Howdy!

On June 4, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Well, not much to write this week...seeing as I'll be home real soon...

We had the baptism of Rodrigo this week. It was very cool, he really needs the church. Now we can only pray that the ward will visit him. He feels a lot more at peace in his life since he started going to church. He is a great guy. We will be having a baptism this week of a girl named Nahomy (9 years old). She is excited and ready to be baptized, we only needed for her uncle to get home from the mission to do it, and now he's back!!! It is a great way to finish my mission, right?

I love you all, and hope you are well!

Until real soon:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On May 22, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Well, we went on an adventure yesterday, and did not have time to write, so I just want you to know that I'm O.K. and that I love you a lot!!!!

Berenice and Virginia got baptized!!! WOOO HOOO!!!

I am excited to see you really, really soon!!!

Love:

Elder Johnson

And on May 28, 2012 Elder Johnson sent two pictures and simply wrote to all:

I love you all so much!!!

Love:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On May 14, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello Everyone!

This week was really groovy because I was able to talk to my family. It was wonderful to be able to see their faces, and talk to them. We have been looking forward to the day when we could say, "Well, one month and we'll come and see you in Mexico!" Now it is one month minus one day...Woot woot!!

Our investigator Berenice who could not get baptized because she smoked is going to be baptized this week! She is very excited, and happy that it is finally time. Her mother will be baptized shortly after, in the coming weeks. We have been working hard at being willing to contact people in the street. It's difficult to stop them and talk to them about Jesus. I really do, however, enjoy being able to see lives get changed from the message that we share.

My companion is doing great, he is such a hard worker and a great teacher. He can make a special connection with the people and help them understand the message of the restoration and apply it to their own lives. I figure it's pretty hard to be with someone who is going home in a few weeks, I give him credit for being such a good sport.

I included some pictures from my birthday. A sister in our ward threw me a party, and we ate cake.

I love you all!!

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On May 7 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello All!!

Well, this week was fun. It's cool to be with another Elder Johnson. He and I are working really hard. We should have a few baptisms this week. Evelia, our political friend, and Susana, the girlfriend of a future missionary. We are hoping all goes well with their special days! Elder Johnson is really helping me with the work. He has a great fire for the mission and is helping me stay strong. We have been stuggling with trying to got our investigators to church, but we realize maybe it's just not their time yet.

I hope you all are staying up-to-date with the bible videos of Jesus that the church is putting out (these can be found at lds.org). They are fantastic. They are really captivating the Old Jewish culture really well. The only thing I don't like is the accents, but that's the good thing about being able to understand Spanish...when they record them in Spanish, it'll all be in a Spanish accent, and not muddled accents. Woot woot! Looking forward to that!!!

I feel impressed to write a little about something...I don't want to, but I feel I should. I have been thinking a lot about tragedies, specifically when one close to us experiences them. It's difficult. There aren't many things to say to help us feel better...but there is hope. When we are focused on the happiness that follows the tragedy, we will feel at peace. This is not the end, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, even though it may be dim, or invisible, it is there. God taught the Prophet Joseph Smith that his "adversities and afflictions (would) be but a small moment." It sometimes seems endless our suffering, and we may cry out, "why me?" but I have the hope that we will not be called upon to suffer such pains forever. I know we won't. President Uchtdorf taught that "hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness." In what should we hope? In the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ. Christ has overcome every sickness, every worry, every pain, every mistake, and even death itself, if and when we are willing to put out hope and faith in Him. Hope is real. Hope leads to faith which leads to knowledge, but how can we ever have the knowledge, happiness, peace, or forgiveness, if we choose to be sad and mope around, and not ask to apply God's love and grace through the Atonement of His Only Begotten? There is no way. He died for you. He rose again for you. He lives, for you.

I love you all so much.

