28 March 2011

Dear Family,

Wow, won wacky week we`ve weathered. This last Tuesday, we got a phone call in the morning during studies. When I answered, Elder Hunsaker, the Zone Leader with Elder Huacaychuco,  asked me if I would be able to find someone to accompany me for the next few days. I said,  "Yes." He explained that Elder Stewart would go for a training meeting in Arequipa!

This is the same one that I went to a few months ago about New Years to prepare to train Elder Hernandez. So we were really excited for all the possibilities that were ahead of Elder Stewart the next transfer. Although secretly I was bummed since basically the invitation means that Elder Stewart wouldn't be my companion the next transfer too. We have really got along very well.

So he left, and I got to work finding people to be my temporary companions until Friday. Axel, a young man who lives in the same house as us was my companion normally after 9 until morning, and those of the day rotated. I counted yesterday and found out that I've had 13 companions in the days he was gone. He was about to come back Friday in the night, but there was some sort of protest and the buses weren't allowed to pass from Arequipa to here!

So he didn't get here for the baptism of the two 8 year old kids in the ward. Harold and Reina (queen). Harold wanted me to baptize him so I got to! It is always so great to be able to be the person to baptize. Such a blessing for both the people in the water, though much more for Harold.

This week's been a little hard for all that business, so I feel like I have to work super extraordinarily extra hard the next few days slash weeks to make up for all the slack. But that's ok, cuz I'll be able to learn how to work harder.

Elder Stewart completed 6 months here in Leguia, and was going to be training, so basically I was ready when they called us and told us that he had a transfer, at 1:30 this morning. For this reason, I'm really tired right now and I think it shows in the text.

He went to Ilo, a small city between Mocegua and Tacna. Liberación 2 is his area and companion as of yet unknown. My companion will be Elder Mateos, I think, which is Mathews in Spanish, I also think. Basically I am really excited for the next weeks and the new challenges that come starting with a new companion, and a little nervous. I learned with Elder Stewart how great it can be when there is a lot of companionship unity.

Also I have a little more duty to the other missionaries because I will be a district leader. Also nervous for this, since I have NO idea what I shall do. Elder Erhard gives me this counsel: "I'lltell you what you're gunna do: You're gunna have the most baptizing district in all of the mission". His second counsel was strive for obedience (by the way this is the Elder Erhard that went to BYUI and knows Katie Alvarez too!)

Si Se Puede!!

So next week I shall be able to report on all the amazing miracles that will have happened.

One investigator story. Cindy, and lady from the jungle area of Peru, or as I refer to her in my mind, Cindy of the Jungle, has progressed. She was part of the massive lesson we had in Veracruz which made me feel a little like Paul the apostle (but a little less) and she has been progressing. The goal is baptize ALL. Haha. It's just that she feels overwhelmed by our example of obedience... or that she can't even repent to be good enough. Trying to help her on that.

 Love Elder Johnson

Elder Stewart and Elder Johnson, last week together

Baptism for Harold and Reina in Tacna

21 March 2011

Dear Family

Another week has gone into the realm of the past. I feel sure that I will be coming back in a few moments. I've noticed that when I'm working, time flies, and when no, no. I really enjoy finding and teaching people.

Wow! I was ironing my shirt the other day and I burned myself pretty bad. Wasn't too hard to predict, since I was still wearing the shirt, but I forgot that part and left the iron against my chest for about a second and got an iron sized 1st degree burn. Haha. Goes down in one of the not so smart things I've done im my life. It's almost gone now though. Just the mark of the corner remains (after 8 days).

Hopefully the three pictures upload. The first is from the baptism! A little bit of a surprise it was. We got a call from the zone leaders and they said they had a reference of gold, who wanted to be baptized the same week. Ok that's fine with me. Junior is the man. He has been going to church since about December but in a different ward. So he is really strong with his faith. Really his parents have always been members, just less active. He started going to church again with his girlfriend. It was a little bit weird not knowing him really well before his baptism but it's ok. Another great person has been able to make a covenant with God to keep the comandments, take upon him the name of Christ, and always remember him, and has received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The second is of Elder Stewart and I. Duh. We found a path that leads from the main part of our area to an area known as Santa Maria. This is the path and I think it is quite pretty. I particularly like the two palm trees, the greenness, and the odd dog that wandered into the photo after I set the timer. Reminder that there are lots of dogs.

