November 16, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Friday (last week)-
Today I was on exchanges with Sister Seaman for the last time. :( It was a good exchange though, we were able to talk a lot about our individual goals and give each other study about those goals, and giving ideas to help. It was nice.
Saturday (last week)-
Today we met a guy from Iran who we have been in contact with. He is here getting his pilots license for Europe. He just finished and he wanted to meet before he had to go back to Iran, so we met with him over hot chocolate. He is super nice and is just really curious about our beliefs, he was surprised to see that a lot of our beliefs are really similar to his religion's beliefs, but also a lot are different. He also told us a lot about the culture in Iran, it was very interesting. It was neat to talk to him about what we believe and he is a very deep thinker, he kept asking really deep questions which were hard to answer since he hadn't been taught the foundational lessons.
Sunday (last week)-
Today we had District Conference and it was broadcast from Salt Lake City to all of the Eastern Europe Area. We were even able to listen to it in English, which was so good because I definitely would not have been able to understand a lot of it in Lithuanian. The first talk was by Randall K. Bennett, he talked about following the prophets and apostles and keeping the Sabbath holy. I like how he spoke about treasured Sabbath traditions and how those precious memories come back to him. he said the teachings of the prophet will become increasingly different than the world. Carol F. McConkie spoke next, she spoke about faith. She said, "religion that doesn't require sacrifice does not produce the faith necessary." Also, "do not allow sin to become our identity or to control our life." My favorite was a talk by Larry R. Lawrence, he described in detail about the Plan of Salvation and what it may have been like before coming to Earth and in the Spirit world after we die. I learned and gained so much knowledge from that talk. He compared coming to Earth like we had grown up and now it is time to move away from home and go to school to learn. He said in the timeline of things, Earth life is really short, in comparison of a child being dropped off for a day of school. He said maybe it was like a funeral when we left. We didn't want to disappoint our Father and we were nervous because there is a chance that we could fail. They may have had a departing devotional where the speaker said something like, "don't worry, have faith, and trust in Father's promises." Sometimes we may feel homesick for Heaven. One of the classes we are enrolled in is self control. When we die that is graduation. He talked about how Earth is a living thing and every living thing has a Spirit. The Spirit World is the Earth's spirit and it is a lot like this earth, with neighborhoods. As soon as our Spirit leaves our body, we are shaking hands with our loved ones. In Spirit Prison there are two different types of spirits, one part people waiting to accept the Gospel, and one part wicked. In Paradise we continue to have callings, it is not just missionary work that takes place, but there are many different types of callings and jobs. We will be in a state of rest, which means a state of rest not from work, but from Satan. The Spirit World is a place of perfect order, I imagine it is run a lot like the Church is run on Earth. "Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created." (D&C 29:34) We can travel easily, like lightning. With permission, we can travel to Jerusalem if we wanted. It is fun to think about and I gained so much light from that talk. Last, Russell M. Nelson spoke about how we could respond to different questions about the church. It was cool, he just gave facts about each point of the church, so if anyone has a questions we can be ready to answer.
I am going to skip a few days because not a lot happened and I have so much to write about the other days.
Wednesday-
Today was long and tiring. We figured out why at the end of the night why the day was so hard. We walked a lot, but we didn't find a whole lot of people, we also kept missing our buses and so we would run but then the bus would leave right before we got there. It was a weird night. Then we were thinking about it and came to the conclusion that we weren't following the Spirit, we were just going wherever. By the end of the night we finally knocked on one door and the last was a previous investigator, she was really nice and spoke with us. We were so happy for that tender mercy, we finally felt like we maybe had gotten it right by the end of the night.
Thursday-
Today we had Zone Conference with Elder and Sister Klebingat. It was super good. I will have to continue the rest of this day and this week next email.
I love you!
Sister Brown
Monday, November 16, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
Week 44
November 9, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we went bowling again, and although I didn't do as good as I did last time, it was still fun. We even saw this league, or maybe even professional or competitive bowlers, come and they were practicing. They were really good, they even brought their own bowling balls and had shirts, they were really good, it was fun to watch. While we were playing, this mom with two little boys came and were just watching. She told us they just liked to watch, it was adorable, they would just sit there and get excited, it was so cute.
Tuesday-
Today we had District Meeting where we watched some more of General Conference. The first talk was by Francisco J. Vinas. I really liked what he said about when we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost we will not offend others. Since my mission I have found that I can say offensive things, but I have had experiences when maybe my companion and I do have to have a hard conversation and I was able to say something that maybe would have been offensive, but since I was able to think about it and live in a way that I can have the Spirit with me, the Spirit helps me form it in a way the other person will understand and take it best. The second talk was by Quentin L. Cook. I liked the part he said about self control and how it is like a muscle, we have to continually work and exercise it to become better, and eventually we won't have that temptation anymore. I like what he said about missionaries and how we have to practice self control everyday on our missions, don't let the muscle atrophy after the mission, keep it up. The last talk was my favorite, by Robert D. Hales. A lot of it is for later for me. I like the end when he was giving all of these power lines. I didn't get them all written, but one I did catch was, "if you want more than you have now, reach up, not across." I find this statement so true, usually we are surrounded by people in our same situations who don't know much more about how to get out of situations (such as not being married), than I do. That is why it is important when seeking advice for that particular thing you need to find someone who has overcome that obstacle and has some experience so that we can move on with our lives and not be stuck in the same place forever. "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." In the evening we had English class and we only had one student, mostly it was just Sister Neeley and I having a discussion, but I learned a lot from it. We were talking about the great Apostasy and one of our questions was, "why is it important to base our decisions on truth?" I have never really thought about what I base some of my decisions on, like where to go to school, am I basing that decision on truth or because my friend is going there? Real, eternal truth never changes and that is why it is the best base for our decisions. Next time I need to make a major decision I will remember to pay attention to the truth that goes with it.
