Thanks for all of your great e-mails! Unfortunately i haven't been able to read all the way through them yet (don't worry, I printed them off and will be able to enjoy them later. Your emails are so great!)-- we just got into Riga and we have a council that starts in a wee little bit so we have just enough time to check in and tell you that we are still alive and happy. And I'm staying alive and am very happy!
This week hit us with a few suprises, but like always-- everything will be alright and will work out for the best. The biggest shocker came during our thursday lesson with Karl when he told us that he's going to Finland. (Yet another across-the-sea connection to Sister Richey!) He's been looking for work for the last year and a half and has been doing all that he can to work anywhere. He is a carpenter and has worked with building planes and yachts and houses and everything in between. We've been meeting up with him the last 3 weeks and over the last week and half he's REALLY gotten into the Book of Mormon, reads and prays every day. He says that he's been a lot happier over the last while and can feel that his life is improving. He still misses his wife and 6 year old kid more than anything and it's really hard for him to be apart from them. But he says that he's been praying that God would give him work and boom-- Heavenly Father answered his prayer. It's definitely a tender mercy from the Lord, and even though it's tough to see a investigator leave the country one week before he's about to get baptized, I really believe he will become a member of the church. I'm not sure when, and where, but if I don't get to see it, then Cami just might! His friend who referred him from Riga was planning on coming up to Tallinn this saturday to see the baptism, but Karl is not sure how long he'll be in Finland so we'll have to see. If he'll live in Finland for a long time, he'll probably just get baptized there. I'm not sure in which language though, haha. He's not too great in English and I think he only knows a few words in Finnish-- but could probably learn it quickly because he knows Estonian. Baiscally we still don't know what's going to happen, but the Lord will definitely provide a way!
Well that was the main suprise of the week-- we also took a 2 hour train to visit a less active member, and it turned out to be way worth it. I'm pretty sure I told you about him last week, but he's the one who called us up and wanted to change his life. We were going to go out to him last week but we didn't know how far away he lived until we got on the train (he thought it was about half an hour) but we figured it would be good could to get promission before we took a trip halfway across the country, so we asked President about it and he said go for it. I think he trusts us a lot and he's excited about the work that is happening in Estonian. There are some really great members here who are willing to teach with us and that makes a big difference. We were able to teach Karl 4 times last week with a different member every time and it really amazes me the dedication and willingness of the members here. The church is just plain true!
Sorry this is such a short e-mail but we've got to fly. Thanks for all the birthday wishes and I'm looking forward to trying to eat the cake. Haha. Don't worry if it doesn't come before the 1st because weeks feel like days and months feel like a blur so half the time I don't even know what day it is. All I know is that 3 months too late the snow on the ground is finally starting to melt. Tha's what I'm talking about!
I love you!!!
Love, Elder Barnes #21?
Welcome to the Sager Family Blogspot. Please post your ballgames, Phase 10 victories, motorcyle trips, family pictures, and missionary updates.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
part II
Hey again! Okay where was I... oh yeah- Karl! He's the investigator who's a refeferral from a member in Riga. He's come to church the past three weeks, and we've started to teach him with the branch mission leader here and last Friday we taught him the second half of the "gospel of Jesus Christ" and it was super powerful. We've invited him to be baptized a few times already but he always says that he needs to learn more first. During the lesson we asked him if he believed Joseph Smith was a prophet- and he said I'm not sure. So then we asked him if he believed the book of mormon (which he's been reading a lot, and really enjoys) and he says, yeah, everything that's written in there is all correct. So we read the introduction to the book of mormon-- which is so inspired and clear-- and he made the connection. So we invited him again and he said yes! It really has been neat to see the way the Lord has prepared Karl throughout his life to except the gospel-- the crucial part being played by the examples of members and how the gospel has blessed their lives and brought happiness. Karl always talkes about how the members are so happy and how everything worked out for his friend in Riga. Karl will be a great addition to the branch-- and I'm looking forward to seeing the way the gospel will bless him. I read something in preach my gospel a few days ago that I really like. "As people are taught the gospel and live it, their needs will be met." It's so simple and so true. You put God and your family first, and do your best to live the gospel, and everything else will work out.
I mentioned that we found some cool people on the streets sunday evening but what I forgot to say is where they are from--one is named Varoon from India and the other is Chen from Nanjing, China! Hahah i was so happy to somehow have connections to those places, and I even got to use some chinese with Chen. "shei-shei." One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 26:37, it shows that God takes care of us, no matter where we are. That's so true! And I love that I get to help others come to know that.
I love you and please pass a big hello to all of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents in Utah!
Love,Elder Barnes #12
I mentioned that we found some cool people on the streets sunday evening but what I forgot to say is where they are from--one is named Varoon from India and the other is Chen from Nanjing, China! Hahah i was so happy to somehow have connections to those places, and I even got to use some chinese with Chen. "shei-shei." One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 26:37, it shows that God takes care of us, no matter where we are. That's so true! And I love that I get to help others come to know that.
I love you and please pass a big hello to all of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents in Utah!
Love,Elder Barnes #12
make new friends, but keep the old! from Peter
Dearest Family,
I don't know about you but this week has flown by far me. The first week of a transfer is also interesting because you spend a day with new companions and it feels like you have already been with them forever. Last trasnfer was a blast and I miss Elders Patterson and Plothow (I sent a picture of us from last sunday-- I'm not sure I've ever sent a picure of us together.) Elder Patterson is in Narva where he started his mission and Elder Plothow is living one stairwell over with a Estonian speaking misisonary that is from from the MTC-- so they are nearby and we see each other often which is good. .