The third is a picture of Hijos de Leguia. When I first saw this area I almost gasped. I would love to be able to take a picture for real... with a ladder or something. Ooo maybe a big kite with the rig I made before leaving. There is tons of wind always. If only. It's ok. Also interesting appearing in the picture is the acuaduct for the farm fields, and a quaint bridge (there is no troll-- oo that reminds me of backpacking in Oregon-- haha)[a word of explanation:  we went backpacking in Oregon when Mark was about 13 years old.  He and Paul hid under a bridge and when Jeff, Eric, and William and went across, they jumped out and said "Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge."  It scared the younger kids."]

We had interviews with President Fernandez this week too! We got to the stake center in the morning, and waited with the other misionaries in our district and zone, along with Elder Boulter (who incidentally has the same shoes as me) and the personal secretary. When it was our turn we got to go in first together, then separately. In the time together, President Fernandez helped us out with the questions of contacting that we have had. Like how exactly to do it. Sometimes we just try to get people to agree to an appointment to return, but he told us that this first contact we have to be able to know if this person has been prepared by the Lord to talk to us. This new kind of contacting is a little like we did a few weeks ago, but much better. Although the large majority reject the invitation (which is extremely direct), the few who accept it are the best, and really the only ones we should have appointments with. We were charged to start having 15 to 20 baptisms every month, and I hope we can start to do that, and I plan on talking with EVERYONE in my area during the next change [transfer]).

He asked me also where I'm at 1 to 10. I had to lower my personal rating from the last time since I realized that 0 is a rock that doesn't do anything, and not Satan... which was why I put myself at 4 last time. But I'm improving. President Fernandez told me that the 4-5 range can do miracles for the Lord. Referencing Nefi and Lehi, the missionaries around the time of Samuel the Lamanite... 8000 baptisms in one part of their mission. I read Helaman 16:4 this morning and I really want to be able to be like that. Spend all my time bautizando, predicando, profetizando, enseñando, y obrando milagros entre este pueble [baptizing, preaching, prophesying, teaching, and working miracles among this peopl] . We shall see how close I can get starting with these next 7 weeks.

Next week looks like mmaayybee [we'll have some baptisms] but many of the really good looking [he probably means those who are progressing well with the discussions leading toward baptism] investigators didn't come Sunday, so that delayed lots of possibilities.

We had an appointment with a family: Pedro Santiago and Juana. In English that's Peter, James, and John-(feminine), and their sister, Magali. Needless to say we were very excited. The only problem they will have is that they have these properties out somewhere, and the association that somehow has some rights over the properties, requires that they assist meetings every Sunday in the morning... basically during church. If they don't go, they lose the property... So they basically need to sell it to go to church. Kind of a big problem. There are unfortunately lots of people like that.

As for how's my spanish, I think it has degraded a little. Expectable with us two gringos. We speak how we wanna and sometimes this gives me problems. I speak a little too fast for someone with such an accent, which makes it hard for many to understand me when I get all excited about sharing the gospel with them.

I hope we can keep on improving and bringing the truth to all.

Love Elder Johnson
 

Junior's baptism in Tacna with Elder Stewart and Mark and others

Mark and Elder Stewart and one of many dogs in Tacna

Tacna

March 14, 2011

Elder Mark Johnson and Elder Stewart

Elder Mark Johnson, Ivan, Elder Stewart in Tacna

7 March 2011

Downtown Tacna

Dear Family,

How's the week going for y'all. It's pretty great here. Ok we didn't have a baptism this week but the next si o si [Yes, oh Yes]. Ivan is the man. Really is the best. He continues to be really full of faith and desires to learn and make the covenant with God that is baptism. He told us after fast and testimony meeting that he feels the same conviction as many of the members and feels like by this point he should officially be a member. So great are the meetings with him. He likes to ask questions really interesting [you can see the spanish grammar taking over in that sentence, I'll leave it in there], different than the normal.

