Hey everybody.
So we got an interesting call this morning. President Alba called and
left a message as we are getting ready this morning, and Elder Reeder
sees it after his shower and runs in. "President called, Elder!!" I
was like... Uhhhhh haha. So he told us that for the last two weeks of
this transfer we are going to be training this missionary who is on
his first transfer!!! So we are both fairly new missionaries, but
president said that he was in a trio companionship before that was
being disobedient and wasn't a good example for him, so he chose US!?
Haha we are freaking out. We will be a trio!! Needless to say we had
to clean our apartment this morning.
So Sherlyn is good for baptism on the 31st! We finished teaching her
lesson 4 last night with another Filipino member in another ward. She
is so solid! I didn't really expect a baptism in my first area but it
is probably a couple days before I get transferred, since I'm pretty
sure I'm out of this area in two weeks. We also invited this older
lady Lisa to be baptized on Valentine's Day. What a day right?? She
almost came to church yesterday but she had food poisoning. Darn.
So I'm turning over a new leaf this week. I've actually been running
in the morning! Now by running I mean we are really only out for 20
minutes, and Elder Reeder refuses to run haha so I run back and forth
while he walks. It's pretty fun I must say. I figured I need to work
on that 15 pounds I have gained, plus it feels wonderful to run again!
We had the funniest tracting experience yet the other night. We just
went to some neighborhood we hadn't been to, and it was only 7:15, so
we figured that's fine. I mean we usuallyl tract then and people are
fine with it. But we get to one street and something happens. One
door, the guy opens and says, "really!?" As if suggesting that we are
being ridiculous for knocking on his door at such a "late" hour. Then
I finally said what I've been wanting to say. I'm like, "well yes! I
don't think it's ever too late for a message about Jesus Christ!"
Hahaha it was amazing!! Then the next 5 doors said the same thing!
Either through the door or just yelling at us, that it was way too
late to tract. And the whole time we are just busting up laughing
between doors. We're like, it's 7:30!!! Hahaha we always knock at that
time!! Anyways, just thought I'd share that.
We had such a good lesson with a member and his daughter the other
night. It was with this German guy we have been teaching who is so
cool! He is a stone mason, and loves to read the bible and learn of
Christ. He has the greatest love for Christ I have really seen out of
the church. But Brother Harlin came with us with his daughter who is
about 9. And Elder Reeder asked her to share an experience as part of
the lesson. So we were teaching him, and then asked her to share. She
shared about how God helped her and her family in her car crash. Right
when she started talking the spirit flowed into that room instantly.
She talked for maybe 20 seconds then stopped, and the room was silent.
We were all stunned! It was such a cool experience, and the
investigator could feel it too. I'm so glad we had the spirit there,
because it so helpful, and he has such a desire to read the Book of
Mormon now. All we can say, is the spirit is real!! Haha
Thank you everybody for being awesome! Keep praying for Sherlyn and
her baptism date, as well as her health. She frequently goes in for
dialysis for her kidneys, and she's wanted to be baptized for awhile.
I'm so glad to be out here and feel the Lord blessing us, and maybe
testing us with a new missionary!
I love all of you guys!
Elder Janson
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Monday, January 12, 2015
1/12/15 We are the best! Haha
Hello people!
It's been a ridiculous week! We have been trying to get at least 20
contacts, and we are going to do "mission possible" where our whole
zone will talk to 20 people every day for 7 days straight. Sounds
simple, but it is HARD to get everyone in the zone to be that
consistent. We are gonna have to go hard!!!
So I've had some pretty funny dreams. One of them, and this might make
my mom freak out, but I had a dream that my mom had another baby boy!!
Hahaha I was never so confused as that! I was like, this is super
weird! Then I woke up and I was like oh thank goodness! Haha not that
that's bad to have a kid, but it freaked me out! Haha
We've had a great opportunity to do some service for Habitat for
Humanity, the Restore part of it. We basically clean up all the
donations they get, which includes household appliances and things
like doors and windows. It's really cool to just simply help people
and have an opportunity to just work! It's like I almost missed
working! Weird huh?? Haha we are supposed to try to do 10 hours of
service a week, and it's a great time to rest from our proselyting
duties!
What is kind of funny is this Sunday, yesterday, me and Elder Reeder
noticed that it seems everyone was complimenting us out of nowhere.
The bishop said to everyone in ward council that we are some of the
best missionaries our Ward has had. I was like... Uhhhhhh what did I
do!? Haha we have been sending a weekly email to the bishop and
members of the ward council of which less actives we have tried to see
and the info with that. Apparently they really appreciate that haha.
But I'm not saying this to like boast or something haha because that
is dumb. But Elder Reeder has said that we are doing so well just
because we are doing what is expected, we aren't perfect, but we are
trying to do what we need to. And people can see that in you when you
try to live up to what you are called to do, and they will see a
difference!
So earlier this past week, we had a power hour with the Harlins in our
Ward. Power hour is where the members family choose where we go tract
or talk to people for an hour, and they pray specifically for us to
find those who are ready for the message. It works like nothing else!!
That night, the first door we knock, the lady was not interested. As
we walk to the next door, another lady comes out of that first house
and yells, "hey Jehovah witnesses!" Haha we went back and talked to
her (and did tell her we are Mormons) and she was super interested in
learning and reading the BOM. We hope to be able to see her soon. We
only knocked on like 5 doors in that whole hour, and we were able to
get so much done and find a new investigator. That is incredible!
Power hour and the prayers of members really works folks!!
