E-mail from Neal - Received 9/24/08

Hello Family!!!!
Well This week has been really really really crazy. Like I told you last week I am now in Stretford, and this place is literally the middle of Manchester!!! I am learning a lot because I am really forced to. We are opening a new area here and adding to the missionary force here. There are now 8 missionaries in Stretford. 1 set of sisters, the Assistants, and the 4 of us elders all in my house. 4 Man houses are nuts!!!!!!!!!! "The Best Two Years" really got it right. They are really fun though. There is always someone to joke with, and to just have fun with! The weather has been really nice here as of late! We have had sun and blue sky’s and no rain in like a week or so. That’s big for us!!!!!! I like it when it is nice here because it really reminds me of home. Cool, but sunny, that’s my favorite!!!!!! Anyways that’s enough about that, I need to tell you about Karl’s baptism.

The Baptism really went great! We saw such a change in him over the past week that we were working with him. He really dove into the scriptures are really got excited about the gospel. It was so cool to see the spirit touch his life, and that I was able to put that spirit into his life! His mom, her boyfriend (Tony), his biological father, and his Grandma were there at the baptism. They were really really nice and friendly, and really enjoyed it. The next day, his mom, tony, and his grandma came to church to see him get confirmed. It was a really great experience. His mom also works at the MTC and she has been interested in the church for a while, but has been scared because she didn’t know what Tony would think. Well the lord works miracles and we are seeing them now. Ever since the baptism Tony has been a different person. He has been really nice to us, and offering us rides and things. I got transferred so I don’t know what is happening now, but when I left E. McIntosh had an appointment set up with them on Saturday night!!!!! I cannot wait to hear what is happening in that house! The Gospel is so amazing, and it really does change peoples lives. I have seen it, again and again and I have only been out for 5 months!!!!! I can only imagine what I will see in the other 19 that I still have left! I know that as I work and am diligent that I will see many many many miracles!!!!!

Ok crazy story time…… My new ward mission leader (Stan Thomas) called us up last week. He was asking where all the new missionaries were from, and I said Colorado. He asked where and I said Denver Area (cause no one knows where Loveland is) and he asked me a wild question. He asked if I Knew Cody Loucks??? Well you can imagine my reaction….. Long story short, Cody brought Bro. Thomas into the church. How small is this world!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Its wild I know, but it is really really neat!

Ok here is your reading assignment for this week….. Mormon 9. This is one of the biggest Smack Downs ever!!! He tells you exactly how it is. Scary for the wicked, and awesome for the righteous. Check it out and tell me what you think. Sorry for no pictures still, I am trying to figure out this new computer thing, and they aren’t as cool as the ones in Chorley. I will try to send them soon, don’t worry.

I love you all!!!!!
Elder Johnson