Sept 15

I know I have been doing so bad at updating this thing. But here I am! Last time I talked about how amazing using Facebook is, and how I was blessed to have the opportunity to teach someone in Chile who was baptized.

I don't know the elders who baptized her, but The Lord is definitely hastening His work. And He is definitely getting His word to all the crevices of the earth. I am not sure if you are aware of the push for the use of social media, but our general authorities understand the impact it can have. So... I would encourage you to pray for a vision of how to use your social media to spread the gospel(:

Unfortunately, the a California Santa Rosa Mission is taking a break from online work. Dangers on the internet are real. Even for missionaries. So our mission is taking a break to "patch up the cracks", if you will, and re strengthen our defenses against the adversary. 

That means that Facebook just lost about 200 missionaries working online. So now it's your turn to keep the flood of uplifting messages going! How exciting is that??

I have a testimony of the tools we have to share the gospel. 

I also have a testimony of missionary work! This past week I had the amazing privilege to go back to Santa Rosa, one of my past areas, and see a family I taught there get baptized.

I taught them for about 2 transfers. When we first started teaching them, Carolina said there was so way she would be baptized any time soon. She said maybe in a few years after she had really learned everything. 

And now look!

There is nothing happier than seeing a family enter the waters of baptism. Those kids are going to go on missions. Their entire lives, their eternity, was changed because of this gospel(:

Words cannot even describe how happy I am. It is SO TRUE that the greatest joy comes from sharing this amazing gospel. Ahhh. I love being a missionary. I love it so much. 

But I want to add that it isn't easy. I was in Santa Rosa for almost 5 months and I didn't see one baptism while I was there. In fact, it has been like that in a lot of my areas. I do my best and then hand it to The Lord, and then after I leave, people enter the waters of baptism. Hopefully that doesn't say anything about me as a missionary haha... But what is really shows me is that we have to be patient. We plant a seed and it has to germinate and simmer for a while. But it will grow(:

So be patient in your efforts! You are planting seeds(: and one day, something will click. And their whole family will take the steps to become an eternal family!

So that is me! I hope you are all doing amazing. 

Just in case you were thinking,

"Wow, I haven't sent Sister Bryant any love in a while. I should definitely send her something so that she knows that we haven't forgotten her",

Here is my address(:

518 Greenbriar Circle

Petaluma, CA 94509

Aug 24

So I need to repent for not writing about my missionary adventures for quite a few months... In fact, I don't think I have said anything about my Rio Vista adventures. For this, I am truly sorry. I have been transferred to Petaluma, CA. But the last four and a half months in Rio Vista have been absolutely amazing. I sure am going to miss my little river city. 

So my transfers started with Hermana Wilcox- whom I absolutely adore. I was so sad to leave Santa Rosa, but she made it so easy. We had a special assignment, because we were to teach anybody and everybody in our area, not just the Spanish speakers. And we saw so many miracles. It was... So fun. 

There was never a dull moment. It was full of lip synching to Mormon Tabernacle Choir songs, making up raps to help our investigators understand the Book of Mormon better, and adventures in the small towns we covered. We were even given an ostrich egg from one of the doors we knocked on. Easter, Father's Day, and Our one year mark occupied our time. She truly became one of my best friends.

But sadly, it wasn't the Lord's will to let us be companions forever. So after only short transfer together, I was told I was going to be in a zebra trio, with two English speaking missionaries. I was absolutely shocked!

When I went to drop off Hermana Wilcox, my heart was heavy, but I them received Sister Warnock and Sister Miller. Our mission president's wife told us we had to stick together like, "three gums". And believe me, we did work! 

Being in a trio was the funnest thing ever! Even though we got on each other's nerves sometimes, we truly loved each other. It was the perfect mixture of personalities and we helped push each other further and further. We ended up teaching almost all of the small town of Rio Vista, and we set a record in the area for the most number of lessons taught in one week. The members started to catch the fire and you could feel that something amazing was about to happen. The funniest things would happen. We had the most hysterical group of investigators, and Jamal, our golden investigator with a baptismal date, was reading the Book of Mormon and progressing towards his baptismal date. 

