package hasn't come yet... Maybe they are holding it in the mission office? I don't know. When did you send it? I hope it makes it ok. 

I love you all very much. I pray that you will all be safe and happy. I know that the Lord is watching over you. 

I love you always!

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 11-11-13 Oak Grove/Ft Campbell, KY

HEY!!!! How are you all?!?

Wow! New adventures all the time! They can never quite tell me where I am going until I get there ;) Turns out I am not in Clarksville at all. We live on the State Line in Kentucky. We basically have responsibility over two wards. We cover Oak Grove- which is the Hopkinsville Ward- and we cover Fort Campbell- the military branch. So at church yesterday we were there for 6 hours with all of our meetings. Pretty awesome! We rolled in on Tuesday and have been doing our best to get our bearings and get this area figured out.

A miracle happened on Monday! So after I emailed you, a few hours later we received a phone call from the Assistants. Something had happened to Sister Munafo's ticket and she couldn't fly out until Tuesday!!! So we got to spend one more blissful night together, teaching and laughing and catching up. It was great! And not so great... we didn't really go to bed on time... Which I had to suffer with the rest of the week. But hey! I am still here :) And not so sleep deprived anymore ;)

My new companion's name is Sister Roberts. She is from Orangeville Utah. Never heard of it? Me neither. She is really a very sweet girl. And she is out here for the right reasons. She is very prepared and ready to work which is the greatest blessing! Heavenly Father just keeps blessing me with awesome companions :) She has the greenie fire!!! So we are going to see miracles!

Ok, so my area is a military base. It is the craziest area yet! We cannot proselyte on base. We can't drive onto post without a member and we have to be with a member at all times. We can't wear our tags on post. And half our branch gets deployed and we have no priesthood holders to hold leadership positions. And yet... somehow work is still getting done :) The list of less-active members is HUGE and their are many part-member families that have a lot of potential. So our teaching pool consists primarily of less-actives and part-members. It is so different! I like it though. As tough as it is- and with how often we get stranded at homes without a ride ;)- I really, really like it. I don't even know why. Missionary mantle probably. It is neat too though because I am starting to get a feel for what Jare is doing and what military life consists of. So if he ever gets deployed, my dearest sister-in-law, Taryn, I will be able to relate with you and help you out. I have already met a lot of members with husbands that are deployed. It is a challenge, and yet the greatest blessing is the assistance from the church. The woman all band together and help each other out. I am starting to learn military lingo too! They use a lot of acronyms... 

Anyways, so that is the new area in a nutshell. It is a different world out here. My head is still spinning a little bit trying to get it all figured out. It is going to be great though. I am excited. 

What else? Just everyday stuff- do you think you could email me my account balance info once a week or every other week? I am never sure how much is in there and I worry that I spend it all without realizing it. I need to invest in some boots today... I can't stand this darn cold a moment longer! I need to fatten up or something... I hate being cold!! The humidity is the worst in the cold. Give me humid heat! I can do that. Humid cold- not a chance...

Dad! It was cool to hear about your missionary opportunity! Don't feel bad... I think one of the best ways to be prepared for any opportunities is to have a pass-along card available. If you are actively praying for opportunities and you have something in your hand to show the Lord you are ready, you won't miss the next one. Promise! I like the Finding Faith in Christ card and the Salt Lake Temple one. 

Mom, sounds like the family is doing well. It is crazy that Russell is back already! Time flies doesn't it? It will be good to see everyone again when the time comes. 

I love you all dearest family! Thanks for your support, love and encouragement! Hurrah for Israel!!

Love you always, 

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 11-4-13 Clarksville, TN

One crazy transfer... Can I just say, I am tired? I am physically worn due to silly daylight savings! (I have already been waking up early- silly body! Thinks I wake up at 5:30!) This morning I woke up at what used to be 5:30 but now is 4:30... Fun! Haha! I am not complaining. That is just the life around transfers.

 

My heart is breaking a little bit. I received a call Saturday morning. I am training a new missionary and leaving Bellevue. We are whitewashing an area at the Northern part of Tennessee- Clarksville. They told me Clarksville YSA but they also have Fort Campbell (the military base) responsibilities AND I think the Oak Grove ward responsibilities. So... basically I am covering like three areas. Cool! I don't want to say I am nervous... But I am just a little bit? I have never loved an area the way I love Bellevue... I really feel like I am home here. Saying goodbye was really rough. But I know I did my best and that somehow the Lord allowed me to have an impact. There were a lot of tears at church yesterday. Oh my beloved Bellevue!

