Alicia! 4-29-13 Brentwood, TN

My Dearest, Awesome, Beautiful, Wonderful Family:

Hey there! How is it going? It looks like you are doing well :) The pictures from Italy say it all! They just look fabulous and SUPER fun! I am excited for the day I make it to Europe. I just pray that the world doesn't collapse before then. If not, it will be really a great place to visit after the Second Coming. ;) I'm sure things will be fine. Besides, I am in a missionary bubble and I honestly don't know WHAT is going on in the world. We catch glimpses here and there- like the Boston Marathon bombing- but overall, whatever happens I can see and feel the hope of our Savior. EVERYONE seems to be struggling with something- big or small. It can seem overwhelming to enter so many homes and feel the stress and tragedy of so many people who have undergone so much pain. And yet (maybe I am heartless) the weight of that pain and stress no longer effects me. I can feel it, I can see it, I can empathize- and then I begin to look upward in hope. I can see that there is more to life than this suffering. There is a greater purpose and we should NEVER get caught up in the tragedies of life for God knows all. He knows what we need to make us stronger. He knows that we can CHOOSE to be happy. And that is what I choose to do everday. Regardless of circumstances, position, experience, there is beauty in this world that is absolutely incomprehensible. There is goodness in the reality of a Savior who has overcome death, pain and sin. I love Him. He is the provider of peace and I pray daily for that peace to fill me.

This week has been a hard one. This area is very difficult and finding investigators has been incredibly difficult. We have seen very little progression thus far as everyone seems to be completely wrapped up in their own lives. It is understandable in many degrees- I mean, you want to have a good job and take care of your family and really just survive. Education is important. Life is important. And the gospel, very often, gets placed on the backburner. "Oh, I will read in a month when this has passed." "Oh, I will come to church next week, once this is passed." "Oh, I will pray after this is over." The gospel should be the priority! For example, yesterday, my companion was having an off morning. When you spend 24/7 with someone, it is hard not to let that have an effect on you. I started to snap at her a bit. I knew what I needed though- a good healthy dose of the gospel. As I got on my knees to begin my personal study, I felt a sense of peace and my heart began to soften. I cracked open my favorite book in the WHOLE world and read about the resurrection of my Savior and about hope. The Book of Mormon allowed the Spirit to fill me and prepare me for a hard day.

Each day, we have to be spiritually prepared to keep moving forward. I know that I couldn't be a missionary without this short hour of spiritual upliftment and help. And why is so often that when life gets hard, prayer and scripture study become the last thing we do? There is no way that I could make it without obediently following those small and simple commandments of feasting and praying. I invite you to ponder about where you are with your scripture study and personal prayer. How much does it mean to you to have these things be a part of your day? I echo the testimony of many prophets and apostles in declaring the importance of these foundational, fundamental principles of the gospel. Read, pray and attend church. The Lord will support you through everything else. He will provide the way. You will be happier. You will have more success.

As far as the missionary work is going- well, it is going. ;) This week we didn't have the car at all so that it could have a part replaced. And we did see success in one of the goals that I want to accomplish in this area- member help! We had about 15 members helping us throughout the week in being a part of lessons and giving us rides. There were only a few hours in a couple of the days when we spent time walking and knocking doors as a way to fill our time. We had some funny experiences one night as we tried to talk to many different people.

So there is a place down the street from where the church is that gives us free frozen yogurt. It is this little area with shops and lots of people walking around. We made our way over there and began circling that main road trying to talk to anyone we could. The first opportunity we were presented with was a couple with a grocery cart full of bags. We asked if we could help them move things into their car and they said, "Ya." Ok. So we walk over to start helping them. They stiffened up like crazy... and then they started speaking in a different language to each other. My companion already had a bag in her hand, with the lady trying to hold her back a bit. I recognized that they didn't understand us and was unsure of what to do. My companion proceeded to help anyways (even though they thought we were robbing them) and I asked where they were from. Russia. Ok.... so they REALLY don't understand us. The groceries were all put away and the man softened a bit. We asked if we could take their cart. We took it and I gave the man a pass-along card. We walked away and busted up laughing. It was SO awkward! I can't imagine what they were thinking about Americans at that point... but luckily it all ended up being ok.