But having said that, I'm again blessed to serve with stellar, very focused and fun companions. One of whom is a foreigner!! Whew-hoo! I've been reading about Sister Brett's companions and their crazy stories and testimonies and was a little envious, but now I've got a non-american companion myself! His name is Elder Koegler. And he's from Canada! That may not seem like a big deal, but it still counts. First, his pass-port is a different color (or colour in canadian), his ancestory is from Germany but he looks kinda french, and he does occasionally use the word eh? and other odd words/pronounciations-- to phone someone, a beg (or bag in American) and there's others but I just can't think of them. But I've decided that I love Canadians because Elder Koegler is the man. He's had quite the ride of a mission, being called to Vladivastok, Russia (furthest east mission) getting kicked out after 3 months because Russia would not renew his visa, he served 2 weeks in the Spain MTC, 3 weeks in Riga and now he's here! He's officially assigned to the Batlic Mission so they'll be sending his luggage here, which will be good because he's gone the past month and some with only the clothes on his back and a backpack with a few changes of socks, ties, etc... The amazing part is that he does not complain one bit and yesterday he said it's been cool to see the Lord's hand in where he has been serving and the specific reasons he's been places. It's his 4th transfer but I'm extremely impressed by his Russian (best accent i've heard from a non-native missionary) and missionary skills. It's a blessing to serve with him. The other key piece to our tripanionship is Elder Reid-- another awesome missionary that I've served around a ton in Vilnius and Riga and been on exchanges with a few times and am excited to serve with. He's had 3 latvian speaking companions so sometimes we SYL in Latvian-- but it never goes very far-- he definitely knows more than I do, but I can understand what he's saying. It's been very fun to speak Russian together on the streets and I can see that I'm learning more quickly than I have in a while. I love Russian and it's crazy how rich a language it is. I don't know how many words there are, but there must be a lot.
Sunday evening we were planning to go out to our area and teach a family but it didn't work out. So we had a free hour and a half and were trying to decided if it would be worth it to travel all the way out there, knock a few doors, and then have to come back right away. So we decided to stay in center and talk with people on the streets and it was the right call! We were able to talk to a few people who were really interested and got their phone numbers and scheduled a time to call them this week.
Losing Elder Plothow from our companionship also took away half of our investigators and less actives/ recent converts we've been working with, so we definitely did some more finding this week. The Lord has led us to some great and interested people including two Russian families that we found while knocking that we should be able to teach this week . We also have a lesson sceduled with two young solid members (one is a returned missionary) and their friend who's come to church a few times. Member referrals are the best!, hold on a sec i'm going to send this first half
funny photos from Peter
on saturday we saw these kids playing dungens and dragons in the middle of the city. They were going after it.
the second picture is on our run this morning. The building behind me is where we have teaching center where we meet with investigators.
the last picture is the ribs we bought from the store and cooked. Lets just say we want be doing that again. They were actually pork and definitely not my baby back baby back ribs.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
RE: Hi from home :-), from Sister Brett
Heya Family and Best Friends!
So good to hear all the happenings on the home front! I forget how crazy busy life always was in our home growing up with family, school, work, sports, dance, music, etc...but it's so fun to be reminded of it and to see that the little sisters are carrying on the tradition! Yeah Josie! Oh that little ham, I just love her :)
I totally understand how Jessie feels too. Senior year was incredible, but that itching to get off to college gets worse and worse until the day it finally comes! Speaking of college, Sister Beylis (my trainer from Israel/Russia) found out this week that she is accepted into BYU-Idaho like Jessie!!! She hasn't heard from Provo yet, but either way she's staying close. YEAH!!!
The work is still going great. The sunshine has been coming more often (although the rain and even snow like to "dampen" every few days still ;). The sun brings more people here though, and it's also been spring break for a lot of Universities so we're getting a whole ton of opportunities to share the gospel with people our age! Sister Sundaram and I cannot wait for conference, we're hoping we will stay together because conference is right at the beginning of next transfer. We'll see though! Time is going by really fast this transfer, does it feel like it's going fast to you too?
We met an incredible guy named Brandon last night. He was here with a few friends and his brother for skiing and they thought they'd stop by Temple Square for a few minutes. He asked if we could show them the tabernacle, and of course we said yes! It was hard at the beginning though because they were wearing sunglasses so I couldn't read their eyes. Eyes are such a HUGE part of knowing if someone is or will be receptive to our message. That whole light of christ thing is REAL, very real. But luckily they took off the glasses in the tabernacle, and as we started to teach the history of our church and about prophets Brandon watched and listened SO intently He had one of those soft looks the whole time where he would meet your eyes and you knew he knew this was something special we were sharing. Neat guy, incredible experiences. God is definitely blessing us. Of course with more good comes more bad and opposition, but we're gonna win the fight either way so we just love 'em anyway!
This past week The 12th day of the 3rd month came about and it was GREAT! In the morning we went and played soccer with 12 sisters, and as I was there I realized I was the only sister from the USA. Same thing in the temple this morning--I looked around at some of my now dearest friends and realized they are from all over the world! India, Germany, Pakistan, Mexica, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Russia, Guatemala, Peru, Argentina, Africa, Tahiti, Jamaica, and the list goes on. The gospel is truly spreading all around the world, and my best friends and companions here are perfect proof! This is an incredible mission and I love the sisters I am serving with so much. What an honor we all have to represent our countries and our Savior at the headquarters of His Church.
I also daily grow in my knowledge and testimony of a living Savior who loves us all so much. This work is incredible and we are so blessed to be on the forces bringing it about in the last days! It's so real and it's so incredible!
I love you all and your prayers are felt every single day.
-Sister nay Brett#3
P.S. Yep! Elyse and Peter Barnes both have birthdays in 12 or so days! And can you believe that this time next year we could be having that long-awaited Barnes v. Brett basketball game?!?! Keep up the skills siblings, we're gonna womp on 'em. ;)
P.S.S. The pictures attached are of my comp and roommates--Sister Kao(Taiwain), Laurente(Phillipines), Sundaram(India). Yes, our house always smells like very foreign food. We also went to East Hish School (where High School Musical was filmed, so I'll send pictures of that soon!
