A Beautiful Day in Ekaterinburg

Well, I'm beating myself up today because I forgot the cord to connect my sd card to the computer, and I took a ton of pictures this last week!  Expect more photos soon.

  

As some of you may know already (Mom and Dad...haha), I got transferred! I'm serving in Ekaterinburg now in the 1st branch. Yes, it's the branch that President Christensen attends when he's not touring around, and I've joked that only the "problem" children get sent here, but in all reality it isn't so. 

My last week in Chelyabinsk was great. Sister Blau and I had some really successful lessons with investigators (several people even cried when I said I was getting transferred!) I found out about transfers on Wednesday...or was it Thursday? Well, regardless, I had more time than I expected to pack, so that ended up being a good thing. We woke up at 4:15 am on Sunday to take a huge bus to Ekaterinburg. 

I was sad to leave Chelyabinsk, but I wasn't sad to leave the mosquitoes that infest the city. I have bites all over! I was able to pick up some nifty souveniers before I left and I might try to mail them home so I don't have to carry them around for the rest of my mission.

 We had a big "stake conference"-type meeting yesterday where all the missionaries and members from all the cities had the opportunity to come to Ekaterinburg and hear President Laurence (the area president) and Gerald Causse (a seventy). After the main meeting, there was a separate meeting just for the missionaries, and it was super spiritual and amazing. I got a bloody nose in the middle of it, so that was a classic "Catie Brown" moment, but my "Sister Brown"-self handled it with class.

Thoughts about what I learned from the conference:

President Laurence talked about the three things that need to change in this mission specifically to improve productivity:

1. exact obedience

2. member present lessons

3. act in faith

*Firstly, I would like to say that I'm one hundred percent, totally obedient. It's funny to hear other missionaries talk about my reputation in the mission-- but that's one of the aspects of my service that they talk about. I am 100% obedient no matter the cost. I don't care if it can be annoying because guess what? My first priority (and the person that I'm accountable to first) is the Lord. When I honestly only care about what God thinks, things always fall into the right places behind it. 

*Secondly, I would like to say that I do understand the importance of member-present lessons. Sometimes it's a little bit hard to instigate it if you don't know the members. Right now that's a little bit of a problem for me (new transfer!) but I will do my best. Sister Hellewell and I had a lesson last night with a potential, and Sister Hellewell and her former companion hadn't called anyone to be on the lesson, so guess what I did? I called everyone that I could, and we were able to have a member-present lesson that turned out really well. The potential even asked to meet with us tonight, and so we have a new investigator! Member present lessons are important, and I will try not to let any excuse prevent us from having them.

In Chelyabinsk this last week, Sister Blau and I had an amazing member-present lesson with a couple that we've been meeting with. The wife is ready to be baptized but is not willing to do it without the husband. The husband's problem is that he likes to argue with us and is not willing to come to church. But-- we had an amazing lesson with them this week, and I definitely think things are on the uphill with them. We had the Elder's Quorum President on the lesson with us, and he and the husband really hit it off together. The EQP bore straight testimony of the power of the church to change and improve our lives and was able to quell any concerns that they had at all. I know that couple will be baptized. 

*Acting in faith was an interesting thing for President Laurence to talk about, but I especially liked it because it's definitely something that I struggle with at times. I believe in God, and I believe in His timing, so sometimes it's hard for me to have faith that things will happen (for example, if we plan for miracles, etc.) because I believe in the agency of others (not everyone will accept a baptismal date-- it's a fact of life). But I really liked how he specified and broke that down more. He said that we can increase our faith by:

setting a goalbe absolutely believingpray about it always!commit yourself fullybe creativedon't waste timeyou're ____ years in the making, so tap into your skills!expect trials and obstaclesexpect and know that the Lord will respond (Jacob 4:6-7)

I definitely know that I can increase my faith in missionary work and in other people. It requires trusting the Lord a lot, but I think I'm up for it. I have the desire to have more faith, so I think that's just the start of things. :)

I know that everything that has happened to me in my life has prepared me for my mission and that everything in my mission so far has prepared me for my time here in Ekaterinburg. I have the skills, the desire, and the work ethic. I'm so excited to get started here, and I know that this area will grow and blossom with me and Sister Hellewell here. 

