Spring showers bring......more bugs!

Another crazy week! The sun has been shining so Sister O and I have hit the pavement! I love street contacting! It's much more...interesting people. For instance, this older gentlemen was walking with his granddaughters and as he came to us he said, "Let's walk around the pole" and took them onto the grass and around the pole to stay as far away as possible from us. It was pretty funny!

Zone Conference was this week and as always it was amazing! A couple of my favorite quotes are:

"The change was one of attitude. Doubt yielded to faith"

"When we truly understand who we are and our responsibility we cannot be stopped"

and my own personal motto "Hit the ground running"

Every time I go to Zone Conference I just want to go out and baptize the whole world! My favorite part though was after. Sister Cutler had all the sisters gather with her in the R.S. room. There we had a little meeting all our own! I love all the sisters I have a privilege of serving with!

On Tuesday I got into a fight with a tree. We were helping Sister L clean up her yard after the winter months. Her little bush had grown into a gigantic tree like thing and I was in charge into making it back into the bush that it was meant to be. The bush wasn't thorny, but I did get a lot of scratches as I trimmed it back. It made me think a lot of the story told of the Currant Bush. I always loved how I was the Currant Bush and though it sometimes hurt when God trimmed me back,  making me into a better "me" I never thought of how He might have felt as I resisted or fought back (or tried to at least). When we resist God's gentle guidance and fight against Him, does it hurt Him? How He must feel as His beloved child rebels against He loving guidance. Surly it must hurt, He loves us so much and only wants what is best, but must watch as we often turn away. No wonder God truly rejoices in the one that returns to Him!

One of the most touching and surprising things happened this week, not only once, but twice. Both A and Sister L made the comment how much they loved Sister O and I and saw us as their adopted daughters. I was so touched by that I couldn't help, but give them each a giant hug!

President Cutler came to the Shawano Ward Bonfire! He did a little talk and everything. The ward really loved having him there and it was neat for them to meet the people I talk so much about (well not all that much, but still). I hoped it helped the members get super pumped up about doing missionary work because we truly can't do much without their help!

Sister L is on her way towards her baptism on June 7th! Her only possible set back is she can't miss a week of church (so the next 2 Sundays). HOWEVER, she came this past Sunday for the first time since 2007 when the missionaries first tracted into her! Woot! Also she expressed how excited she is to finally be baptized and even invited her daughter. She listens to the Book of Mormon each day on her computer (bad eye sight so she can't see) and prays to know it's true everyday. She feels like she finally got an answer! I'm super excited for her - a little sad its 3 days after transfers so I might not be here for it - but excited and happy for her to make this important step in her life!

I love you all! Have a beautiful week!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Mother's Day

What a crazy week! I don't even know where to begin!

First off - S WAS BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!  It was amazing. I'm so grateful that I was able to be a part of him coming to know the truth of the gospel! 

I got my hair trimmed and it's straight today. Sister O straightened it on Sunday.

I went to Green Bay 2 on exchanges with Sister A. I learned a lot from her and I'm excited for their baptism that is happening this Saturday.

I loved being able to Skype/talk with my family! It was odd afterwards to know that that was the last time I'd speak to them until I'm home. I'm grateful for the P's letting me use their computer and phone!

I love street contacting using family history. Many a time people aren't willing to talk to me about Christ or religion, but they are willing to talk about themselves and their families. Ask them where their parents are from and they will go on and on. 

I have 2 baptism dates for June 7th. C and E. C has come to church 8 times now I think. He just needs to have the rest of the lessons (he is sick a lot) and to read the Book of Mormon consistently. Now that we have a new phone we send both of them scripture reminders.

Which leads me to another amazing event! We got a new phone. We are literally the only phone the church pays for that isn't Sprint, because we have next to 0 service up here. It has been such a blessing not to have to drive into Clintonville to get service and make calls! 

Zone Conference is this Thursday! I can't wait! Then President Cutler is coming to my ward's fireside to speak to the youth! When he opens his mouth I can't help, but sit in amazement. His wife and he are what I call a "spiritual giants." I learn something new each time they speak. I know it will be a great experience for the youth, many of them are planning to go on missions themselves. 

Spiritual Thought: One thing that I have learned on my mission is that "As [ I ] choose to live on the Lord's side, [ I'm ] never alone."

1. In General Conference there were many warning saying how as members of Christ's church we will have to stand up for our beliefs. There are many people I've met who have challenged my beliefs, those values and knowledge that I hold dear. However, God has promised us that we will not be confounded before men and I can testify of that truth. There will be times you might not know the exact answers, but He will guide you on the words to use. It has happened to me time and time again. When you stand up for your beliefs - the gospel of Jesus Christ - you are standing up for Christ, you are standing up for God. "If God is with me than who can be against me?" https://www.lds.org/youth/video/dare-to-stand-alone?lang=eng

2. On my mission there have been a couple times that I have been/felt alone. I've learned at times  when I'm sad or scared I can always turn to the Lord. Once I got separated from my companion and I had only been in the area a month and was still unsure of all the streets. I had a faint idea where I was. It was getting dark and so I started singing "A Child's Prayer." I found a street that I thought looked familiar. Soon I was in an area that I was more familiar with and there was my companion looking for me. I know our Heavenly Father has given us the Holy Ghost so that we are never truly alone. He is always there. 

I love you!!!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

May is here!

What an exciting week! This coming Saturday Steve will be baptized! He is the elder's now, but we get to see him at church. It was an amazing experience to tract into him on January 1st, 2014 with Sister Edwards, to teach him almost every lesson with Sister Olsen, then to see him continue to change as the elders taught him the last 2 times. I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving m the opportunity to be a part of it!

One miracle this week was getting in to see Toni G a less active. I've been trying to see her for almost 6 months now and we finally got in! Sister Olsen and her had a lot in common (close family members having tumors previously) and she invited us back!

I was able to help Sister Kasson with yard work and she even sent us home with a bouquet of flowers that we picked! It is still sitting on our table! The other bouquet we made we went to a less actives and "ding dong ditched" her. I hope she liked them! We waited around the corner to make sure she got them. 

Enjoyed dinner at the Pitt's - Elder Oviatt made homemade pizza! Yummy! Then they had to take off so we got to teach the lesson. I shared my favorite video - Abide with Me - a Mormon message. 

Got to go to Kehana's soccer game and talk to a lot of people there. She did really well and makes me want to go out and play. If only I wasn't in a skirt!

Miracle number 2 was getting in to see Suzanne S! She is another less active I've been trying to see. We didn't teach the lesson we had planned, it was completely by the Spirit. Sister Olsen shared a story of a boy who's mom's died and he felt alone and how he came to know God was there and I shared Matt 27:46 and explained how God withdrew His presence from Christ and how Christ was truly alone. Because Christ was alone we never have to be. She started crying and shared how alone she had felt the past couple months. The Spirit was so strong I was close to tears myslef!

Another miracle was we were trying to figure out when we could have dinner. There was only a 45 minute block of time and being 30 minutes away from home we could go there and eat and there weren't any fast food places close so if we ended up going out to eat we were worried we would be finished in time. Thankfully the Lord had a better plan in mind. Our lesson at 5 turned out to be dinner. Sister C said, "As soon as I hung up I realized I should have asked if you wanted dinner. So just in case I have everything ready to make if you will just help me cook it." God knows what He is doing! :) His timing amazes me day by day. You'd think I'd be use to it by now...but nope!

On Sunday we held the Bishop's fireside and did a "role play" with the youth. It went better than I could have imagined!  I'll try and explain it the best I can. So Sister O was the "investigator" and the Elders were going to teach her. They knocked on the door and she let them in. I was the "narrator" of sorts. The first time she asked a question I said "Pause" and asked the youth how they would answer that question. They then told Sister O their answer and she responded as if one of the Elders had said it. It went back and forth for a while. Then we switched places - we taught Elder S. The youth really enjoyed it and it gave them a kind of "first hand" experience with missionary work without the pressures of doing it one on one..or I guess three on one. 

a youth - invited her non member friend to the activity. At the end of the role plays we opened it up to questions the youth had for us on missionary work or general questions. The friend had a lot of great questions and really enjoyed it because she liked seeing what her friend would be doing in a year.