Planning his baptism is our Ward Mission Leader who is pilas to work! We are getting slowly the ward's effort in the missionary effort.

Sounds like the ward is doing great! I loved to receive those letters from the young men. Eric's made me laugh. He drew a taco. Thanks Eric. But really they all made me happy.

Brother Jardine asked about zone conferences. ˇThat's when about 15 missionaries get together and meet with the MIssion President. We have them every 3 months, off set with our interviews with the President every 3 months. They are the best and I always leave feeling super animated [excited] to work 300 percent.

Also, our ward. The ward, is great. Even though this week we had appointments to go with two young men every day, only one showed up. But that's young men. This Sunday, I was thinking we would have to beg a little to find a pension [apartment]. What had happened wuz that our pensionista moved, and the planned next one (a non member.. o sea [or in other words]... future member) got freaked out a little I think and decided not to give us pension. Sooo.. the family that we live with helped us out until Sunday with our Bishop's family. Sunday the bishop asked for help with this and 4 families we really eager! We are gunna eat with 2 investigators and I have really high hopes that they will finally be able to be baptised by result of the small amount of extra money.

Elder Stewart continues to be the bomb. Oh I wanted to explain the picture with him. We went running this morning to pick up our clothes from the family that washes them, and I brought my camera. The 2nd day we passed this spot (it's about 300 meters from our room) and he said, "That's a noose." I have no idea why it's there.. but it's there.

[Someone] commented in the Dearelder [letters] about the portion of gringos y [and] latinos in our mission. My first district I was one of two. Here I'm companions with a gringo. There is another companionship that is pure gringo, and all the others have one gringo and one latino minus one pure latino. I don't know why there is this variation, but it seems to be how the Lord assigns his servants here for now.

What a week for McAllen Texas! That's awesome. Glad to hear that great things are going down in all the world. ≠Animos a Elder Wood!

Mom you asked me if I feel unsafe or safe or protected. I have never felt unsafe, though I have noted that I would in other circumstances sometimes returning to the room at 9. But there aren't going to be any problems with security.

I heard that Dad spent an afternoon in the temple. I would love that so, so much. Unfortunately the closest temple is about 20 hours away, in Bolivia, which kinda makes it too far to go and get back all on a Pday. The goal still is to have a temple is Arequipa. I dreamt the other night that we were building one in Tacna.

Saturday, two contacts in a row were pretty darn awesome! The first was a guy who had read lots of the Book of Mormon and wanted to learn more. He has a baptismal goal. The second contacted us asking for help. He too [had a baptismal goal?] but we waited for the second visit. The baptisimal goal is critical so they can have a reason to ask with faith by prayer, to know if our message is true. One thing we have to (mejorar en ingles [improve in English]........) improve is teaching about the fact that they CAN know by prayer (see James 1:5) and how important it is. The majority of people just ask and go on with their routine because they don't really believe that it will come, so [they] don't have the faith, sincere heart, and true intention that is necessary (Moroni 10:4).

This week I had a first. I asked a woman to get married. Not to me, but it was weird. To her boyfriend. Actually two different couples who are living together and have kids.

Love Elder Johnson
 

21 February 2011

Dear family,

A package?? Awesome! I wasn't expecting one till June... haha sounds like it might arrive in June.

Er...a pedometer would be pretty awesome.  I've been wondering how far I'm walking this week... feels like about 4 plus miles per day.

Ademas.. a ver... [In addition. . . let's see. . .] maybe a couple of pictures... talks from conferences... if possible little tiny speakers? Here in Tacna we don't have speakers for P day anymore. and any other space with candy! haha.

I shall raise up the rez [resolution on the camera] I guess, but if I go to 10 megapixels again I can't promise pictures every week due to upload time requirements.

How went this week? Super awesome. Don't even know where to start.