P.S.S.S. Tell Britt and Jer and Kobe to get better! Tell Jess to have an incredible last day of childhood, tell Josie to keep holding down the fort...or raising the roof, either one works, tell the grandparents I love them beyond reason, and Mom give Dad a kiss, and Dad give Mom a kiss for me. I love you all
It's the Middle of March? from Peter
Well it has been an awesome week. I feel like the more the mission goes on, the more all the weeks blend together and they all seem good. But this one was good for a few specific reasons. Here they are...
I love my companions! We find out transfers tomorrow and then move on Wednesday and I'm pretty sure that we won't be serving together any more. Elder Patterson and Plothow have been so easy to get along with, we all enjoy doing this work and our styles blend together well. Maybe a bummer I don't have any juicy stories of us big-time disagreeing or trying to hurt each other, but we really just get along. I will miss serving with them, but we'll still see each other around till the end of the mission and hopefully afterwards. Life is good, especially when you're surrounded by people that you love and like being around.
Our investigators are making good progress-- especially Karl (the referral from the member in Riga.) He's reading the Gospel Principles book and Book of Mormon every day and really likes it. He's hesitant to accept a baptismal date, but I think within a few weeks he'll feel ready. He's mentioned that everything in the gospel priniciples books that talks about families just seems not real-- a little too idealistic. We taught him with a recent convert, Andre Varsha, on Friday, and after the lesson Karl kept saying how good the people are in the church, and that "with you, it's fun." Brother Varsha picked up Karl for church on Sunday, which was perfect because last week Karl came and walked-- over one hour each way! It's not quite a pioneer trek, but it's definitely not warm outside yet, and it showed me the dedication and desire Karl has to find out if this is true. He's a happy, good guy, and I really have a good feeling about him. He also says "znai-yesh" ("you know" in russian, I have no idea how to spell that in english) at the end of every other phrase and when he's reading the scriptures. Sometimes I can't help but laugh, you know? Okay that was bad but you gotta hear it, it's entertaining.
We also taught a few other investigators who are doing well but weren't able to make it to church this week. The main ones are Fred and Maris, the Estonian couple that wants to get married in the temple. They were out of town, but we also found out it takes 30 days to get registered to be married so we'll have to push their baptismal date for April. Is ts really April next month, wowzers. We taught another cool kid we met on a bus named Dima, he's 22 and really smart. After the lesson, he asked us if we believe in Destiny. I'm not sure what official church doctrine we have on that, but I told him that I believe that if we do what's right, things will work out the way they are supposed to. So sure, I believe in Destiny. I hope I didn't teach false doctrine. But I figured, Destiny-Fore ordination; Tomato-Potato.
I also went to Narva for the first time last Tuesday on an exchange. It's a small, quiet, "Russian"-people city, right on the border of Russia. There's a sweet spot where you can look across the river and see an Estonian castle on one side and a Russian castle on the other. If you have a good arm, you can easily throw a rock into Russia. I didn't try because it was early in the morning, and I didn't want to wake anyone. Plus once someone told me that I throw like a girl and I've never really recovered from that. But I took a picture and I'll see if I can send it-- it's a really beautiful place, probably one of my favorites I've seen here.
Wednesday was zone conference, and it went really well. We focused on the Spirit, Planning, and working with Members. It was cool because right after zone conference we didn't really have any concrete plans. We were supposed to teach a guy named Dima who'd called us the day before and said he wanted to "confess his sins". Well that was sort of odd but we said okay, we'll meet up. But he wasn't answering his phone and we didn't know where he lived. So we had a feeling to go out to an area that we hadn't knocked in a little while. We got off the tram and boom, Dima calls and wants to meet up. We asked him where he was and he said that he was waiting a bus stop, which was only 2 stops away on the tram we were just on. So we hoped back on the tram, and met him within three minutes. Miracle! I was a little apprehensive, because it's not super normal to call someone and tell them you want to confess your sins, but it turns out Dima was a very good guy! He was baptized over 5 years ago and fell away after making some mistakes. He'd visited other churches since then, but didn't feel like he'd received forgiveness, and knew that this Church was true. We went back to the teaching center and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and especially how God and Christ will forgive us, so long as we have faith and truly repent. It was a powerful lesson and he ended up helping us teach an investigator the following day and did a great job! So it was a cool miracle and it strengthed my testimony of the importance of the Spirit, Planning and Members in this work. They are all crucial!
You are crucial. Really, I love you so much. And I am grateful to be related to you forever. Life is so good!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
P.s. We're at the library and the computer doesn't accept cameras so I'll have to send these pictures next week! Just picture me, smiling with my companions and covered in snow. It's still snowing here everyday, but apparently spring is coming sometime soon. Keep your fingers crossed!
I love my companions! We find out transfers tomorrow and then move on Wednesday and I'm pretty sure that we won't be serving together any more. Elder Patterson and Plothow have been so easy to get along with, we all enjoy doing this work and our styles blend together well. Maybe a bummer I don't have any juicy stories of us big-time disagreeing or trying to hurt each other, but we really just get along. I will miss serving with them, but we'll still see each other around till the end of the mission and hopefully afterwards. Life is good, especially when you're surrounded by people that you love and like being around.
