29 Dec. 2008- The Plow

It has been several days, due to the holiday, since the river trail has been plowed. It just so happened that the plow was coming down the trail during today's run.

27 Dec. 2008: Snowy Run

While out running, I always have my cell phone/camera with me. I sometimes come across some interesting sights such as: Weather, People, Accidents, Dogs attacking me, etc... It's easy to put the phone into camera mode and snap a shot.

The roads have been snow packed during the last few days. It's not too bad running on this type of snow pack--- it provides a soft cushion for my feet. Just need to watch out for the icy spots.










The well traveled roads are somewhat dried off. The bad thing is the occasional slushy spots that get your feet wet. Also, the passing vehicles can spray you with slush.










The Provo River Trail gets plowed off after each snowfall, but there are still a few slushy or icy patches to negotiate.

The Johnson Family

Grandma & Grandpa Johnson

Jim

Don's Family


Randy's Family

Trent, Jennifer & Adalynn

Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's

Good Eats at Grandma's!

He couldn't wait to get home and start shooting the new Nerf Gun

Russell

Susie

Emma, Rachel and Niles

Christmas Pictures

After all the gifts had been opened.

Emma wasn't thrilled to be pulled away from

the computer.

Susie tried to be brave as she opened each gift

and it wasn't the camera she asked for.

Fortunately for her it was hid behind the tree.

Rachel, so beautiful in the morning!


Stockings first!

Christmas Morning

The kids were at it again this year. Niles came in every few minutes from midnight on and stood at the end of our bed waiting for us to wake up. Rachel woke up at 3:30 am and woke everyone else up and then tried to wake us up. Dad chased them all back to bed. We eventually gave up and got up around 5:30 am. Needless to say we were tired all day. The kids seemed to enjoy what they got for Christmas. We are missing Jeff, but are still so thankful for the opportunity he has to serve a mission. Emma still wants him home and can't comprehend two years without him.

The kids and Lex, at 5:40 A.M., waiting for the "All Clear" to come downstairs.

Johnson Family Christmas Party- 2008

Food!

Musical Chairs

Niles and Adalynn

A Week of Winter Storms

Russ thrilled to be shoveling!

slightly blurry, but you can see the snow is piling up

Manookin Christmas Party

Emma and Susie with the help of Uncle Matt

get ready for a ride behind the four wheeler.

Emma hitting the pinata.

Susie, Rachel, Cousin Shanlee and Russ

Jeff's Email- 23 December 2008

I'm finally getting used to the heat down here, so snow sounds so terrible right now. I'm not sure what goes on here on Christmas, I just know we dont have class that day.

As you heard, I got the packadge today and I'm excited to open the letters on Christmas. I only have two more weeks here, then I'm flying out to Rio with most of my District. On Christmas, the cafateria is open all day so me and Elder Valeriano are going to sit in there and gain more weight than we have ever had. Hopefully, I can gain my goal of five pounds and finally break 180! I'm sure it will all leave me in the field so its good to bulk up right now.

Right now in class, we're working on the 3rd lesson in Portugês. It's a lot of help with the language memorizing the lessons. A few weeks ago, I finished the Book of Mormon again! I love reading it as much as I can every day! I've gained such a great testimony of this gospel during my short time here and I pray that during the next 22 months that it only gets stronger and stronger.

All letters that you send should be addressed to....

Elder Jeffrey Todd Johnson
Brazil Rio de Janeiro North Mission
R. Dois de Dezembro, 78 Sala 703
Catete
Rio de Janeiro-RJ
22220-040
Brazil

By the time that those letters get to me I'll have been there for a while. I'm excited to get out and feel like a real missionary. Time is already flying and I heard that when you get out of the CTM, it flies even faster.
I"m excited to be out here and I love all of you!
-JEff

Russell- New Job

Russell just picked up a job at the MTC in Provo, Utah. He will be helping to oversee the missionary service projects around the facility.

Primary Childrens Hospital Visit

The Troopers made their annual Christmas visit the PMC Hospital on 11 December 2008. Gifts were given to the children patients.

Jeff's emails

Email 1

That cold must suck! I love the warm weather down here! I think I might get to call on the sixth when I leave here, but I'm not making any promises yet. We went proselyting last Friday. I gave out about 40 cards! It was cool. My health is doing good! I'm now 20 lbs heavier than when I left! Woo hoo! Um still no packages, but hopefully today!



Email 2

Package may come today I hope, if not some Brazilian is shaving with it every morning. :)

Jeff's touching letter to Rachel

Dear Rachel,
(Biggest Fan)

I hope you realize that when I got here they took all my Amerkan money and gave me 60 Real. That's roughly 40 bucks and pay day isn't for another 4 weeks. This means that I'm not going to be able to buy you anything for your birthday. But the best gifts are always from the heart. So here's a song for you.