Then we were presented with an opportunity to "help" jumpstart a car. Which means, we stood there and watched.... But I was able to assist by giving them the use of a flashlight. And as soon as my companion and I said a prayer, the car started. Kinda cool ;)

On Saturday, we had a fireside with Nashville Tribute Band. It was good :) Here is the best part though- Mindy Gledhill was there!! I about died! All I could think was, "I have to get her autograph for Zach!" But then she left early.... grrr... I saw her though! She was really there! And she is a pretty good singer :)

One day we ended up walking and tried knocking a couple of doors. As we were walking to a neighborhood, we passed at an intersection where my sleeve got caught on a nail sticking out from the light post. I tore a big hole in my shirt.... then we went to this house where this dog basically mauled us. He was jumping all over us and trying to lick our ears. Of course, he wasn't a little dog so I ended up with doggy feet dirt all over my clothes. I bet I was a sight to see that day...

The Elders in my district claim they saw Taylor Swift driving down the street. True story.

The other night it started raining and storming like crazy. There was lightning and thunder right over us. I was exhausted and thankfully had ear plugs so I didn't hear a thing... until 4 in the morning. All of a sudden there was this horrific noise. It was super loud. It sounded like it was coming from the walls but I just figured it had to be the storm going crazy outside. We live in the basement so it was really hard to tell. I did the best I could to block the noise with the one earplug I could find... the other one lost in the oblivion of my sheets. I woke up and started to investigate the awful noise that still continued on. Turns out, the sump pump had turned on in the middle of the night. It wasn't completely full and was therefore louder than normal. Go figure. It was also right next to my bed. That was an adventure ;)

We had exchanges with the sisters in our district this week. My companion was with Sister Shauffer and I was with Sister Bundy. Sister S and Sister Allphin went to the projects one night.... man... Well, there are a few people that we visit there and they let it get dark on them while they were visiting. They started to walk back to there car and saw a group of guys gathered near the car. Sister Allphin had the impression to go back and pray with John, one of our investigators. They walked over there and said a prayer. Then Sister Allphin asked if he would watch them go back to the car. He said, "Yes I will walk you back to your car." Thank goodness he did. As they started to walk to the car, the group split up and started to walk towards them and surround them. They stood and watched them with yellow eyes... They got in the car and took off as John's mother stepped out the door to watch her son walk back safely. They could have been in a lot of trouble that night... I can't believe they stayed in those areas at night! Don't worry, I won't ever do that. It was a scary story though.

Anyways! This is a long email.... It feels like a week here is closer to a lifetime. You experience so much in one day you can hardly remember it all. And you get so involved in peoples lives... Who knew that being a missionary also meant you had to be a secretary, a salesperson, a therapist, a manager and everything in between. I never imagined!

I hope and pray you all have a wonderful week! As far as birthday things go... I think the main thing I could use actually is another pair (or two) of shoes. I love my sketchers and have worn the gray ones so much that the velcro is starting not to work. Black is good. It goes with everything. And I wear a lot of gray. I really need to mail you some of my winter clothes too. I have been accumulating stuff and have entirely too many warm shirts for the shortly approaching heat and humidity. I need to start finding cooler shirts. Really, just solid, basic, cotton, tee-shirts (not the baggy everyday kind, but more like the v-necks or cotton crew shirts or whatever they are called) would be great. I really love the skirts you sent :) Oh! One of my favorite shirts is actually a maternity shirt from downeast basics. It has more of a scoop-neck and it's purple. Colors other than purple might be nice :) Also, I love the scarves you are wearing, Mom! A light, summery scarf might be fun :) You can pick and choose what you really want to send. I can make due with whatever.

