Sister Sarah Johnson: Christmas music for days :)

Hi Family!

We are just wrapping up our Book of Mormon reading challenge as a mission this week. I have loved reading as a mission, and we will finish tomorrow! This week I was reading in Ether 2&3 and I loved the story of the Brother of Jared. After making the barges like the Lord said, he went to the Lord asking how to light them. Then comes my favorite part. The Lord tells him what not to do, and then in verse 23 says, "What will ye that I should do that he may have light in your vessels?" Basically, 'you tell me! What do you want me to do? Go ahead, be creative and let me know when you have an idea.' I love that about our Heavenly Father. He gave us a brain and the gift of agency to act and to choose! We can change and we can be agents for change!

That ties into another thought I was pondering about this week. I came to the conclusion that the gospel is all about change. Everything! Our purpose on earth, our purpose as missionaries, our purpose as friends, parents, and members to help others change and grow. That's what I feel the gospel of Jesus Christ is centered around. Changing for the good to be more like Christ and receive the Holy Ghost or to then change/improve to keep it with us! We had our Zone Conference yesterday which focused a lot on changing and repenting as well. It's amazing. The power to change?! That is so cool! Repentance is cool:) And it's only through and because of Jesus Christ's Atonement that we can do that.

Jennifer and Luke are doing well. Jennifer came to a fun wreath making party we had for the relief society and loved it! Jennifer has been having some medical issues lately, but they're still going strong and they're excited for our ward Christmas Party this weekend.

Me and Sister Westover have enjoyed being companions. The other night we played Christmas hymns on our flute and violin outside of the Lincoln Square Chapel downtown while missionaries handed out hot chocolate to people walking by. We will also play in our Ward Christmas Program as well as our Mission Christmas devotional this weekend! We love it and I'm glad I get to serve with her:)

Make it a great week!

Love, Sister Johnson

After freezing our fingers off while playing Christmas hymns in front of the Lincoln Square chapel! So worth it though:)

You can't see the top of it super well, but these are the Book of Mormon Musical ads that travel all over the city on little taxi toppers. Had to get a picture with one! Even though it's not from us, we get excited when we see them and we use the Book of Mormon Musical to our advantage quite a bit because everyone has heard about it!