January 28, 2013
Kedves családom,
You know the points in missionary work when things don't seem to be going quite the way you'd like them to- when results don't really come out the way you plan, or when you start wondering why people have their free agency? haha Ya... that's kind of how I'm feeling right now. We've had a lot of things fall through recently, and a lot of our really solid investigators have left to other places. But no worries... when things fall through that means something great is just around the corner- right? :) So, we have a lot of work to do, and only three more weeks to make it happen. I'm going to need your fasting and prayers. :)
As for the investigators we are still meeting with, we were able to meet with Dorottya this week. She is so awesome. We taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ lesson. She had so many questions that we didn't have enough time to finish the last 2 steps. She really thinks about everything and wants to be sure that she understands. Her boyfriend from the states who is LDS is coming to visit her in a few weeks, so hopefully we'll be able to meet him. :) She's the one in the picture I sent.
Peterson Nővér, Dorottya and Johnson Nővér
Peterson and I started a new finding approach. We are now "tunnel singing" under the Margit Bridge. It's been working out pretty well too. Both times we've gone we've had people come right up to the table and ask us questions. We'll sing hymns in both English and Hungarian. It's cool to see that even to the people who we don't stop, at least we brought a smile to their face- even if it's just because they're making fun of us. haha It's amazing how much more willing I am on my mission to look like a crazy person in front of people. We get lots of crazy looks everyday, mostly because of our name tags I think, but I love my name tag!- in that it gives me a reason to put myself out there, talk to anyone, wear a ginormous sleeping-bag for a coat, and sing in tunnels. I am grateful for this time I have to represent Christ, and wear his name on my shirt everyday. I've noticed that it has made me more aware of how I treat others, and what sort of example I am setting. I wouldn't want to be unkind to someone, or be doing something inappropriate, when I know that others can read the name of Jesus Christ on my chest. But I hope that that is something I will take home with me as well. I know that one day I won't get to wear this name badge anymore, but I hope that I will still remember who it is I represent, and who's name I agreed to take upon me.
I really love this gospel. I know that the work right now doesn't seem to be having all the results I would hope for, but I know that we are laying the foundations of a great work, and that the Lord is aware of us. I may not have seen 100 baptisms during my time here, but I know my example is touching hearts, just as so many others have touched mine. I know that the Lord is proud of the effort I have put into my mission, and I know that I will not go home empty handed. My mission has changed me. And if anything, that was what I needed the most.
I love you all so much! I can't wait until I get to run up and hug all your little faces!! :) The gospel is amazing! Living by it's principles makes us happier and makes our lives more full that anything else ever could!
Sok SOK szeretettel,
Johnson Tiffany Nővér
January 21, 2013
HELLOOO Family!!
You won't believe me, but it didn't even occur to me today until I read your emails, that I only have exactly one month left. I think my heart stopped for a second when I came to that realization. haha
I received my new greeny this past Wednesday, Actually, they want to discourage us from using the term "greeny" haha so... I received my new missionary companion!- Sister Peterson! :) She is SO FUN! I remember feeling nervous for some reason before the meeting to find out which new sister I was going to train. I guess it's always a little intimidating to train, no matter how many times you've done it. But I remember when they called her name all of my nerves were completely washed away. I really felt that our companionship was inspired. I'm so excited to help her get started! It's a really strange feeling to be in the exact same shoes as my trainer was when she trained me. It was my first transfer, and her last- Just like us! It's amazing how my missionary life has now come full circle. I feel almost like, I would imagine any other older human being feels in the real world... the days seem to be going faster, and somehow I have all these experiences and memories behind me, and I don't even know where the time has gone. Anyhow, the fact is- it's not over yet. I still have a month! :) I'm going to make the most of it I can, and make sure that I get Sister Peterson started on the right foot.
Johnson Nővér and her new Companion Peterson Nővér
As for our investigators... Andrea's baptism didn't end up happening this past Friday, sadly. She didn't feel ready. She really wants to make sure that she is committed, and doesn't know if she is ready to give up everything for this new lifestyle that the gospel is going to bring. I can't imagine exactly what it must be like as a convert who grew up outside of the church, but I imagine it isn't easy to sacrifice everything and become a member of the church. We want to make sure she has a solid testimony first, so we told her that she can wait until she feels more ready and that we will help her to feel more prepared. :) She did come to church this Sunday!- and we are going to continue meeting with her. :)
I'm not sure if you remember me telling you about Géza. We met him from our English Class. He's been meeting with us for the past few months now. He has a ritualistic addiction to coffee... and told us that he normally drinks about 5-7 cups a day!- or close to 50 cups a week!! Pretty crazy. He says it's too hard for him to quit cold-turkey, but he has dropped it down to only one cup a day this week! How awesome is that!? You can see a difference in his face, he looks a little more tired- but I am so proud of him! That is really cool that he is so willing to try and change. Balázs is probably one of our most progressing investigators right now. The only sad thing is, he will be moving to England in about a week so we won't be able to meet with him anymore. Good news is, I found the address and the time the church starts there where he will be. :) So, I really hope he will look it up and start meeting with the missionaries when he gets there.
