Blair's Halloween

I can only send so many pictures per email so here is another one. I'm wearing a cow hat thing we found at a nearby story..and no I didn't buy it, although I wanted to. I figured it wouldn't be the best way to represent Christ. 

Most days Sister Taylor and I bundle up and climb in our beds to study and stay warm. I'm sure we look pretty funny. My hair cut is tonight, so excited! Remember that "nice" blond streak I had? Yup it's finally long enough to get cut off. My hair has become more than a pain, I don't think I'll ever be able to grow it out. Too think, too curly. Megan is being our driver today - took us to Burlington to find our coats and to the library and grocery store. 

Yesterday Sister B took us to church and Sister E and then we had popcorn and played Skip-bo during our dinner hour. It's a blessing to live with a member for sure. Sister T was already here before and I've been here for 3 transfers now, so we haven't a clue what the transfer will bring and what will be happening. I love it here and wouldn't mind another transfer here, but I also wouldn't mind going somewhere else, whatever the Lord chooses is fine with me. I will miss Sister T though, nothing better than laughing as you work! Tell the boys I miss them!

 

This week we had a great lesson with S&J. The spirit was really strong as we talked about the enabling power of the Atonement - the power to receive strength to get through hard things, instead of asking for the hard thing to be made easier. She opened up and shared some things that she had been facing and having a hard time with, and I asked her when the last time she prayed, personally, with God. She hadn't for a while, so we challenged them each to pray at least once to Him everyday. I never was one to pray everyday, but since I've been on my mission and we pray upwards of 10 times a day I have realized, not only the power of prayer, but the peace of prayer. When everything seems to go wrong, all you need to do is kneel down and that storm that was raging around goes still. While there can't be world peace, we can each obtain a personal peace. It's like you are on a boat in the middle of a storm and prayer is that lighthouse guiding you into the safe harbor of God's love. (yup it's a pretty bad analogy I know).

 

I think one of the best things was Sister H coming to church in two consecutive weeks! She has been at such a stand still that I wasn't sure how committed she is, but recently there seems to be a change happening in their family and it's exciting to see!

A little different Oct. 21

I decided to write my letter a little different today.

Highlight of my week: We received a HQ referral for a man named Neil. He had taken all the missionary lessons and was almost baptized 2 years a go because he as Asperger's Syndrome and is afraid of people judging and rejecting him because of it (he is also afraid of water). He is a sweet guy and despite not liking crowds he came to church the day after our first lesson! His mom is also extremely supportive of him and sits in on our lessons even though she isn't really interested. However when we explained the kingdoms of glory and outer darkness she said, "That sounds so much better than what I was taught at my Catholic church growing up, so much more loving"

Friend of the week - Keith and Carol: They are doing great! We went over baptism by immersion (Keith and thought it was being sprinkled with Holy Water kind of deal) and we taught them the Word of Wisdom, challenging him to stop smoking. Turns out he had already made plans to stop (getting help from a local "stop smoking" group here in Green Bay). God has definitely prepared both of them. The only problem is that they have yet to make it to church :/

Pictures: Sister Taylor and I with our pumpkins that we painted last Monday.

Our ward is so great! They are very missionary minded and have us over to eat a lot. We had dinner Monday-Friday this week (poor elders barely have any). A family fed us at IHop to celebrate their daughters birthday. Had a blast at Bingo! One Tuesday we went to a less actives..it had been pouring rain for the last two days and the GPS took us down a dirt road in our little Chevy Malibu, we were sure that we were going to get stuck. In the middle of the woods. With no cell service. Luckily Heavenly Father was on our side and we made it safely there; only to discover there is another way that is all paved road. Ah well I always like an adventure anyways! Oh and on Sunday my companion, me, and an Elder sang during sacrament and the other Elder played the piano. Yup, never thought I'd do something like that. We sang Savior Redeemer of my Soul (a different version than in the hymn book).  My companion really has an amazing voice as does the Elder, both have been in choir and musicals (so thankfully they sing loud). Sister H came alone to listen to us, as did another investigator. Which was great that why were  both able to make it! They ward was really friendly to our guest and so I hope it went well, we didn't have a chance to talk to him after Priesthood, but I know the Elders took good care of him. Next Monday I'm getting my hair cut, short. How short? I'm going to leave that us to her, it's just becoming to much of a hassle! I'll make sure to send a picture the next Monday!

