Malolelei!

That's how you say hello in Tongan. Wha- not Malagasy? Yep, because my amazing new companion named Elder Piutau is Tongan! He is from Hawaii. I love him lots and I can't wait for another great 6 weeks with him.

I have been called to be the district leader for the 2nd time. I love the district that I get to lead, and I have definitely felt the lord's hand in helping me to become the leader that he wants me to become.

Yesterday while I was studying during personal study, I came across a scripture in alma chapter 5 about being stripped of pride and envy. It brought me to reflect upon my works upon the earth. Had my works been works of righteousness? Had I tried my very best to keep the commandments? Have I been the missionary that God has called me to be? Moreover, that brought me to the word Salvation. What does salvation mean? Some say that salvation is something when you just believe in Jesus Christ. Others say that you cannot obtain it save it be by immortal acts. Overall, the answers vary, but the one and only true thing that stands tall and erect about Salvation is Jesus Christ, our savior and friend from the beginning. When I think of his amazing face and those loving eyes, words could feign describe the feelings of love and gratitude for my savior. I know that I have not been totally obedient, I know that I am not perfect, I know that I still have a long way to go, but He makes all the difference. The root word for Salvation, at least for me, is Salvage. When you salvage something, you pick up the pieces of a broken or lost thing and make something better of it. A parable came into my mind as I was pondering this thing. I will try my best to put it into scripture format and as close to the saviors wording as possible.

A certain man was a painter of portraits, and he made a painting made with his finest oils and colors, which caused him much labor of 2 months to finish. And when his work was finished, he received much applaud of men, for he was an talented man. And when all this was done and the night grew near, he retired to his bed above in his house to sleep, because of his much labor on his work of beauty. Until at the third watch of the night (and the rain beat sore upon his house), a plunderer cast a rock at the painter's window, seeking to find riches of gold and myrrh, but found none and left with haste to the town. At the sound of his window the painter ran down to see that which was done, and when he saw, he wept sore, for he loved that which he had labored to bring, and by reason of the plunderer was the painting gravely shriveled and blurred. And when the people saw which was done, they were sorry, for they were great followers of the painter. Then the painter took that which had not been marred by the drops of the rain, and rent it from that which had been marred. And the painter took that part of the painting which had been preserved, which part had been the finest of his hand and sewed it to white cloth which was of the same width of the piece. Then the painter restored that painting to its former beauty, yea, even greater than the latter. And for 6 months he labored to restore that which had been lost. And when his work was finished, he received more applaud than that of the first, for he had become a painter of great fame, yea, even to the borders of the sea. And when the people from round about came to behold the workmanship of salvation, they did rejoice and praise him and gave hi many gifts; and thus we see that the work of redemption cometh by restitution, yea, even by faith and hope that that which is lost for a season can and will be restored through the Holy One of Israel.

I love you all. Have a great week. Love Salvation!

Elder Johnson