Another week in Paradise

Hello loved ones,
This week was delightful!!
Monday we had our awesome zone pday. We had a low-key BBQ at the bishops in Whitehouse. Played games and talked and it was fun. Then we played water balloon volleyball and it was a blast! Right at the end the whole group got together at we took a photo. Picture 1


Tuesday we had zone meeting. Sister Clay and I had to give 2 training's. The first one was on planning and it was a little rocky, then suddenly the spirit just enveloped us! And after the zone leaders training on Charity our ending training was awesome! We trained on obedience and it was so powerful. Afterwards we took a zone picture and some of the sisters made the elders sit.. I think it looks a little goofy, but it works enough. Haha. Photo 2

Right after zone meeting we went on a trade-off with the Oak Leaf sisters. I went with Sister Webb and we were in Normandy. It was good, we were able to council a lot and had a great dinner with my favorite member Lindsay, she is the cutest! Also we saw a miracle! We have a recent convert here, Maya she's 16 and the only member in her family, she's so sweet and i really love her. She hasn't been attending church and we just couldn't figure out why, she's just struggling so much. So Sister Webb and I decided to go to the Church building after dinner, and we didn't really know why but when we got there Maya was there and she wanted to talk with us. We spoke and finally found  out what happened. She hasn't been living the commandments the way she knows she should and so she's ashamed and afraid and because she doesn't fully understand repentance she's turning away from the church. So we had her speak with the Bishop and he will be meeting with her regularly. And we have it set up to meet with her twice a week to have lessons. It was so good and I know Sister Webb really helped make that miracle possible. It was amazing. Photo 3

Wednesday we did a lot of finding. A little bit of teaching but we have been struggling a little to find new gators. We always get really close but then it doesn't work out. :\ so frustrating! We also got to see Dusty briefly after scripture class. He is doing so well! He is all set for baptism on March 18th. And he still loves YSA. He asked me to speak at his baptism and I may pretty excited! Thursday we planned and planned some more. Then we miracles finally saw Rebekah. She hadn't met with us in over a week but we went by and had an awesome lesson. Her life is really hard but I hope she'll be able to accept and act on what we teach it would really help. Then we ate dinner and did more finding. It was really good,  but still not finding any gators. Oh well! Work with a smile and miracles will come!
Friday we had another trade-off with the Middleburg sisters, Sister Harris and sister Winona. They are so amazing! I literally love time to pieces. I was with Sister Harris in Middleburg. It's a pretty neat area, there is so much potential. It's a small town and pretty country. The ward is interesting too because everyone is related and has lived in it forever! Kinda off but sister Harris loves it so much, and she is working so hard to help it grow and improve. She also adores her companion, they are such a good pair. Sister Winona is so sweet and thoughtful. I can see she is going to be an awesome leader in the mission. Sister Harris is doing an excellent job training her. We were able to teach a lesson to Lynn, who got baptized this week, and it was awesome. Sister Harris is full of so much love and she really followed the spirits prompting as she taught. I know Middleburg is just so blessed to have those sisters there and we are so blessed to have them in  our zone. It was just such a great trade-off. Photo 4 And funny story! They just opened the area to sisters so I was really curious about their apartment and as I searched the closet I found Christmas!! Photo 5



































The best part of the week was probably Saturday! We hadn't found a new investigator since sister clay came to the area. It was a little discouraging, but I just kept telling myself "Fourth floor last door!" I felt very strongly that if we could be diligent and keep doing our part to find the Lord would send us someone who was prepared for the gospel. And so we have knocked so many doors this week, and kept knocking until 9pm because we wanted so badly to find the one. And then the Lord sent us a miracle! Saturday we contacted and taught a referral, she was so lonely and she is just looking for the peace the gospel brings. She accepted everything we taught and we were able to use pearls perfectly. We have 2 appointments with her this week. We also followed PMG and used the soft invite word perfect. We set a soft date with her for April 29th. Then in the evening after dinner we went and contacted another referral. We found a family! They are so elect, they talked about believing that Christ's church would be restored before Christ comes again, quoted Amos 3:7 and expressed belief in prophets and even talked about dispensations. It was awesome! We invited them to read the Book of Mormon and they were excited to do so. It was just such a BLESSING! And they have 2 kids over the age of 8. I truly feel like this family is answer to prayer. (:
Sunday we did some more finding and I was able to see sister BOLOS! She came to visit again and we went out finding with her. We were able to teach a lesson and find a new gator it was awesome!! And we spent the evening with a cute LA sister helping her. She's so sweet, she always feeds us dinner at 7 and then we visit and teach her.
This week in my studies I have been follow the invitation of both President Nelson and President Lee, to study the life of Christ beginning in the topical guide under Jesus Christ. I have loved so much being able to study his life this week. I have been touched by his life and all he did while he was here. I was especially touched as I read the different account of his atonement and crucifixion. My heart hurt to think of all he had to suffer, and yet his compassion and care for others even in the moments of his own agony is so humbling. I truly feel that his compassion and charity and selflessness is something I am going to work harder to develop. I can see that honestly charity really is the answer! And I know that as I develop more charity I will be happier and many things will go smoother. This invitation has be amazing and I'd love to invite y'all to do the same. It is inspiring! Here is what President Nelson said about the experience:
"To those of you who feel you don’t have time, if you will make a sacrifice, you will be well rewarded and very, very grateful for the change of perspective, increased knowledge, and improved depth of your conversion. I know this is true because I have seen the same rewards in my own life."
"In a coming day, you will present yourself before the Savior. You will be overwhelmed to the point of tears to be in His holy presence. You will struggle to find words to thank Him for paying for your sins, for forgiving you of any unkindness toward others, for healing you from the injuries and injustices of this life."
"You will thank Him for strengthening you to do the impossible, for turning your weaknesses into strengths, and for making it possible for you to live with Him and your family forever. His identity, His Atonement, and His attributes will become personal and real to you."
"But you don’t have to wait until then. Choose to be one of His true disciples now. Be one who truly loves Him, who truly wants to serve and lead as He did. I promise you that if you will study His words, your ability to be more like Him will increase. I know this is true."
I love you all so much! This week was awesome and I look forward to another great week ahead.
all my love, Sister Bryans