March 28, 2106 Easter and Goats

Hello and happy Easter!

We had a great day yesterday and had a ginormous ham with the members
we ate with, we didn't even finish half of it with the whole family.
It was a great Sunday with the messages so centered on Christ, it was
amazing. On Tuesday we went and saw Sheri who has a date set for
April. She is so willing and is reading and her husband who is a
member is quite fired up about the lessons and we sit down and he's
like, "well let's get studying!" Haha he is something else. She said
she doesn't know if she will be ready to be baptized so Elder jones
who I was with on exchanges with simply read the baptismal interview
questions. She felt a lot better, since you really don't need to know
much to be baptized! Hopefully she can free up her Sunday's to make it
to church.

As you can see, we participated in taming little baby goats. My little
goat I picked up and held was a black one with a bit of white on it,
who I named Squishy. Cutest thing on earth. What we did was literally
just hold them until they fell asleep, and when they wake up in your
arms they are more tame, so simple! We just get them used to us. And
I'm pretty good at speaking goat. I've done service around chickens
and goats, and let me tell you goat poop smells a lot better then
chicken haha. It was a blast! Then later that day we go to help build
a deck for this guy with Elder Jones and Boam in Peterson lane ward.
We are breaking up some old semi wooden beams and just smashing them
in with a bar. One was almost broken so I decide to break it on my
knee, not seeing the screw facing down towards my knee sticking out of
the beam. Of course I thrust down, Elder jones tried to warn me but I
did it too soon. The crazy thing is I didn't know I basically stabbed
myself until he pointed at above my knee and blood is just pouring
down! I'm so lucky because I literally didn't stick myself through the
shorts, it just made me bleed under them, which I still don't
understand... I should have just impaled my leg but instead it was
just like a prick.

We went to the Sjodens in our ward, and they were dying Easter eggs.
So we just joined and I got the amazing eggs you see in the picture,
along with breakfast for two days. Good deal I think. I put my
initials on one because why not. The Sjodens are the coolest members
ever, and their son came to church for the first time basically,
yesterday. It was cool to see them so happy to have him there. This
week was full of just service and it was a nice change. We are still
working with Diego who we set a date with, but weren't able to meet
with him this week. I hope we can keep our motivation up this last
week of the transfer, even though it is 7 week transfer, so longer
than normal, it is flying by! I'm so excited for general conference
which I have come to love, there so much opportunity for me to feel
the spirit, which really makes me the happiest I've ever been. I hope
you all watch some general conference with a question in mind. It will
be answered, either directly or the spirit will help you find it. I
love you all and love the savior, I know he lives and will help us
every day of our lives. Have a great week.

Elder Janson

Check out these Easter zone shirts. Beautiful

 

Me holding a baby goat. No big deal

 Me and the goat I helped tame, I named him squishy!

 Elder Green bearing a goat

 

Baby goats... Enough said

Me with the eggs I dyed at a members house Saturday night. Go gators

March 21, 2016 Officially 18 months out ... Weird

Yo fam and friends!

Well you saw it, I am 18 months out on the mission, and I'm a little
confused how the heck I'm this far out, but I shall just continue
forward, the only thing I can do! Me and Elder Green of course came
out together so we are on the same track here. We are realizing this
won't last forever. (When you first come out you are pretty sure you
just signed your whole life away, it feels so long). So we are trying
to make the best of every day. Sometimes the temptation is to waste
time, but I hope we minimize that.

So first of all, we did a bunch more service, the best of which was
freakin taming little baby goats! Literally the cutest things on the
planet. It was for a member in Peterson lane ward, my first area, and
he has a farm on the outside on Santa Rosa. We also herded his goats
into the area in the pics so they will eat the grass, because they are
dumb and have to be forced to eat it. We were literally running after
goats. We also helped a lot of people move this week and helped this
guy who's mom is a member but not him, we helped him build a deck out
in the back yard. It was some good stuff! This week we had to get an
oil change, and we figured oh we'd be fine bringing it in an hour
before dinner, which we did. Well an hour and a half later they tell
us, "oh sorry it took so long we stripped the plug!" It was the
longest wait ever and we were almost an hour late to dinner... Luckily
the family was cool with it, we had a wonderful St Patrick's meal with
them :).

