Miracles are happening!

Hey y'all!!

So, sorry I didn't get an email out yesterday. I think I’m cursed.... Sister Stuart got so sick. so needless to say, the only time we left the apartment was so that we could check the mail and she could get a little fresh air. Other than that... I got to stay inside all day and clean the apartment and get somewhat caught up on my letter writing. And she's feeling a lot better today, so I guess it all works out.

also as a side note, Sister Stuart is a Celiac- she's allergic to wheat. So, that's a bummer. But we get asked a lot now what we want to eat, which is cool. And we're getting a better variety of things. (Or we still get hamburgers; she just eats them with lettuce. I am SO done with hamburgers and pizza... haha)

We had a pretty good week! We're still working on increasing the number of lessons we teach per week. Hoping for 20... Right now we're not quite getting even half that. and with summer people are way busy, and out of town, etc. But things will get better soon! We’re trying to work way hard, and we've been able to see little glimpses at the fruits of our labors. So I’m excited to see new things happen!

Tuesday was busy. We helped take apart a bathroom for the Travis family a week ago. So since then we have helped in the back yard, painted, and helped put in her shower too. That was an adventure. We had a lesson with Kelly S. that night that was really neat. It was a simple lesson on prayer and scripture reading. So really all we did was discuss it a little, and bear our testimonies. But at the end, when sister Stuart was expressing her love for the scriptures and how important daily reading is, Kelly said, "I'll do it sisters. I'll do it". He also talked about his desire to go to church and the temple one day with his wife... and as a missionary you love the people so much and want exactly that for them. It was a very spirit filled lesson, and a turning point for Sister Stuart I think. She had been struggling a little, and after that lesson, she was on a high. It was so cool to be the trainer instead of the trainee, and watch her love grow for the people. Suddenly she knew that even though the first part of her mission was hard, suddenly it was all worth it. Being the 'mom' is so cool!! Missions are so great! :)

Wednesday we had a lot planned for the evening... and only a couple of those went through. A lesson with a LA, and a lesson with Bobbie. But during our studies that morning, a member called us and asked if we could help someone move, because it was a lot more chaotic than she thought. So, we left our studies and headed over! (It’s such a blessing when the members think of us!) Anyways, apparently the family thought that they were just about done.... but there was stuff everywhere. So we called in the elders as reinforcements later in the day. We stayed until about 4, and just packed and moved. And vacuumed and cleaned. And shampooed and painted. And swept and mopped. And packed and moved more. And the elders fixed up the back yard. It was a blast :)

And that night, we had a lesson with Bobbie N. It was so neat, because she said this last week she hadn't been living her life any differently, but suddenly she was feeling guilty for things she was doing. Like, not reading her Book of Mormon, or drinking alcohol casually with her friends. (We haven't even taught her about the WOW yet...). The spirit is really working with her, and it's so neat to watch. We need to be patient, but she is definitely going to get baptized one day and enter the temple. I just know it.

Another cool thing that happened that night.... So last Saturday we had dinner at our old WML's house, and they said that we could go and say hi to their neighbor. So right after dinner, we went over and introduced ourselves. She was making dinner and recovering from surgery so it was a bad time, but she said that we could come back. To us, it was nothing special, but we were excited that we could come back and visit. Well, Wednesday night we got a text from Brother Lovin, forwarding a message from this neighbor (Jen). She had texted him, and thanked him for sending us over. She had been wondering "why me?", but when Sister Stuart and I went over, he was given hope and knew God had a better plan for her. We are going to visit her tonight, and I can't wait. It is SO neat to witness these little miracles and watch God work in the lives of others. You never know the difference you could be making.

The rest of the week we did some service. We weeded (and I got sunburned on my scalp. ow.), and we helped another family move in. So not a ton of teaching but it was really good stuff :) Sunday was just a LOT of meetings. But good ones... especially the worldwide missionary meeting. I hope that any who got to see it took some good notes. I am so inspired :)

Then yesterday Sister Stuart was sick all day.... so we just stuck around the apartment. But The ZL's came over and delivered some applesauce, and then the Spanish Elders came and helped with a blessing. Then later the 4 elders in our district came over to keep us company, and brought some Gatorade. I love those missionaries a whole bunch.

Oh! And today we met with Christi. She has been out of town... and is going out of town again for 2.5 weeks to NY. So we are setting a new date, probably for July 20. And while she is gone we are going to stop by her house to try and talk with her mom. Wish us luck!

Well, I hope that everything is going splendid. Love y'all a whole bunch, and have an excellent week!!!

Love,

Sister Brown.

I'm running out of subjects and it's only 3 months in...