We were known all around town, seriously everyone knew us- we were even buds with the neighborhood kids.

I think my favorite memories were when we went to some beehives that some members had.

We also were able to take a picture with the infamous Moose in Foster's Bighorn (a world renowned restaurant filled with taxidermied everything... It is crazy.)

We did a flash mob in the mall for the Fourth of July where we belted the Star-Spangled Banner at the top of our lungs and almost burned to death on the Fourth of July.

We also got to go to Sherman Island- a world renowned tourist attraction for wind and kite surfing. And boy oh boy was it windy,

But, as in all aspects of our lives, it is always darkest before the dawn. Sadly, it wasn't God's will that us "three gums" should stick together anymore. Sister Miller was transferred and Sister Warnock and I were left to man Rio. I absolutely adore my dear Sister Warnock. She is by far one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life. We would just laugh and laugh and laugh. 

Within that first week of being together, our area fell apart. Jamal decided he didn't want to meet with us anymore, the branch president and his wife told us they were moving, and some pre existing health issues started creeping back up on my companion. The adversary started sneaking up on us and things started to crumble.

It was a really difficult transfer. And sadly, my companion had to go home. And The Lord decided it would be better if elders were put in Rio Vista.

So... After 4 1/2 months falling in love with my little area, we had to give it up and prepare it for someone else to harvest the seeds we planted. But it's okay. We all play for the same team!

Speaking of teams... There was this elder in our zone named Elder Gasu. He is HUGE. One if the biggest people I have ever met. So one day, he and his companion asked us to do them a favor and put some stuff away in their apartment. So they told us how to break in, and then we out the stuff away, but while we were in there, we thought we would see just how big he was.

Turns out one of his jersey's is completely missionary appropriate when it comes to length. 

Super funny.

We also had the best zone! Every PDay was super fun. Mostly we would just play basketball or something, but it was always a blast.

So I'm going to share just a little bit about the love I have for Rio Vista.

I think the biggest miracle I saw was with William Carroll. He has been inactive for 14 years, and every week for the past 3 years, missionaries have been stopping by to help him come back. Finally, after 14 years, I had the opportunity to watch him step foot back into the church. It was an absolutely miracle. I absolutely love this man. He is so sweet. I will miss him so much.

We also had this amazing neighbor named Barbara. She isn't a member of the church , but she loves missionaries. She would just come over and talk and talk with us and she is hysterical! She would always watch over us. And if we ever came home late, she would yell at us. I love her. The best thing about her is that she always wear wolf shirts. So she kindly gave us some shirts. I will definitely never forget her.

The most amazing thing about a mission is the people you meet. Everyone has a story. Everyone is so interesting. That has been my favorite part of serving; listening to other's stories and just marveling at their strength. 

But... Here is my absolute favorite experience from Rio Vista. 

The Harris family have got member missionary work figured out. They are a family of 8- six kids under the age of 8. The parents are both converts to the church, and their kids are just crazy! But so adorable. 

At the beginning of my transfers with them, we started discussing people she could start sharing the gospel with. She immediately thought of her friend Lareya. So she started building up courage and praying for Lareya. She started inviting her to different activities. At first, Lareya was hesitant, but after a little while, started coming and creating really good friendships with the members of the branch. This whole time we and that Harris family were praying for her heart to be softened. Eventually, Lareya started looking things up online, out of curiosity, and asking Sister Harris questions about the church. Sister Harris answered them normally and continued pursuing a friendship. After a little while, we friended Lareya on Facebook and started talking to her there. One Sunday, we fasted with the Harris family that Lareya would finally be ready to accept us. After a few invitations, she finally came to church AND started taking the lessons. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and even accepted the baptismal invitation.

All this started four and a half months ago and required a lot of prayer and patience. But she is now one of the most solid people I have ever taught in my mission. The Lord is preparing people. It took our faith and the faith of the Harris family, a lot of inviting, some fear, patience, and a whole lot of love. But look how far she came.

This work is so true! If we trust in The Lord's promises and do our best, the windows of Heaven will be opened and we will see miracles. It is so simple.

