March 13, 2017

Sorry dad... I want a motercycle.... Everyone has one here, and the more i watch the more i want one. just looks like a great time.

im being transfered. Its an emergancy tranfer. Im not happy. I have alot of friends here now. i have alot of inglish investigators that i teach. No idea how thats going to work when i leave. I am not happy about this.

Finally tammed my once amazing hair......

i miss sleeing until 3. i had the life back home.

i miss ketchup.

So apparently im alot mentally worse then i thought...My outlit was skating, but thats out the window for 2 years. And im not one to expess my feeling....Im a dude, i dont do that. I thought it was natural to miss home alot... alot alot. alot alot alot. and i didnt give it 2 thoughts! But ive been told ive been screamming in my sleep and freaking out. i dont really know what to do about this.  Ive been getting more and more kinda depressed every day, i Thought this was suppose to pass. I guess its gotten alot worse. Ive tried to talk to my president but he just kinda brushes me off. so that just kinda adds to the feeling of me just being a burdan to people.

i Honistly dont know what to do. I thinking im finally mentally breaking. No one talks to me, and if i talk to someone they dont lessen or understand. All the people i like, i have to leave. Its like i cant get a break. I know its common to have thoughts of wanting to go home, and I use to be able to find reasons to stay becuase i would convince myself im getting bettter. Im not. 

last night i had one of the most amazing dreams. I woke up in my bed (at home), dad stayed home from work. Me and dad just worked on the lawn. After aj came down and we all made burgers and dip. Ellle and matt eventally come down. Aj went back to working one somthing strang and physics and stuff, matt just kinda did matt things. Then i drove elle to school, screaming the whole way cuz the music was always too loud. After me and mom just went out to get food and go shopping, because she didnt want to work. Then chase and laura showed up and we skated utill dark. 

I couldnt ask for a better day.

But i did go flying out of my bed when i woke up to go find everyone. Only to find my compainon kinda grab me cuz i was about to run into him.

I honistly thought i was doing better. But i find myself staring longer and longer at the pictures i do have, staying longer and longer in restrooms (only time im alone), and being more and more in my mind.

i Dont want to break. but i feel like im broken and im running out of duck tap to keep it together.

On i guess a better note. In brazil... more like porto alregy. there is an hurb that only grows here. Its tradition to make some and pass it around all your friends, its a sign of frend ship or acceptance. Here we are alot to have tea, just not dark teas? we are aloud to have this tea, and incouraged to drink.... It tast like grass.... but it grows on you. (there is a picture of me drinking and with a bag of it)

Pray for me. I dont know what to do anymore.

--

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

The Roads Run Red

The roads run red every morning. Puddles of just dark red lay in the cobble stone. Some of the vast puddles of red hold lumps of remains.

Totally looks like people were mudered every morning. Its great! The uva (grape) Trucks show up really earlry, and to give you and idea of how much there is, Its most of the citys income, and they provide for all of brazail. Also the best tasting uve ever. Does not compare to other grapes.

My watch smells. Its leather and little did i thiink about leather smellinh after sweat and sun.

Couples here are gross. Always touching and loving eachother. Dont they know they are all from the same eternal family?!

Also! Wemon here have no rights basically. Its great. Not really. For example, I went to load my dish and they acted like i was proforming blastamy. The men dont do anything. No cooking, No putting food on plates, no getting seconds, no cleaning. All girls. Also the familys here can be rough. Its common for the kids to disrespect the mom, And some times hit her (little kids, under 12) (ive never seen anyone 16-20). I may not be the most respectfull person... But i want to stand up and slap some of these kids.

Some familys just need tharipy. We do our best but im only and amarican missionary.

Ive never been so greatfull for my heritage. to be born in a house of 2 parents. Clean water, and food. Roof over my head, and flooring under my feet. I had no idea how good i had it. No idea how amazing my parents are.

Skating is literaly killing me. It physically hurts me whenver i just hear them outside. One kid at church asked for me to teach him, and i almost just broke into tears. Its that bad.

Learned the trick to hot(ish) water!!!!!! Turn of for 3 mins, turn off for 2...... AND BAM!!!!! Its warm agin!

Got some super fashondably hip tan/sunburn!