Well, I hope this letter made sense to you all. I love you and I miss you. Can you believe that my year mark is coming up in just a week from Thursday? Time flies!

I love you all!!! Have an awesome, amazing week!

Loveeeeee,

Sister Brown

Happy Monday!

Dear everyone,

What a week! Sorry this letter is delayed/short but internet cafes don't always want to make myldsmail.net work apparently.... I'll do my best! :)

So, last week a returned missionary from this mission came to church (he was in Europe and "decided to visit Chelyabinsk"). He actually openedthis city, so that was pretty cool. Well, we were doing less active stop-bys on Monday night, and we went to this nice old lady's house (she's soooo wonderful) and she teared up when she saw us. Apparently it was "her" missionary that had come the day before, and he visited with her, and she was soooo happy that we also hadn't forgotten about her, too. He had asked her if missionaries still came, and she had answered yes, and he asked "Sister Brown and Sister Blau, right?" and she said yes. And the next day we happened to stop to see her, and she told us that experience and was tearing up and said, "I'm so grateful I'm not forgotten!" (Not sure if that story made much sense in writing, but it was really a cool experience.)

Tuesday, President Christensen came to town. He and some of the senior missionaries introduced us to the 12-step recovery program for addictions that LDS family services has developed (it's based of Alcoholics Anonymous' 12-step program) and incorporates Gospel principles and scriptures into the lessons. It's basically 12 guides on how to use the Atonement, and it's wonderful because it really applies to everything not just addictions. The program is in Russian now, so we're going to start implementing it here with people, and it really will be a blessing. We talked about the difference between just repenting from an addiction and recovering from an addiction. They're two completely different things. Our role as missionaries in all of this is just to function as the translators between the certified "counselors" (the senior couples) and the member with addiction problems. I've already been participating in this program for a couple of weeks because we've started it with some people, and it's been great! It's really a wonderful program, and if you can find it online (https://addictionrecovery.lds.org/?lang=eng), I would encourage you to read it. As a district, we talked about how it applies to problems with pride/ego, low self-esteem, anger problems, and pretty much any problem that could really take over your life and prevent you from reaching your full potential.

Wednesday at English group we had a cool experience. A lady showed up to English group that was wonderful (she speaks 100% perfect English) and all of us were kind of wondering who she was. Well! Turns out that she is a former investigator from about five years ago, and she's again interested in meeting with the missionaries! I was able to get her number and set an appointment up with her, so that was really awesome. 

Saturday we had a really fun sports activity. It's at this huge park here, and it was so great. There were these really cool jungle gym structures, and they weren't little kid ones either. There were adult-sized HUGE jungle gyms. It wasn't for fun either. All these really intense-looking guys were doing really incredible workouts on these things that basically were just metal bars. It was crazy. There was also a 15-foot climbing rope. I'll try to take pictures next time we go. If that place existed in America, I'm sure I would go all the time. It was also in a beautiful location (right in the middle of a grove of trees), and we saw some adult yoga classes going on, too. It was sweet. We played volleyball, and that was so fun. 

That's all that I really have time to say this week other than.... I love you!!! Have a wonderful week!

All the best, 

Sister Brown

Mother's Day

Dear Everyone,

Happy Mother's Day! :) It was great to Skype mom, dad, and Eric yesterday. Can you believe that that was my last Skype session on my mission? Crazy how fast time goes!

Well, I promised you a lot this week, and I will do my best to deliver. My letter today is going to be everything that I've learned on my mission so far (or as much as I can type about it!)

*Something that I've been studying/tracking in my scripture study is parallels between stories in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture. examples: Joseph Smith couldn't immediately get the plates (JS-H 1:53-54) and neither could Mormon (Mormon 1:3-4). There's also a lot of parallels between the children of Israel and the Nephites being in the wilderness.