Wednesday-
Today we needed to get Sister Neeley declared in our apartment we live in, so we had to go to this notary office with our landlady who signed a contract to take to the declaration office. Then we headed over to the declaration office and finished that. It is interesting here because every time we move apartments we have to declare. I am not sure why the country likes to keep track of everyone and where they are living, it is interesting. In the evening we decided to go knocking and find people since it has been getting really dark by 4:30 PM. I chose a place and we went there, when we got there we felt like we should say a prayer for some guidance of which dome (apartment building) we should knock because we were in the middle of quite a few. After we prayed we felt we should knock this one certain stairwell in this certain dome. We did, we started from the top of the 9 floors (luckily there was an elevator). We knocked the first and second floor (6 doors) and there was no answer on any of them, then we began knocking the 3rd floor down from the top and one woman answered. We told her who we were and why we were there, she shut us down with how she has her own church that she has gone to every Sunday since she was a little girl. We pretty much thought it was over, I was really to walk away because I didn't think there was a chance she would listen further. Sister Neeley even asked if there was anyone she knew that would be interested, she thought it was over too. Then Sister Neeley asked a question, "do you believe you can have a relationship with God?" The whole conversation shifted. Sister Neeley then proceeded to essentially give the first lesson there on her door step. She recited the First Vision and the Spirit was so strong. The woman, whose name is Zita, even listened the whole time, she spoke without interruption. Then by the end we were able to give her a Restoration pamphlet with our number on it, as well as a Book of Mormon. I thought it was over because I had asked if we could meet, she said she didn't have any time. Sister Neeley then decides to ask for her number, which I was very surprised, she said yes. It went very well, and I believe we gave that woman something to think about.
The rest of the week was amazing too, but I will write about it next Monday since this email is already pretty long.
Here is something from Sister Neeley:
Dear Sister Brown's Family,
Sister Neeley here, the favorite companion. ;) I simply just wanted to let you know how much good your missionary is doing in Lithuania. I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite recent moments with Sister Brown :) ...> :)
Last week we were going at it trying to follow the Spirit and find people. We had about 4-5 straight hours. That kind of time takes endurance! My spiritual endurance was waning after having quite a few doors shut on us and it became clear in my comments to Sister Brown. I can't remember now what was said, just how I was becoming discouraged, but Sister Brown talked me out of it and she encouraged me. We left the building because there were these guys doing maintenance and it was awkward and they weren't so happy we were there. Now, one of our companionship goals is to pray at any moment that we need to, this was one of those moments. I asked Sister Brown if we could say a prayer. We looked around and no one was nearby, so she offered a plea to our Heavenly Father to know where to go next. As she sincerely prayed and I focused, I felt the Spirit pulse though my body a couple times, cleansing and rejuvenating my Spirit. It felt really cool and much needed. That is the first time someone else's prayer has directly influenced me tangibly feeling the Spirit.
Something hilarious, the other day we were running to catch a bus that was about to leave as it waited further down along the road. Buses have usually 3 doors that open, but they prefer you get on the bus through the first doors in the front by the driver. Ha ha, we run up to the bus and the 3rd and 2nd doors shut as we get there, I will never forget the image of Sister Brown frantically knocking, the bus was about to drive away without us. After that frantic moment she displayed for all the tenants already seated on the bus, she realized the front doors were still open and that the bus driver was waiting for us. I got a way good laugh having seen the whole thing happen from behind. Favorite moment ever with Sister Brown and buses. Other favorite moments we have are when she teaches me some of her ballet skills as we sing our own nutcracker themes. :) It's good bonding. She's got some moves.
To end, I've never seen such improvement in any of my companions. Her prayers have really improved in their quality, which is evidence of her strengthening relationship with Heavenly Father. She is learning the voice of the Spirit and is loving the scriptures more and more each day. I love studying with her now and it is so impressive to see how far we have come as individuals and as a companionship. I used to call that magic how companions get along, but I have correctly learned that that is the Spirit. She is an angel to me and I've needed her. This has been such a pinnacle of my mission and I have never grown so much with anyone else, in all the best ways. :) I love your daughter and hope to visit you when I come home about March, so we can send a picture of us together to Sister Brown, because I told her I'd do that. :p I pretty much know you, so it won't be weird... for me. ;p
Su meile, Sister Neeley
(The favorite companion. just reminding you so that when she gets home you don't have to ask her, "who was your favorite?" Because you will already know...)
Here is a talk given by Elder Klebingat, who is in our Area Presidency. He is intense, but I learn a lot from him when he comes and visits.
"The Temple and the Sabbath Day"
The Holy temples of the Church of Jesus Christ are places where heaven and earth meet. Neither the ordinances performed nor the instructions given therein hold any appeal for the natural man. Only those desiring with all their heart to participate in temple worship will reap the promised spiritual blessings. Because of its deeply spiritual nature, it is never enough just to go through the temple; instead, the temple experience must go through us. Whenever this has been the case, leaving the spiritually uplifting environment of the temple and returning to this fallen world serves as a remind that we are indeed celestial beings having a celestial experience. Who of us would not just love to stay in the temple a little longer?
Now briefly consider the similarities of temple worship and keeping the Sabbath Day hold. To Moses and thus to all of us the Lord said, "Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you...that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you" (Moses 31: 13-14).
The temple is a place of refuge from the world, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of revelation, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of learning, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of making and renewing covenants, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of giving unselfish service, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place unspotted from the sins of the world, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place where we act and feel differently, as we should on the Sabbath
The temple is a place of reverence, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place where the world is not welcome, as should be the Sabbath
If you love participating in sacred temple ordinances, if spending time in the Lord's house is a delight to you, if you desire to harness that same spiritual power, please consider Sabbath Day observance an equal delight (see Isaiah 58:13). Joyful temple worship and joyful Sabbath Day observance are twin experiences that will bring peace to your heart and joy to your souls. According to the great theologian C.S. Lewis it is "safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, because only the pure in heart will want to." Your desire to attend the temple and to keep the Sabbath Day holy are testimonies to your Heavenly Father of how earnestly you truly want to be in and to feel His presence.