AHHhhhhh yes.... The dogs.... When dogs have babys.... They can give them to the pound... When a dogs are strays.... Taken to the pound? NOPE!!!! DOGS EVERYWHERE! no pound. I see no less then 100 dogs a day! Most arnt owned. they live in empty lots together or out side of houses of people they have choosen as theres. They eat out of the garbege.... The garbege cans are just baskets so its not that hard.

LITTLE DID I KNOW! DONT TOUCH THE DOGS!!!!!!!!!! I touch all the dogs:). once a dog is show affection, they can easally become attached to you...We get groups of dogs following us. and trust me its a bad thing.They bark alot, They get in the way when trying to do anything, they eat things you drop, and they try to follow us into houses. Its great

Ive seen a gang of pungs, i saw jake (our jake) but he was the color of a golden retreaver.

can anyone send me a physical copy of me with blue hair?

Also my habbit of saving animals is still a habbet. Halfway through a lessen a kitten would not shut up. So me being me. I stopped the lesson. Found the kitten. She was stuck between sheet metal. Decided to be the amarican missionary hero and leave her..... After many attemps of grabbing her i finally got her. She did not want to be picked up. But once she was up she refused to let go. She was strawberry white with orange spots...... MIssonarys cant have pets.....

Also my name is spelled Mikal

had a mission meting and ive nver talked so much in my life. i was so happy. I think i did cry at one point. Greatest thing to happen. Next to the 3 baptisms we are having. Oh yeah 3 baptisms.

well im out of time.

1 nefi 16:31-32

D&C 123:12, 84:88, 4:5-7

Alma 26:12, 32:21

-- 

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

3/6/17

February 2017 pictures

And I Live to Fight Another Day

Im alive. i think. Im in porto alreagry? Well not really. im north in a small city town. This place is only known for growing uva (grapes). So that shoulld give you and idea oh how small it is. 

So fun fact aBOUT BRAZIL....You shall flush only poop and pee. NOTHING ELSe! you know that little trash can next to every tolet and its almost just pointless in every way but everyone decides they just need an extra trash can just because? yeah. here you put everything in that. tolet paper, dingle beries, other things.......... but yeah it smells

Oh warm showers? do go on abouut how amazing they use to be, No warm water. The water is heated in the shower head. and little did i think about touching it one day.... It will shock you.... and you are all wet.... it will zap everything. BUT who needs kids anyways!

I have 2 blisters. one on both feet. on the same toe. and both are bigger then my toe itself. ive named them lame and annoying.

You think georga is mountainy? This place is so crazay up and down, that some roads are almsot ands and feet to get up! Also side walks? meh. the roads are wide and cobblestone. Motercicles are flying everywhere like there in an action movie. so great.

for disert at some places we eather have and amazing home made somthing, or just cold water. water is a luxery here.

I can speak small sentances, But dont get toooooo happy for me, They are of no use. So im doing good!

My back pack sweats black when i sweat so my shirts have black marks on them. BUT i never take it off so its all good there too!

There is a skate ppark here. We walk past it every day. Everyday they ask me to skate. We are not aloud to skate so i have to say no. I know that Ive choose to give my temporary happyness for these peoples eternal salvation. That it will be easer to show up these kids and show them how its done in amarica! then to speak my broken language, speak less then 100 words a day, and almost break into tears when i find someone say somthing in inglish and i understand.

Also we do clap out side of gates to get people to talk. But the gates are so close to the house they normally just stand up. Also its common to keep windows and doors open always. Which is good. But everyone has 1 room houses. ina house built on a house.

I love the ghettos here. My companion does not. we drop all our stuff off but scriptues and go in. So great. The houses are stacked and half the time you have to walk through a house to get somewhere. people think its cool that i speak inglish but no portages.