I love you so much! Have an amazing week! I am excited to talk to yall on Mother's day! :)

Love,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 4-22-13 Brentwood, TN

Hey! Guess what?! I am still on a mission! Yep! That's right! And more importantly, I get to enjoy all of life's little pleasures still. This week I got to eat the best food ever. You may be able to guess what it is- and I am going to name my first child after this place. Can you guess it?! That's right!!! It's NOODLES!!!! I ate there :) That means it was a good week. :)

 

It was a good week. It went super duper oober fast though. And my brain is really having a hard time remembering anything significant that happened. Oh wait! So this week was the first time ever on my mission that I went without a car... COOL! I am a REAL missionary now! We probably should have spent some time calling members to give us rides, but instead we just decided that we would walk all day on tuesday. So, we started off after studies to meet an appointment we had at 1pm at the library. Man! It was an adventure! We didn't have a map and I left my GPS in the car that the Elders had. So... We headed off in what we thought was the right direction. About halfway through we realized that we had never actually taken that street before. So we talked to some guy who was at a playground with his kids and asked for directions. He was SUPER nice! A golden contact really. And he gave us directions. So hopefully we can make something happen there. We kept right on trudging along. We made it to the library after an hour and a half of walking. When we got there, we realized that we were just a little bit sunburned.... hmmm.... totally forgot about the sun. We called the less-active we were trying to meet and turns out that he was at a different library- in a different city. Go figure. We ended up talking to a bunch of people on our journey though so it was all good. We got members out with us for the rest of the week though so we could be a little bit more effective as far as getting places. Oooooh! And Monday night, we finished up a lesson at the church and decided that we would walk home and make it back before curfew. We sorely misjudged the distance of our home and had to run all the way back. That was an adventure too! Needless to say, I feel like I am becoming a real missionary now :)

 

I need to buy a bike. I have no idea when I will actually get around to it... I will work on it this week. I think sometimes that I am severely handicapped when it comes to getting certain things done. I still hate making phone calls, but when I am forced to do it, I get it done. (For example: my last companion was from India. Therefore she had an accent. Sometimes, when she would call people, they would hang up immediately just because of this fact. It forced me to be in charge of the phone a lot. Now, however, my companion loves the cellular device. It's her little baby. That means that I avoid the thing. That's a bad thing.... I am working on it.)

 

This week the Assistants to the President had a baptism. They are in the Green Hills YSA ward. The font was NOT filling up. The water pressure was really low--- so we had a line of missionaries filling up the font with pitchers of water and big bowls. We were working on it for at LEAST half an hour- and when they actually performed the baptism, it really looked like they wouldn't be able to get him under all the way. By some miracle, it was all ok. That was an adventure :) We had an investigator at the baptism! Well, she is kind of the Elders investigator, but we have been joining our efforts in some areas. It is pretty fun to be working so closely with the Elders. These Elders are very respectful and hard-working. It's good stuff :)

 

We have been working in basically two areas- the African-American district and the affluent society district. I feel a lot more comfortable with the lower-class society, but somehow I make do in both areas. I feel very blessed to have a personality that meshes with pretty much anyone. Thanks mom and dad! I love good genes. :) It feels like we are still laying a lot of ground work and getting this area going. We have very few investigators that are progressing so the goal is to find more and baptize everyone! YAY! Anyways, in the African-American district the Book of Mormon is like candy. Pretty much everyone wants one! Now, we just have to help them get to church... We had a bunch of little black kids flocking us the other day. (Remember how my companion has really long BLONDE hair? Well, that is pretty intriguing to those little guys.) They went crazy and were following us all over the place. It was pretty fun. We kinda stick out... That's ok though :) Better for missionary work I suppose!

 

Well, we are still working hard. Still looking for super solid investigators. We will find someone to be baptized this week. And then we will baptize them on my birthday! That's the goal :) I sure love y'all! My familia is the best!! I love the pictures from Italy. When I read your email, Dad, I tried to read it real slow and soak it all in like I was there with you. I am DEFINITELY going there someday. It is kind of sad that you can't stay longer... I can only imagine how much there is to see! I am glad you enjoyed it though, Mom and Dad. :) Thanks Jaron and Taryn for the postcard!!! I love you both so so much! I saw it sitting there and I started to read it and it made me cry a little bit... I haven't gotten mail for a while (which is fine- I get some good emails) I just didn't think it would affect me at all. I loved it though :) You are both amazing!

 

Well I love you all so much! Have a great week! Maybe give someone a Book of Mormon this week! That would be cool :) After all, it is as awesome as candy ;) Take care and kiss Churro and Theny for me :)

 

LOVE!