May the Lord's choicest blessings be with you and your loved ones as you prepare spiritually for the Sabbath as you would for the temple. May you claim the promised blessings as one who honors and keeps the Sabbath Day holy!
I love you!
Sister Brown
(I found this sign on a building, B for my first name and that is how you spell my last name so the Lithuanians can pronounce it) Cool!
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we went bowling again, and although I didn't do as good as I did last time, it was still fun. We even saw this league, or maybe even professional or competitive bowlers, come and they were practicing. They were really good, they even brought their own bowling balls and had shirts, they were really good, it was fun to watch. While we were playing, this mom with two little boys came and were just watching. She told us they just liked to watch, it was adorable, they would just sit there and get excited, it was so cute.
Tuesday-
Today we had District Meeting where we watched some more of General Conference. The first talk was by Francisco J. Vinas. I really liked what he said about when we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost we will not offend others. Since my mission I have found that I can say offensive things, but I have had experiences when maybe my companion and I do have to have a hard conversation and I was able to say something that maybe would have been offensive, but since I was able to think about it and live in a way that I can have the Spirit with me, the Spirit helps me form it in a way the other person will understand and take it best. The second talk was by Quentin L. Cook. I liked the part he said about self control and how it is like a muscle, we have to continually work and exercise it to become better, and eventually we won't have that temptation anymore. I like what he said about missionaries and how we have to practice self control everyday on our missions, don't let the muscle atrophy after the mission, keep it up. The last talk was my favorite, by Robert D. Hales. A lot of it is for later for me. I like the end when he was giving all of these power lines. I didn't get them all written, but one I did catch was, "if you want more than you have now, reach up, not across." I find this statement so true, usually we are surrounded by people in our same situations who don't know much more about how to get out of situations (such as not being married), than I do. That is why it is important when seeking advice for that particular thing you need to find someone who has overcome that obstacle and has some experience so that we can move on with our lives and not be stuck in the same place forever. "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." In the evening we had English class and we only had one student, mostly it was just Sister Neeley and I having a discussion, but I learned a lot from it. We were talking about the great Apostasy and one of our questions was, "why is it important to base our decisions on truth?" I have never really thought about what I base some of my decisions on, like where to go to school, am I basing that decision on truth or because my friend is going there? Real, eternal truth never changes and that is why it is the best base for our decisions. Next time I need to make a major decision I will remember to pay attention to the truth that goes with it.
Wednesday-
Today we needed to get Sister Neeley declared in our apartment we live in, so we had to go to this notary office with our landlady who signed a contract to take to the declaration office. Then we headed over to the declaration office and finished that. It is interesting here because every time we move apartments we have to declare. I am not sure why the country likes to keep track of everyone and where they are living, it is interesting. In the evening we decided to go knocking and find people since it has been getting really dark by 4:30 PM. I chose a place and we went there, when we got there we felt like we should say a prayer for some guidance of which dome (apartment building) we should knock because we were in the middle of quite a few. After we prayed we felt we should knock this one certain stairwell in this certain dome. We did, we started from the top of the 9 floors (luckily there was an elevator). We knocked the first and second floor (6 doors) and there was no answer on any of them, then we began knocking the 3rd floor down from the top and one woman answered. We told her who we were and why we were there, she shut us down with how she has her own church that she has gone to every Sunday since she was a little girl. We pretty much thought it was over, I was really to walk away because I didn't think there was a chance she would listen further. Sister Neeley even asked if there was anyone she knew that would be interested, she thought it was over too. Then Sister Neeley asked a question, "do you believe you can have a relationship with God?" The whole conversation shifted. Sister Neeley then proceeded to essentially give the first lesson there on her door step. She recited the First Vision and the Spirit was so strong. The woman, whose name is Zita, even listened the whole time, she spoke without interruption. Then by the end we were able to give her a Restoration pamphlet with our number on it, as well as a Book of Mormon. I thought it was over because I had asked if we could meet, she said she didn't have any time. Sister Neeley then decides to ask for her number, which I was very surprised, she said yes. It went very well, and I believe we gave that woman something to think about.
The rest of the week was amazing too, but I will write about it next Monday since this email is already pretty long.
Here is something from Sister Neeley:
Dear Sister Brown's Family,
Sister Neeley here, the favorite companion. ;) I simply just wanted to let you know how much good your missionary is doing in Lithuania. I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite recent moments with Sister Brown :) ...> :)
Last week we were going at it trying to follow the Spirit and find people. We had about 4-5 straight hours. That kind of time takes endurance! My spiritual endurance was waning after having quite a few doors shut on us and it became clear in my comments to Sister Brown. I can't remember now what was said, just how I was becoming discouraged, but Sister Brown talked me out of it and she encouraged me. We left the building because there were these guys doing maintenance and it was awkward and they weren't so happy we were there. Now, one of our companionship goals is to pray at any moment that we need to, this was one of those moments. I asked Sister Brown if we could say a prayer. We looked around and no one was nearby, so she offered a plea to our Heavenly Father to know where to go next. As she sincerely prayed and I focused, I felt the Spirit pulse though my body a couple times, cleansing and rejuvenating my Spirit. It felt really cool and much needed. That is the first time someone else's prayer has directly influenced me tangibly feeling the Spirit.