IN THE GHETOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IN THE GHETOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

oh yeah ive forgoten alot of my favoret music, so i feel like ive lost a pace of me already. But everyone here lessen to amarican music. matalica, Iron madin, And some popy stuff. Its funny because they have no ideea what they are saying

Everyone loves the name johnston. They pronouce it John.Stones. and from what little i could understand its slang for lady killer? Also they just say it for fun.

here, we hand skate, then hug, then with somepeople we do the kiss thing. you hvae no idea how much that freaked me out the first time it happen. but i feel like some of these people might swing the other way and no one would notice

also mom i am eatting well. The morning? nock off cerail with warm milk (they dont refrigerate milk), with my chose of the finest salteen crackers or stail bread. for lunch, A devine rice and beans. With the hosts chose of meet. Oh and dinner, Dinner is my choose of nock off roman noodle with whatever i can find.

for my scripture i havent thought of one? I like the 1 nefi somthing, It was[how great was there joy for i had food] somthing like that? really hits home for me

I am slightly deppressed. I speak less then 100 words a day like i said. Time was going really fast. But it slowed back down to a crawl. I miss having food to eat, being able to sleep, hanging out with people, seeing my family. Or just being able to talk.

BUT its ok! depression passes? Happyness comes eventually! Blessings come from trils. And i dont see the big Picture, Only the lord does. He knows my weakness, and knows my potental to grow.

Write me letter and pictures! i like to carry them and read them when things get hard.

Dont worry about me. Im not this easy to break. And just cuz i break does not mean i give up.

----------Send this to people, You guys are the only emails i have-------------------------------------

--

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

Pictures from the drop off day

 This is Chicken Nugget, Connor used to carry him around in his pocket or up the sleeve of his sweatshirt, it was something that he played with and helped him feel comfortable. One day he stopped carrying him and I stuck in a drawer, I always thought I would give him to Connor when he got married as a joke. But I realized as he was leaving on his mission that when he got married he wouldn't be alone, so the mission seemed like the perfect time. Its a little McDonald happy meal plush Chewbacca lol.

 Ok I admit I melted at the door, I didn't handle to goodbye as well as I could have. But in my defense he was playing all the cheesy goodbye songs he could think of on the way over!!

This kid is the most amazing hugger in the world. He hugs with his whole body and lets you know he is there with you, it's not just a token hug.

I'm leaving, again

so. im way less then a week from leaving the CTM and still have no idea what anyone really says to me. My favorite part is when the teachers start kinda yelling at me for speaking english....WELLLLLLLLL you see if i knew the languge i would love to tell you more on how you telling me over and over doesnt work.... BUT im a missonary and this week like everyother week, im studying Humblness!

New greenys came in. They know more then me. real confidence booster! But i do know brazilans better and how to talk. like if a brazilan trys to hug you, you better hug him back or you are getting a lesson on hugs. Also to never lessen to what they say, almost always they are trying to get you to say somthing bad. i cant beleave some of these guys are missionarys, but other ones. Probaly one of the most amazing people ive ever met.

My little elder amigo left acouple days ago. really upset. Hes prob been the most inspiration ever. i will send you pictures but hes really short.

Thank you for the pictures everyone! i sadly could not get a valitne. my compainon said no and to stop rubbing his back, and everyone else has no idea what im asking. great time.

the language is kicking my butt. but when is it not! Went through the temple with out translations. at first i was kinda woried. but i dont think its possible to be scared in the temple.

I always have so much i want to say to everyone but when im actually sitting here. i have no idea what to type.

I finally cut my hair. The guy cutting it was this big russiun dude. Really deep voice and he sings when using his razor. GREATEST THING EVER! im tempted to go back.

I had scriptuers i was going to share.;.. but i forgot them. agin

Dont give up eternal happyness, por temparary sadifaction.

This has kinda been my scripture, well the actually scripture. this is my summery. Dont give up the long term reward for a temparery satisfaction. Dont give up just because things get hard on you. No one moves mountans without breaking a few bones.... or your faith is strong enoguh you can move anything....BUT you get what im doing.

if hard things were easy they would not bring so much happyness. Por mim its like saving up por a car. you can work and sweat, save all this money. To just give up halfway and settle with somthing that wont be worth your time or money. Or you can keep working and Endur to the end and get that Better car youve been dreaming of.

Just beacuse life gets hard and everyone puts you down, does not mean you have any reason to give up. 

Times running low and i have to run. I get to walk around town with the new guys...., They think im smart! lets see how long i can fake this.

And everyone looks so much older. creepy. 