Sister Peterson had her first tracting experience this week! One of the senior couples invited us to tract their building- we of course didn't want to turn down an offer like that! We went door to door and Sister Peterson got some practice introducing us and the Book of Mormon. Most of the building was old people who weren't too happy that we woke them up in the middle of the day, but at least she got some experience. My trainer always told me that if streeting and tracting didn't seem to be having much success, at the very least it was humbling us. :) So true. We tried some streeting and tabling too, and did get a couple numbers. My companion has a stellar voice! We are for sure going to be doing some music finding this transfer! I'm so stoked!!
Well, I love you all tons! I will continue to keep you in my prayers, and give you the updates. :) I hope you have an incredible week! Talk to you soon!
Sok Szeretettel,
Johnson Nővér
January 14, 2013
I'm sorry, my email today is going to be super short. I've been working on my BYU application all day, and actually I had it all finished when I exited out and went back in, and everything I had done was deleted. :P So, I had to write it all over again from scratch. So, I'm basically out of energy from typing today.
But anyways, let me at least update you with what's happening with transfers. Sister Hardy and I were sure we'd be staying together... but sometimes transfer day can be full of surprises. Turns out Sister Hardy is leaving after only one transfer here, and is going to serve in Dunaújváros with Sister Oberhansly. I will be getting a greeny and training my last transfer. :) It should be really fun. I'm not sure who she is yet... but I'm excited for the opportunity to introduce a new greeny to the country again.
I'm sad to see Sister Hardy go, but I know she will love Duna, and they are just going to love her there. :) I really miss that place sometimes. But I've really gained a great love for Buda as well, and I'm happy I will get to "die" here in the city for my last transfer. Well wish me luck! Please continue to pray for me- that helps a lot.
I'll give you more of an update next week, but for now I hope you all are doing well! Have a wonderful week. Mom, thanks for the pictures!!
MUCH LOVE,
MUCH LOVE,
Johnson Nővér
January 7, 2013
Dear Family,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We had a great week this week. Andrea's baptism is coming up on the 18th! I'm so excited for her. The A.P's also have a baptism this weekend. She's asked Elder Walker and I to sing. As for our investigators- We have been meeting with an investigator named Balázs for the last couple weeks, who we found from English class. He seems like a sad person most of the time. Since the first time we met with him, he never seemed to excited about life or really very optimistic about things. But he has now come to church twice, and is really taking hold of everything we are teaching him. In the lesson we had with him on Friday, we invited a member to come with us. The member was perfect for him, and they seemed to click instantly. But I think the best part about the program was, that even from the moment he walked in the door, I could see a difference on his face. He seemed to be brighter! His countenance had literally changed, and you could see that he was happier than the first couple times we met with him. He told us that there are some things he's been holding onto in his life that he is finally starting to be able to let go of. He says that repentance and the things we are teaching him are really making a difference. I believe it! After he left the program, that was the first thing that Sister Hardy and I mentioned to each other. He is being changed by the gospel! And it's because he is reading the Book of Mormon and acting on our commitments. :) Our message is a message of joy, and it is evidence in the lives of those who live it! I am so grateful that I am able to be a witness of the power the atonement in the hearts of our investigators. It's the greatest reward we could receive.
We also met with a girl name Dorottya yesterday. Sister Hudspeth and I met with her last transfer, but she has been gone visiting America for the last couple weeks. She is so awesome though. Her boyfriend's family lives in America, and they are all Mormon. Which lead her to have a lot of questions about the church. She goes to church with them every time she visits, and a few weeks ago she came to our ward- which is how we met her. But she is now reading her own Hungarian version of the Book of Mormon, and we were able to teach her the full restoration yesterday. She has a bazillion questions!-which is so awesome! And the best thing about it, is there are answers to all of them! :) We are meeting again this Saturday.
Well, I got my flight plans this morning. Kind of weird to think that my time is coming to an end here. It's sad, and a little nerve-racking to think of starting life in the real world soon. But I know there will be opportunities for missionary service even at home. I'm grateful for these extra 5 weeks I have been given to make a difference here. I'm going to try and make the very most of each day I have left. :)
I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week!!
Lots of Love,
Lots of Love,
Sister Johnson
