CODE WHITE

Hello my family and friends!

As many of you may have seen the weather was AWFUL this week. Today is the warmest it's been and we are sitting at a hefty one degree. Tuesday the city called for a code white. Everything was shut down, and everything was cancelled. We had 60 mph winds, and it was nice and warm. -24 to be exact. The wind was blowing snow everywhere, it looked like a white tornado. I'm not even kidding you, I was expecting to look out my window and see penguins huddled together. Well, that day we didn't brave the outdoors. We did missionary work from the warmth of the apartment, but the next day... I walked outside and my nose hairs froze. DO YOU KNOW HOW WEIRD THAT SENSATION IS? I also couldn't breathe, but I'm getting used to it now. Sister Hansen said I was being dramatic, I say otherwise.

Yesterday was the Primary Program and us and the Elders got to sing "Called to Serve" with the primary kids. It was so fun!!

On the day when it was -20 with the wind chill we tracted a few houses. Now mind you we could only knock on one door before we would have to warm up. The wind rips right through any article of clothing. Well, the second to last door on the street we knocked and the guy answered and yelled at us to "go away." Then he proceeded to slam the door. We responded with a "Merry Christmas!" Sister Hansen added a "If I was Santa I'd give you coal." Christ like? maybe not, but it made me laugh when I wanted to cry :)

The last door was mucho better. The guy let us in and we taught him a quick version of the Restoration. Gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he would read some of it this week and we could check back with him next week. He and his wife are nurse anesthetists so he knows all the doctors in our ward. We talked to Brother Amsbury who is a doctor at the same hospital, and he says he knows him and his wife and the wife is just as cool. She was at work that night, so we are pumped to meet her.

Anyways, those are some highlights. wish I could tell you all the amazing things that happen everyday, but there is just not enough time. You all can just read my journal when I get back.

I LOVE YOU.

Oh here's this nifty hymn we sang this week, I love it and wanted to share.

know this that every soul is free

to choose his life and what he'll be;

for this eternal truth is giv'n

that God will force no man to Heav'n

Hot cocoa on a cold p-day

Amsbury's naked cats!!

Family photos

BENNETT

This poem is so accurate

Our little tree, and some gifts from the members

Thanks to Faith Amsbury for braving the cold to snag some pics :)

Sneak peak at the family Christmas card

Greetings From the North Pole!

I have a story for you all. Once there were two missionaries, they were diligent little missionaries and wanted to be obedient. One night there was a scary blizzard that came and lasted for 3 days. That blizzard was so bad, and the drifts were really deep. Some of the locals were trapped inside until someone could shovel them out. The Mission President asked them not to drive their cars because of the danger on the roads. They were to go out on foot only. They put on their scarves, hats, thermals, boots, wool layers, coats, and gloves and set out to preach the Gospel. People thought these two missionaries were crazy for being outside in these conditions. Well, at their District Meeting that Friday, some of the other missionaries were talking about their "snow day". They soon learned of how the other missionaries stayed inside during the blizzard. Those two missionaries were Sister Johnson and Sister Hansen. 

The End. 

Well everyone, I hope you had a great week! We sure did, even though we were walking outside while it was snowing sideways. The cold temps are setting in this week, but that is good news because apparently some of the locals say that it doesn't snow terribly because it gets too cold. How is that possible you ask? I have no idea, but I am taking it from them. I think it snowed a good 2 feet, but don't quote me on that. 

We had a youth carnival planned for the youth to invite all their friends, and we were going to have all the people to teach, but then it got canceled due to the weather and that was a heart breaker. 

Don't forget that I love you! 

Seasons greetings from the Sisters 

Bishop Jacob's little girl Ju Ju got baptized this week

the Roskelleys gave us a little tree for our apartment!! 

So much love for this little one

  

The snow plows leave it in the middle of the cul-de-sac for the whole winter 

ZL's came to drop off a new car (has AWD so we are pumped) and those icicles had formed over night 

This lady named Marcell gave us candy canes at her door :)  

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Well, it has come. It's a winter wonderland! 10 inches in 3 days people. I am not prepared. Now I have an excuse to wear my beanies and not do my hair HAHA!

I hope you all had a fantastic Turkey day! I did! It was definitely weird being away from family, but the members were amazing and took us in. We had a couple dinners (yeah I ate my weight in food). We also had a couple teaching appointments. There is literally nothing more fulfilling than talking about the Savior during the Holidays. Also! I made yams for thanksgiving dinner, my grandmas would be so proud! They were tasty, except one minor detail... Sister Hansen and I have never made them before, nor did we have a recipe. We used a stick and a half of butter for 5 yams. HAHAH I am literally laughing typing this. About half way through cooking them, she goes, "do you think we should add more butter?" We took them out and they were SWIMMING in butter. Oh man, but they sure were scrumptious.