--

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

Here We Go Again

So i really like to think that im doing good. but im sure im anywhere but. I personally do not like to think about it.

The language is still killing me. I sucked at grammer in inglish so i totally suck when i try over here.

spelling is a pain in the butt. This is prob one of the hardest things ive ever done. They were not kidding about this. This sucks so much. Just a day ago, i was so upset i went to work out and i pushed myself so hard my legs cramped to the point i couldnt stand and i threw up maybe 2 meals worth of beans and rice.

But if you put a ticket in front of me and said i can go home right now. I would be offended that you even thought i would actually leave that easy. I know what im doing it right. The lord knows me, knows what im not good at, my weaknesses, but aslo my stregnths, and my ability to grow. so that is why im here, failing every step of the way, for he knows that my potental reaches far beond what i cann see before me....But i still cry to myself every time im in the restroom (my compainon cant follow me there).

But!!!! other then the langugage im doing swell. i miss being able to talk to people. everyone here is so nuice and i want to talk to them but i cant. and there is nothing called personal space. hugs, hand shakes, and kisses. Awsome. i feel like some of these people can be gay and no one would know.

im the blondest here, everyone loves to touch the hair. But ive yet to cut it so i have the longest hair. Ha i dont cut it cuz i have no idea what to say.

My roomates are leaving this week. i wish i could send pictures. coolest guys ever, when there not trying to teach me. cuz then we all are screaming words in every langugae we know.

I took him to the temple for the first time, and hes already leaving me. i do not know his name, but elder amigo tends to get his attention just fine

kinda cool reading things i know in a new langugae, cuz it is lost in translation, but alot of things are found when translated. like music, scriptures, and what not.

Send pictures, i love them. or letters or actual pictures so i can carry them! i always have a book stuffed with all your stuff when i start to lose my mind.

i saw a dog today, so today was a good day.

if anyone want to send me the brazailand (i cant spell ever) Real, to the $ that would be great.

keep me updated with everything. its weird to think when i get back, aj is gone, porter is gone i think, Elle is in high school? Dads prob put on some weaght (mussel and fat), mom´s still being awsome.

We are going out side the wall today for P-day to go shopping. Yes there is a big steal gate. yes its like a prison, but thats like half this area and its great. people running threw traffic. Driving here suck, lanes are just sujestions for car, people throwing things around. Awsome! just wish i could speak!

im pass the home sickness, but now i just miss people and things. but i figured if i didnt miss things there would be somthing totally wrong with me!

i read everyones eamils i promise, i just cant respond to anyone really. 50 mins goes alot faster down here.

😐

i know nothing about anything i feel like, and im being deployed next week.... Crap....

and ive decided. i need 1 month or so when i get back, that is just movies, tv show, games, skate. Then i will do adult stuff. i am not ready to be an adult

--

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

February 3, 2017

So its been a week... The days feel like forever. We are teaching 2-3 times a day. I cant really speak anything. I can kinda understand things but not really. my group on the other hand can have full blown conversations with eachother. it kinda blows. I use to be able to prepare lessons before hand and translate them. but now we have time for absoulty nothing and i have to go in and just try to get by with saying hey, yes, no, o levro de mormon. thats about it. Also its nothing like spanish!

my name is Goko because of my hair. ive yet to get a hair cut because i cant find them. nor tell them how to cut it. also everyone says they suck here. so im kinda in a pickle.

My buddy got a letter in the mail the other day. It was totatally cut open. there was aparently candy in it and they stole it. AWSOME. but we've been told if you want to send anything you have to wrap it in pictures then just fedx it? fedex doesnt steal things i guess?

we are half way through the mtc and ive yet to learn any portagese. so im not doing good what so ever. This one girl said she was suppose to be here for 6 weeks and shes going on week 8... i really dont want that to happen to me

the days take forever to get over with. but if i try to remember the last p-day it feels like yesterday! weve decided that the time is expodental and it speeds up.

I now have songs that i havent heard in years stuck in my head... but cant remember more then 2 lines of lyrics. 

still trying to send pictures. its so cool here. people are stupid nice and only kinda smell like mexicans.

