Your Dad is so Cute!

Dear family,

I just had a wonderful conference weekend with my district. Our timetable was a bit different than yours because of the time difference. We started watching the morning sessions at 6 in the afternoon, and the night sessions from 10 to midnight. (No worries, we had permission to do so). I loved all the conference talks, and in particular Elder Ballard´s about missionary work (giving me courage to open my mouth more) and Elder Scott´s (or was it the other way around? Don´t have my notes with me) about the differences between weakness and rebellion. I´m not too rebellious, so that´s a relief, but I recognize my weaknesses more poignantly each day.

It was also nice to hear and see Dad this weekend (I mean... I had my eyes closed the whole prayer...), and to hear him pray for the missionaries, each one. After the prayer, Hna. Brown blurted out, "Your dad is so cute!" Yes, yes he is.

We began teaching Sandra´s children out in Valverde del Camino, and because of the way our schedule has been, have only taught them once this last week, but hope to visit them 3 times the coming week. The kids are so good- very respectful and interested in what we have to say- particularly the 15 year old daughter. She´s a reader like me, and was so excited when we handed her the Book of Mormon and explained the blessings she´d receive from reading it. I can´t wait to see their faces in church this coming Sunday.

We´ve also started a mission wide goal of reading the Book of Mormon cover to cover before the end of the year, starting today. In just the first few pages, I was taught so much from my study today. I really do love that book. The story of how it came to be revealed and translated by Joseph Smith is incredible- so much so that only the Spirit can truly testify of it´s veracity. One miracle of the Book of Mormon is that just that happens to so many people. In a world of skepticism, we all still have the spark of the light of Christ, and can know good from evil, and people are learning each day that the Book of Mormon comes from God.

Just maybe not too quickly here in Huelva- but we are trying, and it´s amazing how we see the blessings that fall into our hands from obedience and from effort. Hna. Brown and I were marvelling the other day that we honestly don´t see many of the fruits that come directly from our own efforts, but that when we do put our best foot forward, the Lord blesses us indirectly.

Thank you all for your encouragement, love and support. I´m doing well, and don´t need anything right now, but I would ask you all to get to know the missionaries in your area, to pray for opportunities to share the gospel, and then do it. I know you´ll see blessings in your lives and the lives of others as you do so- I see it every day, and there´s nothing more beautiful.

All my love, 

Hna. Johnson

With Sara, a young adult so willing to help