Squirrel Story and More

This last week was excellent!  Well, as far as numbers and lessons go it was a little sad, but generally it was a really good week.
We had interviews last Monday, and they were pretty cool actually.  It's just like, 15 minutes with President-he teaches you a little something and then you chat.  he asked me again what would I think if I had to train next transfer...I think I could do it.  But it makes me a little nervous.  But also excited, cause that means we have a ton of new sisters coming out!  Which is WAY awesome!  When I came out, I think there were like...20 sisters?  And in a few months we should have around 95.  My mind is blown!

Well, Sister Morris has the worst luck.  She got sick again Wednesday morning, so we stayed inside all day. it gets a little boring, but I did a lot of reading and whatnot, which was actually way good.  And the only thing we had to cancel was a service project that we did later in the week instead.  Friday was Zone conference...so our zone and a zone next to us had a big meeting.  It began at 7 am with car inspections.  Then we practiced for a couple of songs we we're singing.  Home and car maintenance reviews, and then the rest of the meeting.  It was kind of a long day, but the meeting was way awesome.  : )  We learned a lot about baptism, having the right kinds of attitude, and things like that.  (You need to stomp out the ANTS.  Automatic Negative Thoughts.  And play the glad game...where you find something good in every situation.) It was a way cool meeting.  :)  And Saturday we went and did service with a family.  We're helping her back into activity.  She's been through a lot, and helps us out all the time.  (When Sis. Morris was sick, they brought us lunch and little gift bags with sunscreen and candy and lotion and things like that.)

We didn't do too much teaching this week.  We gave some small lessons to LA's, and we taught the Mink twins...they're getting baptized this August, and they're way fun to work with.  : )  Also, Christi's mom came to church on Sunday!!  That was a HUGE deal!!  :D  We're still waiting to see exactly what she thought...and see how close we are to getting Christi baptized.  I'm still a little on edge about it all.  But we keep praying and something good will come eventually I'm sure.

I hope 'all had a good Memorial Day!  We just shopped, and relaxed.  The morning was a little hectic...but the afternoon was relaxing and wonderful. : )

I hope that everything is going well with ya'll!  thank you so much for everything you do.  : D

Love,
Sister Brown

PS-the Squirrel story:
SO, a couple weeks ago a LA called us and needed a blessing pronto.  WE have been trying to get a hold of her for a long time, so this was a big blessing.  We called our ZL's (Zone Leaders) cause they live super close, and recruited them to come help us give a blessing.  They just followed us there.  Well, while we were going along, suddenly Sister Morris screams!  I look back, thinking the Elders had like, crashed or something.  Terrified, and realizing they were okay, I asked a hyperventilating Sister Morris what was wrong.

she had run over a squirrel.

I was laughing so hard!  When we got there, the first thing she does is ask the Elders if they saw the squirrel, and did we really hit it.  They assured us that it was very dead.  long gone.  guts splattered all over the road.

Well, a few days later, we had a district meeting that they came to.  At district meeting, we report our numbers for the week, and tell a miracle story.  When they got up, the did their miracle story first.  They began by saying that the Sisters (us) needed them for a blessing.  On the way to the home, a squirrel jumped in front of our car, out of nowhere.  he went underneath the car...and then jumped back out, unscathed!  They couldn't believe that us Sisters had so much faith that the squirrel could live through that!
And then we couldn't believe they let Sister Morris be guilt ridden for days, believing that she had killed the poor squirrel.

It was great.  : )

Fishes and Squirrels

This week was pretty good!  I emailed y'all last Tuesday because Sister Morris had  kidney stone...that was exciting.

Because we had a service project planned for Thursday, we started doing our weekly planning on Wednesday.  But part way through, a less active member (LA) we have been trying to get a hold of for a long time called us.  She needed a priesthood blessing pronto.  SO, because missionary work and the church is awesome, withing 30 minutes we had our Zone leaders following us to her house to give her a blessing.  It was powerful, and now we are meeting with her family weekly.  They are ready to change, but are having a hard time knowing where to start.  Their life is WAY super hard...so it's a real blessing that we were able to go and see her.  Her boy friends is a potential now too, so that's super cool.

