Alicia! 1-28-13 Princeton, KY

Ok! Hello Everyone!

Again, I hope I can answer all of the questions and fill you in as much as possible on all of the goings on. It is absolutely crazy how many things there are to do and say! Crazy! And 26 minutes left! Here we go :)

So first, thank you for getting a package together for me! I would like to request a few more things since we are not near too many places to shop here and I would like to be riding a bike soon- I need more skirts... Long skirts. The members are working on getting bikes for us. So hopefully within the next week we will have those. I will look into a helmet from Walmart. :) Thanks! I can look at Walmart for skirts too- I am not sure how much money is on my card. I spent $100 on a gps (absolutely necessary). Ok, I think that's it! Thanks :)

Alright. So I am in Princeton Kentucky area! It is amazing! It is huge! We cover 5 counties from the top of Kentucky to the bottom. It is the greatest thing ever. Lots of country, small towns, and backwoods type of areas. We have a car but only have 1250 miles a month. It is 40 minutes from two of our most member populated areas. So we have the challenge of figuring out how best to reach everyone and get members involved, etc. There are about 50 active members in our branch. And they are great! The first night we got in our new apartment, about twelve of them came over with a bunch of furniture and food and stuff. They fixed us right up! They haven't had missionaries full-time for about 10 years- so they are SO excited to have us! And they are so grateful to have sisters :) Everyone loves us and it is such a blessing! They are gung-ho and fired up about missionary work. 

Everyone here is pretty much Baptist. You get turned away a lot of the time because of that. Other times, you really feel that Southern hospitality. Even if they don't want to listen, they tell you to be safe and that they are grateful for our efforts in spreading the good word. There are a lot of humble people in this area. Lots of missing teeth and overalls :) Ha! It is awesome! The grammar is the best too! "We was going over here. We was doing this and that.." It is hilarious! 

Transfers happened on Tuesday. We met in Franklin Tennessee (by the temple). I was also a part of a missionary choir for an interfaith meeting on Tuesday in Elkton Kentucky (another small town). So we drove there after transfers. That was a cool experience. Little tasty-taste of Baptist and Methodist music. I loved it! Wednesday, Sister Hill and I had our full day together. We spent the first few hours driving :) Sister Hill is AWESOME!!! I love her! We are laughing all of the time. She is bold and unafraid to knock doors and bear her testimony. We are just great friends already. I am so blessed to be serving with her :) She is from the middle of Oregon. Purdy cool! 

What else... so we don't really have a teaching pool. We have only a few names in the area book to start with. Fortunately there are a lot of part member families and things of that nature. There are a TON of less-actives however. In part due to the distance to and from the church building. We have a lot of work to do- a work that I adore and love. I haven't felt so happy my whole mission! The challenges and the rewards are so different and so great. It is like a fresh bed of snow and we are the first to walk through it. We have to tread lightly and carefully to set the stage for those who come after. What a blessing and privilege it is to have the trust of the Lord in this great endeavor. We are seeing miracles and we will be seeing a lot more. We have set a goal to have 12 new investigators this week. Through faith and a lot of tracting we are gonna make it happen! Baptize Everyone! Haha! I love missionary work :)

I am so happy to receive y'alls letters and emails :) I just love my family and friends and everyone who has supported me and helped me get here to this wonderful place. It is through faith in God and obedience to the little things that we begin to see our lives come to more fulfillment and feel more joy. Oh my goodness! We went to see a member's mother in a rehab nursing home last night. She was great! As we were walking out there was this adorable little old lady. She was just so sweet and glowing sittin there in her little wheelchair. We talked to her and gave her a Book of Mormon. We gave her a hug and in her sweet little voice she said, "Love you both!" She was darling! There are so many good people all around us. Never be blind to stopping for just a moment and glorying in God's love together. That is the best way to feel God's love- through others. And as a missionary we get that opportunity every day, every hour. It is such a blessing and a privilege. God is good!

I love you all so much! Have an amazing week! I can't wait to hear from you again :)

Love always,

Sister Alicia Johnson of the Princeton Kentucky mission area

Alicia! 1-21-13 Smyrna, TN

HELLOOOOO Family!! Guess what, guess what?!?! We got transfer calls this week!!! And I am now going to leave you in suspense :)

It has been an AMAZING week! We hit the ground running again- full-force missionary work. We had 31 lessons this week and we got 8 less-actives out to church! It was incredible! The Spirit is amazing. Missionary work is amazing! There are so many miracles every single day. We also had interviews with President McKee this week. He is such an amazing person and leader. He follows the Spirit with love and that is such a blessing as a missionary. 

