Christmas Comes Early in Aranuka

December 21, 2014

Mauri Christmas!

So this week was unusually boring, the only thing that was exciting is that transfers have gone through and I am going to Tarawa. No clue what area in Tarawa but Tarawa none the less. So good bye bucket and cup showers, hello running water soft beds and ice cream.

So I would like to write another heart felt email. It may be partly

because of home sickness or just the fact that I miss Christmas

decorations and but I want to write of the importance of this time of

year. This message is the same message that Myself and over 88,000 other full time missionary have left home, family, and friends to give. 

                                                                                                                           Picture by Liz Lemon

It's the Message of the Redeemer of the World. Jesus Christ, a king born of royal lineage, 

but born in the poorest conditions. He lived the life wandering thru Jerusalem healing, teaching, and loving all that came to him. He taught to love everyone even your enemy. He taught that no man is cast away from His grace, that all can be saved.

His life ended abruptly but he gave it so that everyone of us could

return to our Father in Heaven. Let's not forget the reason this time

of year is celebrated. Through all the gift giving let's remember the gift that Christ gave to us. The greatest gift ever given; the gift of hope that every man and woman can return to our Father in Heaven. 

Come. Let us adore him.

Picture by Liz Lemon


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg

I want to close this email with my testimony in Kiribati. Keep in mind all you fluent Kiribati speakers that I am better at talking then

writing:

I ataia bwa e bon kouaua te ekeretia aio. e bon kouaua e maui Iesu

Kristo, ao e tangeringkami Iesu Kristo. e ataia bwa ngkana kam tataro kam na nameken kimweareirei. n aran Iesu kristo Amen.

Love,

Elder Johnson

P.S. When you get all bundled up to go shove your walks, think of me biking around on a tropical island or sitting in the shade of a palm tree because I will be thinking of all of you!

December 14, 2014

Mauri,

This week something amazing has happened. A man we have been teaching named Abera is paralyzed. A few months before I arrived he had a Bike accident that resulted in the lose of being able to move his body except for muscle spasms. He and his wife, Atinta accepted to hear our lessons. We have been teaching them for almost 2 months. Abera has never asked us to heal him, nor have we felt prompted to ever tell him to "arise and walk". This week we where teaching him at his home about faith. After I bore my testimony about how faith in Christ and how repentance can heal all wounds he began to cry. He expressed his love for us and for the gospel. He then said he knows our words are true and that in the passed through faith in our word he has not only felt spiritually healed, but physically. It was at that moment that I realized the truth of that statement. He could not walk nor sit up, but he could move his left hand, his neck. and wiggle his feet. His healing has been so gradual that lesson by lesson I had not seen it, but know looking back I see how much he could do.

He has taught me an important lesson about faith. It truly can heal

all wounds. Sometimes we may feel spiritually paralyzed we can't move because of an event in the past that is stopping us, but because of Christ we can all be healed. It may not be an "Arise and walk" healing, but as we slowly start to exercise faith we will be healed it may be so gradual that you may not even see it at first. But as time goes by and you look back you can see just how far you have gotten.

Abera is not the only one I've seen healed. I've seen mother's who hate their kids slowly gain patience and love through following in faith the Savior's example. I've seen feuds end, men and kid change, drunks go sober, and chain smokers stop cold turkey because they have faith in the words of Christ that say it can happen.

I know with all my heart that this church is true, Christ heads this

church and in his time anything is possible (because his time is

eternal). I know the prophet is called of God, and that I am called by Him. l Love all of you and hope this Christmas season brings much joy.

Love,

Elder Johnson