*I've also made a chart in my study journal of every time the Lord gives the promise "keep my commandments and you'll be prospered in the land" and that occurs 15 separate times in the Book of Mormon with lots of subreferences under those with very similar but not exact wording:

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*I've also been keeping a list of all the adverbs in the Book of Mormon that describe the "how" (adverb) of how we should keep the commandments. Usually the words are "faithfully" "diligently" "always" "immovably" etc.

Sister Brown commentary: It's not enough just to keep the commandments, it's how you keep the commandments that determines your salvation and exaltation. You're not going to live with God if you whined your whole way to get there.

*I've recently started a chart of "Unfinished Plots/Lack of Information" in the Book of Mormon. This basically includes any reference to lost scriptures (Zenock, Neum, Zenos), things missing from the Bible (Joseph of Egypt's prophecy-- 2 Nephi 3:5-7; 14-15). This list also includes when people randomly go off with groups of people and vanish into the wilderness/ocean never to be seen/heard from again.

Sister Brown commentary: I can't wait until the Millennium (or whenever) when we'll be able to figure out what happened to all these records/people. It'll be so cool!

*Today during personal study I made a chart of the lineage of the prophets who wrote in the Book of Mormon from Nephi down until Mosiah (the son of king Benjamin). I'm also super excited to make a thorough note-taking of the people of Limhi which will be the subject of my personal study tomorrow. That story gets kind of confusing if you don't pay attention!

*I made a list of over 50 names of Christ listed in the Book of Mormon with the references listed. I wish I could type them all out here but it's kind of annoying to list the references by typing because grammar is complicated on computer keyboards to list references. Such as parentheses and whatnot. Some of my favorite names of Christ (without references--sorry!)
Well BelovedGod of miraclesSon of our great GodHoly Child, Jesusthe Eternal Judge of both quick and deadKing of all the earth

*I did a Preach My Gospel activity on April 30th where I listed all the truths, covenants, ordinances restored and revealed through Joseph Smith. That was fun, and I'm definitely still adding to that list! Some of the things that I appreciate the most are the truths not found in the Bible (such as those in the Pearl of Great Price) and of course all of the temple ordinances that were restored. Side note: it's super cool to look at the Bible and what the church consisted of and then compare that to the church in our day. Our church is so similar to the church in the Old Testament (excluding the following of the Law of Moses of course because we believe Christ fulfilled that Law). 

*I've also been taking time to mark "Golden One Liner" scriptures in neon yellow highlighter in the Book of Mormon this time through. I haven't really decided what qualifies as a "Golden One Liner" but I think the title in itself is pretty self-explanatory.

                          Golden One Liners (so far....)

1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.1 Nephi 17:50-51 And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?2 Nephi 27:23For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.Jacob 3:1...Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.

"What does Sister Brown do during Personal Study? She obviously has too much time on her hands?" is what you may be asking to yourself. In this mission, our president has asked us to only study Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon. I really like this guideline because it really helps us focus on the foundational doctrine of this church-- this is the doctrine that we share with people on a daily basis whether it be on the street, in a bus, or in a lesson. The more you study, the more the Holy Ghost can bring to your remembrance later! I've read through the Book of Mormon more than a couple times on my mission, and I always get something new out of it. I've mentioned before my crayon color-coding system (it's always evolving):

red--Christ's name, personal insights

orange-- obedience,commandments,obedience to the commandmentsyellow-- missionary work, prophesying, Restorationlight green-- promises, blessings, rewards, covenantsdark green-- the Spirit

Depending on where I'm currently reading in the Book of Mormon/what we're teaching that day, I'll keep reading in the Book of Mormon and look for things to add to the lesson plan we develop during companionship study. If I think a subject needs more thorough study, I will deeply study that by using different sections in the Book of Mormon and cross-references listed in Preach My Gospel (and of course designated sections in Preach My Gospel where this subject matter is listed).

