Week 13:

Hey FAM! I missed my email time so we're super late. Yesterday we moved into our new house that an anonymous member bought the mission. It's pretty nice. Our P-day is changing to MONDAY from now on, so I'll email again in like 3 days. haha

Ok, Christmas package!! My first one of two! I would say that I want stamps but I just bought like 30 something and I'll be good for a while. I don't know...what did Oliver ask for on his mission? I'm sure he has good insights. I would say a tie, but I have way too many and I am probably sending most home. Mine are nice and the other missionaries are always drooling.

Speaking of which. What was the information for that Click-n-ship thing so I can send stuff home?

Anyway I'm doing fine and really don't need much. I might have some ideas next week if that's ok. I still can't believe we're into December. The Christmas season is upon us.

MY MISSIONARY SCRIPTURE: Alma 26:12 love it. I hope it isn't too late. On a side note this one is good too. We all need to be like this: Alma 18:17

The dreams are cool! thanks for telling me those. You guys are in my dreams often. When I can remember them... :) I love you guys.

Are you guys receiving the photos I am sending? I won't go through uploading them and stuff if they don't seem to be going through.

Wow this Christmas season really is here! Last night the Relief Society put together a dinner party thing for the Relief Society, but we were in the church so we took part. haha. This brother, Brother Lund is one cool dude. He went to Iraq, lost his foot, had his body ripped apart and he is alive today. He looks fine until he takes his shoe off. He is pretty hilarious/cool, we're cool with him. He is a young guy with a young wife and he's becoming a dentist. Anyway, haha he played, on the piano, the First Noel by David Lunz I think. It was spectacular. I loved it. The beauty of this piece was... indescribable. Mom I would check it out. It's awesome.

Man it seems the work is going forward in Aquia Ward! Go Bishop! (and fam) it's good to know your not one of the cruddy bishops who doesn't help out. Those that make sure the work is being done, not only by the missionaries, but the MEMBERS, are the ones that rock.

Easton: Elder I will be trying to be like that comp of yours. I am a bit prideful, but I am really trying to continue on no matter what. It's a bit tough because my companion doesn't take what I say to heart, but I am trying to be humble and go with what he wants. I know I am learning to be humble and am grateful for that since I am supposed to learn that (as it says in my patriarchal blessing, I need to look out for pride ) we're working hard though. I will attach the picture of the baptism. (I hope I haven't sent that one.)

Yay! THE TEMPLE WAS PASSED! :) the Lords will! I heard about crazy protesters as well. But they stink and can't stop eternal ordinances from going forward. ;)

Annie and Spencer! What are you up to? Any cool activities happen recently? How's the weather there? and the cold? Please tell me when the snow hits (if it does)

Here it's pretty cool. Last night got low, like cold.

Man guys, I know you are just going to think that this is a missionary talking, but I want you to know this:

In this Christmas season, we have the opportunity to get presents and don't get me wrong, I love presents. I REALLY love presents, but it's so much better because it helps everyone to remember Christ. Christ suffered for our sins. He did, but he suffered for even more! While here, I came across a scripture : Mosiah 3:7-9

7 And lo, he shall ^asuffer ^btemptations, and pain of body, ^chunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can ^dsuffer, except it be unto death; for behold, ^eblood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his ^fanguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

8 And he shall be called ^aJesus ^bChrist, the ^cSon of God, the ^dFather of heaven and earth, the ^eCreator of all things from the beginning; and his ^fmother shall be called Mary.

9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that ^asalvation might come unto the children of men even through ^bfaith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a ^cdevil, and shall ^dscourge him, and shall ^ecrucify him.

He suffered for not only our sins, but our thirst, our hunger, and our pain! Think of every time that I/you got hurt/ broke a bone/ cried. He suffered for that, and everyone in our family, and 's center. ;) but they were alive.every person of the billions that have died/ live/ will live. He is literally "The Man" :) and I love him. I hope you more fully love him as you consider that. I hope I am not being preachy. I love this scripture, because it helps me to more fully appreciate him. I love ya'll. :)

I'll see ya...latah

-Elder Johnston

Ps The pictures are of the baptism (the comp missed the smile queue on that one), a dust storm coming in, and an Arizona sunset by the mountains that we live by. Those are the ones we went hiking in and stuff. OH! I saw a Gila Monster, and like 10 rattle snakes!...in the visitor's center. ;) but they were alive.

Baptism

Dust Storm

Sunset over the Mountains