"Delighteth" - Such an Awesome Word!

This week was great! We taught Chris on Tuesday at our Bishop's house. Kim (Chris' girlfriend) who is a member, was there too. It was so awesome! Bishop Thawley and Kim helped us teach him. Bishop Thawley even shared some of his experiences of when he joined the church. We could tell Chris had felt something when we taught him about the Prophet Joseph, and when he saw God and Jesus Christ. It was the best lesson ever!

On Wednesday, we had Zone Conference. I took a lot of notes and felt so spiritually uplifted. I learned that I focus a lot better when I take notes. My life is full of writing!  I love writing!! One night, we went to the institute for the YSA BBQ. Classes are starting again this week! I love being in a YSA Ward and I saw some old friends too. Cameron and Keyza were at the BBQ, and so was Jordan. It was so good to see them.  I also met a girl named Sherry from China. I told her that I was interested in Asian countries, and she told me that she was interested in the Western countries, like America! Funny how that works, haha.

Saturday was amazing! We had the opportunity to hear from Bishop Causse and his wife. They are from France and they are awesome. Their talks were so amazing. Bishop Causse gave us some tips for planning and finding. Later that day, we went out to do some service, but turns out they didn't need us, so instead, we went contacting around the area. Turns out...again...there were a lot of people around. A lot of YSA people were interested in our message. We taught seven people that day, and tried talking to many more. However, one man bluntly told us he was an atheist. I was so sad to hear that - that someone didn't believe in our Heavenly Father and in our Savior, Jesus Christ. But then we visited a member who gave us two referrals. The next day after church and after "Linger Longer", we went to their houses to try and visit with them. The old man rejected us, and the old lady said she was fine with her own religion. She was however, impressed by how young we are. Then we ran into this guy who is feeling very lost and trying to find his purpose in life. We referred him to the Elders, and it was amazing!  This week seems like it was so long, and yet it went by so fast! That doesn't make sense - what is time??  Haha!

Scripture of the Week:

2 Nephi 4:15 - "And upon these plates I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass.  For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children."

I love you all and I hope and pray you are all doing well.

-Always, Sister Brown!

The Sacrament

This week was kind of slow as far as the work goes. But, it was much better than last week as far as mail goes! I got a lot of support from my family and my friends. I LOVE yous!!!

Every morning this week, I have woken up to overcast skies, and I can smell the ocean.  It makes me homesick for Nova Scotia. Haha! Of all places to be homesick for, that's one of the best. But that small island up north will always have a special place in my heart. I feel like the overcast skies are a tender mercy from the Lord. I am reminded that my Grandparents are proud of me and that they love me.

A lot of YSA are working hard to help us with missionary work. Parker is handing out Spanish Books of Mormon to people he knows for the Spanish Ward, groups of friends are working together to find people for us to teach, and the Bishop has a goal to get 100 people to Sacrament on September 11. We went on exchanges with the Tongan Sisters again. I was with Sister Unga. She's the best Tongan ever! I LOVE her! She is so funny!

I learned that faith really does require action. On Friday, as I woke, I felt my allergies kicking in. But I got up and got ready anyways. I had faith that if I worked and as the day went on, I would feel better- and I did! Faith without works is dead.  Like I said, it was a slow week for teaching, but we did a lot of finding and walking, and finding and walking. Did I mention finding?

And then there was Sunday - I don't even want to mention Sunday and how busy it was, and the fact that our lesson had to cancel. But hey, we got through this week! It makes me feel strong and powerful. The nice thing about Sunday was the lesson we had in relief society.  It was about the Sacrament and what it's meaning is really all about. We put on blindfolds and held out our hands. We got to feel a leaf, a whip (ropes), a nail, and hands. We listened to a whip and someone hammering the nails. Then a song played about Christ's resurrection. We felt hands grasp ours. The feeling of the nail and the hands lingered. I felt the Spirit so strongly. It felt as though Christ was in the room. It was so wonderful! The Sacrament means so much more now. Christ sacrificed His life for us, so that we could repent, find happiness in this life, and not suffer as He did. I am so thankful for my Best Friend. 

- Always, Sister Brown

Charity - The Pure Love of Christ

This was an interesting week. Sister Hughes and I are pretty exhausted from all the work this week. We've been doing a lot of walking, trying to find people to teach. 

On Thursday, we went to institute for dinner and the lesson after was about Charity. It really spoke to Sister Hughes and I. We know that charity is the pure love of Christ. And it can help others come unto Him. 

On Friday, we went to a YSA Conference with a member named Kim and her boyfriend Chris.  He's a non-member, and he seemed to enjoy his time with us and at the conference.  On Sunday, we taught him about praying to our Heavenly Father.  He said he was interested in learning more about the gospel! 

Another YSA we keep running into seems interested in our message as well.  He's very spiritual and kind.  Actually, we've been finding a lot of YSA people to teach. 

