Sister Alyssa Johnson: MTC - Week 1

Ok wow!! This first week has been nuts!! So much has happened and I feel like I've been at the MTC for at least 10 years already!!!!!! Ok so first thanks sooo much for the package of food mom! So amazing to get a package because it makes the worst days so much better and makes us a little less homesick (but to be honest I honestly don't have much time to be homesick anyways bc this place is CRAZY!!)

On our second day here at the MTC Sister Cahoon and I had to teach a lesson! Talk about throwing us right in!! So we thought we were kinda prepared but we went to the door, knocked and THEN DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SAY "CAN WE COME INSIDE?" The investigator just stood there looking at us and we just died. We stood there in silence for literally 4 minutes and it was HORRIBLE!! Sister Cahoon and I were dying! hahahah wish you guys could have seen it! It was hilarious and the whole lesson was a train wreck! Turns out teaching in Chinese is so hard!

But even though that lesson was horrible, the gift of tongues is real and on Saturday we taught this investigator again and we were able to understand her and able to communicate with her. SO COOL! Learned so much and I love it!!

I pray sooo much here! Thanks for all your prayers as well! I can honestly feel them and they are helping so much!

So Sundays and Tuesdays are amazing and so spiritual! My whole zone is in the choir and the choir teacher is seriously the funniest and coolest guy! Makes choir practice on Sunday and Tuesdays great! Also we had President Nelson come and speak to us on Tuesday night at our devo and wow he is an incredible man! It was also an experience I will never forget being able to sing at that devo with 1,100 other kids in the choir and listen to an apostle of the church. WOW IT WAS SO POWERFUL!!

Yes but I love it here!! I love my companion, Sister Cahoon! We are very alike and get along really well! My district is amazing and we are already so close! My zone is amazing and God is so real. He knew I needed those girls in my zone to help me and it is amazing. Also love Sister Judd (Branch Presidency first counselor's wife). She has such a special spirit and whenever she hugs me it is like you are hugging me, mom! It is always so comforting!

Yeah so this week has been amazing. VERY LONG, but incredible. I love my teachers and even though we are in class for AT LEAST 12 hours a day... they make it worth it and holy cow I am learning so much! I kinda know chinese.. lol not really at all but it’s coming.

I am so heartbroken to hear about President Peterson, but if there is anything I know, it is that He is helping sooo many people on the other side who have also passed. He is also helping us on this side because that is what he told me before he passed away. He is an incredible person and he is so close! I can feel him and Alexis and Amanda all the time! It's like I am always getting hugs from them when I am discouraged or frustrated!

God is real and loves each and every one of his children. He knows us personally and only wants what is best for us. Jesus Christ died for all of us and knows all of our pain and suffering. We can turn to him and use His Atonement anytime and that is sooo comforting. He is our older brother and is on our side fighting with us. LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!!

Love you all!

XOXO

Sister Johnson