Tuesday, January 28, 2020

January 27, 2020

Hi everybody!

This week we have been crazy busy, running around everywhere! It had more with that we were able to try and visit many people we had referred to us in ward Council and our ward mission leader. We had transfer calls, but Sister Fisher and I are staying the same here in Prairie Grove.

One of my favorite things we do is our service in a small town called Winslow. We just started there a couple weeks, but the people there have quickly taken to us. Its a place called Winslow Community Meals, kind of a senior center, but more just for the people in the community. Not many people run it, but the ladies who work there are the cutest, feistiest ladies ever. They are every sense of the word southern. Tina is my favorite. She calls us her babies and is the real lady in charge. She is just a firecracker and just loves having us there. They only have so much to do there right now, but they keep telling us to come and they don't want to lose us. 

We have been trying to do some new finding methods, so we did a hot chocolate/lollipop stand, so we can at least try to talk to people. We put it up at a neighborhood Walmart. Not much happened there. It turned out to be a lot warmer than we were expecting. No one took any hot chocolate. We did give some lollipops out to some kids. So, at least we did that. We also ran into a group from a church doing a scavenger hunt. They had a bunch of stuff they needed to do. They asked us if we could yodel with them! It was kind of funny! We didn't know what we were doing.

I've been trying to immerse myself in the story of the Restoration in preparation for general conference. It has been so nice to really revel in the story of Joseph Smith, who had only a question and seemed the least likely candidate for such an amazing work. I think that is how we work. We have so much we are capable of and we can do it with the Lord. With His help, His amazing work becomes ours and we can do amazing things. I know that we have the restored church because of Joseph Smith and that he was a man called of God to do such a work.

Sending all my love to you,
Sister Savannah Johanson
212 S Mock St. Apt. C1
Prairie Grove, AR 72753




Saturday, January 18, 2020

January 13th, 2020

Hi everyone!

We have had some amazing moments this past week! We have witnessed miracles and we have had some fun times. Things are starting to pick up for this area and see the fruits of our efforts.

One big thing is that someone we are teaching is getting baptized! We came into our lesson this last week and started off by saying that she felt ready and that she wanted to be baptized. Honestly, she was just so prepared. We didn't really even need to teach her because she was just so awesome and did all of the work herself. I'm so excited for her although.

We also got a new person to teach last week! He is awesome! He also wants to be baptized (but we don't have him on for date yet) and we are teaching him while his grandma is at temple prep.

Weird story: on New Year's, I ate bear, wild boar, and deer. It actually was pretty tasty. We also had some black eyed peas for good luck. It was a weird dinner, but it was good.

I feel like I'm finally getting to know the ward. It's taken some time, but I'm getting there. Still got a ways to go. We have been really focusing on getting to know the ward and build trust because we feel like they will be our most crucial tool to doing missionary work. They were just all so awesome, though! I love each and every one of them. They have helped me more than they know.

We have done some exploring this week, because we don't know half of what's in our area. We have a bunch of small towns, so we are trying to get to know them and be involved in the communities. It's not working out too well. It gets pretty run down the farther we drive into our area.

Well, I love you a!ll Sorry for the short letter! I will see you next week!
Love,
Sister Savannah Johanson



December 30th, 2019: I'm ready for the New Year!

Dear Everybody!

It's been a pretty good week! Christmas was amazing and we ended up having a pretty dandy time. I hope it's the same for you. I'm kind of glad it's over now. Although, because the stress of Christmas is still ever so present as a missionary with all the Light the World stuff you are trying to do and getting to all the people who might need some Christmas cheer. Not to mention, trying to figure out what to do with your time! But it is still good and we were able to accomplish a lot.

Christmas Eve, we stayed busy. We wanted to try and bring cheer to some people, but we didn't reach as many people as we would have liked. But that is okay, because we got to those who needed us and spent the time that they needed. We also had some fun time with some members who invited us over for Christmas and they did a grand ol' time keeping us happy. I think one of my favorite parts of the day, although, was once we got home. Sister Fisher and I decided to take time and enjoy the evening and remember the true meaning of Christmas. So, we turned the lights off, turned on the Christmas lights and some tea lights we had, pulled out the hymn books and sang some Christmas songs together. It was actually really nice.

The next morning, we were up and opened our presents! I'm grateful for all the wonderful things my family sent me and the other gifts I received. It was truly a magical morning. For the afternoon, a member invited us over for their family Christmas where we ate a Christmas meal and went on a trailer ride. It was nice and relaxing and I enjoyed it very much. We visited some more people and brought them treats, and that was really nice. I do have to say, that we took a little nap that day. I was exhausted! After that, was dinner with some members who were so nice to have us over and we watched some church videos with them. It was a nice Christmas.

The rest of the week was pretty good too. We've been sorting things out and trying some new ideas on how we can best help our area progress and be even more awesome! We actually decided to make a little newsletter about us and put it in the hymn books at the church. That way, everyone can maybe get to know us a little better. So far, we have pretty good reviews and people seemed to like them, so that is good! We are currently really trying to get to know everyone in our area and ward as we are both still pretty new and want to find where we can be the most helpful.

This week, I've learned so many cool things! One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is how I have a set time to have my personal study which has helped me learn and grow so much! I was working on finishing the Book of Mormon this last week so that I can start fresh with Come, Follow Me and be on the same page as everyone else. But one thing that stood out to me was in Mormon 5:23, "Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?" What stood out to me about this verse is how I am in the hands of God. He is carrying me and if I am willing, He can do whatever He will with me. Look at all the amazing things He can do to the earth! He can cause earthquakes, flood lands, change the tide, erupt volcanoes, and so on! If He can do those crazy, amazing things, imagine what He can do with us. Think of the wonderful, crazy amazing things that He can make happen in our lives.

I am so grateful to be out here and for the wonderful things I am learning. I love you all and hope you are learning as much as I am!
Love,
Sister Savannah Johanson