We were able to take a priest out with us last night to see Diego, our
new investigator who we set a baptismal date for May 14th. He is an 18
year old kid who's family is Catholic but he is way open minded and
has already started reading the Book of Mormon. It was an amazing
lesson, especially for the priest, Justin we brought with us.
The spirit was strong for real and he just wants to know how the
message will affect him. Well perfect! Hopefully we can keep working
with him.

Something crazy that happened this week was something we were not
there for. The elders quorum and other guys in our ward meet Thursday
nights for basketball at the church. This time in one timeout one of
the men fell down and was having a heart attack. Two guys in our ward
immediately realized it and started CPR on him, which surely saved his
life as paramedics could come. It was cool to see the ward so happy
and unified yesterday as it was discussed. That is one reason I love
the church, is the unity it inspires and the support everyone has.
Some against the church may argue, but clearly they are not willing to
see the plainness right before them. No one is forgotten here, and I
certainly hope we don't ever purposefully ignore someone in our group
or stewardship. I know this gospel is true and Christ truly only
encourages unity, primarily in the family, which is the core unit, and
will be probably the presiding unit in the celestial kingdom. It's
that important! I love you all and hope you the best upcoming week
towards Easter. I know Christ lives and I love him.

Elder Janson

Us at the mall last Monday. Yes I am wearing a sweet map shirt!

 We legitimately helped a member tame and herd his goats...

Literally the best service ever

March 14, 2016 Service Y'all

Hello people,

This week was interesting, we did a bunch of service for this
organization called Just Between Friends, which is some kind of
consignment sale for children's clothing and toys, etc. we just helped
them with moving heavy stuff, sales, and "security." Haha we wore
security shirts every time we went for some reason, mainly for fun.
I'm sure everyone felt very secure with us there. Anyways, we did a
bunch of that this week and had fun with Elder Boam, an Elder in
Peterson lane, (my Greenie area!) who is absolutely hilarious. He is
just always full of energy and talking, it takes getting used to but
he's a great guy.

Last Monday we had to do service at like 4 which sucked, but we did
it. A sort of investigator is having to move out of his current
residence and his only option right now really is this old trailer out
in Bennett valley area, right outside of Santa Rosa. It has a great
view of the vineyards and hills, but this mobile home is nasty! All we
did last Monday was rip out walls, insulation, anything, because there
is so much black mold and leaks and so since he is desperate, he is
trying to clean it and fix it up within weeks. We got fiberglass all
in our eyes and arms for like a day and it itched haha. It was one of
the worst service projects I've done because of that! But it was
definitely different. His name is John and we are trying to meet with
him, but it is hard to do so. He is trying to get back on his feet
right now, he has been through a lot.

This week we taught less lessons for sure, but we are working on it.
It doesn't help the work when it has been raining for like 2 weeks
straight. Luckily we have a car or this would really be difficult!
(Slight emperor's new groove joke :). Everyone we see is like, "wow
you are out in such bad weather." And we are like, yup you bet we are!
Haha I don't know what to say to dumb stuff like that. But it is fun,
this area has needed rain so I suppose it is good. It's weird here
cause the dry season is the summer, virtually the opposite of Florida.
Everyone here is pretty wimpy when it comes to weather too haha. They
look at us without jackets when it's like 55 and they are like,
"aren't you cold!?" "Where are you from? Utah?" Nope Florida! Then
they get really confused haha.

It has been a week of lots of cancelled lessons, and things of the
sort. But we carry on on nonetheless. I hope we can all remember
Christ this upcoming Easter, and if you haven't already, check out the
#Hallelujah initiative going on online the church just launched
yesterday. Go to followhim.mormon.org. This video is better than the
Christmas one in my opinion, and if I have an opinion that's usually
pretty awesome. :) haha anyways love you all! Have a wonderful week.

Elder Janson

Us at the Just Between Friends children's sale. We are the best security

All the kids stuff!

March 7, 2016 This Transfer is Flying!

What's up everyone!?

First of all, this week me and Elder Green realized we are entering
the 4th week of the transfer... It kinda freaked us out. It's going so
fast! The transfer is 7 weeks so it will go a little longer, but
still. We are doing so much I guess everyday is just flying by and we
don't have much time to think!

