tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26483879988662681782024-02-20T23:17:14.770-08:00Elder Nathanial Bert JohnsonBert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-33338454991757811022009-01-01T08:30:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:32:16.202-08:00December 31, 2008Hio!<br /><br />Well familyface! Swell hearing from ye! Ummm... I am clean outta things to say! I said everything Thursday! But lets see...You heard all I did and experienced up to Thursday, which was Christmas, and now Im gonna tell you da rest of da week!<br />Friday we saved our possibilities for baptism. That was basically the whole day.<br />Then Saturday we spent all day filling up the baptism font and doing more interviews. Then we had our baptisms. Then after there was supposabely a talent show... which didnt work. We ended up practising for two hours before and doing all five numbers! One of which was my Nauvoo Audition show that we did on the Mississippi river in SPANISH! They laughed their heads off! My side hurts from falling so much!<br />Anywho... twas an insane week! I had some crazy things happen. Our investigador that was ready to get baptized isnt gonna do it cause her lover wont leave the house and on top of that... she likes my comp. Hes not flirt or anything, so its really weird. So now we are in a huge jumble. We want her baptized, she wants us to leave her be a few days, and we all want her boyfriend to go. Yeah, fun.<br />So then Sunday was Sunday and today we had to go to MANAGUA for another leaders meeting. I AM SO TIRED! I woke up at 3 thirty and its a three hour ride to Managua and a half hour to the chapel in taxi.<br />So I just got back twenty minutes ago and IM TIRED! I wanna sleep!<br />But Im happy.<br />Ummm... I will talk to you later. Im really pooped! I still gotta send numbers cause we have had no time today.<br />Sorry its short!<br />LOVE YOU ALL!<br /><br />E. Johnson<br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-70726848790673941112009-01-01T08:25:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:29:45.952-08:00December 22, 2008Wowsers! This may be one of the craziest emails you've received, next to the email about Sauceda screwing around. Actually, maybe not, maybe I just think it will be. hehe! Ummmm... where to begin?<br />I HAD CHANGES!<br />Thats good and bad. Im really gonna miss my old zone.... LEON WAS SO KEWL! TEARS OF SADNESS! And my kewl chileno comp. I MISS YOU MIRANDA! And Elder HADDOCK! NOOOOOO!<br />But the good news is I got transferred to the only COLD area in Nicaragua!!!!! And its one of the only areas with a HOT SHOWER! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! A HOT SHOWER! Thats the first time in ONE YEAR! Im so happy!!!!<br />My new area is called Esteli. Its cold. Wow, I never thought it could get so cold in Nicaragua. But thats just one of the things that has happened...<br />We have been traveling like crazy this week. Monday, in Leon, we had a kewl Pday, last as a zone, and Tuesday we traveled to changes! That night I was called to Esteli with Elder Toro, from Peru, as comp. (He was in my district in that blasted situation last year in Tipitapa! This is the second christmas Im gonna spend with him!) Then we got on a bus and traveled 3 long blasted hours to Esteli... and I froze my bum off.<br />Then I woke up the next day and had a huge back pain in my lower right backside! It made it hard to move and walk and I couldnt breath. I worked anyway, the best I could, till I couldnt anymore. Then I asked the elders to give me a blessing, which they did, and I took some pain pills. I felt slightly better. Then Thursday we drove to the Christmas Conference! (on the way we saw a huge drug bust on the side of the rode! The guy had like 500,000 dollars in drugs dude! It was all over the road in little packages! It was nuts! Lots of police) The Christmas Conference was kewl. Check out the mission page, theres some kewl videos made by my dear ole comp E. Bean there! TUANIS!<br />GRANDMA AND GRANDPA! I received your package! Thank you! It made me and my zone of ten VERY happy!<br />LOVE YOU!<br />Then Friday and Saturday we bussed like crazy all day to far away areas in our zone to help our baptism possibilities. Then Saturday and Sunday Pres. Fraatz showed up for a district conference and macheted our members. Twas kewl.<br />And today we pdayed! MAN! Now that you know my week, how was yours?<br />Wait... you already told me.<br />This Thursday you are going to call me at 930-3399 at 7 pm my time. Dunno, I think you guys are like one hour ahead. And I dont know the time change. But if worst comes to worst, I'll try to call you again. Just do your best. I will be waiting! Try having Chandler and Aaron there too to talk to them a little bit! If its possible. And Thomas too if possible. And every member of my loving family of course! I just miss you all I WANNA TALK TO YOU!!!!!<br />How trunky!?<br />Nicks not gonna get the chance to call you, right? Que chupasa.<br />E. Haddock is training in the area next to my old area in Managua. I miss him already!<br />Just heads up... my money situation is getting rough. The thing is Im so far away from everything I have to pay a good 50 cordobas every time I go on a bus here. Its only like 3 bucks and happens like four times a week but its gonna add up. Plus that I had to pay for everyones ride to Managua for the conference like the loving ZL I am cause everyone here is a chambone and say they are broke and promised me they would pay me as soon as possible. I hate being white.<br />But Im being really pinchy these days. Im spending the least possible I promise! But soon I may have to buy some new shirts and garments and pants cause Im running out of good ones.<br />LOVE YOU ALL!<br />Man... I miss you guys.<br />Mom, I hate opera too.<br />CHANDLER MADE CALLBACKS!!! He is so going to NAuvoo! Just breath Chandler! DEEP! ITs gonna be so kewl! Just, when you go there, talk to everyone! Be like the kewl guy, thats humble, that wants to be friends with everyone. And make a connection with those in charge. Let my dad pick the song you are gonna sing! And dont worry bout the dance! Its easy. Just dont flirt too much in auditions, like I know you will stud! Remember that you are trying out to be a missionary so you gotta be spiritual too. MAN! IM gonna fast so you will make it!!!!<br />NAUVOOOOO I MISS YOUUUU!!!!<br />Congrats Chandler.<br />I will here from you all Thursday!!!<br />I LOVE YOU!<br /><br />Elder Johnson!<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-85844936014962172812009-01-01T08:21:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:24:59.340-08:00December 15, 2008Hey, una pregunta...<br />Are you planning on sending the same letter to both ick and me when he is in the mish? Not that that would bug me... I would actually think its kewl. Just wondering.<br />You guys were really busy. I remember being that busy. The difference between then and now is then I was busy for my own benefit, now Im responsibly busy for the benefit of others. Thats awesome!!!!<br />Congrats to nick and nolan and the others for their EAGLES. I love you Grandma and Grandpa!!!!<br />YOU WENT TO JESTERZ!!!! Ive totally been there! I went on a date there with Arielle and others! Twas awesome. Thomas would fit in there! I might try out too!<br />I miss my SIS! Im positive shes perrty.... Growl!<br />I love Tim´s gift! Did Nick get duck tape!? Yeah, I said duck. Like pato! DUCK! QUACK!<br />I never got a tie..... TEARS!