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
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