Something hilarious, the other day we were running to catch a bus that was about to leave as it waited further down along the road. Buses have usually 3 doors that open, but they prefer you get on the bus through the first doors in the front by the driver. Ha ha, we run up to the bus and the 3rd and 2nd doors shut as we get there, I will never forget the image of Sister Brown frantically knocking, the bus was about to drive away without us. After that frantic moment she displayed for all the tenants already seated on the bus, she realized the front doors were still open and that the bus driver was waiting for us. I got a way good laugh having seen the whole thing happen from behind. Favorite moment ever with Sister Brown and buses. Other favorite moments we have are when she teaches me some of her ballet skills as we sing our own nutcracker themes. :) It's good bonding. She's got some moves.
To end, I've never seen such improvement in any of my companions. Her prayers have really improved in their quality, which is evidence of her strengthening relationship with Heavenly Father. She is learning the voice of the Spirit and is loving the scriptures more and more each day. I love studying with her now and it is so impressive to see how far we have come as individuals and as a companionship. I used to call that magic how companions get along, but I have correctly learned that that is the Spirit. She is an angel to me and I've needed her. This has been such a pinnacle of my mission and I have never grown so much with anyone else, in all the best ways. :) I love your daughter and hope to visit you when I come home about March, so we can send a picture of us together to Sister Brown, because I told her I'd do that. :p I pretty much know you, so it won't be weird... for me. ;p
Su meile, Sister Neeley
(The favorite companion. just reminding you so that when she gets home you don't have to ask her, "who was your favorite?" Because you will already know...)
Here is a talk given by Elder Klebingat, who is in our Area Presidency. He is intense, but I learn a lot from him when he comes and visits.
"The Temple and the Sabbath Day"
The Holy temples of the Church of Jesus Christ are places where heaven and earth meet. Neither the ordinances performed nor the instructions given therein hold any appeal for the natural man. Only those desiring with all their heart to participate in temple worship will reap the promised spiritual blessings. Because of its deeply spiritual nature, it is never enough just to go through the temple; instead, the temple experience must go through us. Whenever this has been the case, leaving the spiritually uplifting environment of the temple and returning to this fallen world serves as a remind that we are indeed celestial beings having a celestial experience. Who of us would not just love to stay in the temple a little longer?
Now briefly consider the similarities of temple worship and keeping the Sabbath Day hold. To Moses and thus to all of us the Lord said, "Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you...that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you" (Moses 31: 13-14).
The temple is a place of refuge from the world, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of revelation, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of learning, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of making and renewing covenants, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place of giving unselfish service, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place unspotted from the sins of the world, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place where we act and feel differently, as we should on the Sabbath
The temple is a place of reverence, as should be the Sabbath
The temple is a place where the world is not welcome, as should be the Sabbath
If you love participating in sacred temple ordinances, if spending time in the Lord's house is a delight to you, if you desire to harness that same spiritual power, please consider Sabbath Day observance an equal delight (see Isaiah 58:13). Joyful temple worship and joyful Sabbath Day observance are twin experiences that will bring peace to your heart and joy to your souls. According to the great theologian C.S. Lewis it is "safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, because only the pure in heart will want to." Your desire to attend the temple and to keep the Sabbath Day holy are testimonies to your Heavenly Father of how earnestly you truly want to be in and to feel His presence.
May the Lord's choicest blessings be with you and your loved ones as you prepare spiritually for the Sabbath as you would for the temple. May you claim the promised blessings as one who honors and keeps the Sabbath Day holy!
I love you!
Sister Brown
(I found this sign on a building, B for my first name and that is how you spell my last name so the Lithuanians can pronounce it) Cool!
I'm A Real Missionary!
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Week 43
November 2, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we went bowling! It was very fun and we went with Sister Hubert and Sister Seaman. We definitely want to do that again. In the evening we got transfer calls, Sister Neeley and I are sticking together for one more transfer, as is everyone in the mission, except one more delayed trainee arrived and is now in a trio in Vilnius, so life is going on as is. Sister Neeley and I are excited to become even more unified since this will be our third transfer together, this will be the longest either one of us will be together with any companion.
Tuesday-
Today we had District Meeting and in District Meeting we watched three Conference talks. The first one, by Richard J. Maynes, I really liked the analogy of the potter's clay. There are so many different ways you can take that analogy. I thought about when I took that ceramics class in high school, the first thing they teach you is how to center the clay so we can be successful in making something. Just like one of the first things in the Gospel we learn is how to center our lives around Christ so that we can have a successful life. The second talk was by Neill F. Marriott. I really like their family motto. It really does show faith in difficult times. The last talk was by Larry R. Lawrence. I really liked the commitment he gave and am excited to try it out to find out how I can become a better missionary. It works because it is a commitment from an apostle and you will receive an answer you will understand if you have real intent.
Wednesday-
Today we talked to a lot of people on the street. We are going to try and have the best transfer of our time together this transfer since we were blessed with a third together, so we went hard. It was a really good day.
Thursday-
Today we decided to do a Halloween party for our English class. It was fun, Sister Neeley and I made sugar cookies and icing to decorate them with and we combined with the other Sister's class. The other Sister's brought apple cake since they have been receiving so many apples lately. It was really fun, we even tried to play pictionary, but they didn't really get the point of the game very well. They were so fascinated by the colors of the icing. I guess they have never used food coloring. Since we didn't have any Halloween cookie cutters we used an angel, gingerbread man, a shooting star and a holly type leaf cookie cutter. Those were the most Halloween type cookie cutters we had, it was a fun night.
Friday-
Lately we have just been noticing how wicked the world really is, everywhere we look there is pornography lurking. I don't understand how almost everyone has become so desensitized. It is really sad and I realize just how desensitized I really was before my mission. I am excited to stay sensitive to the Spirit.
Saturday-
Happy Halloween!!! Nothing special happened during the day. We walked around and talked to people. We saw a few decorations for Halloween, mostly in bars and stuff preparing for the evening. In the evening I carved a pumpkin, which was fun. We even had a couple groups of trick or treaters, which is surprising since they don't really do that here. We bought a bunch of candy to celebrate like we had worked really hard all night to gather it.