<br />Tis ok.<br />MOM! Why did you talk about good food! IM GONNA CRY! I totally miss my freedom and opportunity to eat what I want when I want and how much I want!!!! YUM!<br />Stinkin rice and beans.<br />Im not grumpy.<br />SMILE!<br />YaY PACKaGE!<br />I have had one baptism last week and two this last saturday. YAY! We are slightly doing better.<br />Now my turn to talk!<br />This last week we worked.<br />Thats it!...<br /><br />JUST KIDDING!<br />hehe!<br />We are gonna have changes supuestamente this week but we dunno yet. We are supposed to have them. But the prob is we havent had interviews yet. Wierd.<br />So we dunno!<br />This week we have our Christmas activity too! Its gonna rock!<br />I have been spending every thursday and monday morning trying to teach latinos to sing two hymns! And I pulled it off. Thank you God for miracles!<br />I ate pizza and evil fruitcake (I hate fruitcake) and got sick and had stomach problems all week! Twas an adventure!!!!<br />Then Thursday we went to The Paz Centro, E. Haddocks area, and sang in the park. We really didnt get much success. But I did talk to E. Haddock the entire time! We played an outloud version of an old computer rpg game! I was the main character and E. Haddock was the computer. I ended up killing ozzie osbourne and impressing my girlfriends dad. Weird game.<br />How do you spell wierd!? Or weird!?<br /><br />Anywho.<br /><br />LOVE YOU! Till next week!<br /><br />HUG NICK FOR ME!!!!!<br />Thanks for the pics. Please send more....<br /><br /><br />E. Nate Johnsonface!<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-80189816121356623172009-01-01T08:18:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:21:35.967-08:00December 8, 2008So Urope was fun no? I know, I wrote it wrong. DEAL WITH IT! Tee hee!<br />I dunno, I dont believe in Mozart. Nor in Urope. I really dont have much a desire to visit Urope. Unless I had cream soda. Then I would. Im glad you had fun though! <br /><br />My week was NUTS! They had the Purisima yesterday. It was fun... There were explosions and sounds and catholics and lots of other stuff! It was CRAZY! Satan wins here. There is so much apostasy, made me cry. What they do is they go house to house singing to a statue of Mary and the owners of the house gives them candy. Its like an apostate version of haloween! Wee! I still got candy. My comp hugged a drunk version of Jack Sparrow and he gave us candy. Twas snazzi.<br /><br />I didnt get to see the Christmas devotional because of minor setbacks of missing investigadors that were supposed to go with us but didnt show up. Yeah. Too bad.<br />So I stayed in the explosions and it was like HECK! Twas Armageddon at midnight. I slept through it. My comp didnt.<br /><br />How is it that he is already leaving! AND I WONT SEE HIM FOR TWO MORE YEARS! I dunno how Im gonna last boy.<br /><br />Money... yes. I know. I have been spending a ridiculous amount. Im gonna be a bad spender in real life, I hope I can learn to control myself better. Honestly Im trying. Just sometimes there are things I want and other times there are things I need and other times there isnt anything in our mission bank account so I have to go to the emergency account. Thats why its nearly empty. But I will get better.<br />The burgers suck here. Honestly. hehe!<br /><br />NO CREAM SODA!!!! AHHHHHH! Thats ok. You did your best... Tears on face.<br />HEhe! I got the cookie thing. Dunno if we can pull it off, but we shall try!<br />Yeah. So life is good. We finally baptized and I aint so depressed now. Im loving life again and have decided just to be my old crazy out of mind self. It works.<br />I love you all and hope all is well! Im good and happy!<br /><br />Con amor,<br />Elder Johnson<br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-82011827012313830072009-01-01T08:14:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:17:49.664-08:00November 24, 2008Family!<br /><br />Here I am, working hard and sweating harder! Thanksgiving is coming and passing, wee!!!! And I am already thinking of Christmas. We have set up our christmas light in our little room. They have been sitting there for a few years and every companionship around december sets them up.<br />I<br />m trying to write this but theres an annoying greengo missionary that keeps asking me stupid questions and he WONT SHOVE IT! Tee hee! Im sorry. I cant think!!!<br />Nick is 19.... Im old.<br />Nolan sent in his what!?!?!?!? MISSION PAPERS!!!! What!?!?! When is he leaving!? What the crap!? Im really really old....<br />I miss golf...<br />Tyson is going to Canada!? Speaking mandarin? How does that work out?! Im lost.<br />I love the pictures. Shaylene looks SUPER different!!!! Love her!<br />Nick looks happy.<br />Chandler looks old.<br />I did get your letter.<br />The leader thing is killing me but its ok. I already know all that stuff but things dont work that way here. EVERYONE machetes to machete. One of the assistents calls me to machete me and tells me to machete my zone and then the other assistent calls me later that night saying Im doing a good job and tells me to animate my zone and not machete them. I get lost and confused but here I am, still workin and still worrying. Thats life in the mission.<br />I bought a ring this week. Well, I actually had it made. Its kewl. Ill show you some time.<br />I finally did a full 24 hour divisions with Elder Haddock and we kicked trash! I loved that day!!!! I was so happy and we were on fire. Lemme tell you what happened...<br />We were working hard all day visiting my investigadors and we were doing interviews for his district and we ran out of time! We had a half hour to look for new people to teach. So I said, elder haddock, we need to find newbies. He said, ok. So we went contacting. I went to a street that I knew of and we found and old investigador that we had taught before and he told us about an inactive member that lived on his street. We visited him and he didnt want to talk to us so he said, I gotta go but you can talk to my family! So we talked to them. There were four of them. So Elder Haddock said, lets put baptism dates on all of them. So he did.<br />We talked to them for five minutes inviting them to church, not even teaching them, and E. Haddock put a date on all of them. It was amazing.<br />Well, this greengo kid is still bugging me. CURSE HIM!<br />What more can I say!? Im doing good. Im happy, though stressed, but I deal with it.<br />Well, heres a pic I got of me all christmasy!<br />MOM, send me a christmas cookie recipe and a christmas cookie frosting recipe. We are planning on doing an activity with the zone.<br /><br />LOVE YOU!<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-24407719515169084842009-01-01T08:11:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:13:37.705-08:00November 10, 2008Sorry to say I havent received anything from you all today. The Nica computers suck I suppose. Im happy though....<br /><br />We had changes. My comp E. Martinez got bumped up to AP and I got E. Miranda as my new comp. He's awesome, he's from Chile. Love him. But now the zone is on MY SHOULDERS! Which is not kewl. Im dying here.<br /><br />Yesterday we woke up at five to gather our batallion of investigador bringing members that help us with church. Twas kewl. Then the APs called saying everyone had to go home after church cause the elections were nuts and people were dangerous outside. So we stayed inside. Then I got sick from stress....Then they called us again late like at 9 and said we had to bring the cell phones of the whole zone to our house cause we had to got to managua the next day and be there by 8. We did, I was sick, and Monday we woke up at 4....The president kept trying to chew us out but I didnt understand anything he said cause my brain wasnt working... it still isnt.