Week 52 but really written on August 28th

Hello everyone!!

Yes transfers happened!!! Sister Delucchi is going back home and I am staying at Hogwarts. And I am getting the beautiful Sister Berakdar!!! She is from Germany and is an epic convert to the church. You need to know a little bit about her. I am follow up training her so I'm kinda her step mom :)

She comes from a home that absolutley despise that she is here. Her whole family disowned her because she joined the church so she has no one. No family, no support, no post, no packages, no love, nothing. SO you get to adopt a missionary!!!!!!!!! :D Luck you! I'm going to get her email and you're going to adopt her (sorry you don't really have a choice. :) ) She needs love, packages, and post and lots of support. KEITH: If you read this you have to adopt her too! She's from Germany, write her a letter in German! She's having a hard time cause she gets no support, but oh don't you worry she's getting a lot of sunshine from this Sister!! :) I'm really excited, we're going to tear Hogwarts up!!! Her email address is: yvonne.berakdar@myldsmail.net (Just do like get to know you questions. Ask her about her life, her conversion story, her week, how she likes Alnwick.) And can you just keep email her until I get home???? Like truly adopt her??? Is that going to be ok? I know if you do you'll get more blessing then you'll know what to do with!!! Just remember Charity is the pure love of Christ! ANYONE WITHIN THE SOUND OF MY EMAIL!! WRITE MY COMPANION!!! Everyone needs a pen pal right?!

Sister Berakdar

England Leeds Mission

Lister House, Lister Hill

Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5AZ

This week was epic! We had a wonderful week full of new investigator and teaching!! Norman is doing to great! He's still looking good to being baptized on the 22 September.

I want to center my email on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know it is real because I have lived it. We all make mistakes. Hello!!!! Anyone who hasn't made a mistake please raise their hand...that's what I thought. NO ONE!!!! I have such a HUGE testimony of the Atonement because I used it before my mission and I'm using it now and I'LL USE IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!! The atonement isn't just a one time thing. It should be an everyday thing!!! Jesus Christ came to this earth because we make mistakes. We CANNOT save ourselves. The Debt has already been paid. We just got to use it, THEN LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES AND NEVER GO BACK!!!!!!!! As long as we're learning from every mistake then we're growing, we're progressing, we're moving forward. No mistake done (minus murder and denying the Holy Ghost) can't be fixed. As long as we're using the Atonement when we make mistakes we're never taking a step backwards. Yes for that moment when we continue to sin...yes we go backwards. But when we repent we're always stepping forwards. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do we swim, swim, swim." (thank you Dori ha)

I know God lives, Jesus is the Christ and through him all is made right. All is made clean. All is sunshine, unicorns, and rainbows :)

I love you all to the moon and back!! Cheers til next week!

Love, Sister Brown

Week 51

Dear Family!

Hahah ok so I love my family and my life. So I got a pretty funny phone call this week from the mission office. This is how it went (First of all keep in mind that I didn't get an email so I assume you'all are dead) Sister Barren says (one of our wonderful office senior couple missionaries): "Sister Brown...I got a phone call from your mother today." Then my heart goes in my stomach and I think "Oh no...I was right...they're all DEAD!" and then she says, "Your Mom left a message on our machine, she says stop worrying. She sent the email to your other account, everyone at home is fine" HAHA! I love my Mum. She knows me so well, she knows that I would have been freaking out all week. Thank you Mum for calling the office (Thanks Joe for making her). I didn't even know you had the number to the mission office! Well if anything does happen, that's the number you would call :)

 

So on this weeks episode of: "Sister Brown at Hogwarts"

So how do you know when you've been out for a year?.....

You start having day-shaw-voo (hahaha I have NO IDEA how to even begin spelling that!)

For example....the spiders are back...

Yes you heard it, the spiders are back. When I first got here the very first thing I noticed was that ALL AROUND THE DOORS HERE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE MASSIVE SPIDERS!!!!!!! Every door I knock is my biggest fear staring me in the face. And I think..."Not again...it can't be that time of year....oh dear...it's spider season again" From September to about Halloween is spider season, where the spiders come out and just chill at peoples doors. So....gross.