On Thursday we went on exchanges with the APs, so Elder Britt came in
our area with me. We had like 4 lessons that day which is a solid day
for us. It was pretty interesting to go with an assistant to the
president on exchanges, but he's way chill so it is fine. That night
we went to go see Josh, this like 12 year old kid who got baptized but
I don't think much of his family is, he is the only one that comes
occasionally. We met him and his little cousin Kylie who was a crazy
little girl! She called me Elder Jason and him Elder Brit-t-t. She was
in 3rd grade and talked a bunch about not believing in god haha then
she later said I want to go to Haven (Heaven). Then Elder Britt is
like "how will you go to heaven if you don't believe in God?" She
quickly said, "I believe in God!" It was honestly just hilarious.

We did service for Sis Labonte a member in the Ward, and her dad who
isn't a member. He had a bunch of boxes and crap on top of this
section in his warehouse, and so our job was get all the crap down off
of the platform that was about 10 feet up. It was right below the
ceiling so Elder green was crouching down handing me stuff on a ladder
and putting it on the ground for the dad to sort through. So much rat
poop man, apparently the members sister is a big hoarder. One of the
big boxes Elder green started to move, and two rats come scurrying
out! Haha we all jumped and look carefully in each box after that.
Rats are nasty man. The dad gave us money after the service despite us
saying we won't take it, so we went to dinner that night since ours
cancelled haha. Blessings I guess.

We had a lesson this week with Carol, this old funny lady who we found
in the area book. She has a good member friend Sue who came to church
with her yesterday, the member is from woodland which isn't too close!
It was cool that she came and helped Carol around. Carol seems to want
to keep coming and learn, so we will see! She always calls us asking
stuff like how to get to the church haha we gotta talk slow sometimes.
We taught many lessons this week again, this area is always on fire
man, we have to keep up with it. Hopefully we can keep it up and not
burn out. We have a lot of service for the whole zone planned next
week, which is a change. We can get out of these clothes and do
something man! Anyways, things are going well and the spirit continues
to help us along, I love that one thing, when the spirit is present
and you know they are feeling it too. It is one of the hardest things
that we must learn to do this work. I love you all and hope your week
is fantastic!

Elder Janson

Beach pics from last Monday! I am the one in the back of the

nametag one haha

 Us thuggin on the beach

This explains our companionship perfectly

This is what happens when we go to Ross

February 29, 2016 Taught a bunch of lessons!

Hey family!

Holy cow have we been busy! We went all over our Ward and met some
members and taught many lessons, it is great to be so busy you don't
even know where to put a new appointment haha. Definitely poses a
problem. We taught over 20 lessons and everyday we were coming home
exhausted. We set a new baptismal date for this lady named Sheri, and
her husband Jeff is a member and is helping a lot. She really wants to
learn but needs to get work off on Sunday. The spirit was strong as we
did one of the harder lessons, the plan of salvation. Hope we can have
a good lesson with her this week.

We had a MLC this week as well, which is basically a leadership
meeting for the mission. Elder Hamula from the 70 was in our mission
for some conferences with the mission, so we got a half mission
conference with him and for the MLC too. He definitely had a lot of
things to correct, but also was great to have him there and feel as if
really the prophet was there. That's how it is anyways, the general
authorities represent the prophet to us, and the prophet speaks for
the lord. The organization is incredible and I understand it more now.
Later on Friday we had our first zone meeting, which was he first time
I taught a zone meeting. I wasn't really nervous though, but it helps
that our zone is tiny and was even tinier because two elders were
sick! It was a great meeting and helped me feel comfortable in the new
calling.

Had a meet and greet with the stake presidency yesterday, with both
Santa Rosa zones that make up the Santa Rosa stake. It sure is fun to
have all of us together, missionaries are crazy together haha. The
leaders of the stake certainly are awesome and want us to work with
them. They have quite a different approach that I like, they are more
approachable than other leaders I have worked with. We are excited to
get going with them.

Anyways, we had a great week. Brother Nelson in the bishopric asked me
to speak like 5 minutes yesterday in sacrament meeting, which was
super easy. I spoke on the joy of missionary work, and it really all
came naturally, which is good I guess! At least I know I'm enjoying
it. But I know that the thing that brings the joy is the spirit, and
knowing I have followed it. That is what President Monson has said is
the sweetest thing, to know you have received a prompting and followed
it, and seen that it has been the answer to someone's prayer or need.
I hope we can all do this more readily. Love you all!

Elder Janson

Us being dumb

 Elder Green holding a mailboxes hand

Me as well

If this doesn't describe Elder Boam, nothin does. Haha he drives me crazy

February 22, 2016 First Week in Shiloh Park

Happy last week of February!

