E-mail from Neal - Received 12/3/08

Hello family!!!!

GUESS WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

IT SNOWED YESTERDAY!!!!!!! We had district meeting in Swinton (north Manchester), and there was about 3 inches of super wet, slushy, English snow!!!! I was so happy, I was totally in my element. It was a really cool morning, and I was really excited. I love snow so much , and I miss it immensely. There is a really funny “Snow Slide” that they built in Piccadilly….. Yea the surface is white Astro-turfish stuff and it is quite lame if you ask me. That’s so amazing that Loveland pass got 48”. 17 months, and I will partake, only 17 months. Tear tear HA HA HA HA!!!!!

Ok enough of the riff-raff….. on with the week. Transfers are coming up this next Wednesday, but unless something really wild and crazy happens (which could, cause the Lord is the Boss) me and Elder Lloyd will be staying here in Stretford. That will be good, cause that means that the ward will know us for Christmas, and that will be great. Our ward has 4 missionaries out, and they put our boxes for them and they are overflowing with gifts. Do I have something like from Lakeside? I doubt that there is anything like that from Twin Peaks, just cause there are like a million missionaries out from there, but I am just curious. I guess that it is tougher though with missionaries all over the world. All of the boys out from here are close, I think the farthest one is France.

Way sad to hear that Elder Wirthlin died. I loved his last talk. It was so funny and had such a good message. I think that that was Heathers favorite. We got our conference ensigns at interviews so I have been reading all of the talks that I missed (Sunday Afternoon), and then working though all the rest. I have never gotten into conference this much. NEVER!!! I guess missions change you ha ha ha ha. Who’d of thought that!?!?! I love reading the words of the prophets. My favorite quote so far has come from Pres. Monson’s, To Learn, to do, to be, talk. It’s the one that talks about how great shall be our sorrow, when someone has to wait for a more prepared servant to come along to help save them. I don’t remember exactly what it is, but it hit me hard. That quote has really resonated in my mind this transfer. That among many other things…..

Are you all ready for my “Transfer Theme”?? Remember how I told you that I put a theme on the back of all my planners? Well this one is “All things will work together for good.” Romans 8:28 is one of my most favorite scriptures!!!! That has gotten me though some tough tough times, but I have made it though. Missions are really tough, but they are meant to be. Like we all know, it was not easy for the Savior, why should it be easy for us! We must always work hard, and study harder! There is so much to be done, but it is never out of our reach!!!! The Lord stands right beside us, and even when we think that all is lost, there is hope. Go read, “Hope ya know, we had a hard time,” “The infinite power of Hope,” and “Come what may, and Love it” and you will understand, as I have, how much the Lord is there to help us. Even when we have bad, tough, or rough days we must press ahead. Neal A. Maxwell said “ We must not let yesterday hold tomorrow hostage!” I agree whole-heartedly. If I allowed that to happen, then I would never be happy! Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for teaching me how to always work hard, and to smile off the bad times!!!! You are all and inspiration, and I cannot wait to talk to you on Christmas. Stay strong and cleave to the scriptures and the prophets, and you will never go astray!!!!!!

With much Love,
Elder Johnson