Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Feeling grateful and cold

HELLO! 
Happy week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday

It is pretty cold here, like 60 degrees. I know, chilly. I just bought some tights today because I CANT HANDLE THE “COLD” seriously I am wimp now when it comes to the weather 
I’ve mentioned that before haven’t I?

How are you all?? This week was honestly a blur, I can’t remember what happened. No rat in our car so that’s good. 

We found a solid new investigator on Thursday! Her name is Daisy and she is 15 years old, and she has been taught all the lessons before. She is so sweet and really wants the gospel in her life! I will keep you updated on how that goes. 

Oh one time this week we had to go to the gas station and fill our tires with air, and we had no idea what we were doing and Sister McNary picked up some sort of hose thinking it had air but then she ended up spraying me with water 

Good times 

I am grateful for Sister McNary she is so funny, she is saying funny things to me right now and it’s hard to get through this mass email because I am laughing 

Anyway lots of miracles happened this past Saturday, we brought a 20 year old recent convert named Amber with us to go proselyting, and everyone we talked to was SUPER nice and had long conversations with us! Usually people are kinda mean and slam doors in our faces but that didn’t even happen once. So cool.

Another great miracle: we were going to stop by a members house of the area we were in, but we were needing to head to our dinner soon. We decided to stop by anyway. So we knock on the door and the member answered and was in tears. She said a close friend of hers had passed away and she just found out about it minutes before we got there. She invited us in anyway though! We were able to share Matthew 11:28-30 with her and she told us it really lifted her spirits. Definitely a miracle. 

I love that scripture in Matthew, because it shows us how we can find real “rest”. There are so many things in this world that claim they will give you “rest”, but real peace and rest in life will only come from following our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one who will lift our burdens and bring us peace even when life gets really difficult. I invite you each to set a goal this week of how you can come closer to the savior and feel more of his rest. I know that He lives, and that He is there to lift you up whenever you are down. Of all the things I am grateful for, #1 will always be Jesus Christ. 

I hope you all have an amaaaazing week full of gratitude and love and Black Friday shopping of course. There is a good chance we will be having 3 thanksgiving dinners this Thursday so please pray for me and my stomach. I LOVE YOU ALL! 

Sister Carina Brown 
California Redlands Mission 













Saturday, November 18, 2017

when your car breaks down

WOW HELLLOOOOOOO ITS BEEN A CRAZY WEEK 

Remember that one time we were homeless? Well here’s the story about how we became car-less this past week. 

Wednesday:
I was on exchanges with Sister Hinckley on Wednesday in 29 Palms, and things were going great for us! It was a pretty standard day of missionary work. Revelation, lessons, miracles, etc. But Sister Angelovich and Sister McNary were in Yucca, and we got a call from them mid-day saying that the car wouldn’t start and had to be towed to the Toyota dealership in CATHEDRAL CITY (almost an hour away) because that was the nearest dealership (because we are in the desert and everything is far away). 

Btw I have minimal time to write this email so I apologize if it doesn’t make sense 

But later we found out why the car randomly broke down, and listen to this:
A RAT CRAWLED INTO THE EXHAUST PIPE FOR WARMTH AND CHEWED UP THE WIRES IN OUR CAR 
yup that really happened, they said it happens all the time here in Yucca Valley. 

Anyway, so the sisters had a really crazy exchange day here and had to get rides and walk and all that. So later Sister Hinckley and I drove 30 minutes to Yucca Valley and we all spent the night at our house so that we could all go get the car in Cathedral City the next day. 

Thursday:
We all drove to Cathedral City to go get the car and so many things happened:
- the dealership told us it wouldn’t be fixed for three days
- elder Damon (mission vehicle coordinator) told us to take it to pep boys because it would be cheaper 
- we take the car to pep boys (the car could run, it just had a lot of internal problems) 
- they say they don’t fix electrical wiring problems 
- we call elder Damon
- we get ice cream at baskin Robbins because we were stressed 
- we take the car back to the dealership 
- the dealership says they will fix it 
- we drive for an hour back to Yucca Valley / 29 Palms 

Friday: 
- the elders let us borrow their truck for half the day while they biked (so nice) (also I GOT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK) 
- we did planning in the apt in the evening because it was too dark to walk 