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On Monday, April 30 Elder Johnson wrote:

Family and Friends:

Well, we had transfers and now I have a new companion. His name is Elder Johnson. Ha ha. So Elder Johnson and Elder Johnson will work together. It's interesting because we are the only "Elder Johnsons" in the mission. He is from Utah, and has the same amount of time as my companion Elder Schultz, about 14 months. We are excited and look forward to calling our Mamas in a couple weeks.

We are teaching a lady named Evelia who wants to be baptized, the only problem is that she is soooooooooooo busy. It's election time here in Mexico in about a month to two months, and she is working really hard campaigning for her party, which sucks up all of her time. But she loves it. We are hoping that in the next few weeks that the work cools down and she will be able to be baptized.

It's strange being at the last transfer of my mission. Looking back, I have learned a lot, and I am pleased with the progress I have made. Please keep me in your prayers so that I will be able to work hard and "endure to the end."

It's time to tell you all to stop sending me things in the mail, because I will not get it!

I love you all so much!
Be happy!

Elder Iver Johnson

Howdy!

On April 23, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote: Dear Family and Friends: Well, these last weeks have been crazy. My companero was changed last Monday and I'm with an elder called Elder Mamani, he's from Peru. We are getting along well. He and I go home the same day, so we will be expecting other companeros in the coming week. I am working hard to find the people that God has prepared, I know they are there, but they are hidden really well. I hope that in the next weeks we can find them. It's looking like my favorite fruit "tuna" (cactus fruit) will get ripe a week or two before I head home. It's going to be weird being on the official count-down here in a week. It will be my last transfer in the mission. It's too bad I don't have more, however, I am looking forward to the other very important things that come after. We are teaching a wonderful lady named Evelia, she has the desire to be baptized in the coming weeks. I love you all so much. Elder Iver Johnson

Howdy!

On April 2, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

That was a good conference! I really enjoyed it and was able to find many answers to my questions. I was happy to find that when we got to the stake center, there was a room set apart for the English speaking people and I was able to hear the Prophet's voice in English, which rocked. It is always more powerful listening to him and not a translator. When we got there some people from my first ward told me that Benjamin was there, I looked and looked as soon as it was over, but I couldn't find him. I hope in the next few weeks we can get together. We were able to take Virginia and Berenice to the conference, they liked it a lot and definitely felt that the spirit was there.

We have a baptism planned this week for Liliana. She chose her own date, the 6th, which is significant in the church, and will be very significant for her.

We are working hard on getting closer as a companionship. We have made little progress, but little is better than none.

Today we went to a large Catholic Cathedral and it was interesting. It is a very reverent place inside, however it is not the same reverence as what we have in the church. It seems to say: It's good here, but we're missing something. It helps me connect with the people here better. They always say they feel good when they go to their church, and that's why they like it and don't want to change. I understand, because it is way different from the outside world, however, it just doesn't feel like the happy reverence found in our church buildings and especially our temples. I am happy I had that experience and I hope that it will help me understand the needs of the people better so that I can teach them the Gospel according to their needs, especially when they don't want to go to our church. God is a happy God, not a sad, reverent God.

I was amazed and astounded this week during the conference. On Saturday, President Packer spoke. That poor guy is getting old, and having a hard time. I could see that. As he was speaking, to my amazement, I saw angels ministering unto him and helping him as he spoke. It brought peace to my heart and tears to my eyes to see that God is indeed interested in his sons and daughters, and is willing and wanting to help them when they need it. How I pray that we can live our lives as to be worthy of the heavenly aid that is in store for us.

I hope you all study and re-study the words of the living prophets. Heaven forbid we don't listen and follow, for God has spoken.

I love you all so much!

Elder Johnson

From Michelle: The picture above is Iver art, sent on the back of an envelope all the way from Mexico...thrilling to see when I opened up the mailbox!!!

Howdy!

On March 26, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello!

Well this week was interesting. My companion hasn't quite opened up this week, but we keep trying. I'm hoping that soon we will be able to make some progress. As soon as we do, we are going to be good friends. I just need to find a way into his shell.