This week went by a little slow but it was fast at the same time. I don't know how to explain it. 

Not much happened this week either except we're finding new people to teach and the other usual missionary work. So sorry this is a short update.

But I'd like to end with my testimony.  Miracles do happen, even in the midst of trials.  As long as we put our trust in Heavenly Father and ask for His help in faith, we can conquer and achieve anything. 

-Always, Sister Brown 

A Golden Street

This week was awesome! And it went by so fast!

Last Monday, we went to Rocket Fizz with Sister Hosea and Sister Unga.

It was so fun! I got more Pez candy, jelly beans, and root beer. We decided to relax for the rest of that day until it was time to go on exchanges. I went with Sister Hosea to John Tanner's baptism! It was amazing! I was so happy for him. And he and Sabrina seem happy too!

This week was the usual missionary stuff. We've been contacting on a street that is golden! On this street, we walk and meet someone to talk to, and then we turn and there's another person to talk to! And the best part: they have actually been interested in our message!

We have also been doing a lot with the members. On Tuesday, we made cookies with Bryant and he had someone in mind he could give them to.  On Wednesday, we went to another member's house and she gave us a referral! She's working with her and basically invited her friend to take the lessons. Amanda's friend is interested in the church and believes in the Priesthood Authority. She had been asking Amanda questions just out of curiosity. Amanda basically told her that she invited us missionaries over for dinner and having us teach her. She told her friend the missionaries can teach her. It was awesome!

We have another investigator named Cecilia, who is 91 years old - but doesn't act like it! She is interested in our church, and has no objections, and asked questions because she's genuinely curious! She is awesome! She's still a little set in her ways and isn't sure she wants to get baptized. She says she's stubborn, and yet she doesn't object to Joseph Smith or the church. She's definitely not as stubborn as she thinks she is.

Sister Hughes had a birthday this week! She is now 20! She kept saying: "I'm 20 now... That's so weird..."  We went to Greenfinger and sang happy birthday. We had lunch with the Tongan Sisters. They made her a cake. Then they came over later that night and brought her cupcakes. At our dinner appointment, they gave us gluten free cake... So much cake was eaten that day.

We had a great week! It was awesome! And I love Sister Hughes! She's the best!

- Always, Sister Brown

Something Good in Every Day - Might Even be Guacamole!

"Every day might not be good, 
                             but there is something good in every day."

Hi y'all.  Another crazy week.
I think I'm slowly losing my mind, haha! All I think about is missionary work, baptisms, food, sleep and even super heroes. Time is flying by. Last Monday, we decided it was time to just relax - and so we did just that. It's a refreshing thing to do.
This week we have come up with a finding idea to teach the Restoration to members, and then invite them to have someone they know learn this lesson from us. It's still a new finding idea for us, and we are planning to follow up with members in the coming weeks. This finding idea has also resulted in a lot of families wanting to feed us - which is a good thing for us.  Oh happy day!

One of our investigators texted us and asked if we could meet. We have faith that he will get baptized, but he just hasn't been coming to church. And you kind of have to come to church. So that's been hard. On Tuesday, my companion had to go to the dentist. She was having a problem with her tooth but was able to get it fixed. She knows when she needs a priesthood blessing to help her with direction and with her trials. I've learned that having the priesthood available can help you in your life. I actually learned that when I was in the Young Women program. I've never been afraid to ask for a priesthood blessing, and have always found great comfort knowing I have that special blessing in my life. I'm grateful for my Dad, and that he has priesthood power and can bless his family with healing, protection and support when needed.

Last week, we also had mission interviews with President and Sister Mella. Those two people are so awesome and I'm grateful to be blessed to serve with them.

A major accomplishment for me - I've discovered that I like guacamole and it agrees with me. No sick stomach feeling!!  It's so strange how tastes can change as one ages.

For the rest of the week, we had a lot of members cancel appointments, so that makes things a little stressful because now it's like: "What are we supposed to do now?" That's why it's always good to have backup plans. I've learned that things don't always turn out the way you want them to. We talked with the Elders who we co-cover with about the less-active list. We reviewed what we were able to get done, but we realized that we were also very tired and unfocused.

On Thursday, more of our appointments canceled, and we were trying to figure out our schedule for the next day. We went to see our investigator again - but he forgot about the appointment. On Friday we went to a baptism in Sister Hughes' previous area. It was a very spiritual night and just what we needed.  Then on Sunday, we attended church - but no investigator. We were praying so hard for him to come and attend Sacrament meeting. A member from the ward had even offered to go and pick him up to bring him to church, but he wasn't home. Looks like he decided not to come, but we'll continue to pray for him.

So it's been a stressful week, but we're hoping the member lessons will pay off.  I'll sign off for now and bid you adieu...leaving you with these thoughtful words again...

"Every day might not be good, 
                             but there is something good in every day."

I LOVE MY MISSION!!!

- Always, Sister Brown