Saturday:
- the elders (two sets of them) went to go get our car back from Cathedral City so that us and the 29 Palms Sisters didn’t have to drive all the way out there again (again, so nice)
- we got our car back YAY 
- do you know how hard it is to be a missionary and not have a car (#statesidemissionaryprobs) 

Sunday:
- ahhhhhh Sunday was so nice. We took the sacrament, remembered Jesus Christ and worshipped him, we discussed what we will be doing in the ward for the Light the World initiative (so excited)
- found out about transfers!! Sister McNary and I are staying (as expected) and Sister Angelovich is going to white wash OLEANDER!!! My first area I AM SO EXCITED FOR HER. They took sisters out a while ago and now they are putting them back in. Also we found out that Sister VEST is coming to 29 Palms to follow up train Sister Hinckley! My trainee is follow up training! And we will be in the same zone! Very cool. 

Even though it’s been a crazy week it has still been a great one!!!
I discovered my new favorite scripture this week, John 16:33 which says:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

BE OF GOOD CHEER. Listen, life is stressful. It’s hard. We all go through challenges. But Jesus Christ overcame ALL of those challenges! Every single one of them! And that means that even when we are homeless, or car-less, or whatever-less, we can still be of good cheer. We are here in life to experience joy, so let us be JOYFUL! Be of good cheer, that is my invitation to you all this week. Remember Christ. Being centered on HIM is where you will find true joy and the ability to be of good cheer. He LIVES! And the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored! It is the plan of HAPPINESS. 

Okay I hope you all have a cheerful week. Let me know if there is anything I can do for all of you. LOVE YOU!!! ️


Sister Carina Brown
California Redlands Mission 















Monday, November 13, 2017

miracles have not ceased 🔥

HELLO 

I have no time to write this email but SO MUCH happened this week and it was just an AMAZING WEEK! 

Highlight reel: 
- halloween on Tuesday was SO FUN we went to the ward trunk or treat and handed our candy with pass along cards on them and it was just a blast! Tons of non members came through and we just had so much fun! 

- MLC on Thursday where we talked a lot about being a Christ centered mission and it was WONDERFUL 

- on Saturday Brother Gonzalez from the Missionary Dept in Salt Lake came out with us for the day! It was AMAZING we seriously learned soooo much from him. He Skyped into our daily planning, our companion study, and then Skyped in to a lesson we had with our investigator Gabby who we put ON DATE FOR BAPTISM in December! Miracles! We love Gabby, she is awesome. Then Brother Gonzalez came out proselyting with us for a few hours and it was great. We asked him a lot of questions and he helped us with our finding approaches and gave us lots of great suggestions. It was an amazing opportunity to have him with us! 

- yesterday we found TWO new solid investigators! Names are Valerie and her daughter Abby, they are so awesome and said they would come to church on Sunday! They were formers in our area Book. They live in the outskirts of Joshua Tree (hippie land). It was so cool! 

I received a halloween package from my family this week (THANK YOU) and my 10 year old sister Gracie included a card in there that said “have a nice day today. Be happy. Be grateful” and it was just something I reeeally needed to hear that day! It’s so easy to make life so complicated and to be dramatic about things, but it was so nice to have a simple reminder from Gracie that being happy is a CHOICE, and we can choose to be happy every day. Gracie’s words reminded me of a scripture, Alma 26:37, which says:

“God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever.”

God loves us! He has a plan for us! He wants us to be happy! To experience joy is literally the purpose of this life. I invite you all to CHOOSE to be happy every day this week, no matter what may happen or what trials may come your way. I know that you will feel Gods love for you and that you will notice His fingerprints in your life! 

Well I hope you all have a great week! I have lots of pictures because a member took us to Joshua Tree National Park today. SO FUN. love you all!!! 



Sister Carina Brown 
























Friday, November 3, 2017

B O O 🎃🎃🎃

HELLLOOOOOOOO EVERYONE 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TOMORROW 

**ps if you are not planning on reading this whole email feel free to scroll to the very end it is quality ok 

By the way I love Sister McNary a lot she is so funny and is teaching me words from the world like “fam” and “lit” and “extra” 

The desert is really nice right now, the weather is in the high 70s. It’s gotten to the point where anything below 70 degrees is basically freezing to me and is certified sweater weather. Maybe I just want an excuse to wear cardigans and sweaters? Or I’ve acclimated to the heat and will die next winter in Utah. Who knows 

It’s been a great week!!! I have been focusing on humility a lot this week and it has been really wonderful. I have been feeling a lot more at peace with myself and who I am and it is refreshing. 

