True Conversion

Hello Family!

We had a great week! Nothing too eventful happened, but we're happy and doing great! We've officially been companions for over a month now too, so that's exciting:)

Here's one little miracle from the week:) So we came down the stairs from a building and there was a guy waiting for the elevator. We said hello and then gave him a card. We started talking and he was really interested in coming to church so we were all excited and we were telling him about church. Then his elevator came so he got in and we started to leave. But then I thought, Man! We didn't even teach him anything. I should have given him a Book of Mormon! and then, because God is good, something happened to the elevator and the door opened again and he was there! So I seriously ran over and I was like, Wait! Gertice! And I gave him a Book of Mormon and taught him a little about it. He needed that Book of Mormon, that's why the elevator didn't work;)

This week I was reading in my study journal from the MTC and I read something from Elder Holland. He said, "You need to be the very first convert you ever have." I have to be truly converted, because I can't convert anyone beyond my own conversion! We had a lesson with a less-active that I finally felt like things clicked in my head. The Restoration of the gospel and the Book of Mormon are central to conversion!! She had some concerns and doubts about church authority and some other commandment/policy things, but instead of talking about how those really are commandments, we focused on how questions are good and normal! We need to have questions just like Joseph Smith, so that we can ask and come to know for ourselves if it's true! We all need to convert ourselves, we can't rely on someone else's conversion! And the Book of Mormon is the way we can know for ourselves! So keep reading everyday;)

We're focusing lots on Less-actives and they just keep appearing!! It's amazing! We got a media referral for a less-active which I didn't know was a thing, and then we had a less-active just call and reach out to us that we were able to teach! (She's the experience above). It's wonderful and we're determined to help these wonderful sheep come back to the fold!:)

One of the biggest things I feel like I've learned on my mission along with this true conversion topic is how critical the primary answers really are! Scriptures, prayer, and church. It's not just nice to do, it's necessary! That's how we get the strength we need every day and week! That's how we show we're committed and how we stay committed!

Me and Sister Israelsen keep laughing about how a mission really is like a rollercoaster. It's up and down and all over the place but I love it! It's so much fun! I think I've said that probably a thousand times to Sister Israelsen haha! I just think it's so much fun to walk around the streets of New York talking to people and trying to follow the spirit to be guided to where we need to be! Of course there are times where it's a bit overwhelming and we don't know what we're doing, but I would never trade this time for anything in the world:) And I've also realized more and more how much I LOVE bus contacting! We travel all over, and our travel time becomes our finding time which is so awesome! I love it and I'm legit in love with Harlem:) I never want to leave! Being a missionary is the coolest experience in the whole world!

Thanks for all the love and support! I love you so so much! I have the best family in the whole world and I'm super excited for all of your fun Christmas adventures! Make it a great week!

Love, Sister Johnson

Central Park in the fall is BEAUTIFUL!

I love my companion!