Monday, August 26, 2013

Crazy week.......

This week has been crazy! Preparing for a baptism and the first week of transfers at the same time is always interesting. We haven't met a lot of new people this week, cause we've been trying to hold on to everyone.

Sofia's baptism was a success! Martin baptized her, and it was amazing! Her family was there and she was so happy! There are many milagros que podemos ver even in the tough weeks.

Marisol is amazing as always, but were comp'n at the bit here with her need to be married. She wants to be baptized so bad, but has been putting off the marriage . . . were going to be working on this really hard if shes going to be baptized this weekend.

Emmanuel the little brother to Horacio was at the baptism and at church! There is a ton of hope for this kid. Were really excited.

Matias is having a hard time this week. He's got some opposition from his family, and hasn't made it to any meeting, not even Charlas.

Mom, you were right. They're called Panchas, they're really good hot dogs that they have here, and they put little baby fries on the top. They are really good!

Thanks Aleen and Jacob for the letters! and KC Karol and the kids for the Dear Elder letter!

Good luck with School! and Work. Mom I have a scripture for you :) 2 Nephi 3:25 line 2.

Love you all!!

Hermana A. Johansen


                                

Monday, August 19, 2013

New Companion....

Hey everybody!

This week has been insane. Hermana Torres left and My new companion is . . . . drum roll . . . Hermana Quick from the state of Washington! We met in the MTC funny enough. She has one more transfer in Argentina than I do, and speaks very good Spanish. It has been so hard not to result to English. I knew this would be a struggle  but I know she can help me with so much especially with how to study Spanish  She has great passion for the work and wants to be very obedient, and knows how to still enjoy her time.
I know the area better than I thought I did, which was a relief. I think I am shocking a lot of our families here with how much I am talking now. More of my personality is coming out now that I have to speak. This week was a little difficult, I can feel the weight on my shoulders a lot easier now, but I know how to make it light and that's all that matters, that I know where I can put my strength.
Our barrio is very patient with us and is very kind and understanding, because they know that I still don't understand everything.
Our dear Sofia is going to be baptized this weekend! she has been counting the days! She is very faithful and something that is super cool is that she conducts FHE with her Sister Nadia, niece Mia and her little brother. We had quite the experience this last time. Her sister Eliana suddenly left the house around 8:30 without telling anyone. You never leave and walk the streets alone here, EVER! Nadia was so scared and crying, I would too if Sabrina suddenly left with a back pack full of clothes and told no one. I asked Sofia if she would like to give a prayer, and we all got on our knees. Eliana walked through the door 20 minutes later. ¡Que un Milagro! Sofia got to see the love of the Lord through an answer to her prayer.
Martin and Horacio went to the temple in Paraguay this last weekend and Loved it! Esequiel was ordained to the office of a priest and will take part in the Sacrament next Sunday.

Mom, Dad, Sabrina Steven Kevin, and family and friends Love you all! HI ERIK AND EMILY! :D Wow there are a TON of people who are all married! dang! Crazy.

Love you all,
Hermana A. Johansen

Thanks to Hermana Quick we have a picture :)

Monday, August 12, 2013

Changes......

Hola,

Changes are this week. My companion Hermana Torres is going home and I will get a new companion on Thursday. Transfers here we go!!!  All of our investigators love Hermana Torres and are very sad to see her leave. She´s amazingly personable and can turn anything into a teaching situation, I have a lot to learn, and don´t know what I am going to do with out her. 

The family Hermana Stone and I found haven´t made much progress this week, they haven't made it to church and they are never there when we stop by. Broke my heart.
We do have new investigators, Matias, Sofia and Eliana. Matias is a lot like our recent convert Horacio, and soaks all of it in. He has a date for 7 September. Sofia is all set for the 24th, she´s nine years old in a part member family and knows everything, she could teach me if she wanted to! Eliana is a dear sweet lady about 38 yrs and feels so lonely  She faces a lot of trials in life and loves our visits.

I did get my dearelder letters. It takes about 2 weeks for them to get here. I love to have those letters, enjoy being able to read them any time I have a minute. Please send me more:) 

Love you all!! Wish you the best!

Hermana A. Johansen

Monday, August 5, 2013

Baptisms.........

Hermana Torres and Hermana Johansen


Baptisms are the best! Ezequiel and Horacio were baptized on Saturday and had the most amazing experience ever! The meeting was moy lindo! The son of the bishop, Maxi said Ezequiels name wrong the first time and had to do it over again. But it was amazing and they were both confirmed on Sunday during sacrament meeting. There were many times during studies when Hermana Torres and I stopped and laughed cause Horacio and Ezequiel are both members now! Ezequiel's mom wants so badly to be baptized and his sister finally came to church! we all knew that the baptism would be the key for Camila!

Crazy thing about the baptism. Earlier in the week we met a man named Andre. I was on divisions with Hermana Stone, a Utahn who has been on the mission the same amount of time as me. It was an interesting day to say the least. We are walking down the street to try to find someone with MLS and Andre pulls up on his motorcycle with his son and asks us if we have anything that he can have to teach his children about Christ. Blew our minds! We were a little nervous cause neither of us understand the language very well and we thought he had less than good intentions. We also met his friend, Jose, from Columbia  I was SO NERVOUS! I went back with Hermana Torres and Hermana Vera and turns out they are just fine. They all came to the Baptism! Jose, and Andre and his two kids! and they LOVED IT! They wanted to make it to church on Sunday but Jose was in Corrientes I think and Andre slept in. We told him that we stopped by his house to get him and his family for church and he missed it. He was supper bummed about that and is coming to church next week ¨si o si¨

Our bishops dad died the day before the baptism, it broke all of our hearts and it is so hard to see Mami Isabel so sad. We visited them last night. they are all so amazing and service oriented! They did so much for the baptism and made us food. What is this, they are supposed to let us take care of them. They are the best, I have they greatest ward in Argentina! The bishop is so inspired! He knows whats up ALL THE TIME!

I am having more culture shock than I thought I did. There are dogs everywhere, and there are HORSES eating out of the dumpsters! It is terrible. They are all sick and miserable looking, it breaks my heart. There are plenty of opportunities for service, but no one wants help. They are so good at doing things for themselves that they wont let me do anything to help them. I told Hermana Torres the other day that all I want is to cut someones grass with a machete, build their house and get them baptized.

There is a ton that happens and there is so little time to write.

I love what you did with the primary and that we have missionaries IN OUR STAKE! Oh, my district leader, Elder Peterson, was roommates with Dallin Bird at Dixie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! AND BRITTNEY!!!

Love you all! So proud of our ward! Ben that's great! Darin, I'm excited for you.

You're all wonderful, love you, ¡EXITOS!

Hermna A Johansen


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Looking good!!!

Hermana Johansen with Brother and Sister Holms


New missionaries in Argentina, Resistencia gathered for training.