Last night we had the most amazing lesson of the mission! We were
teaching Sherlyn, our lady who has a baptism date on the 31st. We
watched the testaments movie with her in the Allisons home, members
who are friends with her. It was so beautiful! I've seen that movie
before, but the spirit was like ridiculous in there! Then a nonmember
comes in who knows the Allisons, and they invite her to sit down and
watch, and she does! At the end, you could tell she felt the spirit as
well. Sherlyn then told us of a dream she had, which was an answer to
her prayers. She said she saw Jesus Christ and he told her she will be
healed of every health problem she has because of her faith. As she
told this, the room was full of the spirit, and me and Elder Reeder
were speechless when she stopped. That was really the first time I
almost cried in a lesson! Haha we are so excited for her, and she is
working towards baptism. We were so pumped last night after that
incredible experience.
I really am feeling the love that Christ speaks of when we serve
others. Brother Allison was so happy to have that lesson in his home,
and we expressed how much we cared and loved him. He is so awesome! He
started tearing up when we said that and he's like "get out of here
elders!" Haha jokingly of course. I've never felt the love that is
described over and over by Christ, but I think I'm starting to
understand what it really means. I love the people I'm teaching! It's
weird!
Thank you guys for being there for me, and I love telling you guys
what's going on here. We are doing amazing, and we hope you all are
still chugging along! Please pray for Sherlyn that she will be ready
for baptism this month. It would be awesome to have your help!
Elder Janson
It's been a ridiculous week! We have been trying to get at least 20
contacts, and we are going to do "mission possible" where our whole
zone will talk to 20 people every day for 7 days straight. Sounds
simple, but it is HARD to get everyone in the zone to be that
consistent. We are gonna have to go hard!!!
So I've had some pretty funny dreams. One of them, and this might make
my mom freak out, but I had a dream that my mom had another baby boy!!
Hahaha I was never so confused as that! I was like, this is super
weird! Then I woke up and I was like oh thank goodness! Haha not that
that's bad to have a kid, but it freaked me out! Haha
We've had a great opportunity to do some service for Habitat for
Humanity, the Restore part of it. We basically clean up all the
donations they get, which includes household appliances and things
like doors and windows. It's really cool to just simply help people
and have an opportunity to just work! It's like I almost missed
working! Weird huh?? Haha we are supposed to try to do 10 hours of
service a week, and it's a great time to rest from our proselyting
duties!
What is kind of funny is this Sunday, yesterday, me and Elder Reeder
noticed that it seems everyone was complimenting us out of nowhere.
The bishop said to everyone in ward council that we are some of the
best missionaries our Ward has had. I was like... Uhhhhhh what did I
do!? Haha we have been sending a weekly email to the bishop and
members of the ward council of which less actives we have tried to see
and the info with that. Apparently they really appreciate that haha.
But I'm not saying this to like boast or something haha because that
is dumb. But Elder Reeder has said that we are doing so well just
because we are doing what is expected, we aren't perfect, but we are
trying to do what we need to. And people can see that in you when you
try to live up to what you are called to do, and they will see a
difference!
So earlier this past week, we had a power hour with the Harlins in our
Ward. Power hour is where the members family choose where we go tract
or talk to people for an hour, and they pray specifically for us to
find those who are ready for the message. It works like nothing else!!
That night, the first door we knock, the lady was not interested. As
we walk to the next door, another lady comes out of that first house
and yells, "hey Jehovah witnesses!" Haha we went back and talked to
her (and did tell her we are Mormons) and she was super interested in
learning and reading the BOM. We hope to be able to see her soon. We
only knocked on like 5 doors in that whole hour, and we were able to
get so much done and find a new investigator. That is incredible!
Power hour and the prayers of members really works folks!!
Last night we had the most amazing lesson of the mission! We were
teaching Sherlyn, our lady who has a baptism date on the 31st. We
watched the testaments movie with her in the Allisons home, members
who are friends with her. It was so beautiful! I've seen that movie
before, but the spirit was like ridiculous in there! Then a nonmember
comes in who knows the Allisons, and they invite her to sit down and
watch, and she does! At the end, you could tell she felt the spirit as
well. Sherlyn then told us of a dream she had, which was an answer to
her prayers. She said she saw Jesus Christ and he told her she will be
healed of every health problem she has because of her faith. As she
told this, the room was full of the spirit, and me and Elder Reeder
were speechless when she stopped. That was really the first time I
almost cried in a lesson! Haha we are so excited for her, and she is
working towards baptism. We were so pumped last night after that
incredible experience.
I really am feeling the love that Christ speaks of when we serve
others. Brother Allison was so happy to have that lesson in his home,
and we expressed how much we cared and loved him. He is so awesome! He
started tearing up when we said that and he's like "get out of here
elders!" Haha jokingly of course. I've never felt the love that is
described over and over by Christ, but I think I'm starting to
understand what it really means. I love the people I'm teaching! It's
weird!
Thank you guys for being there for me, and I love telling you guys
what's going on here. We are doing amazing, and we hope you all are
still chugging along! Please pray for Sherlyn that she will be ready
for baptism this month. It would be awesome to have your help!
Elder Janson
1/5/15 New Years!
Hey all y'all people of the real world!
It's been a pretty amazing week. Let me try to think of what even happened...
So on New Years it was so cool! We got to stay up until 10:30! Isn't
that awesome!??? Oh and yes that is our normal bedtime. Anyways
apparently Elder Reeder stayed up until midnight, but I checked out as
I do every night. Once I decide, I can go to sleep pretty fast these
days.
We were driving home from the church on New Years Eve, considering we
couldn't really proselyte that night haha. Everything weird we saw we
blamed on drunk people. Then I asked Elder Reeder, jokingly, "so...
Why don't we drink!?" He then proceeds to think, and says, "well, I
think it's because when we are drunk, we don't read our scriptures."
Immediately when he said that we both started cracking up, I was like,
how did he think that!? Haha these are the things we find funny at 9
o'clock which is early for everyone else, but like midnight for us.
Elder Reeder says he might be the biggest idiot ever.