Overall it was a fantastic week and the weather is a beautiful 30-50 degrees most days. Everything is coming alive!

Spiritual thought - My favorite scripture (of all time) is 3 Nephi 14: 8-11. 

"8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?

 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?"

[Or if he ask Eternal Life, will he not give him his son?]

 "11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

I love this because we asked for Eternal Life and God gave us His son. If He gave us His Son as the ultimate gift then how can we doubt that we will give us the things we stand in need of?

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Another Transfer Come and Gone

What a crazy week! I loved every minute of it!

We split our P-day (so we just emailed on Monday and then on Tuesday did every thing else) because a member who lives far away signed up for dinner and we wanted to use those miles to go see other less actives too. On our way up we stopped by a member who is quiet so I haven't had the chance to really get her to open up. She was so excited when we came and welcomed us in. Then in a spur of the moment kind of way ended up driving us to her mother (who is in a nuersing home). They way so takes care of her mother is truly amazing, you can see the love and devotion she has. Then she excited explained every thing she was doing for the Trek the ward is having in July. Her conversion story is also something else, and the strength she has is inspiring!

Another wonderful thing happened at dinner that night! We got to meet the member's parents (who aren't all that supportive of her joing the church 2 years ago) and had a great discussion and before we left her father mentioned "Well I'm glad neither of you are getting transfered."

Next was on Tuesday night a member had us over and our dinner got intrupted by something totally incredible event unfolded. His sister had been in an abusive marriage and lived in Texas. They had tried several times over the last 20 years to get her back home, but to no avail. He hadn't physically seen his sister for all those 20 years. Recently his son moved down their for work and was miraculously able to meet with his Aunt! To make a long story short she finally got the courage to leave and got the soonest plane ticket home. She arrived in Milwaukee at 9 pm the next night. The prayers/fastings/pleading of all her family was finally answered. I learned a valuable lesson. Never. Never. Give up on anyone. 

I also learned a valuable lesson from a General Confrence talk by Elder Scott. "Loving them is the powerful foundation for influencing those you want to help." That quote stuck into my mind and I've pondered it many a time this week. Finally I decided to put it into action. In our lesson with Sister M (a less active) I was very blunt in teaching about church and how she needed to be there. I made sure to express my love for her and desire for her to obtain all the blessing that come from church. After asking a couple inspired questions (thanks to my wonderful Heavenly Father) I was able to get to the reason she didn't attend church. We addressed her concern and invited her once again to come. She didn't. However I believe the progress we made in that lesson was the beginning of truly helping her. After the lesson she thanked us a lot for always coming.

My spiritual thought for this week is to do more than just listen to General Confrence. Let is change you, each General Conference we need to Receive, Remember, and Apply the gospel better. To become closer and more like Christ. The words of Thomas S Monson are words from God. They are scripture - as if God himself were speaking directly to you. I have never believed this stronger than this past General Conference as I've studied diligently and with great effort and care the words that were spoken. Each talk has something in it for you! You just have to look for it (and perhaps squint your eyes and tilt your head. A little prayer before you start is never a bad idea too.)

I love you all so much and I hope you are having a wonderful Spring time!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

April Showers bring May Flowers!

This one marvelous week of miracles! First off my 10 month mark was the 12th! The time just keeps flying by faster and faster and sometimes I just wish it would slow down!

Monday - We volunteered at Pine Manor of G's brithday! Turns out Sister K is related to him so we ran into her there! A lot of his families asked us questions wondering why a couple of kids would be volunteering at a nursing home. A great chance to spread the word - a lot of them knew about our church through Sister K and other memebers of their family.

Tuesday - We saw K! Our lesson was how an egg is like the Atonement. Like an egg, we are white and pure when we are born. However over time we become colored by sin just like the egg does when put into dye. That's when the Atonement comes in. Just like how you can crack an egg to reveal a white skin you can use the Atonement and repentance to slowly crack away the stain of sin that you have until you are completly clean. She loved it and we had fun dying the eggs after. Then she surprised us by pulling out a plant for us! Yes they are still a live we haven't killed them...yet. They are a beautiful purple and are bulb plants. They will live for about a month and then we can take the bulbs to our next area! I can't begin to tell you how excited I was!!

This week we taught 12 other lessons -  that is the most I've had in a while and it's wonderful! We went on a walk in Clintonville down Main Street and got to talk to tons of people because they were out enjoying this wonderful weather! Today is a humid 60 degrees and it's a great day to be jacketless! As we walked we waved/smiled at everyone who drove passed. There are lots of "sweet" people in Clintonville (We got lots of smiles and waves..and a couple honks and other such things) and only a couple "sour".

Sunday - We passed S off to the elders - for a variety of different reasons - BUT we have 2 other baptism dates now. Sister L - how has been taught since 2007 and Brother L who Sister E and I met in January. I'm very excited for them, they have sweet spirits and an eager desire to learn! So during Relief Society the whole group pretty much bawled our eyes out the entire time. Sister B did an AMAZING job. She barely even spoke. Each of us got to read a story about a woman in Christ's life (from "their" point of veiw). The hardest one was Christ's mother, Mary, as she spoke of him growing up and then having to watch him on the cross. She shared a couple other videos and music clips and bore her testimony at the end. The most powerful lesson I've had at church in a while, don't get me wrong a lot of them are Spirit filled, but usually its a softer feeling.

Spiritual thought - 

1. The butterfly. It starts off as a caterpillar - not beautiful nor stunning in any sense of the word. Then it becomes wrapped in a cocoon for a time before it emerges as a majestic butterfly. Jesus Christ. He starts off as a carpenter - not beautiful nor stunning in any sense of the word. Then we suffers and dies wrapped in cloth and laid in a tomb for a time before he emerges as the Savior of the world. A simple analogy, but I'll never look at a butterfly the same.

2. I know that Christ suffered in Gethsemane for my pains and sins. He chose to die on the cross. He broke the bands of death by rising again on the 3rd die. I know that because He lives I can do all things. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, and my friend. He is the Son of God and He is risen. That is why that no matter what He asks of me I can do because I cannot fail while I am on His errand. 

I love you all! Thank you for all the wonderful Easter wishes! I hope yours was amazing too!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

P.S I'm staying in SHAWANO another transfer with Sister O!

Because of Him

One thing I forgot to send! If you haven't watched the new Easter video posted on Mormon.org here is a link to it! I had goose bumps the whole time!

http://easter.mormon.org/

It's called "Because of Him"

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

April Showers bring MORE snow?

It snowed 4-6 inches last night! I was just joking when I talked about having a white Easter and now it might just happen!

Anyways, I'm not even sure where to start my letter! I guess at the beginning is best...or maybe in the middle. 

Thursday - Interviews! I love interviews! President Cutler ways leaves my mind blown by one thing or another that he says. From what we talked about I have a sneaking suspicion that Sister O and I will be together another transfer...but then again I can never truly tell with him! Oh and funny story...so we can't take our garbage to the curb. We have to take it to the church dumpster once a week. We hadn't been able to do it for a while until Thursday. The only problem was we forgot it in our trunk and didn't remember until after DTM when we opened our car door to a horrible smell! Needless to say we drove all the way to Gillet with our windows rolled down.

We drove an hour up to Gillet to see the C family. They are a less active elderly couple. He is often sick because of chemo and had an infection when we were over. Luckily his wife was willing to talk with us. We had met with them a couple times before, and I had gotten the feeling she was a convert and hadn't been a member of the church very long even though they are both in their 80s. I was prompted to ask a couple bold questions which lead to a lot of discovery. Turns out she joined the church when they married (7 years ago) and she only joined so that she could marry him because he was very active in the church at the time. She hadn't even prayed about the Book of Mormon! I wasn't surprised when she talked about how she often felt out of place at church. So I committed her to read the Book of Mormon with him and pray about it. She agreed, I will find out next Tuesday about her experience.

