Writings from West Virginia: It's Been a Build Week!

Hello everyone! Yup, it was a week this past week. We saw some cool things happen, which is always good, but we are still being diligent and looking for those people that we need to find! They are apparently hiding from us. We'll find them! I do have a quick rundown of how our week went:

On Monday we had a District P-day, affectionately called our Popcorn, Pop, Pork, Punch, and Pizza P-day (See pictures last week for invitations to said event, see pictures this week for pictures of the event)! We had a lot of fun. Played some games. It was a good time. We also got to teach C. that evening! We taught him about our life here on Earth and the Atonement of Jesus Christ (which is the best topic to teach about).

After our lesson, we got a call from President Salisbury! :O So we hurriedly took it and he asked us about a man in our area that he grew up in the same neighborhood with back home, who is unfortunately not attending very regularly anymore. President asked us to set up a dinner with Brother B. and his wife (who isn't a member), us, and President and Sister Salisbury. So cool!! Unfortunately it didn't end up going through, the B.'s couldn't meet so we postponed it until the Salisbury's are up here again. Woo hoo though! That was a cool experience.

On Tuesday we went with Bishop B. and Brother K. to a funeral of a man who indicated that he was LDS, but wasn't on the records anywhere. He hadn't been active for 50+ years, but apparently he had an impact because 100+ people showed up at the mausoleum to pay their respects to him. That was pretty cool to see. I hope I have an impact on that many lives during my lifetime! He must've been a remarkable guy. We also were able to teach L. and Sister D.! They are both doing well. D.'s lesson went especially well! We brought her home and visiting teachers with us, the S.'s, and as D. is trying to quit smoking, it just so happened Brother S. was a smoker for like 40+ years until he converted the church in 2000! It was a perfect match up. Plus Sister S.'s is the Relief Society President and she is just perfect for every sister ever haha.

Not a ton happened on Wednesday, we did service at the Soup Opera Food Kitchen and actually met a cool guy who might want to learn more! Unfortunately he is living at the mission right now and doesn't have a phone, so we'll just have to rely on the Lord to guide us back to him or him back to us. Maybe we'll see him this Wednesday? You never know!

Thursday was Specialized Training with all the missionaries in the Clarksburg Stake and President & Sister Salisbury! That was really fun. I learned a lot about being diligent and working even when it is hard. Seemed kinda fitting for what is going on right now in this area. We were also able to teach L. about the singularity of this church compared with every other church on the Earth and why it is important that there is only one church on the Earth with the fullness of the gospel. We also were able to teach Sister V. about Scripture Study. We are working with her!

Really nothing happened on Friday except Brother M. took us out to Cracker Barrel which was super cool of him. :D Had to give a shout-out to him. He's an awesome guy.

Saturday was just an awesome day - weather wise. It was like 65 degrees at 7:30 as night was falling and it was just beautiful. Goodbye winter! Hello warm weather! Also as we were walking along the main road Brother C. randomly pulled over and gave us a full Little Caesars pizza! That was awesome. Little tender mercies like that are amazing. It shows that the Lord is always watching out for those engaged in his work. :) I love it out here!

Sunday was Easter! I think I'll end this email here with my testimony of the Resurrected Savior Jesus Christ. I was asked a couple months ago what would happen if I died and learned that this wasn't all true. It was an interesting question and I can't really remember how I responded. I was thinking about that question a day or two ago with the Easter season and all and I realized that I know the Savior lives. There's no room for, "what if it's false?" because there is no room in my heart for such a question. I'm not quite at the perfect knowledge step yet, but I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know of the wonder of his birth and the miracle of his suffering, death, and resurrection. I know that, "I can do all things through Christ [who] strengthens me." "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His Divine Son!"

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Brax Johnson