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