Our investigators are making good progress-- especially Karl (the referral from the member in Riga.) He's reading the Gospel Principles book and Book of Mormon every day and really likes it. He's hesitant to accept a baptismal date, but I think within a few weeks he'll feel ready. He's mentioned that everything in the gospel priniciples books that talks about families just seems not real-- a little too idealistic. We taught him with a recent convert, Andre Varsha, on Friday, and after the lesson Karl kept saying how good the people are in the church, and that "with you, it's fun." Brother Varsha picked up Karl for church on Sunday, which was perfect because last week Karl came and walked-- over one hour each way! It's not quite a pioneer trek, but it's definitely not warm outside yet, and it showed me the dedication and desire Karl has to find out if this is true. He's a happy, good guy, and I really have a good feeling about him. He also says "znai-yesh" ("you know" in russian, I have no idea how to spell that in english) at the end of every other phrase and when he's reading the scriptures. Sometimes I can't help but laugh, you know? Okay that was bad but you gotta hear it, it's entertaining.
We also taught a few other investigators who are doing well but weren't able to make it to church this week. The main ones are Fred and Maris, the Estonian couple that wants to get married in the temple. They were out of town, but we also found out it takes 30 days to get registered to be married so we'll have to push their baptismal date for April. Is ts really April next month, wowzers. We taught another cool kid we met on a bus named Dima, he's 22 and really smart. After the lesson, he asked us if we believe in Destiny. I'm not sure what official church doctrine we have on that, but I told him that I believe that if we do what's right, things will work out the way they are supposed to. So sure, I believe in Destiny. I hope I didn't teach false doctrine. But I figured, Destiny-Fore ordination; Tomato-Potato.
I also went to Narva for the first time last Tuesday on an exchange. It's a small, quiet, "Russian"-people city, right on the border of Russia. There's a sweet spot where you can look across the river and see an Estonian castle on one side and a Russian castle on the other. If you have a good arm, you can easily throw a rock into Russia. I didn't try because it was early in the morning, and I didn't want to wake anyone. Plus once someone told me that I throw like a girl and I've never really recovered from that. But I took a picture and I'll see if I can send it-- it's a really beautiful place, probably one of my favorites I've seen here.
Wednesday was zone conference, and it went really well. We focused on the Spirit, Planning, and working with Members. It was cool because right after zone conference we didn't really have any concrete plans. We were supposed to teach a guy named Dima who'd called us the day before and said he wanted to "confess his sins". Well that was sort of odd but we said okay, we'll meet up. But he wasn't answering his phone and we didn't know where he lived. So we had a feeling to go out to an area that we hadn't knocked in a little while. We got off the tram and boom, Dima calls and wants to meet up. We asked him where he was and he said that he was waiting a bus stop, which was only 2 stops away on the tram we were just on. So we hoped back on the tram, and met him within three minutes. Miracle! I was a little apprehensive, because it's not super normal to call someone and tell them you want to confess your sins, but it turns out Dima was a very good guy! He was baptized over 5 years ago and fell away after making some mistakes. He'd visited other churches since then, but didn't feel like he'd received forgiveness, and knew that this Church was true. We went back to the teaching center and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and especially how God and Christ will forgive us, so long as we have faith and truly repent. It was a powerful lesson and he ended up helping us teach an investigator the following day and did a great job! So it was a cool miracle and it strengthed my testimony of the importance of the Spirit, Planning and Members in this work. They are all crucial!
You are crucial. Really, I love you so much. And I am grateful to be related to you forever. Life is so good!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
P.s. We're at the library and the computer doesn't accept cameras so I'll have to send these pictures next week! Just picture me, smiling with my companions and covered in snow. It's still snowing here everyday, but apparently spring is coming sometime soon. Keep your fingers crossed!
LOVE YOU from Sister Brett
Tue, Mar 9
Hey beautiful family!
Hokay, this is going to be quick. We just finished setting up Sister Sundaram's new email address so we just have a few minutes. That may be why I didn't get the other messages though Momma--the old ldsmail accounts are all being deleted and we have new emails. All the messages are supposed to be forwarded, but the old system is a little wacko. But my new email is jenae.brett@myldsmail.net --and no, I wasn't allowed to choose it obviously.
Hey, yet another great week in the life of "Elder Nay" as grandpa would call me. We had sort of a slow, tough week after so many miracles the first few weeks, but God is always aware of us and yesterday lifted our spirits with a few incredible tours and families who are so ready to receive the gospel. I love it when we can take families or couples around and they refer because that is when the gospel of Jesus Christ can make the most incredible impact on us eternally--when the whole family accepts and lives it together.
I love serving with Sister Sundaram. She is so sweet and works so hard. Not to mention she's teaching me how to cook INCREDIBLE Indian food. Curry (Dal Sambar) last week, Papad/Dal this week. mmmmm. But goodness, I can't imagine being in her shoes (she honestly has the most incredible life story...as do all my companions), and her faith and persistence has really carried us through tough rejections lately. We've had some incredible contacts and tours where the Spirit is so strong that we are all in tears, but then they would still say no thanks when we gave them the chance to learn more! WHAT?! In Preach My Gospel it says that some people will reject our message even after they have had a spiritual witness it is true. But dang, it's one thing to read that, and another to experience it. It just makes me so sad. So sad for what they are missing out on. Just the other day we were in the call center, going on our 3rd hour calling and I leaned over and said, "Sister, how ya doing?" With her adorable Indian accent S.Sundaram replied, "Oh Sister Brett, no one is pick uping, and if they do i get hunged up. This hard." We talked and decided that even though it was hard we were going to give it our very best, pray for and invite every person we called, and then have faith the Lord will be able to use us for helping at least someone come closer to Him. Needless to say, that's exactly what happened. As we were leaving the call center a woman from Iowa named Marcia walked up to us and asked if we could take her on a tour. Uh, DUH. :) We took her to the historical buildings, and then into the South Visitor's center which talks about the Temple and families. When we told her that inside the Temple you would never hear the phrase "Till death do you part" but rather "For Time and All Eternity" she started crying and said "really? How?" we shared our testimonies of eternal families and how the authority to bind families eternally has truly been restored. She was incredible and I cannot wait for the missionaries to visit and teach her more.