Quick story: The first week I was here, Sister Thatcher brought up a name- C. As soon as she said her name, I knew she was ready to be baptized. It was so exciting! So that first Sunday, we extended the baptismal invitation. She did not commit. We still knew (and know) that she is ready. We have met with her a couple of times throughout the transfer, but she is always "too busy" to have regular meetings. Yesterday, however, we committed her to one more lesson before I was to be transferred. We have been teaching in her son's home with his family there. We knew we only had up to an hour to teach lesson two and bring the Spirit in full force. We walked in with purpose and the Spirit entered with great force. We powerfully taught the Plan of Salvation. We bore witness and C's family bore witness. She is stubborn (and openly says so) so she continues to not commit to a date. The Spirit directed me not to offer the baptismal invitation, but to suggest instead that she receive a priesthood blessing from her son. This would be her first experience with the priesthood. Her son, A, had tears in his eyes and said he would love to give her a blessing. As missionaries, we decided to let them have this experience as a family. We left. We know that C knows she will be baptized. Sister Thatcher will have a date and a baptism within the next transfer. :) What a miracle to see a family come together like that!

Thank you, as always for your emails! I am so happy that things are going so well for my amazing family! Jaron and Taryn getting married, dinner with Zach, Mel having blessings, and Mom and Dad just being amazing parents and loving and supporting all of us. :) GUESS WHAT!!! Mom! You have a birthday this week!!! Happy happy birthday! You are amazing Mom! Thank you so much for everything you do for all of us. Thank you for your support and love! I am going to send a birthday card out today (hopefully), but I just want you to know now that I love you so much :)

Dad, thanks for your email! I love hearing about your mission experiences. It is amazing how little moments like that remain with you. I feel the peace and love of God more than I ever have before. It is very present with me. And I determined exactly why I had been feeling so anxious- it boils down to exact obedience and repentance. When even just one little thing is off, it gives Satan more power and influence. As soon as I realized what I needed to change, I was able to repent. I studied repentance today and having been pondering about it for the past week. Repentance is one of the most beautiful gifts from God. And the sooner we make those changes to come closer to our Savior, the sooner we can heal. President McKee shared a story about Sister McKee with us. She has had a feeding tube in her stomach and in this past week they were able to remove it. It basically is like a cork that has to be pulled out of a hole that is smaller than the stopper. The easiest and best way to remove it, is to do it quickly with a lot of force. It causes A LOT of pain. When they removed it, the doctor did just that. He pulled quickly- and pulled it right out. She screamed in agony. It took her about two minutes to catch her breath- but after two minutes, the pain diminished and within a week, it was completely healed. That is how repentance is. We must remove any amount of sin as quickly as possible. It may cause a sharp pain- but it does not last. In fact, if we do it quickly, it heals much more rapidly as well. The alternative is having surgery, being numbed and allowing it to heal over several weeks. I have found in the last week, that as soon as I realize I have done something wrong, I must make amends immediately. Only then are our garments cleansed from all stain (Alma 5:21). Think about stains- it is the same way! The quicker we remove a stain, the less time is has to sit and our clothes are made more clean and spotless. No unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven. I challenge you this week to truly dig deep inside yourself. Uproot any amount of sin that could potentially be holding you back from further progression and know that you can have more peace and happiness by doing so. I love the gospel. I love my Savior. What a blessing it is to come to know Him more every single day. 

Further thoughts and news- I keep forgetting but I really need some stuff sent my way :) I am almost out of vitamins from Advanced Health Clinic. They have helped me a ton- so more would be awesome. Also, those Airborne vitamin things are super great too! I think the combination of the two have helped me stay healthy and not get the flu. Also, I don't have a ton of time to cook but I don't have a real cookbook with like cookies and bread and things like that in it to give to people. I have a few out in the garage that might be good choices. I just need one though :) The memory card I got at Christmas didn't have music on it.... :( I would love more music! The Nashville Tribute stuff is awesome!! The only one I have right now is Joseph Smith. Trek is really great though and I would love to hear the missionary one. Also some variety of Mo-tab stuff- like their disney stuff maybe? :) Don't worry about it if it is too much to ask of course :) Vitamins are definitely more important. 

OH! I am so happy Sister Latu is going to write me!! I have so much catching up to do on letters... so I apologize if you don't get any this week either... I would love to hear from Michael too! I should have sent something before I left. Anyways are you ready for the transfer news?!..... Yes? Here is it!! I am getting transferred to Princeton Kentucky!!!!

I am opening the area with Sister Hill! :) :) I am so excited!! I am not training, but President said to be prepared to train at the next transfer :) This transfer is shorter too. It is only 5 weeks! So it is quite possible I will be moved again very soon. Man it is crazy how quick everything moves! I have loved serving in Rock Springs though :) What an amazing place full of amazing people! Princeton is very rural- farming community extraordinaire! We have only a branch- but some of the Elders have already given me some referrals and a family that another Elder baptized moved there so I will know one family already :) They are full of missionary-fire (is the word on the street) because every branch wants to be a ward. So be expecting some big miracles in the next 5 weeks!

Well family (and all others who are reading this), I love you so much!! Thank you for your love, your support and your prayers. Missionary work is amazing!! I am getting more and more saturated in the work- and the blessings are incredible. I am so happy!!! LOL [lots of (insert word: love, letters, laughter, lettuce, ligers)]! 

God is good! 

Love, 

The little Sister missionary in the Nashville Tennessee mission,

Sister Alicia Johnson (kittens, stars and rainbows!)

PS- I love you Dad! I love you Mom! I love you Zach! I love you Jaron! I love you Mel! I love you Grandparents!

PPS- I hope you have the happiest of birthdays, Mom!!

Alicia! 1-14-13 Smyrna, TN

I love you so much. I wish you could really know. If the Lord didn't send me any other support, having you as a family is enough. I wish I could express in words my love and gratitude for the wonderful people you are and the blessed gift you are in my life. I love you. Mom, Dad, Zach, Jaron, Melanie, Grandma Janet, Grandpa Ray, Grandma Lu, Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Don, Oupa and everyone else. You are the reason I am here. You are the reason the gospel is true. If I didn't have such a wonderful family to show the blessings of the Atonement and the power of God's love, I don't know if I would ever believe it. But I know. I know with the surest conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ is again on the earth. It has been restored through a living prophet and there is a prophet leading God's people again. God is our Father. And Jesus Christ lives. I have seen Him in each of you. At some point or another, you have been the angels that minister in my life. I thank you with the sincerest gratitude for your love and prayers. I love you.

Thank you for your emails, for your letters, for your prayers and for your encouragement. I have made quite the journey in a week. And it has come to a building of my faith and a release of my will into God's will. Doubt and fear are opposed to faith. So I had to start a journey to build my faith to overcome my fear. I asked many people for help and everyone was guided by the Lord to help me get back on my feet. 

When you think about faith, what defines it? For me it is people's lives and experiences. I was reflecting upon my own faith this morning and I recalled several experiences that I had over the years regarding faith. While on my mission, I have had many more. While in the MTC, I specifically remember an experience with prayer. Sister Latu pulled me out of class to talk to me and to counsel me. She shared an experience with me about an answer to a prayer that she had received. Then, after talking a bit more, she invited me to have a vocal, kneeling prayer with her in that room. She invited me to pray for anything that my heart desired. I started out, a bit awkwardly with only the two of us in the room. Then, I really started to think about my Savior and the desires of my heart. At that moment, my family had become quite prevalent on my mind. I simply asked for one thing. It was as if the room shifted. I was alone with my Father pleading with Him. I know he heard my prayer. And by faith miracles are wrought. 

Prayer is the miracle and the gift that God gives us to use our agency to align our will with His. He allows us opportunities to discover our weaknesses within ourselves, then through prayer we allow the Lord to take our weaknesses and make them strengths. We work to overcome. We work in faith. Faith is an action word. We have to step out of our comfort zone to truly experience faith. We have to do something that seems silly sometimes, but if we really believe, that belief turns to knowledge. I know my Savior lives. I know that God is a God of miracles. I know He answers prayers. 

The other day, I woke up and got on my knees. I started to pray and for some odd reason, I prayed for the sun to be shining that day. That isn't something that I normally pray for, but the weather had not been good for a few days. When I walked into the other room to start studying, I pulled open the blinds. The sun was shining! It was magnificent and beautiful! We were able to go tracting that day. There were a lot of people out. We had a first discussion with a couple that told us that they normally wouldn't talk to missionaries. We placed a Book of Mormon. And this man, who was so prepared, quoted Alma 32! So we challenged him to read that chapter and read about the faith that swells within us when the seed is good. God is a God of miracles.

My wonderful family, I have seen a miracle every single day of my mission. God is aware of us. Another investigator asked a question that has been buzzing through my brain for a week. He asked, "If we pray and ask God for help, isn't that allowing Him to interfere with the choices we make?" I testify to you that it is not. By choosing to turn to God in prayer, by choosing to be obedient, the laws of heaven bind Him to pour His blessings upon us. They are ours for the reaching. Is it worth the effort?

I love you my wonderful family. I have learned so much this week. I have grown as a missionary and as a person. I know who I serve and why I serve Him. Thank you for your love and for your support. Man alive! I didn't even really talk about my week! Sister Thatcher had the flu so we were inside for two days. It was perfect for me to refocus my efforts. I am in a missionary choir that practices on p-days so I haven't had very much time to do any writing besides this email and the one to President McKee. So, next Monday (if I don't get transferred next week) I will have more time to write you back. Please accept my apologies in not being able to write sooner. Just know I love you. I pray for you. And I am excited to hear about the news in everyone's lives. Mel, you should probably go back to the Bar-T :) And Eli sounds like a gem... short, bald... charming ;) Sounds like a winner! Whatever happens in your life, I know it is part of God's plan for you. Jare, thanks for your letter! I will write you next week- but I am so happy that you and Taryn are so happy :) I expect to have a niece when I get home. Mom, I appreciate your writing me a letter and the positive affirmations. I feel like I can breath again! Don't hurt your hand too much for my sake please :) Zach, I am glad you have a good job and that school is well. I am glad you are happy :) And Daddy, I love you. I just love you more than you know. I love your letters and emails so much. Hang in there with work... Tell Grandma Janet I got her email. I love her so much too. And Grandma Lu sent me a nice letter too. She is very supportive. I love the words of encouragement she sends. 

I have to go. But if I have missed anyone, just know I love you so much. Have an amazing week- and let the Lord lead you. It is amazing how much peace you can find by allowing Him to be in charge. 

I love you! Love always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 1-7-13 Smyrna, TN

Hi Mom and Dad! 

Thank you for your emails this week. I always love getting your emails.

We are still seeing miracles. A miracle actually occurred yesterday. I felt a prompting to knock on a door a few weeks ago. Probably second day into the mission. The first time, some guy looked out the window, but didn't open. A week later, we tried again. They let us in. It was very brief and we weren't so sure about them. A week later, we tried again. We taught the Plan of Salvation to K, the man who didn't answer the door initially. Turns out he is awesome :) He is hilarious, he asks great questions and he is very open with us. We couldn't believe that we had actually got somewhere with him. Then, last night, we went to their house again. His wife and daughter sat in and we had a discussion about the Restoration. We talked about building their relationships with God. The lesson was going on longer than it was supposed to, but a peace came over me assuring me that we needed to stay. We kept discussing. Then, after our prayer, K kept talking and started talking about his Tai Kwan Doe instruction. He talked about the different things they teach and then proceeded to teach us some self-defense. And the Lord answered my prayer with not only an amazing family that I have come to absolutely love and trust, but a quick self-defense lesson. 

Mom and Dad, this mission is the most difficult thing I have ever done. I am so used to being able to run to my safe place and hide from the world. Now, I am in it. I am surrounded by people in circumstances that are depressing and scary. But the Lord is watching out for me. Even if it is just a quick self-defense lesson, I know He is there. He is real. He answers my prayers. Another miracle was the baptism of J family. They are the most amazing people. They have fully committed and the ward support is phenomenal. There were probably 50 people at the baptism. The ward really trusts us and they want to help with the work. That helps as well. Knowing we have such amazing members all around to support us.  I want to recommit to my purpose and push forward with faith. It is the only way.

I love you Mom and Dad. And Mel. And family. I'm praying for you. I hope everything is going well in your life and continues to go well. 

Love you lots,

Sister Alicia Johnson

PS~ I am still sending angels your way.