Sunday-
On November 1st is a holiday in Lithuania called All Saints Day. They put candles and flowers on the graves of their loved ones. We asked a member to take us with them. We went with Valdas and Kamile to Valdas' sister's grave and we put candles and flowers on it. The graveyard was beautiful all lit up. Then we went to this overlook of Kaunas, which we had been during the day but never during the night, it was beautiful. It was a really fun evening and it was nice to see how they celebrate the holiday. Also, Laisves Aleja had a trail of candles all the way into old town, there were a ton of people walking down it. It was also beautiful. I am glad I got to experience the holiday with Lithuanians.
Love,
Sister Brown
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we went bowling! It was very fun and we went with Sister Hubert and Sister Seaman. We definitely want to do that again. In the evening we got transfer calls, Sister Neeley and I are sticking together for one more transfer, as is everyone in the mission, except one more delayed trainee arrived and is now in a trio in Vilnius, so life is going on as is. Sister Neeley and I are excited to become even more unified since this will be our third transfer together, this will be the longest either one of us will be together with any companion.
Tuesday-
Today we had District Meeting and in District Meeting we watched three Conference talks. The first one, by Richard J. Maynes, I really liked the analogy of the potter's clay. There are so many different ways you can take that analogy. I thought about when I took that ceramics class in high school, the first thing they teach you is how to center the clay so we can be successful in making something. Just like one of the first things in the Gospel we learn is how to center our lives around Christ so that we can have a successful life. The second talk was by Neill F. Marriott. I really like their family motto. It really does show faith in difficult times. The last talk was by Larry R. Lawrence. I really liked the commitment he gave and am excited to try it out to find out how I can become a better missionary. It works because it is a commitment from an apostle and you will receive an answer you will understand if you have real intent.
Wednesday-
Today we talked to a lot of people on the street. We are going to try and have the best transfer of our time together this transfer since we were blessed with a third together, so we went hard. It was a really good day.
Thursday-
Today we decided to do a Halloween party for our English class. It was fun, Sister Neeley and I made sugar cookies and icing to decorate them with and we combined with the other Sister's class. The other Sister's brought apple cake since they have been receiving so many apples lately. It was really fun, we even tried to play pictionary, but they didn't really get the point of the game very well. They were so fascinated by the colors of the icing. I guess they have never used food coloring. Since we didn't have any Halloween cookie cutters we used an angel, gingerbread man, a shooting star and a holly type leaf cookie cutter. Those were the most Halloween type cookie cutters we had, it was a fun night.
Friday-
Lately we have just been noticing how wicked the world really is, everywhere we look there is pornography lurking. I don't understand how almost everyone has become so desensitized. It is really sad and I realize just how desensitized I really was before my mission. I am excited to stay sensitive to the Spirit.
Saturday-
Happy Halloween!!! Nothing special happened during the day. We walked around and talked to people. We saw a few decorations for Halloween, mostly in bars and stuff preparing for the evening. In the evening I carved a pumpkin, which was fun. We even had a couple groups of trick or treaters, which is surprising since they don't really do that here. We bought a bunch of candy to celebrate like we had worked really hard all night to gather it.
Sunday-
On November 1st is a holiday in Lithuania called All Saints Day. They put candles and flowers on the graves of their loved ones. We asked a member to take us with them. We went with Valdas and Kamile to Valdas' sister's grave and we put candles and flowers on it. The graveyard was beautiful all lit up. Then we went to this overlook of Kaunas, which we had been during the day but never during the night, it was beautiful. It was a really fun evening and it was nice to see how they celebrate the holiday. Also, Laisves Aleja had a trail of candles all the way into old town, there were a ton of people walking down it. It was also beautiful. I am glad I got to experience the holiday with Lithuanians.
Love,
Sister Brown
Here is my pumpkin I carved.
Week 42
October 26, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we decided since the weather wasn't that great outside we wanted to have a dance party/exercise inside, so we invited the other Sisters over and turned up our Motab and Enya and really rocked out with our smooth moves.
Tuesday-
Today we decided to try as we walked around to focus on the Spirit to lead us where to go. We were walking around when Sister Neeley felt like we needed to knock this certain building and stairwell. We did, it was neat because we walked a lot of the doors, then toward the end we knocked on one and this woman with a baby answered the door and she listened, we gave her a pamphlet, she seemed to be searching, it was a neat experience.
Wednesday-
Today we had the opportunity to travel to Vilnius for Zone Training where President and Sister Harding would be attending. The training was really good, first they talked about all of the resources we have that maybe we didn't know about. They showed us the mormon.org website that we could know how to help people use it when we ask them to visit the site. We talked about better finding techniques while using our resources. We then talked about relationships with our investigators, as well as relationships with members. It was a really good training and I came away with a lot of new ideas to improve my missionary work. Afterward we had interviews with President Harding, it is always good to sit down and have some one on one time with him. After, before we got on the train to return to Kaunas, we ate lunch at McDonald's.
Thursday-
Today we taught English and we talked about prophets. It was a super good discussion. We had Juozas in our class, who was our old investigator, he is now the Sister's investigator. It was good to see him. He doesn't know a lot of English, but he pronunciates everything he does know very well.
Friday-
Not much happened today.
Saturday-
Today we found a lot again and we were able to have Missionary Coordination Meeting with Valdas, the Branch Mission Leader. We found out that one of the other Sister's investigators, Janina, who is super cool, has a baptismal date. It is so exciting, she is a great person. December 3rd is her date. My companion is amazing at the piano, before we had the meeting she was practicing a little and it is beautiful.
