Went thru a tub of peanut butter in one week

June 24, 2019

Hey y'all!

Hello from Midland!

 This week has been pretty insignificant but it's been a good time! It’s been a week full of door knocking, walking, and rain. We taught Heidi and Roger the plan of salvation at the James’ home and it was seriously the best lesson ever. I love both of those families. Heidi and Roger also want to take us to Michigan Adventures and we can't, so that is very sad.

Then the sisters in our district spent the night at our apartment and that was a party. We had root beer floats for breakfast. Then we did some pc and door knocking. Lots of fun. Also everyone here calls cul de sacs, “courts.”

I also got the Living Christ memorized! Wednesday we spent the whole day door knocking. We also met with Cheryl but we had to take her off date for a while which was sad. Heidi and Roger offered to adopt us which was fun.

We also were told by one woman that she was doing homework with her kids so she couldn't talk. School got out three weeks ago but all is well. Another lady told us at the door she wasn't interested because she had a bad back. Thursday we did some door knocking and knocked into a sweet guy named Delaun. He said he had just been talking to his neighbor about religion and he took it as a sign and asked us to come to church with us.

Cats are fun though...

Then I got 7 boxes of protein bars in the mail. Thanks mom. We also went to tunes at the tridge (it’s a three sided bridge) to pc but it was unsuccessful. Friday we did even more door knocking and knocked into this sweet Muslim family let us in and we visited with them discussing our beliefs about Christ.

We also were able to meet with Heidi and Roger again. We love them. Then Saturday we did some pc at the tridge and some door knocking. Sunday was awesome and Heidi and Roger and their kids came. Then we had some meetings and had the best dinner since we fasted. We also did some door knocking and pc at the tridge. We also made s’mores over our stove which was such a good time.

Improvising

And today is bagel day! The best day. I hope you all can enjoy a bagel in my behalf today.

Love you all and have a great week! 

Sister Riana Johnson

2201 Ashman St

Apt #2

Midland, MI  48640

riana.johnson@missionary.org

Getting S'more of Jesus

June 17, 2019

This week has been cold and rainy but so fun!!

On Tuesday got slushies with the sisters in our district which was a good time. Then we were able to help out at the Shelter House and it was a lot of fun. Then we went to a recent convert’s house and the girl had us wash her dishes for her which we don't really do but that was fine. We also visited with some other recent converts and they had a friend over so we taught him the restoration which was so awesome! Then we door knocked this street and had this cute cat, Gypsy, follow us from door to door so that was a good time. 

Slushies with the sisters 

 

Wednesday was fun too! We went to the tridge and did some PC which was fun. We met this man who didn't speak any English so we attempted to translate with our little Spanish knowledge and it was so funny. We also had dinner with this sweet couple in our ward which was so fun. Then we were able to teach Heidi and Roger the restoration! It was so powerful and everyone was emotional. That was seriously the best lesson I've ever been a part of. 

The tridge! 

Thursday was fun and we were able to do some family history. Then we taught Country Mike the restoration too! It is so cool to see how the spirit can work within someone. We also had dinner with this sweet family in the ward and we had taco pizza. It was the most interesting and cool dinner I've had here. Then we got to go to addiction recovery again with a friend of ours which was cool. 

Friday was so fun! We spent all morning and afternoon studying and planning. Then we got to go to the ward camp out! We got s'more of Jesus! Hahaha no joke tho it was so fun. This family in our ward owns this huge camp ground in Sanford and it’s beautiful. We got to bring Heidi and Roger and their kids which was seriously a blast. We also made smores! Such a good time even though Sister Nyman almost killed us going 45 mph in a 75 mph. 

Gettin' s'more of Jesus

Saturday was my one month mark! Crazy to think I've been out for an entire month but also I feel like I've been here for years. We went to the farmers market and did some pc there and did some door knocking. 

Sunday was Father’s Day! Shout out to all dads especially mine! He's awesome. Heidi and Roger came to church and it was so fun! Then we did some door knocking and visited Sister Morgan and she told us all about her 10 cats. She also gave us watermelon which was great. Then we got to call our families which was alot of fun. 

Today is Bagel Day! Me and Sister Nuttall have the best and worst habit of getting bagels on p-day but now it has become bagel day. We also visited Dow Gardens which was so beautiful and peaceful! And tonight we get to teach Heidi and Roger so that will be fun! Anyways I hope you all are enjoying your summer!  

Terrible quality pic of Heidi and Roger's fam, a turtle, and Brother Millward

The canopy at Dow Gardens 

Whiting Forest at Dow Gardens

Love you all!

Sister Riana Johnson

2201 Ashman St

Apt #2

Midland, MI  48640

riana.johnson@missionary.org

These dang michiganders

June 10, 2019

Hi! It's been a while!

