Hey everybody!
I cut my own hair!! Oh man was I scared to do it. Haha. It doesn't
look too terrible. But one of our investigators told me I missed a spot.
Boy did I miss a spot! - Bahaha.
Elder Crookshank (Mr. Cunningham!) sent me a simply wonderful
letter this past week with the question "how have you changed most on
your mission so far?" In order to answer this question, I thought I
should do so on my email so he gets the answer sooner than later, and
also share my answer with everyone else! I think I have changed the most
in my perception of everything. My perspectives have changed
drastically. I have learned that you can only do so much until you reach
a limit (whether physically, spiritually, emotionally or mentally). And
on a mission you're able to exercise those limits until you are
miraculously able to accept them, and even at times go beyond those
limits (through the Atonement of Christ). Cold, for example, is a very
big mind-game. I have found myself both extremely joyous in the cold,
and also rather miserable in the cold. What's the difference?
Perspective. Another thing I've learned is to love others
unconditionally. It's difficult here, but loving others is the only way
out of it! From General Conference talk "Missionaries are a Treasure of
the Church" I learned that love is the absolute most important thing a
missionary can share with others. And if that's the most important thing
to share: I can do that. I've learned how to have fun while everything
around you looks dark (literally, as well!). There is no better way to
lift your spirits than to tell a hilarious story from your past. (Thank
you Garrett for our valuable stash of hysterical stories :P, you've kept
us alive here!). But besides all of this I have very much learned
how to deal with a LOT of imperfection. Whether in ourselves, others,
apartments, the world, etc, there is a lot of imperfection. Yet through
the Lord Jesus Christ are we able to overcome these imperfections
and bask in joy and love! So to answer your question, Elder Crookshank, I
don't exactly know if you'll recognize me when I come back: I can't see
myself from the outside in! However, I can see myself from the inside
out - and my inside has changed quite a bit. I'm sure yours has as
well, I have no doubt! "How long can rushing water remain impure?"
Hopefully that made sense. We don't have very much time left, but I
do want to say that I am extremely grateful for this past General
Conference. I am able to read it when I eat, and it sure picks me up! I
hope I'll remember these talks for the rest of my life.
No, no northern lights yet, despite the fact that I set my alarm
for the middle of the night to check and see! I love you all so much; I
feel your prayers. Stand strong on the foundation of Christ!
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnsonq
Bryce and his new companion Elder Farnsworth when they were in the MTC
