Tuesday, July 16, 2019

July 15, 2019

Hello everyone!

Gonna be honest, it's a little harder to write letters in this area. Only because we only have so many things happen in the week that it doesn't feel like there is much to report on. But here we go!

We bumped up our service hours this week, which was SUPER great. I like making sure we get those in. We started volunteer work at the Humane Society, which is a shelter for dogs. So we go in and walk the dogs so they get some outside time. It's pretty great. I've never been around dogs this much in my life. I learn just how much effort there is to having one and really makes me think if I will ever get one. Probably not. I would be good without one. We also volunteer at the Salvation Army food pantry, which is pretty great. You get to talk to some amazing people there and get some amazing experiences with that. I love it. We met some really cool people there this week. Almost got a couple people to teach.

We are still kind of in the same place with our investigators and working out the logistics with our area and our plan for it. It's a process, but hopefully we can get somewhere soon. But we still go out and work, which is great.

This week I learned about the true nature of virtue. When you think of virtue, you typically think of chastity and keeping you mind pure of that sort of thing. But really it goes beyond that. Virtue is controlling your thoughts on righteous, uplifting things. It is truly striving to live those commandments from the Sermon on the Mount and keeping your thoughts centered on Christ and focusing on being positive and keeping yourself from dwelling on things that won't lift you up. This includes not only on how you feel about others, but also yourself. You will find yourself more courageous, more happy, more confident when you focus yourself.

So with that I would challenge each of you to find ways to focus more on having uplifting thoughts. If you don't know where to start, studying it out! That's where you will find inspiration and praying for help from your Heavenly Father will give you strength and encouragement to do so. I know it will change things so much for you and you will find happiness more often in your life. It will take time and isn't an easy thing bump off of your checklist, but with the idea of doing it and getting started with it, you can improve a little bit each week.

I love you all so much!

Your good pal,
Sister Savannah Johanson 


July 8th, 2019

Hi friends!

I'm so excited that it is Monday again. One of the best days of the week, along with Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It has been an interesting week to be sure. We have spent some time working on a lot of logistics of things so we can be organized when we go out a visit people. We are currently working on trying to get to know everyone in the ward, inactive or active. We want to be able to build relationships with a lot of them so we can encourage them to help our with missionary work and make them feel comfortable talking to us about things. We are slowly getting there, but I know we can do it.

We are also slowly working on our investigators. Each of them are getting there, but in their own time. I know they will get there eventually, we just have to keep chugging along with them. Missouri's a pretty great place and it's got some pretty great people. We will be able to help these people. I know it.

We worked on making cookies for people we are visiting, which has been an ordeal. Hopefully we can reach a point where the process is perfection.

The fourth of July was pretty fun. We got to meet with some of our investigators and they came with us to a party that a member in our ward was having. It felt like everyone in the church was there. It was pretty fun there. Sadly, we had to leave right as the fireworks were starting, but we got to see them as we passed by them. It was great!

This week I learned about patience, which is always so fun to learn. I learned how we have to sometimes wait for our answers and our deliverance and how we won't always know what Heavenly Father wants us to do, so we gave to move forward with our best judgement. I know we will always be able to get an answer and we will if we are patient enough.

I would like to invite you all to find ways in your everyday lives in which you can practice patience. When facing a certain situation that would normally frustrate, stress, or anger you, take time to pray for peace and walk forward, waiting and trusting in the Lord's timing. I know all will go well and you will be able to see the Lord's hand in your life more as you are slowing down and waiting for what will be your deliverance. It will always happen, even when we think it may not.

I wish you all a wonderful week and I love you all so much!

Sister Savannah Johanson


Monday, July 1, 2019

July 1st, 2019: Here I Am!

Hi friends!

Well, I don't even think I know what happened this week. It all just kind of blurred by without me noticing. So much happened. It's crazy to think that I was in a different area only days ago. It feels like a whole other life time.

I spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday saying goodbye to a lot of good people. I was sad to go and there were people who were sad to see me leave. I wish I could have stayed longer but I know that it was my time to go. There are some super amazing people in Greenwood that I will treasure their memories for the rest of my life.

Thursday was the day I headed up to Missouri, after a tearful goodbye to my companion. It was a long drive and, unfortunately, I felt kind of sick for half of it. But I got here safe and sound. I got to say hi to some of my wonderful pals from the MTC! Sister Mehlhoff is in my stake, which is super exciting. Sister Johnson had to make her way down to Rodgers, Arkansas. And Sister Young is once again in my same zone, now companions with my old sister training leader! It's going to be a party here in Missouri.

I already love it here in Missouri. It's so beautiful and the people here are just the best! Nothing too crazy has happened yet, but I've still got time. I have some wacky stories about what happens here in Missouri. An interesting experience to have, to be sure.

Sister Thomas is just the best! I love her so much and it will be a great transfer with her. I know we will do great things together.

I'm melting just a little bit in this heat. It's true when they tell you it's not the heat that gets to you. It's the humidity. We had gone to this Freedom Fest on Saturday and were there for a couple hours. I could feel the sweat rolling down by back. I was a little damp when we got back into the car. This summer will be fun!

This week I've learned more about faith. In trusting that Heavenly Father has a plan and everything will work out for the best. It's hard to go to a new area with a new companion and you have so much to learn. It's a time that you really have to rely on the Lord and try and understand what His will is and what you are supposed to do. I'm still learning a lot about this area and it will take time to adjust, but I know that I have Heavenly Father on my side, all will be okay.

I would challenge all of you, whether you are struggling with something or just living your normal day to day life, to turn in prayer to Heavenly Father and ask Him what He would have you do. Open your mind and heart to the Spirit and be willing to hear whatever it is that it has to say to you, even if it's something that you may not want to do. Ask your Heavenly Father if He loves. I promise that your lives will change so much with this, as you begin to align yourselves to His plan and truly understand what your Father in Heaven wants for you. You will understand things more and will grow even closer to Him.

I wish you all the best and I love you all so very, very, much.

Your bestest pal,
Sister Savannah Johanson