Thursday, we did service.  A few weeks ago Sister Tye asked us if we could help her clean out her pond.  And of course we said yes!  I got to wear jeans, and life was good.  We ended up being at her house ALL day.  Seriously, 11:30-8:30, minus a break for dinner.  And that pond was horrific.  Covered in so much algae  it was disgusting.  But we waded through it all and caught all of the fish.  (That was the best part.  Who knew Sister Morris and I had a talent for catching fish with our hands?!)  And there were close to 2 dozen pots that grew water lilies that we had to clean all of the algae off of...I told you it was nasty.  But we had so much fun getting covered in water and mud and saving the fish.  It was such a fun day.  : )

Friday and Saturday we didn't have much planned, so it was more door knocking.  But we actually got several LA lessons, which is way good.  And LA's are starting to come to church!! ahh!!! :)  Friday we did burger face again with the elders...and I had 2.  I'm a fatty.  haha

On Saturday Mason had his graduation party.  Now normally, we don't go to those type of things, but Christi texted us and said that her mom would be there, so we could "drop by" if we wanted.  OF COURSE!  Se we went, and Mason introduced us to his mom.  We didn't talk religion or anything, but we had a good talk with her.  That is a huge, huge step.  So, know she knows who we are and hopefully understands that we're normal people.  I think that we're going to have some good progress with her soon.  :)

Also, I extended a baptism invitation to Tara, Kelly Steven' wife's daughter.  Our rules over there are to not be pushy, but that Bobbie and Tara can sit on the lessons and learn.  Well, Bobbie was laying down with a headache...The spirit was strong, and both Sister Morris and I felt very prompted to extend an invitation.  I asked her if she would get baptized, (and my heart was pounding so hard), and she said she would if she knew it were true.  I felt so good, and Sister Morris said that it was way good.  But a couple days ago we talked to Kelly, and apparently Tara talked to Bobbie, who talked to Kelly, and we had crossed the line.  They don't want to sit in on lessons anymore...So that's really discouraging.  I'm just putting my trust in the Lord that everything will work out.  I can't deny the prompting that I received...so, here's hoping!

We're going on a church tour with Korie tomorrow.  (I told you about her, right?  Her pastor isn't very fond of us, and she has a lot of bible questions).  Her and Kayla and Isiac want to take more time to "read the Mormon Bible" and study before they talk to us again.  That scares me a little...but hopefully it will turn out okay.

Well, overall things are good!  We have interviews with President today...our last ones before he leaves in July!  Crazy!

Hang in there, and I hope that everything is going awesome!  Love y'all, and keep up all the hard work, and thank you so much for your prayers and support!!

Love,
Sister Brown

ps-Remind me I have a funny story to tell you about a squirrel.  Sorry, I'm out of time.

Long Week

This last week has been kind of long. Probably because I was so excited to Skype home on Mother’s Day. I think all us missionaries get at least a little trunky when we get to talk to family.

Last Monday I convinced the elders to hang out outside, rather than in playing basketball. It was pretty much the greatest! There isn't a lot of grass in Albuquerque, but there is a little park by our library. So we kicked a soccer ball around, played some ultimate, and played 'lava tag' on the playground. It is starting to get hot, but lately the weather has really been ideal. I love it. :) Anyways; missionaries are basically just big kids that get to share the gospel full time. So when we get the chance to just relax and have fun, it's pretty great :)

