Olá!

My first week in the new area went super well! We had quite a few meetings, but I was still able to get to know a lot of the people from the new ward. On Tuesday we had transfers so we had a meeting with all of the new missionaries. It is a great meeting because everyone is super excited. We received a lot of Americans this time which was a lot of fun because everyone looks super scared. haha. On Wednesday we had a meeting with all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. I think that it was a great meeting. They are also really excited. It is great to always work with them. President has done a great job with so many missionaries here. Thursday we had a normal workday, but I was a little sick which made it difficult, but it was a lot of fun still. I loved to get out and be in a new area. This area is much different because there are a lot of buildings and almost everyone on the street does not live in the area, but in different places in São Paulo. We are going to try new ways of finding investigators. It will be a new challenge, but it will be fun to try some new ideas.

Friday we met with the district leaders and then with that we finished up our meetings for the week! The rest of the week we worked normally. We were able to teach a few people and we were hoping to take a lot of people to church. This Sunday there were not a lot of people that went, but my companion had baptized 2 people so there were two confirmations which were nice. It was also cool that I sat by the Ketchesons at church. They are from my ward in Orem and they are serving a mission here also! It was a strange feeling, but it was great to see them. We are going to work hard this week to find even more people and take them to church. I think that it will be great to be here and I am excited to end the mission working. I hope to be able to meet some more people this week and tell some more stories. Thank you all for your love and support!

Amo vocês!

Elder Johnson

Olá!

So this last week was my last in Campo Limpo. After 9 months in the area, I was transferred. Elder Lucas went home and President wanted to move our area so we are now in Morumbi which is close by the temple here. My new companion is Elder Smith. He is from St. George. I already had met him and have known him for a while. He is a great guy and I am super excited to work with him.

The last week was full of a lot of meetings. We had a couple meetings for Elder Lucas as he was going home and we had two multizone conferences with an Area Seventy. It was fantastic. I really liked the Seventy who came. His name is Elder Carboni. He has so much knowledge about the scriptures as his background is being in charge of seminaries and institutes. It was great to be able to ask him questions and he taught us many things about repentance and the need to change. I really enjoyed the things that I learned at all of the meetings this week.

We were working hard this last week to try and leave the area progressing. Veronica's family is doing well. They went to a stake couple dance which they really liked. They are sad that I am going to be leaving, but I know that they will continue to learn and grow with the new missionaries there. Gabriella was confirmed this Sunday. It is great to see all of these new people at church. I was able to bear one last testimony as I was invited by the bishop to do so. It was great to look out and see all of the wonderful people who have helped me so much. I am grateful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I truly know that this is His Church. It is amazing to have this knowledge and share it with others.

I would like to end by saying Happy Father's day to my incredible dad. He has always supported me and taught me throughout my entire life. I am so grateful for him and his influence. I love you, dad! I would also like to wish a happy birthday to my sister, Sabrina. I remember all of the moments that we have had growing up together. She is a wonderful sister and a wonderful mother as well. I love you so much!

Thank you all for your love and support!

Amo vocês!

Elder Johnson

Olá!

I had a great week. I titled this email paradise because I went to paraísopolis again. The translation is close to paradise. It was very interesting. It is a huge area where people just build all sorts of houses there. You see all sorts of things there because there are a lot of drugs and parties. It is sad to see the state that some people live in. It makes me want to help them so much. During the day it is a lot more normal. There are a lot of people to teach which is great.

I was there for two days and the rest of the week I was in my area. It was a good week. We were teaching Veronica's family a lot and they are doing great. They are reading the Book of Mormon and are extremely happy as they are finding peace in their lives. We also taught a couple of other families this week and had a few people at church so it was a great week to teach and find people who have a lot more interest. We are hoping to have a great week as it is the last full week of my companion. Next week we will have a lot of meetings so this is basically his last week of working every day on the street. It has been great being with him so we want to make the most out of the last part of his mission.

One great thing that I learned this week is the power of testimonies. President Thomas tells us to always testify the things that we know to be true. I have been trying to do that. Veronica told us this week that the thing that always stays with her is when we say, "I know that the Book of Mormon is true". It is something so simple, but so powerful. We should always testify what we know. It doesn't have to be with poetic words and eloquence, but it can be a simple testimony of things that we believe in. When we speak from the heart, the spirit testifies and people are touched. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the restored gospel. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. This truly is His work. Thank you all for your love and support!

Amo vocês!

Elder Johnson