The whole rice and beans thing. its true. rice and beans always.A.L.W.A.Y.S. but there actually really good here.

i had a whole bunch i wanted to say but i forgot my books. so i will say more next week.

100 push ups, 100 sit ups, run around the block acouple times. and one day. you will be as strong as me -one punch man

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

January 27, 2017

OH MY GOODNESS WHERE DO I START!!!!!

ok i cant send pictures anymore from here. but i think i can save them to my google drive and then you guys can make a page on my google drive for me? i would but here they put you on a timer and i only get 50min.

I went to the temple today.... Prob one of the scarest things and one of the greatest things ever. Alot smaller then any other temple i have seen but not any smaller in the spiret precent and the craftmanship in the wood, stain glass, and gold leaves everywhere! I have to say going to the temple a couple times before helped because, nun of it was in english! but we found a translator and i know basically what to do now. 

Teaching prob has to be the most anoying thing ever. but here me out. for my actual lessons i prepare long amazing talks. lots of great stuff. just a good all around lesson. hour long lesson IF I GO FASAT!!!! but i cant speak in the langugage and i have to translate it.... and it ends up being my buddy talking and only being 5 min.

One of the most annoying things is just being able to awnser thequestions in a way that he needs to hear. knowing how to set the myths straght.... BUT I CANT TELL HIM!!!!!!!! 

alotho ive kinda started to do this with my buddy.... i bear my testomony and he translates the best he can. no one can bear the Johnston Testomony cuz i "baptize" them shortly after. its not as easy as you would think to get ACTORS to want to be baptized. but it works even tho we suck. The gift of toungs!!!!!!

"It must be hard to have a testomony that powerfull, and not be able to say it. It must kill" yes. yes it does. most frusterating thing ever!!!!!

totally behind on my classes for language because im just not very good at them.i have written on my hand "be Humble" and " Have Fé" this is always pushing my limits.

But deus knows my limits and knows my potental, so i know this is posible. just got to keep taking the fatal blows and keep pulling long.

Ive never been so happy for when me and my buddy totally pull off a lesson we thought we were going to blow out our butts, and have never been so sad as for when i cant rememebr any words and i have to go out of class. emotalaly draining. ive never been so tired at night.

I had some scriptures i wanted to share but i cant rememebr them. im pressed for time.

dad i think they go like"everyone will hear the gospel in there own native toung" and that "never give up etarnal happyness for temparary happyness" those have been my favoret scriptures so far even tho i cant rememeber them. The holy ghost is bound by no language. Never give up your long term goal for a short term releaf.

sorry this messege is kinda missionary.... i think there getting to me.... crap

Oh but in my free time me and my buddy only talk about games and movies and what not. currentally hes been talking to me about dungeons and dragons..... saddly now i want to play. i am not proud of this. but it is true. i am talking to my presedent about my wrong doings tomorrow.

____________________________________________________________________________

Can you guys send me my bessings? like my patreartical blessing want what not?

i only email you 2 because im not fast enough to get back to everyone so just send this to them for me 

I LOVE YOU GUYS AND MISS YOU ALL. 

aj = tic tac 

-- 

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

January 24

So im here.... a lot diffrent from the mtc back in the states. Half the bulding is outside, and its weird cuz you're still in the building.

Well i'm really light headed. i think its from not eatting all day, or the long flight.... cuz i havent slept yet since 6:20 in Utah.... i dont quite know how that translates but im tired!

Our roommate does not speak english.... i found out half way through talking to him and he said "que. im doing good no?"

a bug just landed on me. so i put it on my buddy and hes mad at me agin.

birds look funny here.

it smells like a resort

It feels like Georga but just in the summer and were by a lot of water... but im not by water? if that makes sense?

Its so cool here. everything is so diffrent. so many diffrent colors. good and bad smells. there was a cute girls over there. its a good place!

Im still with my compainion from Utah, so thats a plus. we've yet to figure out if were still the new guys here or not... cuz weve done this before?

im having a great time but im sure when im getting into the classes its going to suck agin

HEY so im on the airplane talking to this guy about churches, good guy. but someone bumps him and spills red wine over me. i got some of it out? i would send a picture but i cant send them, but i bet i can still get them!!!!!