These are some lines that I love from Preach My Gospel:

You show your love for the Lord and gratitude for His Atonement by bringing souls unto Him-- pg. 11

You are successful when you are obedient, live righteously, and do your best in helping others live the Gospel-- pg. 11

The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and helps us recognize the truth. He provides spiritual strength and helps us do what's right. He comforts us during times of trial or sorrow. He warns us of spiritual or physical danger. The Holy Ghost provides the power by which we teach learn... Through the power of the Holy Ghost we can feel God's love and directions for us-- pg. 65

You can learn the Gospel by study, faith, and the power of the Holy Ghost-- pg. 24

All the prophets since the world began have testified of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer-- pg. 51

Our purpose in this life is to have joy and prepare to return to God's presence-- pg. 50

Sister Brown commentary: Random thought-- it's also really cool that we have free agency, and God will never take that away. Even though Satan fell, God didn't take the agency away from him to tempt us and whatnot. We have free agency on this earth to either submit our will to God or to break his commandments. If we use our agency to do what God wants, then we will be able to live with him. God wants us to choose the right, but he's given us the option to choose to do that. 

Probably the biggest thing that I've learned on my mission is that God is the same yesterday, today and forever (see above mentioned references to all the charts that I've drawn up in my study journal). He is a God of patterns and of miracles. My testimony has really been strengthened by my studies on my mission-- especially by exploring the patterns in the scriptures. I know the church is true, and I love it!

I hope this email was informative, and I really hope that you take the time to look up these references yourself. Maybe you'll find some new ways to study the scriptures that you'd never thought of before. I love you!

Have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Brown

Letter from Mission President

Dear Elders and Sisters,

When Sister Christensen and I landed in Ufa Thursday afternoon with Elder Henderson and Elder Ashjian, we ordered a taxi to take us from the airport to the church. An older, faded red Daiwoo taxi arrived about 15 minutes later, driven by a nice woman in her early thirties. Immediately after Elder Ashjian, Elder Henderson, Sister Christensen and I squeezed into the taxi and got underway, Elder Henderson, who was sitting in the front passenger seat with his long legs scrunched under the dashboard, began a pleasant, natural, comfortable conversation with the taxi driver. He asked about her family and her experiences as a taxi driver. She was a very open, smiling and conversational woman who commented on how much we were all smiling. Elder Ashjian and I joined the conversation from the back seat and asked her questions about her life in Ufa. She told us she had two sons, an eight year old and a four year old, but did not share any details about them or her husband. We kept a delightful conversation going with her on a number of topics that just came up normally and naturally. 

She ultimately asked why we were in Russia and what we were doing in Ufa. Elder Henderson explained our missionary work briefly. She asked a few questions about how long each of us had been in Russia and how we liked the country. She asked us about our experience with the language and complimented us for working so hard and successfully in learning to speak Russian so well (please be assured that I had not engaged in the conversation sufficiently to dispel her assumption that I could speak as well as Elder Henderson and Elder Ashjian). At the perfect moment, Elder Henderson asked her if she believed in God, which was the perfect, logical question to ask her as she was inquiring about what kind of church we represented. She responded very soberly that she did not believe in God and her countenance changed from the smiling, happy and engaged young woman who had been enjoying such a friendly conversation with us to a sad and troubled young mother who described how difficult it is for her to imagine a God who would allow her four year old son to be born with disfiguring birth defects. She talked openly of his struggles and the trial it was for her family to take care of him. It was obvious that she loved him dearly and was suffering because he was suffering. Elder Henderson was so kind, thoughtful and tender in his conversation with her. He asked about the little boy and showed such compassion and concern for her. She had tears in her eyes as she talked about her small son, how he struggled mentally and how difficult it was for him to deal with his physical challenges. She repeated her conclusion that no loving God would allow her son to suffer in this way and that she was convinced that there was, in fact, no God. 

Elder Henderson explained how our message was a message of understanding and hope, that she could find peace in knowing that God truly exists and is a loving heavenly father who cares about her. As we arrived at the church in Ufa, Elder Henderson offered her a Book of Mormon and told her that we had two wonderful sister missionaries who would be happy to share this message of hope with her. We told her a little about Sister Macbeth and Sister Williams and she agreed to give us her number so the sisters could call and set up an appointment. She refused to accept a Book of Mormon. As she left, we were confident that the Lord had placed her in our path. I was so proud of Elder Henderson and Elder Ashjian, who started a natural, friendly conversation with her immediately after we met her, and so effectively transitioned the conversation to the gospel when she expressed her curiosity about Americans coming to Russia with a religious message. We truly felt it was a tender mercy of the Lord, that Heavenly Father had picked her as the taxi driver who would pick us up at the airport. 