<br /><br />So I finished your package and I still havent sent it cause today was nuts and we didnt have time. Maybe sometime this week...<br /><br />I gotta go. My brain isnt at liberty to write a lot. Sorry family. I know this is the crappiest letter youve received but what can I do. Im blasted sick right now....<br />Love you....<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />PS.... pray for me. These next few changes are either gonna kill me or help me grow.... maybe the two.<br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-56000528048799078812009-01-01T08:08:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:14:09.939-08:00November 3, 2008The Christmas package is ready.... it only lacks one thing, my voice recorded tape to you all. The thing is, I have had it on my to-do list... but every night I get home DEAD tired and look at it and go, tomorrow I guess Ill do it. So Im hoping to get it done before next monday so it can get to you before nick leaves.<br /><br />HE GETS TO USE A BIKE!? Man.... you are blessed.<br /><br />Yes, time is flying by. Today we completed 13 months. I said we cause Elder Haddock is next to me.... kewl. NO! I will not be trunky. Thats silly.<br /><br />AZ is getting to have five temples..... Poor Nicas. Tis cause they dont pay their tithing nor go to church. Yeah, we are working on that.<br /><br />You guys can read the book of mormon in three weeks if you try hard enough. I did it!<br /><br />Shaylene...... she just needs to wait till she gets my letter in the Christmas package. I hope it does the trick. Give her advice from me. 1- Boys are stupid. Especially if they arent mormon, they are more stupid. 2- Everyone is stuck up, not just mormon people. Look at your friends and you will see they are making fun of the mormons more than the mormons make fun of your friends. 3- Do LIGHT for yourself, not cause everyone else does it. You are blessed with a goldfull of talents and if you dont use them, I will cry. Everything will be fine with her. Just have her wait for 11 more months. We will resolve everything when I get back.<br /><br />Elections... Im scared about going home in a year. I dont want either to win. They both are liars to me. hehe! Im not excited about goin home to a communist country. yikers. The elections are goin on here too. It aint all that great either. Rather stupid really.<br /><br />Yes Im having fun and success and what not. No, my comp still doesnt let me teach much. Luis never came back.<br /><br />I need boots but I dunno if you wanna send it to me. Id rather receive cheese its and cream soda. I can handle the bootlessness. I dont trust shoes anymore. Im pretty positive that I will just wallow in broken boots cause there arent any that will stay alive more than two changes.<br /><br />Love you all! Keep on smiling and being happy! Im good and snazzi!Mignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-13912541106766669522008-11-06T08:35:00.000-08:002008-11-06T08:36:29.676-08:00October 27, 2008Howdiness oh family of mine!<br /><br />So we finished this month completing our goal of 11 baptisms and the zone is kind of doing bad but whatever. We have lowered our percentage of retention, which is bad because last month we had the best retention in all of Nicaragua. The President is gonna cut our heads off...<br /><br />But that's ok. We are doing what we can and can only get better!<br />Yesterday Luis, the golden investigator that came to church saying he wanted to get baptized, didn't come and get baptized. My comp said he thought that Luis just wanted to get baptized to be a bishop cause he thought the bishop earned money. But then we told him that they don't and neither does anyone! So he left and never came back. How sad that there are people like that, right? Chupa.<br /><br />Ready for something random?...<br /><br />I saw a bum naked guy today.<br /><br />Yeah, weird but true. It was an experience that reminded me that I was in Nicaragua. I was in a taxi driving to the church to go to district meeting and suddenly I saw him walking down the street and the first words that came to my mouth was... eergh? Which means I had no explanation for what I had seen. Yeah. Weird.<br /><br />No, Alyssa has not written me. Not a bit. Send my love to all my friends and tell them merry Christmas for me.<br /><br />Speaking of Christmas, I'm working on a great package for you peoples.<br />I've already written the letters and am working on buying the gifts. The only thing I lack is to voice record myself blabbing to ye all. Shall be snazzi.<br /><br />Neal is taller than me? Blast it all giant! Don't be big. Big is for big people. That's big.<br /><br />Fried artichoke hearts.... ha. Please family.... I've seen fried iguanas, bananas, soup, cereal... everything is fried. Yesterday I ate something good. It was a potato stuffed with meat dipped in some type of bread overcoat and... fried. Twas yummy. mmmmm....<br /><br />Carrie got engaged? Then she broke it off? You should of seen my reaction. Elder Haddock laughed at me. It was like, WHAT!? then... Oh.<br />Send my regards to Carrie.<br /><br />I don't have time to write Greg this week but the next time I do, I will hug him through the internet.<br /><br />Elder Shamu is getting married!? Sweet. Everyone from Nauvoo that already came back from the mission is married. How trunky. hehe!<br /><br />Tell Chandler to try out for Nauvoo and forget Hawaii. I love Light and Hawaii and what not but Nauvoo is worth the sacrifice.<br /><br />Here's a pic I'm gonna send you. Enjoy it and I will write you next week. I love you lots!!!!<br /><br />Elder JohnsonMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-34276100862605487022008-11-06T08:33:00.000-08:002008-11-06T08:35:23.573-08:00October 20, 2008What!?<br /><br />Just so Nick knows, I’m sorry. Hehe! I have had the GREATEST intention of writing him. It’s just that my friends are in dire need of help and I already know Nick is perfect, he doesn’t need my advice. Haha! Kidding. But seriously, I had written a LOOONG letter on real paper that I am planning on sending, but I will be sending it with the Christmas package I am putting together and hoping it will get to you before November ends. I just need next p-day to buy the stuff.<br /><br />I will write him after this, cause I love him! THE BUFF!<br /><br />I saw another miracle this week, actually a series of amazing miracles. Familia Cano got baptized. That means this month we have already 8 baptisms and they are all amazingly strong and firm in the church. Next week we have between 2 and 5 if everything works right. Twill be the first time I’m gonna meet my baptism goal, IM SO EXCITED!!!!!!! I’m finally with a comp that knows how to baptize and is teaching me!<br /><br />My boots are still crapped out. And oh! I forgot to tell ya! We lived through a hurricane this week! I didn’t see the sun for four DAYS! The streets were rivers and I wore dirty wet clothes for four days straight cause the lady that cleans our clothes couldn’t come get them in the rain! It was fun.<br /><br />I MISS NAUVOO!!!<br />Nicks bloody rich!<br /><br />Mom wants to work again? Poochika mom! Make up your mind! Hehe! First you wanna work then ya don’t then ya do then your shoe! Yikers. Hehe! Kiddin!