Spiritual thought: (Alma 62: 48-51) "And the people of Nephi began..to grow exceedingly rich. BUT notwithstanding their riches, or their strength...they were not lifted up in the pride of theirs eyes: neither were they lsow to remember the Lord their God, but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him....they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them" When we humble ourselves before God, He will bless us. To stay humble (and become humble) we must pray continually. Giving thanks and acknowledging his hand in all things. Admitting our faults and pleading for help and strength. By doing this, God has promised each of us that we will prosper - not always physically or monetarily, but sometimes spiritually or in other small ways like our relationship within our family, less stress in life. I know this to be true. I've seen it again and again through my life, especially on my mission. The more I pray and become humble the more blessings I receive in teaching, finding, and loving others.

Anyways KUTS (keep up the spirit) and don't forget to pray often, study hard, and listen even harder. Heavenly Father answers prayers - those that you ask and those that you need. He is always there. Always watching over each of you! 

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

P.S. If you haven't read Jesus the Christ. Read it!

October 21

It's suppose to snow here soon. Need to find winter boots and a warm jacket! I had to scrape ice off our car window a couple days ago. We are bus/biking for most of this week! Woot! Going to freeze my little mission tag off! (Other sisters have to take their car in to get fixed so they are borrowing ours). My companion is AMAZING! Her voice is fantastic and she is just an all round great person. We also rearranged our room with the help of our landlord's daughter. So now we don't have bunk beds anymore (thankfully, they were super squeaky) our house doesn't have a heater so we've been bundled up in our blankets studying. Which reminds me I also need to buy slippers so my feet aren't always cold..and better socks. We are going to look for boots today on our way home. Hopefully I can find some good ones! Today we went and flew a kite. It was cold, but a lot of fun. Perfect windy weather for flying kites! We took pictures I'll try sending them next week (the pictures I email you are ones Sister T took and emailed me).

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Every member should watching this!

http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/members-and-missionaries?cid=hpone#media=15069624720124019474-eng

Sept. 16

My 3 month mark was 4 days ago! Crazy how fast it has flown past!

Tuesday (9/10/13) - Last District Meeting of the transfer! Lots of good byes and pictures! I need to buy a SD converter thing or something so I can get the pictures of my camera and send them to all of you! Anyways DM was on revelation through prayer and how to help our investigators with praying. I got a lot out of it and really made me think about our investigators and I realized that a lot of them don't pray in front of us any more! They simple call on either my companion and I to pray, so we've been challenging them once again to pray with us. My companion made her delicious oreo brownies!

Oreo brownies

1 bag mint oreos

1 box of brownie mix

1 jar of vanilla icing

1 jar of marshmellow cream

Make brownie mix as box directs in a bowl. Crush half of bag of oreos and mix in brownie mix. put brownie mix into pan. Heat marshmellow cream and drizzle half of it over brownie mix. Cook as instructed. Crush rest of oreos and mix with remaining marshmellow cream and icing. Let brownies cool and pour mixture on top. Enjoy!

We had dinner with the a family. Really sweet great couple. 

Wednesday - Had a lot of people cancel last minute sadly. Got to have dinner at the a families though!...It was one crazy night. So after we left we tried to get on the bus home, only there was already a bike on it so we had to wait for the next bus. Only problem was that the next bus was also the last bus of the night. If it had a bike on it we would have to bike all the way home in the dark..not a happy thought. We figured out a plan after a quick prayer and rode down to another bus stop. The bus would pass by the bus stop on its way to the station and we could hop on then. If the bus still had a bike on it we would have to wait until it came back around for the last time. Thus we had 2 chanced to get on the bus instead of one. While we waited (it was already 9 o clock at night a really dark) a man drove by waving frantically and pulled in the parking lot behind us. Turns out he is a member from the 2nd ward and was worried about us and made sure we were all right. Then after he drove off a van pulled up worried about the man (the member) and if he had been bothering us and if we were alright. Anyways after all these kind people the bus finally came and we caught the last bus home. Needless to say we didn't make that mistake again.