We gave the information to Sister Macbeth and Sister Williams, who contacted her the next day. Sadly, this young woman with whom we had had such a tender conversation, told the sisters that she regretted giving us her number and that she was not interested in meeting. She asked the sisters not to call her again. Sister Macbeth and Sister Williams kindly and thoughtfully texted her a sincere apology for any intrusion and offered to be available any time she felt an interest in talking. We were, of course, disappointed but each of us expressed that we knew the Lord had placed this woman in our path and hoped that someday the seeds we had planted in her heart would grow.

On Sunday afternoon, following church meetings and interviews with members and missionaries, Sister Christensen and I asked the Elders to order a taxi so we could go visit a part member family. To our great surprise, in a city of over a million people and thousands of taxis, the taxi that showed up to take me and Sister Christensen to our meeting was the same old faded red Daiwoo, driven by the same young mother who had expressed no belief in God and no desire to talk to the Sisters. The Elders greeted her and invited her in to the church. She was delighted to see us again and expressed how shocked she was to run into us twice in a weekend. The Elders did an amazing job of explaining the Book of Mormon again and trying to get her to accept a copy, but she again with strong resolve. As we left the church to get in her taxi, I quietly grabbed a Book of Mormon. Sister Christensen jumped in the taxi with her and took off. 

As we drove, I brought up the topic of her handicapped son and she was happy to talk more about him. She shared how wonderful her husband has been as the little boy’s loving father. We talked about our own family in America and how blessed we are to have the love of children and grandchildren. I complimented her on having such a kind and loving husband. At a stop light, I told her that is was no accident that she was with us again. She turned and looked at me intently as I spoke, while she waited for the light to change. I told her that God does exist, that He, like her husband, is a loving father who knows each one of His children and loves us dearly. I told her that the Book of Mormon that the Elders had spoken about is positive, compelling evidence that there is a God. As the light changed and we drove on, I continued to share how the Book of Mormon has blessed our family. 

As we stopped at the next light, she turned to me again and told me sincerely that she felt something very special as she talked with us and the Elders. She expressed how much she enjoyed the light she saw in our faces and the constant smiles of peace, friendship and kindness. She also expressed again how shocked she was and how completely unusual it was to see us again. Just before the light changed, as she was still looking back at me intently, I assured her that God knew her and her circumstances and had placed her in our path twice because we have the answers to her questions and can teach her how to find the peace that God alone can give her in her trials. As we drove on, I testified again that the Book of Mormon would change her life. I told her that it is the only reason Sister Christensen and I would leave 8 children and 25 grandchildren to come to Russia. I told her how much we love Russia and the Russian people. I told her that we were normal people like her, with many trials in life, and that the Book of Mormon was our foundation and the source of happiness and peace. She turned to me again, as we stopped at the next light, and said she would try to find it online. I then handed her the Book of Mormon I had brought from the church and opened it to the title page and asked her to begin there and continue through the whole book. She took the book and, with a big smile, promised me that she would read it. She told me that she felt a strong desire to do so and that she trusted my assurance that it would help her. We continued to talk about families and the fact that she can be with her family in the eternities. She loved the message. 

As we reached our destination, she thanked us and expressed her desire to see us again. I expressed our love for her and our sincere friendship. Just before we got out of the taxi, Sister Christensen bore a sweet and tender testimony to her, which I started to translate, but this sweet young woman immediately began shedding tears with Sister Christensen and informed me in very broken English that she understood everything Sister Christensen was saying. She promised that we would see each other again.

Elders and Sisters, there is no doubt that God, our Heavenly Father, placed this young mother in our path so that she and her kind husband, who are struggling to be good parents in difficult circumstances, will have the comfort and blessings of the gospel. I learned after this experience that Sister Macbeth and Sister Williams had been fasting and praying Sunday that they would somehow have the opportunity to teach this woman. Their prayers were answered. Sister Christensen and I saw the powerful change in her countenance and her disposition. 