Sunday-
Today we had our first choir practice to get ready for Christmas. The men and the women split up to learn the songs. Since Sister Neeley was playing the piano for the men I got to practice with all of the men. Then after, in our 2nd hour classes, we were about done when all of a sudden the fire alarm goes off. It was a very interesting experience as 3 fire trucks came with about 20 firemen. We all went outside. It turns out it was a light in the Young Women's room that was empty, it was melting the plastic and nobody was using that room, so it was a little smoky in there from that. Luckily, Elder Bruce was an electrician, so he took care of it and everything was fine.
Love,
Sister Brown
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we decided since the weather wasn't that great outside we wanted to have a dance party/exercise inside, so we invited the other Sisters over and turned up our Motab and Enya and really rocked out with our smooth moves.
Tuesday-
Today we decided to try as we walked around to focus on the Spirit to lead us where to go. We were walking around when Sister Neeley felt like we needed to knock this certain building and stairwell. We did, it was neat because we walked a lot of the doors, then toward the end we knocked on one and this woman with a baby answered the door and she listened, we gave her a pamphlet, she seemed to be searching, it was a neat experience.
Wednesday-
Today we had the opportunity to travel to Vilnius for Zone Training where President and Sister Harding would be attending. The training was really good, first they talked about all of the resources we have that maybe we didn't know about. They showed us the mormon.org website that we could know how to help people use it when we ask them to visit the site. We talked about better finding techniques while using our resources. We then talked about relationships with our investigators, as well as relationships with members. It was a really good training and I came away with a lot of new ideas to improve my missionary work. Afterward we had interviews with President Harding, it is always good to sit down and have some one on one time with him. After, before we got on the train to return to Kaunas, we ate lunch at McDonald's.
Thursday-
Today we taught English and we talked about prophets. It was a super good discussion. We had Juozas in our class, who was our old investigator, he is now the Sister's investigator. It was good to see him. He doesn't know a lot of English, but he pronunciates everything he does know very well.
Friday-
Not much happened today.
Saturday-
Today we found a lot again and we were able to have Missionary Coordination Meeting with Valdas, the Branch Mission Leader. We found out that one of the other Sister's investigators, Janina, who is super cool, has a baptismal date. It is so exciting, she is a great person. December 3rd is her date. My companion is amazing at the piano, before we had the meeting she was practicing a little and it is beautiful.
Sunday-
Today we had our first choir practice to get ready for Christmas. The men and the women split up to learn the songs. Since Sister Neeley was playing the piano for the men I got to practice with all of the men. Then after, in our 2nd hour classes, we were about done when all of a sudden the fire alarm goes off. It was a very interesting experience as 3 fire trucks came with about 20 firemen. We all went outside. It turns out it was a light in the Young Women's room that was empty, it was melting the plastic and nobody was using that room, so it was a little smoky in there from that. Luckily, Elder Bruce was an electrician, so he took care of it and everything was fine.
Love,
Sister Brown
Sister Neeley and I.
Week 41
October 19, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we went with Sister Seaman and Sister Hubert to the Resurrection Church. It is super tall and you can pay to go to the top and see the whole city. We went up there and we even went big and paid for the elevator. We took so many pictures, we were trying to get good band photos. After, we went to a restaurant that looks over Kaunas called Viva Kaunas. It is really fun, but it was freezing outside and all of the sisters insisted that we sit outside because it is part of the experience, so we sat outside and about froze, but it was a good experience. We were definitely the only ones sitting outside, though.
Tuesday-
Today we headed to Vilnius for a short Zone Conference with Elder Klebingat, our Area Seventy, as well as Sister Wixom, the General Primary President. It was so wonderful and they are so wise. They know so much and they know the scriptures so well. Sister Wixom is so sweet, and I got to hug her and get a picture with her. This was the first time that I have had such close contact with the General Auxiliary's. Sister Wixom has a wonderful spirit about her, her and her husband are so good for each other. Elder Klebingat is super intense, he is German and he is not afraid of offending anyone. He is very wise. After the Zone Conference Sister Neeley and I got to stay for the leadership training because Sister Neeley is a Young Women's counselor. In the leadership training Sister Wixom spoke to all of the leaders in Lithuania. She started her talk when one of the Vilnius members, who has a calling in the Primary organization, raised her hand to bring up a concern that she had. It was a concern about how the Priesthood won't help in the Primary. She said that she brings it up in branch council, but nothing ever happens. Sister Wixom gave a very in depth explanation about Primary callings and who can serve in them, because the branch president was confused about it. He thought that no men could be in the Primary. It was a very good training that I believe Lithuania needed, I hope our Kaunas branch was watching as it was broadcast to all of the other cities in Lithuania. It was a really neat experience as she tried to understand their needs here and tried to answer their questions.
Wednesday-
Today we had a lesson with these girls who are from Utah teaching English here. Two are active, one is less active and the other one is not a member, we found out. It was a neat lesson, we talked about receiving personal revelation and one of the girls said that she was just wondering about that, so that was really neat. The end of the lesson we had kind of shifted and spoken about the Atonement, we felt like we were able to cater to all of their needs. It was really good and went well. In the evening we helped the Sisters in a lesson with this man named Edvaldas, he is a father of 5 and they live right outside of Kaunas. He is really good and is very religious, although he doesn't really affiliate with a certain religious group. He loves the Bible and teaches his family from it. He even brought along his wife's brother. It was really neat, he had a few questions about what he had read from the Book of Mormon. He has had three meetings with the missionaries before this lesson. I see a lot of potential in him and his family, it is really exciting.
Thursday-
Nothing too exciting happened today.
Friday-
Today we had a lesson with our investigator, Ade, who is a Nigerian. He is the member, Ade's, friend. It was a wonderful lesson about the Plan of Salvation. Right when Ade came in we could feel a difference about him, his attitude was a lot better and he was super happy. We followed up about him receiving an answer if this church is true or not. He said that he received something, but he is still waiting for confirmation. Sister Neeley drew the Plan of Salvation out on the board while we all drew it on a piece of paper. Ade seemed to soak it all up and at the end of the lesson he was pleased to say he now know more about his existence. We invited him to be baptized in about a month and he said he would think about it. He really had good questions and was understanding everything well. He also expressed that he like President Monson's talk from General Conference. It is really exciting.