So like I said last week, I'm training the dear Sister Stuart!!  She is absolutely incredible.  I love her with all of my heart, and I feel more like she's training me!  Seriously...I feel like I get so scattered and forgetful.  But she is straightforward and on top of everything.  I do most of the teaching right now, but she'll get the hang of that soon.  : )  I just remember being in her exact shoes, so I know how she feels.  And sure enough, I really don't mind taking the lead in lessons and doing a lot of the teaching.  It's really neat when all of your studies, and thoughts, and everything go towards those that you teach.  And then you get to take charge, and go change lives!!

It's gotten over 100* a lot of the days this week.  And it had been way windy, and therefore VERY dusty.  And we do a lot of just knocking.  Not too many people have been home...so we just knock and knock and knock.  Usually doors of people that we know or are trying to get a hold of...but it's kind of hard.  Anyways, so most of the week, that's what we have done.  Walking, and knocking, and singing, and trying not to get sunburned.

We taught a lesson to the Minks.  They are now out of town for the next two...but I think that Austin is liking it more.  Or maybe the fact that his Grandpa was there helped his interest and behavior.  Haha.

On Friday we had a really good district meeting on faith.  We talked about miracles, and having a good attitude, and how we need to have the faith to work those miracles.  Yesterday, Sister Stuart and I fasted for new investigators.   Our mission is striving for 710+ baptisms for the year, and each companionship needs to baptize a family of 5 for that to happen.  So we fasted for a family, and we are studying a lot on faith.  And yesterday in church, we got a ton of referrals!  The Ventana Ward Relief Society had really good missionary moments, and I think things are looking up.  I know that we are on the Lord's time, but I also know that he is preparing people, and that good things are to come!  We are going to re-visit a few of the contacts this week, and see if they really are interested at all.

So, seriously, we didn't really teach any lessons this week.  But we are working hard.  And Sister Stuart and I are going to be pros at taking bathrooms apart and cleaning houses!  : )

Also, we are spending a lot of time looking for daily things that make us happy, and miracles, etc.  It really makes the hard times, and even the good ones, go better.  So, you should play the "glad game" and look for good in EVERY situation.

This week is full of a lot more lessons, and probably some more exciting stories.  More to come!  Have an excellent week.  I miss y'all lots, and love you so much!!

Love,
Sister Brown

Changes!

(Due to the busyness of the posting family, this one is a week late.  Sorry.)

So the big stuff first...transfer news!! *drum roll*

I am staying in my area, and I am training the lovely Sister Stuart!

I am normally laid back...but transfers give me anxiety.  So I have been stressin' big time.  Last Wednesday they gave leadership calls...so when we got the call, I willingly accepted to be a trainer, but I have been freaking. out. Anyways...Saturday we were let know who was leaving, but not where.  I am so sad to be loosing Sister Morris as my comp.  She is in Santa Fe now, training another Sister, and I know that she will do awesome there.  : )  And Sister Stuart, so far, is the bomb.com.  We get along and she is so darn cute.  And new!  I already love her!

Onto the rest of the week!  So about a month ago, there was a stabbing at a Catholic Church here.  Some mentally ill teenager attacked the choir.  Well, Bobbie N., that we are teaching right now, goes to the church. She wasn't there for the event, but she generally goes to the same mass that the main choir guy goes to.  She knew him and his family, and was taking him dinner one night.  Well, when she was there, she felt prompted and asked him if he could use some support and would want the missionaries to come over!!  (I have the coolest investigators! haha)  Anyways, he said that he had moved form Vegas, and lived near the temple, and used to have the missionaries come over there.  He missed his discussions with them, and would love for the missionaries to come over!  We were SO stoked.  Well...turns out that we had to give the referral to a set of Elders. That was a little bit depressing that we don't get to teach him.  but the elders are teaching a victim of the stabbing at the Catholic Church!  This is huge!!

Chirsti didn't get baptized last Saturday.  It's killing me.  Her mom and sister go sick so we were never able to meet with them.  But we're hopin that this week we can meet and get a feel for where they are.  (And hopefully get permission!)  Spencer, the Bishops' son and and RM of like, a week, is good friends with Christi's older sister.  So he has been talking with her, and he's going to start coming to lessons, which is super awesome.  : )

We taught Bobbie N. last night for Sister Morris' last lesson here.  Teaching her is absolutely incredible.  Whenever we say anything, she always says that it makes so much sense to her.  Holes she didn't know she has are being filled.  Really, I feel like we are just reminding her of everything, rather than teaching her anything.  She reads, and accepts everything so readily.  We just need her husband to be on board...but last night we talked to her about being an example, and how she might need to do that for her husband.  It's way exciting.  : )  Hopefully we'll set a baptism date with her soon!!

