Everything We Have Now Is All Because Of Him

Good morning, afternoon, or evening and welcome to Elder Johnson's special Christmas email.

Just kidding,  nothing too special or out of the ordinary.  Sorry to disappoint ;)

This past week was really fun and this week the fun will continue!!!

Elder Johnson & Swatbooi
Christmas 2015

Monday-- Pday.. washing... market... same 'ol Pday stuff.

Tuesday-- There was one lesson that I really love to teach and enjoy teaching to everyone. It is the Holy Ghost!  A recent convert named Lawrenica has been going through a hard time with her daughter.  Her daughter will leave at night and go to the club and won't come home for a couple days at a time (we have been talking to the daughter).  Elder Swartbooi and I agreed that we should re teach her about the Gift of the Holy Ghost and let her know (and to all of you) that God loves each and every one of us.

He never puts us in harms way, but when we are in a bad spot He wants us to ask for help!  He will help if we just ask Him.  In the New Testament when Christ was going to be crucified, He told his apostles that He will send another comforter after He goes away. That comforter is the Holy Ghost and that gift is available to each of us.

Missionary life - Assin Foso / Telecom 2 Zone
December 2015

Wednesday-- Being the companion of a District Leader has it's twists and turns.  One being that I will be going on exchanges with different Elders once a week or more.  On Wednesday it was a short day because I had to go with Elder Kenyah to his area while Elder Brooks and Swartbooi went and did a baptismal interview.  Then at 8:00pm, the Elders got together for one more choir practice for the Zone Conference in Cape Coast.

Thursday-- By far my favorite day. One reason being we did not have to do weekly planning. Two, the Zone traveled to Cape Coast to the mission home for a Christmas Zone Conference. While we were there,  President Stevenson instructed us.  We talked about different things about the temple that we are allowed to be talked about.  It was great reminder to all of us of our promises.  Sadly, we can't go again until the end of our missions.  After that we ate some lunch.  The normal chicken and rice, and they added fried plantain this time.  The chicken was soooooooooo good.  Especially the bone ;) After lunch we participated in some "Stevenson Christmas traditions"  First, of course, re-enactment of the nativity.  I got to play one of the wise men.  Then the Zone performed their musical numbers. The Elders went first and we sang hymn 201.  It sounded sweet because we sang in parts.  For the last part we watched, "A Christmas Carol."  The version from 1984.  The movie was awesome. When finished Elder Hanlon, a senior couple missionary, told us that a ward in Utah sent us each a Christmas gift.  Our names were given to families in that ward and they sent us a gift.  So nice of them to do and really thoughtful!!

Saturday-- The stake had a "Food Bizarre" that they do each Christmas. The wards will bring food and we all partake of that awesome food!  Sad part was that it cost money :)   It was really funny to me... not the normal food you would see in a ward back in America.

Thought of the week: I felt impressed to start a new way of studying. It is to spend a week studying one certain topic. And being that it is the Christmas season, I decided to study the Atonement. Let us all remember the true purpose of Christmas.  Though it is great to wake up and open presents, Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us because He loves us all.  He lived a perfect life with no sin. But He paid for OUR sins though.  He was perfect.  Everything we have now is all because of Him!!!

Merry Christmas!
Elder Johnson