 

So I got put back into Bellevue on Friday. I was in Green Hills with Sister Hulme (who is absolutely a fantastic missionary! We had a blast together!) for about a week and half. President knew that I would be leaving so he made sure I got to go back and say goodbye to everyone. We have had an eventful week. I can't even think straight- there is so much going on all the time. We had an exchange and a long district meeting and a training meeting and Halloween! Halloween was a weird day! Haha! It was SUPER stormy and we didn't have the car. So we started walking from the library to the apartment. We were DRENCHED! It was SO fun! When do you ever do crazy things like that? Only as a missioanary! We got back and started writing letters for the evening... then the power went out! We are in the basement of a members home so it was PITCH black. Couldn't even see my hand. We couldn't find any flashlights so we were using the cell phone until that died too :) In the morning we found a lantern and got ready in the dark. It was a party and half! I loved that day :)

 

The weather has been getting colder. It hasn't snowed- but it has been a bit rainy here and there. The trees are amazing! Nashville is beautiful.

 

So today when we were taking Sister Hadfield to the mission office to fly home the Lord gave me another tender mercy... My sweet Sister Munafo got her visa!! She is flying out probably right now to Brazil! I just love her more than I can bear... She has been such a blessing to me and seeing her at the end of this transfer right before she leaves the states was a literal miracle for me. I love her a lot. I am going to miss her.

 

I am off tomorrow for new adventures. Hitting the year mark pretty quick here too! Man, time flies. I love my mission more than anything. I have met so many wonderful people! Members, investigators, missionaries... I have been changed and impacted by them. Especially sweet President and Sister Andersen. Please keep them in your prayers. You have NO idea how much they have helped me this transfer. If it weren't for them I would be a wreck.

 

I love you all so much. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. I am so grateful for that knowledge. I know that God lives. I know He loves us. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I love Him. I am so blessed.

 

I love you all so much. I pray you have a blessed week. And not too much snow. :)

 

Love always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

 

Oh! I have been released from my responsibilities as a Sister-Training-Leader. That will be a blessing so I can focus on my area and my new companion. Crazy! Back to Hopkinsville Zone!

Alicia! 10-28-13 Bellevue/Greenhills, TN

Hello Family!!!

 

Thanks for the emails this week! I cannot even BEGIN to describe how weird this week has been. So, my companion has been struggling with being a missionary. She is totally awesome and I think if she changed her mind, she could be VERY successful and happy out here in the field. Last Monday, she had pretty much made up her mind that she was leaving. We called the mission president to let him know and he said that he wanted her to talk to her stake president and her mother. So we taught one lesson and then the rest of the night she was on the phone with each of these individuals. There was a lot of emotion... I stepped out of the room because I felt strongly that I needed to read my Book of Mormon. I started to read in Ether 6. It was incredible how the Spirit spoke to me through the situation and I could see and feel how much she needed to stay. Going home would not fix things- serving others would. Everything I was reading in Ether 6 somehow directly correlated to the situation. It was very powerful and pushed me to act.

 

So the next day, we had a leadership meeting. My companion went on an exchange. I had an opportunity to speak to Sister Andersen and my sister training leader companion. We pondered and talked about what we could do and felt that an exchange is what we needed. So we determined that we would have a 5 day or longer exchange where I would be with Sister Vandenberg's companion and she would be with mine. We switched on Wednesday.

 

There has been a lot of drama... and Monday through Wednesday we taught a grand total of about 3 lessons....

 

So NOW I am in Greenhills (again) with Sister Hulme whom I absolutely ADORE!! She is incredible! We get along super well and she is a very motivated, hard-working missionary. Thursday through Sunday we were able to teach 20 lessons and found 8 new investigators!

 

We felt very strongly that this exchange needed to happen and I am fairly positive that I am going to be in Greenhills for the rest of this week until the end of the transfer. My struggling companion seems to be doing a bit better... poor Bellevue area... Please continue to pray for my beloved members and investigators in that area. I know that it is suffering a bit at the moment. But they have been having some very interesting challenges...