I love this work. Even when it's hard, I know God is aware of us and I know He is in the middle of all we do. Jessica's letter this week and Grandma Bear and Mom's emails were even answers to prayers. I had been yelled at on the phone and heard words I forgot existed (and wish I hadn't have been reminded), then rejected on the Square, then Sister Sundaram got really sick and I was really scared, but one of the Sisters handed me Jessie's letter, and I read the emails and the feeling of love and support once again reminded me that I'm not alone, we are never alone! What an incredible message. And I know it is true.
I love you all!!! Happy birthday to my big brother and little sister in these coming weeks!!! Dang, we are all getting old... Jess, you simply can't graduate, I won't have it. Remember prom last year and how Jess woke up and I was magically in her bed after the LONGEST drive home from Utah ever? (Dad and I had some car trouble...) haha, I love life.
and I love you all. so much.
-Sister Nay#3
Tell Josie I'll be cheering her on from here all Thursday long!!! She'll be the best Baloo any jungle has ever seen!!! Make sure to send a few pictures of her big debute.
Hey beautiful family!
Hokay, this is going to be quick. We just finished setting up Sister Sundaram's new email address so we just have a few minutes. That may be why I didn't get the other messages though Momma--the old ldsmail accounts are all being deleted and we have new emails. All the messages are supposed to be forwarded, but the old system is a little wacko. But my new email is jenae.brett@myldsmail.net --and no, I wasn't allowed to choose it obviously.
Hey, yet another great week in the life of "Elder Nay" as grandpa would call me. We had sort of a slow, tough week after so many miracles the first few weeks, but God is always aware of us and yesterday lifted our spirits with a few incredible tours and families who are so ready to receive the gospel. I love it when we can take families or couples around and they refer because that is when the gospel of Jesus Christ can make the most incredible impact on us eternally--when the whole family accepts and lives it together.
I love serving with Sister Sundaram. She is so sweet and works so hard. Not to mention she's teaching me how to cook INCREDIBLE Indian food. Curry (Dal Sambar) last week, Papad/Dal this week. mmmmm. But goodness, I can't imagine being in her shoes (she honestly has the most incredible life story...as do all my companions), and her faith and persistence has really carried us through tough rejections lately. We've had some incredible contacts and tours where the Spirit is so strong that we are all in tears, but then they would still say no thanks when we gave them the chance to learn more! WHAT?! In Preach My Gospel it says that some people will reject our message even after they have had a spiritual witness it is true. But dang, it's one thing to read that, and another to experience it. It just makes me so sad. So sad for what they are missing out on. Just the other day we were in the call center, going on our 3rd hour calling and I leaned over and said, "Sister, how ya doing?" With her adorable Indian accent S.Sundaram replied, "Oh Sister Brett, no one is pick uping, and if they do i get hunged up. This hard." We talked and decided that even though it was hard we were going to give it our very best, pray for and invite every person we called, and then have faith the Lord will be able to use us for helping at least someone come closer to Him. Needless to say, that's exactly what happened. As we were leaving the call center a woman from Iowa named Marcia walked up to us and asked if we could take her on a tour. Uh, DUH. :) We took her to the historical buildings, and then into the South Visitor's center which talks about the Temple and families. When we told her that inside the Temple you would never hear the phrase "Till death do you part" but rather "For Time and All Eternity" she started crying and said "really? How?" we shared our testimonies of eternal families and how the authority to bind families eternally has truly been restored. She was incredible and I cannot wait for the missionaries to visit and teach her more.
I love this work. Even when it's hard, I know God is aware of us and I know He is in the middle of all we do. Jessica's letter this week and Grandma Bear and Mom's emails were even answers to prayers. I had been yelled at on the phone and heard words I forgot existed (and wish I hadn't have been reminded), then rejected on the Square, then Sister Sundaram got really sick and I was really scared, but one of the Sisters handed me Jessie's letter, and I read the emails and the feeling of love and support once again reminded me that I'm not alone, we are never alone! What an incredible message. And I know it is true.
I love you all!!! Happy birthday to my big brother and little sister in these coming weeks!!! Dang, we are all getting old... Jess, you simply can't graduate, I won't have it. Remember prom last year and how Jess woke up and I was magically in her bed after the LONGEST drive home from Utah ever? (Dad and I had some car trouble...) haha, I love life.
and I love you all. so much.
-Sister Nay#3
Tell Josie I'll be cheering her on from here all Thursday long!!! She'll be the best Baloo any jungle has ever seen!!! Make sure to send a few pictures of her big debute.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY! from Peter
Mon, Mar 8
Dear Family,
Did you know that is a holiday? It might be a Europe thing, because they definitely celebrate it here. I think it was mentioned in every testimony in the Russian branch yesterday, and then to cap off priesthood, the branch president gave every male member three flowers and we stormed the end of Relief Society. It was a very thoughtful gesture, and they all really appreciated it. Church yesterday went really really well, and we had a record number of investigators there, ironically the majority being woman! One was a 55 year old lady from England who's name is Nadja. She has read the entire Book of Mormon, loves it, and came to the church because it was called the Church of Jesus Christ, and really likes that the members are all so happy. One of the only set-backs with her is that she feels bad when she comes to church because she always starts crying a lot. Especially when people start "talking about Jesus Christ." I told her yesterday that that is not a bad thing-- it's actually very good! She's a great woman though and I think she'll keep progressing-- we only taught her last week for the first time (outside of England) and she already knows and believes a lot. We also had two new investigators come, Ludmila and her friend Lena. They are both not too young, at least in their 70s, but extremely sharp and in tune with the spirit. It was actually a miracle how we found Ludmila-- last saturday we were standing in line at the ATM to pull out money to pay rent and there was this kind elderly woman right behind us. We sparked up a small conversation and she said that things weren't going too well because her good friend had passed away the week earlier. We asked her if she thought about the questions "where are we from, why are we where, and where are we going". She said yes. We offered to meet up on a different day and she was more than happy. During the lesson she listened really closely and was amazed at our church and what we were doing--she said that she'd love to come to church and would bring one of her friends. She came to church yesterday, brought Lena and they both really enjoyed it. During the testimonies she kept leaning over making comments. "That is so true." , "She's Beautiful" and at the end she was astonished at how every was speaking "so well." Afterwards a lot of the members came up to introduce themselves and welcome them. It felt like a story straight out preach my gospel. I think there's a really good shot they will get baptized. They won't be the most young, hip members of the branch, but they will join the "Bab Squad." That's the endearing term for the 5-7 extremely faithful older single woman who attend the branch every sunday. They are are great friends, and support and strengthen each other.