Well, last week was fast Sunday, and my companion and I fasted for the Ventana ward, because we don't really have anyone to teach, and it just kind of seems like nothing was happening. WELL, on Tuesday we went on exchanges. (side note- my Sister trainer leader (STL) is awesome. she is still so cute and fun, but a very consecrated, hard-working missionary. I want to be like her!) Anyways, she and I went and contacted a member referral from a young woman. The referrals name is Korie, an 18 year old young woman. She said she had a lot of questions, and would love to meet with us! So on Thursday, my companion and I went back, and ended up meeting with her, her sister, and brother-in-law (Kayla and Isiac). (that's 3 new investigators!) We taught them the restoration, but they mostly have a ton of questions. They REALLY know their bible! They go to another Christian church, where the pastor is pretty well known for being anti-mormon. So, they know the most random references in the bible and BOM, and have lots of questions about how they do or do not relate, and what our beliefs are. I have been spending a LOT of time researching the bible. Cross referencing, studying, asking questions... seriously, this is tough stuff! We are meeting with them again on Wednesday to teach about the plan of salvation, and answer more questions. What's really cool though, is that you get into those kind of situations, and really have no clue what they're talking about, but all of a sudden you have an answer, from some random scripture or conference talk you read that one time, like 5 years ago. Or something random a seminary teacher talked about suddenly comes to mind. Truly, you begin to teach, and the Lord fills your mouth. It’s the neatest.

Kelly S. is doing really well! We are teaching him and his wife's daughter, so that he can get back to baptism. They are so neat, and so willing to learn. Tara (the daughter), is catholic, but eager to learn what we are about. She even accepts challenges! (another new investigator!) Last week we taught about the Word of Wisdom, and even though she drinks coffee occasionally, (and right now has no intentions of joining our church), she said she would give it up. She hates feeling like it rules her life, and is willing to start making changes! Holy moly!

Christi is still doing amazing, of course. She says to thank ya'll for the prayers in her behalf, and to tell you that she is doing great. We prayed and set another date for June 8th. She also got a baptismal interview last week, and is so ready for baptism. It is so neat to work with her, because she knows when God is working in her life. She looks for those miracles, and thrives on them. This last Sunday she brought her Aunt to church, and then said that her mom mentioned she wishes she had gone. That is a HUGE step!! Hopefully we will get to meet with her mom soon!!

Saturday we went tracting in an old trailer park, that we just found out was in our ward. We tracted for 2 hours. It was hot. Our purses were heavy. We were tired of walking. No one wanted to listen to us. Basically, I don't really like tracting. But the member that was supposed to come get us thought she had picked the short line in Wal-Mart, and it ended up taking an extra 10 minutes or so. So, we kept going. In that last 5 minutes or so that we hadn't planned on having, we knocked on a random door. The lady came out, and we talked with her for a bit. Her name is Emily, and she said she did have some faith, but that we could come back!! Hopefully we'll get to teach her again soon. (another new! that makes five new investigators in one week!!! holy moly!!)

Well, Sunday morning my companion woke up in a lot of pain. She said she had been in pain for hours, and was on the verge of throwing up. So, to the ER we went. They were really nice and were able to get us in quickly... after an IV and CT scan, we found she has a Kidney stone. (most likely caused by dehydration. I'm going to drink so much water it's not even funny!) Anyways, we were there for a while. We eventually made it home, she took a short nap, and then we ventured out. She got a priesthood blessing, and then we Skyped out parents. (Best day ever!!) We had dinner, and then went home for the rest of the night. Monday, she was very drugged, so we went shopping. But she was feeling sick again, so we went home to rest. When she started throwing up, we went back to the ER. 3.5 hours of waiting, and a priesthood blessing later, we finally got home around 10:30. We took it easy this morning, and she is finally feeling better. But let me tell you, it has been crazy. (Saturday morning we had to help another sick sister, and Friday Elder Reali from my district crashed his bike and cracked his elbow in 3 places. remind me to never go in a bike area... haha) And I learned that you never want your companion to be sick. There is nothing to do as a missionary! you read scriptures, nap, read more, maybe write some letters if it's a pday, make jello for when your comp can eat again, text the elders updates.... it's really boring. Life is a lot better when you can be out teaching!

Well, that's about it for this week. I am so excited to have new people to teach! It feels so nice to be out of the house again today too. I am doing so well, and I love it here so much!! Everyone is really nice, and takes such good care of us.

Have an excellent week!! Miss y'all so much, and love you a ton!