So that is that. I am most definitely missing Rio Vista.

So now I am in Petaluma! My companion is Hermana Nimmer. She is from Orem Utah and she is just adorable. A very, very hard worker. She is also a cross country runner, so she is kicking my butt every morning. I am definitely significantly more tired all the time. But this area is kicking! We are teaching a ton of amazing families and having a lot of adventures. 

For example:

THE EARTHQUAKE!!

The first earthquake I have ever experienced in my life! It was crazy! I was sleeping and then all of a sudden I wake up because the bunk bed is literally swaying back and forth. Luckily I immediately knew it was an earthquake, so I just chilled until it stopped. Everything was rumbling and a few things fell, but it was kinda fun! My companion and I remained totally calm, and it only lasted about 20 seconds. So it wasn't that bad. It was a 6.1 earthquake, and the epicenter was in Napa and American Canyon. Which was really close to where I was just serving in Rio. I'm kinda sad I missed the action, but oh well. Nobody was hurt and we are all alive and kicking. But yeah! Pretty exciting! It's definitely time to start preparing(:

Also! I was referred to start teaching this girl named Fernanda on Facebook and I started teaching her, then she went to church in Chile where she lives, and yesterday she was baptized! So very exciting(:

The church is true. I am more sure of it now than I have ever been.

I promise I will be better at updating this blog of mine. Just know that I still love all of you! And I LOVE my mission.

Love,

Hermana Bryant

April 13

I am leaving Santa Rosa.

These last 5 months here have changed my life.

I LOVE Santa Rosa, CA with all of my heart.

The members, the investigators, the crazy people on the street, the missionaries, my companion.

Santa Rosa has been amazing.

Leaving is just heartbreaking.  Gosh I do not want to leave.

I am being transferred to...

Rio Vista(:

It's an island kinda in the middle of the Sacramento River. At least I think it is... honestly I have no idea.  It's in the middle of nowhere haha

So just in case you are thinking, "man, Sister Bryant has been out on her mission almost a year now.  Maybe I should send her some love"...

 

My new address is:

301 S. 4th St. Apt C

Rio Vista, CA 94571

 

(:

But this area has been amazing.  We started with virtually nothing.  We had 2 investigators... 1 of which really wasn't interested at all.

And now we have 20... 4 of which will be baptized pretty soon.

It is devastating to leave.

But it's okay.  The Lord knows where I am needed.

It just proves to show that hard work brings miracles.  The Lord will bless you if you put forth that effort.

I am so grateful for this Gospel and for the opportunity I have to serve a mission.

I LOVE my mission.

It is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

So here are just a bunch of random pictures, just to give you a little taste of my love for this area.

March 29

So I have been the worst missionary in the whole world because I haven't written anything in quite a while about my adventures in Santa Rosa!

Mostly it is because I love it so much that I don't really have time to say anything.

But I think I will say a few words today.

I don't remember if I mentioned this, but back in November, Elder Ballard gave our mission some very specific promises.  He said that if we would contact 20 new people per day every day, and pray for our investigators to come to sacrament meeting, that they will and that our investigators will double and we will be able to baptize weekly!

And guess what! We are seeing the miracles being fulfilled!  So amazing!

We finally put it into practice and we have contacted, as of today, 1,107 people!  Amazing!

And yesterday, we had SEVEN investigators at Sacrament Meeting!

And we have 3 that are going to be baptized very soon!  We are so excited!!!

Miracles truly happen when you believe and when you are obedient. 

So... I just thought I would let you all know that. 

And it proves to me that Elder Ballard is truly an apostle of God!  He speaks for God!  And I am so grateful that we are able to watch General Conference and listen to them!

Get ready to receive some revelation!

I love you all. And I love my mission!

Love,

Hermana Bryant

March 10

So I have like 0 minutes to write this, just know that I am loving my mission more than ever right now.

Hermana Hardy is the best companion I could ever ask for.  We get along so well.  She always has me laughing.

Our area is amazing.  Sooo much potential!  It is crazy!

This last week was transfers.  And a few funny things happened.  