 

More day-shaw-voo:

It feels like Halloween.

Autumn is in the AIR! Leafs are changing colors and falling off the trees. Sister Berakdar must think I'm a coock (short of cooky) because (as I always do each autumn) when I see a dead leaf on the ground OF COURSE I run over and step on it so I can hear the wonderful crunching sound. (I suggest everyone does this...it's actually a lof of fun...go appreciate the little things!) It's funny though cause here in England, because it's so humid and wet, If you see a leaf that is brown and dead...it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be crunchy, chances are it will be wet and soft. Ha but when you do get one that is crunchy...man, it just makes my heart sing!

 

But back to the missionary work:

We had a great week this week. We're finding people, teaching, and progressing the work forward. Norman our little pirate is doing well, he's still struggling with the Word of Wisdom. He's struggling with that last cigarette, so keep him in your prayers. We moved his baptismal date to the 5th of October. We pray that he'll ditch the tabs and go for the water :) I love being a missionary. There is nothing like being directed by the spirit 24-7 (Well of course we always have the choice whether we're going to listen to the spirit or not). I love it when you pick a street that you feel really good about, knock on all the doors, and then find the reason why you felt good about going there. You find that person. That is one thing I have a testimony of is that God loves us individually. We could feel good about going to an area with over 200 hundred door and knock all of them and only be let in by 1 person. God loves that one person so much that he gives us the opportunity to knock all those doors to just find the one. That's what this work is about, is the one. God loves us, knows us by name, knows us so deeply-better than we even know ourselves. He wants to help the one. You. Me. Our friends and neighbours. I love being able to be his instrument and to be sent to wherever he needs me cause I too am invested in finding the one :)

 

I love you all to the moon and back!! Have a wonderful week! Read your scriptures, pray, and all your worries will go away (you like that little rhyme...yep I just made it up ;) ha! ) Cheers from England til next week!!

Love, Sister Brown

Week 50

Hello....is anyone there...hello...? Papa? Are you here" (Beauty and the Beast: Belle trying to find her Pops in the castle ha)

 

So....

I hope everything is ok? I think this is the first time I haven't gotten an email from you mom...so I hope everything is ok....it better be ok....right?

 

So this week was so magical. We had Sister Specialized Training and it rocked!! It was so good to see all my best friends. Sisters Freeman, Sorensen, Stout, and Hall!! These girls are going to be my bestest friends FOREVER!!! My singing went ok, but my talk went really well I think. We learned so much from each other and it was so good to be uplifted by everyones testimonies. It was so good to spend some time with President and Sister Lindley too. They are just so wonderful! They take such good care of us here in England.

This week we had some epic miracles. We found this amazing young couple who are looking pretty promising. They both have been looking for the truth. Their names are Jack and Isla. Jack especially has been looking everywhere for the right church. He's been to so many different churches and said himself, "Non of them feeled right.." So we were able to teach them the first lesson and they LOVED IT!!! The spirit was so strong, testifying to all of us that what was being said was true. (Man I love being a missionary :D) We are looking forward to teaching them more on Tuesday and seeing how things progress. They are living together so they would need to be married before they could be baptized (Wedding and Baptism...YES!!) Thats one thing that is pretty normal in England is the "living together before marriage" thing. Yuck. Ha everyone is just living in ignorance, but we will educate them so they can have lasting bliss ;)

A huge lesson I learned this week was Ether 12:6. This promise is so true. Sometimes the blessings don't come til after the trial of our faith. Sometimes we feel like, "Man, is this ever going to get easier...I'm doing my best...why don't I see results" I know that in these moments we need to push through it and keep working and doing our best. Because that's when the miracles happen. When we push though it there is always light at the other end..and it's THE BEST!! I felt this with Jack and Isla this week. We have been working so hard, week after week, TRYING SO HARD to find the prepared. And right at the breaking point, we found them. We found a little family. I know that if we consistantly do our best, and if we don't give up that miralces happen. I know it works here and I know it will work at home too!