Recently we have been listening to any music we can on the gospel
library app. That and Motab is what we can listen to. So we are
jamming out everyday to strength of youth themes like "Arise" and mom,
you should tell Meredith Rodgers that we have listened to the 2013
youth theme called "Stand" sung by her probably like 23 times in the
past 3 days. :) we are a bit deprived of music! Haha
Anyways, we were asked to do the missionary moment in a baptism for an
8 year old kid in the Shiloh park ward, which shares our building. It
was right after the baptism of there recent convert. So that convert
got to go to her baptism, then another literally right after! It was
sweet, and I'd never done a missionary moment before. We basically
just taught the restoration in a very straightforward, simple way. As
I recited Joseph smiths vision by memory for like the millionth time,
I could tell that whole room was zeroed in on what I was saying. How
can something so simple and repetitive be so powerful! It was a pretty
cool experience. It was also so cool to see Elder Bulow, who went home
recently in November I think, and came back for this girls baptism,
because he helped teach her. That is so awesome of him to fly back and
simply go to her baptism. It shows how you should feel about those we
bring into the gospel.
So we had an amazing lesson with this lady Sherlyn. It was at the
Allison's home, some amazing members in our ward. Sherlyn is Filipino,
and Sis Allison is also, so it's such a help to have her be a good
friend to her. Bro Allison is so enthusiastic about helping us with
missionary work, so he offered his home for the lesson. And he's
Canadian, so he's awesome haha. That has never happened to me yet! We
always try to have members at our lessons, but having them at their
house like never happens! We were able to get a baptismal date for
Sherlyn on January 31st, and she seems so ready for it. Her mother was
a member before she died about a year ago. I can tell the lord has
prepared her for quite awhile, because she has been meeting with
missionaries for a good time. I fasted for her yesterday, and I
realized last night that lesson was a direct answer and blessing form
the fast. He really hears if we are willing to call on him. It would
be awesome if you all can pray for her and that she will be able to
make it to church the next couple weeks.
I'm so glad I'm here to do the lords work, and we are doing so well at
talking rand contacting everyone we pass on the street. It was hard at
first, but we are on fire right now! Thank you all for supporting me,
and I'll keep you all updated on everything, well mostly everything.
Haha
I love all you guys!
Elder Janson
It's been a pretty amazing week. Let me try to think of what even happened...
So on New Years it was so cool! We got to stay up until 10:30! Isn't
that awesome!??? Oh and yes that is our normal bedtime. Anyways
apparently Elder Reeder stayed up until midnight, but I checked out as
I do every night. Once I decide, I can go to sleep pretty fast these
days.
We were driving home from the church on New Years Eve, considering we
couldn't really proselyte that night haha. Everything weird we saw we
blamed on drunk people. Then I asked Elder Reeder, jokingly, "so...
Why don't we drink!?" He then proceeds to think, and says, "well, I
think it's because when we are drunk, we don't read our scriptures."
Immediately when he said that we both started cracking up, I was like,
how did he think that!? Haha these are the things we find funny at 9
o'clock which is early for everyone else, but like midnight for us.
Elder Reeder says he might be the biggest idiot ever.
Recently we have been listening to any music we can on the gospel
library app. That and Motab is what we can listen to. So we are
jamming out everyday to strength of youth themes like "Arise" and mom,
you should tell Meredith Rodgers that we have listened to the 2013
youth theme called "Stand" sung by her probably like 23 times in the
past 3 days. :) we are a bit deprived of music! Haha
Anyways, we were asked to do the missionary moment in a baptism for an
8 year old kid in the Shiloh park ward, which shares our building. It
was right after the baptism of there recent convert. So that convert
got to go to her baptism, then another literally right after! It was
sweet, and I'd never done a missionary moment before. We basically
just taught the restoration in a very straightforward, simple way. As
I recited Joseph smiths vision by memory for like the millionth time,
I could tell that whole room was zeroed in on what I was saying. How
can something so simple and repetitive be so powerful! It was a pretty
cool experience. It was also so cool to see Elder Bulow, who went home
recently in November I think, and came back for this girls baptism,
because he helped teach her. That is so awesome of him to fly back and
simply go to her baptism. It shows how you should feel about those we
bring into the gospel.
So we had an amazing lesson with this lady Sherlyn. It was at the
Allison's home, some amazing members in our ward. Sherlyn is Filipino,
and Sis Allison is also, so it's such a help to have her be a good
friend to her. Bro Allison is so enthusiastic about helping us with
missionary work, so he offered his home for the lesson. And he's
Canadian, so he's awesome haha. That has never happened to me yet! We
always try to have members at our lessons, but having them at their
house like never happens! We were able to get a baptismal date for
Sherlyn on January 31st, and she seems so ready for it. Her mother was
a member before she died about a year ago. I can tell the lord has
prepared her for quite awhile, because she has been meeting with
missionaries for a good time. I fasted for her yesterday, and I
realized last night that lesson was a direct answer and blessing form
the fast. He really hears if we are willing to call on him. It would
be awesome if you all can pray for her and that she will be able to
make it to church the next couple weeks.
I'm so glad I'm here to do the lords work, and we are doing so well at
talking rand contacting everyone we pass on the street. It was hard at
first, but we are on fire right now! Thank you all for supporting me,
and I'll keep you all updated on everything, well mostly everything.
Haha
I love all you guys!
Elder Janson
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
12/29/14 Homeless people and Christmas
Family and friends,
How are you all?? We are doing work these days! Basically what this
week consisted of is we set up a huge amount of appointments, which
still is hard because people don't want to see you on New Years, even
though we are the coolest people anyone could hang out with for their
partying. Whatever!
It was pretty sweet to FaceTime my family! You all are pretty dumb,
but it's refreshing to be able to act dumb for a short amount of time
with you. I have plenty of warm clothes now. I just sit around my
apartment wearing ear warmers now. It's great! And it's like really
cold outside now (meaning 30s).
