December 9, 2017

Had a remarkable visit from this fella in blue. Ty and his dad Jared, made a special trip on the way home from their family vacation during their lay over to meet me and spend an hour with me and my companion.

I was kinda hesitant that the visit would distract us from the work, but I'm super grateful it happened.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous that I would be a disappointment to make such an effort to visit me, a missionary in Jersey. All nerves went away when we shook hands and started talking. It was a little tough to find my English words, since we always speak in Spanish, but it was a visit I won't forget and one that recharged my efforts for the next 6 months. 

I really appreciated meeting a young man that you can see and feel the light in. I've shaken hundreds of hands on my mission and spent a lot of time looking into others eyes and Ty is definitely one of those few that you can tell has an awesome heart. I won't forget the efforts and this visit, and I hope they got as much out of it as we did as missionaries. It helped me remember who I was before my mission and why I came out. What a cool family.  

November 27, 2017

Being on a mission and not being able to focus on myself has been the greatest thing that I have ever done in my life. I’m so grateful for this awesome opportunity that I have and I’m so grateful for you all. I’m grateful for Mom’s love and patience, dad’s ingenuity and wisdom, Brooke’s sweet attitude and Maddie’s endless fun. Thank you so much. I love you :)
Elder Combs and I get along great. We had a lot of fun this week as we taught our investigators and got to know the English ones. A super awesome experience for was Thanksgiving day. It was a lot different than last year because we only had three appointments and only one was Hispanic. It felt like home.

So one thing we are still working on is taking pictures.. as you know I’m not nearly as diligent with that now as I used to be. So this week’s one picture was the house of one of the member families that invited us over for thanksgiving dinner. Elder Combs and I thought this house was super awesome! I don’t think that I’ve ever been in a house so big!

November 6, 2017

This area is awesome! So it’s pretty much that we are English elders in a very wealthy area but we speak Spanish with anyone who doesn’t speak English. Our ward is super awesome! We are teaching four people that are all preparing for baptism, just picked up several new investigators and just received a bunch of referrals from Salt Lake. One of which came from the Meridian Temple Open House ☺️

 I really do believe that it is a significant contribution to the Lord’s work when we invite our friends to church activities. And a lot of the times those blessings end up affecting our loved ones!

My Supa companion Elder Combs and I eating Panda at the Freehold Mall (super nostalgic).

October 23, 2017

Rubix Cube Master

Candy Store Heaven

October 9th, 2017

We had a great week in Passaic. Like mom had hinted to we did in fact have a special visitor! It was such a fun surprise! He sent us a text asking us if he could send us a pizza and both Elder Ruiz-Casas and I were super stoked.

July 9th

                                 ,
Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry I haven't been sending more emails lately. I've sent videos to my parents, but most are too large to attach. Here are some photos that will hopefully update you all. I love New Jersey. I've transferred to a new area again. It reminds me a lot of Newark. The members are mostly all Hispanic. There is a bunch of energy and love for one another here.

We said goodbye to President and Sister Taggart a couple weeks ago and now are getting to know our new Mission President, President Hess and Sister Hess. They are Awesome!

We were able to attend a baptism of a young 9 year old boy that was taught by the elders before our transfer. It was so great being able to set up our first baptism program, but as you can see, we overfilled the font and I got a bit trunky wishing I could dive in. 😇

My testimony and love for our Savior grows while serving in every new area. A mission stretches every part of me and teaching about the basic principles reminds me of how much we are each loved by him. Thank you for the support and love I feel from all of you.

Sorry this email is so stinking short. Love you all!

Elder Lucas Michael Johnson            
New Jersey Morristown Mission

Some of these captions may be out of order, you may need to mix and match...

Scrubbing down the font.

    We overfilled it and I got super duper trunky!

                         So then this happened...Check out my Swim Cap!

Four man for a day. We made mongu and tres golpe, super good! Some serious Pokemon trading.

                             
                                 This one's for my momma!


                           
                               It's almost like I'm back home!



This is what it looks like when you're I pad needs charging but you are knocking doors :)



Haha we spilt some fruit juice in the other Elders apartment and Elder was like "Wait, nobody move, I've got an idea!"



           Saying Goodbye for now to President and Sister Taggart



It rained so stinking hard on exchange 😂😂 Our umbrellas did nothing.

July 4th

Happy 4th of July from Passaic, New Jersey

Saying one last goodbye to President and Sister Taggart💓

They have been amazing examples and leaders

                           

 Sure am going to miss Elder Harding. 

He will be transferring to Patterson and I'm headed to Passaic

May 10th, 2017

Thank you everyone who sent messages and prayers my way on my birthday, it was a great day! I ate tons of tacos and they were delicious!

So here's the thought that I came across this week. It's that pride leads to doubt and doubt leads to fear and fear kills faith. This world is scary and it surrounds us in every aspect of our lives. As members knowing who we are and understanding our unlimited potentials often makes us feel that we don't live up to the bar.. that we aren't worthy enough to call down the powers of heaven to give a father's blessing to cure an infection or even faithful enough to be able to speak with the tongue of angels to that one person in the lunch room that just has something different about them.
Doubt is simply not a part of our divine nature and it never has been. Nor should it ever be!! If you have to fight the spirit to make some big promise or action in order to get attention than the Lord is not going to fulfill that blessing. But He wants you to exercise every pinch of power that is available to you!

I was teaching an investigator this week and he posed the question that if someone were to break a commandment, would their blessings from keeping the other commandments be revoked. I can testify that the Lord does not bless us on the merits of perfection. The blessings are already more abundant than what we can receive, it is our journey of happiness in this life to be physically capable of receiving those.
Doubt leads to fear and that's what literally damns us and halts our growth. Pride is the root of this doubt. You need faith to give up pride and to replace doubt and fear.
The only way to get out of this cycle is to give up our will.

