Sister Johnson: 5/5/25

 

Me encanta ser misionera de servicio. mucho. ¡MUCHO!

Though it's been about three weeks since my last email, I honestly don't have much to say😂 so it might be a little short. But I am moving forward with faith that though I might not see the importance of sending an email today, God can still use me for good:) If you don't get anything else out of this then at least know this:  I have a testimony of Christ and that He lives. I have a testimony of His great Atonement and gospel and I know that it blesses me and can bless you every day. I know that only through Christ can we return to live with our Heavenly Father and have a fulness of joy. So think Celestial! Because Christ is life eternal. 

I also know that life is life. And by that I mean sometimes life can be hard and sucky. And sometimes life doesn't go the way you think it should. Hopefully I can share with you in that. And as you read I pray that something I write will stand out to you and help out with all the sometimes sucky-ness that is life:) 

🐞 I am not always very good with people. No secret there. Which can be hard as a member of the church. We are a church of ministering. Of kindness. We are to reach out to "the one."  The whole goal is to be like Christ. And one can hardly think of Him without picturing one of his many acts of kindness and ministering. Loving others was His whole mission and purpose on earth. I often struggle with feelings of guilt and inadequacy when it comes to this kind of stuff. Because of my weaknesses I sometimes find it difficult to "bear one another's burdens, mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort." I compare myself to others who seem to be so good at doing just this. But here is something the spirit has been teaching me lately. Firstly let's look in Mosiah 18: 8-9. These verses are often referred to when talking about our baptismal covenants.

"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death..." (and it goes on)

The key word I want to point out here is "willing." Maybe I do not always mourn and comfort and minister to others in a way that I feel is enough. But am I willing? Am I trying my best? Yes. And that is what we are promising here. This is not about perfection in our deeds. We cannot be saved by our works alone because not one of us is perfect. This is about your heart. Your intent and desires. Go reread the recent conference talk "Compensating Blessings" by Bishop Gérald Caussé. As I listened to this talk (though I don't think this particular issue is what he had in mind when giving it) The spirit taught me that it's ok if i'm not a perfect minister, missionary, or friend to everyone I meet. As long as I am trying my best, the Lord counts it as the same. I (and you) will not lose any of our blessings in heaven as long as we are giving Christ our all. This is the good news of the gospel! This is the power of the Atonement! I love Jesus:) And here is another amazing truth I have learned in the past few weeks. When you are willing to serve, to love, The Lord WILL give you opportunities to do just that. And it's miraculous how personalized these opportunities will be to YOU. Good segway into some stories to tell:)vv

🐞 Employment center stories!:

- There's a girl who me and Sister Avila are working with at the employment center. She is a recently released service missionary and came in to find help getting a job. She's a bit shy and awkward and has had not so great experiences with working in the past. She came in one day to practice her interview skills and I could tell she was struggling. she wasn't particularly confident and was visibly nervous the whole time (I can say this because I am the exact same way in interviews lol. Who let me work here?!?!) Anyways, at some point I was giving her a pointer and then I said something along the lines of "but the truth is I suck at interviews too so I don't even know why I'm here trying to teach you." Then we both laughed and I told her she was doing great. After that she seemed much more comfortable and even opened up to us about some of her not-so-great work experiences in the past. I felt like I needed to be there for her in that moment. And it made me happy to know that the Lord can even use me in a place like that where I feel so incompetent😂. She has since opened up about other things as well, including some recent medical issues she has been struggling with. I know that Heavenly Father needs me there to help her. Even if the ways I help her are small. And that really does feel good:) 

- One lady called when I was working the front desk to let me know that she was going to be late for an appointment she had with one of our advisors. She asked me to let him know for her, the funny thing was though that she couldn't remember his name. She said something like "Elder Gooby, or idk something with a G" I laughed cuz how can you not when someone hits you with "Elder Gooby" Didn't really think too much of the interaction. Later she came up to me at the desk after her appointment. She wanted to let me know how much I had helped her to feel better during that call because she had been feeling very stressed. My laughter had brightened her day. So that was a small one, but impactful to me. Tell people how they've helped you! Maybe they need you just as much as you needed them.

🐞 Pros too!:

Recently I have been blessed to have many good experiences while out proselyting. Actually there have been good stories throughout my whole time going out with the Sisters here. Unfortunately I cannot share them all 🥲 But the amazing thing is that even in my weakness (And I am even more keenly aware of my weaknesses while out proselytizing.) The Lord has still used me, and filled my mouth. And in ways where I knew he needed ME. I have found myself testifying boldly. I was able to share with one man about why I follow the Lord's commandment to treat my body as a temple (even if I do think tattoos are pretty cool) I have found myself promising blessings to members after member messages. Blessings I am confident the Lord gave me to say. I have been there when someone was confiding a struggle that I can relate to, and then I have testified of Christ's power to heal and change. Sometimes it's even as simple as the fact that I have a car, and the sister's don't😅 So we are able to be in the right place at the right time to comfort or help someone they otherwise wouldn't have. The important thing about all of this, is the fact that I have never felt confident that I could do ANY of this. Even in washington. But here's what I'm learning. I can't. But the Lord can through me. idk if that makes sense lol. But the key is to forget about trying to be a perfect missionary and just move forward trusting that somehow the Lord will use me even in my weakness (and sometimes because of it) 

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." - D&C 123:17

🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞🪻🐞

Well! I can't believe I thought this would be a short email. I even cut out a lot of the stuff I was planning to say because I want to be done lol. Turns out when I get a keyboard in front of me I become very long winded. But having said all of that, I want to give you an invitation:) 

Here it is, I invite you to pray for opportunities to be the answer to somebody's prayer. Or whatever your equivalent is. Though it can be a scary thing to ask for sometimes, I know that your Heavenly Father understands you perfectly. He knows what your capabilities and struggles are. He knows what you can and can't handle. Ask Him for the opportunity to bless someone in a big or small way. And then keep your eyes out. You may have to pluck up your courage and go a little out of your way, or it might be something you do involuntarily that you only notice later.  I promise that if you ask with real intent God WILL send an opportunity your way. I promise that as you are mindful of ways to serve others, you will also be able to see more clearly God's hand in YOUR life. You will feel greater purpose, trust, and love for your Heavenly Father. God is mindful of you, He has a path laid out for you. And service is such a great feeling:) So go out and do it! 

¡Dios te ama! ¡Eres importante para él y para su plan! Yo también te amo :)

- Hermana Johnson