Elder Reeder and I had a pretty interesting Christmas night. After
doing some random service, because our mission president said it was a
day of service for our mission, we realized its super difficult to
find people that want help on Christmas haha. So we did random acts of
kindness, like it says in our plans. Anyways, we dropped a gift off at
president Alba's house, which is pretty darn close to our apartment
(because we are special). Then he lets us in, and we basically just
chill with president and his wife. Haha it was awesome. He gave us a
little rundown on his office he has in there, where he has pictures of
every missionary on the wall, arranged by where they are serving. It's
sweet! He says he gets to stare at us all day haha. Then sister Alba
was telling us we could help them! We could help them by handing out
these packets for homeless that had toiletries, food, etc. it was
almost 5 pm at this point. We're just like, umm sure!! We had 7 of
these packets and ended going to some sketchy-beyond-all-reason areas
when it was pitch black outside. Definitely a time where I was
actually scared for my life, especially as we meandered into "tent
city" next to the train tracks (which is very close to our apartment
as well). I was scared, then Elder Reeder is like, "I don't know where
we are going, you lead." I'm like.... Uhhhhhh. So I walk up to these
two guys, really silhouettes of guys. It turns out, one of them was
Rob, this homeless guy that we were able to teach on the street just
last Monday. I think the lord had a part in that, because it was nice
to approach someone we actually knew in this not necessarily safe
place haha. He said we were pretty brave going out there, but they
were so happy to get the gifts we had.
As we gave those to these people that had absolutely no Christmas, I
just kind of realized how much people go through that I never even
begin to think about. If we had not meandered out there, I would just
live on, never seeing and experiencing how these people struggle.
Through Christ, we can be promised that our struggles here will not be
permanent. And the life we live here is anything but the end. One of
my favorite scriptures I recently have fell in love with is Mosiah
16:7-8
"And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands
of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should
have no sting, there could have been no resurrection."
"But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and
the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."
I love that phrase that the grave hath no victory, and the sting of
death is swallowed up. What greater promise do we have? This applies
for us spiritually as well. Anything, ANYTHING we go through is
something Christ has experienced. He knows more than we can ever know
about our small or large trials. Putting faith in him could never be a
mistake on our part.
I know that Christ lives, and that knowledge is strengthened every day
I am out here. Everyone needs to understand and love Jesus Christ, and
all they need is a chance.
I love all of you guys, and hope you have a beast mode new year!
Elder Janson
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How are you all?? We are doing work these days! Basically what this
week consisted of is we set up a huge amount of appointments, which
still is hard because people don't want to see you on New Years, even
though we are the coolest people anyone could hang out with for their
partying. Whatever!
It was pretty sweet to FaceTime my family! You all are pretty dumb,
but it's refreshing to be able to act dumb for a short amount of time
with you. I have plenty of warm clothes now. I just sit around my
apartment wearing ear warmers now. It's great! And it's like really
cold outside now (meaning 30s).
Elder Reeder and I had a pretty interesting Christmas night. After
doing some random service, because our mission president said it was a
day of service for our mission, we realized its super difficult to
find people that want help on Christmas haha. So we did random acts of
kindness, like it says in our plans. Anyways, we dropped a gift off at
president Alba's house, which is pretty darn close to our apartment
(because we are special). Then he lets us in, and we basically just
chill with president and his wife. Haha it was awesome. He gave us a
little rundown on his office he has in there, where he has pictures of
every missionary on the wall, arranged by where they are serving. It's
sweet! He says he gets to stare at us all day haha. Then sister Alba
was telling us we could help them! We could help them by handing out
these packets for homeless that had toiletries, food, etc. it was
almost 5 pm at this point. We're just like, umm sure!! We had 7 of
these packets and ended going to some sketchy-beyond-all-reason areas
when it was pitch black outside. Definitely a time where I was
actually scared for my life, especially as we meandered into "tent
city" next to the train tracks (which is very close to our apartment
as well). I was scared, then Elder Reeder is like, "I don't know where
we are going, you lead." I'm like.... Uhhhhhh. So I walk up to these
two guys, really silhouettes of guys. It turns out, one of them was
Rob, this homeless guy that we were able to teach on the street just
last Monday. I think the lord had a part in that, because it was nice
to approach someone we actually knew in this not necessarily safe
place haha. He said we were pretty brave going out there, but they
were so happy to get the gifts we had.
As we gave those to these people that had absolutely no Christmas, I
just kind of realized how much people go through that I never even
begin to think about. If we had not meandered out there, I would just
live on, never seeing and experiencing how these people struggle.
Through Christ, we can be promised that our struggles here will not be
permanent. And the life we live here is anything but the end. One of
my favorite scriptures I recently have fell in love with is Mosiah
16:7-8
"And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands
of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should
have no sting, there could have been no resurrection."
"But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and
the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."
I love that phrase that the grave hath no victory, and the sting of
death is swallowed up. What greater promise do we have? This applies
for us spiritually as well. Anything, ANYTHING we go through is
something Christ has experienced. He knows more than we can ever know
about our small or large trials. Putting faith in him could never be a
mistake on our part.
I know that Christ lives, and that knowledge is strengthened every day
I am out here. Everyone needs to understand and love Jesus Christ, and
all they need is a chance.
I love all of you guys, and hope you have a beast mode new year!
Elder Janson
The posterity picture of my Mom's side (Elder Reeder's trainers, etc)
Me wearing all my Christmas presents
We got a head massager from the Taylors in our ward.
What is this sign talking about?
An older picture of all the toys we bagged for Salvation Army. 600 families got toys for their kids!
12/22/14 Christmas is coming!
Hey people!
It's been a totally sweet week! So first of all, I've gotten a bunch
of packages I didn't expect, and I have so much candy!!! Thank you
everyone that sent packages because it makes our day to get something.