I have to Run my new p-day is on Friday. i dont know if thats good or bad yet?

i love you all and miss you guys

--

Live Long, And Prosper

Elder Johnston

January 21, 2017

From Elder Johnston

I dont have grandpas email? but tell him one of the missionarys in his mission is teaching my class. Hes some brizilan guy, His name is Coelho? im going to try to send a picture! i asked if he knew a Fat old man who went with his wife. He totally knows them!

I got a flu shot the other day. There goes 30 bucks! Totally sucks. But i got to play with the metal toy and the magnet piece moves around like its going to fall off? played with that for 20 min.

So far me and my buddy have 1 thing of cinnamon rolls, 2 things of brownies, and 2 boxes of donuts! we are trying our hardest to eat them all before we leave!

Im offically out of cash from me buying candy ;)

I love the classes so much... but can't stand the language... everything is flipped, i cant remember anywords, and its hard cuz my teacher is teaching contenental and i speak brazilian.... so he says oooooo, but i say uuuuuuu.  annoying to try and understand. Most frustrating thing ever!

i love messing with the new guys... They make it too easy somtimes

I miss everyone so much

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

Elder Johnston​

January 19, 2017

I just got my travel plan!!!! Me, Elder Martin, and sister Chugg are all leaving this comming monday!

We set off at 11:06, From salt lake city, UT and arrive in Atlanta GA at  4:50! So i'm comming home!!!!!!!!!

But then i leave at 7:55 for SAO Paule, SP.........Whatever that means?

Ill call you when i can!!!!! WISH ME LUCK

GOODBYE UNITED STATES

i love you guys😝

January 16, 2017

bon dias (good day)

Im doing ok. If i just smother myself with my work i wont have time to be sad.... Thats my Standing right now 

Ive been out of school for almost a year, and a month after leaving for my mission, i really started to miss getting an education. So im so stoked that i get to take one of the coolest classes ever! I knew it was going to be hard... but man is it hard! by far one of the hardest classes ive ever taken in my life!!! The questions aren't hard. But nothing is english. NOTHING IS ENGLISH. So i dont know how to respond to anything! Good thing my companion can speak spanish, so we kinda get by?

If you were wondering if they kinda let up on you after the first day? THEY DO NOT! NO ENGLISH EVER!!!!!! its bassically just a big game of guessing what hes doing with his hands.....I kinda regret not taking a language in high school. Everyone has taken one or 2 languages, and they still have trouble. Then there is me. I suck.

My compainion is just like Aj. kinda dorkey but is smart and acts just like him. so i know how to deal with him. I told him to figure out how many seconds are in my mission without using paper to write on.... this will typically give me 15 min to take a nap. but we both have no idea whats going on half the time. so we kinda get by, by speaking the language we do know to people, so they dont talk to us.

My group is small. we all arrived the same day. Theres 6 of us. 2 boys and 4 girls. girls are crazy good at this language and totally crush me when talking. but i just call them abacxy! haha i told them! But the only spot that i do better then anyone else is in teaching. Thanks dad! i kinda have this rule of thumb, if the girls start to cry its ok, if the boys start to cry. Im totally doing good then!

the hard part is giving lessions in the language. we already have to teach "investigators" in our language... its bad. im actually having a follow up with them tomorrow and i cant have notes. but ive yet to memorize much of anything that would help me.

in about 3 days we will be the the oldest in our branch cuz everone is being shipped out.... so were the big bad dogs now... i think?

Ive never been home sick. not like this. normally i can still talk to people. so its kinda hard. im so use to having 3 missed phone calls from dad. 15 snapchats from mom. and a group chat that i muted. 

its funny cuz now im not only missing everything but i miss all the things that i use to hate!

i kinda understand why we cant talk to people or do much. we have to focus on the work were doing and leave behind all worldly things behind....But family i feel like i should be aloud to miss?

The Dear johns were great! cuz we can check our mailboxes but not so much email cuz were not a tech mission? so i think dear john gets to me the day off if you send it in the morning?

I miss and love all of you.

p.s. i walk around in my leather jacket cuz it smells like home, and chicken nugget in my pocket

Send everyones emails and phone numbers so i can right them down;.

send me pictures and videos and everything!

