Knock-a-doodle-do!!

Dear loved ones,

As the subject suggests this week has been one of finding! And however hot and sweaty  and discouraging and exciting it may be tracting it is still the highest way to find in the mission. SO we tract for at least an hour every day! (And because we don't always plan well it tends to be during the hottest part of the day.. Lol) This week was great! =D Monday we really enjoyed our District Pday, we had gone to the store and I got a kite. It was great fun! We also got some chalk so we could doodle. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with my companion and the district. It was awesome. That evening we just did a lot of referral hunting. Not much success though... And we ended the night by teaching the Evans, a really cute part-member family, I love them and their dogs a lot. I have got so many cute adoptive grandparents out here. <3 SO wonderful! But I was starting to get sick with something... At that point and I ended the night going to bed early. With the advice to go to the doctor tomorrow.

Tuesday before we ended studies we went to the doctors so they could check me out. I had a severe ear infection and it was starting to affect my ability to swallow, everything was painful! Then we went to the church to finish studies and I took a nap before lunch with Moelmers, another really cute couple. Let's just say relationship goals! He told us that they were living the plan of happiness and it made me want to cry so cute! <3 <3 Then we went to a lesson with Rachel and it was really awesome she has such a sweet spirit and a desire to do what is right. I love her but she isn't progressing the way we would hope...  For now we just keep praying! Then we took a nap because it had been such a day. After my nap we had dinner with the Jolleys and I got a blessing from Brother Jolley an the Elders it was nice. Then we went out teaching with Sister Gathro and visited a LA sister. And once again I felt blah and went to bed early.

Wednesday we did service at Celestial Farms, btw I got a Tshirt and it is awesome! After service we had a golden hour and then went home to get things together for YWs we were going to do an activity for them, we ended up doing a get to know you game and the girls really liked it!! I love our YW they are wonderful. <3 Then on our way home that night we visited another LA sister. I was able to stay up and help with planning finally it was good, I think between the ear-drops and antibiotic I was feeling much better. :) The council found in D&C 31 brings me great comfort. I know all will be well. 

 1 Thomas, my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work. 2 Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church.
 3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.
 4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is whitealready to be burned.
 5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden withsheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.
 6 Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.
 7 Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand;
 8 And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered.
 9 Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.
 10 Behold, I say unto you that you shall be a physician unto the church, but not unto the world, for they will not receive you.
 11 Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.
 12 Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.
 13 Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.

Thursday was District meeting but we didn't have correlation after so we went to lunch with the sisters. It was nice I ate so much! It was really good though. Then we came home and had a lesson with a referral Jason. Jamie a member was able to come and the lesson went really well. I was pleased and we invited him to baptism! Afterward we went and did some service for Jamie. And our dinner was with the Murphy's. Oh if I could only express my love for them! They are very humble, and have struggled a lot. They are converts but their testimony is so powerful!! Feeling of their love for missionaries, the gospel and the Lord was so touching. And honestly being aware of their struggles going into the appointment only added to my gratitude as I recognized their sacrifice on my behalf. I honestly struggle to find words to express how I feel. But it was one of the most powerful experiences I have had as a missionary.

Friday we planned and it went awesome!! We also had a lesson with William, we were trying a referral who wasn't available and he asked if we could talk. So we taught him and he said he'd come to church next Sunday. So exciting!! Then we had a golden hour before dinner with the Donato's, they are also a part member family. She's been "investigating" the church for a looonnng time, but the rest of the family are all active. Their family is adorable and I love them so much!! We shared the restoration and then we committed them all to invite friends to church! Their daughter to YWs, their son to scouts, and Sister Donato to a Relief Society activity coming up this Saturday. On our way home we stopped by another LA and had a very nice visit. They are also a very cute family!! <3 

Saturday we had an awesome golden hour where we planned a church switch. Basically we met a cute lady Sister Barbra and she wants us to come to her church in return she said she would come to ours. So we are gonna be doing that next Monday. Should be fun! Then we had a baby shower for our recent convert Amanda, she was really stressing so we went over for an hour and a half to help her get all set up. And then we went for the party during our dinner hour. It was awesome! I had a lot of fun. It was great, plus we met a few very nice friends of hers who aren't members. Sister Saxton even won one of the games. It was fun. Then we left and tried some LA for the rest of the evening. Not much luck I'm afraid.

Sunday was such a good day! Rafael, is a LA we met knocking actually, he wasn't in our records at all. I met him while working with Sister Bolos and we have been slowly working with him since. And this Saturday we stopped by and he committed to come to church. He came!!

He was at church and it was such a miracle. I loved seeing him here and I loved hearing him say that he enjoyed the services. :) And Brother Whitmer, another LA, came to church again and he stayed for all 3 meeting!! He also said he was glad he came. And at the start of sacrament meeting who should walk in but Sister Bolos (my first trainer) and her parents I was so excited to see her!!!! =D She sat next to me and it was wonderful. <3 Then after church we met a media referral named Quentin and he is so receptive. He is searching for truth and he desires to be better. Teaching and working with him was so awesome. I could feel very strongly the love our Father in Heaven has for him while we talked. And I know that he was led to request missionary visits at this time because he is prepared. We invited him to baptism and he said he would when he knows it's true. So awesome!! Then we had dinner with the Jolleys and Sister Bolos and her family, it was so good to chat and be together. She is doing really well and I love her so much! <3 <3 <3 Once again we ended our night with LA finding. And once again we had very little luck. :\ 

Finally this week I have studied about Sacrifice. During weekly planning Sister Saxton brought up the need to sacrifice in order to accomplish our goal and desire for a baptism this transfer. And I spent the remainder of the day and the studies the next morning pondering about Sacrifice. I wasn't too fond of the idea, I was still not feeling well and just felt like I had given so much... The selfish part of me didn't want to give any more. But while I studied about goal setting in PMG I read that goals reflect the desire of our heart. And if my desire is to have a baptism this transfer than there should be nothing more important, and even more than that if my desire is to serve Him well and show Him how much he means to me then nothing should get in my way. And so I found the things I needed to sacrifice, and I have set goals and made plans to do it. I know it won't be easy, but the Lords life was never easy and if it's a way I can honor Him and show Him and those around me how much I love Him, then it will be worth it.

I love all of you deeply and y'all are always in my prayers.

All my love, Sister Bryans

My new kite, it's pretty and we had so much fun!!

Sister Saxton drew Lehi's dream in chalk. She is so talented! 

It was windy but we were happy! =D

Hard to see but it's our church building, and the sky was beautiful that night! <3

I so happy to be with Sister Bolos if only for a moment. I love her!!! 

         All my love, Sister Bryans