We get excited about little things out here. It's crazy living on
your own because food/candy doesn't just disappear! I have to eat it!
Haha it's something I not used to in a big family. But anyways, we had
our heater fixed finally! So now when I get up in the morning, our
apartment is not 58 degrees when I get up in the morning and freeze
after getting out of the shower. Another thing I want to bring up,
is what is the gas price in Florida or the rest of the country??
Because it feels like it's 1950 or something! Our gas is $2.65! Like
what is that!?
We had our mission Christmas party and devotional last Wednesday. It
was pretty sweet, and I sang up in front of people from my own choice,
just so you know! Sister Alba was asking who wants to sing a couple
weeks ago and I volunteered. I know it doesn't sound like me, but I'm
realizing now I really like singing and I'm dumb cause I never did
before. But whatever. So I sang Hark the Herald Angels sing with like
8 other missionaries for the devotional. It was pretty sweet. It was
crazy having every missionary in our mission in one chapel. It's like
the spirit will take over the world! We also did skits as a zone, and
ours was about how we incorporate "Santa Rosa Shape Up" (mandatory
exercise in the morning) into everything we do. Of course, they had me
pretend I was running all day when contacting, and ran after a guy
talking about the word of wisdom. It's funny because I haven't even
gotten up and ran in the morning for 3 months to be completely honest.
We usually just get up and walk and I do push-ups or something. I know
it's so sad, but I have no motivation to run!
Thank you mom for the surprise present at the Christmas party! I
thought I wouldn't get one cause I already had a bunch at the
apartment, but sure enough, they called my name! I'll open it on
Christmas along with the other presents I have. I know it's you mom
because of your unmistakable flawless handwriting.
So we went to see random less actives the other day. He is a less
active who married a Catholic. They both were super hospitable and
invited us in out of the rain. They obviously love missionaries, but
there's always a catch haha. Elder Reeder asked if we could share the
Christmas video "He is the Gift." She immediately said "NO" like
repeatedly, and he also was negative. We both were super surprised and
it threw us off for a second. Most people like watching a video, even
if it is religious. We've had atheists watch that! Anyways, as we were
walking out, she said loudly and with deliberation, says "Happy
Holidays!" She drew out the Holidays as if implying something. We just
said by, and we were laughing about why a catholic would say something
like that. We were driving and talking, and Elder Reeder was
expressing his frustration. He said, "come one! Your catholic! Jesus
is real!" Hahaha I was laughing so hard for like 5 minutes.
So last night we had a Meet and Greet at the stake presidents house,
which is huge by the way. It was the same meeting that I went to when
I first came to the mission. We were all introducing ourselves, and it
comes to sister Kwan. We all of course said something interesting
about ourself. She ends her little introduction by exclaiming loud and
clear, in her broken English, "something interesting, I'm Asian!!!!!!"
The entire room of 42 missionaries erupted into laughter, because her
enthusiasm was too much to not enjoy. That was a journal worthy
experience for sure. Sister Kwan is from Hong Kong and sure likes to
share that!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and watch that He is the
Gift video! I've seen it a thousand times and it is a beautiful
message about the savior Jesus Christ. I know he is our savior, and I
constantly testify of him everyday. It makes a huge difference for me,
and as I do it, I see how much people need to hear it. I know the
gospel is true, and I love Christmas because it is a time when we get
to think of him even more. I love you all and miss you guys!
Elder Janson
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It's been a totally sweet week! So first of all, I've gotten a bunch
of packages I didn't expect, and I have so much candy!!! Thank you
everyone that sent packages because it makes our day to get something.
We get excited about little things out here. It's crazy living on
your own because food/candy doesn't just disappear! I have to eat it!
Haha it's something I not used to in a big family. But anyways, we had
our heater fixed finally! So now when I get up in the morning, our
apartment is not 58 degrees when I get up in the morning and freeze
after getting out of the shower. Another thing I want to bring up,
is what is the gas price in Florida or the rest of the country??
Because it feels like it's 1950 or something! Our gas is $2.65! Like
what is that!?
We had our mission Christmas party and devotional last Wednesday. It
was pretty sweet, and I sang up in front of people from my own choice,
just so you know! Sister Alba was asking who wants to sing a couple
weeks ago and I volunteered. I know it doesn't sound like me, but I'm
realizing now I really like singing and I'm dumb cause I never did
before. But whatever. So I sang Hark the Herald Angels sing with like
8 other missionaries for the devotional. It was pretty sweet. It was
crazy having every missionary in our mission in one chapel. It's like
the spirit will take over the world! We also did skits as a zone, and
ours was about how we incorporate "Santa Rosa Shape Up" (mandatory
exercise in the morning) into everything we do. Of course, they had me
pretend I was running all day when contacting, and ran after a guy
talking about the word of wisdom. It's funny because I haven't even
gotten up and ran in the morning for 3 months to be completely honest.
We usually just get up and walk and I do push-ups or something. I know
it's so sad, but I have no motivation to run!
Thank you mom for the surprise present at the Christmas party! I
thought I wouldn't get one cause I already had a bunch at the
apartment, but sure enough, they called my name! I'll open it on
Christmas along with the other presents I have. I know it's you mom
because of your unmistakable flawless handwriting.
So we went to see random less actives the other day. He is a less
active who married a Catholic. They both were super hospitable and
invited us in out of the rain. They obviously love missionaries, but
there's always a catch haha. Elder Reeder asked if we could share the
Christmas video "He is the Gift." She immediately said "NO" like
repeatedly, and he also was negative. We both were super surprised and
it threw us off for a second. Most people like watching a video, even
if it is religious. We've had atheists watch that! Anyways, as we were
walking out, she said loudly and with deliberation, says "Happy
Holidays!" She drew out the Holidays as if implying something. We just
said by, and we were laughing about why a catholic would say something
like that. We were driving and talking, and Elder Reeder was
expressing his frustration. He said, "come one! Your catholic! Jesus
is real!" Hahaha I was laughing so hard for like 5 minutes.