Now that I'm with Elder Stewart it is a little bit harder to talk with all the people... since neither of us are latinos, but it's all good since they almost always understand us. Between the two of us, we can always be understood. Also, I think now that they all have to pay lots of attention to understand us, they also receive the message better!

But I'm really enjoying being companions with Elder Stewart just like in the CCM. When I am tired and am having trouble getting myself to start talking with the people we are close to, he saves the moment and starts contacting. We are learning a ton and becoming better missionaries quickly.

Like I hinted earlier, we walk a TON. Also there is a TON of hot [heat]. The sun is super strong and the air unforgiving, but no is problem [it's not a problem] cuz when we knock doors, the people are really awesome. Well usually, they occasionally just close the door in our faces, but I don't mind so much now... wethering.

And that's the only problem.

In church yesterday, i was a little nervous and praying that the members would have the desire to work with us, since it seems that they haven't really done anything with the missionaries for a long, long time, but the people we asked to help us out were super willing to do so, and one member, Elvis, approached us and asked us when we were gunna go proseliting with him. Marcos told us that he has basically every day all day free, and Kenny almost the same.

Our new ward mission leader is John Wonkawonka. I really like his last name. He is almost 19 and preparing for the mission. Yesterday we did splits (when the two missionaries go with two members as temporary companions to be able to go to appointments that are far apart and the same time) with John Wonkawonka y Kenny. We were out between 3 and 8 and taught 4 lessons, and contacted 118 people. Really awesome day yesterday.

And the week in general. We set a record for both of us, 343 contacts in the week. I think I've passed 2000 but haven't added them up recently.

This week we have found 3 families that are really cool, and have been looking to basically find us. They are laiden with challenges, including getting married (all three... grr) but hopefully they can be willing to start to live this commandment in particular.

Also a lady Maritsa and Ximena her daughter are super awesome. We were talking with them about how one can feel, by the power of the Holy Ghost if the Book of Mormon is true, by reading it. And that by the same power we can know if the church is true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God. Maritsa piped up and told us she feels it. That its all true. I was a little stunned not gunna lie. I mean... I just wasn't expecting her to already recognize that. Her daughter just said that she has a lot a lot of doubts. Here in [the[ University, there is a required class whose purpose is to convince the students that religion is a lie. Or at least christianity. It is always taught by a Jew, and leaves all the University students not believing in God. This is her source of doubts.

But in church, or after, she told us that now she doesn't have any doubts!! If all goes well, she will be able to make the covenants of baptism this Saturday with her mom.

Leslie is the other person who maybe this Saturday too will be baptized, but we are in need of a serious miracle. Our last lesson with her, we challenged her to read the Book of Mormon every day 5 chapters. If she really reads, and has been reading, then by now she has felt the change in her heart. She likes to learn the lessons, feels like they are true, but doesn't feel like there is need to be baptized.

Another distant possibility for this week is Wesley. A while ago he said he would like to be baptized, but he doesn't have support from his parents, or permision to attend church. And that's where we are with him. He is super awesome, and has a girlfriend in the church... which is a little bit of a challenge because [she] provides an ulterior motive that we don't want.

We are also teaching a 16 year old girl who is the bomb. Her name is Dulce, which translates to Sweet. She just needs to be able to go to church.We visited her the other day, and we asked her if she believes that the Book of Mormon is true. She said of course. Now that she has begun to read it, she really knows it is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet by God and that the church really is the Church of Jesus Christ (read the first paragraph of the introduction to the Book of Mormon and the last 2 paragraphs)

Contacting this week, I was talking with a man on the bus. I gave him a pass along card (now my favorite thing) and when I looked around, the man on the other side of the bus signaled me that he wanted one too. Excited I went over and gave him a pamphlet (cuz I ran out of cards) and we got off the bus by chance with him. Accompanying him to his house, we talked a little bit and he said he wanted to go to church. I really think he has been prepared and is part of the white field that is ready for harvest aka our calling. (D&C 29:7 and D&C  4)

We work in Leguia, Techo Propio, and Habitat in Tacna Peru. And its pretty darn awesome.