<br /><br />I’m gonna send the songs next time cause I forgot to bring the lyrics. I love those songs too. I hope to write more. Hehe!<br /><br />Well... I gotta end this early to write to Nick! YAY! Hehe! Love you all and I will write you next week. Just know I am really happy here and everything is working out. The second year is so much better than the first.<br /><br />Love you all!<br /><br />E. Nate Johnson<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-66202775452902692212008-10-15T11:00:00.001-07:002008-10-15T11:00:45.299-07:00October 13, 2008WHAT!!!!<br />What the crubdonker? Nolan hit his head? Was he bleeding a lot? kewl.<br />Man! He isnt going to remember when I get back!!!! NOOOOOOO!<br />Well. Thats ok. I guess I will just be that wierd guy that takes over his room when I get back. hehe!<br />Hey, GREAT NEWS! I surely feel humbled. Fam. Ochoa has been through hell, literally, to get to where they are now. The morning of the baptism I had a dream that they kept putting exuses cause they didnt want to get baptized and I was trying to talk them into it. It made me very worried. But yesterday morning at 7 am they got married and her husband, the drunk, stayed to watch them get baptized. They look so much happier now. We also baptized two other girls who werent really planned to be baptized this week. YAY!<br />So I am feeling really good. E. Martinez is teaching me things that I hadnt known before. I baptized 5 this week, almost more than I had for the last six months. I feel like I saw a miracle.<br />Yes, my boots are worn out. Yes, for kicking chickens, kicking pastors from apostate churches, the rain, walking, running, skipping, trotting, prancing, bad streets full of rocks that belong on the moon, kicking my zone in the face, and for pumpkins. That last one was donated by Elder Haddock who is helpíng me write this email and is attempting to maintain my insanity.<br />No I dont have a rain jacket nor a poncho. I knew a guy named poncho.<br />YOU WENT TO MEXICO WITHOUT ME!!!!! Tears of wisdom flood my purple face. What does purple smell like?<br />Ah yes, Christmas package. Do send me one, with things for me and maybe for my comps. But no, not for kids in the area. They dont appreciate me. hehe!<br />List of things I need-<br />Twix, Cream soda (You promised you would send me a little bit for christmas, dont make me cry. Its been a year without), EFY music, green ties, black socks and normal white socks, more blister moleskin bandaid stuff, cream soda, green things, more photos of people in the world and my family and my friends and my house, cream soda, and other stuff that I cant think of right now but if it comes to me I will tell you. If you can send Aaron in a box, do it. hehe! Kidding, slightly.<br />Well, Im good and swell. I will write you next week! Tell nolan to get better and remember me!!!!<br />Love you all!Mignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-80376119630617660612008-10-07T11:13:00.000-07:002008-10-07T11:14:46.382-07:00October 6, 2008HEY!<br />Yes, I watched conference. All the sessions but the second one on Saturday. I loved them. By the way, I dont look at the ZL thing as a promotion either, more like a demotion. Hehe! Just joking around. Im loving it. I feel like its a great chance to change some things and learn a lot. Its a chance to progress. My comp is amazing and teaching me everything! I have learned so stinkin much!<br /><br />I loved Utchdorfs talk too. But I loved more the talk by James J. Hamula. He sounds like he knows Nicaragua...<br />The shower works every now and then. I am back to bucket bathing most of the time. We live in a house owned by Catholics. They are nice though. I dont have a cell, my comp does and I have to use it sometimes, which aint too thrilling to me. hehe!<br /><br />Our batallion is reactivating and converting new members. They are doing everything. Its helping a lot. We have an amazing family we are teaching right now who has every type of problem that exists. They are the family Ochoa. We told them the first day we met them that Satan is going to attack them hard. And oh did he!!! He has been kicking them around since the first day. The day after we found them we set a baptism date with them and that same day the mom, Anita, got attacked by a snake, choked on a fishbone, and someone robbed their house. Then someone came lying about Joseph Smith saying we worship and pray to him... ha! Then just yesterday someone said that if she went to the mormon church she was condemned. Shes smart though and doesnt listen. She knows its true. Her husband drinks a lot and she doesnt want to get married to him. We are working REAL hard with them. They are going to be a powerful happy family, I just know it!!!!<br /><br />I did sing in the missionary choir, although we didnt get the kewl chance to sing in conference. I didnt see anyone I knew this last time.<br /><br />I have some grand story to tell you. This last week it rained a lot. We got wet. We were teaching family Ochoa and suddenly we left and everywhere was filled to the brim with water!!! It was like walking in a lake!!!! Craziness! We made it pretty far when suddenly there was a muddy river too large to cross. My comp was smart and threw a rock in the middle to jump across. He made it. I went, but my weight difference is greater, so it moved and I went in. I was soaked up to my neck with water and mud. It was great...<br />hehe!<br /><br />By the way, those kewl boots you sent me have holes in the bottom. Im looking to get them re-soled. Crazy, eh?<br /><br />I love you all tons and am feeling great! Learning a lot and walking a lot and working REALLY hard!!!<br /><br />Love and kisses,<br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-90497079638840655732008-09-30T19:42:00.001-07:002008-10-03T07:39:26.400-07:00September 29, 2008AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Changes...<br /><br />As usual, good news and horrible news...<br /><br />Good news, I had changes. That’s right, I have finally left Lezcano...<br /><br />BAD news........ I’ve been promoted....<br /><br />IM ZONE LEADER!<br /><br />I know, I don’t know why either. Ha-ha! I freaked. That’s a huge boulder just placed on my weak shoulders. But hey, its a chance to grow, learn, change, sweat and bleed more, cry, love, hate, and see the letters in the zone before everyone else. I get to talk with the president like three times a week... that scares the crap out of me. Ha! I have more respect and fear for that man than any other person living on the earth.<br /><br />Im good though. I feel like its a challenge and its opened my eyes. I feel renewed and full of energy. I’m in Leon, supposed to be the hottest area in all of Nicaragua.<br /><br />My comp is Elder Martinez from Honduras. He’s really cool and he is a great master teacher. But he doesn’t let me teach much. He is so focused sometimes he forgets I’m there. That’s good though. I’m learning a lot from him.<br /><br />The house is kewl. I’m bucket bathing again. The shower doesn’t work. But the best news I got is Elder Haddock that came with me from the MTC is here!!!! I’m his ZL! Yea! I love that kid.<br /><br />No one else that came with me has bumped up. Haddock and Bean are still DLs and Barnes is only senior comp. I feel humbled and confused, but I guess the Lord knows what he’s doing... I don’t, but that’s ok.