I testify that this is truly the work of the Lord. When we are clean, obedient and dedicated missionaries, who open our mouths all day long and are filled with love for others and do everything in our power to find people to teach, God will and does, in fact, place them in our path. Please repent of every sin in your life. Be obedient with exactness to the standards written in Preach My Gospel and the Missionary Handbook. Love each other. Pray for each other. Speak with everyone and let your countenance be a witness to all that you are a chosen, pure and loving disciple of the Savior. I love missionary work!

And, I love each of you.

President Christensen

11 Months!

Well, hello!

The weather has warmed up a little bit here in Chelyabinsk.I'm a little short on time, but I'll do the best I can to write a decent amount.

It's crazy that I've been out for 11 months today! Sister Blau and I are celebrating by getting some sushi. I love sushi!

What a great week it has been! Seriously. My mood is great, and I'm just so excited to get out the door every day and do missionary work. Seriously. It's the best! I love talking to people and thinking "wow-- I just changed their life!" It's really true though. The conversations that we have with people daily really do change their lives.

A really cool experience this week happened yesterday. We were stopping by some less-active members, and at one of the apartments a man answered the door and said he was the member's friend-- who wasn't home. He was a really nice guy and even called up his friend on the phone (who was at work) to explain that "the sisters" had come by to see him and then handed me the phone to talk to the man. The member was super friendly on the phone (not at all like the notes that were written next to his name on the list) and gave us a time when we could call him back when he would know his work schedule. I asked for his number and he was super nice and said he'd send us a text message with it. Well, the phone conversation ends, and I hand back the phone to the man standing there. I figured it was a perfect time to talk to him about the Gospel! I started, well please give this magazine (March Liahona) to your friend-- it's our church's magazine. Have you ever heard about our church? His answer was "yeah, my friend's told me about it.....but I'm Muslim" And I go "wow! cool! I lived in Ufa for nine months, and I love Muslim people! They're all so great. Do you go to the mosque regularly?" and he goes "yes, every Friday!" I asked, "and you pray every day, right?" and he answered affirmatively. I figured that was the perfect opportunity to whip out the Book of Mormon and give him a little run down of it, so I did! He actually seemed genuinely interested and even kept trying to invite us inside so we could talk more. We kindly refused but took down his number and gave it to the Elders. I love cool experiences like this!

Another cool experience we had this week was a conversation with another lady. We had a huge meeting with an investigator fall through, so we were doing our backup plan, and our plan after that was to take the tramvai home (takes forever). We were debating just taking a normal bus (faster) or to go as planned and contact the whole way home on the tramvai. We chose to stick with the tramvai, and in my mind I thought-- how cool would it be that our meeting fell through so that we'd be on the tramvai earlier than planned and if there's someone there for us to talk to? Well, we finally get to the tramvai stop (it was a decent walk) and start waiting. I know the tramvai is somewhat rare, so I turn to the lady next to me and ask about it, and she starts on this huge rant of how the tramvai was built however long ago, etc. and now it rarely comes! And how she's on the pension and can't pay for ridiculous bus prices! It ended up being a really funny conversation and in the end, the tramvai came. The conversation with her continued on the tramvai and turned into a Gospel discussion. Her husband died when she was 30 and she was left to raise her two sons alone. She didn't want to remarry because she loved her husband so much, so she's been alone for 40 years. We talked about that and the Plan of Salvation a little bit, and I pulled out the Book of Mormon and told her all about it. It was such a wonderful conversation, and I was so grateful to have been on the tramvai at that time to talk to her. She was interested in meeting again but couldn't remember her new phone number, so she gave us her address instead, and we're going to go to her sometime this week. I love these experiences!

Be prepared for a really sweet email next week. I'm going to write a whole ton about what I've learned on my 11 months on a mission! It will be looooong. :)

I love you all so very much, and I keep you in my prayers. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Brown