 

On Friday we received a call from the Bellevue Sisters... Their apartment is completely infested with cockroaches!!!! I have seen them here and there but didn't think twice about it. I just killed them and moved on. Well, apparently as soon as I left some eggs must have hatched because they are EVERYWHERE! They cleaned all day on Friday and set off a bug bomb the next day. The fumes made them a bit sick and Sister Vandenberg got a toothache on Sunday... Wow, right?! Talk about opposition! This is Sister Vandenberg's last week of her mission... It has been the most interesting series of events. I can see the hand of the Lord in it though. I can't quite figure out what He is doing, but somehow, something has got to give. I know that my companion NEEDS to stay. She would be doing herself a great disservice by leaving.

 

Miraculously though, Sister Vandenberg and my companion are getting along great. They seem to have very similar personalities in a lot of ways and Sister Hulme and I get along great. I have been able to help the Greenhills area get organized again and we are just working hard. So, I am happy :) I wonder what will happen at the transfer though? Who knows! Just enjoy it all day by day.

 

Anyways! This has been a challenging transfer- but I think I have had more difficult transfers already. The difference is the help that we have received. The whole way through, I have been able to get help from many different individuals and it has made all the difference! We don't have to go it alone. We never have to go it alone. We just need to learn to humble ourselves and ask for help.

 

I still can't believe everything though... What a weird week! This week is going to be fun though :) Halloween and meetings and missionary work!

 

Hey I love you all! Thanks again for your emails and prayers. Please continue to pray for my companion. The adversary is working hard on her. And please continue to pray for Bellevue: Cindy, Hal, Mack, Matt, Ethan, Charles, Sister Lawrence, Montan, and Carolyn. Thank you so much!!!

 

 

From President Andersen's email (cool part bolded/also approved Christmas music/info about backpacks):  

 

Sister Andersen and I had an incredible week. Let me tell you about it. First, we had a leadership training on Tuesday. We got to meet with the District Leaders, Zone Leaders, and Sister Training Leaders. The meeting was a spiritual feast for us. We came away with such confidence in the direction the mission is going. The next day we traveled to Atlanta for the Southeast Area mission presidents’ conference. Elder Oaks, Elder Soares, Elder Kopischke, ElderZwick, and Elder Pino and their wives taught us.

 

We learned so much that confirmed some of the things that I have been telling you. Just a couple examples. Elder Soares talked about how prepared the South was to receive the gospel and he confirmed that the Lord has called the best missionaries to serve in the South. He also confirmed just how elect all of you are and that you were foreordained to come to this very mission. We need to recognize how very special this mission is and “elevate our thoughts” to match the work that we are called to do.

 

Each and every one of us have some changes we could make to improve ourselves. Elder Oaks quoted President Packer who said: “If we are willing to change, the Spirit will be with us. If we are not willing to change, the Spirit will not be with us.” As he said that, a flood of things came to my mind that could help me improve. I’m thankful for that insightful moment. I know that through the grace of the Savior, I can progress toward my full potential and I’m committed to keep improving.

One more quote from the conference that I loved, “The law of Sacrifice for missionaries is perfect use of the Lord’s time.” How important it is that we remember that we have consecrated this time to the Lord. It is now His…and we need to use it how He wants us to….in serving those He loves and bringing them His gospel.

A couple questions have been raised that I need to address:

Second – Backpacks. We learned from the missionary department that we are going to have to replace backpacks with shoulder bags. The shoulder bags need to have waist straps so they stay in place. There have been a lot of reasons stated for this change…they look more professional, they are better on your backs, they don’t make you look like students or tourists….I’m not sure what the exact reason is. But I will make you a deal. Talk to mom and dad about getting the proper type of shoulder bag for Christmas, and soon after the first of the year, we may have miniIPads for you to put in them.

Also, Sister Andersen has listened to a couple Christmas Albums that can be approved. The Forgotten Carols, and David Archuleta and Josh Groban’s Christmas albums are approved….along with any of the traditional religious Christmas carols that focus on the Savior’s birth.

I love you all so much!!! Have a great week!! We will know about transfers next week... Crazy! I feel like I might be leaving Nashville. Guess what: only four transfers left.... Weird. Ok love you bye!

Love,
Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 10-21-13 Bellevue, TN...Send Prayers!

Hi everyone!

 

I don't really even know where to begin. It has been a very, very challenging week. We have some very difficult choices to make here and it has put a lot of strain on the work. I don't even really know what to say other than we need your prayers.