Speaking of holiday. Have you heard of the Christmas Initiative the church is doing this year? Everyone look up the video, it is #LightTheWorld. Then go on Mormon.org and do the 25 days of service! I promise you will have the Spirit of Christmas in your home if you do. Also, the video is AMAZING so at least watch it.

So here's a cool story for ya, sister Hansen found this quote on Wednesday morning that we really loved.

"We are not human beings having spiritual experiences,

we are spiritual beings have a human experience."

Good right? well that was the first time I had ever heard it. Then, later that night we had an appointment at Denny's (not bad) and when we were waiting for them to get there, this man approached us and started asking us questions about our church. We answered them and he really liked what we had to say. Then he said something about us having a greater purpose than just this life, and then he quoted that quote! I literally almost fell over. We kept talking for like 15 minutes, and set up a return appointment. I love when things work out perfectly like that. It is amazing.

On Tuesday I was backing sister Hansen out, and there is this cop who lives in our apartment complex whose name is Andy. Well, Andy always seems to be around when I do something embarrassing (he probably thinks Mormons are the nuttiest people). Well we had the Nashville Tribute Trek CD playing. There is a song that sounds like an indian tribe dancing around a fire. She turned it down when I went to get in the car, and I was like "turn it up!" so I started dancing around like a crazy person and she loses it laughing. I hear Andy behind me say "beautiful! A +!" HAHAHAH SO EMBARASSING. Oh well, at least he knows we know how to have a good time :)

Well that's all folks. Also, I am attaching a link that you all need to watch!!

I LOVE YOU.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world?play=hero

So Much To Be Thankful For

Happy thanksgiving week my friends! 

I am thankful that it stayed warm for so long. I spoke too soon, and it dropped from the 60's to the 20's over night, and it never went back up. My face was literally frozen in a smile after tracting for hours. 

I am thankful for all of the people I get to teach and love. I am thankful to be a missionary, and to be serving in Minot. this is the place to be. all the missionaries beg to come to Minot!

I am thankful for the Gospel! I can't imagine life without it. 

I am thankful for all of you! 

Well, this week we were knocking on doors, and they have these apartments where you walk in the front door and then there are 4 doors to people's apartments on the inside. Okay, well we had been doing these apartments for a good while. We got to one building and it looked just like one of the other apartments. We went to walk in, and I was like "wait! I think this is a house.. " Sister Hansen turned the knob to walk in and I still felt like we should knock. So, we did, and there was a very angry very uninterested man on the other side. We LITERALLY almost walked into this mans house! HAHAHA. That would have made for an even better story, but I also probably wouldn't be emailing you today. I'm thankful I didn't. 

Our friend Carrie got baptized at her Pursuit church yesterday, but she read the Book of Mormon, and still wants to meet with us! 

We went to a members home named the Rick's last night, and her little three year old boy Bennett asked if we could get married. I told him if he waits for me ;) I told him we would take a picture after dinner, and he walks into the kitchen, "mom, I like her." Cutest little carrot top!

I hope you all eat way too much, stay warm (warmer than me), and watch a lot of football this week.

We all have so much to be thankful for. I LOVE YOU. 

My two month pic! 

This is Elder Brush, he got transferred last week, but he is a stellar missionary and a stellar person  

P-day is the perfect day to learn something new 

Transfers make me sad. I love these sisters!! 

I GOT GLASSES. kidding, but don't I look smart?

This one was nice. Once there was one that literally told us Mormon's to go away.. you have a good day too sir 

We love the Book of Mormon, and when it's not 25 degrees out

That little red head is Bennett, isn't he cute?!

TWO MONTHS

Can you believe it? I made it one whole transfer! That means I have 6 weeks left with my training too! 

I heard it's been crazy warm back home, and it hasn't been to shabby here either. No snow yet, and we're still rocking the 50's/60's. 

Well, when I would read my friends group emails who were on missions I always wanted to know more about their companions other than "they're cool." So, I'm going to tell you all a little bit about Sister Hansen... she's from Syracuse, Utah. She cheered in High School. She loves candy more than I do (no seriously people it's nutty)! Her first name is Mikayla. Her parents are divorced. She went to SUU before her mission. She hates the cold, so North Dakota couldn't be a better fit. Her celestial kingdom is on the front of a boat in Lake Powell eating a bowl of yellow thai curry. She gets hangry just about as bad as I do... don't be around on fast Sunday. It's ugly. And we laugh hard. We are very very similar. 

Something really fun we got to do this week was talk to the Activity Day girls about serving missions. After, they wrote their testimonies on little pieces of paper and gave them to us to give to people we meet. We also challenged them to give out Books of Mormon to their friends. Two days later we saw them again and they had already done it! I'm telling you, the youth of the church are going to hold it all together. They amaze me! Then we were street contacting, and I met this lady named Carrie who is getting baptized into the Pursuit church in two weeks. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and she wanted to read it. I stuck in one of the testimonies from one of the little girls and she thought that was just the neatest things in the whole world! 

