ASIA by week's end!

Kamusta!!

I just cannot believe that I only have a few more days left until I leave for the Philippines. I've almost been out for 2 months! It's crazy how fast time flies by.

On Sunday we had an Evening Devotional. Brother Stephen B. Allen came and spoke to us about how we, as missionaries, will be so blessed for the service we are doing. It was a pretty awesome talk. He told us that Satan is going to do everything he can to make it so you can't serve a mission or don't want to serve anymore. Don't let him whisper in your ear and tempt you to do wrong or go astray. You are stronger than you think. And with the Lord is on your side, you can overcome anything.

"Serve in such a way that Heavenly Father can whisper to you after your mission and say, 'You served well my servant.' ".

Then after the devotional, my zone and I went into a room and watched the movie, "Joseph Smith: The Restoration." I had seen it before, but it was awesome being able to watch it again. It's such an amazing movie. I usually never take notes during the movies we watch, but for some reason, this time I took notes. I wrote down things I didn't know, didn't remember, quotes I liked, etc. To tell you the truth, I've never really taken the time to sit down and think about everything Joseph Smith did and had been through for this Church. If there are any hard times in your life, and you don't think you can take it anymore, just think of Joseph Smith and all that he's been through. His life was so hard, but he had the Lord on his side and knew that he would be blessed in the end. He is an extraordinary man. I am so thankful that Joseph Smith was brave enough to stand up for what he believed in no matter what turmoil and strife came his way.

On Monday in class, our teachers told us that it was our turn to be investigators and to have the other missionaries teach us. I had to think of someone I knew that was an investigator and I had to pretend to be them. The missionaries that taught me the 1st time were Elder Laga' Aia, and Elder Robanakadavu. And the second set of missionaries that taught me was Elder Fehoko and Elder Zepty. They both taught me about Jesus Christ, because as the investigator I didn't know who He was. They all did a pretty good job explaining to me who Jesus was. The Spirit was pretty strong and if I had been an actual investigator, I would've understood and come to know Jesus after they had taught me. It was a really fun experience being an investigator. It all kinda felt real. I loved it. I also got the chance to teach one of the missionaries in my zone who was pretending to be a less active member. My companion and I taught a man named John. John told us that he was less active and hated going to church because some of the members drove him and his family away. My companion and I taught him the going to church will bless his family. And that going for him, the Lord, and his family, is all that matters. I told him that 2 years before I left on my mission, I didn't really like going to church because I kind of felt alone and thought nobody wanted me there. But then I realized that I shouldn't be going to church to make friends and have a fun time. (Even though making friends and having fun is a plus). I should be going for the Lord and for myself. So I can come closer to Him and feel His love for me. Even if there are people at church that aren't friendly, or don't want you there, you should be going to church for yourself so you can come closer to Christ. It was an awesome lesson because the Spirit was so strong. Elder Fehoko is a pretty tough cookie on the outside and never really shows emotion, but when my companion and I shared our personal experiences, the Spirit was so strong that his eyes started to water. But of course he blamed it on some dust that flew into this eyes. (haha).

Then on Tuesday, we had another evening devotional. Elder James J. Hamula of the 70 came and talked with us. His talk was on faith and the 5 steps that make up faith. 1) Evidence 2) Hope 3) Action 4) Spiritual Witness and, 5) Truth. He gave us a ton of scriptures to look up. The moment I got home, I hurried and pulled out my scriptures and marked/studied everything he told us. It's crazy how much I've read in the scriptures. Before my mission, I'd read, but not really study or ponder on what I'd read. But being here has really helped me to want to study the scriptures and come to know them. Some quotes that Elder Hamula gave us are: "Replace your fears with faith," "Be not afraid, only believe," -Mark 5:36. And, "Love is the essence of the Gospel." I love those quotes! I've started writing quotes that I've come accross or heard in the back of my journal. I love looking in the back and reading over them because they give me inspiration and help me a ton.

On Thursday we had in-field orientation which went from 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening. And it's where the missionaries that are leaving in a couple of days get together and practice role playing as if we were out in the field meeting actual investigators. We also learned about key indicators. That's where you record your monthly goals of how many investigators you have visited/taught, etc. And then at the end of the orientation some missionaries and leaders got together and made up a play. It was about missionaries involving members in the work. And getting the members to help out with investigators and making them feel welcomed and loved even after the missionaries baptize them and leave.

And then at 8:30 at night, my companion and I got to Skype a man named Brother Baldwin. We taught him about enduring to the end and the blessings that can come from it. We did a lot better the 2nd time we Skyped then we did the 1st time. We used a lot more Cebuano and the member was a lot easier to teach and talk to. It was an awesome experience.

And then today my companion and some of my roommates went to the Temple and did Initiatory again. We only got to do 5 names, but every time I do Initiatory, I love it. Then after we did Initiatory, we all went to the cafeteria and ate breakfast since it was our last time here before we leave. I will definitely miss going to the Temple twice a week. But hopefully I can go often in Cebu!

So I found out something sad this week. Elder Esikia and Elder Zepty in our zone will not be going to the Philippines with us when we leave. Elder Esikia has to stay another 3-4 weeks because of his shoulder. But then he will be able to come to the Philippines after he heals! And Elder Zepty has to go to Ogden, Utah because his Visa and Passport are expired. But then in the summer, Elder Zepty can come to the Philippines when he gets his stuff together. We're going to miss them, but God has a plan for them and there's a reason why they're not going to the Philippines yet.

Also!! Here are some Cebuano words that my zone and I say:

*Kamusta ka (Kahmoostah kah)- "How are you?"

*Maayo kaayo (Mahahyo kahahyo)- "Really good."

*Okay-lang (lahng)- "Just okay." (When someone asks how you're doing).

*Sigi (Seegee)- "Okay."

*Jokelang (lahng)- (What someone says after a joke)

*Ayaw pagtawa (Ayow pahg-tahwah)- "Don't laugh".

*Basta (Sounds like pasta)- "Whatever".

*Gwapa (Gwahpah)- Beautiful.

They're such fun words to say. I love this language. It's so cool!!

P.S. As I'm typing this letter, someone in the room next to the computer lab I'm in is playing the Zelda theme song on the piano. It's so funny and awesome!

P.S. Again! Happy 17th Birthday Nicholas! I'm sorry I forgot to mention it in my letter last week!

Love you!!

Here is a quote from Elder James J, Hamula that you can take into your life and think about. "Those who love Christ, are willing to be more like Him".

Gihigugma tika!

Gugma,

-Sister Johnson