So last night we had a Meet and Greet at the stake presidents house,
which is huge by the way. It was the same meeting that I went to when
I first came to the mission. We were all introducing ourselves, and it
comes to sister Kwan. We all of course said something interesting
about ourself. She ends her little introduction by exclaiming loud and
clear, in her broken English, "something interesting, I'm Asian!!!!!!"
The entire room of 42 missionaries erupted into laughter, because her
enthusiasm was too much to not enjoy. That was a journal worthy
experience for sure. Sister Kwan is from Hong Kong and sure likes to
share that!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and watch that He is the
Gift video! I've seen it a thousand times and it is a beautiful
message about the savior Jesus Christ. I know he is our savior, and I
constantly testify of him everyday. It makes a huge difference for me,
and as I do it, I see how much people need to hear it. I know the
gospel is true, and I love Christmas because it is a time when we get
to think of him even more. I love you all and miss you guys!
Elder Janson
Our Christmas is getting larger ...
The MTC District reunited. And Sister Aguilar standing awkwardly in between us (because we can't put our arm around her :)
The old apartment! Minus Elder Roper.
Monday, December 22, 2014
12/15/14 Second Transfer Already Done!
Family and people,
Haha all you people. Anyways, we had a short transfer of 5 weeks
because of Christmas, and I can't believe I'm almost done with 3
months. It's unreal. That also means I have less study in the morning,
because I don't have to do "12 week" which is greenie study basically.
We got to watch all of the district videos, which show missionaries in
Southern California. We use those DVDs as training for us, but the
last week of 12 week is great because you just watch the whole videos.
It's great!
It turns out, our whole zone is barely changing. Only one elder got
transferred to Vacaville. Me and Elder Reeder are staying here, and we
get to keep our car! I am so grateful for that, because it's nasty and
rainy everyday! We are lucky. So we will be here until at least
February. It's crazy! I'm stuck here in Santa Rosa, Peterson lane
Ward.
So this week I will report on all the dumb things Elder Reeder has
done. It has been hilarious. We were putting on music in the car,
Circle of Life by Motab of course, and we didn't realize the volume
was WAY too high. If you know that song, there is no buildup. It just
starts with yelling. And he put the song on when I'm driving, and I
about jumped out of my seat when the guy starts yelling! Hahaha
Then we go to see a potential investigator. His name is Tony S.
But apparently Elder Reeder thought this guy was Steve V,
another investigator we were trying to meet. So of course he asks if
Steve is there. I about crack up, and I'm like, "umm, we are
also looking for Tony." The lady is like, "oh! Tony lives here."
Hahahaha I was making fun of him so much after that. Not only that,
but we go to see this teenage girl named Carla who said come back. She
lives on Tijuana court. So he goes to the door. "Is Juana here?" She
looks confused and is like, what? I just quickly say, "I think he
means Carla!" Hahaha she's like, "oh that's me!" Oh my gosh I was
losing it after that. He was pretty embarrassed.
We had sushi for dinner from the Wentzels, a less active couple. It
was sweet!!! Now I can say I've made sushi, and it was legit. I'll
send some pictures of that.
We found a family this week! Amy and Andrew have three kids, and they
were so willing to listen to us. They soaked in the restoration, and
it was something that doesn't happen a lot! We hope they can come to
church, because they couldn't make it yesterday. It was such a solid
lesson! We have been doing great with finding new investigators.
On exchanges this week, Elder Despain, our district leader, came with
me. We went to see a less active who is struggling with the word of
wisdom. He had quit smoking the week before, and hadn't relapsed at
all! It was crazy how much faith this guy showed. He doesn't come to
church much, sometimes because he has mental and emotional problems.
But let me tell you, this guy knows the Book Of Mormon and Bible,
probably better than us! We both went in that lesson with one plan. As
the lesson went on, we gradually both just switched the lesson,
without telling each other, or making any sign we were changing. We
just felt that we needed to talk about the sacrament. It was amazing
how the spirit was bearing witness of what we said. Half of what I
said I don't really remember. I am convinced we were both speaking
purely from the Holy Ghost. Elder Despain was almost crying, and I
about did. Greg, the less active, could definitely feel the spirit. We
showed the mormon message, "Hope of Gods Light" and it has the most
amazing message, that sometimes the light of Christ is only evident to
us once we do an act of faith. The spirit was incredible. Elder
Despain said after, that he has never felt the spirit so strongly
ever. Period. I totally agree. It was almost tangible. I am so
grateful for the spirit and the effect it can have on us teaching, and
those learning.
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas. Thank you mom for the
Christmas package! I'll have to send you all a picture of our
"Christmas tree." It's a sad, sad thing. Hahaha
I just want to testify that the more I learn of Christ and read the 4
gospels and watch the bible videos the church puts out, the more I see
how much the atonement means. Christmas is the best time to remember
how Christ suffered in gethsemane, and the magnitude of that. It is
incredible, and Christ is the only one who could do it. I love
learning of him and teaching others of him. Nothing is more true than
the fact that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.
I love you all! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Elder Janson
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Haha all you people. Anyways, we had a short transfer of 5 weeks
because of Christmas, and I can't believe I'm almost done with 3
months. It's unreal. That also means I have less study in the morning,
because I don't have to do "12 week" which is greenie study basically.
We got to watch all of the district videos, which show missionaries in
Southern California. We use those DVDs as training for us, but the
last week of 12 week is great because you just watch the whole videos.
It's great!