Then we went to the Y family. She is a convert of 2 years and comes to church every week even though he is less active and hasn't come in the 4 1/2 months I've been here. We ate dinner with her and the B family. Sister Y really wants to prepare names to take to the temple, but her family isn't all that happy with her decision to join the church in the first place so she is nervous at what they will do when she asks them for information on her family. We talked a lot to her and shared a couple things from Preach My Gospel. Our council was to start by simply telling them she is interested in finding out where she came from. Then once the Spirit of Elijah is working on them, to bring up the why behind family history. 

Friday - We went up to Bonduel. I hadn't been feeling all that well, but we couldn't just go home. The lesson with the R family was so much fun! They have 3 little ones who ran around the whole time. I loved it! Then it was off to the P for dinner. Sister P gave me some cold medicine and I don't remember much else of that night. Sister O drove us home.

Saturday - I felt better and I didn't want Sister O to miss out on basketball so we went. I jammed my left ring finger, popped my hip out of place, and almost broke my glasses and my cold came full force...needless to say it wasn't my day. Don't worry though! My finger is almost back to normal, my hip is back where it should be and my glasses are still in working order. We went to the church and our wonderful elders brought me some meds (they only live 5 minutes from the church). Then we went home and watched some awesome church history movies (produced by the church so they are mission approved) I dozed in and out.

Sunday - Got to church. Taught "prayer" in Gospel Principles and "Importance of Book of Mormon" in young women's. Then there was a baptism after for a 8 year old in our ward. I took more medicine and pressed forward. After the baptism the (grandparents of the little boy) insisted we come over for lunch/dinner and so we did. I had a great time meeting a lot of their other family - a lot of which are inactive. Then it was off to A's for a quick lesson. Then to C's. We taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ using examples from his life. At the end Sister O asked them to be baptized. Their date is set for June 7th! I probably won't stay long enough to see it (transfers are April 23 then June 4th) but I'm so excited for their desire to follow the example of Christ! OH and J (a young woman) made Sister O and I braclets. They are really cool and represent "letting your light so shine". It is a white band going all the way around with blue and black on both sides of the white. Then there is a spot of yellow. Sister O found out last night that the white glows in the dark so it looks like there is light coming from the yellow, cutting through the black and blue. It's amazing!

So that was my week in a nut shell. Not sure what happened before Thursday...Oh well! It's written in my journal at home!

Spiritual thought - Look at the attached picture! In Young Women's I taught about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how it is relevant to us today. To be totally honest - the Book of  Mormon didn't mean all that much to me before. I knew I should read it - so I did. The words on it's pages though didn't mean very much to me. They were just that. Words on a page. It wasn't until I started to understand what is written on it's cover that the Book of Mormon really gained meaning for me. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. As I studied daily from the pages to learn about Jesus Christ I started to feel a great change take place within me.

As I read the words of God contained within the pages I started to become like the people of Alma who upon Alma teaching them the words of God had "a mighty change...wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God" (Alma 5:13). The change that took place in them started happening in me. I wanted to become better, to become like Jesus Christ. The Son of God that was spoken of so much in the Book of Mormon. Through reading and truly pondering and studying it's pages I've been able to come to know my Savior all the more personally. He is no longer some being that lived so long ago - He is my Redeemer and He redeems me still, each and every day. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it has power through the Holy Ghost to truly change a persons desire and will to that of our Heavenly Fathers. My challenge this week is to study from the scriptures about Christ each day and ponder the fact that because He suffered for us, died and was resurrected we too can live again. Not only live again, but live with our Heavenly Father and our families for eternity. All because of Him.

I love you all and hope you have a terrific week and an even better Easter!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

P.S. I want to thank everyone for the wonderful birthday cards I receive! Thank you!

20 already

My have the years flown! It seems like just yesterday I was a little 19 year old running around...Just kidding! I am having fun teasing all the missionaries around me about how old they are though!

This has been one great birthday week! The weather has been in the 30-40s so Sister Olsen and I have done a lot of walking around. My favorite new approach is the "Jesus loves you". We have a lot of cards with Jesus on them and walk up to people on the street and the encounter is usually something like:

Us: "Can I give you a card?"

Them: "No I'm a Lutheran."

"It's just a picture of Jesus to remind you how much He loves you."

"Oh...*takes card* I know He loves me. Thank you"

One of the people we met was a wonderful women who was walking around the park during her lunch break. It turns out she is a traveling...flu-bot-o-nist and once she walked away Sister Olsen and I tried to figure out what that was. Any ideas?

At Pine Manor we got to listen to Ray's poetry. A lot of it was about the Savior and how He has saved him. This past time we went we got on a deeper topic and we taught him about the Book of Mormon. I can't wait to talk to him again so I can help answer more of his questions. 

My Birthday: Was awesome! Sister O is the sweetest! She had a whole little thing set up with a couple present and things to surprise me. We made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Leftovers and "cake in a mug" for lunch. Then we were off to a busy day! We started off at Sister C's house - one of her friends showed up and I ended up teaching Sister C and Sister O taught her friend, so we somehow managed to teach 2 lessons at the same time. Sister O set up a return appointment and we got a new investigator we totally weren't expecting!  Then we rushed off to Sister M's. After her we went off to the P's. On the way there Sister Cutler, the mission president's wife, called to wish me a happy birthday! How sweet are they!

The time I spent at the P's was great (as always) we had taco salad and cake! The funnest part was that our Elders had previously told us that they weren't going to be able to make it. Then while Sister P and we were sitting on the couch Sister P clapped her hands and out came our Elders with our dinner. They just all love surprises. It was great! 

The Elder's gave me a card that was hilarious! The P's gave me a beautiful heart necklace. Overall it was a good, good day! 

Then there was General Conference! Most of it I was writing a ton - mainly impressions or inspiring quotes, the other part of the time I probably looked like this --->   O.O    Eyes wide trying to take it all in. I can't wait for the Ensign to come in May! I want to reread all the talks again and again!

I have a couple challenges (that you can choose from if you so wish) this week!

1. Write to me about a specific time that keeping a commandment has blessed you!

2. For the next week focus on not missing either

a) Daily family prayer

b) Daily family scripture study

3. Have FHE (the full - prayer, song, lesson, song, prayer, treat) every Monday - or once a week - for the next month. 

I've loved thinking of specific instances and blessings that I've received from living specific commandments - like keeping the Sabbath day Holy. It has really helped me come to realize all the blessings I've received and strengthened my testimony of each of them.

As for family prayer and scripture study as a missionary I have to do it and the blessings I've seen can't even begin to be explained in the short amount of time that I've had. I've come to know my Savior personally - to know that He is all merciful and powerful. His power to heal is something I'm only beginning to grasp.  It's through daily prayer and scripture study those blessings come! I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

April Already

I know it's not April, but it's close enough! I can't believe how time has just flown by!

Monday - We went to the W's for dinner. They are one of the coolest families, they are in Haiti right now while there dad does free medical examinations. Their strength in the gospel is also amazing. Both of them served missions and continue to do missionary work all the time. So the funny story here is that I didn't pull our car far enough forward so when Bro W came home he tried to go around it (and there was enough room for him to make it) but turned to wide and got his car stuck in the snow. We all piled outside and it was an easy fix.

Tuesday - DTM was great (as always). One the way home we went to try and see a less active...turns out they don't live there, but their very active parents (who come to lessons with us to S's once a week) live their now! We ended up having a late lunch with them. Then they called their other daughter (less active) who lived a couple blocks away to see if we could go see her. She said yes and off we went. We only have 20 minutes before our next appointment so the lesson was short and completely unplanned as we went it. However it turned out to be an amazsing short lesson. I was able to answer a concern she had from a scripture in the Book of Mormon. I hope we can go back soon!

Wednesday - CAKE WAR! The youth of our ward did a "cake war" they split into teams and each decorated a cake 8"-12" high. The Elders and we were judges. In the hall we debated how to choose. I liked #1, Sister O liked #2, and Elder O liked #3, so Elder B was the tie breaker choosing #2.