I know we can harness more power than we currently exercise and that is what my mission is doing right now. I know you can do it too. Love you! Here's some fun stuff:

You can find a super good talk on pride here: "Beware of Pride" in Teachings of the Presidents: Ezra Taft Benson.

Love ya! Treat my mom well this Sunday! :)

Elder Lucas Michael Johnson          
New Jersey Morristown Mission

We threw an activity for the kids in our branch painting pots, planting plants and learning about baptism as a special surprise for mothers' day.
Always refreshments!

Beautiful chapel where former Presidents used to attend
A date night we through for an investigator and her future husband! We are so luck to have members that know how to play music and cook!

May 5th 2017

Happy 19th Birthday! 

                                        Here's my family's B-day box from home

April 24, 2017

A great week, one of the Lord's greatest miracles in our area this week was entering the house of Juan Flores. He is an inactive who has two very active brothers in our ward. After many contact attempts we ended up outside there apartment to contact a referral and saw his family leaving.. so what did we do? We ran to go chase them down! But the Spanish program has already taken a toll on our bodies and the car drove away right before we had the opportunity to put our foot in the door. But Elder Bohman had the impression to go back and knock on their door and who answered? Juan!
The miracle part of this experience was really humbling.. What happened is that we entered the apartment and saw literally gallons of every type of alcohol available. On the inside I was really nervous about inviting him to come back to partake of the sacrament but despite that obstacle the Lord blessed us with extra courage and the words to fill our mouth. I know Juan felt something, it is now our job as missionaries help him repent.

I know that the very same spirit that helped us testify to Juan about the infinite reach of Christ's atonement will fill your mouths to testify that it can and will bring peace and joy to your friends, family and acquaintances. Don't be afraid, if you listen to the spirit it will not lead you to destroying your life, socially or monetarily. I promise that a simple testimony of the importance of ordinances and where that authority comes from will fulfill your heart with joy and peace unlike you have ever felt before. You will think more clearly receive revelation more often.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Elder Lucas Michael Johnson            
New Jersey Morristown Mission

April 10, 2017

Don't Be a Raisin, Be a Grape!

April 3rd, 2016

Awesome Week in Red Bank

                                                        Beautiful Zone 8!

This week we had a big activity with glow in the dark games we put together for the youth. We had an amazing turn out, in fact so many youth brought friends and we were shocked at the turn out. We did have to shut things down a bit early due to some foul language flying around, but we were able to open the church doors to the community and met tons of friends in the area. We're hoping they felt like it was a great place to come to and it looks like we will be able to teach the gospel through our examples and words. We have quite a few new investigators and we're excited to share a message with them.

Elder Bohman and I are still companions and enjoying the spring weather in Red Bank. We even made it to the beach today for P Day. This is a photo of our Awesome Zone!

General Conference was Amazing and I loved the message shared about why we as missionaries are out across the world serving in our church. It was what we would love to share with all those who have questions about why we are here and what we are doing. In fact, we may just share what he taught us with those that ask. It was so refreshing to her the Prophet and Apostles and we have had prayers answered so much lately. I'm so happy for the opportunity to share the gospel in New Jersey and I'm excited to spend a week meeting new people and hopefully sharing what I love with them.

Thank you for the support and love you all have shown to me,
Love,
Elder Johnson

March 1st 2017

Getting Settled in Red Bank 🙂

                                          Our new apartment in Red Bank. 

Red Bank is completely different from where I've been serving and I'm really excited for this new experience.  Many people seem to be living in fear in this community. When people see us they run. If we Park by a group they scatter. Members have to check through the window when we knock on the doors. People will turn off the lights and hide if we knock on there doors. Kids call us the "migra". Immigration headquarters are located in our area and many feel we may part of immigration when we come over to talk with people. I'm excited to serve the people in Red Bank and hopefully establish friendships and trust between us so they will know we are here for them. We want to share a message of hope and peace and help them wherever we can

February 20, 2017

Jersey City Memories

Finally found the picture of the same place that hangs in my home in Idaho

                                           Elder Marz is a beautiful Soul

Members delivered all this to us when they found out we were sick (this happened 4 Times)

                     Moroni Martinez, the second best young men's President next to Brother Smart 

                                            This one is for my Aunt Julie!

                                    Hermano Padula, an amazing man of God

 Emil Ciliezer, super big techy who promised to hack our Xbox when I get home with any game we want!

                          Consejo de Barrio with Hermano Urtecho's robotic weapon finger..

                                      Elder Marz's and my last time on the 8th floor.

February 6th

It's been a wonderful week! We're eating and teaching and just chugging along. I sent a few videos in emails, but this week my update is in some fun photos. 

BOWLING...Good Clean Fun

                                                 Bowling on PDay with the zone.


                                                              A GREAT VIEW

                                                        An awesome companion!


                                                           THE DENTIST

                                                         5 Cavities filled...YIKES

                                                           One wet companion!


                                                            THE TABLE

Table stands in the freezing cold...

                           A member had pity for us and got us some hot chocolate to warm up!

Love, 
Elder Johnson

Jan. 16th, 2017

                                                          We finally got some snow!

It was Elder Marz's bday! The English Elders in our area made a cake with a match candle.. I made him French toast with a trick candle 😉

 My parents went to Hawaii to celebrate their 20th Anniversary and their friends 40th Birthday. So I decided to send them a photo of the closest I could get to something like Hawaii...

This is the closest thing I could find...Elder Shaw's Awesome outfit on the right and our native Hawaiian on the left. 🙂😋