On Tuesday, we had Hermana Ellsworth with us.  Which was wonderful!  I love her!  And we were making brownies. Well, lately, our oven has just not been functioning correctly at all.  Whenever we turn it on, there are these SUPER loud cracking noises, and then it starts to stink like crazy and the fire alarm goes off.  So we had to stop our adventure of making brownies because of it, just because it started stinking so bad and everything.

So we opened all the windows and inspected our oven and nothing!

Then, I had this revelation to check the drawer underneath...

and I found this poor plastic plate.  That was once a Polar Bear/:

Apparently you can't put things that melt in the drawer under the oven.  Who knew?

On Tuesday night we had our last dinner as a Santa Rosa Spanish Branch.  I love all these missionaries so much!

In this picture they are making fun of me because I have gotten into a habit of putting my hand under my chin and smiling whenever I mess up... which is apparently always.  So yeah.  From left to right it is Elder Parker Albertson, Elder William Wright, Elder Eduardo Perez, Elder Bryant Nelson, Me, Hermana Lauren Hardy, Elder Mori Dunlap, and Elder Dallin Jeske.

And this my district.  Well... the best picture we could get.  I am going to miss them all too. Such a sad thing that everyone is changing!

I love them so much and I am so sad that some of them are leaving!

But the best story of the week is this HYSTERICAL lesson we had with one of our less actives.  We were teaching him the word of wisdom, which we knew would be a challenge for him because he owns a restaurant.  Anyway, we have been putting off and putting off teaching it and finally we knew we couldn't wait.  So we were teaching him in his restaurant and then all of a sudden he goes, "ladies, we are going to have to pause.  The wine guy is here".

We witnessed a full on wine tasting in the middle of our lesson on the word of wisdom!  It was hysterical!!!!

So funny that we couldn't help but take a sneaky picture.  Anyway, we think we are going to have to reteach it.  It was too funny.

I love missionary work.  It is so much fun.

Life is to be enjoyed, not endured!

Have a blessed week!

Love,

Hermana Bryant

March 3

It is a new transfer!  Can you believe it?!  I feel like it was just last week that I got my greenie... but now it is over!

Luckily, we are both staying here in Santa Rosa!

Yippeee!

This is the first time that I will be in an area for 3 transfers!  And I am so excited!  I LOVE Santa Rosa!

So this week was just amazing. 

Monday: It started out with a trip to the beach!  Bodega Bay (not too far from where The Goonies was filmed)

I sure do love the beach!  It was way beautiful and so fun.  We played volleyball.  Well.  I tried.  With little success. Oh well. Some things never change.

Tuesday:  We had a mission wide conference call and our amazing mission president talked to us about how we cannot be letting the stress get to us. As a whole, I think all the missionaries have lost a little bit of the fire.  But we were reignited.  He talked about how it's always darkest before the dawn.  It has been that way throughout history.  Christ's suffering preceded His resurrection, Joseph Smith was enveloped by darkness before The First Vision, and at this time, we are getting tempted and tempted because something amazing is about to happen!  So we are all excited to just keep going and shake off all the worries we have been gathering.

Wednesday: It rained and rained and rained. We went tracting in it and ended up completely soaked.  Kinda fun.  I am really starting to learn to rock the wet hair look. And then we went to dinner at this Peruvian Restaurant(:  soooo good.  We had this quinoa stew.  I LOVE Peruvian food.  Seriously, if you are ever in Santa Rosa, go to Sazon.  It is amazing.

After dinner we went to our investigator Griselda's house.  She is amazing.  She has so many questions and she is SO prepared.  Then we made her whole family pancakes afterwards. In Mexico, they put Sweetened Condensed milk on pancakes instead of syrup.  And it tastes SO MUCH BETTER!  Mexicans really have the whole taste buds thing figured out. So that was fun!  And we were able to escape the rain(:

Thursday: We learned how to make Tacos Dorados!  Which is basically like a potato filled taquito (or flauta- for those of you who know what I am talking about) Anyway, they are so good!  And I am a pro!  Day by day I am turning into more and more of a Mexican.  I love it!