It turns out, our whole zone is barely changing. Only one elder got
transferred to Vacaville. Me and Elder Reeder are staying here, and we
get to keep our car! I am so grateful for that, because it's nasty and
rainy everyday! We are lucky. So we will be here until at least
February. It's crazy! I'm stuck here in Santa Rosa, Peterson lane
Ward.
So this week I will report on all the dumb things Elder Reeder has
done. It has been hilarious. We were putting on music in the car,
Circle of Life by Motab of course, and we didn't realize the volume
was WAY too high. If you know that song, there is no buildup. It just
starts with yelling. And he put the song on when I'm driving, and I
about jumped out of my seat when the guy starts yelling! Hahaha
Then we go to see a potential investigator. His name is Tony S.
But apparently Elder Reeder thought this guy was Steve V,
another investigator we were trying to meet. So of course he asks if
Steve is there. I about crack up, and I'm like, "umm, we are
also looking for Tony." The lady is like, "oh! Tony lives here."
Hahahaha I was making fun of him so much after that. Not only that,
but we go to see this teenage girl named Carla who said come back. She
lives on Tijuana court. So he goes to the door. "Is Juana here?" She
looks confused and is like, what? I just quickly say, "I think he
means Carla!" Hahaha she's like, "oh that's me!" Oh my gosh I was
losing it after that. He was pretty embarrassed.
We had sushi for dinner from the Wentzels, a less active couple. It
was sweet!!! Now I can say I've made sushi, and it was legit. I'll
send some pictures of that.
We found a family this week! Amy and Andrew have three kids, and they
were so willing to listen to us. They soaked in the restoration, and
it was something that doesn't happen a lot! We hope they can come to
church, because they couldn't make it yesterday. It was such a solid
lesson! We have been doing great with finding new investigators.
On exchanges this week, Elder Despain, our district leader, came with
me. We went to see a less active who is struggling with the word of
wisdom. He had quit smoking the week before, and hadn't relapsed at
all! It was crazy how much faith this guy showed. He doesn't come to
church much, sometimes because he has mental and emotional problems.
But let me tell you, this guy knows the Book Of Mormon and Bible,
probably better than us! We both went in that lesson with one plan. As
the lesson went on, we gradually both just switched the lesson,
without telling each other, or making any sign we were changing. We
just felt that we needed to talk about the sacrament. It was amazing
how the spirit was bearing witness of what we said. Half of what I
said I don't really remember. I am convinced we were both speaking
purely from the Holy Ghost. Elder Despain was almost crying, and I
about did. Greg, the less active, could definitely feel the spirit. We
showed the mormon message, "Hope of Gods Light" and it has the most
amazing message, that sometimes the light of Christ is only evident to
us once we do an act of faith. The spirit was incredible. Elder
Despain said after, that he has never felt the spirit so strongly
ever. Period. I totally agree. It was almost tangible. I am so
grateful for the spirit and the effect it can have on us teaching, and
those learning.
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas. Thank you mom for the
Christmas package! I'll have to send you all a picture of our
"Christmas tree." It's a sad, sad thing. Hahaha
I just want to testify that the more I learn of Christ and read the 4
gospels and watch the bible videos the church puts out, the more I see
how much the atonement means. Christmas is the best time to remember
how Christ suffered in gethsemane, and the magnitude of that. It is
incredible, and Christ is the only one who could do it. I love
learning of him and teaching others of him. Nothing is more true than
the fact that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.
I love you all! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Elder Janson
Christmas in a missionary apartment ....
Sushi dinner at the Wentzel's!
Elder Janson has a new skill in the kitchen.
Random picture of Elder Green on Preparation Day (P-Day)
Monday, December 8, 2014
12/8/14 Wet, cold weather and biking for dinner ...
So family and friends,
How are you?? It's been the usual missionary week. Except I have like
some crazy stuff to tell you!
We had a week with a bunch of lessons planned, but a bunch fell
through. We ended up only having 12 lessons, with like 28 potential
lessons. Welcome to missionary life! But we found this family a while
back, Rob is the dad. They are born again Christian, and are totally
cool with us! They want us to come next Sunday for a lesson. We gave a
house blessing for them and they loved it a couple weeks ago. They are
the coolest family. That's what the mission goal has been, to find
families, and this seems like a great opportunity.
Another time, we were trying to see a potential investigator we didn't
know yet. I was kind of annoyed, considering we had just talked to a
guy for awhile that just wanted to argue, and it is such a waste of
time. I wanted to just do something mean haha especially when I was
talking and he buzzed me! Meaning he made a buzzing sound like I was
being tested or something. I had to hold back a little, and I just
stopped talking when he did that. I was like, this guy doesn't deserve
to hear us if he's gonna be dumb, and just want to argue with us.
Anyways, we went to a less actives to see if she was there, just out
of nowhere. I felt we should. They let us right in, and the members ex
husband talked to us for a long time about how his dad was a stake
president, etc. and he just didn't do those things. He had been in
jail for most of his life for some terrible things. We really
should've been scared to be in an apartment with this guy. But we
didn't feel any fear. It was as if the spirit was comforting us. We
barely said anything, and as he talked to us about his guilt, he
eventually was so emotional he just couldn't speak, and he wants us to
come back. Sometimes I'm amazed at the influence we have when we don't
do anything!
So this is kind of funny. We have a car in our area for at least this
transfer. Elder Reeder then realizes a week or two ago that the bishop
in a near Ward he knew from his Ward in Meridian, Idaho way back when
he was a kid. He calls them and is like, "hey! I knew you guys when I
was a little kid!" Haha so we went to dinner with them on Thursday. We
thought it would be fine because we had a car, and they were about 7
miles away. But then, our zone leader tells us that President is not
happy about people getting in wrecks, so the mission will "fast" from
cars on Thursday and Friday. Great. We're like, dang it!! So what do
we do? Do we cancel? Haha nope! We get our bikes an hour before dinner
on Thursday, and bike all the way to Rincon valley Ward, across Santa
Rosa. It turns out, that side of town is anything but flat. It was
mostly uphill all the way there! But we made it, and Sis Groesbeck,
the family elder reeder knows of course, never knows we biked there
until we left! Hahaha she wasn't too happy about that!