Another man named Karl is a referral from a strong member in the Russian, Imanta (riga) Branch. Karl's father is latvian, and his mother is Estonian, and his native language is Russian, but he speaks Estonian, and a little english and latvian. He's a good, smart guy who used to build planes, but is a little down because he's been without work for a while and is having some family troubles. But he loved church and also made a comment that every one is so nice and happy. My testimony of how the gospel blesses families has strengthened for a few reasons-- first, so many of the people here who struggle with family probably would not be struggling nearly as badly if they were living the gospel. Secondly, the church here provides a place for those without a loving family environment to come and have a branch that will love and support them. The gospel is just so good!
Speaking of families-- we are teaching Fred and Maris (that I think I mentioned last week) who came to church yesterday, want to be baptized the last week-end of March and then get married in the temple (in a year)! They have yet to be legally married, like many of the couples here, but consider themselves as husband and wife and are willing to get married in order to get baptized. They are a young, (early 30s) really sweet couple; smart, responsible and always smiling. I don't understand what they say because it's in Estonian, but it must be good stuff because they are great!
Last week in Riga went really well, I saw some pictures of Roman who got baptized by Igor! They are both investigators that we taught in Riga, and they looked really really good. Apparently Igor really wanted to get Roman a gift, but he didn't have much to spend so he got him a stuffed animal dog that you can get at the Kiosks after buying a certain number of bus tickets! Hahaha, I love those guys so much and it's so sweet to see them strengthen the church.
Miracles are happening every day, and I am so grateful for your prayers. I feel them, and they help me keep on keeping on! I am a wucky guy. And a very happy one!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
Dear Family,
Did you know that is a holiday? It might be a Europe thing, because they definitely celebrate it here. I think it was mentioned in every testimony in the Russian branch yesterday, and then to cap off priesthood, the branch president gave every male member three flowers and we stormed the end of Relief Society. It was a very thoughtful gesture, and they all really appreciated it. Church yesterday went really really well, and we had a record number of investigators there, ironically the majority being woman! One was a 55 year old lady from England who's name is Nadja. She has read the entire Book of Mormon, loves it, and came to the church because it was called the Church of Jesus Christ, and really likes that the members are all so happy. One of the only set-backs with her is that she feels bad when she comes to church because she always starts crying a lot. Especially when people start "talking about Jesus Christ." I told her yesterday that that is not a bad thing-- it's actually very good! She's a great woman though and I think she'll keep progressing-- we only taught her last week for the first time (outside of England) and she already knows and believes a lot. We also had two new investigators come, Ludmila and her friend Lena. They are both not too young, at least in their 70s, but extremely sharp and in tune with the spirit. It was actually a miracle how we found Ludmila-- last saturday we were standing in line at the ATM to pull out money to pay rent and there was this kind elderly woman right behind us. We sparked up a small conversation and she said that things weren't going too well because her good friend had passed away the week earlier. We asked her if she thought about the questions "where are we from, why are we where, and where are we going". She said yes. We offered to meet up on a different day and she was more than happy. During the lesson she listened really closely and was amazed at our church and what we were doing--she said that she'd love to come to church and would bring one of her friends. She came to church yesterday, brought Lena and they both really enjoyed it. During the testimonies she kept leaning over making comments. "That is so true." , "She's Beautiful" and at the end she was astonished at how every was speaking "so well." Afterwards a lot of the members came up to introduce themselves and welcome them. It felt like a story straight out preach my gospel. I think there's a really good shot they will get baptized. They won't be the most young, hip members of the branch, but they will join the "Bab Squad." That's the endearing term for the 5-7 extremely faithful older single woman who attend the branch every sunday. They are are great friends, and support and strengthen each other.
Another man named Karl is a referral from a strong member in the Russian, Imanta (riga) Branch. Karl's father is latvian, and his mother is Estonian, and his native language is Russian, but he speaks Estonian, and a little english and latvian. He's a good, smart guy who used to build planes, but is a little down because he's been without work for a while and is having some family troubles. But he loved church and also made a comment that every one is so nice and happy. My testimony of how the gospel blesses families has strengthened for a few reasons-- first, so many of the people here who struggle with family probably would not be struggling nearly as badly if they were living the gospel. Secondly, the church here provides a place for those without a loving family environment to come and have a branch that will love and support them. The gospel is just so good!
Speaking of families-- we are teaching Fred and Maris (that I think I mentioned last week) who came to church yesterday, want to be baptized the last week-end of March and then get married in the temple (in a year)! They have yet to be legally married, like many of the couples here, but consider themselves as husband and wife and are willing to get married in order to get baptized. They are a young, (early 30s) really sweet couple; smart, responsible and always smiling. I don't understand what they say because it's in Estonian, but it must be good stuff because they are great!
