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