Because of having to bike, we got some serious rain, because here
during winter it does this weird thing where it rains and it's cold.
Good thing I bought some rain pants, because we were biking to the
church, when it just starts coming down. We pull over and look crazy
pulling on our rain pants! We get to the church, and thank the lord
for rain gear. Haha it was super fun.
On Saturday we had a lesson planned with Bee, a 17 year old
investigator from a part member family. She comes to the church where
the lesson was going to be at 11, and we had figured out the night
before about a baptism at the church at 11. What do we do? We're like,
"hey we're going to a baptism Bee!" Haha she was like.. Ok! Kind of
tricked her into going to a baptism, but she was fine with it haha.
So testimony meeting in church yesterday was one of those where I feel
like the spirit was surprisingly strong. You sometimes don't expect to
feel it so strong just at church, which is bad, but sometimes church
just feels like routine. But everyone who went up just shared a
simple, powerful testimony, that just was amazing and kept me awake :)
I'm glad to be in such a church where no matter where you are, and who
is there, they all have the same knowledge that you do. They all feel
the importance of the gospel to their families and them as
individuals.
I'm so glad for the gospel and what it can do for anyone who accepts
it. I know if we remember Christ in this season, we can feel the power
of his life flow into ours. That is what the church is doing with this
"He is the Gift" initiative. Share that with everyone! It can change
the world, and can change you.
I love all of you guys!
Elder Janson
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How are you?? It's been the usual missionary week. Except I have like
some crazy stuff to tell you!
We had a week with a bunch of lessons planned, but a bunch fell
through. We ended up only having 12 lessons, with like 28 potential
lessons. Welcome to missionary life! But we found this family a while
back, Rob is the dad. They are born again Christian, and are totally
cool with us! They want us to come next Sunday for a lesson. We gave a
house blessing for them and they loved it a couple weeks ago. They are
the coolest family. That's what the mission goal has been, to find
families, and this seems like a great opportunity.
Another time, we were trying to see a potential investigator we didn't
know yet. I was kind of annoyed, considering we had just talked to a
guy for awhile that just wanted to argue, and it is such a waste of
time. I wanted to just do something mean haha especially when I was
talking and he buzzed me! Meaning he made a buzzing sound like I was
being tested or something. I had to hold back a little, and I just
stopped talking when he did that. I was like, this guy doesn't deserve
to hear us if he's gonna be dumb, and just want to argue with us.
Anyways, we went to a less actives to see if she was there, just out
of nowhere. I felt we should. They let us right in, and the members ex
husband talked to us for a long time about how his dad was a stake
president, etc. and he just didn't do those things. He had been in
jail for most of his life for some terrible things. We really
should've been scared to be in an apartment with this guy. But we
didn't feel any fear. It was as if the spirit was comforting us. We
barely said anything, and as he talked to us about his guilt, he
eventually was so emotional he just couldn't speak, and he wants us to
come back. Sometimes I'm amazed at the influence we have when we don't
do anything!
So this is kind of funny. We have a car in our area for at least this
transfer. Elder Reeder then realizes a week or two ago that the bishop
in a near Ward he knew from his Ward in Meridian, Idaho way back when
he was a kid. He calls them and is like, "hey! I knew you guys when I
was a little kid!" Haha so we went to dinner with them on Thursday. We
thought it would be fine because we had a car, and they were about 7
miles away. But then, our zone leader tells us that President is not
happy about people getting in wrecks, so the mission will "fast" from
cars on Thursday and Friday. Great. We're like, dang it!! So what do
we do? Do we cancel? Haha nope! We get our bikes an hour before dinner
on Thursday, and bike all the way to Rincon valley Ward, across Santa
Rosa. It turns out, that side of town is anything but flat. It was
mostly uphill all the way there! But we made it, and Sis Groesbeck,
the family elder reeder knows of course, never knows we biked there
until we left! Hahaha she wasn't too happy about that!
Because of having to bike, we got some serious rain, because here
during winter it does this weird thing where it rains and it's cold.
Good thing I bought some rain pants, because we were biking to the
church, when it just starts coming down. We pull over and look crazy
pulling on our rain pants! We get to the church, and thank the lord
for rain gear. Haha it was super fun.
On Saturday we had a lesson planned with Bee, a 17 year old
investigator from a part member family. She comes to the church where
the lesson was going to be at 11, and we had figured out the night
before about a baptism at the church at 11. What do we do? We're like,
"hey we're going to a baptism Bee!" Haha she was like.. Ok! Kind of
tricked her into going to a baptism, but she was fine with it haha.
So testimony meeting in church yesterday was one of those where I feel
like the spirit was surprisingly strong. You sometimes don't expect to
feel it so strong just at church, which is bad, but sometimes church
just feels like routine. But everyone who went up just shared a
simple, powerful testimony, that just was amazing and kept me awake :)
I'm glad to be in such a church where no matter where you are, and who
is there, they all have the same knowledge that you do. They all feel
the importance of the gospel to their families and them as
individuals.
I'm so glad for the gospel and what it can do for anyone who accepts
it. I know if we remember Christ in this season, we can feel the power
of his life flow into ours. That is what the church is doing with this
"He is the Gift" initiative. Share that with everyone! It can change
the world, and can change you.
I love all of you guys!
Elder Janson
Joseph's new companion (me and Elder Reeder had some fun with a less active's Boba Fett helmet)
Yes, those are penquins!
Me admiring this nativity.
A Florida license plate !!!!
Me and Monique! Haha
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