July 29

So remember how last week I was all dumb and complaining about how everything was falling through?

Well this last week was

AMAZING.

We have 8! 8! 8!!!! New investigators, we taught 15! lessons (compared to last weeks 4) and we have a baptismal date for this Sunday.

The Lord will provide.  Oh my goodness, if you pray for the windows of Heaven to be opened and then are patient and do all that you can, they will be opened.

Exact obedience brings miracles.  I can promise you that.

What is amazing is that our two most solid investigators contacted us in the street.

It just proves that it is not our work, but the Lord's.  And we have the opportunity to be instruments.

By the way, I don't know how to speak in first person anymore because everything you do is with your companion.

Speaking of which, I LOVE MY COMPANION.

She just cracks me up.  Seriously.

So she is from Mexico and it is very common to call people, "gordita".  It is not offensive, but I guess Hispanics are just a little more to the point than Americans.

Well at dinners with the members the other day she definitely called them gordita.  And I just put my head down on the table trying to figure out how on earth she would get out of that mess.  Luckily they were wonderful and laughed it off and it was fine, but me and the other four elders just went silent.

Now she knows not to do that again(:

So funny.

Oh.  And I challenge you to go two whole days only listening to Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It is SO hard not to think of anything else.  SO DIFFICULT.

But I think that is everything I have to say for this week... I should have a good one next week!  Sorry I am so lame!

July 22

So I would just like to apologize for my post last week.  I realized it was very down-hearted.

I love. love. love. being a missionary.

I love my companion, my investigators, my area, my ward, my zone.

Everything.

I don't know what I have done in this life, but the Lord spoils me so much.

This last week was hard though.  I don't know why, but the Arizona heat has followed me here.  And we have been DYING.

But sometimes us dying is a really really good excuse to knock on people's doors.  Hearts seem to be softened a little more when two teenage girls walk up to your door sweating oceans.

So I guess I am grateful for that!(:

But despite the fact that 11/15 of our lessons fell through, we have been so blessed.  Because yesterday we had TWO INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH?!

WHATTTT?!

I know, I know.  Try not to fall out of your chair.  I don't know how it happened either.  Seriously.

And the amazing thing is, both of these investigators contacted us.  The Lord really does put those in your path who are prepared.  And one of them, Monce, is this adorable 9 year old.  She and I just connect.  And her mom and I connect really well too.  I think for the first time I have received undeniable confirmation that I am here in Clearlake for a reason.

Seriously.  All of those times I want to complain, the Lord blesses me beyond compare and then I feel really really stupid for complaining.  So I have just learned that complaining really doesn't do a thing.

So for those of you who were confused, I live 14.7 miles away from our area with the most potential.  The one that is like a mini Mexico.  We call it Mexicito.

And our story of the week is sponsored by this wonderful place.

So the streets are all dirt.  My companion and I decided it was because we both secretly wanted to serve in South America, so the Lord is giving us a little taste.

So not only are they dirt, but they are like SUPER hilly... like scary up down with holes and runs and everything.  The English Elders that cover this area have trucks.  We have a cute little car that definitely is not made for this kind of terrain haha

Well Sister Chavez's GPS likes to take us the routes with the WORST roads possible.

The other day we literally almost got stuck.  We now park where there is still black top and walk everywhere else.  At least my tan is getting better...

Oh!

And here, people freely grow weed.  Well not freely, they have medical permission, but it is definitely a culture shock.

Well the other day we were knocking on doors and there is this pot of weed next to the door.  As we are talking to this lady and asking her if we could come in and give a blessing for her and her family, I see my companion out of the corner of my eye grab the leaves of the plant and start smelling them.

I am 1) Super confused and 2) Mortified!

The lady we were talking to looked so confused too.

So I tried to hide the fact that my companion is smelling the weed and we ended up leaving shortly after.

Turns out she had no idea what the plant was and thought is smelt like bubble gum.

Sometimes I just don't know what to do with her.

