News from the Missionary Dept

HELLOOOOOOOO

Another great week gone and past. Time fliiiiiiiiies.

I forgot to mention last week that our mission has been chosen for an ACCELRATED PROSELYTING test, which will begin in January 2018 and end in December 2018. Here is an excerpt of what the missionary dept sent to President Dixon:

"Dear President Dixon,

The Missionary Department, under the direction of the Missionary Executive Council, is beginning an Accelerated Proselyting Test. The California Redlands mission has been selected as one of 2 missions in the West and Northwest to participate in this test which has been designed to do the following:

- increase the number of quality investigators and missionary teaching opportunities

- improve underlying missionary processes to increase effectiveness in teaching repentance and baptizing converts. "

There was more to it, but that's basically all the information we have for now! A member of the missionary department is coming to meet with president Dixon this week to give him more information. Accelerated proselyting!!! Sounds to me like the Lord really is hastening His work. EXCITING things are happening in the CRM!!! I love my mission.

Oh my goodness GUESS WHAT. We had TWO investigators come to church and worship with us this week!!! Amazing!!! That's a lot for us, considering the sisters haven't had investigators at church in a couple months. Debra (media referral, family history) came to church (she was even there 30 minutes early, like what a dream) and one of our other investigators named Rachel (15 years old, referral from the elders) came too! Miracles have not ceased!

Also AHHHH WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE THIS WEEK!!!!! It was incredible. I loooove love love the temple, I am so happy we have on in our mission. What a blessing. It was so nice to remember the covenants that I have made with the Lord, and more fully bind myself to Christ. We did that on Thursday, and it was basically a road trip because we are an hour and a half away from Redlands. We rode in a van with the Andersons (senior missionaries, LOVE THEM) and the 29 Palms sisters and elders. We also went to Cafe Rio for lunch because the only one in the mission is located in Redlands, so of course we had to go before the temple.

Inspiring quotes I heard this week:

"Your life might be the only bible some people ever read" -Hank Smith

"If you want to kill time, work it to death" -Redlands temple worker

This transfer is going by so fast! I am really enjoying my time with Sister Blalock, she is so funny and we laugh at the weirdest things which is great. I can't believe she goes home in two weeks!

Okay so I was reading this week in Mormon 8:35-39 (I invite you all to take the time to read those verses this week) and it is just crazy how perfectly those verses describe our day. Just another testimony that the Book of Mormon was written specifically for OUR DAY! I came across a quote in the institute manual that put things into perspective for me:

‘If we in this nation continue to sow the images of murder, violence, drug abuse, … perversion, [and] pornography … before the eyes of millions of children, year after year and day after day, we should not be surprised if the foundations of our society rot away as if from leprosy’

In Mormon 8, Moroni talks about how our world has been polluted, and I think the quote above describes that pollution perfectly. The world is only going to get more wicked! In 20-30 years, our society is going to be built on the foundation of once-social media fanatics, who are addicted to the praise of the world. These really are the last days, am I right? Which made me think, that now more than ever, we need to be an influence for GOOD! There is enough bad out there! We just can't go with the crowd, we need more people to be disciples of Christ, promoting good and promoting God. We CAN make a difference in the world! We CAN change the world! Who's with me??? I invite you all to think of something more you can do this week to be a strong force for good. I know that as disciples of Christ we can make a difference, and if we stay close to Him he will help us to make a change for the better in this crazy world we live in. I have now made a goal, that in everything I do for the rest of my life, I want to be a strong influence for good. Let's do this TOGETHER!

Okay I hope you all have an amazing week this week. Remember, read from the Book of Mormon every single day! It WILL make a difference in your week! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Sister Carina Brown

California Redlands Mission

Discover.mormon.org