Thursday - I volunteered at Pine Manor (a nursing home) and a resident read his poetry to us. He is only 24 and is there - surrounded by old people - for health reasons. His poems were awe-some, his faith in Christ and ability to over come the constant trials that have come his way was inspiring. After we helped make Cherry Coke Floats (it being the aniversary of Cherry Coke) and past them out. Then we drove to Gillet (which is an hours drive from Clintonville) and saw an elderly couple. He has the most amazing testimony. He use to teach a lot - at church and seminary - but hasn't for a long while and is less active because he is sick a lot from chemo. The sweetest couple!

Friday - We walked around for about 3 hours! IT WAS AMAZING! The temp was between 30-40 and I was in heaven! There were a lot of other people out that we got to talk to. J was out shoveling so we stopped to talk to him. Turns out missionaries had come by a year or so ago. He was very friendly and took a Book of Mormon. I hope to go back in a little while to follow up. Dinner was at the P's (we also did laundry). The Elder's surprised us by making dinner for everyone. They brought their own ingredients and reciepe. The food was pretty good. Elder O (who is 6'3") tried on Sister O's jacket (she is 5'3") and it was hillarious!

Saturday - We played basketball and it was so much fun! A certain someone almost kept running me over though. I held my ground. Sister O (who was the only other girl there so I was playing against her) says I'm aggressive. I said "I'm not aggressive, I just like to win!" Later we got to watch the Women's Broadcast at the Easter's home (which they have gone crazy decorating for Easter) with all the other women (8+) in our ward. I loved every minute of the meeting! It was touching to see all the younger girls singing and participating!

Sunday - So we ran out of miles for the month, we only had enough to go 2 miles away from church and then home. We parked the 2 miles away and started walking to church. Bro P slowed down and asked where we were walking from, in unison we said, "From Clintonville". He couldn't give us a ride though with no other female present. Then the K family drove by and told us to hop in. I figured some member would give us a ride. After church we were walking by Evergreen (another nursing home), we weren't planning on stopping in, but I felt that we should and so we did. J was finally awake for once - she is always asleep when we try and see her - and we had a nice chat about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Next was A. She is a cute old lady. She has a huge "Easter" tree in her room that she decorated with Styrofoam eggs that she had decorated with glitter and ribbon. She let us choose our favorite one to take home. She is adorable! We got to talk a little about prophets with her and the differences between the Catholic church and ours. 

Spiritual Thought - "What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?" This question was asked at the Women's Broadcast and I've really pondered it. As a missionary it means everything to me. I am literally a representative of Jesus Christ. His name is with mine on my name tag. I have the joy and privilege to share His gospel with His lost sheep. But as a normal member of His church it still has a powerful meaning. A synonym for disciple is Follower, or servant. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ means you are His follower. You learn from His teachings and do as He asks - to love God, to love your fellow man, to repent and turn unto Him. I love how Mormon so boldly declares it, Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13) As members of Christ's church we have each been called to be His disciple - not only to follow Him, but to share it with others. So my question to you is this "What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?" Ponder this question as Easter approaches.

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Guess what???

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I'll be coming home Dec 19th, 2014 (date is subject to change)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so weird to know that I'll be going home before Christmas for sure! It makes it feel so weird!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

General Conference is almost here!

This has been on week of miracles! There are so many things to share I'll just make a list this week.

1. We volunteer at Pine Manor (a nursing home) and work closely with MJ who is in charge of activites. Last week her mother almost past away and I felt prompted to give her a Book of Mormon with my testimony and favorite scriptures in side. When I gave it to her I mentioned how it is the greatest gift I could give her, the one thing I knew could comfort her than anything else I could say. She started crying and it was the MOST amazing thing!
2. It snowed on the first day of spring...BUT I still celebrated! I wore a blue, green and black and white flower dress, my new flower covered boots, and flower socks!
3. S is back! He had an appointment run off that was all. Thank goodness. His baptism is for April 12th (it could be a week earlier, but that's General Conference). He is doing great and has almost finished reading the Book of Mormon (he started Jan 1) and love it!
4. We not only reached we exceeded our weekly goal for other lessons for the first time ever here in Shawano! Woot! Which leads to #5.
5. Tuesday night all our appointments fell through so we decided to simply go on a walk (to get service and call people) down Main Street. As we walked down we met a lady who had lost her dog. So now our plans changed. We spent the next 3 hours looking for Rascal. Along our way we met a lot of lovely people - we even got to help move in someones fridge which was fun! Forget tracting I just want to walk around the neighborhoods now
6. Last time I checked I was in the 300s in my gratitude journal. I still have a long way to go to reach 1,000. If you took my challenge you probably know how addicting it is to do once you start!
7. I got to pet 2 horses (it was great).
8. We had Olive Garden at the Ms!
9. Sister O and I made a life size (well Elder O size) Goliath and had the Easter kids throw rocks (balls of duct tape) at him to defeat him! It was a fun filled lesson!
10. We have a Bible Study for Women 2 times a month and this past week Sister J invited a friend and she came! She is the most sincere person I've met! After the study we talked with her a while and asked if she wanted to learn more - and she did! We met with her this morning and gave her a Book of Mormon with my testimony in it. She thought it was the sweetest thing!
11. I now have the Pokemon theme song memorize..but that's another story.

Spiritual Thought

3 Nephi 4:7-10

I love these scriptures! It talks about how Giddianhi's army was super terrifing, but the people of Nephi did not fear the army, but God and pleaded in prayer for help and protection. Because they prayed they were ready when the army came. They went forth to battle "in the strength of the Lord." I know that as we ask God for help, direction, or saftey that he will answer our prayers so that when the advisary strikes we will be able to go "in the strength of the Lord" and all things will become possible to us. We will not fear anything - losing a job, being rejected by friends, or anything unto it. We will be able to go forward in faith with his strength.

My challenge for this week isn't connected to my thought, but from what I've seen this past week. My challenge to you is to write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and give it to a friend. 

My promise to you is that by doing so your friend will realize how important the gospel is to you and the will not reject your offer (whether its to read the Book of Mormon, come to church, come to an activity). He/she will be truly touched by your offer and your friendship will deepen even if they decide the gospel isn't for them.

I think that's everything for this week! I love you all!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

St. Patrick's Day

I just want to thank everyone for their encouraging emails! I love reading them, even though I don't always (if hardly ever) have time to respond!

So Sister O and I forgot that it was St P's Day...We wrote the word "Green" with a green pen on our hands. It counts right?

This week was fun! Sister O and I had a peanut butter M&M fight. Originally they were for our lesson with S to teach the WOW, but he is MIA at the moment. He never missed a lesson or week at church until Thursday. We just hope he is okay!

We contacted a lot of less actives..they all wanted to feed us :b

Usually that would be beyond great, but one day we had lunch, 2 dinners, and 4 desserts within 5 hours. Sister O and I were able to roll over and die in a food coma. BUT we had great lessons with all of them! Brother P made homemade carrot/pumpkin cake (completely from scratch he grew the carrots and pumpkin) it was delicious!

We have a new investigator! She is 94 years old! The sweetest old lady! I love her so much! I can't wait to share the Plan of Salvation with her! I know it will comfort her through the loss of her husband! Pine Manor was a blast! We helped the residents cut out Shamrocks and string Cheerios onto yarn for the birds to eat. The elderly there are so sweet! Boy do they have some amazing stories to tell too! Friday a member took us out to Luigi's Pizza and we ended up finding out that some of our investigators work there! The place was pretty empty (we ate at an odd hour) so they sat and talked with us from time to time. A great blessing! 

This weekend was amazing! I LOVE Stake Conference! It filled my "spiritual bucket" to the brim and over! I love how the included the youth (12+) in the adult session. One of the speakers joined the church in October. He just graduated High School, but before he did he found out about the church. His parents threatened to disowned him if he joined, despite that he knew it was true. So in October he was baptized and disowned. Right now he is attending college and living with members. His testimony was powerful and strong. It amazes me everyday how much people give to be a part of this glorious gospel. He was a reminder that pioneers are still here to day, giving all they have for their God and Savior. 