Let me catch you all up on what has been going on. Saturday was a sad time knowing that it was our last classes as a district. Sunday even more so because we said goodbye to half of them. Sunday we had fast Sunday which was so awesome. We also did a musical number as a district which was "If the Savior stood beside me" and I hope each of you can ponder the words of the song and think about how we would be if we knew the savior stood beside us. He really is beside us in all things and knows exactly how we feel. That night we also had a departing devotional which was awesome and we got to hear from the MTC presidency. 

Then Monday we didn't have very much to do because we didn't have any lessons to prepare for, so me and Sister Kenney accidentally took a 3 1/2 hour nap. No worries though we just missed a couple things, but it worked out. Word of advice--don't nap in the MTC and if you do, make sure your alarm is right.

Tuesday was a party because it was Elder Day's birthday! Shout out to that guy and all the treats he shared with us. We also got to hear from Elder Gong in the devotional which was so amazing. I loved how he mentioned that we need to stop looking at ourselves through the world's mirror but instead through heaven's mirror to see the reflection God sees. So powerful to realize that God looks on the heart and that we shouldn't worry about the other things of the world. 

Wednesday was crazy! The elders traveling with us missed the bus to get to the airport but they made it before the flight left. We landed in Detroit and our flight to Lansing got delayed for over an hour, and we ended up flying on a different plane. After we landed we went to the mission home and had Sister Brennan's homemade cafe Rio. So bomb. Also Michigan is so beautiful. There are trees everywhere and it is so green. So because there were too many of us to all sleep in the mission home, me and another sister slept at the STL's apartment. Tragically, after getting reassurance from one of the STLs, they said no one has ever fallen off the bunk bed but low and behold, I was the first. I have a gnarly bruise on my arm but it's too funny. 

Thursday I met my new companion! Her name is Sister Nuttall and she is so sweet! We also went to ARP with one of our new friends that night and that was fun. Friday was definitely a tough day with Alfonzo dropping us out of nowhere. We also door knocked and got ripped apart by this guy. Little did we know, his address was on the "places to avoid" notes. Live and you learn I guess. 

Me and Sister Nuttall, my trainer

Saturday was a lot of fun! The weather was so nice so we walked to the Tridge for our study time. We also met with country Mike. LOVE that guy. We also were able to meet with Roger and Heidi and we seriously love them! The hard part about Michigan is that everyone loves to talk so we almost can never get a lesson in haha. These Michiganders really make it tough but we do our best to squeeze in doctrines when we can. Then we went to this awesome food truck night to do some PC and ended up getting a ton of bomb food too. We also met with Kyle who just finished his new member lessons which was lots of fun. He is awesome. 

Us with bomb food

Sunday was also amazing. The Midland 2nd Ward cares so much about missionary work and they will help us however they can. I accidentally forgot my tag when I got to church but thankfully only one person called me out for it. We also had zero of our six people come to church that had committed before. That was sad but we will help them get there. We also got to have dinner with the James. I LOVE THEM. We have a whole plan as to how Sister Nuttall is going to marry their son. It is amazing. We also read the Book of Mormon with Cheryl over the phone which was awesome. 

This turtle lives near the Elders' apartment

I can testify that this is the true church and we really have the restored gospel on earth. The Book of Mormon is such a blessing and I invite you all to please read it whenever you can. 

Love you all! Enjoy your week!

Sister Riana Johnson

2201 Ashman St

Apt #2

Midland, MI  48640

riana.johnson@missionary.org

The Arrival to Michigan and Companion Assignment

June 5, 2019

Dear parents and family of Sister Johnson:

We are pleased to report that at about 7:15 p.m. (EDT) your missionary daughter or son arrived at the Lansing Airport, after flying here from Salt Lake City (through Detroit).  Each is a bit tired, having gotten up early this morning in Provo, but they look happy and pleased to have made it to Michigan.  Below are a couple of pictures that we took of them as they arrived at the Lansing airport, and with Sister Brennan and me at the mission home.

New Arrivals

First Day in Michigan!

After we got to the mission home from the airport, Sister Brennan fed them, we reviewed with them a little bit about the mission and its culture, and asked them to read and sign several forms.  I had, or will have in the morning, a brief, preliminary interview with each of them to help me get to know them – this will assist me in finalizing assignments to their training companions.  Tomorrow we will have a more thorough orientation.

Sister Johnson with President and Sister Brennan

I have carefully selected some of our very best missionaries to serve as training companions.  

Newcomers in front, Trainers in back

Sister Nuttall and Sister Johnson

We are so grateful to have your missionary with us here.  We will do our best to help each missionary feel welcome and loved, as well as successful.  Missionary service is demanding and requires the very best of each young missionary.  There typically is an initial period of adjustment, which can be more difficult for some.  But we have every hope and expectation that your missionary will find joy and satisfaction in this divine work.

All the best,

Sterling & Annette Brennan