Love,

Sister Brown

  

PS- shout out to Julia and Chester Kener! Good luck at dental school in Ohio! I heard you got accepted..... from a brother Kelley that's in my ward here from Pocatello. Small world right? haha

double PS- I never re-read these, so I hope they make sense. I know I ramble.... I’ll work on that. haha

and sometimes.... your companion is sick, and you get really bored.......

Another Week Down

This week has been way good!!  It's getting really warm here, and I think the wind will die down soon.  Hopefully.

Greenie knocking went really well last week!  Tracting is definitely not my favorite, but somehow when I was the "experienced on" it was no big deal.  Like, I just jumped right in, got to know the girls, and knocking was not a problem.  I think I'm excited to rain one day...it'l be fun.  : )

I think I told you that our numbers have been kind of low-ish.  Ventana Ward in particular has had almost no lessons.  We aren't teaching anyone...it's way hard.  And kind of discouraging.  But this last week we finally got our appointments with some less active members to go through and though numbers were still low, we at least had more than zero's!  So anyways, we've been a little disappointing for awhile.  And after we went greenie knocking, elder Hanks, one of the AP's, pulled us aside.  he said that they had had dinner with one of the leaders from our area, and they had commented on our great work.  They hadn't had progress records like ours in a long, long time and they were really impressed.  I can't tell you how nice it was to that!!!  Even though things were a little discouraging, at least some of the leaders think that we are doing a good job.   : )

We're fortunate to have a car, but we are only allowed to drive 1000 miles each month.  It sounds like a lot...but it's not really.  So on the last do of the month...we walked.  A lot.  And I'm getting a funny missionary tan line...yay.  haha.

Today (May 6th) is 2 months since I entered the MTC.  I can't believe how fast time has gone!!!  Seriously, I don't think that time has ever gone this fast for me.  Ever.  That's one plus about working hard...sometimes the days are long, but  the weeks and months go by really quick.

We taught Christi a few times this week.  She still didn't get baptized because she still doesn't have parental permission.  We're trying again...hopefully for June 1st.  She is way solid...we don't even know what to teach her any more!  We are teaching Kelly C, a less active.  She is so sweet and wants to come back to church but isn't sure where to start.  So we are tying to get the ward involved in helping her come back.  Also, have I told you about Kelly S?  He is a former member working o come back to activity.  He is such a funny guy and I love working with him.  His wife is Catholic and has no interest in joining.  But she started bringing he daughter and they both sit in on the lessons!  I love teaching them!  : )  Also, were teaching a lady named Bobbie.  (Side note  Kelly's wife is Bobbi as well.  And Bobbie's husband si Bob.  We work with several different Kelly's, 2 Zane's and we know 2 Christi's.  As if it wasn't hard enough trying to get to know two different wards, they all have the same names!  haha)  Anyways, Bobbie's daughter, Jessica, got baptized about a year ago.  Bobbie is Catholic and I don't think she really wants to join without her husband (who won't sit in on the lessons),  but she totally has a testimony.  I can't wait to see her get baptized one day.        : )

We had two days with no cancelled appointments.  And seriously, those days I wanted to dance and sing!  haha.   It's THE best when everything goes as planned.  There were a few days when i felt absolutely beat.  Spiritually, emotionally, physically, but somehow, you always just get up the next morning and keep going  and things always work out!

Sorry, I'm just about out about out of time.  I'll write more next week and maybe try to keep a better journal so I can remember what to write to y'all.   (but speaking of journals, I'm almost done with mine already.  Seriously, I'm going to go through so many journals! lol)

Love y'all SO much!

Here's some pictures!!  Sorry.  I actually haven't taken very many recently.  But here's to fill you in a little.  The sunsets out here are beautiful.  Plus, I live in a desert, so here's an idea of what the land is like.  Flat.  There's a generation shot.  Me and my trainer and her trainer.  My mom and grandma  : )

Ben (from the ward,) Mason, Christi, Sis. Morris and me

My "Mom" and "Grandma"