Don't cry Darlin,
It's only 2 years,
But then I'll be again back,
To take away your fears.

Don't cry Darlin,
I promise I'll come back,
P.S. I hope
You don't like Zach


Eu Ama Voces

-Elder Jeffrey Johnson
(Favorite Brother)

P.S. I play volleyball 5 times a week and I'm so good!

Niles was sad the day Jeff left, so taking an idea from the movie Castaway, he made his own Jeff. And for those who may ask, he isn't willing to share.

Jeff's Email- 02 December 2008

I've gained 15 pounds and I've almost broke 180, so just think about that for a second. I stuff my face every meal then go sit in a classrom for 10 hours and play volleyball 4 times a week or basketball. Getting fat is impossible to avoid!

We had a huge Thanksgiving dinner. I've never eaten so much in my entire life! I had to relieve my self 5 times that day I ate so much. Last Friday, we went out proselyting in the city. I placed 40 Book of Mormon cards in Portuguese, and I placed all the Books of Mormon I had! And during that time a guy jumped off a bridge and committed suicide like 50 feet away and that was pretty intense too. Apparently that happens a lot in a city with tons of people. I can't help but feel bad for all the homeless children around here. I just pray that their lives aren't too bad. They're all God's children!
Love,
Jeff

Thanksgiving 2008- Genola

Grandma Manookin & Russell

Susie

Rachel & Shanlee

Rachel's 15th Birthday

Jeff's Mission Mailing Address

Elder Jeffrey Todd Johnson
Brazil Vitoria Mission
Rua Joao Batista Parra, 633 Sala 1501
Enseada do Sua
Vitoria-ES
29050-330
Brazil

Jeff's Email- 18 November 2008

I'm doing good today! Just got back from the Sao Paulo temple! Beautiful building! I like getting letters better because I get those everyday, but I only get to check the emails once a week! But you can do whatever.

I'm starting to get used to the warm. We leave the fan on all night so its all good. Our brazillian roommates are freezing, but we've been at the CTM longer so it's our say. HaHa!

The language is very hard, but I'm praying hard every day so I know that I will have special help in that area.

How's everything going? I hope it's all good! I got my first letter from you guys yesterday and I'm expecting more soon! You can respond back whenever. Chau!

Love,

-Elder johnson

Dear Parents,

I'm here in Sao Paulo Brazil and I'm safe! The plane rides were terribly long and I got no sleep. In fact it's 8:11 pm on the 5th and I haven't slept since waking up Tuesday morning. That's 31 hours! I'm getting this letter done now because I have no clue if I will have time tomorrow. My first comp's name is Elder Karras. He's from Bountiful Utah. There's 2 more Elders here from the US and 2 Natives from Brazil getting here tomorrow. Only 9 weeks left in this place! It's actually a very nice place! It's a 7 story building and we're on the 7th. Elevators are off limits so we have to climb up every time we want to come up here. I'm going to have the strongest legs ever after 2 years.
So after I went through security in Utah we met up with 16 other new missionaries and 2 going home. Then in Texas there were more, for a total of 27 in my group! It's starting to dawn on me that 2 years is a long time, but I know I'm supposed to be here. This letter is getting to you fast because the CTM (MTC) sends out all the new missionary addresses in a plane, so after this one they'll take 2 weeks.
Thanks for your support and I love you all.
Love, Elder Jeffrey Todd Johnson

Missionary Son

Missionary Son


Gone for a time to perform a work of love,
Full-time service to his Father above.

In a land far away, among a people so blessed,
Gathering out the elect will be his great test.

Preaching and teaching with his testimony true,
He will find one in a family, and in a city maybe two.

The Branches, Wards and Stakes will grow,
And so will our missionary son in Rio de Janeiro.

New Patrol Truck

2008 Ford Super Duty
Plenty of room
Great for towing
Pullout storage in bed

Email: Safe Arrival In Brazil

Dear Parents,
We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, who are usually a senior missionary couple or mature Brazilian couple, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries. The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife.

We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.

We are also parents of children who have served as missionaries. And we have been missionaries who have left family. Please know that we are mindful of you and know of your love for your missionary.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: "There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's
children."

Please accept our love,


President and Sister Woodward
Brazil

Jeff Leaves for Brazil MTC- Part 2 (November 4, 2008)

Jeff and Todd (Dad)


The last time they will be together for a few years.

Making his way through secruity, and then he was gone!

Jeff Leaves for Brazil MTC (November 4, 2008)

Arriving at the Salt Lake Airport

Jeff- Checking his luggage

Jeff, Susie, Niles, Russell, Rachel, Emma

Jeff and Niles- Best Buddies!

Debbie (Mom) and Jeff

PHS Senior Night

Russell's last home game. Players and parents were recognized prior to the game.

Jeff's Mission Call Letter