Friday:  MLC!  So all the STLs and ZLs got training and we watched a movie!  What?!  12 O Clock High.  It was in black and white and man, was it good!  I loved it!  Such a treat for all of us haha and it is always good to receive more instruction.  I feel like I need all the help I can get!

Saturday:  Service/ weekly planning/ baptisms/ everything!  Saturdays are so busy! 

Sunday: Church.  So amazing.

And here we are back to Monday(:

But we had this amazing miracle this past week.  Last Sunday, while I was in a meeting (yes, I am always in meetings), my companion was on mini exchanges with some sisters from a different ward.  While she was with them, the sisters got a call from a member, Robyn, asking if they could go and visit a friend of hers who she had recently reconnected with over Facebook.  They explained that it was too far for them to go to, but the lady actually lived in my area!  So my companion said we could!

So we went to the lesson with this amazing member and met Laurie and her sister Terri.  Laurie was baptized some 20 years ago, but Terri isn't a member.  Terri and Laurie have been through so much.  And just recently, their mother passed away.  And it has been extremely hard on all of them.  Robyn had just felt randomly impressed to message Laurie and after some conversation, realized that she definitely needed the gospel back in her life.  She was there right in that time of need.

And we taught an amazing lesson with them.  We were able to share our experiences and the Spirit was so strong.

But, this is the coolest part, Terri's daughter was in the house, but didn't want to listen or be apart of our conversation.  Right now, she is going through a lot.  A LOT.  She is in an extremely ugly custody battle, and in order for her to fight it, she needed the support of 5 different senators. (I don't know details, this is just what she told us).

She had 3 and while we were there, she got a call from another senator, saying they would support her.

The most amazing part, the senator was from Utah(:

Crazy, right??  The entire family took that as a sign.  Sure, it could have been a coincidence, but I don't believe in those anymore.  Everything happens for a reason.  I am grateful for Robyn- for being ready to reach out to someone in need. 

What are the odds??

Anyway, the church is true.  I know it with all of my heart.

I love you all!  Have an amazing week!

Love,

Hermana Bryant

Feb 24

Hello world!  This week was filled with a ton of exciting things.

Monday: P-day.  Crazy.  Always crazy. We taught our investigator, Griselda.  She is amazing.  And she read the introduction and the testimonies and everything and she was asking us the CRAZIEST questions!  Our brains were about fried afterwards.  But I think she felt the Spirit.  It was so strong.  In fact, she even came to church this Sunday!  So exciting!  So she is progressing!  She is really an amazing woman and I am so grateful for her(:

Tuesday: A regular work day!  So exciting! Well sorta.  We went to the mission office to help out and ended up getting to call all the companionships in the mission and ask them about the cell phone service. It was very exciting.

Wednesday: We went to the temple! YAY! (***insert picture from my facebook here***)

It was so wonderful(:  I love my companion.  Isn't she adorable?? And the Spirit you can feel at the temple is just indescribable.

Thursday: We learned how to make Chocoflan!  For those of you who don't know what it is, I am sorry you are mission out.  It is DELICIOUS!  And I am turning into quite the little latina.  Ya'll will think I am Mexican by the time I get home!

Those are some of our Branch Buddies.  I serve with all of them in the branch here.  They are like my brothers.  I don't know what I will do without them

Friday: Crazy.  Weekly planning day.  Definitely not one of the more exciting days.

Saturday: We did service for this amazing woman who the elders found at a park.  Her husband had just died and she ws trying to figure out how she was supposed to maintain her property without him.  So the elders stumbled upon her and offered to help.  We ended up taking down like 3 trees and hacking down a ton of rosebushes.  It was crazy!  And so fun!  I love doing service!  Definitely one of the better aspects of being a missionary.

Sunday: Church!  The best day of the week!

And here we are back to Monday!  I love this area.  I love the amazing missionaries I get to serve with and the amazing people and families I get to teach.

It is such an amazing experience.  I love my mission!!!

Have a great week everyone!  Can you believe it is almost already March??  Where is the time going???

Have a marvelous week!

Love,

Hermana Bryant