But it is amazing here and I love it!

Keep praying that all the missionaries will have success.  Because I promise that without your help, missionary work will completely halt.

I love you all!

July 15

Hello friends(:

I cannot believe it has been another week.  I hope ya'll read my blog like you watch your favorite TV show(;

Just kidding.  I know I am not that interesting.

Okey dokey.  This week has been kind of uneventful... 

But!

So you know in Failure to Launch how Zoe Deschanelle wants to kill that mockingbird?

Picture that birds times 100 and that is the friend we have outside our window.

Oh my goodness he drives me insane.

But I am working on my charity and self control and thus far he has not died.

So this week has been pretty successful in that aspect!

What else...

Oh!

So my companion LOVES...

Valentina.

Like the hot sauce.

She puts it on EVERYTHING.  I am not kidding.  I think the only thing she does not put it on is her cereal.  She puts it on her burritos, cheese crisps, grilled cheese', pasta, tuna... Everything.  I have started taking pictures of every meal she puts it on.  So stay tuned for those.

But the funny part is... I am just as addicted.  I love it!  And I would highly recommend that you buy it and consider it a staple food item in your home.

So as of right now, we have four glorious beautiful investigators and TWO with baptismal dates!

Yeah!

The Lord really does work miracles(:

But this is all pretty much thanks to my companion. She is amazing.  She talks to everyone!  And it is kind of funny because sometimes she is completely oblivious to everything else going on around her because she is so focused on the investigator.

There have been a few times that I have had to take her out of harms way haha but I just guess that is why we have companions!

But, like I said, everything has been pretty chill over here.  No groundbreaking stories just yet.  But they will come!

Stay beautiful, everyone!

July 8- Expect Miracles

Let me try to explain to ya'll the place in which I am located.

So we live in Hidden Valley Lake.  On a golf course.  Around a lake.  And yes, it is indeed hidden.

And beautiful.

But!  We are not allowed to tract there- so if we want to teach people in this GIANT community, they have to be referrals. On a side note, if the missionaries ask you for a referral GIVE THEM ONE.

Thanks(:

So then there is Middletown.

We have tracted- no joke- Every. Single. Street.

It is soooo tiny.  And so because it is so small town, the people are pretty complacent with their lives.  Which is understandable I guess but if only they knew how much better they could have it.

So Middletown is like 5 miles away from us.  Then you go up a mountain and find Cobb.

Now Cobb is pretty funny.  There are virtually no Hispanics so we don't like going there- but we did a blitz the other day and went there.

It could seriously be the setting of a Stephen King book.  Like the houses are hidden behind trees (because it is all foresty) and when you knock on the doors the people like slowly open it because they are like terrified of visitors or something.  It is overall very eery.

Then! About 10 miles the other way you have Clearlake.

This is where it gets good.

Clearlake is So. Ghetto. Which means gold for us missionaries!

Seriously they are sooo much more receptive and it is just wonderful!  They don't have much, but the hospitality is just immense.

But like the roads aren't paved, which means a lot of walking for us.  My companion (who is from Mexico) said that it reminds her a lot of home.

YAY!  So we have done a lot of tracting (I have a pretty sweet missionary tan) through trailer parks. 

Sometimes (most of the times) we fear for our lives, but it is allll good!

Okay.  So I love it.

Next. Miracles.

When I was in the MTC, I was given three tips of advice that would get me through my mission

1) Know my purpose

2) Be Bold

3) Expect Miracles.

Last week when I emailed, we had taught 0 lessons and had 0 investigators.

This week we have 3 investigators.  Two of which with BAPTISMAL DATES!

WHATTTT!!!

I don't know how the Lord provided, but He did.

I am so humbled by this experience.  I wish I could describe the roller coaster of emotions I have gone through this past week.

Like I have said before, it is hard.

But still so wonderful.

In D&C 84 AND 3 Nephi 13, it says to, "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow"..

The Lord will absolutely provide.