Thursday - Our Sister read the Book of Mormon twice on her own! I wanted to leap for joy! It's the first time she has done it and she said it was actually a lot easier than she thought it would be! I was so ecstatic! Sadly though, we met with our other investigators and he is going through a lot of medical problems and had been in the hospital all day. Like any good sister missionary we called in the Elders who came and gave him a blessing. His  faith is incredible and I think he will make a amazing priesthood holder in the future. My 3 month mark!

Friday - Didn't get to see anyone :( We tried a lot of homes of less actives and a contact, but to no avail. We did get dinner at a members though and that was great! She got her endowments out 2 weeks ago and is to happy and excited to go again and do her family history work there. She is only a convert of a year, but you'd think she has been one her entire life!

Saturday - We met tons of people on the bus! I love riding it! You don't get to meet nearly as  many great people when you drive a car! The bus drivers all know who we are and often ask us about our missionary work! I really want to teach a certain man one of these days! He'd make a great member! An investigator couple had us and the Elders over for dinner and we watched the Restoration Video with them and man was the Spirit there strong! We gave them a over view of the church organization (pres monsoon, 1st presidency, quorum of the 12 etc) to explain who Elder Perkins was and how big of a treat it was to hear him speak on Sunday. She told us she knows she needs to get married soon so she can be baptized, not willing to give up the "big wedding idea" quite yet but she is getting there. A missionary couple, stayed with us so they could attend Stake Conference. They are amazing at family history and getting less active involved! It was a blast hearing all their stories!

Sunday - STAKE CONFERENCE! Elder Perkins spoke and boy was he amazing! Even better our investigators came with all their kids! Afterwards she said that she really enjoyed it and felt the spirit strongly during the 2 hours. She even asked if she could meet with him (which she was able to do). Hopefully this will help her decide that she doesn't need a big wedding, but who knows!

Things here are slow, but great! I'm constantly meeting new people and I know the Lord has prepared someone out here to hear and accept the gospel and I'm determined to find him/her/them! I'm constantly learning and growing along side my investigators and more often then not I learn from them! My favorite quote is "Coincidence is simply God's plans falling into place" (not sure if I just made that up or if someone else has actually said it) Every person is a soul that is waiting to hear the gospel, a person who is in the dark and doesn't know of the great light and joy that can be found through the Atonement! God loves each and everyone of you. He knows what you are going through and has a way for it to make you stronger! I love you so much and wish you all the best! I wish I had more time to write all the spiritual things that happen daily, but I can't begin to describe them in an email within an hour! I'll try to send letters this week!

I love you! I wish you all God has to offer!

Love

Sister Kern

Oct. 14

Hello Everyone,

I can't believe how time is flying by! It seems like I close my eyes for a second and it's already Monday again!

The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can be cleansed and consoled, but that we can be t r a n s f o r m e d" - unknown

Monday (10/7/13)  - I was able to visit a new family in our ward she is such a sweet heart with 2 adorable kids.   The three year old took my companion around and around and around the apartment. She ended up giving us a giant thing of Reese's brownies to take home.

Tuesday - DISTRICT MEETING! My companion got to teach a short mini lesson in the beginning and did a great job! We got to present about our belief and 40 people showed up! A lot of good questions were asked and a few came up and talked to us afterwards. My companion shared a cool experience about her grandparents! Apparently her grandma was a member, but grandpa was Luthern. They would go to each others churches every other week. Her grandpa was reading a lot of LDS books and material and even started using them in this Luthern Sunday School class. It wasn't for 6 years that he was finally baptized after one of his babies was blessed and the bishop told him, "It should be you blessing those babies." Anyways it was a cute story. It was also EXCHANGES, I was able to go to GB2 area, the first time I've ever been out of my area. One of the Sister Training Leaders  is awesome! She ran the entire hour of exercising, which I though was pretty insane. She is one of 10 kids, so we had a lot of funny stories to tell.

Wednesday - Exchanges cont. Turns out my trainer and I both adore Fablehaven (a book) a long with a lot of other ones. I was able to go to a couple lessons with her and I learned a lot from her teaching style. She wasn't kidding when she said they had no food :) I had cereal, pb and j and more cereal for the day. (We did have a dinner appt but they canceled last minute).