We are teaching a family that lives in two wards (the parents are divorced). All the children who live in the other ward all got baptized, and now we are praying for the mom and the other sister here in our ward. The mom is named Virginia and the daughter is named Berenice. The mom has recently given up smoking, and so we hope that she continues with not smoking. We are visiting them everyday so that she doesn't do it. We are also teaching a young woman named Liliana who has made the decision to be baptized the first week in April. She is excited and happy. We are hoping to find more families this week so that they can come to church and be baptized and be happy!

I am stating to feel funny, being one of the "ancient" missionaries. It's strange to think that shortly I'll be home again and in a few months I'll be back in school. Time is going by fast, it seems like yesterday that I got to my first area here in Mexico.

I am hoping that in the next few weeks I can go see Benjamin and the other people I taught in my old area. It will be good to see them again.

Love:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On March 19 Elder Johnson wrote:

Well,

This week was good. Elena was confirmed and is so excited about being a member that she brought a friend to church. It is cool to see others have the desire of sharing the Gospel. Elder Nava and I made rice crispy treats for the Relief Society, and they were a hit. We are hoping that from that we will receive a lot of help from the ward. We need to help get them excited.

It seems that right when things "get rolling" in my areas, that they send me to a new area. I was transferred to the city of Queretero again, to the ward called Villas. It's odd, because it is the ward right next to my first area. It is just across the street. My new companion is named Elder Miron. He is from Vera Cruz, and I have yet to see him smile. I hope I can break into his shell and we can be friends.

Well, not much time...

I love you all!

Elder Iver Johnson


From Michelle:

Sorry I didn't post last week. Corbin and I are getting ready to travel to Mexico City to pick Iver up in June, and his letter was just instructions for us.

Howdy!

On March 5, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello Everyone!

Well, this week was a good week, Eusebio was confirmed and this weekend we will have another baptism. Her name is Maria Elena, but she goes by Elena. She is friends with one of the future missionaries in our ward and was really interested in the Gospel. She went to church the first time all alone. We have been working hard with her, and she is so excited about her baptism. I sent a picture of my companion and I and Elena and her member friend Daniel.

It has been hot here this week. But despite the weather, the work continues. We met a family who lives about an hour from our church who is so interested in hearing the gospel. The dad's name is Luis and the mom is named Sonia. They have two kids, Juanita, 15 years old or so, and Luis, 7 years old. Luis, the big one, is very sick, and has to go to the hospital every week to have blood transfusions. They had to do that every Sunday, but changed it to Saturday so that they can come to church. Sonia says that she wants her son to be a missionary also. We are hoping that that does happen. Every time we go, Sonia makes us something to eat, and loves to talk to us.

I have been reading a lot from the Conference Ensign, and have been touched by the talk of President Monson titled: "Stand in Holy Places." I hope you all take the opportunity to read it and pray for how you can apply it in your lives.

With Much Love:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On February 27, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello All:

Well this week we worked hard and had one baptism. Eusebio was baptized and he has had a perma-grin ever since. I love to see people make these sacred covenants with God, and it's very cool to see them want to keep them. We are working with his wife and kid, Maria and Victor, who have a baptismal date for the 11th of March. They are so excited, and Victor wanted to join his dad in the water. He said, "we might as well just do it, we are here afterall...." It was cool to see that. Afterwards they invited us over for a Mole, (moe-lay) which was very spicy and really, really wonderful. We helped them buy some of the ingredients and make it. Now I have a basic idea how to do it.

We were visited by the area president, Elder Daniel Johnson, who taught us how to support and sustain our leaders, which involves being obedient to what they ask us to do. He was very in tune with the spirit and a few of the things he said were answers to my prayers and said right to me.

I hope you are all well, and such.