 

I remember a quote from a general authority. It said something to the effect that when we haven't done anything wrong and we are still undergoing trials and pain, it is because the Lord is stretching us. He is trying to help us reach a greater height- and like all growing experiences, this stretching generally entails pain. What a different kind of challenge too! I know that I have dealt with emotional challenges before, but each is unique. This is a mental and emotional struggle that is reaching a new height.

 

Another analogy from another general authority- we all begin life or callings as an acorn. We don't really know what we are doing. But we begin to grow and the Lord begins to qualify us for the callings we have. After some time, we become a giant oak tree that cannot be moved. We FINALLY have it all figured out! Then- next thing you know- the Lord begins to shake your trunk. An acorn falls and you have to start all over again. Things were almost too easy with Sister Munafo. We didn't really seem to struggle much at all. We got along. We loved the work and the people. We were focused on our purpose. There are some new challenges this time around and a lot of responsibility resting upon my shoulders.

 

Regardless, I am keeping my chin up. I know that the Lord is in the details of our lives and it has been made known to me by the Spirit how divinely inspired this companionship is. The Lord has placed a great trust in me. Now, I just need to trust in Him.

 

You know how President Hanks talked about a specific person that I am coming on my mission for? I have been thinking a lot about that ONE specific person. I just can't quite put my finger on it... I feel that it could be so many people at this point. But maybe more specifically, the Lord was trying to help me. This mission has influenced and impacted my life in a greater degree than anyone else's- I am sure. I know that I have changed. I know I have more changing to do. The Lord has blessed me with this mission. Hard as it is, I wouldn't want to leave. Not ever. I love it too much. And each growing experience helps me to walk a bit closer to my Savior as I get down on my knees. His power is real. His love is infinite... I am so grateful.

 

You know something else? Despite the challenges and the frustration of feeling like I am not working as hard as I would like to- the Lord is still blessing us with miracles. Maybe they aren't baptisms. But they are real. We have been working with a woman who has been less-active for some 30-odd years. Missionaries have been visiting with her for a few years now. We have invited her to church again and again with no results....

 

Yesterday we were standing out in the foyer waiting for Ward Council to begin. I turned around and standing there was Sister Lawrence!! I ran and hugged her and started to cry. In the midst of our greatest challenges, the Lord continues to reach out in love. He is softening hearts and changing lives. Sister Lawrence stayed for all three hours of church... I couldn't be more grateful... Oh I wish I could truly express my feelings!! The Lord is real. He is involved in the smallest details of our lives. He loves us.

 

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that the power of the Atonement is the changing and saving power that heals us and gives us the ability to find peace and happiness. I know that if we seek Him in prayer that He will answer. I know that He loves us. Seek Him this week- we could all do better to understand our Savior's gift for us. And, as Preach My Gospel says, "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase. You will feel, as Lehi did, the 'great … importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth.'"

 

Daddy, especially now as you are praying for missionary opportunities, I know that understanding the Atonement is your greatest tool in overcoming fear. And Mel, as you work on your papers, same thing.

 

I love you all so much. I am grateful for your prayers, support and emails. Have a great week and know how much I love you!

 

Love you always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 10-14-13 Bellevue, TN

(NOTE: Sister-Alicia Johnson is the search to find her new Facebook page)

What would I do without my wonderful family? The gospel is all about our families. How grateful I am to be blessed with the best family in the world. My apologies for not mentioning sweet Taryn in my last letter. I love you Taryn!!! I just can't wait to get to know you better :)

 

Well... this week... so there has been a lot going on. My companion has experienced a great loss. On Friday, she asked to meet with the mission president. He gave her some bad news about a really close friend of hers. His name is Colt Kunz. He had been serving his mission for about a month andon Wednesday he was killed in an accident. It has been a challenge. She has already been struggling with homesickness and now this.... When we got the news, I didn't really know what to do. President and Sister Andersen had me come into the room with her and they both looked at me and said, "We are so grateful that you have Sister Johnson." I can't even tell you... I just started tearing up thinking, "What in the world am I going to do...?" I don't even know. The thought just kept coming, "Just love her. Just love her." So I have had to be very patient and very thoughtful this week. Like the week I hurt my back, this trauma has caused us to have to slow down a bit. That is difficult since we are trying to get her adjusted to the work and the missionary life. Did I already tell you? This is her first time being away from home. She put in her papers, got her call in a week and a half and was in the MTC 7 weeks later for only 12 days. So she has been in the mindset of a mission for probably only about 2 months. That is not any time at all. And there have been a lot of challenges for her already. Will you please keep her in your prayers? And the Kunz family? It was a big deal for him to go on a mission... I can only imagine what this loss means for his family....