We have been doing a lot of finding this week! We dropped some of our investigators who weren’t progressing, so we have been talking to lots of people and knocking on lots of doors and asking for lots of referrals. It’s been strange, because we feel like we are working so hard but not seeing many results yet. But it will happen! We will just keep moving forward and have faith that the Lord has big plans for us. 

ALSO like twenty minutes ago President Dixon called us and told us that there will be people from the missionary dept coming to our mission this week, and ONE OF THEM WILL BE COMING OUT PROSELYTING WITH US ON SATURDAY. Noooo pressure haha, but I’m excited! He is a former mission president in Fresno, and I know we will learn a lot from him. Definitely a privilege to have that opportunity! 

Also this week will be MLC, again with the members of the missionary dept. VERY exciting! I am super pumped for that. 

OH we had exchanges this week and Sister Hinckley came to the area to be with me! She is an awesome missionary (and yes she is related to President Hinckley) and it was good to be with her. She is from Provo, so we talked about how we both love Provo and how there really is so much to do there. We had a great day together! 

Also, Sister McNary and I fasted yesterday! We did it in preparation for a “40 day fast” we are doing, to fast from the things that are keeping us from feeling the spirit ALWAYS. We are starting the 40 day fast today and I’m excited! We both want to be more consecrated missionaries and we know this will really help. We got the idea from an document we read, and I will attach it at the end of this email BECAUSE I want to challenge you all to participate in the 40 day fast to be more consecrated disciples! Since this Sunday is fast Sunday, it will be perfect! 

HERES THE CHALLENGE (and you can read about it in the attached document for more details): 
On Saturday/Sunday, start your fast. Throughout your fast, write down things that come to mind that are keeping you from feeling the spirit ALWAYS. This could include many different things, like thoughts, actions, or desires that you know are keeping you from feeling the spirit. You know yourself, so don’t be afraid to add things to the list that may be really difficult for you to fast from. Some people refer to these as “favorite sins.” Put those on the list! At the end of the 40 Days, I know that your desires will change and you have the Holy Ghost more abundantly in your life, and you will be a more consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ. Let’s GO! Who’s with me?? Let me know if you will be participating! 

I heard a quote this week about Halloween that said, “let the only Ghost that comes your way, be the Holy Ghost to guide your way.” Have a fun and exciting Halloween, and make sure to live worthy of the companionship Holy Ghost! We need His divine help. Have an AMAZING week! I love you all! 


Sister Carina Brown
California Redlands Mission 


P.S. FUNNY STORY: 

for some reason last night I had a dream that I was dating Justin Bieber 

it was so cool 

yes I am a 12 year old girl 

ok byeee


Purification Process

One day, a member informed us that he had an investigator that was ready to be taught and he volunteered to attend the first discussion. The discussion went along as usual. At the conclusion my companion and I bore witness of Joseph Smith and then turned to our friend. He paused for a moment, looked at the young lady and said, “I know that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God.” The room was filled with an extraterrestrial force. The investigator started to cry.

As we walked home, I was baffled. That man said the exact same words that we had said, but the result was dramatically different. When he spoke, he had an influence that we did not have. There was no question that the influence was the Holy Ghost, but this man seemed to have it in a different way. There was still something to be learned. I had to find out what the secret was, so I returned to the scriptures. It seemed like we were so close to being effective and yet we just could not make it happen.

A Challenge to Purify

After several weeks of searching and praying, we attended a meeting and heard a well known Church leader. He spoke about the scriptures as a source of strength and about the process of spiritual influence. His words caused a burning in my soul. When he finished his address, I intentionally lingered behind. When I was finally alone with this man, I asked him for a few moments of his time. I explained my desire to be effective. I told him about the lesson I had learned. I told him that something was still missing. Finally, I asked him if he could tell me what it was.