Thusday - We didn't have time to have dinner at home so we put a jar or pb and one of jelly and a loaf of bread in a bag. Yup it was a good dinner ;) We were able to visit a referral from HQ and it went well. Only got to talk briefly, but she is still interested! Somehow my companion and I got talking about how I use to pretend to be a reindeer (when I will little) and she use to be a cat! Her parents had her audition for The Sound of Music when she was 5, she wouldn't sing "Do a Deer" she wanted to sing "We are Siamese" from Lady and the Tramp. Needless to say she didn't get the part. 

Friday - Got to go to a memberese for lunch. She has a cute 4 year old  who was really funny. After lunch we shared a message about praying and how the more specific your prayer the more specific His answer. She said it was exactly what she needed to hear. She had been having a hard time in not getting answers from her prayers, but now "I know what I need to change". We then shared a quote from one of the general authorities about how, if God doesn't answer, take action. He didn't answer because he trusts whatever decision you make and will support you in it. I just LOVE how Heavenly Father uses the Holy Ghost through us to answer peoples prayers! There is nothing better than that! We went and had dinner with a family and like always it was delicious. They are great member missionaries! Not afraid to open their mouths and talk to those around them! Last we saw an investigator AND she ACCEPTED the invitation to be BAPTIZED! We didn't set a date though because her husband wasn't there and we want to do it with both of them. 

Saturday - RELIEF SOCIETY CONFERENCE. We got to go with an investigator to the last half of it. she loved Sister Carlsruh's talk on our divine potential. I also got to learn how she and her boyfriend met. Apparently they were waiting in line and she went up stairs to the office. After the meeting she walked out of the elveator to see "the strang man" staring at her intently. She felt a little weirded out and wonder if her hair was a mess or something. She went back into another line, which happened to be next to him and heard him say "I told myself that if you were still here that it was meant to be." Once again she was weirded out, but he gave her his number and later (she had planned just to forget about him) felt like she should give him a chance. Now they have 4 kids together and have been together for 7 years! Anyways it was a blast. We also got to see a referral from GB2. I thought she looked familiar and it turns out she works at the Neville Museum and was working the front desk when I went for service with NEW Curative! Small world. To end our day we went to a farewell. She is off to Provo, UT for the next 18 months! So if you or anyone you know lives there tell them to be nice to her and feed her well like her family has for me!

Sunday - Set up an appt to get my hair cut (on the 28th). I'm thinking of cutting it short again. It's just too much work to talk care of :b Met with our investigators their baptism date is now NOV 23!! WOOT! I have high hopes for them.

"If you live up to your privileges the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates" - Joseph Smith.

So my challenge for you is to take a step back and see which commandment you may need to live (or start living more exactly).

I know that the promise in the Book of Mormon still holds true today. "Inasmuch as ye keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land." Heavenly Father has promised you that as logn as you keep his commandments that you will prosper - not always temporally, but spiritually. I've seen this first hand while on my mission. The more obedient I am the more blessings and prosperity (finding people to teach, feeling of the Holy Ghost more, teaching with more power) I recieve. Not only that, but as you are more obedient to His commandments the happier you will become. There is great joy to be found as you know you are living worthy lives, there will be less stress in your life, and a calm assurance will come over you/ You will be able to feel the Holy Ghost more abudently in your life and feel his guiding influence. A testimony of a commandment doesn't come until after you have kept it. Only then will you be able to have that personal experience from which you gain/strengthen your testimony. Until next week!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Oct. 7

The days are just going by faster and faster! The leaves are all changing into yellows, purples, and all shades of red! Pleanty of rain these past couple days too! The attached picture is my companion and I having my first "beg" of cheese curds! They are good...like mozzerella sticks. Another picture is me outside by my bike. We biked and it rained..a lot (see Saturday) and I look nice and big because it was cold so I had on a big jacket, then my rain coat. I also wasn't wearing my glasses because the rain made it too hard to see with them on! Lastly is a random picture..I was posing...then our phone started to ring and so it ended up like you see it!

Tuesday (10/1/13) - BINGO! We finally had a chance to go to NEW Curitave and play bingo! I had four people at my table this time. I was able to see our couple investigators, we shared a lesson about "stepping into the darkness" and having faith that more light will come. They aren't taking the needed steps towards baptism (marriage), but we haven't given up on them yet! We then raced over to see another investigator, he is doing great and read up to 1 Nephi 4. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and answered his question about the Trinity. He readily accepted the Godhead AND the invitation to be baptized on November 16th*. Last, but certainly not least, was another investigator! We had a great talk with him, Sister H gave great input as always. I was excited to hear that they had started to read the Book of Mormon together as a family! I know it'll really bless his relationship and keep them strong in their testimonies until February 8th finally comes around. He has some dedication! She works Sundays so he takes his 2 little kids (2 &4) to church by himself. He has such amazing faith and will power!