We volunteered at the Shjazz festival (jazz players in middle school and up come and preform for scholarships). The most amazing thing happened while I was there. There was a full table of middle school boys eating lunch, one table over sat a boy alone, facing a way from them. The group of boys slowly moved there table over until it was right behind his. Then they invited him to turn around and sit with them. My faith in the youth of this day is restored! It was so touching to see them include the lone boy and soon all of them were laughing and having fun. 

This week I've focused my study on "Grace". Sister P asked us about it because she didn't quite understand what it meant. What a powerful studies I've had this week! Grace and the Atonement are so deeply intertwined with each other. It is because of the Atonement that Jesus Christ can give us grace - divine help or strength. Without grace there is now way we could ever return to live with our Father in Heaven again because of our own weaknesses. However grace is what makes it possible for us to do the good works that we, by ourselves, could never do. Grace is the enabling power of the Atonement, the power that lets us become like Him. Because of Christ we can overcome death, but because we are imperfect we are in the "hole" of sin. There is a latter to get out which we have to climb ourselves (our works). However this latter doesn't reach the top of the hole. We NEED Christ to reach down and lift us up the remainder of the way. So my challenge this week is to read: 

John 1:12

1 Cor 15:10

2 Cor 12:9-10

Bible Dictionary: Grace

and watch: https://www.lds.org/youth/video/come-unto-christ-2014-theme-song?lang=eng 

thinking about grace and to ponder what Grace means to you.

I love all of you! I hope you have a fantastic St Patrick's Day!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

9 months!!

I can't believe how my mission is just flying by! In 2 days I reach my 9 month mark and 1/2 way point. It seems like just yesterday I was dropped off at the MTC! But enough about that....it's 35 degrees outside! I actually didn't have to wear my jacket all day! Water is dripping from everywhere and I love it! I'm so excited for spring!

On another note...S is doing wonderfully! He told everyone he talked to at church that he is getting baptized. Last week we taught him the Word of Wisdom and he gave up coffee without hesitating. In our Gospel Principles class he has brought a tangent back to our lesson. He is just eager to learn and absorbing it all like a sponge. I'm so excite for him!

After Zone Training we went of exchanges! I went to Green Bay 2 with Sister T (and yes she is one of my previous companions). It was a blast! We've been trying to strengthen our relationship with the ward so we attend young womens some weeks and this week was hair! Each of the girls showed how to do a different hair do and best of all R came (an investigator) and she seemed to really enjoy it.

On Saturday I helped a sweet old lady named E shovel snow away from her house (or else the basement would flood when the snow melted). I stepped into the snow and down I went...up to my hip in snow. I had to shovel my way out and to the house. It took us and the Elders 2 hours to shovel a 3 feet deep  from her house. It was a nice warm (25 degrees) day so I was happy to be outside!

We went to the H family for dinner on Friday and her daughter (who is 7) her own Book of Mormon. On Sunday we saw her crying and asked her what was wrong. She had forgotten it at home. Her mom then told us that she has been reading it like crazy and highlighting "God" "Lord" "Jesus" every time she sees it. Sister O and I both do it, I love to see how much the Book of Mormon truely speaks and testifies of Christ.

Basketball was a small turn out. The Elders, us, and Brother Y. The fact that Brother Y came (who is inactive) was amazing though! We had fun just shooting hoops and talking to him. Hopefully the C family will be able to come next week.

At the moment Sister O and I are obbessed with the song "What do I know of holy," if you haven't listened to it you should! It was on a CD we got from the G Sisters who got it from the APs.

Spritual Thought: 2 Corinthians 4:15-18. God has given us everything! This earth, the sun, the sky and trials, pain and sorrow are all for our sakes! That we may reconginize His grace - or His divine help or strength - and thank Him for it! In doing so our spirits are renewed everyday, though our physical bodies may be exhausted or sick. Our trails are made light as we thank Him, because we remember the eternal perspective of life. God asks us to give thanks, not that He needs it, but because it can truely bless our lives! Giving thanks helps us see His love for us through the things around us. My challenge this time is a little harder than normal. I challenge you to write 1,000 things you are grateful for AND remember to personally thank your Heavenly Father for them in your prayer. I've taken this challenge up on myself as well. I'm on 115 so far! Do you think you can do it? I know that you will feel yourself become more energized, happy, and determined as you do this! You will feel God's love for you more abudently in your life as you notice all the little "I love you"s that He places around your life.

I love all of you! Have a fantastic March! Enjoy the wonderful spring!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

March

February has been one crazily insane week! For starters WE HAVE A BAPTISMAL DATE!!!! It's the first date that Shawano has had in over 5 months. Our lesson was on Jesus Christ - his birth, baptism, and Atonement. The lesson was great with the Spirit powerfully testifying of it's truth. Then Brother K asked S to be baptized. (To explain a little: Sister O and I felt prompted to have Bro K ask him. Bro K is a talker. He can talk about pretty much for a long time. For this lesson he was pretty close to silent. He was so nervous to ask! He did a great job though). He will be baptized on March 22, 2014!

One thing I've learned very well as a missionary is not to take anything personal. Every door that is slammed in my face isn't a big deal. For instance, we went and tried to visit a less active the other day and he opened the door and started yelling at us saying (something to the effect of) "What do you think you were doing, coming here last week on a Sunday night at 8 o'clock at night!" Sister O and I stood there shocked a bit, before I said, "I'm not sure what you are talking about." Then he kind of took a step back and said, "Well I'm not interested, bye." I just laughed it off, I'm glad he was able to use us as a source to get his anger out!

The only slight downside to my week was at church...we had our 3 friends at church. C is a talker and ended up talking for 20 minutes of the lesson, which isn't really bad or good. Then an elderly gentlemen of our ward who is hard of hearing (and sitting right next to him) leaned over to his friend and said (at normal volume) "can someone get him to shut up", what's even worse is that his friend didn't hear him and so he had to say it again! Sister O and I just looked at each other in ...well the picture will explain our reaction... I don't think he heard, but his caretaker (he is in a wheel chair) did and wasn't too happy. I'm not sure how to easily smooth this one over, but I don't think it'll be too big of an issue.

To try and get a better relationship with our ward we have been going to a lot more activities (such a MUTUAL). This week was DODGE BALL...and I realized that I don't really like dodge ball. The great thing was that L and R (who are part of a family we are teaching) came! I got to play basketball with R afterward, she is an amazing young woman.

I have to give props to a member we went to dinner with the other day. E has been a member for 2 years now after she found out about the church through her less active husband's mom. She lives in an apartment above her parent's house, which is above their restaurant. Her family drinks, swears, and does most things that she now can't do. Yet, her testimony and determination to do what is right is...awe inspiring. Every Sunday she faithfully attends church alone (or occasionally with her mother in law) and despite temptation all around her, literally, she stays strong to what she knows.

One analogy I've come to love is "feeding yourself spiritually". Our bodies need food - they need 3 sqaure meals a day or they become unheathly. Likewise our spirits need 3 square meals a day of a different sort. Our spirit's diet can range from the Book of Mormon, Bible, Ensign, and Conference talks to uplifting music and wholesome movies.  Just like a physical meal isn't complete without grains, meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables our spiritual meals aren't complete without prayer,  pondering, asking, and listening. My challenge to you this week is to try to "eat" 2-3 square meals a day. I promise you as you do so that you will feel a difference physically, spiritually, and mentally. You will have more energy, feel more hopefully, and recongnize God's love for you each day.

I love you all! I hope you have a fantastic March!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

This has been one slow, but amazing week!

