Sister Banimone

 this is Sister B!

This is my Kiribati name..cause there are no "J"'s or "S"'s in their alphabet...so you get this cool looking word! It sounds more like sohn-sun..wait..I'm forgetting english phonetics..

okay maybe I can't really descibe it... :)

Hahahahahahahaahaha. this picture just makes me laugh. This was our old district from last p-day..and who knew my little monkey feet were so good at climbing coconut trees? (don't worry mom, it was a first and a last)

 

 this was from my birthday..there aren't very many balloons on the island..in fact, i could probably count the number of times i've seen them on one hand...

but i was so happy to see one! and for me!

 So this was my birthday cake! This is me and little "CJ" who had the same birthday...

he turned TWO and I turned TWENTY.

I got a new companion. Her name is Sister Banimone -- and this is her story. 

At the age of nine Sister B was taught by the missionaries, accepted the gospel, and was baptized. Shortly after -- due to no support from her family - she became a "less active." She again joined her former church that her family was so strongly attached to. She attended their worship and many years passed. When she was seventeen she decided that she would become a minister for her church. She bought a plane ticket and moved to the main island of Tarawa to pursue her education there. Two years into her schooling - she received word that her mother had suddenly died. As any person would - she was saddened by the news - which sought her soul looking for answers. In this current church she belonged to - they did not believe in the Resurrection..or that families could be together forever. ..she began to question which church really was true, where her mother was, and if there was hope for her family. So she started attending activities from the Young Single Adult Class hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She prayed harder than ever to seek for the truth. With her heart softened she again rekindled her testimony in this church. She attended church and felt strongly to serve a mission. 

Sister Banimone received her call to serve in Kiribati. She served on the main island for about a year - but due to health problems she was flown to Hawaii to receive medical attention there. After everything was cleared, President Weir wanted her to stay in the Marshall Islands for a little bit to make sure everything was okay. During her stay in Marshalls - President Weir invited her into his office and told her he felt a strong impression to send her to her home island: Kiritimati. Usually it's not allowed to serve in the area where your from..but she was brave enough to accept the calling. 

Fast forward to Wednesday. Sister B arrived at her home island. But remember -- this is a fourth world country..there are no phones to communicate or contact through facebook...she steps off the plane -- and to the surprise of her family and friends..she is a Mormon missionary..not a Minister as she had once planned...

Because on this little island word travels quicker than a dropping coconut...{yes..i just thought of that imagery.} everyone knows that she is here..and that she isn't a Minister but a missionary...Sweet Sister B has received a lot of criticism, a lot of glares, and a lot of rude names...but my word..she has shown strength and bravery this week in the work. 

And that is the start of the story of my companion. Her story isn't even close to being finished though..because guess who our new investigator is? Ueantaake. Her father. 

If you have any prayers this week..if any of them could be said for her..I KNOW the Lord will hear those prayers and help her find the strength she needs. I love her with all of my heart..This is my sister...and you being my family...makes her family too. 

I love you guys -- and will tell you until my fingers fall off from typing it -- 

sitting on this little island on the South Pacific Blue

loves,

sister Tiaontin (the Kiribati version of Johnson)

(ps - I have her permission to share her story.) and pss - Crissy I haven't spoken English for a week...so if it doesn't make sense..you can fix it...

LOVE YOU!!!

photos & fun

thought I'd send my pictures instead of an email this week..

This was my birthday present from my FAVORITE members in the ward right now..The one on the left..is HONESTLY my twin..she and I were instant best friends..it was crazy..anyway my shirt says: Happy 20 JohnSon

 I FOUND A SAND MOUNTAIN! So of course I have to pretend like it's super high, and by jumping maybe you get the impression life is..carefree? Happy? Hope it creates the right mood for ya..

had the best pday of my LIFE as we all went on a picnic on the beach..it was beautiful, and beyond description..sand inbetween my toes, and my hands holding a million seashells..waking along the beach...

this must be paradise. enjoy xoxo

I sat on the beach, with my toes all covered in beautiful white sand..and I read all your emails..we just got smart phones and because yesterday was a holiday the internet place was closed, so we were cleared to read our emails on our phone..and I sat on the beach and read the birthday wishes you all send me I thought..man, I am living the dream...this is the coolest thing I've ever done! So I wrote it in the sand, to memorizlize the day. 

I have so many photographs to upload, but I think my time is winding down. But to sum up this week: it was AMAZING. I was blessed to have Easter within a couple days of my birthday -- and that's all I really wanted for my birthday this year. That's the reason I'm here -- the Atonement..so that's what I was able to focus on my birthday. 

I've never felt more alive..to be twenty years old feels amazing!!

HAPPY EASTER! Love you all,

Liz

Lizzie's birthday...

Hi family and friends, 

This is Lizzie's Mom, Robin. Lizzie has had a challenging week and so she spent her computer time asking us some questions and didn't send a letter we could post for everyone.

Thursday (April 17th) is her birthday and I thought it would be fun to send her some extra love next week. If you feel inclined to send her a birthday wish, or tell her how her mission has inspired you, would you please send it to my e-mail and I will compile them all in a letter for her next Sunday? Thank you so much!! Please send it to:

robin@focusedonhealing.com
- or -
robin@robinjohnsonphotography.com 

Thank you! Blessings to you!
Robin Johnson

Dirt poor...

I've learned some lessons about being "dirt poor"

Dirt poor means that dirt is what your feet feel as you walk along the road..because you have no shoes to cover your feet. Dirt poor means that dirt is the pillow you sleep on.. because you have no home..dirt poor means that your only possession is truly the ground that God has given you to stand on. I have seen so many people dirt poor here..so many people with no shoes, no homes, little food..but these people are so happy. So so happy. They create their happiness not out of things, but out of their creativity to play game and tell stories,.... They take old flip flops and cut them into to circles, and with those old flipflop circles, they use it to play "street hockey" with sticks and a little round rubber piece. They use old tin can's to play, "kick the very rusted can" They could talk for hours and hours sitting on little grass huts until the big moon was laughing too about something of little or no importance. Their happiness is truly priceless. 

lots of love,

sister johnson