Love:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On February 20, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello Friends:

This week we might just see a miracle. Silvia told us that she wants to get baptized. Her kids have not made that decision, but she has. We are soooooo excited and ready to see her get baptized. We also will have the baptism of a man named Eusebio. He is very excited about being baptized, and setting the example for his family. We are working hard on finding new people to teach, and we are hoping that this week we will be able to find some new families. The scriptures tell us to "ask and it shall be given" and we've been asking a lot for families. We will have this week a special meeting with Presidente/Elder Johnson (he's a seventy) which should be wonderful and spiritual. After a brief conversation with him about a month ago, we found that our families are related through some people in the Nauvoo era. It'll be cool receiving help and guidance from a distant relative.

Last week I went to D.F. (Mexico City) to sign my visa (it feels good to be legal again) with none other than my buddy Elder Glover. We had a great time, and it was so cool to see him speak perfect Spanish. He is a district leader close to my old area in Hidalgo, and is having wonderful success. It reminds me of the scripture in Alma 29: 14-17:


14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.

15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!

16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.

17 And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever, and may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen


I marvel in seeing my friends work and return from missions, and my joy is a lot knowing that they have worked and brought our brethren unto God again.

Please give Spencer a hug for me.

Love:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On February 6, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Well, Elder Hilario was transferred this week, but he is doing so much better! Thank you for your prayers on his behalf. He has decided that he wants to still be a missionary, which is wonderful. My new companion is from Oaxaca (wah-ha-ka), his name is Elder Nava. We are excited to be workin' together. He is short and skinny like me (though I'm not incredibly skinny anymore...) and we should fit better into our tiny house. He wants to be a farmer after his mission, like his parents. He is really nice and we will get along well.

This week, Luis, the brother of Doris came to church for the first time. It has been difficult to get him to church because he works at night. Right now he has a lot of "dudas" (questions, or doubts) about whether or not it's the real church because we don't do exactly what the Pentacost church does. We will be helping him to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if it is true, and if Jose (Joseph) Smith was a prophet of God, that will help him resolve his own doubts and put his trust in God. He is a great guy, and when I'm praying, he always throws in some "hallelujas" and "Yes, God!". That is pretty interesting.

We will be working really hard to find new investigators and bring them to church this week. I hope we can do it!!

I love you all!

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On January 30, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello All:

Well this week in San Juan has been a little cold, with rain and wind, but here we are working along.

My companion and I have been struggling to find people to teach, but we are working at it. We found the mother of a young person in our ward who is not a member, she is very interested, and told us that she has been thinking about getting baptized, which is wonderful. Her name is Araceli, but goes by Celi (said: Shelly...I don't get that one...). I am hoping that everything goes well with that, and that she accepts to go to church this Sunday. We are continuing teaching Doris and Victor, who are getting ready for their baptism in February. We are planning on helping Doris keep away from the bottle by making a box with many pictures of Christ on it, and candies inside with scriptures on them. The idea is that when the temptation comes, that she will take a candy and read the scriptures instead of drinking. I hope it works.

Please keep my companion, Elder Hilario, in your prayers this week. He is struggling and needs a lot of prayers.

I appreciate all the love you send my way and for the support you give me.

Love:

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On January 23, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello, Cadets:

Well, the [family we have been working with] will not be getting baptized this month, and probably not the next, but at least we planted some seeds, and they'll grow. It's unfortunate to see that and I felt sad, but I did everything I could and in the end, they still have their freedom to choose.

Well this next week should be good! We went to the state of Mexico to help a couple of couples get married, two are already baptized, but want to go to the temple, and two are old investigators, Victor and Doris. They came to church this last week and we are excited to be teaching them again.

Today we went and had a barbeque with our district, we made carne asada and cooked sausages, after we played soccer and I got sunburnt. It was fun.

My companion's brother, Adrian, got called to serve a mission in Cuernevaca, Mexico and leaves in April. It's very exciting because his family didn't think that he was going to go, but now he has his call. I hope you keep him in your prayers, because those months before the mission are terribly hard, and he needs that help.

I hope you all are well. I love you!

Elder Iver Johnson

Howdy!