<br /><br />The foods good. I love the members and its only been a few days. We have organized a sweet battalion of like forty members to help us bring people to church. It’s awesome and working! I expect to be here in this position a long time....<br /><br />Its changed everything about the mission. Suddenly things are more realistic and I feel better. I hate the idea of being a leader and I always have, but I’m here to serve and I will serve well.<br /><br />I received the grandma and grandpa package a long time ago. Didn’t I ask you like a month ago to thank them for me? If not, thank them. I loved it and so did my comp. It was gone within the hour! I LOVE YOU GM AND GP!<br /><br />I love you all. Know that I am doing better and getting in line. I feel so much better here....<br />And I only have a year left. Hehe! LOVE YOU ALL!!!<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-19243455110889889572008-09-22T12:22:00.000-07:002008-09-22T12:23:17.672-07:00HEY!<br />WHAT! NICK GOT HIS CALL! HES GOING WHERE! WHAT!?<br />Uhhhhhhhhhh... freak! Man! What!? My revelation was fake! You aint gonna go to Spain!? Washington it is... AWESOME!!!! You are gonna go to the kewlest temple in the world! ( Other than California ) Man... what news. I dunno how to handle it! I feel great! I got great news from my family, twice (I received your letter from that lost week in dearelder), letters from all my friends, and changes are tomorrow! YAYAYAAY! IM sure to go this time. YAYAYAY!<br />New bishopric? Wow! Things are gonna be wierd when I get back.<br />Tell Aaron I will gladly put in 100 dollars for a good 100 cream sodas for our cream soda bladder exploding wearing green and blue NA party when I get back.... but he has to bring the music. hehe!<br />Nononono... I was with Elder Guillen, a missionary from Nicaragua. He left for Peru last Tuesday. So I got stuck with Elder Lascarez from Costa Rica who is working in the area next to mine cause he had a nica comp that left too. So we are working together in two areas. Its hard. But fun!<br />I got the letter from Thomas. Thanks!<br />Hmmmm... news? Not really. I have been running area from area like always doing interviews and not having time to get anything done! Ive learned so much here.<br />Nick, you are gonna do SO great! Im working hard on buying stuff to send it in a package. Ill do it before you head out so you can get the letter I wrote you!<br />Tell Chandler and Thomas to get working so they can be the next to get their calls.<br />MAN! Im so excited! Im gonna be freaking out the rest of the week!<br />Love you all!<br />Elder Johnson<br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-30453751380809804212008-09-15T11:25:00.000-07:002008-09-15T11:32:30.205-07:00Hey Family!<br /><br />Dont you worry... Im good. I still havent received the letters from last week but maybe I will in DEARELDER in the weeks to come. That wonderful site seems more sure than myldsmail. Thank you Nicaragua.Thank you for writing this week. Now, lemme do a quick ketchup on whats goin on... thats right, I said ketchup. I miss ketchup.<br /><br />So this week went as follows...<br />Monday- we had PDAY, I wrote you all, I cut my hair, took a shower, slept a little, ordered pizza, and then our bishop and Hermano Falabella invited us to play ping pong in church, so we did. It was fun.<br />Tuesday- we worked hard.<br />Wednesday- we had interviews with the President from 6 am to 5 pm. ALL DAY LONG! There were a lot of elders talking to the president for like an hour. Me and my comp got ours done in three minutes. It was fun. Then that night we had a meeting with our bishop.<br />Thursday- we started the morning with weekly planning and then in the evening we went to work when suddenly the mission office called saying that my comp, Elder Guillen, is ready to leave for Peru this wednesday if we can find certain papers he needs. So all night long we were working with that.<br />Friday- we continued working with that. All morning we ran ALL OVER Managua to find his papers. It was an adventure which included us talking our way into touching the heart of a police captain so he could give us a police record of my comp the same day. It was quite intersesting. In the evening we ran everywhere with the ZL´s doing interviews.<br />Saturday- we tried saving our baptisms but it didnt work. Then we went to the baptisms of my district. (I will explain what happened shortly)<br />Sunday- church and we had a snazzi meeting with the stake about missionary work. AND.... Augusto got called as our Ward Mission Leader! SWEET!!!!<br />So that was my week. And here I am again, starting a new one! We had to baptisms set up this week. We went searching for one but she hid for like four hours and there was nothing we could do. Maybe this week. I just gotta talk to her and I know she will do it. I have truly seen the power Satan here in Nicaragua. If there is one thing I have learned here, its how he works and how to beat him. Hes a tricky and overly DANGEROUS fellow.<br />Our other nearly baptized friend was Ricardo. This kid is smart. He knows everything but he goes to another church. We watched the Restoration dvd with him and I bore my testimony and he was crying. He knows its true. So we had the zl´s try to get him to get baptized but he wants to stay in his apostate church. Its sad. He could have been a great missionary and leader of the church. Now he is going to be a pastor of the evangelical church. Satan works hard.<br />Missionaries are LITERALLY soldiers fighting everyday to save people from eternal darkness. I have sweated, bled, cried, and worked to save these people. But man, sometimes I feel like I am facing something so big and strong, I need to work a lot on my faith. Thats what I have been lacking. I used to think I had a lot of faith, I misunderstood the meaning of faith.<br />Send me the info on Nicks call as fast as you get it!<br />Im still voting for Spain or Nicaragua.<br />I wanna vote! Send me info on everything. I dunno whats going on with that stinkin country.<br />Well familyface, I love you and enjoy hearing from you. Tell my deadbeat silent friends to write me on DEARELDER at least. That goes for my bros too.<br />I promise I will send a package soon. Im looking for more snazzi stuff to put in it!<br />Next tuesday are changes, how quick, right? Im heading out of Lezcano! PLEASE DONT CALL ME AS ZL!!!!<br />haha!<br />Love and crackers!<br />Elder Johnson<br />PS- These are some fotos. The one with the three of us is the future First Presidency. You will see that pic in the next conference Liahona. Hehe! Good ole Falabella<br />Elder Johnson<br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionMignonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898004116743008927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-60608223068976504652008-09-09T07:13:00.000-07:002008-09-09T07:19:54.115-07:00Letter from Nicaragua on September 8, 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQB0I17tFJs8rtVrjAs7Oi4Bypu87961Xt-8U8k1g-B_L8VmFD_tbMobw10UvN8HqnYvV79YnHoIRb5rsoYGt3mSuuIjmTbd-d5iu4AuepxvmZELgtP3iZjI3YABKpF4rf7W9bIJrL4Ku/s1600-h/Nate+Photo+for+Blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244026142928417890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQB0I17tFJs8rtVrjAs7Oi4Bypu87961Xt-8U8k1g-B_L8VmFD_tbMobw10UvN8HqnYvV79YnHoIRb5rsoYGt3mSuuIjmTbd-d5iu4AuepxvmZELgtP3iZjI3YABKpF4rf7W9bIJrL4Ku/s400/Nate+Photo+for+Blog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I think I'm gonna freak! This is the first week no one, not even my family, has written me...