B-day P-Day! :)

Hello Family!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes:) This is definitely a birthday to remember! The big 20, no more teens for me! But... I'll always be a kid at heart! Today we went to Central Park and all played kickball as a zone. It was the most beautiful sunny spring today, nice and warm in the 70's with a little breeze. So many people were out enjoying the sun and their spring break! After kickball us sisters went and we walked around and had a little picnic in the park. I love Central Park! It's so beautiful!! I can't believe I'm here in New York and I got to spend this birthday here as a missionary. I love serving my Heavenly Father and I know that this is where he needs me to be:) I sure am one lucky missionary though:)

This week we had Zone Conference which was wonderful! One thing I wrote down that I really liked was "Changing behavior without the Savior isn't repentance." We must remember the Savior as we change and become better, because He is what makes it possible to change our hearts and our nature. Repentance really is cool:)

Ana and Sal are doing great! They are so prepared! We had our first real lesson with them on Thursday and we just set expectations with them and helped them understand our purpose. Before we even asked, Sal was like, "So when are you going to baptize me?" They truly are seeking the truth! Ana wants to be more sure before she commits, but they don't even hesitate to act on what's good. They are so open and prepared:) Plus they are super funny! Sal wants to be a missionary so bad! And he basically thinks I'm just a chill, peaceful, down to earth person, who seems like I like to just bake cookies. He told us that like five times haha! But it was nice to realize that the reason I am able to be that way is because of Jesus Christ. If we have a foundation on Christ, then we can make it through whatever rocky ups and downs come our way. I'm grateful for the foundation that He gives me:)

Funny quote from the week: "I don't want a head on a platter, I want a CAKE!" - Milagros. She is one of our less actives and she was talking about how in the Bible when someone asked for John the Baptists head for her birthday. The things that come up when we talk to people... haha! We were dying because her and her daughter Stephanie are just hilarious! 2nd funny quote, from Stephanie this time. Milagros was around the corner in the kitchen like 7 feet away, cause NY apartments. She yelled mom like 3 times and Milagros didn't respond so Stephanie goes "Sometimes my mom can't hear me cause we live in a mansion." Just the way she casually said it was hilarious! Maybe you have to be there in the moment for those... but it was funny:)

We had Stake Conference and our Stake Presidency got reassigned because our Stake President, President Buckner, was just called to be in the Quorum of the 70:) The 2nd counselor of the presidency that just got released, President Gonzalez, bore a powerful testimony that really hit me. He talked about how every structure and building needs framework when it's being built to support it until it's strong enough to stand on its own. It needs support until the cement or scaffolding is hardened and solid. Our callings in the church are our framework, and when they are removed we can then stand strong on our own. Heavenly Father gives them to us to prepare and strengthen us. I am so grateful for this framework as a missionary to build me up. I pray that I can become strong the way Heavenly Father needs me to be, so that I can stand strong when the framework is removed. I love being a missionary, I love this gospel, and I love my Savior. I'm grateful for my Father's plan, and for His love for each one of us. He's building me up and He's building you up every day! And someday, we will be able to stand strong in His presence:) 

I love you all! Enjoy your Easter:) #PrinceOfPeace (If you haven't seen the video you should watch it!)

Love, Sister Johnson 

Kickball in Central Park

BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!!

Sarah ran into some friends from Farmington at Central Park. Stockton Welch was a drum major with Sarah and this is his family! Stockton is currently on his mission