December 31, 2019
hey yall!
this week has been a good one and I am constantly reminded why
this work is so important. the gospel has been such a blessing in my life but
in all those whom we share it with!
• we got our transfer calls this week and Sister Nelson is
leaving me and that I'm staying in Sturgis to train again?? Crazy stuff but I'm
so excited!
• christmas eve was a little crazy with back to back
appointments. We got to see Sue and Robert. Then we went to visit with a
recently widowed member whose son left a few months ago to Ghana on his
mission. She has so much faith and it was so sweet to spend that time with her.
• Robert is doing great! He has been struggling with some things
he read online but he prayed and studied about it and has an even stronger
testimony of the Restoration because of it! My favorite quote from him is
"no test, no testimony". He also loved church and stayed to sing in
the choir.
Us with Robert! |
• Sue is feeling a lot better and she picked the 18th to be
baptized! That's the same day as Robert and we haven't broken the news to him
we are SO excited for her though. When we were teaching
her on the 28th, she said "I know I'm supposed to be dressed in white
getting dunked right now but the Lord has a greater plan for me. I have all
these seeds planted in my heart that are going to grow so much". She just
warms my heart.
Us with Sue! |
• we had a fun christmas too. We got to call home and had
district council. Then we got to visit a lot of shut-ins which was such a sweet
time. I love how the gospel is for families but also individuals. It is for
everyone. It also got strangely warm here up to like 56° and everyone was
losing their mind.
• so I am currently in Battle Creek with Sister Schulties while
we both wait for our new missionaries. We got to go help out a sweet family
yesterday clear out a hoarded home, and I truly just felt the love that God had
for this family despite the very concerning situation.
Something a little different that the Sturgis ward does the last
Sunday of each year is called "testimonies through music." So rather
than speakers or a testimony meeting, they congregation is open to going up and
sharing their favorite hymn and how it has strengthened their testimony. Then
we all sing a verse of the song. It was different for sure, but a reminder to
me of the power music can have in our lives and our spiritual growth. One of my
favorite hymns is "Lead, Kindly Light". Sometimes you may feel as though
you are in darkness and there may only be enough light to take a single step
forward. The Lord is there to lead us forward to their presence. I hope you
each can take a moment to step back and see what power music is having in your
life. What has strengthened your faith in Christ and really allowed you to feel
His love for you?
Sister Garner, the cutest member |
Sister Nuttallllll |
With love,
Sister Johnson
riana.johnson@missionary.org
Sister Johnson
195 Memorial
Dr Apt B 21
Sturgis, MI
49091