S: Over the past two months a remarkable transformation. When Sister E and I first tracted into him and began teaching. He seemed to want to teach us everything he knew, but was willing enough to listen to us. I think it was his 3rd time that he started shaving before church on Sunday. This Sunday was his 6th time at church and he bought a new shirt (it wasn't white, but a nice button up shirt) and trimmed his hair and shaved. He has started to listen for most of our lessons and his imput is great! We taught gospel principles and it some how got into a kind of heated disscussion between 2 members and he managed to calm one down and bring the conversation back to our lesson! I couldn't stop smiling! We will be inviting him to baptism this week and I'm so excited!! :D

It is truly amazing to see how the Book of Mormon changes people for the better.  He loves the Book of Mormon and has read up to Alma 49 since we first met with him. I know the Book of Mormon can truly help bring you to Christ. Through the words it contains you can come to know our Savior and his Atonement. I know that the Book of Mormon is true - it truly testifies of Christ and glories in the great blessing that he gives us!

Sister O hurt her ankle so we did a lot of...well planning and other things. Some how during our weekly planning we got M&M's and started trying to throw them in each others mouths. We have so much fun!

At Sister Ps we tried grilled cheese with applesauce. I know I know, it sounds weird, but trust me it is great!

The weather go into the 40s for 2 days and it was AMAZING! but now its back to 0 degrees and all the melted snow turned to ice. Ice ice everywhere!

I love the priesthood! It is great to always have 2 worthy priesthood holders a call away (like for a blessing when a certain someone hurts her ankle). 

Sister J told us the funnest and cutest thing. When you are dancing with a boy/girl make sure there is "room for Jesus" between you!

I want to thank everyone for the Valentine's Day cards I got! 

I love basketball! I'm getting at least half decent at it now. I managed to make 3 shots on Saturday. It is so much fun to get some real exercise in! I miss being able to walk outside and really enjoy the sun.

Like I said it was a slow week, but I love you all so much and I love being able to share the joy of Christ with those I meet!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Snow storm

Our dinner appointment just canceled so we have a lot more time on our hands! There is a huge snow storm outside. We are suppose to get 5-6 inches of snow today. The good news is that on Wednesday it will be 40 degrees! I can't wait! I miss walking out into a rush of heat!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day itself was nothing special. Sister O was sick so we just stayed home, but the week itself was great!

I don't know where to start there were so many funny, great random things that happened!

• Monday night we had dinner at the B family's house. They gave us "homemade egg" aka eggs that their chickens had laid.
• C (one of our investigators) expressed how much he loves coming to our church and our lessons. He said, "You come with halos." He is the cutest old man and has come to church 3 time (I think). He was super sick last week and couldn't make it, but made it yesterday.
• I got to drive in a snow story in the dark for the first time ever. That was...well lets just say I'm glad Heavenly Father protects His missionaries.
• I learned to play pool at the E. They had a mini one, I didn't do too bad, just lost by one ball. I love dinner appointments with our members. Sister O even figured out how to tie it into our lesson!
• Sister O died on Friday (she wasn't feeling good and slept all day) so I went crazy and scrubbed our kitchen and bathroom top to bottom and then read from the Book of Mormon before joining her in a nap. I'm glad it only lasted a day and that she is feeling better now!
• I got a Valentine's Day gift yesterday! The P family got them for us. Brother Ppicked them out (which a little help from his wife). He did a great job!
• Apparently women are like cows...

We had a lesson with K and it was AMAZING. We read "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" by Thomas S Monson and it was just what she needed to hear. She cried a little bit and said she would come back to church this coming Sunday! I'm so excited for her! She is also having us over for dinner and ice cream cake on Thursday. She is the sweetest lady ever I love her!

On Tuesday we met the sweetest old lady (she had just turned 86 the day before) at a nursing home when we were trying to see a less active. We found her sitting in the hall by the back door soaking up the sun (which we hadn't seen for a good week). We talked for a while and she invited us to come back again to visit. Her love for God is amazing, she is almost a Mormon and doesn't even know it ;)

I was finally able to meet Grandma R for the first time. She is Sister B's mom (fyi I lived with Sister B in Green Bay) and I've heard so much about her! We were in the family history center volunteering (entering names in) when she walked over and gave us each a hug. Which reminds me. I LOVE FAMILY HISTORY! I was able to look up my family tree a lot this week and found some amazing stories about my ancestors! Each of them is truly an inspiration to me!

This week was Zone Conference. Those meetings are always Spirit packed experiences! The focus this time was heavily on prayer and making sure those we teach know that Heavenly Father loves them!! It really got me thinking. Do they really know? I often ask people if they know that God loves them and they say "yes", but do they really know that He does? It's something I, who have been a member all my life, am just barely starting to comprehend! It reminded me of the mormon message "earthly father, heavenly father" I love how it puts everything so simply into prospective!

So my spiritual message for the day is this "When you are living in fear, you are not walking in faith." This quote really hit me hard. Every time I feel fear, am I trusting in the Lord, His love, and His plan? As far as I've figured, I haven't. The fear that comes into my life is from Satan. He wants me to fear talking to strangers, to fear what others will think, to fear the world more than God. This concept applies to everyone. Sometimes when we have studied our situation and solutions out and have prayers and still recieve no answer are the times to act in faith, not fear. There was a talk shared in one of the Ensigns that spoke on how the light only shines a foot or two ahead and it isn't until we take that step into the darkness that more light comes. Sometimes we have to literally take that leap of faith and be willing to fall into the darkness with the knowledge that Heavenly Father will catch us. Like Nephi says in 2 Nephi 28:30 "thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are they that hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel..." We must be willing to over come our fear, by acting in faith. This is one of the hardest things, we as humans, will proabably ever have to try and achieve. Can you imagen the ability to trust Heavenly Father so completely that you would give up all that you had to follow Him?

I love you all and wish you a great Valentine's Day (I know it's a little late).

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

John Perkins

Have you been on familysearch.org?

It's so cool!  I found my great great great grandfather's (on my great grannie Blair's side) story of his conversion.

John Perkins

The only account we have of his trip back to England was taken from his diary. He bore his testimony in a meeting in San Bernardino, California and this is the story as taken from his diary.

 “Thursday, 4 December 1859. “Brethren and Sisters it is with pleasure that I arise in your midst tonight and it is the first time I have had an opportunity since I have been amongst you. I feel that it is not only a pleasure but a duty to bear testimony to the truth of the work in which we are mutually engaged. I mean the Everlasting Gospel. I have always been taught by those who have been placed over us in Australia to consider it a duty and not only a duty but also a privilege to be enabled to speak in these meetings. When in Australia, I used to feel myself condemned if I let an opportunity slip by without bearing my testimony to the truths of the Everlasting Gospel. “Brethren and Sisters in the Gospel, I know that we are engaged in the work of the Lord, and I hope and trust that I shall have the faith and prayers of my brethren and sisters in the Gospel, for I feel that I am a weak and frail being, perhaps one of the weakest among you, yet I thank my Heavenly Father that I have been enabled to see and embrace the Truth. “It is somewhat singular the way I came into the Church, at least it appears so to me. I went from Australia to England to see my mother, my brothers and sisters, as I had not heard from them for a long time, in fact not for some years previous. When in England I could not rest there. What was the core of it, I cannot say, but I felt that it was no home for me. Consequently I went back to Australia. It appears strange to me at this time that almost the last words my mother said to me were, “My dear son, whatever you do, never become a Latter-day Saint, I hear there are some of them in Australia.” I asked her for her reason [and] her answer was “Why! Your cousin Ann and her husband and family were Latter-day Saints, and they were down with the Typhus fever, and a lot of their Elders got around them and smothered them with oil, and would not let any medical aid near them, so they died for want of medical attention and medicines.” I did not make any answer to it, as I could not refute it one way or the other. “I left England soon after to go to Australia again. I wanted to go to Melbourne, but I could not get a ship that was going to sail under a month or six weeks, and I could not rest in England. I did not feel at home there although surrounded by every comfort. So I took the first ship that offered which happened to be bound for Sydney. I must not [have] been but two or three weeks there before I was as it were, thrown into the society of Latter-day Saints. “Hulloa! Mother!” Thought I. “Here I am, thrown right into the nest of them, what shall I do now?” “Well, I began to read the books, to hear the preaching, and as soon as I felt convinced that Mormonism was the truth, that the Lord had again condescended to speak from the heaven to the children of men, that He had again restored the Gospel, I felt it a duty incumbent on me to join it. I accordingly was baptized. I had not been in Sydney two months before I was baptized. Brethren and sisters I know that I am in the Church and Kingdom of God, and I testify tonight before you that it is what is called Mormonism. We then, as Saints, out to be pure and holy. We ought to let our prayers ascend continually to the Throne of God, for one of the Seven administering Spirits that goeth in and out before the Throne of the Almighty (He that attends at the Altar of Incense) presents the prayers of the Saints. The apostle John says that the Incesnse which he offers is the prayers of the Saints. There is also a poet that says, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees.” There is a reformation commenced in this place. Then let us all, my Brethren and Sisters, join heart and hand in it, and by the blessing of God, we shall soon be able to accomplish it. There is one thing that is very prevalent here. We are apt to notice each other’s faults and forget our own, but if we were all to do as we in Australia were often told to do by the Elders, it would be all the better for us, viz. to keep two bags, one before for ourselves and the other behind for our neighbors. We would be so taken up with the enormity of our own faults that we should have no time to look at those of our neighbor. We should undergo a rigid daily self-examination. The Prophet of the Lord has said, “Man, know thyself” and unless we do know ourselves, how are we to conquer ourselves? Why! The greatest conquest that Man can have, is to conquer himself, for what is Man, and what are the honors and dignities that Man is to arrive at and enjoy, provided he is faithful to his calling? Why! To the honor and dignity of a God. What says the Psalmist? “I have said, Ye are gods… but ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” The Savior also says, “Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are Gods?” Then, how pure and holy ought the saints to be. If you want to know some of the blessings and honors of the saints, read the last Psalm but one, you will there find it. “Brethren and sisters I know that we are engaged in the work of the Lord and that I have embraced the truth, as a witness of which I am now here amongst you and it rejoices my heart to have an opportunity to bear my testimony to that effect. I have come here because it is a commandment to gather out from among the nations and come to Zion, where we can serve Him according to His holy will, which the saints cannot do abroad in the world. Besides what says the Psalmist in the 87th Psalm? Why! “The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there.” Yes my Brethren and Sisters, it is to be counted an honor even by the Lord Himself to the man that shall be born in Zion. Then let us go on in that way and manner that shall be well pleasing and acceptable in the sight of the Lord, that we may be enabled to get the Spirit of the Lord and also to keep it. Brethren and Sisters, I hope that you will pray for me and be assured that I will do the same for you, and that we may all be enabled to stand faithful in the Kingdom of God, and that God may help us all is my sincere and humble prayer in the name of Lord. Amen.”

There's Winter in the AIr

It's been another week of miracles! I have to say I love God's timing. It has worked perfectly time and time again this week! In our area we are focusing heavily on re-activating in-actives. There were at least 3 occasions when we met LAs when they usually shouldn't have been home, but happened to at that perticular time and day. Each day during planning I look through the ward list and pick about 10 names for us to go see and each time we meet at least 3 of them and find out that 2 have moved. Which compared to the week before is a massive improvement.

Blessing #1: The highlight of my week was meeting with a investigator we haven't been able to meet with for about 2 months to have an actual lesson. She went on a tangent (as all Wisconsites do) which I managed to some how tie into our lesson. The Spirit was strong as Sister O and I each bore our testimonies about the Book of Mormon. Throughout the lesson I was guided to ask some "inspired questions" (as we missionaries call them) which lead to an issue we were able to address. We are meeting with her again on Wednesday to follow up. I really think she has the potential to be baptized this month.

Blessing #2: So the other day we were trying to find a less active and had to climb up these stairs (the first 3 were covered in ice) and the whole thing creaked and groaned. After we knocked a women appeared at the bottom and told us that they don't use that door anymore. As I went back down the icy stairs I ended up slipping and slidding the rest of the way down. Blessing was that I only had a bruised hip! Nothing major and even the bruise didn't hurt all that much. Which leads to another story...so I did something to my ankle. Not sure what, but it got pretty swollen. It's under control now so no worries!

Blessing #3: A car didn't yeild when it was suppose to and so we almost slid into them, but we didn't. Heavenly Father blessed us with traction!

Sister O and I laugh so much, until our stomachs hurt from laughing. It's great having someone so close to my age because we get each others odd remarks! She has such a powerful testimony and a amazing grasp on the scriptures. Often when we have to share a quick message unprepared I share a quick message and she whips out the amazing scripture! I love how she has great ideas on how to teach with object lessons and the creative ability to make them happen!

The K came to another lesson with S. He has been to church for a month straight now and loves it. The only hicup is him being pretty set in his ways (long story), however in class yesterday he remembered something we had taught him earlier in the week. Sister O and I did a happy dance afterwards. He just has to sort through all the things he has learned and the things that we teach and believe. Our next lesson will focus a lot on prayer, because that is one of the best ways he can sort through the truth and lies.

I love you all and remember "God didn't put us on this earth to fail," because "all things are possible in the Lord". With His help we can overcome any trial, pain, confusion, or hurt.

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Transfers

Transfers: I'm staying in Shawano and Sister O is coming here. Odd thing about transfers is that Sister T (a previous companion) is now my Sister Training Leader so I'll be going on exchanges with her once a transfer. Also my zone split! I'm now in the Green Bay South Zone! The mission has changed so much since I've gotten out. There were 6 zones not too long ago and now there are 9 and the Appleton Zone looks like it'll split soon too. Sister E is off to Oshkosh to serve with Sister H.

Big News: WE HAD 3 INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH! They all came to church and loved it! We have barely had any lessons with them, and still have a lot to teach, but there is a lot of potential in them. I'm so excited for the Shawano Area!

Friend of the Week:  C was Miracle #4 last week. We met with him earlier this week and semi taught the Restoration (he is a talker and it's hard to get much in once he starts). He is in a wheel chair, he was a cop for 30 years until he got shot in the leg. C is his care taker and reads the Book of Mormon with him everyday! I'm so excited for the both of them...though I'm pretty sure C wants to set either Sister E or I up with his son...we tried explaining the whole "we can't date while we are on mission" rule, but I'm not sure if it got through to him. Oh well! He is a sweet guy and C is awesome!

Other News: Sister O is pretty new to the mission field so she doesn't have a GPS sooo I finally got around to buying one. With an area as big as ours a GPS is a must, a lot of the streets aren't even listed on a normal map (not that I'd have any clue where to even look for a street on our map). We had a lot of dinner appointments because Sister E is leaving.

Sister E Spotlight: Sister J.E. has been out on her mission for 14+ months. She has served in Madison, Milwaukee, and Shawano. She is one of 6 kids (3 boys and 3 girls) and is the oldest. She is from Mesa, AZ. She loves Stargate and Sanctuary (and now Doctor Who curtesy of Sister K and I talking about it a lot). Her guy is serving his mission in Tahiti. I love her! We laugh and goof of all the time - when no one is around of course. I don't remember a day I haven't laughed this transfer!

I'm out of time! Off to see an Amish Bishop to give him muffins and to our dinner appointment at the P. Don't worry - we won't get stuck this time!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

A week of miracles

Miracle #1: Tuesday morning I had the faint idea (or later I realized it was a prompting) that I should bring our big shovel and put it in the trunk. I didn't. We got stuck before we were about to leave our drive way. So we got the shovel and shoveled our way out and were pretty late for District Meeting. Later after we left the P's house we came across someone who had also gotten stuck in the snow and beacuse we had the shovel we were able to help them. I believe Heavenly Father wanted us to be prepared to help those people and made it possible for us to be able to, even if it meant getting stuck first ourselves.

Miracle #2: Satuday night all our appointments feel through and we were able to return home to do our weekly planning. We hadn't even come close to fufliling our goals and I had a strong desire not to return home but to keep working until we met our goals. The desire was so strong that Sister E and I pondered who else we could possible go visit. Steve. We know of 2 guys with in a block of each other so we decided to try both of them. One was a potential investigator we had tracted into 2 weeks earlier the other was a less active member. So one had a dark house so we went to the other. He was home! He told us he had been sick the previous week, but was planning on coming to our church tomorrow. We had never had the opportunity to teach him, we only got to explain the Book of Mormon and give him one prior.