On January 16, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Well this week was a little rough. Unfortunately Silvia and her kids did not get baptized, but we are trying hard to do what we can to help them. They feel really nervous about getting baptized. The man down under is working hard to have them not get baptized. We will be working hard to fix that.

This week chicken pox hit the ward, almost all of the little kids were sick and out of school all week. Sucks for them, but we were able to visit members and talk with them about sharing the gospel. I was worried because my companion thinks he has never had it, but it appears that he has because he hasn't gotten the pox yet. Good news.

We have been having some difficulties having unity with our ward, especially with the bishop, but after some long conversations with him, things are looking up. We should be able to do a lot better work with them on our side. They might even call a ward mission leader (ours went inactive and we can't find him). We are hoping that will happen. It should be good. Real good.

It seems that the time is slipping away fast, which is good because it gives me more of a reason to work really hard. Sooner than we can believe, we'll be seeing each other.

Well, I love you all so much!

Elder Johnson

Howdy!

On January 9, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Hello Family:

Well this week went pretty fast. Before I knew it we were in church taking the Sacrament again. I do enjoy bringing people to church who like it and want to go. Silvia offered a wonderful prayer this week and said, "Help us make the change to this church, that it will be smooth for us and that we will feel comfortable there." The only thing I am worried about is her son, Manuel. He doesn't like the primary teacher (she's a yeller) and doesn't really want to go. Please pray for him that some miracle will happen and he will want to go. They have plans to be baptized this week after church. It will be a special day. I am excited to see them all dressed up in white. Please, please keep them in your prayers.

In Mexico there is a day that is called dia de los Reyes Magos. It is the sixth of January, and we celebrate it as the day the Wise Men came to visit the Christ Child. All the ninos get gifts and at night we eat a rosca (sweet bread in the shape of a wreath with dried fruits on top) and drink hot chocolate. Inside the rosca is hidden a little doll that represents the Christ hiding from the evil King Herod, who wants to find him and kill him. After the rosca is cut, everyone grabs a piece and whoever finds the little doll has to buy everyone tamales on the 2nd of February. Luckily I didn't find the little doll, but my companion did! I'm looking forward to the tamales in February. I hope he buys Oaxacan tamales, those are the best.

We will be working hard this week with some family members of some people in our ward. They are very nice, but very Catholic, which is not that new for me, but it will be good to help them pray and receive an answer. They are named Victor, Roman, Rafael, and Carmen.

I love you all!

Elder Iver Johnson

From Michelle:

Today we received a very special package from Mexico! It was filled with wonderful letters and little gifts, handmade by Iver and some of the people he is working with. My heart is absolutely singing!! I have posted a photograph here of the watercolor painting he sent to me. In my letter, he described it with the lyrics to a fabulous song from the movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou: "I'll be somewhere a-workin', I'll be somewhere a-workin', I'll be somewhere a-workin' for my Lord." Beautiful, beautiful Iver.

On January 2, 2012 Elder Johnson wrote:

Well, only 22 more letters from Mexico. Crazy.

This week was good! We were able to bring a family to church! Woo hoo! A mam and her three kids (her husband died a few years ago), la senora Silvia, Daniella, Manuel, and Roberto. It was cool to walk up the their house and see them leaving to get in the car and saying, "Hurry! We don't want to be late to church!" They are friends of a member in our ward and are progressing really well. They will be great members when they get baptized.

We were invited to a dinner on Saturday. We had a lot of fun and ate some good food. The family we were with are investigators, one of the hijos is a member of the church, but his parents and sister aren't. We are trying to fix that...We had to leave at nine, but it was fun. When we were at home, my companion wouldn't let me sleep. At midnight we watched the fireworks from our window and ate 12 grapes, one each toll of the bell. Then we got out our suitcases and walked around the apartment. There are some weird traditions here in Mexico. Lookin' forward to that midnight kiss that is tradition in my home and native land.

After that he let me sleep, and we had to get up at 6:30 to get ready. Yup.

I hope you all had a good New Year's Eve and have a prospero ano. I love you all!

Elder Johnson