Our service this week was the bomb! We got to set up one of the girl's in our wards 18th surprise birthday party. She comes teaching with us all the time, so it was the least we could do. We couldn't stay for the party cause we had work to do, but it was fun being able to get it all perfect for her! I love her! 

Have an amazing week and do something good in the world!! 

"Hope is putting faith to work, when doubting would be easier."

 - President Gordon B Hinkley 

I LOVE YOU!

Look at these cutie little missionaries!! 

 I considered taking it cause it had my name on it  

JOHNSON 

I love Faith Amsbury! 

grandma Johnson and baby Johnson :) Johnson squared :)

  

Testimonies from the sweetest humans ever 

Singing Sister Johnson

Craziest thing... It's November 7th and 65 degrees out. I WILL TAKE IT, GOD IS GOOD!

So, cool story, remember Reggie and Kevin that I talked about last week? Well minor detail, after we taught them and all, we forgot to get their information. (I know.. missionary fail) Well after we emailed last week we went to do our shopping at Wal-Mart. We were walking down and isle and I wasn't paying attention, and I ran into someone. I turned around to apologize.

"I'm so sor... REGGIE!"

Luckily for us, Heavenly Father gave us another chance!

That night we handed out Halloween candy for the Bishop. Service at it's finest. That's okay though because he handed out pass along cards to like 200 people. BAHAHAH ( and I ate all the candy)

We met this 85 year old man named Roger when we were knocking doors the other day. He was really nice to us and we talked to him for a bit. He told us that we he was mad at God because his wife has Alzheimer's and lives in a nursing home. He spends all day with her, and then goes home to live alone at night. My heart hurt so bad, I just wanted to hug him. This was straight Allie and Noah status. ( I hope you all know the reference). Then we tried teaching him truths and offered him a Book of Mormon. He politely declined, but I was not taking no for an answer! He looked at me in the eyes and said " I know you from somewhere, you remind me of someone" and I said, "yes, I was sent to give you a Book of Mormon!!" He had a good chuckle, but still wasn't having it. After about 4 or 5 different approaches we decided to move on. I LOVE ROGER! Gonna try again later ❤ 

So I got a call from the Zone Leaders the other day asking if I would do the musical number for Zone Training Meeting.. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Yeah, no they weren't joking. So yours truly sang Nearer My God to Thee for 30 missionaries. No it is not recorded, no I will not be doing it again.

I love all of you SO DARN MUCH.

be happy.

xo  sister johnson

Elder Brush's cool carving of Jesus

Handing out candy.. not invited to the party :) 

Pass along cards for the kiddos

My favorite Hardy girls!!

Happy Halloween from Minot

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you all eat a lot of candy for me today :) also send me pictures of your costumes, cause missionaries aren't allowed to go out on Halloween night, which isn't totally awful because I get to avoid all the masks :)

I just wanted to thank everyone for the packages and letters and love! It means so much.

I asked my mom to send me some healthy snacks. She went to the health food store and bought me gummy worms... now that is true love!!! ❤

This week was amazing! The work is great, and I am in love with everyone we are teaching.

I had the opportunity to re-read some of the conference talks this week, and something I wanted to share with you all is from President Uchtdorf's talk. He talked about a saying "Pro tanto quid retribuamus?" which means.. What shall we give for so much in return? I know we have hard days.. trust me I get it.. but we are so blessed! I think that is why I am loving this tiny town of Minot so much, because I have been given so much and I can't help but give back. I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH!

I know we all have different situations, but if you haven't had the opportunity to listen, watch or read conference I encourage you to. I am surprised at the number of members I have asked what their favorite talk in conference was, and they can't tell me because they didn't listen. I know that we have busy lives, and I am guilty of this as well, but when we don't listen to the prophets and apostles, and leaders of the church it reminds me of those who didn't in the scriptures, and we know how things ended up for them.

So here's a funny story for you all. On Tuesday night we were at a stoplight and my companion dared me to get out of the car to give these guys a card... so I did! I invited them to watch the video on the link and check out the website. Then the light turned green. Well then on Thursday, we were teaching a lesson to a single guy, so we had to meet in a public place. We went to Starbucks, and we saw those same guys from the stoplight!! no way!! Then we taught them and loved them and it was so awesome! Heavenly Father is pretty cool.

I love you all to the moon and back! Tell me all the things!!

love sister j

Matching for the Halloween party with our $1 shirts from Wal-Mart

Happy Halloween!! 

This is my love Kim

Kim made me home made salsa, cause she knows I love it, and I almost shed a tear