Sister Alicia Marie Sue Donna Jane Johnson

 

PS- I am taking Joe downtown today for some pics! YAY!

Alicia! 4-15-13 Brentwood, TN

Hello there!

 

So it turns out that I am NOT in the Nashville YSA. I am, in fact, in the mission president's ward. Yep! Pretty crazy! This transient thing is working for me ;) I like it pretty well. So many new areas, new challenges and new miracles. You have to change your approach a little bit depending on the area you are in. For example, we cover the richest city in all of Tennessee. The people live in HUGE mansions and they are super spread out. I thought covering 5 counties was difficult, but I think the members might be more spread out here. The members, however, are really strong. Many of them are from Utah (surprise!) and it feels a lot like a ward in Utah. It is really big compared to the other wards I have been in. But the members are really excited about missionary work. I think General Conference really got them fired up so that was the big focus yesterday during church. It was awesome! It is really neat to be a part of this hastening of the work. Man! I am so blessed!

 

Also, this area is full of intellectuals. Actually, we have a mix of everything. We have the downtown area which is full of humble, poor people- but also a lot of crime and awful things. We are not allowed to be downtown after 5pm. That is how sketchy it is. And then there are some parts where it is more middle class. And then the rich people with their huge houses. A bunch of people in the ward work in the music industry. Brother DB Benely (I don't know if that is how you spell it) is some kind of producer or something. He works with singers. He loves us too :) Maybe I will hit the big time while I am here. Then there are the people that work at or attend Vanderbilt. Those are the logical, intellectual people. They read the Book of Mormon, but then they also have about a million deep-doctrine questions... Man! Nashville... I really love it :) It is BEAUTIFUL here! To build a home here you have to have live on an acre of land. So all of the houses are surrounded by big, beautiful green lawns. There are trees like you wouldn't believe and rolling hills. You can't see anything though- I would be SO lost without my GPS.

 

This is also my first area that I haven't had a full-time car. So, I have to get a bike ASAP. There is so much traffic here too that missionary work is just difficult! You almost HAVE to have a bike to do anything. Getting anywhere takes forever. So crazy.

 

My new companion is Sister Justine Allphin. She is from Alpine Utah. She is one of the newly called 19-year old missionaries- but don't let that fool you! She has already been through cosmetology school and will be working with a plastic surgeon three months after she gets home from her mission. She looks like an angel- literally. Or Rapunzel. Her hair is naturally bleach blonde and really long. She has a sweet, tender spirit and is very sensitive. Needless to say, we have already had VERY powerful, spiritual experiences together.  She is sensitive and therefore needs a little bit of extra special attention.... I don't think I have ever been this exhausted... Spiritually, emotionally AND physically exhausted. It is all good though. I know that the Lord will support us.

 

I never know what is coming anymore. The Lord is just preparing and preparing and preparing. He is preparing me, he is preparing my companions, he is preparing the areas and he is preparing HIS work. I am grateful that before I came on my mission I learned to trust in Him and trust in the guidance of the Spirit. It has blessed me so much with all of the changes that are going on around me.  

 

MELANIE!!! You need to come to school in Nashville! Last night, we went out with a newlywed couple and the husband is going to Mortuary school! He was telling me all about it and it sounds awesome! Plus, he has had many opportunities to share the gospel because they study Mormon funerals. We also met with a girl that is going to school with him. Her name is Kenia. She is from the Virgin Islands. She is 18 years old and loves Mortuary school! I told her about you and she said that you really need to do this and that the school they are attending is really great. Plus, then you could come on exchanges with me ;) Consider it. I think the school is called Grumpkin or something like that? I don't know. It started with a g and it is in Nashville. I just thought it was cool to see normal, awesome people (like you) studying to be a funeral director. He was saying that he first got started by washing the hearses. Then, they asked him to help them. He apprenticed and now is going to school. Live the dream! Come to Nashville! I might end up staying here after my mission because I will be a famous country singer, so you can just live with me in my mansion. Sound good? Good! Also, they showed me a project that they had to do in a class called "Restorative Art". Basically, you build a wax face. Neat, huh?! It made ME want to be a mortician ;)

 

What else...? I love the pictures from Italy... I want to go! I LOVE the Pieta! That is my all-time favorite Michelangelo piece. It is BEAUTIFUL! It looks and sounds like you are having so much fun! Best trip ever it sounds like :) Just you two with scooters and Italy ;) haha! I love you Mom and Dad! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

Well, I think that is all I can think of this week. I love you all! Have an amazing week!