<br />I wrote you last week, you received it right? Im hoping you didn't not write me as punishment for a letter you didnt receive that I sent?<br /></div><br /><div>Maybe you are all just busy...<br /></div><br /><div>Anywho, whatever. Im forgiving. And patient. And a little bit hungry at the moment. So... lemme give you a grand detailed newsclip of the junk that has been going on here.<br /></div><br /><div>I'm with my new Nica son, Elder Guillen. He is very excited to be a missionary. I love the wide variety of strange comps the Lord sends me. It sure makes me handle people well. Im really hating this computer. It is doing some weird things on me.<br /></div><br /><div>I baptized Saturday. His name is Eddy. He is super poor and super humble and has a bunch of sicknesses. Man, I have learned so much here. Hey, brothers... dont follow my bad example. Be a better missionary than I am being. I had that meeting with Elder Clarke from the 70 last week and I made a choice to make my second year in the mission kick trash. Too bad I hadn't made that decision the first year. I would blame it on my horrible trainer, Sauceda, but I'm not gonna. I had excuses. The people here give me enough of them as it is. I aint gonna make the same mistake!<br /></div><br /><div>So I am sorta dissapointed that no one has written me. Seriously, I'm gonna be depressed the rest of the day. I heard that the family and friends stop writing you once you reach the midpoint of your mission, but i told the others that that would be impossible with my family. They love me! Prove me honest.<br /></div><br /><div>So we were fasting yesterday and had a great temptation. Suddenly a ton of memories of mom´s homemade cooking jumped in my head. Lasagna, Spaghetti, cinnamon rolls, cookies.... pizza! I went nuts.<br /></div><br /><div>We found some great people this week that are all ready for the water. One is Benjamin. He is some guy that was walking down his sidewalk and found the book of mormon in the gutter, missing the front pages and cover. It was opened to the picture of Christ visiting the Americas and caught his interest. In two days he finished second Nephi and saw us walking down the street. He called us over and we started teaching him. Now he is finishing Alma. He would be baptized this Saturday, but he has two problems... he isnt married and he smokes. So we are working on that.<br /></div><br /><div>Well, Im heading out. I hope you write me back soon! I dont wanna freak out again next week.<br /></div><br /><div>Love you,<br /></div><br /><div>Elder Johnson</div>Bert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-34604476704924048822007-12-17T12:39:00.000-08:002007-12-17T12:43:07.253-08:00Another Letter from NicaraguaTell Mom I’m sorry but I’m only going to write one letter to the both of you. I just don’t have time! 45 minutes is not enough time to write to everyone I want.<br /><br />Ok... now for what is happening here...<br /><br />Tuesday we did a division and I was with Elder Canizales. He reminds me of Elder Neel. I think he is from Guatemala. Only Spanish. We walked and contacted a bunch of people and he stayed the night.<br /><br />Wednesday the Pres. called and said we couldn’t leave the house. So we waited and stayed in the house, I read all day, until around 3, when Elder Sauceda returned.<br /><br />Thursday, I don’t remember.<br /><br />Friday we walked to another part of our area called Cuidadela. Its far. But, on the way, Elder Sauceda and I kept being chased by a drunk guy. It was a little scary, cause it was in the middle of nowhere, but really funny. He caught up with us and started asking us questions about the church and trying to bible bash with us. There are a lot of drunk guys here.<br /><br />Saturday I had my first baptism. I have pictures but I forgot my chord to plug into the computer so I will try to send a picture next week, hopefully. He is a little kid named Oscar. It was fun. Afterwards our district invited all the neighbor kids to a soccer game and Elder Sauceda asked who wants to be baptized! We got thirty references for families. Loco.<br /><br />This week we have ten baptisms lined up. I hope they work out. The Spanish is coming along I guess. I understand what each conversation is about and where its going, but when someone asks me a question I am lost. I understand the topic and sort of what they are asking but its hard. And I can’t speak worth monkey. Hopefully soon. I keep trying and praying.<br /><br />Yep. I would have to say the thing I miss most of all is a working warm shower. Nolan and Nick used to complain about our bathroom... HAHAHAHA! They would freak if they saw ours. I don’t think its ever been washed, and I wouldn’t even try. I might turn into a mutant if I did.<br /><br />Oh yeah! The night Canizales was here, there was a HUGE scorpion above my bed! It was like the size of my hand! I got a picture. Canizales killed it with his shoe. Freaky.<br /><br />Today the Pres. cancelled P-Day. We are only allowed to email and write. Its crazy. Its cause he has a goal to get a thousand baptisms this month. I think that’s a huge problem with this mission. Everyone is worried about baptisms and not focusing on what happens after. As soon as I can communicate, I’m going to work on that. I want to make sure the members are truly committed. I don’t want baptisms if they don’t count for anything. And that’s a big thing here. Yeesh. Especially with Sauceda. He is a baptism freak. He really doesn’t care about the inactive members. I really want to speak Spanish...<br /><br />Cambios, changes, are halfway through January. I only get a few more weeks with Sauceda. Sad huh! He thinks I’m going to be transferred to the office or become an AP before the end of his mission. Ha. Yikes. I don’t want to drive. Its nuts here.<br /><br />Anywho, I’m gonna go. Much love and be good!<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />PS- I think I said that the little kid is my friend was Jorge or something in my last letter. Just to make sure, his name is Jose Luis. And his family feeds me too much. Yikes...<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />Nicaragua, Managua MissionBert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-54890699617282906322007-12-11T05:34:00.001-08:002007-12-11T05:39:19.583-08:00How to Send Mail to Elder JohnsonThe easiest way is to send a letter to him via POUCH MAIL. There are some rules to follow. All letters must be written on a single page (front and back is fine). You cannont include anything in the envelope other than the letter (no photos, money, etc.). Photos can be printed on the page with the letter, but that's the only way to send them through this service. To send a letter by POUCH MAIL, send your letter to the following address:<br /><br />Elder Nathanial Johnson<br />Nicaragua Managua Mission<br />PO Box 30150<br />Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150<br /><br />To send letters (photos, packages, etc.) straight to the mission home, use this address:<br /><br />Elder Nathanial Johnson<br />Nicaragua Managua Mission<br />De la Retonda del Periodista<br />150 vrs. al Sur Ofiplaza Suite 725<br />Managua, C. A.<br />NICARAGUA<br /><br />However you do it, please send lots of letters! You know how much missionaries love letters...Bert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-12908433044817199362007-12-11T05:28:00.001-08:002007-12-11T05:30:12.846-08:00First Letter from NicaraguaSubject: Re: Letter from HOME<br />From: "Nathanial Johnson" <nate_johnson@myldsmail.net><br />To: bertjohnson@cox.net<br />Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:32:07 +0000<br /><br />Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!