I love you all so much and hope that everything is ok at home...it better be...do I need to be worried? You know me...I just to conclusions ha!

I love you to the moon and back! Cheers from England til next week!

Love, Sister Brown :)

Week 49

FAMILY!!!

Holy Guac how are you?!

I'm doing SOOO good! Things here in Alnwick are just super! Me and Sister Barakdar are taking on the world. (In the world of Dragonball Z: Me and Sister Berakdar fusion everyday and take on the world, supersayan style... ;) ) It's the best! We're finding, teaching, and preparing Norman for baptism. Give that 72 year old pirate a huge prayer for us. He's still stuggling with the word of wisdom, but I have no doubt that he will over come...(he better!!) This upcoming week some wonderful things are happening. We're having Sister Specialized Training! (Can you believe it's already been close to a year since the last one!) The last on i was just a little greeny! This time I'm one of the olderst Sisters here!! Weird... President is having me speak on "Keeping the faith and having a positive attitude in our missionary work." and Sister Lindley also asked me to sing (Yes!) I'm singing that version of "I know that my Redeemer lives" that me mal and Jill sang at grandma and grandpa T's anniversary :) So pray that it all goes well. Also....umm I dont' know where the time went but...I turn 1 year old this week. WHAT?!?!?!? Does it feel like it's been a year to you?! Cause for me it's FLOWN BY!!!!!! Next thing you know it will be Christmas....CHRISTMAS!!!

So since it is my year mark I want to tell you just a few things that I've learned since I've been a missionary so far. Have I perfected these things...ha not a chance. But I do feel like this year I have made LEAPS AND BOUNDS!!

 

1. I have learned that obedience is a good thing.

Yep you heard it. You're daughter, Sister Taylor Jean Brown said obedience is a good thing. I really feel I've gained a testimony of obedience on my mission. Obedience is the first law of heaven for a reason, cause that the first and only way that God can bless us..which in turn makes us happy. I know that sticking to the rules can be hard, but when you sacrifice you're will to what God or your parents, or your leaders, ect..when you put their will for you over what you want for you...you will always be happy. Obey the rules peeps...it'll put a smile on your face and a smile on your heart :)

 

2. Work, Work, Work!

 Yes...you heard it again. And I know you'll have a hard time with this one. But your daughter...likes to work. Well at least the missionary kind of work ha! I have seen in my missionary life that nothing beats a good hard day at work. You just feel so good, it's like you conquered the world that day. And you can go to bed know that, "yes, i contributed to Gods kingodom today!" And I know this work skill is going to carry over into the real world...well at least I hope so ;)

 

3. "Any excuse for nonperformance no matter how valid only weakens the charecter."/ Do what you said you would do. (DWYSYWD)

This is one of the more valueable things I've learned. You know me, I'm really good at people pleasing and in that regaurd I get in A LOT of trouble because I tell people what they want to hear and I don't follow through with what I said I would do... I feel like I've made leaps and bounds with this one. I feel like I'm more reliable, less flacky, and not prone to tell people what they want to hear. Hello....I'm a missionary...I talk with people about God all day long...of course I tell people what they DON'T want to hear...everyday! I know how important it is to "do what you said you would do". That is Integrity. Everytime I think of "Do what you said you would do" I think of Grandpa Taylor. He is the dictionary definition of Integrity. (I'm pretty sure his picture is right next to the definition of Integrity) My goal is to be like my dear Grandpa Taylor and strive each and everyday to work on my own personal Integrity. (Love you Grandpa!!)

 

4. I know the gospel is true. And I love God enough to keep to it!

I think this is the most valuable of all. I love God, I love my Saviour. I love this gospel and I know it's true! No matter what anyone tells me I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints is true. I know that the windows of heaven are open and we hear the will of God for us through a LIVING prophet. I know this "church thing" isn't just a passive thing. It's a life style. It's not something we only do on Sunday. It's an everyday thing!