Last week in Riga went really well, I saw some pictures of Roman who got baptized by Igor! They are both investigators that we taught in Riga, and they looked really really good. Apparently Igor really wanted to get Roman a gift, but he didn't have much to spend so he got him a stuffed animal dog that you can get at the Kiosks after buying a certain number of bus tickets! Hahaha, I love those guys so much and it's so sweet to see them strengthen the church.
Miracles are happening every day, and I am so grateful for your prayers. I feel them, and they help me keep on keeping on! I am a wucky guy. And a very happy one!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Gospel Is So True, from Sister Brett
Dearest beautiful family,
I hope all is well! I didn't get any emails this week, and haven't heard a ton, but I hope that just means you're busy!
We've had another great week on Temple Square! I love serving with Sister Sundaram, she is such a sweet and diligent companion and we are so lucky. we have other sisters tell us all the time that they can really tell we love serving together, because we do!
This week I had 3 of the greatest experiences of my mission-possibly even my LIFE. The first was when we met a man named Calvin. The circumstances were incredible as well, because we were sceduled to be in the call center at 8pm, but somehow it got over-booked (which RARELY happens), and so we volunteered to go back out on the Square. As we went out we saw that there were already a ton of sisters in the North so we thought maybe we would go outside to contact, but then 2 men in the middle of the whole crowd caught our attention, so we went over and talked to them. They said they were cowboys from Texas and they were in town for business and just stopped by for a look. Not seeming much interested we let them know that if they had any questions we would love to help. right then one of them piped up and said, "Well, actually, I do have one question...What is different about your religion and other Christian religions?" ooo, I just love that question :) We told him that we had an incredible display downstairs that answered that question perfectly, so we took him downstairs and taught them about the Restoration. He was amazed to hear that we still have a prophet on the earth today, and he was even more amazed at all of the good that he has seen our church do around the world. "You are truly a religion that stays true to what you preach all week through and in all you do" he said. We shared our testimonies of Jesus Christ, and of how His restored gospel and the Book of Mormon can bring a willing heart closer to Him than anything in all eternity. Then, he asked the question that every Temple Square sister yearns to hear--"How do I get one of those books?" YES. Anyhow, the Spirit was incredibly strong as we taught, and he was so excited to hear that missionaries would come and teach him more. The real miracle came however, when he CAME BACK the next night!!! Some sisters told me that a really nice and excited man named Calvin was looking for me in the North Visitor's Center. Haha, we couldn't even believe it--we rarely get to see people we teach more than once. But we found him and he had the BIGGEST smile on his face and light in his eyes of anyone I've ever met. He proceeded to pour out his heart and soul to us about how he had stayed up all night thinking about what we shared with him. He had gone online and studied it more, and he hadn't been able to even focus or eat the whole day because he had so many more questions. So, he decided to cancel his dinner appointment and come back and find us. He had incredible questions about the Plan of Salvation such as "It doesn't make sense that really good Christian people, and sort of okay/bad people will end up in the same place after this life--what can you teach me about this?" He had read a little on the kingdoms of glory and totally believed it. :) he asked so many questions--with the faith that we had the answers he sought, and it KILLED me not to be able to spend forever answering them. The most we could do was answer a few simple questions, bear our testimonies and share with him that the missionaries who will visit him will be able to answer all his questions and more. When I told him that I was so excited for him to learn and promised he would be blessed as he did he looked me directly in the eye and he said, "I am so excited Sister Brett, your love and excitement what you have shared has already changed my life." I swear in that moment I felt like I had known him forever. Sister Zitting told me in her last letter that she is positive that we covenanted with some of these individuals before this life that we would bring them to the knowledge of the gospel. I'm fairly positive Calvin and I hung out a whole lot in the pre-existence. He is my mission miracle.
Then, I USED MY ROMANIAN THIS WEEK! There have been a few random people I have met who are from Romania or served missions there, but this one was incredible. Sister Sundaram and I were on our way around the tabernacle and we were about to pass a woman who looked like she was in a hurry. Rather than just greeting her, I had the distinct impression to step a little into her path and ask where she's visiting us from. "Romania!" she answered and smiled and began to move on until I welcomed her to Temple Square in Romanian. Haha, i wish you could have seen the look on her face! She practically jumped back and then gave me cheek-kiss upon cheek-kiss (which is very common in Romania). Oh my goodness, then she started asking how I knew Romanian and if i had been there and where I lived. I can't believe I even understood, it has been so long since I even thought about that beautiful language. After attempting to answer in Romanglish, she asked if I will ever visit again. I said I would LOVE to, and she said I absolutely have to stay with her when I do. We talked a bit more, and i found out she is just in the US for a week and heading home in a few hours. She expressed how much she loved visiting and how everyone was just "foarte fericit" (very happy). Then God blessed me to be able to share with her in Romanian that I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that there are also missionaries like myself in Romania who would love to come and teach her about why we are so happy as well as the beliefs of our church. AND SHE SAID ABSOLUTELY YES!!! I couldn't believe it. I was floating on a cloud. My experience in Romania shaped so much of my testimony about missionary work. I saw how badly that country and the families in Romania desperately needed the gospel (as they do everywhere in the world), and I prayed many, many times to be sent there on my mission, but God had other plans. If Camelia in the reason I needed to go to Romania and then get sent to Temple Square than it was comepletely worth it, every single second. Maybe that is the only way she would be contacted by the church. God knows so much more than we can even comprehend and He is so aware of every one of His children. The chances that Sister Sundaram and I were the sisters out of 160 to contact Camelia and Calvin this week are so slim, but as I look back I can see how He placed us exactly where we needed to be.
I love this work. God is truly in it and He loves us, each of us so much. As I testified to Calvin I knew that that is what this life is all about and I felt such a love as I never have before. I love you all and pray for you constantly. I hope you can tell how much i love this Gospel and know that it is truly the way to reach the happiness and blessings Heavenly Father has in store for us!