<br /><br />I don’t even know where to stinking start. Lets start with this.... it has been an insanely tiring, exciting, freaky, weird, confusing, and out of the ordinary week.<br /><br />We left the MTC Wednesday, waking up at 2 am, and flew from Utah to Chicago. The Utah flight was delayed and then the flight from Chicago to Miami was delayed. We missed our flight to Nicaragua by literally like 2 minutes. It stunk.<br /><br />So we called the MTC and they called the Miami mission president and we stayed there for the night, which was pretty kewl. We ended up leaving the next morning at 7, got on the plane around 11ish and flew to Nicaragua. Walking onto that plane was the weirdest thing in my life! I sat next to some crazy Nicaraguan girl that spent most of her life in Miami and kept telling me how I was going to get robbed and stuff. Yeah. But she did give me gum! Hehe!<br /><br />Anyways, we got off the plane and went through a billion checkouts and junk and then we met the President and the office elders and ate lunch with them at some fancy Italian restaurant. Normal so far. Mostly.<br /><br />Nicaragua is going through a lot of political stuff right now. Along with that there are a lot of people who are missing arms and legs and stuff and are poor because of the civil war they had twentyish years ago. Its pretty sad.<br /><br />The office elders dropped off the other three elders in my group onto buses to travel to their assigned areas, after we had interviews with the Pres. Then I went with the office elders to eat dinner at some lady’s house, which was snazzi. We ate, can you guess... rice and beans. And chicken. Yeah. Woot!<br /><br />Then they drove me to my house... actually its more like a room... and I met Elder Sauceda, from Honduras. He is super kewl. He only speaks Spanish so I have to listen really hard to understand. Yeah.<br /><br />Our house is about the size of Nevins room. There is no running water. We have a small fridge that barely works. I have to take a shower by dumping cold water on my head with a bucket. Eeeek! And......... there are chickens in the backyard. AH!<br /><br />Its been fun though! I’m having a blast. At times I miss the normality of AZ, compared to here anyway, but its snazzi.<br /><br />Friday I woke up early with Elder Sauceda and we went to teach some lady who was to be baptized the next day. We had a whole lesson, I only taught a little bit, but it turns out her baptism fell through. She couldn’t be baptized because she had a lot of kids and wasn’t married, or something like that. Its nearly impossible to understand what is going on when you don’t speak Spanish. AH!<br /><br />However... on the bright side, I have some friends! Later on in the night on Friday we visited, I think his name is Hermano Meneses... or Barrio Mitch?... I dunno. Anyways, he is really poor and lives in a house made of stone, without a roof... but he has three little kids who are my new best friends. The oldest is ten. I think her name is Jennifer. The second is seven, named Gloria. And the son is named Juan. He is super kewl. They are probably the only people I understand, other than Elder Sauceda. They help me learn Spanish and I help them learn English. Oh yeah! I’m helping teach English lessons in the church! Its super fun.<br /><br />The area I am in is called Tipitapa. Its the most dangerous and poorest area in Nicaragua. This week they have been having a celebrating about the virgin Mary, which is really annoying to the members... and me. There are fireworks going off like every two seconds. Firecrackers, fireworks, gunshots... ack! And lots of drunk people. I’ve talked to three so far, who think they know English. Its ridiculous.<br /><br />So I am only one of two Elders in Tipitapa that are from the US. Everyone else is Latino.<br /><br />As for the food, its ok. Elder Sauceda was surprised. He said I am learning quick and speak better Spanish and understand better than his other companions. Even though I really have barely any idea what is going on most of the time. Its really hard when someone asks me questions. Oh yeah! The food.... um, they have weird bananas here. Its not like ours. They taste nasty, the texture is really gross, but its pretty good when its cooked. They dry it too. Ew. Lots of rice and beans. Chicken. Elder Sauceda said they also have iguana and horse and cat and stuff, but I haven’t eaten that yet. I hope not to....<br /><br />I haven’t done any service projects yet. People are really busy with their Mary Holiday, I think it is called Policimo. I dunno.<br /><br />I barely catch the names of anything around here. The kids here are either really nice or really annoying. Most of them are nice. But the mean ones call you names. I don’t remember how to say it, whatever.<br /><br />The office elders said that I looked like a mooso, which is Spanish is flirt. Ha! I laughed. Ya gotta be careful around here though. The girls love white people. Everyone on the street looks at me as I walk by... yeesh! Its nuts. The men are either really nice or really mean too. Its kinda how the whole country is. Really poor or really rich. Really nice or really mean. No middle ground.<br /><br />Elder Sauceda was telling me about his last companion he was training, Elder Dahl. He said he was really racist and used to call him offensive names. That ticked me off when I heard it, fo sho. He said Elder Dahl used to complain a lot and run off without him and flirt with the girls and even cut himself. The president sent him home after three weeks. Elder Sauceda said he was really glad to find out I was normal. Ha! Ha! Normal. That’s funny. At least more normal than Dahl. Dummy.<br /><br />But seriously, its kewl here. Super different. Big culture shock. The Spanish will come, I hope. The members keep saying it will. Man, they feed me a lot. I am never hungry. I’ve eaten it all though and don’t have a problem with it, except the bananas. I haven’t gotten sick yet either, like all the other gringos. Hoo ha! They drink a lot of Fanta.<br /><br />I hate chickens, but they are everywhere here. Oh yeah! Yesterday we saw two drunk guys fighting. This place is nuts.<br /><br />I’m really want to talk to the people and help Sauceda with his teaching, but I cant speak! I can barely understand! Its such a stinking barricade! Its definitely what I need most, the gift of tongues. Its impossible to get around without it.<br /><br />Monday is P-Day and I get 45 mins to email. The money is weird. Its called chordos. 100 dollars is 1870 chordos, I think. Its confusing.<br /><br />There are a lot of people here, and a lot more kids than in the US. The houses are small and aren’t really houses at all. Seriously. Its sad. No air conditioning anywhere but here in the email station, which is amazing right now. The heat aint so bad. Its like AZ, just less sun... surprisingly. Its a little humid, but it will get worse around march and way bad in August. Super!<br /><br />Oh yeah, I lead music on Sundays too. No piano, just a cd player. And no one can sing. No one. Serious. Its crazy. I think someday I may come back and teach English and choir. Wow.<br /><br />Well, yeah. Pray for me. I need it. This place is nuts, but I am glad to be here. I couldn’t imagine leaving, not with people like little Juan and his family left in the dust without the gospel. Its humbling.