He looked into my eyes and said nothing. Nearly a minute went by and I began to feel very uncomfortable. Finally he spoke. He said, “Elder, when those pretty young ladies pass you on the street, what do you think about?” Before I could answer, he asked, “Do you ever speak sarcastically to your junior companion?” “Do you get up at the designated time every morning?” “Do you keep every mission rule?”

His list of questions grew longer. Finally he said, “These are the things that keep the Holy Ghost from being your companion. If you want the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, then you must purify yourself. I will tell you how to do it. Go home and fast for a day. In the attitude of fasting and prayer, make a list of every behavior that pokes at your spirit. Once you have made your list, then go to the Lord. Covenant with the Lord that you will fast from the things on that list for 40 days. In other words, for 40 days, you will do nothing that appears on that list.

“You cannot just stop the old behavior and start the new ones. You need the help of the Lord. So each morning, go to the Lord and specifically promise Him that you will start each item on the list. Ask for His help so you can have extra strength and then, at night, go over your list with the Lord. If you failed on some items, figure out why. Tell the Lord. Ask for more strength the next day. Go through the process for 40 days. If you do, you will find that your most basic desires will change. Your spirit will flourish and the Holy Ghost will become your constant companion. You will become an effective tool in the hands of the Lord.”

The Process of Purification

We went home determined to make the concept work. We began to fast and we began to make a list. It proved much harder than we assumed it would be. I would pray and then I would feel impressed to write down some item. Then, arguing that there was nothing wrong with the particular thing, I would fight the impression. For example, I felt impressed to put golf on the list. My response was, “There is nothing wrong with golf. We only play on preparation day.” I ignored the fact that on the other six days, my mind continually dwelt upon how to play better. I wrestled with the Spirit and then finally wrote golf on the list. It is interesting that from the moment I wrote it on the list, I experienced the most intense desire to play golf. Everywhere I turned, there was some reminder, some temptation to break the commitment. So it was with each item on the list. Each day, I had to fight all my natural inclinations and turn to the Lord for the help necessary to overcome myself. Sometime between the 30th and 40th day, I suddenly realized that my desire for the things on the list had disappeared. It was as if a great anchor had been cut from me.

The Process of Surrender

The last morning, my companion and I knelt in prayer and then started out the door. I was impressed to go back and again pray. With unusual confidence, I addressed the Lord, “Father, these are thy children. We are now doing everything within our power to live the gospel. We turn the burden over to Thee. Please carry us the rest of the way.”

The Gifts of the Spirit

We went to our first appointment. Halfway through the discussion, our investigator began to make an excuse that he could not be baptized, because he did not believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I interrupted him. “That is untrue. You do know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet. Your real fear is that your mother will disapprove if you join the Church. In the name of Jesus Christ, I promise you that your entire family will embrace the Gospel because of your courageous example. The Lord wants you to be baptized now and it is necessary that you comply.” I never before had done anything like that. In fact, I knew nothing about his mother. He had hardly mentioned her. While I could hardly believe what I had said, a familiar spirit filled the room. This brother began to weep. He committed to be baptized the following Saturday.

The experience repeated itself. At our very next meeting with each investigator, there was a celestial manifestation and everyone one of them was committed to baptism. In an eight-week period, sixteen people were baptized. It was an unusual number for our mission. While the number of baptisms was large, the truly impressive thing was the change in my companion and I. We were different people. Our most basic desires and motives had been altered. Credit and recognition were no longer of any consequence. For the first time in our lives, the things of God were more important than the “things of this world and honors of men.”

Our sensitivity deepened. We noticed how often we would cry. Several times a day we would be brought to tears by a prayer, a talk, a discussion, a scripture, or almost anything would deeply touch us. Our concern was continually focused upon others. For the first time, we could understand Nephi’s claim, “For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night” because of them. We could understand the statement because for the first time, we could understand Nephi’s motives.

The Holy Ghost became our constant companion because our motives had changed, because we had an eye single to the glory of God, the Lord could trust us and we experienced the power of the Priesthood and became effective tools in his hands.



Exchanges




Sister McNary wanted me to try on her dress but I didn’t want to take off my PJs so here is this picture

We play soccer at the church for exercise! I LOVE SOCCER

Firehouse subs with the 29 palms Sisters today I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 

Sister Trammell, she is the woman we are living with and she is the sweetest angel ever I am surprised she has not been translated yet