Address

Elder Eric Johnson
2516 Normandy Dr. SE Apt. 304-C
Grand Rapids, MI 49506


Please send letters or packages by First class or Priority Mail via U.S.P.S. so they can be forwarded to him.

Monday, August 21, 2017

8/21/17

Fam, 

Life is good mid transfer. Last P-day we got an email from a former missionary in our zone who just got home and is now married. It only took him 21 days after returning which is a little insane. The previous transfer we heard of someone engaged after 4 weeks and I thought that was fast haha. 

This week we did a lot of finding work. We knocked and visited many former investigators. It's always a huge testimony builder when we prayerfully pick out a few names and visit them. This last week we caught about 70% or so of the people we chose as they were walking into their homes. That is such a huge blessing because no one likes people knocking on their doors and people are far more open when we just talk with them on the street. People get the false idea we are trying to sell them things when we are on their door step. Also we look like the migra (immigration) which is really unfortunate. 

We had two exceptional lessons this week. 

The first was with Pedro again. We had a lesson where were going to talk about the importance of the BoM and the bible. Normally he doesn't open up very much but this time he did. He expressed some confusion over why we need the BoM. He said from what he has read that it teaches basically the same stuff as the Bible, which it does. There is a really good quote I wish we used and knew about when we walked into that lesson. 



President Ezra T Benson said "It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance." 

Most of our lesson was just testimony of the Book of Mormon and it was awesome. Hopefully that was what Pedro needed to start progressing. Quietly at the end he told us that he needed to start reading and praying more. 

The Book of Mormon is a powerful book of scripture that has made me who I am and is continually helping me become a better person. I know its true because I've read it and have felt the confirmation of the spirit of its truthfulness. There is no other way to gain that witness than by reading the message it contains and asking if it really is true with a willingness to make the necessary changes to live in accordance to its principles. 

The other lesson was with the Aguilar family. The last few lessons we've focused a lot on understanding the spirit and recognizing it. We've given them little booklets to write little experiences they've had. Gilda had to leave to pick up their son from work, but Natividad had a few stories to share. He talked about the peace he felt as he read through the BoM at work during his lunch break, he also mentioned that he felt something nice as he was praying about his family the night before. Natividad is definitely ready to be baptized but his wife isn't quite ready to take that step quite yet. She has only said she hasn't felt like she has received a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the BoM. I'm not certain but I think she is just holding something back. Progress is slower but hopefully something changes soon. 

We had interviews with the President this week. It was really good. We had quite a bit of time compared with the few I had with the previous Pres. We just talked about how I've been doing for almost 30 minute, it was pretty nice. With Elder Barrows leaving it's going to be interesting to see what happens to our district. Apparently there were two elders coming in next transfer, which would have meant Elder Rencher and I would train, but sadly one went home from the CCM. Elder Guerrero is coming up on his year mark so he is the closet to leave. Also he has trained before (me). Elder Rencher trained Elder Barrows, which leaves me being the only one who hasn't trained yet. We'll know what happens in about 2 weeks. The new elder is Elder Magalei from Utah and he is Polynesian. I'm not sure which MTC he is in.

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