<br /><br />Well, adios. Wish me luck and health and Spanish and stuff.<br /><br />With love!<br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />PS- you will get a kick out of this dad. There is this guy named Enye. He is missing two front teeth. But Elder Sauceda calls him Sindi, like Cindy... because sin dientes. Sin-di. hehehe!Bert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-6335062662463313102007-10-17T19:57:00.000-07:002007-10-18T07:43:11.653-07:00Letter received on October 17th...This letter was sent to Nick, but we thought we'd post it because of the great advice for missionaries entering the MTC:<br /><br />Nick,<br /><br />Brotha! How are ya punk? K so (cheese), I've been thinking all week long about different ways my brothers could prepare for their misisons. And since you are first, I have addressed this to you. These are some things to do before and when you leave and will help at least during your time at the MTC.<br /><br />#1. Pack duck tape...Bro. Filichia is a genius for giving it to me. If you don't use it, someone will. Half my roll is gone. Haven't used the bungees yet.<br /><br />#2. Bring many changes of P-day / gym clothes. At least 6! Trust me, you don't want to use the same gym clothes twice in a row, and you don't want to wear your gym clothes for P-day - YUCK!<br /><br />#3. Learn the language first. 2 years of spanish helped me. I understand almost everything and its easy to learn. Ya, you don't know what language you will be speaking. Take a guess and learn it. If it's not the right language, you will be tri-lingual.<br /><br />#4. Don't drink the chocolate milk and don't eat the seafood salad in the cafeteria. Trust me, just stay away...<br /><br />#5. Bring 8 alarm clocks. It's just fun to wake up to 8 different sounding alarms at the same time.<br /><br />#6. Bring a warm blanket. These ones suck!<br /><br />#7. Get used to cold showers. Enough said.<br /><br />#8. Know how to beat-box. Everyone loves it and it puts on a good show before bed.<br /><br />#9. Work on your BUM muscles. Blunt, I know, but when you are sitting and studying 12 hours a day...OUCH!<br /><br />#10. Bring lot so pictures of family and friends. Makes me smile.<br /><br />#11. Forget fear. When you need to do something, have faith to just jump in and do it. Be the leader.<br /><br />#12. KNOW Preach My Gospel! It will help. I dind't know it and I wish I did. The same goes along for the scripture references in it.<br /><br />#13. Know how to write in your journal. Yeah, its boring, but ya want it.<br /><br />#14. Learn how to get along with everyone. Should be easy for you.<br /><br />#15. Have people use <a href="http://www.dearelder.com/">http://www.dearelder.com/</a>. I like letters everyday. (big smiley face)<br /><br />#16. Bring a cup.<br /><br />#17. Pack some air deoderizer. Febreeze, AXE, anything that can get the smell of a roomates' stinky feet out of the air. If only I had one for Elder Barnes...<br /><br />#18. Know your friends addresses before you leave.<br /><br />#19. Don't ever forget your lunch card. You use it for everything.<br /><br />And finally...<br /><br />#20. Don't PANIC. (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Thank You!) Overloaded with information is normal. Just take a deep breath, count to 3, and imagine a bottle of cream soda...<br /><br />I will probably have more effective ones before the 2 years are up. Be buff, keep the green, and (in the famous words of Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley) "Don't be stupid!"<br /><br />Drink a cream soda for me.<br /><br />Much love a stuff,<br /><br />Elder Johnson<br /><br />PS - The church is true!Bert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-60241303529276775802007-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:002007-10-19T14:51:44.800-07:00Write ELDER JOHNSON in the MTC!!!Elder Johnson has requested that you send letters (for free!) through <a href="http://www.dearelder.com/">http://www.dearelder.com/</a>. His MTC address is:<br /><br />Elder Nathanial Bert Johnson<br />MTC Mailbox #216<br />NIC-MAN 1205<br />2005 N. 900 E.<br />Provo, UT 84604-1793<br /><br />His projected departure date for Nicaragua is December 5th.<br /><br />You'll also be able to send POUCH mail to him through dearelder.com. He is requesting many letters! He has one companion that gets about three a day. Nate would like to get 3 or 4 a week!Bert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-68201079072156135872007-10-14T06:42:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:40:40.654-08:00New Missionary!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53QcnEqNaFgKKrXVLlmo_YEKx_SjHjw3xSUS0ep38Lv5D5XGmnj2MH2Eeca9nbejZoaZcK41eVhAMkDhyphenhyphen2yTmkLt0mor5FU-uB-oCEl4DH6WIb7D7NiiIDBWi8uDNni_UQLPEO9bhsCNP/s1600-h/Nate-for-Web.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121190234000031410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53QcnEqNaFgKKrXVLlmo_YEKx_SjHjw3xSUS0ep38Lv5D5XGmnj2MH2Eeca9nbejZoaZcK41eVhAMkDhyphenhyphen2yTmkLt0mor5FU-uB-oCEl4DH6WIb7D7NiiIDBWi8uDNni_UQLPEO9bhsCNP/s400/Nate-for-Web.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Elder Nathanial Bert Johnson was called to the Nicaragua Mangua Mission to begin service on October 3rd. He entered the MTC on that day along with his good friend Elder Greg Malone (called to serve in the Richmond Virginia Mission). </div>Bert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648387998866268178.post-7609822577966699272007-10-05T14:59:00.000-07:002007-10-19T15:12:45.765-07:00Elder Johnson's First Letter in the MTC!Oi Moms and Pops!<br /><br />Day One...CAKE! Remember how everyone kept asking if I was nervous and I said no? I wasn't lying. This is just an extended version of Nauvoo. I wish I could remember everything that happened, but they crammed so much info down my throat...I already forgot my first name! So I will do my best.<br /><br />After you left me I went into a room where they gave me some stuff and took my picture. Then they sent me to get flu shots, where I was placed in the wrong room/like three times! When I finally got it, and a sucker, I went to the bookstore where I got MORE stuff and searched the world for my room. I found it and met my companion, Elder Bean, from New Jersey. He's pretty <u>kewl</u> and <u>quiet</u> (underlined because that defines him). I'm in a room of four, all going to Nicaragua.<br /><br />Let's see...we had an hour to unpack, which took fifteen minutes, then we explored. We went to some mission orientation (in which I fell asleep on and off briefly) and then dinner! Dinner was YUM. I saw Elder Bostwick...WOW! He is so animated, excited, happy, and spiritual. I never saw him without a smile or not speaking Spanish! Totally missed him last month.<br /><br />Then we had a couple of hour Branch - Zone orientation meeting, a tour, and came home to our room. I started my journal and this letter but we were attacked (welcomed) by all the ancient (1-8 week residents) missionaries. And now this...<br /><br />I sleep at 10:30pm and wake up at 6:00am. You probably (mom and dad) are giggling at every sentence - I'm glad I could give you some cheer! Sleep well, I'm alive, and this letter isn't that exciting so you don't have to share it with the ward or elders quorum or anyone outside our family. (Our family includes Thomas, Chandler, Marcus, Aaron, Reshea, etc...)<br /><br />Goodnight & I Love you,<br /><br />Elder JohnsonBert Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136006839443892939noreply@blogger.com0