Love Elder Johnson --  Rene

14 February 2011

Dear Family,

I would really like to go rock climbing too! That sounds really fun. The last time I went [was] with two friends from high school and it was a blast.  [It was] around the place Paul went carting. Pretty intense there.

I changed the resolution of the pictures to be able to send SOMETHING: haha, pretty useless 14 megapixels when you can only really use 3. But it's ok. Ill be able to shoot about 2000 more with my two little 2 gig cards.

So the big news is last night at around 1 I got a call from the District Learder, saying: pack your bags you're going to Tacna! Your companion will be Elder Stewart in the LeGuia area in the Alameda Zone. We are literally the last area in Peru before Chile. I think tomorrow or this week I will catch a glimpse of Chile on the horizon when we travel down to the south of our two ward area.

At 2:30 I finished packing everything (sharp contrast to packing to leave on the mission in August) and tried to catch a couple hours of sleep.. but couldn't. Mind racing.

At 4:30 a.m., I got up and showered, got dressed and ate breakfast. We left to go to the house of the Zone Leaders, and when they were ready, I left to catch the bus for Tacna with Elder Huacaychuco (my old zone leader will still be my Zone leader here).

The bus was super interesting. We were an interesting gaggle of Peruvians, European backpackers, a few high class south American young couples including a member of a band, a few hippies I think, and two missionaries. I briefly thought about the group dynamics if we crashed in the desert, a lasting impact of the little Lost that I watched.

Speaking of the desert, it is really deserty! Some pictures should (better) arrive of a couple scenes we passed. There were several stages of desert as we left Arequipa. First we wound through lots of hills that were very rocky, angular, jutting. Then there started to be white sand between the reddish rocks. The sand concentration increased until we were driving through large dunes, which changed to have hard shells of sand. Finally we began to descend into flat and big valleys. The only sign of life between us and the distant and wavery sand (because of the convection off the sand) was the string of high tension high voltage power lines following the road at a respectful distance.

We passed through several little pueblitos which appeared out of the desert at periodic intervals. Stopping, local women would board the bus and offer us desserts, exotic fruits, calamari shrimp, and soda, while a few passengers deboarded.

We passed Mocegua, where Elder Orihuela is. That's all I'm sure of.

I shall miss Augusto Freyre I think. The last day we did splits, I contacted around 100 people, and Elder Hernandez visited a few families and contacted. In church I described why baptism in any church that doesn't have the authority to do so isn't a covenant with God to an investigator young woman who was doubting a lot the need [to be baptized], and later she told my companion that she wants to be baptized next Saturday. Another investigator too will be baptized next Saturday (Gabriela, and the young woman is Raquel Alejandra). Augustine too might, but it's not sure. So that's what I left.

What I found is my companion from the CCM!!! Elder Stewart is the bomb. Only problem is that we are both gringos and have a year combined, but that's alright. We shall see miracles here in Tacna.

Feel a little like a noob again since I don't know the area at all, but it's kinda invigorating to be new again!

I got a mountain of Dear Elders from y'all. Thanks!!!

Love Elder Johnson 

 

18 October 2010

(This appears to be part of a letter. . .)

Before I left the CCM, Elder Stewart and I started teaching one of the ladies who serves us lunch. We intended to be practicing... and our teacher said that all the staff were expecting to be contacted, but she must not have known. Anyway we taught her a little, and she said she wanted to learn more. So we got her information and sent it to some missionaries who are in the area of her home. Very cool experience.

Also I DID get that package. After I wrote y'all, I went to the secretary and asked if there were any packages for me and she gave me it. SOOO MMUUHCCHH THANKS. I am currently eating the last bits of it, the Sour Patch Kids. They are the best.

Arriving here was kind of crazy. When we landed our 737 (I think), we taxied right up to the small airport building. We were the only airplane there! They pulled up movable stairs and we walked 50 feet to the door. 50 more feet and we were through the airport and getting on busses to take us to the mission president's home. They are so, so cool. We really got a home run on the mission president and his wife. The AP was telling us some stuff in English, was having difficulty with English. I can't wait till I get like that!