 

Love always,

Sister Alicia Johnson

Alicia! 4-8-13 Bowling Green, KY

HELLO!!! Oh my goodness! Those pictures are absolutely AMAZING!! Hahahaha! I have the best family in the world, you know? You all crack me up! I am incredibly honored to have been brought along and join in the festivities with you all! What a blast! That day will live in my memory forever ;) You didn't bring Churro along though... I bet he cried a ton.... Poor little guy! Man! You all look amazing too! Everyone looks the same but different! Zach's hair is longer and it is so straight and nice! And Mel's hair is super cute! Wow! Maybe I should grow my hair out again? And Mom and Dad you both look so bright and wonderful! And Jare.... Oh man! Those pictures of the two of you are amazing! I am so excited for my wonderful family :) I sure love you all with all of my little heart :) I am excited to hear about Italy too! What an adventure.. You both deserve it so much :)

This week has really flown by again. The past couple of days have just been very blessed. In the past 8 weeks in this area, there have been so many changes and INCREDIBLE growth- from the ward, our investigators, my companion and from deep within myself. I have grown so much in such a short time- it blows my mind! I know that the Lord is preparing me for something awesome. Every time they talked about missionary work in Conference, the Spirit would just buzz through my whole body. Man! Are you catching the wave of missionary work?! It is hastening! We are in the last days and this is it! The servants are few- but the stone is rolling forth to fill the earth. I love, love, love, love, love it! I feel so blessed to be called at this particular time. In each area and with each new challenge, I learn more and more that I am not my own. I am the Lord's. I am thankful for that calling.

We had a baptism this week!!! C! :) Oh man I love her! She is a miracle all the way around. And honestly, I don't know if we had to do much as missionaries, because she was so prepared. But I do know that she said she felt a special connection to me specifically. Somehow, I had to be instrumental in helping her come to Christ. Her baptism was wonderful. She was baptized after the second session of conference on Saturday. She was so nervous. Her life has not been easy- she has been married five times, she has been through abuse and trauma, she has lost a daughter and so many other things... but now, you look at her and you would never see that. She quit smoking a week ago. After receiving a priesthood blessing, she hasn't had ANY desire to smoke at all. She has truly been born of God. She is counting down the days to the temple (362 days). She is on fire with missionary work! She has given out five copies of the Book of Mormon and her 2 children and 3 grandchildren all received copies at her baptism as well. And... she is driving us to transfer meeting.

That's right.... It is transfer time again! My record is as follows: 4 weeks in MTC, 6 weeks in Rock Springs, 3 weeks in Princeton, and 8 weeks in Bowling Green. So what is happening now....? Good question! I am getting moved again! Yep! My companion was super shocked. She thought for sure that she would be leaving since she only has a total of 4 1/2 months in the field anyways. Nope! I am getting transferred to the Green Hills YSA adult ward in Nashville Tennessee! I am finishing the training of my new companion who has been out for 6 weeks. Crazy! It was time to move again, I guess. 8 weeks is WAY too long ;) I am excited though! I have been working with a lot of the YSA group in this area and I love it. I feel very comfortable working with people in my age group, but there are definitely some anxieties about this new transfer. It is crazy, because I literally felt when they had made a decision. I was sitting in a restaurant with my district on Saturday, then out of the blue my stomach knotted up and my heart started pounding. The same type of feeling that the Spirit gives me whenever I have to bear my testimony. I could FEEL that I was getting moved. That night, the call came at 10:15pm. For some reason, I am more nervous about this transfer than any of the others I have had. Something big is coming, I think. Also, with how many sisters are coming into the field, leadership positions are going to start changing as well. They are going to have Sisters in Zone Leader and District Leader and Assistant type positions. I don't know when that will start, but I think I may have a part in it.