Love you!!
-Sister Brett#3
P.S. Happy 3rd day of the 3rd month tomorrow!!! Today next year I will finish my mission. WOAH.
I hope all is well! I didn't get any emails this week, and haven't heard a ton, but I hope that just means you're busy!
We've had another great week on Temple Square! I love serving with Sister Sundaram, she is such a sweet and diligent companion and we are so lucky. we have other sisters tell us all the time that they can really tell we love serving together, because we do!
This week I had 3 of the greatest experiences of my mission-possibly even my LIFE. The first was when we met a man named Calvin. The circumstances were incredible as well, because we were sceduled to be in the call center at 8pm, but somehow it got over-booked (which RARELY happens), and so we volunteered to go back out on the Square. As we went out we saw that there were already a ton of sisters in the North so we thought maybe we would go outside to contact, but then 2 men in the middle of the whole crowd caught our attention, so we went over and talked to them. They said they were cowboys from Texas and they were in town for business and just stopped by for a look. Not seeming much interested we let them know that if they had any questions we would love to help. right then one of them piped up and said, "Well, actually, I do have one question...What is different about your religion and other Christian religions?" ooo, I just love that question :) We told him that we had an incredible display downstairs that answered that question perfectly, so we took him downstairs and taught them about the Restoration. He was amazed to hear that we still have a prophet on the earth today, and he was even more amazed at all of the good that he has seen our church do around the world. "You are truly a religion that stays true to what you preach all week through and in all you do" he said. We shared our testimonies of Jesus Christ, and of how His restored gospel and the Book of Mormon can bring a willing heart closer to Him than anything in all eternity. Then, he asked the question that every Temple Square sister yearns to hear--"How do I get one of those books?" YES. Anyhow, the Spirit was incredibly strong as we taught, and he was so excited to hear that missionaries would come and teach him more. The real miracle came however, when he CAME BACK the next night!!! Some sisters told me that a really nice and excited man named Calvin was looking for me in the North Visitor's Center. Haha, we couldn't even believe it--we rarely get to see people we teach more than once. But we found him and he had the BIGGEST smile on his face and light in his eyes of anyone I've ever met. He proceeded to pour out his heart and soul to us about how he had stayed up all night thinking about what we shared with him. He had gone online and studied it more, and he hadn't been able to even focus or eat the whole day because he had so many more questions. So, he decided to cancel his dinner appointment and come back and find us. He had incredible questions about the Plan of Salvation such as "It doesn't make sense that really good Christian people, and sort of okay/bad people will end up in the same place after this life--what can you teach me about this?" He had read a little on the kingdoms of glory and totally believed it. :) he asked so many questions--with the faith that we had the answers he sought, and it KILLED me not to be able to spend forever answering them. The most we could do was answer a few simple questions, bear our testimonies and share with him that the missionaries who will visit him will be able to answer all his questions and more. When I told him that I was so excited for him to learn and promised he would be blessed as he did he looked me directly in the eye and he said, "I am so excited Sister Brett, your love and excitement what you have shared has already changed my life." I swear in that moment I felt like I had known him forever. Sister Zitting told me in her last letter that she is positive that we covenanted with some of these individuals before this life that we would bring them to the knowledge of the gospel. I'm fairly positive Calvin and I hung out a whole lot in the pre-existence. He is my mission miracle.
Then, I USED MY ROMANIAN THIS WEEK! There have been a few random people I have met who are from Romania or served missions there, but this one was incredible. Sister Sundaram and I were on our way around the tabernacle and we were about to pass a woman who looked like she was in a hurry. Rather than just greeting her, I had the distinct impression to step a little into her path and ask where she's visiting us from. "Romania!" she answered and smiled and began to move on until I welcomed her to Temple Square in Romanian. Haha, i wish you could have seen the look on her face! She practically jumped back and then gave me cheek-kiss upon cheek-kiss (which is very common in Romania). Oh my goodness, then she started asking how I knew Romanian and if i had been there and where I lived. I can't believe I even understood, it has been so long since I even thought about that beautiful language. After attempting to answer in Romanglish, she asked if I will ever visit again. I said I would LOVE to, and she said I absolutely have to stay with her when I do. We talked a bit more, and i found out she is just in the US for a week and heading home in a few hours. She expressed how much she loved visiting and how everyone was just "foarte fericit" (very happy). Then God blessed me to be able to share with her in Romanian that I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that there are also missionaries like myself in Romania who would love to come and teach her about why we are so happy as well as the beliefs of our church. AND SHE SAID ABSOLUTELY YES!!! I couldn't believe it. I was floating on a cloud. My experience in Romania shaped so much of my testimony about missionary work. I saw how badly that country and the families in Romania desperately needed the gospel (as they do everywhere in the world), and I prayed many, many times to be sent there on my mission, but God had other plans. If Camelia in the reason I needed to go to Romania and then get sent to Temple Square than it was comepletely worth it, every single second. Maybe that is the only way she would be contacted by the church. God knows so much more than we can even comprehend and He is so aware of every one of His children. The chances that Sister Sundaram and I were the sisters out of 160 to contact Camelia and Calvin this week are so slim, but as I look back I can see how He placed us exactly where we needed to be.
I love this work. God is truly in it and He loves us, each of us so much. As I testified to Calvin I knew that that is what this life is all about and I felt such a love as I never have before. I love you all and pray for you constantly. I hope you can tell how much i love this Gospel and know that it is truly the way to reach the happiness and blessings Heavenly Father has in store for us!
Love you!!
-Sister Brett#3
P.S. Happy 3rd day of the 3rd month tomorrow!!! Today next year I will finish my mission. WOAH.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)