 

We tend to think we are unbreakable- but life is so fleeting. I am grateful that we have the knowledge we do of the Plan of Salvation. I was studying this week about the Atonement and I felt the Spirit whisper to me with peace and comfort that it is all true. All of it. I felt so grateful to feel that... I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father loves me and He loves all of us. There have been deep moments of anguish, sorrow and pain, but I have always seen the hand of the Lord in the angels that He has sent to my side. Never in my life have I been alone... And there are so many that don't know that He has not left them alone! That breaks my heart. I can't imagine walking through life without the knowledge of a Heavenly Father who loves me and a Savior who walks beside me. He has sent His Spirit to speak to us these truths. He is the Comforter. I have felt His power too many times to ever be capable of denying it. I know it is true.

 

We tried to work hard this week. Again, it was a struggle. I felt a bit frustrated because I HAVE to be working to be happy. But we are seeing progress in some of my favorite people :) The C family is doing great. And Cindy is progressing beautifully as well. Please keep them in your prayers as well. They are very close to the truth- which also means that the devil is very near. They need all the prayers we can give them. Also, Charles and Ethan and Mack. Pray for them too. Please.

 

On Saturday I received special permission to go to Cheryl's wedding! My sweet Cheryl from Bowling Green :) I love her so much! It was President and Sister Andersen, me and one of the Assistants that were able to drive out to see her. It was so special to be apart of that... I am so blessed... maybe Cheryl was the one person that Heavenly Father prepared for me... maybe. She is so special. I love her a lot.

 

I love you all so much. I know that the gospel is true. I pray that everyone has a blessed week. You all mean the world to me. I know that Heavenly Father lives and He loves you.

 

Love you always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

 

PS~ I am getting on Facebook again. I will be adding you as friends. I have heard too many success stories about Facebook and I have the courage to try it again. They should be sending you an email or letter about rules of Facebook. You are all allowed to be my friend, but you are encouraged to only comment and post things that are related to testimony and experiences of that sort. I hope that it all goes well :) That also means that I have to shut down the other account for some time... so if you request people to add me that would be great :) Thanks so much!! I love you!

Alicia! 10-7-13 Bellevue, TN General Conference Thoughts

I wish, oh I wish that you could understand what a mission has done for me. There has never been a time in my life when I have felt closer to the Spirit- to the influence of our Heavenly Father. And because of this, as I was watching Conference I felt a real concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of those that I care about the most- my beloved and wonderful family.

 

Mom, Dad, Zach, Jaron, Melanie and my beloved grandparents, please do not lose sight of the things that matter most.

 

This was THE MOST powerful General Conference I have ever witnessed in my entire life. The entire Conference touched on principles and doctrines that the world is trying so hard to crush. I know that the Lord is hastening His coming- I feel the pressure and the enormity of this mission. I feel the weight of thousands of souls that cannot be lost. Today, I read through my Conference notes. This was the takeaway from my journal today:

 

"I have never experienced a Conference quite as powerful as this. I have never seen in the eyes of the prophets and the apostles the certainty of these last days. Fundamental issues and principles were addressed. Yet, regardless of circumstances, trial and the falling of the world around us, it is CLEAR the direction to take. The path shines brightly before us and it is marked by eternal truths of obedience and covenant-keeping. If everything falls apart- I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. I have FAITH in Him. I have FAITH in His Atonement. I have hope in His resurrection and I KNOW that if we SERVE GOD FIRST, we will never fall. We can choose the winning team. The Spirit is needed in this great work. The pressure is on and WE MUST ACT. We must ACT and CHOOSE NOT THE UNCLEAN THING. CHOOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS. And when we fall- get back up. Repentance is real. Never forget that YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. You will ALWAYS be HIS child. You are His. And His love for you is real and certain.

 

SERVE GOD FIRST. If you choose Him, your power and influence in an immoral world will NOT fade. Your light will remain as a standard and a beacon that Christ is, and forevermore will be, our Redeemer and King. I KNOW HE LIVES."

 

I know He lives. I know it. I don't know what is going to happen to us in this life. I don't know what trials are going to beset us. I don't know when God will call each of us home, but I do know that He has provided for us the way to live. He has promised us happiness and hope and help if we lean on Him. I have watched the gospel change lives. I have watched people make decisions and covenants to follow Him. I have felt the redeeming love of the Savior. I know that He lives.