Saturday-
Today we had a lesson with a member, Kamile. She is about to go to China and meet her boyfriend for the first time. She had mentioned that she is scared and we were a little worried since he is not a member and she is planning on marrying him. I think everything is better than we thought it was since she spoke how she was really scared, then prayed and felt better about it.
Sunday-
I don't have time to write much, but let's just say my companion is so good at the piano and I wish I would have listened to my mother and stuck with it.
Love,
Sister Brown
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we went with Sister Seaman and Sister Hubert to the Resurrection Church. It is super tall and you can pay to go to the top and see the whole city. We went up there and we even went big and paid for the elevator. We took so many pictures, we were trying to get good band photos. After, we went to a restaurant that looks over Kaunas called Viva Kaunas. It is really fun, but it was freezing outside and all of the sisters insisted that we sit outside because it is part of the experience, so we sat outside and about froze, but it was a good experience. We were definitely the only ones sitting outside, though.
Tuesday-
Today we headed to Vilnius for a short Zone Conference with Elder Klebingat, our Area Seventy, as well as Sister Wixom, the General Primary President. It was so wonderful and they are so wise. They know so much and they know the scriptures so well. Sister Wixom is so sweet, and I got to hug her and get a picture with her. This was the first time that I have had such close contact with the General Auxiliary's. Sister Wixom has a wonderful spirit about her, her and her husband are so good for each other. Elder Klebingat is super intense, he is German and he is not afraid of offending anyone. He is very wise. After the Zone Conference Sister Neeley and I got to stay for the leadership training because Sister Neeley is a Young Women's counselor. In the leadership training Sister Wixom spoke to all of the leaders in Lithuania. She started her talk when one of the Vilnius members, who has a calling in the Primary organization, raised her hand to bring up a concern that she had. It was a concern about how the Priesthood won't help in the Primary. She said that she brings it up in branch council, but nothing ever happens. Sister Wixom gave a very in depth explanation about Primary callings and who can serve in them, because the branch president was confused about it. He thought that no men could be in the Primary. It was a very good training that I believe Lithuania needed, I hope our Kaunas branch was watching as it was broadcast to all of the other cities in Lithuania. It was a really neat experience as she tried to understand their needs here and tried to answer their questions.
Wednesday-
Today we had a lesson with these girls who are from Utah teaching English here. Two are active, one is less active and the other one is not a member, we found out. It was a neat lesson, we talked about receiving personal revelation and one of the girls said that she was just wondering about that, so that was really neat. The end of the lesson we had kind of shifted and spoken about the Atonement, we felt like we were able to cater to all of their needs. It was really good and went well. In the evening we helped the Sisters in a lesson with this man named Edvaldas, he is a father of 5 and they live right outside of Kaunas. He is really good and is very religious, although he doesn't really affiliate with a certain religious group. He loves the Bible and teaches his family from it. He even brought along his wife's brother. It was really neat, he had a few questions about what he had read from the Book of Mormon. He has had three meetings with the missionaries before this lesson. I see a lot of potential in him and his family, it is really exciting.
Thursday-
Nothing too exciting happened today.
Friday-
Today we had a lesson with our investigator, Ade, who is a Nigerian. He is the member, Ade's, friend. It was a wonderful lesson about the Plan of Salvation. Right when Ade came in we could feel a difference about him, his attitude was a lot better and he was super happy. We followed up about him receiving an answer if this church is true or not. He said that he received something, but he is still waiting for confirmation. Sister Neeley drew the Plan of Salvation out on the board while we all drew it on a piece of paper. Ade seemed to soak it all up and at the end of the lesson he was pleased to say he now know more about his existence. We invited him to be baptized in about a month and he said he would think about it. He really had good questions and was understanding everything well. He also expressed that he like President Monson's talk from General Conference. It is really exciting.
Saturday-
Today we had a lesson with a member, Kamile. She is about to go to China and meet her boyfriend for the first time. She had mentioned that she is scared and we were a little worried since he is not a member and she is planning on marrying him. I think everything is better than we thought it was since she spoke how she was really scared, then prayed and felt better about it.
Sunday-
I don't have time to write much, but let's just say my companion is so good at the piano and I wish I would have listened to my mother and stuck with it.
Love,
Sister Brown
Week 40
October 12, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today I went to the museum Ninth Fort for my 3rd time, but this time they had a new part that you could walk through except we ran out of time and we had to leave, so I didn't get to see the new part, but hopefully I will get to go back a 4th time. We went with Sister Seaman and Sister Hurbert, who have never been before. It was fun to show them around.
Tuesday-
Today we had District Meeting where we were able to begin watching General Conference in English. We watched the first two talks of the Saturday morning session. The first one by Elder Uchtdorf and the second by M. Russell Ballard. They were both really good. In Elder Uchtdorf's talk I really liked the topic he chose about, is the Gospel working for you and if not what you can do to make it work for you. I also really liked how he said you can start where you are, you don't need to be comparing yourself with everyone around you and trying to change overnight. God sees our potential and our willing heart, then Heavenly Father will help with the rest. He is so merciful. In Elder Ballard's talk I liked the part where he reaffirmed the warning in The Family: A Proclamation. I thought that it was powerful. I like the analogy of the old ship Zion. Elder Bruce said something afterward about how if we jump out of the ship and try and make it on our own we will never make it, and it will be a lot harder. I think the boat in that case is kind of like the Atonement, we can't make it back without it and if we try to swim on our own we won't ever make it until we rely on our Savior again. I am so excited to see more of Conference and hear more of the messages.