First email, the day of drop off

January 11, 2017
Hey mom

OH MY GOODNESS MY LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have changed rooms 3 times, as of right now we have no idea where our stuff is. I just spent 20min just trying to find my user name and password. So if you think you feel dumb i feel a 100 times worse. Im totally behind time, and have to make this quick.

Its only been a couple hours maybe ( i havent had time to check my watch i've been running around so much) and i think im already loosing it. no one here talks in english but me and my buddy. good thing they talk with their hands!

my buddy is tech savvy so tthats the only reason you can get this email. 

tell dad sorry for not emailing him, i have no time. the books they gave me are as heavy as my big bags all put together!!! 

I am in for a fight.

i Love you all so much. i would be crying right now if i didnt have to be running back and forth doing just about everything!

ill talk to you guys soon <3

Elder Johnston

Provo MTC Pictures

January 15, 2017

Connors Farewell Talk

January 1, 2017

Please forgive me for my lack of a voice, I've jut gotten back from Orlando Florida, Universal Studios. There is something about going for the first and last time that made me scream just that much louder when I saw Sponge Bob. Please bear with me my voice.

And a side note this is my first talk and the last before I leave.

Good morning Brothers and Sisters,
I have been asked to talk about how we can gain a testimony about the Savior and become fully converted to the gospel.

Alma teaches us how we gain a testimony in Alma, Chapter 32. Here, Alma was teaching the poor. They had gone through many afflictions. Alma explained to the that faith is not having a perfect knowledge of things. He explained tear testimonies, or faith in the Savior, grow like a seed. He explained that the first step to gaining a testimony is to "exercise a particle of faith." Faith is the seed. Alma goes on to explain how this small particle of faith will grow inside us until we come fully converted.

I want to focus on the first step in this process- Faith.

A wonderful example of the principle of faith is found in the Old Testament when the Priests of Israel had to cross the Jordan River. The priests were responsible for taking care of the Ark of the Covenant. They had to carry the Ark across the River. At this time the water level was very high. The priests did not know how they were going to get the Ark across. We read in Joshua, chapter 3:

"And as they that bare the ask were come into Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ask were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) that the waters which came down from above stood up... and the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan. "

The Priests did not know how they were going to cross the river, They were never told that the Lord would stop the flow of water. They actually had to step into the water first- then the miracle came.

In Ether 12 we read,

"For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do not miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith."

Faith comes before the miracle.

Consider the following example from Boyd K Packer. He shared the following experience in the book The Edge of the Light.

"Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as tot he direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do. I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'the trouble is you want to see the end for the beginning.' i applied that would at least like to see a step of two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime; 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness, then the light will appear and show the way before you'."

We are talking about Elder Boyd K Packer!!! It was even hard for him to take the first step. If it was hard for him, how much harder must it be for us to take a step.

I know that many of us are looking for answers. Many of us pray for answers, direction or assistance. Often times we may become discouraged in our search for answers. Remember before we can receive the miracle of guidance from the Lord, we must first exercise faith. We do not exercise faith by just saying we believe- we exercise faith by acting upon our belief. Like the Priests of Israel, we must take the first step. Only then will the answers and miracles come.

Remember you may not see the end. you may not even see a few steps in front of you. And, the steps you take may even seem counterintuitive. But, I know that if we choose to step, and take another, and another the answers and the miracle will come.

What is the first step to take? I submit to you that the answer is simple. Elder Nelson in his talk "Ask, Seek, Know" have us the order of the steps. He said;

"For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines will prevail. The Lord asks you to develop faith, hope, charity and love with an eye single to the glory of God."

It is the order of the steps that is so perfect.

1. Decide to act (exercise faith)

2. Remember to maintain hope that the answers will come (believe in his promises)

3. Charity and Love

Like Boyd K. Packers experience, this may seem crazy. One may think to themselves; I am the one seeking comfort, healing or answers. Showing charity and love to others may seem counterintutive. We may think that we are the ones that needs that love and charity. But the principle is true and answers and miracles will come.

I want to close with my testimony, that I know the Church is true. I know he principles that are taught and I take them to heart. I am honored to be called to serve in the Porto Alegra North Brazil mission.