Our members here are awesome.  : )  On Thursday, a sister knew that we had a hankering for some french toast. SO, she invited us over for a brunch, along with a few LA's and non-member friends.  And a sister added fabric to one of m skirts, and another sister is going to take one in for me.  And we have more leftovers in our fridge than I will ever know what to do with.  We are seriously so blessed here!!

Sunday consisted of a lot of goodbyes for Sister Morris.  It was way hard to see her go.  It also broke 100* yesterday.  I saw 103, but I think it got to at least 106.  It was so, so hot.  BUT, I am grateful that I am in a car.  And that it's not humid.  I feel for those poor missionaries serving in the South.

I hope everything is well with y'all!!  I love you bunches, and thank you so much for your prayers.

God Speed!

Love,
Sister Brown

Let us all press on

heyheyhey!!

I feel like everything is kind of same ol' same ol'. So sorry if everything seems kind of boring out here..... it doesn't feel like too much is going on to be honest.

We didn't teach anyone in the Ventana ward this last week. Really the last 2 weeks.

In Volcano we taught Kelly S. Because of everything that happened with his wife's daughter, Tara, we were nervous to go over again. But we had dinner with them on Tuesday night and shared a little message, and everything went alright! I was pleasantly surprised! I'll make sure not to invite her to baptism again anytime soon (i told y'all that story right?)... but I’m glad that it at least didn't ruin a friendship.

We also talked with Christi Tuesday night! She said that her mom had a lot of questions from coming to church, but that she wants to meet with us! Mason is home now, so we're hopefully going to be meeting with them tomorrow. We also are allowed to meet in Christi's home, which is a HUGE step. So basically.... I know that I sound like a broken record. But she's on date for baptism this weekend, the 8th. If we can meet with her mom and get permission, then we will speed plan and get that done! She basically told Mason, that even if he was out of town, she's sorry but she would still get baptized without him. She's that ready to make this wonderful covenant. (Also, transfers are next week, and we're pretty sure that either Sister Morris or I are leaving. So if Christi doesn't get baptized this week.... there's a good chance I’ll miss it. Which is super depressing). But Christi didn't receive her letter yet... her mom is kind of holding out on us I think. So again, hopefully soon.

Oh we taught Bobbie N. this week too! She is still SO solid. Everything we teach her, she automatically knows it's true. She believes every word we say, and already has a testimony of the BOM, restoration, etc. We're slowly teaching her the Plan of Salvation, and she loves it. She told us about her 'hunger' or 'thirst' to learn more. It's neat to see how in tune her spirit is, and how prepared she is. Her convert daughter just bought her a quad with her name inscribed, and Bobbie was pretty excited about that. The only thing is her husband won't sit in on lessons with us, and she doesn't want to make that step without her husband. So, we're still teaching her, and praying that we will be able to see that change with him soon too.

The rest of the week wasn't too much. We did a couple of service activities, (cleaning, yard work, a garage sale). So that was fun! I'm working on drinking a whole bunch of water, because I had a headache for like, 4 days. It was the worst, and we think it's probably dehydration. (It’s a lot of dry and hot out here. I seriously live in the desert.) So now I have to pee a lot (which is a pain as a missionary because I’m always out and about), but I’m feeling better. (Sorry if that was TMI haha).

Oh but we had stake conference yesterday! The whole meeting (all of them), was focused on missionary and temple work! It was seriously the best, and I really hope that the stake will kind of understand how important they are as members to the work. We can knock on doors for weeks... but it really doesn't do us a whole lot of good. We need to be teaching about 20 lessons a week (right now we average 10), and we need the ward to really instigate that. WE also just got a new WML in both wards, and after a quick training, they are both all excited with a lot of good ideas to implement. I can't wait to work with them and see the work progress! I think with the amount of missionaries coming in the next two transfers, if we can get our numbers up, they will split the wards!

Word is, in the next several months, every other unit in the mission is supposed to have 2 sets of missionaries!! How cool is that?!!

Well, transfers are next week. SO, probably start sending things to the mission home if you're going to send me anything. Just until I figure out where/if I’m going. There's also a good chance I could be training, and I’ll find that out this week. That kind of terrifies me..... but I’m way excited too :) this transfer, on the 11th, we're getting 19 sisters, and around 8 elders. It's basically the best thing ever.

Guess I found things to talk about after all..... Not as boring as I had thought!

Well, I hope that y'all are well. I pray for you a lot. And I am SO grateful for the prayers y'all have sent my way :)

Thanks for everything and keep up the hard work!! Love you SOOOO much!!! :D

Love,

Sister Brown