Wednesday-
Today we had a lesson with a less active, Vanda, and an active member, Kazymeras, joined us. Vanda loves Kazymeras because he is her "Kriksta Tevas," Baptism Father. She asks about him every time we go over. He really is great, he is super old, but so active. Rumor says he runs like 5 miles a morning. We had a lesson to prepare for General Conference by talking about prophets and apostles. Afterward, when we were on the bus, we were able to talk to Kazymeras a little bit more and get to know him. We found out how long he has been a member, as well as how he came to know it was true. He said that he had a dream where Christ appeared to him and said he needs him on his side. It sounded like a neat experience. Ever since, he has been been doing missionary work and being a faithful member. Afterward, we had to hurry to branch council since Renata had asked us to go last minute since she couldn't make it as Young Women's President, and since Sister Neeley is her counselor we were able to go.
Thursday-
Today we had Gospel Discussions where we talked about prophets and apostles and then asked if they would come. They all worked, but one of our students who is from the Ukraine said she would watch it online in Russian. We will have to see how that went.
Friday-
Today we tried to visit one of our less actives, Laima, since it was her birthday, but she wasn't home. We did get to meet her father, so that was neat.
Saturday-
Today we spent most of the day at the church watching General Conference in Lithuanian. We made muffins for in between the sessions and they disappeared quite quickly. In the evening we helped clean the church.
Sunday-
Today we got to finish General Conference, we also got to partake of the Sacrament, which I thought was neat that they started doing that. After Sacrament we got to watch one session in English (the session we already got to see in English) with our investigator who speaks English. It was as good as the last time I watched it. We then watched the Sunday Afternoon Session in Lithuanian.
Love,
Sister Brown
A weird fruit we found. What is it?
Our friend Soroush and his friend who was visiting, he is a pilot.
Ninth Fort with the Sisters.
Week 39
October 5, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Monday-
Today we decided to take it easy a little bit. We decided to do everything in our own timing, which was nice. In the evening we went out walking to find people to teach. While we were out we found this really neat girl named Simona, she is a young adult and she was in a little bit of a hurry, but she listened to us and was actually super interested in meeting with us, so we exchanged numbers. She was super sweet. Then we decided that when we ride on buses, if we were not talking to anyone we would just get off and try the next bus. It was going really good. We got on this one bus and Sister Neeley began talking to this really nice lady. When she got off we decided it was time for us to get off as well. I was talking to Sister Neeley about her and she said that she didn't have any pamphlets and the woman also said that she like to read. Sister Neeley decided she needed to give her a pamphlet and the Book of Mormon. She ran after her a little ways down the road and gave them to her. The woman was really sweet and impressed, she thought Sister Neeley got off of the bus just for her. It was cute. I also thought it was super brave of Sister Neeley, she is a great missionary.
Tuesday-
Today we had District Meeting where we learned about our studies and why they are so important. While on my mission I have found so many different and interesting new things to study, it really has been a learning and growing experience. I thought I knew a lot before my mission, but everyday I continue to gain more and more knowledge, it is a wonderful opportunity to grow. I want to be able to keep it up when I return home.
Wednesday-
This morning we had the opportunity to watch the Women's session of General Conference. It was so wonderful and I am glad I was able to watch it. We went to the senior couple's apartment to watch it with Sister Bruce and the other sisters came as well. It was a fun morning. Sister Bruce made a delicious breakfast, then we all sat down to watch the session. I thought all of the talks were wonderful and I really liked what Sister Wixom said in her talk about Divine Nature. "There are two important days in a woman's life, the day when she is born and the day she finds out why." Later today we got have a lesson with our investigator, Ade. We have had a couple lessons with him before but they had months in between each lesson. We decided we would watch the First Vision. Afterward we were able to testify, the Spirit was very strong. I was so happy I was able to testify in English. He committed to really try to find out if the church was true, and we talked about to really find out we need to pray, read the Book of Mormon, and come to church. He said he would, I am excited to begin to see him progress.
Thursday-
Today I went on exchanges with a Russian speaking missionary in Vilnius. Her name is Sister Hayes. She is really nice and is in her last transfer. It was fun to get to know her better. We had a lesson in the evening, I was a little nervous because the woman we had the lesson with speaks Lithuanian and Russian and I just wasn't too sure how it would go. I have always had someone with me who understands Lithuanian and could help me understand, but Sister hayes sure doesn't understand Lithuanian. I just decided I would have to try my best to understand and put my faith in Heavenly Father, that He would help me. The lesson actually went really well and I was able to understand, no doubt with Heavenly Father's help. I was also able to participate more in the lesson than I ever had. I testified and they understood, it was a wonderful experience and I proved to myself that I could do it.
Friday-
Today I returned from the exchange. After all the sisters were with their companions, the Russian speaking sisters headed back to Vilnius while Sisters Seaman and Hubert and Sister Neeley and I went to grab some lunch together. It was really fun. On the bus ride back from Vilnius the bus stopped at this in between city and picked up passengers. This couple sat in front of us and they began talking in English, the woman had an East coast accent, and we think the man was from Lithuania since he knew Lithuanian. It was fun to hear her accent and her making comments on things as we rode into Kaunas. It was interesting, I wonder how they met.
Saturday-
Today we walked around doing some finding, it was a good day, not too eventful.
Sunday-
Today was fast Sunday here in Lithuania, as they will watch Conference in a week when it is translated into Lithuanian. It was a good day. We were able to stay in Primary since we didn't have any Young Women where the Primary children were angels today. Usually they are a lot more wild, it as refreshing. Then we went home to make some dinner. While we were making dinner we found out we had permission to watch the Sunday Morning Session of General Conference, which was wonderful! I really enjoyed it, I will have to share my insights later because I am out of time.
Love,
Sister Brown
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