Wednesday - Got up at 5am to teach seminary at 6 with the Elders. Spent a couple hours volunteering for "Feed My Starving Children", boy was that a lot of work, but sooo worth it! The food we helped pack will feed 360 children 3 meals for 1 year. We were also able to meet teaching the Plan of Salvation*. He is really excited for General Conference and even called  (on his own) to ask for a ride to it. For dinner we were at the some members who have THE CUTEST kids! Twin 7 1/2 year olds, and a 2 year old. The boys kept us laughing until dinner was ready. The funnest thing was when they would say "Hold on one moment girls" and run to go get a toy or costume. My side hurt to much from laughing! When the dad asked who would like to say the prayer the baby just started right off "ear hevene fader. bress de fud. amen" (dear Heavenly Father. Bless the food. Amen) So stinkin cute!

Thursday - INTERVIEWS WITH District Meeting. I always love interviews! It's nerve racking at first, but you always end on such a spiritual high! President is so in tune with the spirit you feel it just from shaking his hand. We planned the rest of the day that was left until dinner. A family had us and the Elders over for pizza and our Ward Corrilation meeting. An investigator is really excited, he texted us to let us know he had read to 1 Nehpi 12 (he started reading Saturday, so needless to say my companion and I were beyond impressed. If only all our investigators had this enthusiasm!)

Friday - Did service again, she ran out of work for us half way through so we left early and finished our companion study in the car.  A sister came with us one more time (before she leaves for her mission) to see a Sister.  The 2nd best part of my day was visiting with a less active family.  She brought up temples so we had a good short discussion about them. THey are so friendly and sweet! We will get them back to church yet! So the BEST part of my happened when we went to visit a less active. She opened the door. Then she shut the door. Before we could say a word. So we decided to tract the nearby houses (we were about 45mins from our main area because we would be having dinner at a members house near by). No one answered any door, there was one left. A woman opened the door and was on the phone. Turns out that she had met with missionaries in AZ and motioned us in. We told her about the Spanish Branch here and she said she wouldn't mind the spanish missionaries stopping by. Woot! Then there was dinner at another families.

Saturday  - We don't have a lot of miles so we biked....only it was raining hard almost all day. We made it to the Stake Center before it started raining to hard and watched General Conference. All 5 sets of Elders (only 1 have a car) got soaked, poor elders! LOVED GENERAL CONFERENCE! All the talks were simply amazing and heart touching. Edward Dube's was awesome! I love the quote "hit the yoke together", it's so important as a companionship that we are in sync so that the Holy Ghost can more powerfully testify. Oh and we gave our investigator her own Book of Mormon because her husband was hogging his.

Sunday - GENERAL CONFERENCE AGAIN! WOOT! I loved Richard J MAynes talk and Richard G Scotts and Pres Monson..okay I loved them all! David M McConkie said something like "I know I've been speaking by the Holy Ghost when I learn something from what I've said. I can personally testify of that truth! I've had it happen to me on a couple occasions and then I always stop and think "now where did that come from? Did I know that before?" The Holy Ghost is such a powerful ally when teaching others. In between the 1st and 2nd session we went off to visit a Sister really quick. On our way to her building we met JJ. Who proceeded to sing "The Lord's Prayer", for a 86 year old he didn't do too bad. I will admit that I wanted to laugh at the sheer oddity of it all. After the 2nd session we saw our investigators and I had my first Wisconsin Brat, and it was pretty good. He was happy to tell us that he had made it to 1 Nephi 20 and she had read up to 1 Nephi 18! He had a couple questions that were easy to clear up and we taught them the first part of the Plan of Salvation. We had a great discussion and she even read and participated (when he wasn't talking away :) ). We have high hopes for them!  

D&C 68:6 "Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you; and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, that I am to come"

I love all of you and wish you the best! Wish I had more time to write everything! I miss you!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern