Christmas in Shawano

Hey Everyone!

First off, I love Shawano! It's a complete difference than Green Bay. A lot bigger area and a lot more empty space. I tract every day for a couple hours, don't worry I stay warm. We don't have any investigators here, so we do a lot of finding. Sister E is great and thinks outside the box. The ward is small about 30 active members I think (then again it was the Sunday before Christmas). They are strong members though and adore the sister missionaries (sister missionaries were only put in Shawano 3 transfers ago)!

Friend of the week: The P family! A less active family (for heath reasons) love the missionaries and have them over for dinner every week (alternating sisters with elders - they love the sisters more). They are the family having us over for lunch and Skyping on Christmas. They have presents and stocking for us (all their kids are grown and moved out). Such a sweet, amazing couple. I love them and we call Sister P - Sister P (so we are still keeping mission rules) she really is like a mom or grandma. I just always want to give her a big hug!

Highlight of the week: We tried a new door approach and were able to hand out 6 Book of Mormons in 2 days. It was amazing! We found 2 promising potentials from it. I found that I really enjoy tracting. I guess it's just nice to be outside and doing something. Though it isn't the best way to go, but it's all we can do right now while we try to get the members more pumped up and get the work moving that way.

Other News: our mission's goal is to have 300 baptisms this year right now we have 295, with 4 more planned for next week. We just need one more, not that #'s count really, but to know that 300 people have joined the church here in Wisconsin - the lowest baptizing mission in the US - would be so incredible. Our shower hasn't really been working - a plumber is fixing it today - so we've had to have 5 minute showers the past couple days. Fun stuff. The W family is taking us to our baptism on the 28th. I'm so excited for her! Soon her honey will join her (the end of January hopefully). We volunteer weekly at Pine Manor - a nursing home that I can't say anything more about besides that we help people play Bingo. Oh and I had to bear my testimony with Elder O (the other new missionary) in Sacrament Meeting - yeah, they didn't give us any notice about it either, but it was nice. I've gotten lost of presents from the members. Hot Coco, gift cards, another present they are going to drop off and they don't even really know me yet! All my letters came at once which was cool - all 12 of them. I feel so loved, thank you! I will try to reply to all of them today.

Christmas: On the day of Christmas Eve we have a special Training Meeting with the other districts about Christ. Then we have dinner at the J's and are going caroling with them :) Christmas Day will be spent at the P's where we will Skype our families and have lunch. Then we are volunteering at a community dinner passing out food and then back to the J's for dinner again. It will be great!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

1st Transfer

I'm once again waiting for Sister Taylor to finish. I don't mind though. Gives me time to think about everything I might have forgotten to write about. I was really nervous about where I was going to be transferred, but Shawano is perfect! I cannot wait for it! I'll be living in an apartment this time (its one above a house, but they don't interact with the members much) I've been there once before when we had to let them use our car and it's pretty..interesting. They have a very small ward and chapel it's in between 1/3 and 1/2 the size of the ones in Vegas. They are in "finding" mode because they don't have any solid investigators to teach so I'll be doing a lot of tracting I believe. Which is good, I've gotten a little rusty with door contacting. Did you ever figure things out with my card? If not oh well, I don't really need to buy anything at the moment anyways. I hope everything fits in my suitcases and that they aren't too heavy. I've packed most of my things so I should be okay. Transfers are Wednesday morning. I didn't realize how much I love the ward here until I found out I was leaving. I'll admit I cried a tiny bit, but I knew it was for the best. It's rare to stay over 6 months in an area, so I wasn't all that surprised. Good news is that our District Meeting with be in the Green Bay chapel every other week so I'll be able to see Sister B occasionally :) I stay pretty warm overall. I put on thermals, tights, leg warmers and boots then my huge jacket and gloves and occasionally a hat. I hope everything is going well on the home front! I love you!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Shawano anyone?

It's offical my time here in Green Bay comes to an end this Wednesday. I'm being transfered to Shawano. Just so you can understand the awesome irony of this I'll explain. My district has 4 companionships. Green Bay 1 Elders and Sisters and Shawano Elders and Sisters. Shawano is a whole 45 minutes away and the sister being transferred from there is coming to take my place in Green Bay! Even better news is this...our investigator is being baptized on the 28th of this month and I'm close enough to go! If I had been sent anywhere else I would have had to miss it. Sister E will be my new companion and she is amazing! We've done lots of role plays with her at District Meetings.

Be sure you send any mail to the mission address:

Sister Kassidy Kern

7111 W Edgerton Ave Ste 100

Greenfield WI 53220

It was sad to say good bye to the Green Bay 1st Ward. I will miss them all so much! They've been like my family away from home. Great support and love and such a desire to share the gospel with others. We will be spending a lot of time visiting people the next 2 days and saying my good byes. As Brother B said "Heavenly Father has been so good to me" and there is nothing I could have asked him would have been better than my time here. These 6 months I will truly cherish, Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart, along with its members, people, and yes even it's football fanatics.

Spiritual Thought: (Ether 12:4) With Christ's birth in Bethlehem came the hope, the hope for a better world which leads people to do good. Not only were the 3 wise men and people in Jerusalem looking forward with hope for His birth, but the Nephites in the Americas looked forward and prophesied of His coming. Now when Christmas time comes around we know we can still look forward towards Christ for His coming. We have the hope that He was born, crucified, and arose. We know He still lives and will come in His glory again to the earth. We each have the hope that all the pain, sorrow, and affliction in this mortal world will end and the Prince of Peace shall reign. As this Christmas times comes closer I challenge you to study and ponder about the hope Christ brings to your life and then think of someone you know who may need that same hope brought to their own lives.

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Snow, snow, snow and 4 degrees

Highlight of my week: Ward Christmas Party! It was fantastic! About 150 people came. Mainly members, but they brought a lot of their none member friends and less actives a long too. Everything went smoothly and the dinner was delicious! I loved being able to see all the members doing missionary work.

Friend of the week: DM! Boy is she one amazing woman! She is the most in tune to the Holy Ghost person I've ever met. She had the prompting to move to Wisconsin to live with one of her daughters here, which meant leaving her job and condo in Colorado and moving in with 6 people and she went. Everyone thought she was crazy, but she know what had to be done and went to it. She was a ward missionary in Colorado and loves being a part of missionary work (mainly with her less active family here in GB and re-activating them) and is having us over for dinner (well taking us to Ihop) tonight. She is seeing so much success! Her whole family (I like over 15 people) here in Green Bay came to the ward Christmas party and are semi-attending church regularly. "Slowly, but surely they will come."

Pictures: 

Me in the snow at 8 o clock at night. There is so much snow that it looks like it's about sunset a night long. Never gets fully dark. The sun is usually down by 4 o clock now.

Spiritual thought: "There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts  to inspire, and souls to save" Thomas S Monson. One thing I've determined to do once I'm off my mission is to reach out each Sunday to at least one person I don't know and get to know them. You never know the impact a smile, handshake, and hello can have to someone struggling. More often than not God uses us to answer others prayers. We have the responsibility to "life where [we] stand" and how can we lift together if we don't know each other? My challenge to you this Christmas time is to reach out to 1 person in your ward you don't recognize or know well and get to know them! Try to see who in your ward might need a friend or word of encouragement. Let them know you care. And if you know everyone already do the same thing, but at work, school, or anywhere else. Pick one person and "steady..grasp...encourage...inspire...and save" them. If you aren't sure who do pick then I recommend reading your Book of Mormon 10 minutes a day thinking about people you know and how what you are reading could help on of them. Heavenly Father will bring someone to your mind.

Other News: Lots and lots of snow. They keep the roads pretty clear though.Our phone died this week. Had to go without one for 2 days and lost all our contacts. Which as a missionary is pretty horrible. We did a lot of random drop byes which didn't turn out too bad over all. A great experience I had this week was teaching Sister H's twin 7 year old girls. Not that the lesson was all that great, but because their less active dad did a lot of the teaching. He chimed in a lot sharing and explaining Heavenly Father's love for them and the importance of prayer. On a sadder note our other investigators moved back to Racine on Sunday :( it was a great experience getting to know and teach them. I hope they continue to take the missionary lessons down there. Who knows, maybe it is just what they need to start taking those steps towards baptism!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Thanksgiving here and gone

Highlight of my week: Thanksgiving! We volunteered at Divine Temple of Christ to pass out food. Lots of African Americans there, which was so fun! Boy can they cook (we only tried a little homemade mac and cheese though). Super friendly! Then we went to the R family for dinner. They had 2 friends over besides us and lots of food. They even sent us home with left overs. They make things a little different then they do back home. No marshmallows on yams, they have apples instead and instead of cranberries they had cranberry relish. Pretty good though! We also went and visited with our investigators, they are doing great and will be baptized on the 28th of this month. I received plenty of letters and a package the day before Thanksgiving so no homesickness for me! Thank you all so much!

Pictures:

1. We found a way to be both warm and fashionable at Goodwill (don't worry I'm smart enough not to try heels when its icy)

2. Bro R, Bro W, Me, C, Sis R

3. You can't really tell, but that house is a bright pepto-bismol pink. This is how Green Bay celebrates Christmas

Spiritual thought: At testimony meeting this past Sunday it was all about missionary work. I loved the comment that was made by a new member to our ward. She talked about how this earth isn't our home, but church is like our home away from home. It is a place where anyone should be able to enter and feel at home. To feel the spirit and welcoming smiles. Our ward here has stepped up its game a lot in the past month. Every time we have an investigator or less active come there are 5-6 people who say hi and introduce themselves. Not in a overbearing way, but casually and with love. A simple "hello, I don't think I've met you before" or "I'm glad you were able to come" or "We can't wait to see you again next week" makes such a difference in our investigators experiences. Church truly is our home away from home. A place we can be with those we love and strengthen each other. A place to feel the Holy Ghost and our Father's love. Take the time this next Sunday to look for those you don't know or don't know well.

Other News: Our phone died, went all wacko and kicked the bucket. We will be 2-3 days phoneless. Not sure how that's going to work...Transfers are on the 18th so anything sent after this week should be sent to the mission office - it takes 2-3 weeks to get to me when it's sent there so if it takes longer for me to reply, that's why. I was in the city newspaper. It is suppose to warm the beginning of this week and drop into 20-10 degrees on Friday. A high of 19 and low of 4. Woot! I can't really think of anything else so I love you all! Happy Holidays! Don't forget to put Christ in Christmas.

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Thanksgiving

Highlight of my week: The A family came to church! They are a less active family we have been working with. They had been going to the Jehovah Witnesses for the past 6 months. We had a great lesson with them this past week with their home teacher and they agreed to come back and really enjoyed it. The ward all welcomed them warmly and said they had been missed.

Friend of the week:  M and M are best friends who the sisters taught about a year ago, but then lost contact with. We had tried to stop by a couple times, but no one was ever home. Then one night (its a super long story), but to get back to a member's house we walked past their building complex and my companion felt like we should stop in. So we did and M was there. We quickly set up another time for us to return (we were going to be late to our other apt). We had planned on asking M about M, but when we showed up they were both there waiting for our lesson. They absorbed the lessons like sponges and were so sweet and sincere (really concerned about if animals went to heaven). Each of them got a Book of Mormon and when we met them again they had their glasses ready to read. I have such high hopes for them! A lot of their values are similar to ours, other than M strongly believes in reincarnation.

Pictures: Me, in my big fluffy jacket, taken this morning. As for the other picture...Bro Rich asked for a picture of us "doing missionary work" for the ward newsletter. So when we had dinner with the Olsen's we presented them with the odd request.

Spiritual thought: I was reading a talk today by Terence M Vinson from General Conference. The question his son Ben asked really struck me hard. "How would you feel if someone promised you something every week and never kept the promise. Do we take seriously the promise we make..." his focus was on the sacrament, but I'd like to apply it to all aspects of our lives. When we promise our Heavenly Father something - that we will read the Book of Mormon every night or pray more or go to church - and then fail again and again to achieve that promise how does Heavenly Father feel? I know how I'd feel - disappointed if not a little annoyed. If we fail to achieve that promise, are we really putting our full effort into it? Are we taking that promise seriously? If we aren't changing then we don't fully understand the Atonement or Jesus Christ. It's because of Christ that we can each change, we can each become better, become more like our Heavenly Father. BUT we have to be committed to it and put in our effort. I don't know about all of you, but I am going to pick something I need to improve on and strive to accomplish it to show my Heavenly Father that I really am thankful for His Beloved Son's sacrifice.

Thanks: I just want to express my deep gratitude for all of you supporting me back home! I'm also grateful that I was able to be raised in Christ's church and to experience all the blessing that it has brought into my life and the opportunity I have to serve a mission for the Lord to help bring His children into the fold. I will ever be thankful for all the leaders and examples I've had in the church growing up. You are who inspired me to continue on and gave me the courage to find my own testimony of the gospel. Thank you to all of my parents - Mom and Steve, Dad and Heidi - you are each motivating, inspiring, and uplifting influences in my life, even as I am hundreds of miles away. I am so grateful for my companion and her sweet encouraging spirit. It is indeed a blessing to work together with someone towards a common goal. I will never be able to thank my elder brother, Jesus Christ, for the sacrifice he bore so that I could return to my loving Heavenly Father's arms with all of my family for eternity. The gift of the Atonement is the most precious gift I've ever been given or had the joy to receive.

Other News: It was 17 degrees Saturday and we bused a lot (low on miles). Stayed warm in our giant coats, we were just glad that we got home before it dropped to 4 degrees. This morning we spend 2 hours making homemade Christmas ornaments for the upcoming ward Christmas party. They are super cute, made out of clothes pins. Tuesday was the first clear sky I've seen in a couple months, reminded me of home. We have meals Mon-Thur this week. A family invited us over for Thanksgiving with a few other friends. It should be a lot of fun. Our investigators have also insisted that we stop by and take some turkey and other things home, even if we can't come for dinner. So we will be fed very well. Most of the day however will be spent at Divine Temple serving people food. Should be a fun day! I'll be buying more stamps today so I can send letters off. Anyways, I love you all! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Nov. 18

Highlight of my week: Teaching seminary! Never thought I'd be going back there! The Elders taught most of the time (Jacob 3) and we hurried and finished (Jacob 4). It's crazy to see the difference. They have about 10-15 students that make up their ENTIRE seminary. All the grades are put into that one class. Not like Vegas where we have 1-2 classes per grade and 2 church buildings just for our 1 high school. It was a lot of fun though, most of the kids participated without too much hassle.

Friend of the week:  S C. She was baptized a little over a year ago and got her endowments out about a month ago. She and her 12 year old daughter found out about the church through friends.  Her daughter was actually baptized before her mom. They are now such strong and amazing members of our little ward! She often has us over for dinner and occasionally calls us saying she has made too much desert! Their testimonies of the gospel are so strong, simple, and powerful. She is always willing to come to lessons and although she is shy she is willing to try and share the gospel with those around her. Right now she works in Primary and is doing a super job!

Spiritual thought: The Book of Mormon is the single most powerful tool we have in converting others. It is by reading and following the teaching in it that we can allow the Atonement into our lives. By reading the Book of Mormon we gain a greater desire to follow Jesus Christ. Why? Because every chapter is testifying not only of Christ, but of His life, His love, His sacrifice. By reading you come to know Him and love Him for all that He has done for us. Who wouldn't want to follow someone they love deeply? Not only does it inspire us to do better it helps us when we fail, the Book of Mormon encourages everyone that it is never, never too late to dust ourselves off and start again. His loving hand is extended towards us always, if we simply repent and come unto Him humble. So if you want to know if God is real. If Jesus Christ really did die for you. If Joseph Smith was a prophet all you have to do is to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to know if it's true. A testimony is knowledge that something is true. Conversion is acting on the testimony you have to govern your choices.

Other News: They switched district leaders on us so Elder S is back to being our district leader. Our car went into the shop after Zone Conference and we had to bus for two days. We have it now thankfully with the down pour we've been having the past 3 days. The Ward Christmas Party is about "A walk through the Savior's Life" and we get to help a lot and be tour guides! The next transfer is on the 18th and we aren't sure what will happen. There is a 90% change I'll be transferred, but nothing is ever certain. Never seem to have enough time for anything, always on the move. I'm loving every minute of it. Thank you so much for all your love and support!

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

Snow Already

Highlight of my week: On Thursday we met with our investigators. We taught them about prophets and read Thomas S Monson's talk from this past General Conference. He is still working on quitting smoking, but other than that they are progressing well. The best part was when he said the closing prayer. He opened with Dear Heavenly Father and Closed in the name of Jesus, which we had been trying to get him to do (he kept forgetting) for a while now. It was AWESOME!

Friend of the week: Sister D! She is an amazing lady in our ward who I didn't know very well until we were able to go visit her. She was in the army when she first was introduced to the church. She and a friend had just gotten their lunch trays and for women in the army back then you had to be careful where you sat so you wouldn't get harassed. The tables with their friends were already full so they spotted a table with a lone guy. They figured the two of them could take him. Turns out he was a really nice guy and invited them to the Singles Sleigh Ride that night and soon after she started taking missionary lessons. She and her husband were eventually sealed in the Switzerland temple (you can't be married in them), and lived happily until he passed away a couple years ago. Her testimony of the gospel is so strong! She is a big sweetheart!

Spiritual thought: In Relief Society this past Sunday Sis M taught. My favorite part was the story she shared. There was a man on a beach with thousands of starfish that had washed up. He took them one by one and threw them back into the ocean. Another man came and said, "Why are you doing that? You will never be able to throw them all back in and it doesn't matter." The first man simply picked up another starfish and threw it back into the ocean before saying, "It mattered to that one, and it matters to this one," he said throwing another starfish in. The point of the story was that even if a lot of your friends reject your invitation to come to church there will come a time when you find that one friend how it will matter too.

We also went and saw the BYU devotional/fireside. That was surprisingly good. My favorite line was

"This earth is not our home."

A simply yet profound statement. This is not where we belong! It's no wonder we often feel alone, out of place, and confused. This earth is not where we are meant to stay, we are meant for better things beyond our comprehension. Never forget, who you are, where you come from, and where you are meant to go.

Other News: It's that time of the year already for the Wisconsinites out here. The first real snow of the season started right in the middle of our morning walk and stayed until about noon today. It's going to be a long winter! Last week we were in line to by groceries when the lady in front tells the cashier, "Add their groceries to mine, I'll pay for all of it." Turns out this incredible woman was a member up in Sturgeon Bay! She thanked us for what we were doing and before we could do more than say a quick thank you she was gone! Oh and for the Zone Conference this Thursday my companion, I, and our Elders are singing..again. Not sure how this keeps happening, but if people keep asking us to sing then we can't be that bad right? Not too sure how I feel about this. First Sacrament, then District Meeting, now Zone Conference. What's next singing for the prophet?! A fun thing we saw, besides snow, this morning was a group of 9 wild turkeys lazily crossing the road without a care in the world. 

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

November Already

I'm staying in Green Bay another transfer with my companion! Woot! Things are going great!

Highlight of my week: So many to choose from.... I guess I'll go with Sunday! Our investigators finally made it to church! :D He participated a lot and both agreed that they liked it. Other investigators also came :) It just boosted my determination to help them gain deeper testimonies of the gospel so they can enjoy the blessings of baptism and being seal for time and all eternity. A great reminder about why I'm out here doing what I do!

Friend of the week: Sister O. She is a sweet lady in our ward, we usually end up helping her clean her house when we stop by :) She told us her amazing life story. She married the son of a diplomat in Guam and moved their right out of high school. Then her husband got a scholarship and went to Brazil, leaving her alone in the very foreign country. There she met the LDS missionaries through a friend and soon a whole group of women would huddle together to listen the missionaries lessons. While she was pregnant with their 2nd child, his parents accused her of something and she went home crying. Moments later the missionaries knocked on her door. To keep things short she eventually divorced her husband and moved to America with her 3 kids where she went to church and found the missionaries there. She was baptized in the YMCA pool. Then one day she came home to find out her x-husband had take her 3 kids back to Guam. She wasn't able to see them for 12 years, when they each decided to move to America and live with her. All of them were eventually brought into the church. She has such a strong testimony of how the gospel was what got her through everything and still does.

Spiritual thought: So Sunday we attended a CES devotional (hoping an investigator would come) and boy was it inspiring! It was about how we can give our will to Heavenly Father. Will: the desire that causes you to act. Our will is the only thing we can truly give Him. Everything else we give is simply giving Him what was already his. He also went into how when we give Him our will we are better able to use our agency. When we give Him our will we change our desires to match His and therefore want what He wants. He shared this story. There was Elder One who had gained 30 lbs on his mission and wanted to lose it all before he returned home, so he asked his company for help. Later they were in line at a buffet and Elder One reached for a brownie, but Elder Two whispered in his ear "you don't want that", which Elder One replied "yes I do", and Elder Two said "no you really don't". Many time we act on our "surface" desires or "momentary" desires like eating that brownie are louder than our real deep desires like losing weight. A good way to change your will to His is to focus on your deeper desires in your choices and have them over-rule those "surface" desires.

Other News: I'm loving my hair! It goes to my shoulders! Oh and they split our district so it'll be MUCH smaller this transfer and I have a new district leader (Elder V) I'm going to miss my district, but it'll be for the better! Fun story: We had Sister B take us to the church at 6:30am on the 31st (she works there) so we could ride our bikes, which we had locked up there, home. We got home only to realize that Sister B had locked the door (we usually leave it unlocked because her daughter is home) and we didn't have a key..and it was raining. It took about 15mins to get her awake to open the door. We never leave our keys home now. We were fed lunch, dinner, and 2 deserts on Halloween! Our members take good care of us :) We were still busing Tuesday and our dinner appointment went way over and we missed the bus. The big problem? We  had to teach a lesson in young women's about missionary work, so thankfully Sister B was able to pick us up (we were in the middle of no where..literally)I am so gratefully for her! She always gets us out of jams. 

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern

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

Sept. 30

October is just about here! Everyday just flies by! I'm working my tail off and having a blast doing it! Winter is just around the corner!

Monday (9/23/13) - Had dinner with a family! They are a super missionary oriented couple. We are actually helping her present at a Catholic Church about Mormons this coming week. Super excited, a lot of people usually turn out. We also found out that we can watch any movie as long as it's produced by the church (not that we ever have time to watch movies - but maybe one of these P-days we can)

Tuesday - New Curative! We went on another tour of the Lambeau Hall of Fame. We went to Oconto Falls (45 minute drive, the very out skirts of our area) to have dinner with a Sister and went and tried to visit a lot of less actives out there. The sister  is such a sweet heart and has a cast on from a surgery she just had - but still insisted on feeding us. For dessert we had apple crumble cake (a lot like cobbler) really made it feel like fall! After that we saw a previous investigator and she accepted our invitation to be baptized (again)! We just need to get her to church some how.

Wednesday - PERKINS MISSION TOUR! from 8-4 we went to Appleton to hear from Pres and Sis Cutler and Elder and Sis Perkins. IT WAS AMAZING! He asked us to write 2 questions down and promised us that if we paid attention we would have our answers by the end (needless to say I got my answers). I felt like crying a lot of the time simply because the spirit was there so powerfully! I loved the question Pres Cutler asked "Do you have enough faith to believe the Atonement will save you?" and the scripture Sister Perkins shared (D&C 64:29) "Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord's errand and watsoever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord's buisness"  Afterwards we saw one of our invesetigators and had the Elders come and give him a blessing. I'm ever so grateful for the priesthood and for all the worthy priesthood holders I have around me! Then a member called and had us over for Stripped cookie salad (fruit salad with stripped cookies in it) it was delicious!

Thursday - We had some homemade tomato soup! She keeps us well fed ;) IT'S HUNTER'S BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDDO! (I'm sending you a letter today!)

Friday - Did service with a former investigator. Real nice lady and had a lot of fun. We are going back this Friday too. We also helped investigtors move - into the house next door. Finally had dinner at Bishops, he has been super busy and his daughter just left Wednesday for the Mexico MTC.

Saturday - Spent most of the day going to the list Bishop gave us and tracking everyone down. Met with an investigator again and explained the Book of Mormon (again, but it more detail) he is eager to learn and let us get in a few words.  He is quite the talker :) He loved the idea about Christ coming to the Americas and said it makes sense AND he accepted the invitation to be baptized too!! Got to go to the Relief Society Broadcast and his wife came! along with another investigator. Such a great broadcast! I highly recommend it if you haven't watched it! I love the story about the sheep and about the woman with homemade bread. Loved it! Can't wait for Conference this weekend! Those men are truely called and directed by God!

Sunday - Three investigators all came to church! Really wish other investigators could have come though! We will get them next time ;) One investigator participated and provided a lot of good comments in class, he already understands a lot of concepts that we haven't even taught him yet! He was definitelyprepared by the Lord!

Our investigator went out of town so we got a good one on one (or two on one) lesson with his wife. She really opened up and the spirit came in really strong. Oh and we got to see Sister E! I just want to sqeeze her! So cheerfully and hillarious! Sister B said "I just want to squeeze you" and Sister E cheered "Do it, do it!" I was laughing so hard!

Monday (9/30/13) - Played volleyball with all (I mean all 7 sets) of missionaries today. Had a blast! Happy to have other sisters there so we weren't completly surrounded by Elders. I had my first fried cheese curds today with my companion! They are great! Taste just like mozzarella sticks. Stopped by a thrift store and looked at some funny things to wear on Halloween too. Great day!

The best part of the Mission Tour was when Elder Perkins talked about patriarchal blessings and challenged us to read through them and write down "Who you are" and "what you can accomplish" from it. I also want to extend that challenge to all my family who have theirs. Read it. Daily. Look at it and find out who you truely are. God doesn't want to change who we are, he wants us to become who we truely are. If you don't have your patriarchal blessing then I challenge you to read in the Book of Mormon to find out who you are. It's in there, you just have to look a little harder. I love each and everyone of you! I wish I had more time to write about all the other spiritual experiences I've had, I'll try to send a letter out today! I LOVE YOU!

With buckets of love,

Sister Kern

Sept 23

Hiya Everyone!

I'm into my 3rd transfer and loving it! Monday and Tuesday were full of good byes for My companion. Fall is definitly here! We are taking the car (well until Thursday when it'll be in the shop). Frost covers the grass when we walk each morning for exercise, soon it'll be too cold for even that! This year is suppose to be a long harsh winter. I'll probably need to go winter shopping soon. I'm excited for the leaves to start changing color. There are sooo many trees here, its goning to be gorgeous! The only times we don't proselyte is Packer Sundays (when Packers are playing) and when it gets to be -30 degrees.

Monday (9/15/13)- We didn't have anytime Monday to do our normal "P-day stuff", but it was fun. We ate at a new families! They have the cutest story ever! The whole love at first sight kind.

Tuesday - We went to a families and had breakfast for dinner! Gotta love french toast, eggs, and hashbrowns! Oh and we gave a guy we had street contacted a while back and gave a Book of Mormon to) a bible as well! And even better yet a guy had talked to him on the bus and given him a card with our number and he ACTUALLY CALLED and INVITED US TO DINNER with him and his wife. Woot!

Wednesday - TRANSFERS! Dropped my old companion off and picked up a new one! She is amazing! Everyday has been a blast with her and I'm learning so much! She has 5 brothers and 1 sister and is the youngest. She is from Meridian, Idaho and went to BYU Provo before going on her mission. She is bright and upbeat and has an amazing singing voice! She is just what this area needs to get things moving again! We sing in the car, take walks in the morning and laugh more often than not. She is one great teacher and her boldness and simplicity in teaching is inspiring. Such a sweet, kind, caring spirit! AND she loves Harry Potter and reads books! Right now she is planning on being a 3rd grade teacher, but it keeps changing. Anyways..we got to go on a full tour at Lambeau Statium with New Curative! It's super cool! I got to push an investigator around again.

Thursday - Planning and it was so refreshing! We have so many new ideas to use in the area! We also had Ward Corrilation and got to meet the new Elder that is training. Ironic thing is his name is the same as the name of the Elder who just left).

Friday - 2 new investigators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) had us over for dinner. They live in extremely humble circumstances, but are so giving and were worried if we were eating enough and insisted we took left overs homes!  He loves to talk, but is very open and loves learning. He also said that "If anyone give you two any trouble just let me know and I'll take care of it". He was in the military and now is going to be a police officer. So don't worry we are safe here!

Saturday - we had our first offical lesson with the man at the bus station. He was super excited and open to the restoration. He asked to go to church so we were able to arrange for a Brother to pick him up on Sunday and take him.

Sunday - Our investigator was able to come to all of church and loved it! Another contact also came even though he was sick (he left after sacrament). We had dinner at a less active family and had pizza and popcorn! They are so great! We gave each of their children a Book of Mormon to read and mark as they please. They were all really excited.

Our invesetigator:

Is 41 (as of this Wednesday). Sister Boggus and I were street contacting and walked over a bridge. I'd been having a hard time with street contacting. It was really nerve racking, but I took a breath and starting talking to the next guy who walked towards us - Our investigator. He is from Puerto Rico originally, but speaks great english. He was into some pretty bad stuff and went to prision, but has made a change in his life. I found out yesterday that he had been praying for help and then he met us. Previous to this he had seen us at the bus stop with our bikes, we caught his attention because he has a daughter our age and we reminded him of her (she is still in Puerto Rico and he doesn't get to see her much). We gave him a Book of Mormon and talked briefly, we asked if we had a Bible too, because he had lost his. We didn't, but promised that if he stopped us at the bus station that we would have one ready for him. And he did! A couple days later he waved us over and we gave him a Bible with each of our testimonies in it and got his phone number. We were finally able to schedule a lesson this past Saturday. He is a talker so we didn't get too much into the Restoration, but he told us that "your church may have what I've been looking for." Then he was excited and wanted to go to church so we told him we would see if we could find someone to give him a ride. A couple hours later he texted us and asked if we had found someone to take him - which we had. A brother picked him up and took him to church Sunday. Although he speaks Spanish he insisted on going to our ward (we have a spanish branch) apparently most spanish speakers speak the "old spanish" while in Puerto Rico they speak "modern spanish" so it was just easier for him to come to our ward. He really enjoyed it and even asked questions during Gospel Principles class. Everyone was eager to answer his questions and did so spledidly! After church he texted us that "he hadn't felt that good in a long time". We have high hopes for him and will be asking him to be baptized in our next lesson (which just so happens to be on his birthday). Needless to say I'm forever grateful for the courage Heavenly Father gave me at just the right moment. I don't fear failure, for this is His work, and nothing shall hinder it!

My favorite scripture of the week.

2 Nephi 22:2 "God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation"

He also has become my salvation. Those words have sunk deeper and deeper into me as I've been out these 100 days or so. Nothing holds more true than that. Each day I come to know with more and more surety that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. He died for us so that each day we can repent and strive to become better and better, to become more like him. Through Him we can overcome every mistake, every pain, every tempation. I know that He loves me and I know He loves each of you. It is by doing the simple things - praying daily, studying the scriptures and talks from prophets, going to church, listening to good music, that we can draw near to Him. When we feel alone, like He isn't there, it isn't Him that has moved. When feeling alone, discouraged, or down the best cure is to serve others. When you serve others you forget yourself.

"There are feet to steady

hands to grasp

minds to encourage

hearts to inspire

and souls to save

are we doing all we should?"

The more each of us starts to cherish the gospel the more we will gain a desire to share it with others. We have and know the way to eternal life - not many people do. We have the truth. It is such a great, incredible thing, why not share it?

I love you all and think of you often. You are in my prayers. Never forget you are never alone! I LOVE YOU!

With Buckets Full of Love,

Sister Kern

Aug 26

Tuesday (8/20/13) - Long day! Biked and bussed everywhere! Luckily our church isn't too far, so getting to District Meeting wasn't hard. An investigator stopped smoking! He is also commited to pay tithing, he actually brought it up - he had wanted to pay it the week before, but wasn't sure how because we do it differently than most folk. His fellowshipper made homemade bread for them and a loaf for my companion and I. She is the best!!! Met a cool lady on the bus who moved here from Puerto Rico when she got married, she had seen the Elders in Puerto Rico and was super friendly.

Wednesday - Went to the Neville Museum again for service! I love those old people! A HUGE storm started while we were at Ward Corrilation so they cut it short and had us drive home before it got worse. My companion drove thankfully, I don't know the roads nearly well enough and it was dark (being about 8pm) and you could barely see are you drove. We went to the church because it was EXCHANGES! Sister N came to our area and my companion went to theirs. She is just as obbsessed with books as I am, so we had tons to talk about.

Thrusday - Our investigators set a wedding date!! They are determined to get married before my companion leaves. Got a letter from Karen and Marty Morris, so here is a shout out to you. THANK YOU! I'll try to send a card later today! We exchanged back at 8:30 that night.

Friday - Biked again! Met with the a couple, who have an amazing love story I'll have to share at a later time. Took a girl on a walk with her dogs (she is special needs and her dad really apprciates the break). Visited active members, they have 3 adorable kids! 

Saturday - Biked again, which isn't anything new I know. Our landlord took us to the library and post office. Then we biked to our investigators and read Joseph Smith's Testimony with them. They readily accepted it, their faith is truely remarkable, I love them! All their kids sat in too! While we were at the bus stop the fire alarm went off and we all had to leave. The fire department made it over in record time...well not really..the bus station shares the same parking lot as the fire department. They really just could have walked over. Turns out a little kid pulled it so there was not fire or anything thankfully. Our landlord gave us ice cream and we played Rumikub with her and her daughter.

Sunday - We went with our investigator to the Celebration Church...it was...different. Lots of "Halleluha, praise the lord" type music. I'll just say that "great and spacious building" fit it perfectly. The people there, however, were super friendly and nice! We met a lady, I think she is Mormon and just doesn't know it yet ;)

So greatful to go to our church after and feel the spirit and reverance there. It was a double farewell they report to the MTC this Wednesday. Our investigator said the opening prayer in our Gospel Principles class!

Our landlord made us dinner and dessert and we played Doddle Dice!

Pistachio ice cream bars

Cruch up one container of oreos and line a pan with them.

In a bowl mix 1 half gallon tub (softened) with 1 packet of pistachio pudding

Mix in a little milk (probably 1/4th cup)

pour into pan

set in fridge to harden

enjoy!

Monday *today - Biked through the rain to the library!

*People in the attached picture are my AMAZING MTC DISTRICT*

Love you all!

Sister Kern

Aug 19

Been a busy week, as always!

Monday (8/12) - Went on a field trip to the Neville Museum again. Pretty fun, we didn't do a tour this time so we got to take our time going around. The seniors all loved it. I'm now the designated driver, and have come to find out that my companion is the worst backseat driver, so now we bike...a lot. We are hoping to get bus passes so we don't have to drive at all. We got to have dinner at a member's house. It was super good! Roast, mash potatoes, a yummy cucumber salad thing, and a cookie cake (she altered a cookie recipe and made it into a cake) which was amazing! She told us she is paying her tithing first before anything else and has never been so happy, even when she can't pay all her bills she sees the blessing that comes!

Tuesday - We biked to district meeting. We have another set of sisters! (3 sets of elders and now 3 sets of sisters, and a senior couple). Then we biked across town to try and meet with a referral..sadly no one was home. We did get to meet with investigators though! We got there an hour early on accident, but they were happy to have us over. He has studied every religion throughly, but says that our religion is the one for him. It's amazing how often I've heard this happen, but not surprising. After much study how can our church NOT be true :)

Wednesday - We went street contacting at Bay Beach, and still had a couple hours of our P-day time to use so we road the Zippin Pippin (a rollercoaster here). So much fun and no line! The kid that sat infront of us turned around and told us "I don't like rollercoasters so I'm going to scream a lot, just so you know" and boy did he scream! Just like a little girl, it was so funny! Then a investigator canceled on us so we went down a couple blocks to the farmers market and went street contacting some more. The farmers market here is hug! It takes up 2 blocks of the street w to e, and another one n to s.

Thursday - My companion was sick so we watch Mr. Krueger's Christmas and the Lamb of God (some of the few movies we are allowed to watch) along with a lot of Mormon Messages. My companioin felt better by late afternoon so we were able to go to our dinner appt at a  members house. We had fish that she had freshly caught at Lake Michigan. Then we ran off to Ward Corrilation and went over our final plans for our Church Tour we were doing Friday. A Brother  bought us all ice cream from Culviers afterward. I LOVE that place! Best stuff ever!

Friday - We finally got to 2 Nephi with a Sister, no real progress with her. We went over the Joseph Smith History with investigators. They are both listening to the scriptuers on their phones and following along and have made amazing progress reading the scriptures! They read every day now and always have family prayer before bed.  Church Tour...not much to say. We announced it in church, put fliers in the church programs, passed out fliers in RS. We even passed out fliers while we street contacted. No one came...we are trying to figure out how to get our ward into missionary work. The work can't progress nearly as well or fast with out them. We used the time to come up with other ideas to get the members involved.

Saturday - Biking again! Tried to see contacts, but alas they all fell through so we went street contacting. Met a sweet lady who lives in Northern Wisconsin. We actually ended up talking to her 4 times because we kept running into her. Really nice, but strong Catholic. There was a huge boat thing going on of old boats, they sail from harbor to harbor in the Great Lakes. Really cool. I'll have to try and send pictures when I can! We later rode the bus to a memberes and had spegetti with them. Great people. They have 2 kids  - who are 3 and 4 and bundles of energy! Horrible bike ride home because we were sooo stuffed! They make sure you don't leave their house hungry! We even got left overs to take home. I have a real nice tan line where my CTR ring is, kinda cool to see the difference of "before my misison" and now. I'm also getting a watch tan line :b

Sunday - Went to church with our landlord so we could visit Sister E (an 87 year old lady in our ward who can't come any more). She has out lived 3 husbands. So sweet and cheerful! Our landlord made some pestachio bread and it's so good! I never liked pestachio before, but she knows how to use it! Biked to a referrals house, but it was an old address.

Well I'm out of time! I love you all so much! I hope you are all doing fantastically well! I wish you the best!

With love,

Sister Kern

Aaug 16

2 months down, 16 more to go! Man how fast time goes! I still feel like a totally newbie (well I am until I start training someone apparently). I'm constantly learning, more often than not I learn the most from my investigators.

Monday - Relaxed, ate pizza with our Elders before a Elder leaves for Peru.

Tuesday - Bingo! I hot to play. One man is just the cutest grandpa! Worked on our talks (we spoke on Sunday). Got in a car accident. Went to dinner and had fajitas! They were great! Completely different than the fajitas we had at another house, but still delicious. We pass around a calendar every Sunday for members to sign up to feed us. On this month’s calendar it had a "spot light" about me. On it for favorite food was "Anything Mexican!" and our members have delivered! I should probably also elaborate on the car accident. My companion hit the car in front of us. Nothing major, no injuries, no damage to either of the cars. Just a lot of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, I know He is always watching over us.

Wednesday - Transfers were today! Not that it changed anything for me. It was super foggy on our bike ride this morning. Super cool! I'm a pro at being a cashier at St Vincent’s now, pretty fun volunteering there. We went and taught investigators, they are so awesome.

Thursday - We went to a field trip to Neville Public Museum with N.E.W Curative (we pushed wheelchairs around). Pretty neat place, we went there again today (8/12/13) with a different group. We were able to see invesetigators. He has such a strong testimony and faith in God and God's purpose for Him, once again! She gave us each a picture of their baby boy (who is 7m old), cutest baby boy! We got an estimate for our car, it would be $200 to fix the little damage that was done. I don't think the church is actually going to have it fixed, its just the grill and only there to be pretty. I was able to meet  (our new elder) I thought he was from England because he speaks so proper, but no, he is from Utah. If you have time read Proverbs 3:5, it's our investigators favorite scripture. I eat way too much junk food (don't worry I eat plenty of fruits and veggies), luckily biking as much as we do I've actually gained so much muscle!

Friday - Worked on a lesson (we email back and forth with her). Went on a mini exchange with our Sister Training Leaders. Soo much fun! We went street contacting and I loved it! Our landlord made popcorn and we played a game (Rummi Kub or something).

Saturday - Went to a baptism in the 2nd ward, we tried to get investigators to come, but oh well! Biked and bussed all day. Worked on my talk some more.

Sunday - We were finally able to attend Ward Council for the first time. Then we talked in Sacrament. I told the Elders to speak "as long as they wanted" and bless Elder B's heart he did just that! He left 12 minutes left. 6 for me and 6 for my companion. I wasn't nervous once I started talking, but it was a big relief not to have to talk for 10 minutes. I didn't even end up reading my talk. Thinking back on it, I haven't a clue what I said. That's the Holy Ghost for you. We visited 2 less actives in our ward, they are some interesting ladies.

Today!

Went on another field trip to the Neville Museum (NEW C is short staffed and don't have many volunteers so we often go with them. They pay our admission so I have no complaints and the people I get to push around are so sweet!) We are going to play basketball with the elders today.

I hope you are all doing great and loving life. Don't forget when the storm rages around, the safest spot is on your knees.

I love you all to the moon and back!

Sister Kern

Trunk or Treat

Highlight of my week: Trunk or Treat! The ward trunk or treat was a lot smaller than what I'm use to in Vegas, but there was a good turn out all things considered. Sister T and I wore clown noses and helped direct the traffic. The best part was when Sister H and her amazing family came! She came a little late so it was an awesome surprise! Then towards the end S&J came -though they missed the trick or treat part- and had dinner. A woman in our ward was so sweet and gave them the rest of the candy she had left over and then the H family came over with candy to share too! The funniest part was the costume parade, where all the little kids got to walk across the stage!

 

Friend of the week: Sister E. She is THE CUTEST old lady I ever did see! So funny and spunky at the at of 90, she sure can get everyone laughing! She said, "You can look [at men], but you can't touch..only pinch" along with her cute love story of finding her husband and how we need to look, and look, and look before we make a choice. Her testimony of the gospel is amazing, she knows how much Heavenly Father has guided her and helped her in life and was a faithful church goer for years without missing a day (until recently because of old age) and always talks about how much she misses it.

 

Pictures: Sister Tand I with our clown noses. Me standing in the snow/hail...you can't really see it but oh well!

 

Spiritual Thought: (3 Nephi 14:9-11) I never thought much about this scripture until I came on my mission. It has a really touching message. If we, as imperfect, selfish people, know how to give good gifts - then how much better gifts does Heavenly Father want to give us? He is just waiting for us to ask Him so He can show us with them. By not asking Him we are denying Him the opportunity to bless each of us! Not only that, but Heavenly Father knows each of us individually, even better than we know ourselves, so He knows the EXACT gift we need and WHEN we need it.

 

So...we haven't had our car for the week. The Shawano Sisters hit a deer so while it's getting fixed they have our car. So we've been bussing and biking and walking all week. Not completely sure when we are going to get our car back either. Cool thing though I got to walk through a slight sprinkle of hail/snow. It's much better than walking through rain! Tonight I'm getting my hair cut so expect pictures on Monday! Oh and transfers are on the 6th so please send all snail mail to the mission office address! Not sure if I'll be staying or leaving! We (the elders and Sister T and I) are also singing in our District Meeting tomorrow..not sure how that happened, but it should be fun. We are also teaching 3 workshops at a youth thing this Saturday and then young women on Tuesday. Seems like we never have enough time! Anyways I'm doing great! I love each and everyone of you!

 

With Buckets of Love,

Sister Kern