The area I am in is right next to the Mission Office and everything. So I will be closer to President McKee and all those happenings. Also, I think I am in more of the rich and famous part of town. My dream of converting Taylor Swift is finally coming!! Her body guard was baptized is what I heard. I think she has even talked to missionaries. She is probably just waiting for me ;)

I am excited! I love you all! Thank you for your emails and for the pictures! Man, my family is the best ever. I hope you have a wonderful week!

LOVE YOU ALWAYS!

Sister Alicia Johnson

These are the pictures I sent to Alicia. Yep...she was brought to all the festivities and so was Joe (because he's in the photo with her).

Alicia! 4-1-13 Bowling Green, KY

Thanks so much for your emails Mom and Dad and family and everyone! I love you all very, very much. I am incredibly blessed with the support I have. Incredibly blessed!

Yes! I did get your Easter package! And I LOVE it! I can send you some pictures now too ;) That long skirt is super, duper cute :) Thank goodness they let us look cute out here- I try to take advantage of that as much as possible. And all that delicious chocolate.. mmmm... :) The Lord has given me a faster metabolism while I am serving, I think. Or I guess I hope ;) I eat whatever I want and look pretty much the same! Yay! Plus, sometimes I eat ice cream without any problems. Cool :)

 

So! Yes! We had a baptism! D was baptized on Saturday then confirmed on Sunday. The baptism was beautiful. So many tiny, amazing moments... Oh man. I love it so much! The sound of the font running, the Restoration video, the talk on baptism, the music and the light in D's eyes. It was truly wonderful to be a part of it. I got to see it through from start to finish! And I found her! It is truly a miracle. This work is incredible. It is not without opposition though... Sunday I almost had a heart attack. D works nights at McDonalds. So from 10pm-6am. Well, we showed up to wake her up and help her get ready and she said, "I'm sorry. I only slept an hour. I can't go." I know we looked panicked at that moment... What do you say? What do you do? Um... you have to get confirmed today, D! Baptism is incomplete without it. "Sorry I am so tired I can't go..." No!!!!! I prayed and prayed. "D, if the Savior walked in the room right now and said that coming to church today was the only way to salvation, what would you say to him? Would you tell him you are too tired?" She thankfully got ready, came to church and was confirmed a member of the church and her blessing was truly beautiful.

It made me think about the sacrifices we make for salvation. Elder Holland said, "Salvation is not a cheap experience." We must work and it WON'T be easy. Was it easy for the Savior? No. What makes us think that it will be easy for us? As a missionary you learn a great deal about the Savior and the sacrifices he made. What sacrifices are we willing to make as members of His church....? What more can we do....?

We had another miracle this week! I think I mentioned last week about C. We met her at the ward chili cookoff a week ago from Friday. We taught her this week and set a baptism date with her for April 13th. Then we taught her again before D's baptism. While we were teaching the Spirit bore POWERFUL witness that she is READY for baptism. We moved the date up and she is getting baptized this Saturday after the second session of General Conference. We had to teach her Word of Wisdom- she is a smoker. We committed her to stop smoking. She received a priesthood blessing and she said she felt something inside her working and she got a funny taste in her mouth. She won't ever smoke again. Amazing! The Lord can do amazing things through our faith. He is real. He loves us. This is HIS work. I love it! I am grateful to be a part of it. I love you all so much!

This next week will be transfers (April 9th). I have no idea what is going to happen yet. Just a heads up!

Love you! Enjoy the wedding! Congrats Jare and Taryn!

LOVE YOU

Sister Alicia Johnson

PS So I kind of got cut off during my emailing.... my hour on the computer was up. But I got another half an hour so I am going to send you all some pictures! Yay yay yay! You finally get to see me after four months of nada!!! :) I am happy too :)

These are pics from MTC, first companion, second companion and third companion. PS my camera card is pretty much all filled up so I will send you my pics soon :) Then you can see ALL of them! Yay! I took probably a million in the MTC.... what can I say? I loved it there!

This is a shout out to my main man Joe Baker! Oh the places you'll go... :) I love you family!