 

One of our incredible investigators sat with us at Conference and took copious notes on the messages being shared. At the end of the last session, the Spirit came over me so strongly to commit her to baptism. I began to ask her how she felt, if her questions had been answered. I told her the next step for her would be baptism. She says she still has questions- but I know that God will answer them. I know that she can and will know that the gospel has been restored in these last days. And never has a message been so important.

 

Mom, Dad, Zach, Jaron and Melanie- you are in my prayers. I love you so much and want to be with you eternally. It hardly matters what trials I am going through here on a mission- they make me stronger. They push me to be what Heavenly Father wants me to be. I challenge you to watch and listen to the conference talks again and really listen to the Spirit. Act upon His call for whatever it is that you need to do. Do not be afraid to act. We are in the last days and the Lord is calling each of us to perform His work. There is always something more we can be doing- but if nothing else, live worthy to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost. Never compromise your standards for something that seems worthwhile.

 

I am stepping off my soapbox now... I love you all. You matter so much to me. I pray that you will be blessed this week with safety and peace.

 

I love you always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 9-30-13 Bellevue, TN

Hey there! I can't believe September is almost over!! Time is moving SO fast! I know that I still have some time left on my mission but I am closer now to the end than the beginning... and that is starting to scare me a little bit. I have really finally come to a point where I LOVE my mission and all that it brings. I am happy with the work and the people and the gospel and everything. I don't really want to leave! But I only have 5 transfers left... I NEVER thought I would get to this point. And things are challenging in a different way now. I have a new companion and all of the missionaries that played an important role in the beginning of my mission are gone or beginning to leave. My friends are all leaving... It makes it more of a reality that at some point I am going to be leaving as well... But I am eternally grateful for the time I have had and will continue to have. The Lord isn't done with me yet! I have a lot more growing to do :)

 

So... Sister Munafo is gone. I really felt like I was losing a part of myself when she was leaving. I cried hard.... but I knew that I had to be strong for my new companion. I know what it feels like to be new and having a companion that is invested in YOU is so important. I can't look back (I will turn into a pillar of salt!), instead I have to move forward with faith and begin a new chapter of new miracles.

 

My new companion's name is Sister Hadfield. Small world- ready? She is from Driggs, Idaho. Yep. She is 19 so she knew of Michael and Marissa but wasn't close to them. Also, she went to hair school in Rexburg Idaho with my dear Sister Munafo. Small world! She is awesome. I can't believe what the Lord is trusting these new missionaries with. She decided to put in her papers, got her call within a week and half, went to the MTC 7 weeks later and was only in the MTC for 12 days before being flown into the mission field. She hasn't had much time to process all of the changes- so a lot of the things that I had to overcome in the MTC will have to be overcome here in the field. It blows my mind a little bit- but it just makes me realize how much trust the Lord has in her and in me. My dreams of teaching in the MTC have become a reality in many ways with training. It is a similar experience.

 

The great thing is she loves the investigators we have and, like Mom said, we already HAVE investigators which is a huge blessing. I always think I am pretty good at dealing with change but sometimes there is so much to take in that processing takes a while and it is harder to be happy. That is one of my goals for this transfer- to BE HAPPY and grateful for everything that comes our way. We really want to get these people progressing towards baptism. There is SO much potential in this area, we just need to start pushing a little harder and working a little harder. Bellevue hasn't had a baptism in over a year! It's definitely time.

 

It is already getting colder here too. I think I notice it more because we are out in it more. I can't believe it either! Seriously... time is moving too fast. I am really excited for General Conference! We have several of our important investigators planning on watching it. I can't wait. It is like the super bowl for missionaries! Haha! Only too true :) I can't believe that Russell is coming home already too! Has it really been 2 years?!? Wow! And Mel!!! I am so excited that things are so close! She could be like Sister Hadfield- or it will be more like me and be a 4 month wait. Who knows? I am excited.

 

I love the work. I love the gospel. This is the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. I love being around people and watching them learn and accept the most important message in the entire world. God lives. He loves us. He has restored His truth to the earth and the Book of Mormon gives us this truth. It is so beautiful and it has truly changed me. I love you all so much and pray that you have a blessed week!!!

 

LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!

Sister Alicia Johnson