Our mission goals for each week are 3 baptisms and confirmations, 90 people with baptismal dates, 45 attending sacrament meeting each week, 30 lessons with members, 540 contacts, 20 references, and 120 new investigators each week. Yea as of this week we have not hit that level yet, but hopefully next.

So I‚ am in Peru! For real, not just in the CCM. It is waaayyy different. First off, no one speaks more than a couple words in English, except the other missionaries, who I see twice a week, but we speak Spanish on those occasions so our companions understand what is happening.

My companion is Elder Orihuela. He has been in Arequipa for almost a year. His Spanish is flawless. I guess he is a native speaker though. He is from Peru, and has been in the Augusto Freire area for the past 6 months.. I think.

Last Saturday, we had a baptism!! Clelia. She has a sister in the church. I really didn't do anything to help her into the church other than talk briefly at her baptism, about the reason we need baptism. At the baptism, we ate cake! It was really good.

I love it here... but it is very difficult. It will be much easier in 2 months or so. Not being able to talk to Spanish really, on top of the fact that my companion is the quiet type. I think he also really misses his family right now. He seems to be in a tough spot.

I saw the first other North American person after 5 days here.

This is really something else.

Love Elder Mark Johnson

First MTC letter 8/16/10

Dear Family,

I feel so loved right now, logging into my email on my first Preparation Day ever, and having two whole automatically generated emails! haha err... I still exist.

I jest. It has been so awesome though. Right now I can't convince myself that I have only been here since Wednesday last. Each day really is a week. This morning I woke a little early (6:00) and did some scripture study after getting showered and dressed and all, then we headed off to the temple for three hours.

Oh wait, I should sum up everything so far.

Aunt Carmen was awesome letting me be around. It isn't super convenient hosting a set apart missionary who doesnt have a real companion around because he can't be alone. But they were good. Ryan was in the bed by me. Jared taught me to drive a manual transmission car before I left! I am so glad I can do that now. Finally feel like I can really drive (that means you definitely can't yet Paul). His truck is "really bad" but I only stalled it once!

So we drove to Provo the next day and I had a delicious last lunch comprised of Coldstone ice cream. SO AWESOME. I miss [having] ice cream whenever I want it. Here, I have to wait for a Wednesday or a Sunday. Once we got here, I realized I left my suit jacket (the blue one) at their house, along with my wallet, and my alarm clock. Smooth I know, they still let me in on the condition that I change into my other suit asap.

Aunt Carmen dropped me off at the curb and straightway a "host" elder came to grab my bags. He carried them while instructing me what to do. We headed to the creatively named 1M building and there I basically got everything I needed in a line going through about 8 stations. Pretty awesome. We dropped off my bags, and the host took me to a small room with about 10 computers and desks. There was a training video and little computerized test to make sure we remembered at least some of it. I got one wrong, but it was a technicality.. so basically 100% in my book.

In the room was this weirdo "Elder Cruz" who was like: "Are you Elder Mark Johnson?" But that was basically it before I was sat down. After finishing I was taken to a room in the basement to meet my district. They are awesome. Elder Cruz was there. He is one of my companions. I have two! And guess what mom?! The other is Elder Weaver! Odds of that were not high.

So let me get  back to what I have been working up to. I entered the MTC August 11 at 1:01 pm and I was in class learning spanish with Hermana Scaife at 2:28. She spoke all spanish and quickly. She is soo nice and so spiritual it's kinda crazy. She said she would pay to teach at the MTC and I actually almost believe it. We can all tell how much she loves it here.

There is this red countdown timer in the top right of the screen that has been counting down from 30 minutes (my computer time for the week) haha so crazy. Anyway it's at 10 minutes cuz i FAILED at logging on for 10 minutes.

Just in case, here is my address..you know..if you want to send me like chocolate or anything..

This needs to replace the address I have on facebook cuz I think they are different. It's in the awkward box right now. [Mail sent to the awkward box apparently isn't addressed properly.]

Elder Mark David Johnson
MTC Mailbox # 253
PER-ARE 1014
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Later the first day we did this super awesome thing where about 40 elders and a few hermanas sat in a half circle around two chairs and a couch. It was a pretend first meeting at the house. There were older guys...WAIT NO WE DONT SAY GUYS, we say, Elders... who pretended to be missionaries who started it off, but after a few minutes they left and we were all supposed to be the missionaries. It was super super awesme! The "investigators" were RMs who were pretending to be somebody from their mission.

All right.  So who is in my district, you ask?

Well, there is Elder Badzinski, who is Australian and really is the character of our district. He is soo funny without really meaning to be. His accent and mannerisms always make us laugh. The other day, he comes back from the bathroom with his companion, and warns Elder Cruz in his Australian way: "Don't use the two toilets on the left, they are, er, blocked up." when Elder Cruz laughed. He said,  "Yea well one was already blocked, and I blocked up the other." I just wish I could send his voice to you all.

Elder Stewart and Bowler play soccer with me and Elder Cruz during Gym. Soccer is the best. We play tagalan speaking vs. spanish speaking, and there are usually around 100 elders playing i think. (i have no idea how to spell tagalan) [I assume he means Tagalog]

We have been blessed and humbled as a district with an hermana three person companionship. I say blessed because every one is more behaved when they are in the room, and humbled cuz it is so apparent how much older they are, and how much more mature they are, and how "elders can never have nearly as much compassion as hermanas."

Speaking of apparent age, the Elders who have been here for about 8 weeks or so seem SOOO MUCH older than us. Even though they are basically the same exact age as us... But I will never be able to make some brand new Provo kid think that because (drum roll)

Our district is being sent to the Lima MTC in 3 or so weeks! And I am the only one who was supprised by that... I have no idea how that happened, but I'm excited. Once we get there, it will really be full language emersion. So where is my spanish now? We have been saying every prayer in espanol for 2 days now, and we had to prepare a talk in spanish yesterday. Though honestly a good portion of mine was to be read out of the Libro de Mormon. We have gone over oso-ing [oso is the spanish word for bear (the animal), by the way] our testimony in spanish and praying in spanish so far. We have done a ton of stuff like practicing approaches and whatnot.

Suprises:

How little eating time there is. We have 45 minutes and I barely get enough food to be full! There are significant lines. The food is a little better than Cannon Center food at Helaman Halls BYU, so I like it! Not to mention, the Chocolate Milk machines are always full!!! I love that liquid.

The amount of space we have: not much. I have about 2 cubic metes of sleeping space, .46 cubic meters of which are used rather inefficiently to make sleep comfortable. The rest is air. I have been waking up every day a few minutes before my alarm because I hear people going to the shower a little earlier than me. What happened to being a heavy sleeper? I have no idea.

How regimented the schedule is. Even Sunday I had stuff I was to be doing literally every 15 minutes of the day if you include sleeping. There are a few minutes throughout the day that cooouuldd be used to take a tiny nap I guess...or laze around... but spending them on scripture study is much better. I have been memorizing a scripture every day btw, today is Alma 29:9, yesterday was my favorite so far, the first vision.

How little (it seems) spanish we do a day. So we learn spanish actively for about 4 hours a day, which doesn't seem like a ton to me, since the other 12 hours are all busy too. But maybe that is just cuz we are still only getting out of the newbie missionary schedule and lessons.

Last night, we decided to go watch LEGACY the mormon movie. It was a truncated version to fit into the amout of time we had, but I have never been so affected by a movie. I've seen it before, but watching with a couple hundred other missionaries was something else. Also, towards the end, I pulled off my missionary name tag, and just stared at the words "Elder Johnson" There are about 1000 Elder Johnsons here, but this one is me, and I finally got here. It was pretty emotional for a bit.

Sorry if this doesnt make so much sense.. my previous attempt probably did, but it got pwned by that red count down timer combined with a failing internet.

Pictures will come next Preparation day I hope! Also, remember to update my facebook mailing address, and also on the blog!

I am having such a great time!

Love

Elder Mark (with a k, yes a k not a c... im the one on the bottom of the stack) Johnson