 

And SOOOO MUCH MORE! That is just only a FEW of the many things I've learned on my mission. I will forever charish my mission. Next to the temple it is one of my most sacred experiences of my life. I love my mission. I love YOU!! (To the moon and back as you well know ;) ) I hope each of you have a wonderful week! Keep helping the missionaries!! I know that nothing but AMAZING blessings come from helping the missionaries!!! Cheers from England til next week!

Love, Sister Brown

Pictures!!!

Sister Barakdar and Sister Brown

Week 48

Hiya all!

Well from the sounds of it you'all are partying it up in Pine Valley :) Have fun! (just don't be too sad that I'm not there ok ;) )

Things here at Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are magical!!! Things are just great with Sister Berakdar, we're tearing it up!! This week I learned a very valueable lesson from her. When you think you've got it bad...there is someone who always has it worse. So last week she got an email (the first email she'd recieved since she's been here...ya she's been here for 5 months..) and it was her brother telling her that he Mom has liver cancer and that it's termanal...basically that her mom is dying. So of course President Lindley is the bee's knees and let her call home to talk to her mom. So she is just so so so sad. I mean who woudln't be right if you heard your mom was dying. So she calls her mom...and come to find out...SHE DOESN'T HAVE CANCER!!! Her brother lied to her!!! Her mom is just fine and was only in the hospital because she has a hard time walking and was getting her legs checked...

How horrible right?! It just SOOO made me appreciate the little things I have. It was a huge slap in the face as well. My problems are just SO small in comparison to others. I think sometimes we get so caught up in our little lives and our little problems that we miss the big picture. The whole thing made me SOOOOO grateful for ya'all. You love me, support me, and are healthy and happy. What else could a missionary ask for?!

 

The biggest highlight of the week was....THE ROBSONS!!! Ok so the wonderful Stanley ward all pitched in and sent them on a holiday....TO MY AREA! HAHA! It's the best! They showed up on Sunday and I just about cried...(ok let's be honest...I did cry ha) I was able to see the whole family and Debbie and Gordon both bore their testimonies. Man I am the luckiest girl in the world!! I am so greatful for each of them and their examples and strength. They are just rockstarts, full of faith and hope for the future. I'll probably see more of them this week :)

Things are going really well here in Alnwick. I'm so looking forward to the miracles, hard work, finding, teaching, and baptizing that me and Sister Berakdar will have while we're here together! It really hit me when Sister Delucchi left how precious our time is as a missionary. I then realized that I'll be hitting my year mark in a little less than 2 weeks (sick). I've only got 6 precious months to continue to work my heart, might, mind and strength off!! :D It's gonna be great!! 

I love you all so much! To the moon and back I do!!! Thank you for all of your love and support and prayers. I feel them everyday!! Have fun!! Cheers til next week!

Love, Sister Brown 

Week 47

Dear Family,

Wow, I think I had the best week of my mission at Hogwarts this week!!

As you know my family, serving in Hogwarts has been hard but this week we finally got in the groove that I had in Bridlington!! We found 5 new investigators last week and 4 the one before!!! We scheduled a sweet man named Norman for baptism this week as well!!! Things are just wonderful here! I started out my week with a wonderful birthday surprise from the Robsons (Oh how I love them so!...and yes I cried....in front of my whole zone...embarrassing!) I dont have a whole lot of time this week because.....star wars episode 4 (you know the one my I used to watch with my wonderful Dad on VHS) it just got on the Presidents approved movie list so as a district WE'RE WATCHING IT!!! I'M WATCHIN STAR WARS :) :D!!! As you can see this little star wars (only the original trilogy though) nerd is excited! I love you all so so much! I feel your love and prayers everyday!! Thank you for making my birthday so special. I got all the packages and cards! They were so lovely and fab!! I love all the new clothes!!! I actually look like a women and not an 87 year old grandma for a change ;) Love you all to the moon and back!!

Love, Sister Brown