Happy 4th of July!!

Lizzie's convert Sister Nawaia!!! She recognized me because I look like the Sister Johnson she knew:) I was so happy to meet her and see a little piece of Lizzie's mission now that I'm Sister Johnson:)

Two other sisters, Sister Page and Sister Smyer, that are the cutest and so sweet! I love them!

Me and Sister Muhlestein celebrating the 4th of July!

Hello!!

Happy 4th of July!! Best Holiday ever! (Besides Christmas). We actually celebrated the 2nd of July this year instead of the 4th... but it was still fun! We got to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks from the MTC parking lot. There was kind of a giant building in the way though. They said there would be little ones and then there would be the big ones and we'd see those so we just needed to be patient, but it kind of seemed like they were all behind the building... So they were over and I was like, wait what I didn't even see them! But it was really fun and I'm so glad they let us relax and watch them:) I'm so grateful for the freedom that we have and for this wonderful country we live in. We needed our freedom and our religious freedom for this gospel to even come forth. The timing of everything is so amazing, and God is so good to us.

This last Wednesday there were 24 new missionaries that came into our zone so Me and Sister Muhlestein and our Zone Leaders got to welcome them and show them around. Today though there are 34 new missionaries coming! So we'll be busy tonight! When we came to the MTC a long two weeks ago, there were only 11 new missionaries in our zone. So 34 is going to be exciting!:) I love being a Sister Training Leader with Sister Muhlestein! It's fun to get to know everyone and see from her example how to love others and help them feel welcome.

I've learned so much this week, but something that really stuck out to me was something my teacher Sister Johnson taught me. It's about never giving up - with investigators, or goals, or friends, or anything. She said that the Savior can't turn nothing into something. Even if what we're doing seems like it's making things worse and not helping at all, the Atonement can turn bad things to good. But He can't turn nothing into something good. So never give up. Do your best to help others and to come closer to Christ, because even if feels like it's not doing anything right now, Christ can make it into something good. 

On Sunday we watched a talk by Elder Holland called Missionaries are Forever. (I think that's what it's called). I wish I could tell you everything about it, but there's too much good stuff! Basically it was about how this mission will change my life forever if we let it. It's going to stretch me and push me, but man's extremity is God's opportunity. When we push ourselves to the very edge, that's when God can take over and make up the rest. This mission is now my life and my home. This is my time to be Heavenly Father's helper and Elder Holland said don't you dare waste these 18 months, so I'm not going to! It's going to be tough, but the happy, sad, good, bad, rainy, and sunny days will all become part of my soul and who I am. The reason it's hard is because Salvation is not a cheap experience. Why should it be easy for us if it wasn't easy for Him? The road to Salvation goes through Gethsemane so as disciples and followers of Christ we all have to expect some time in Gethsemane. We need to have a taste of what Gethsemane was like so that we can all carry that message and that hope to others. 

We are all missionaries. Even if we're not all in the same mission, we're on the same mission:) This gospel can change our lives, and it can help others change their lives. Come unto Christ and live by example so that others may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven:) (3 Ne. 12:16).

I love you all! Have a fabulous week:)

Love, Sister Johnson