Wow that happened quick. Life is flying by and this week felt just
weird! Me and Elder Green get along so well I don't know how we get
anything done ever, but we did! Saturday Ruben got baptized, who Elder
Green and Elder Hastings taught here in Shiloh Park Ward. His wife is
a member and was thrilled to see him make this step. Elder Hastings
was my companion in Fairfield if you don't remember, so we skyped him
into the baptisms and that was fun. We also had a baptism yesterday
for Mitchell Bradley, in the picture, and that was amazing too. Much
of his family came who are not members and had a good experience. He
is friends with our Ward mission leaders family they are the best
fellowshippers! Don't underestimate your power as members! This week
we taught a lot of lessons as well and our goal is to go height next
week. We were pretty busy with transfers and such this week. I have no
clue how to be a zone leader and Elder Green jokes he doesn't
either... So it is an adventure haha. Our zone isn't very big though
so I hope we can all get close and have a good time! We have a trio of
Spanish sisters in our zone and let me tell you they work hard! They
are definite examples to us and don't mess around. You gotta love em!

So another highlight of this weekend was not only did two people get
baptized, Ruben also got confirmed, along with a married couple who
got baptized a week or two back but couldn't get confirmed yet. So we
had three confirmations in one sacrament meeting! Haven't seen that
much. I wonder why the heck I walked in to all of this activity but I
guess it is a good way to set the pace for the transfer. We were
laughing how we literally had 4 baptismal records in our pocket at
church, the most I've ever had for sure! Never filled out so many
baptismal records! We want to have another baptism this transfer.
Because of the MTC extending the normal time to three weeks, this
transfer will be 7 weeks, which I tell by experience feels SO LONG.
But seriously I don't how I got blessed to be with Elder Green, who
was in my MTC room and we literally have the same sense of humor, and
you all who know me know what that means. Nothing we say doesn't bring
a laugh. It is quite refreshing really. Helps with the stress! So I'm
glad to be with him.

Hope you all stay true to what you know and remember Christ in
everything you do, say, and be. I love you all!

Elder Janson


Sent from the eye of Mordor

 Elder and sisters who left Vacaville, Didi, a member there is

obsessed with missionaries and takes us to eat a bunch haha

Sister Aguilar, my favorite sister ever who came out with me who is

dying this transfer :(. And Elder green my companion behind us. As you

can see we are similar

Mitchell Bradley, who got baptized yesterday, the second of two

baptisms this weekend!

 Me and green baptizing for days!!

Sisters I served with in Eureka!

February 15, 2016 Transferred!

Hello family and friends!

Holy cow this week was ridiculous. We finished off the transfer with
the most lessons I've had here, and got a new investigator just
yesterday! He was referred by Breanna, the girl who is now YSA's
investigator. We randomly he walked by and she was at his house
outside talking to him and had us set up a time to see him. So we did!
He has almost no knowledge about God and Christ, his parents were both
very different religions. He wants to learn more and it's awesome!
Elder Waites and his new companion will teach him.

I am being transferred out of the Vacatrap! I was called to be a zone
leader in Santa Rosa, and I'm going to be with Elder Green! He's
literally like my favorite person ever! Hahaha we will have a blast
being zone leaders there. I'm going to go to church in the same
building as I did as a Greenie in Santa Rosa, Peterson Lane Ward. It
will be fun to serve in the same stake as I did then, I'm excited to
see people from there. I'm kinda scared to be a zone leader but I
think it will be alright. I've been a district leader too long haha.

This week we had more lesson than I've ever had in this area, about
17. It was a way solid week and the members help us a lot. I'm sad to
leave such a supportive ward, but I'm also ready to leave and move on.
For those in my family, you know my stupid humor, just imagine that
amplified and yah at is Elder Green, we get along almost too well
hahaha. Elder Green was in my MTC room and we had a blast then as
well. I'm ready to go to Rosa and do work! I'll let you know my
address soon.

Another piece of business. We can now be friends on Facebook, just as
long as I don't talk to you guys on Facebook. But it helps to follow
each other.

Thanks for all your support and love. Love you all!

Elder Janson

Our district picture. Don't ask about the name, it's just the way it is haha

The zone!

Me and the Mcburneys!

Me excited to go... Hahaha

More of the zone and other members, recent converts

My Ward mission leader!

Bro Baer

Saying bye to Rodney and Joseph! Joseph goes on a mission to Houston soon

 Fisher family!