Miracle #3: HE CAME TO CHURCH!!!!! We walked in and I did a doubt take. There he was as he had promised, sitting next to the Elders. He told us after church that he really enjoyed everything and we finally have a return appointment with him!

Miracle #4: One of our appointments fell through so we decided to go to our other appointment early, knowing she was always home and wouldn't mind us being early. We got there and rang the bell (it's an appartment complex so you ring the door bell and they buzz you in) and there was no answer. Luckily a man let us in. One thing led to another and we ended up talking (well he did most of the talking) for the hour. We gave him a Book of Mormon and got a return appointment! All in time to make it to our appointment on time! I know the Lord has a time and a reason for everything. One appointment may fall through so that you will be able to meet someone else who is willing to hear the gospel.

On another note: We got to drive through a blizzard from GB to Boduel on Tuesday. Really wanted to go tracting in it, just to say that we had, but we knew we'd have recived a scoulding from Sister P. Saturday I played an actual game of basketball for the first time since...elementary school probably. The Elders, Easters, and J family were all there and it was a blast. I'm not as horride at it as I had previously thought. The hillarious part was that no one would touch Sister E and I, it was amusing to watch. They must know the saying "Hurting a Sister Missionary means instant excomunication" as an 8 year old in our ward put it. When the J girls showed up it was even more fun.

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Things I forgot

Some of the things I forgot to write in my mass email...

This Friday when we were volunterring at a nursing home a polka..player...singer...person came and played Polish Polka music. The residents loved it and swayed back and forth singing. The only "polka ish" song I know is "I don't wanna be a chicken, I don't wanna be a duck, so I'll shake my [shoulders]"

We ate ice cream when it was still only 3 degrees out.

I have enough lotion and body wash to last me to my mission's end. I'm still waiting on that pumpkin bread ;) I wear my slippers around the house all the time.

Pictures:

1. Me standing on a frozen lake

2. Sister Edwards and I with the cache we found this morning!

3. My snow globe was frozen

4. The frozen waterfall going down our stairs

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

The Frozen Tundra

Hey!

There are so many things that happened this week! We had Zone Training and the DTM and interviews so a lot of my week was taken up in meetings :b but I love them. I always learn so much!

Friend of the week: So we are now teaching the Cs, which is a realllly long story, but to keep things short I'll just say that they are the Elder's investigators that we accidentally tracted into while trying to find a less active. Oh and Sister C speaks no English. Luckily Sister J is a RM and is from Peru so she is joining us in teaching them. We teach, she translates. Not sure where this will lead (they can't get baptized for certain reasons), but they are willing to learn and we have plenty of time to teach.

Event of the week: We went Geocaching this morning! The P family is very much into it and set up a Geocach just for Sister E a month or so ago and we had enough time today to go find it! Took us about an hour of searching, but I finally spotted it. Oh and while we were searching in the forest for this cach we saw this car pull of the highway (on purpose) and drive across the frozen lake. I know it's cold and all, but really, your car! No worries though, he went safely across.

Spiritual thought: I'm not going to write much, but this go and watch "On the Lord's Errand" on lds.org (link is on the bottom of the email) and really ponder what you can do to listen to the gently promptings of the Spirit.

Other News: I had homemade deer jerky - it was delicious - made homemade navajo tacos - also delicious. It's 31 degrees out, perfect weather, I don't need to wear a jacket for once. Sister E and I helped the Bishop's wife make 25 lunches for all the Stake Presidencys that came up for ward conference. Had a blast helping her. She is the sweetest woman ever! She is also a speech therapist for kids at a school and her daughter (who helped us) teaches 1st grade. We were able to go to their school (long story)  and boy, if I was going to be a teacher I'd want to go to their school! I loved Ward Conference. A lot of the people in the Stake are from Green Bay so I was able to see a lot of the members of the GB 1st Ward! It was great!

One thing I've really loved is keeping a personal study journal. I write down anything and everything that comes to mind. From thoughts about a chapter I read from the Book of Mormon, to questions that come to mind, to goals on how I can improve. It's been a true blessing to be able to go back and read my thoughts from before. Not only can I see old insights, but I've been able to see how much I've grown. If you don't have one I highly recommend starting now! Keeping my study journal has also made it so I don't just read through a chapter and move on, it makes me stop and ponder. I've noticed a huge difference in my studies. They've been come even more spiritual and powerful as I've let the Spirit guide my thoughts.

My favorite find was in 3 Nephi 18:32 when Christ is talking about the less active members. He advises the strong members not to cast out those who aren't choosing the right, but to strengthen them. We will never know when that person may change, repent, and come unto Christ and if we don't give up on him we can be the means of bringing them to salvation. Like it says in the previous verse, Christ knows His sheep, we don't. Which is why we should always be that helping, unjudging ha!d.

I love you so much!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-09-01-on-the-lords-errand-the-life-of-thomas-s-monson?lang=eng&_suid=138964783437808163874672194411?category=2009-09-01-on-the-lords-errand-the-life-of-thomas-s-monson&&lang=eng#2009-09-01-on-the-lords-errand-the-life-of-thomas-s-monson?lang=eng&_suid=13896478357450025270725512482883

A New Year

First off, for those of you who have looked up the Wisconsin weather for this week - don't worry! We aren't allowed to go tracting or street contacting until Wednesday. For those of you who haven't the weather outside is -25. The high is -16 and the low is between -40 and -50. We are staying plenty warm, the members take good care of us and are worry warts for our welfare.

I have so many great stories to share from this week!

1. Sister E and I were looking for a less active and we found his house. We knocked and a nine year old answered and went to go get his mom. She came and ushered us in excitedly (which never happens). She didn't speak much English so her son translated a lot. We asked if we could come back the next week and she readily agreed. Sister J (who's first language is Spanish) is coming with us. The funny thing is that we found out that the woman was previously taught by the Elders and wants to be baptized, but can't for various reasons. We are still going to see her though. Turns out the less active we were looking for lives in the apartment above her house.

2. We met a golden investigator named. She invited us in and we talked with her and her husband. She actually asked us  about our beliefs. The scriptures we read with them were exactly what she needed to hear. She asked us where the church is and her and her husband plan on coming in 2 weeks (they are going to be out of town before then). The sad thing was...she is in Appleton Zone, so not our area. We received her as a potential investigator and went over for the Appleton Sisters to see if she was really interested. Ironically she only lives 20 minutes away from our house :b Oh well, as long as she will be taught the gospel that's all that matters!

3. We taught the young women's lesson on the Godhead (focusing on Jesus Christ). It was amazing! It flowed smoothly and we had a good amount of participation. Then we bore our testimonies of Christ and almost all of them did. By the end everyone had tear filled eyes and the Spirit was strong testifying of the truth of Jesus Christ. Sister E has asked us to teach the first lesson of every month, and I can't wait!

Other News: Exchanges were this week! Sister N came and stayed with me and I got to drive on ice and snow! We went tracting and ended up going to the P's for dinner and took down their Christmas tree. Sister N is also an amazing crocheter! She looked at a crocheted blanket on Sister Es bed, got a ball of yarn and was able to replicate one of the circles. Oh and Sister E and I played "ice soccer" on our way home - kicked a ball of ice back and forth. On Sunday Sister E and I also were suppose to teach Gospel Principles, but no one in our class came so we didn't get to play our great Priesthood Jeopardy game until after church when two of the kids were waiting for their mom to get out of a meeting so we entertained them and played it. It was a fun time we got to re-learn everything we had studied to make it and the kids learned some new things too. 

This week I wrote my testimony in a Book of Mormon and I'm going to pray to know who to give it too. I want to challenge each of you to do the same! It was great to really think and re-evaluate what I believe and to write it down. It's such a huge blessing when you share your testimony, because even if the one you share it with gets nothing from it, you do. You get the Holy Ghost confirming the words you speak/write. I love you all and wish you a Happy New Year!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern