Hermana Annie Jo: Let me go. Far away. SANTA FE!

Email:

susannah.johnson@myldsmail.net

New Address:

6429 S. Meadows Rd. #1611

Santa Fe, NM

87507

Well I guess my time in Montwood is over. I spent a third of my mission in this awesome ward and I will never forget it!!!

So at the beginning of the week I was in a slump. Practically all of our recent converts moved out of the ward, all of our progressing investigators dropped us (one the DAY before his baptism). It was so sad and I felt like Montwood is starting from scratch! It was pretty much my bad attitude. So I prayed a lot, read more than half of the Book of Mormon, and payed SUPER close attention to conference. Then on Saturday night I found out that my mission in Montwood is over and I'm getting shipped alllllll the way to Santa Fe. I'm not totally sad and not totally happy...just a big mix of both of them.

Because there wasn't church we went to the chapel to watch conference. Hna Garcia called everyone and told them I was leaving so a bunch of people came to say bye! It was so sweet. My heart felt so full! I would say that was one of the most rewarding moments of my mission.

Pablo came to say bye. He was SO sad. TOO sad. He probably thinks we will never see each other again...and he might be right. But there is always the next life and he will find a lot of comfort in that.

I didn't get to watch the second session of conference on Sunday because one of my best YSA friends showed up and needed advice. I slipped oiiut of the conference room and we talked in the lobby for a while. Honestly, the most rewarding moments of my missions have been helping the youth and YSA. We have seen people get outside themselves, search for testimonies, and we have even walked some right into the bishops office. It makes me realize that there are a lot of people who are in need, and it just takes one person to rescue them. I didn't need to be a missionary to learn that. I could have been a rescuer my whole life but I chose to focus on myself and seek rescuing. Learn from my mistakes and go out there and rescue someone! Doesn't matter if you get along, if you are the same age, if you have the same interests, if its cool, or if you have to give something up. If there are souls on the line, go out and get them. As was said in conference, "those who are hardest to love need the most love."

We sat around in the church with a whole group of us from the ward and talked and laughed for a while. Then we got on the bikes one last time and went to say goodbye to some members. Really I was just mourning my bike. I love that thing. I love the palm trees. I love riding with no hands. I love biking in 30mph winds and yelling for my companion to get behind me so I can block the rocks and trash (lol those times are fun LOOKING BACK...not in the moment). Then on the ride back I was mourning the members. My comp had never seen my cry and her trying to cheer me up made me laugh so hard. Something we do riding back every night...well that I do...is whistle a Poor Way Fairing Man of Grief. And last night she goes "Can you whistle all 7 verses?" HAHA so dorky...but so funny....and you better believe i did it.

Today we have dinner with all of our converts, the councilors in our ward, dessert with my favorite members, and visits to all the less actives. It's going to be crazy, but I'm excited!

When I got the news I fell asleep wondering how I am going to leave all these awesome people and start over in a place with little spanish and in a trio. I opened my scriptures and this is what I read:

"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him. Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God." -Mormon 9: 27-28

I feel like this applies to just about every situation, especially when we can't understand the plan perfectly. But as long as we believe and put forth the work the Lord will make our futures bright!

Have an awesome week! And welcome to the world tiny horse!!! I can not wait to meet that cutie!

Hermana Jo

xoxox