He provides everything- insomuch that he has even provided lilies in the field so that the grass does not go without.

If He can do that for grass how much more will He do for us?

Please please please-

Expect Miracles.

Week 1 in the Mission Field!

Hello Friends!  I made it to California!

Just to let everybody know, here is my new address:

19366 Mountain Meadow S Unit B

Hidden Valley CA, 95467

So let's start from the beginning.  So on the plane I sat next to this wonderful lady and after this amazing conversation about her wedding, knew that I had to share something with her.  So I sat there almost the entire time praying that I would have courage to share something with her.  So as we were landing, I told her that I wanted an invitation to her wedding but the only paper I had was this Book of Mormon (which was a straight up lie because I am like the queen of sticky notes- but I hope the Lord will forgive me for that one) and she accepted it!  So yeah!  I am such the little missionary haha

So then we got to Santa Rosa and President Alba and the Ap's welcomed us.  President Alba is amazing.  And we all went to the mission home.  However, it was raining the entire time.  Like what the what.  It is supposed to be summer.  But I lived- don't worry.  Because there were so many of us, we couldn't all stay in the mission home that night- so we all stayed in a hotel.  President Alba told us to go take naps.  NAPS!  We about died.  But, we are exactly obedient... so we slept.  Nothing is better than a nice hotel bed after 6 weeks on the cardboard they give you in the MTC.

So after activities and what not, we were assigned to out companions.  Hermana Chavez is my new wife!  So exciting.  She is from Mexico City and she is just adorable.  However, then I found out that I am the designated driver.  And I am driving a brand spanking new Ford Fusion.  Uhm yeah.  Talk about spoiled!  So Hermana Chavez and I left in the afternoon to head home to our area in Middletown CA.

Did I mention we are also opening the area?

Uhm yeah.  For those who don't know, that means we are the first Spanish speaking missionaries to come to this area.  Which means we are starting literally from scratch.  

But we are living in this gated community on a golf course.

Once again, I am so spoiled.

We are living with these two English Sisters in the area- which is so nice because they know a little bit more about everything here.

But yeah.  There are trees everywhere and it is wonderful- but we have definitely had our fair share of challenges already.

I knew missionary work would be hard, but I didn't really comprehend just how hard.  Especially when you have literally 0 investigators and are teaching 0 lessons and tracting all day.  But I have learned that the Lord is mindful of us.  And He will not watch us fail.  Yes, this is extremely difficult- but there is so much joy!

And tracting is actually kind of fun.  Well, kinda funny because you meet a lot of interesting people.

But probably the funniest thing is the fact that all we can do is tract and all of a sudden CA decided it wanted to copy AZ and be 107 degrees.  Thankfully we decided to give in and turn on our AC after the house reached 103.  Anyway! I am not complaining! Seriously, I love it here.  LOVE IT.  And I am so happy.  And all this hardship is going to be SO worth it when we find that family that has been waiting for the Gospel in their lives.  And, the other missionaries in the zone are SO helpful.  Our Elders are sweethearts and have gone out their way to help poor Hermana Chavez and I.  But the phrase when it rains, it pours has been so true.  Apparently Satan does NOT want us to be here.  Because we have faced a lot of adversity.  iPero esta bien!

Anyway- funny tracting stories.

So we were in Middletown tracting down this street and this sweet old man told us that his neighbors spoke Spanish.  So we walk up to the house and it is all gated off and I see these BEWARE OF DOGS signs everywhere.  So naturally, I don't tell Hermana Chavez and let her go to the door first.  Apparently she didn't see the signs.  Whoops.  So she walks up to the door and nothing happens, then I hear the tingling of collars and these two GIANT Rottweilers come out of no where.  So I run out of the gate and shut it and Hermana Chavez just very calmly walks to the gate.  The second she stepped out, they went CRAZY.  

We didn't die, but we learned a few things

1) Apparently I am not the most selfless companion

2)  We do not go to doors with BEWARE OF DOGS signs

Okay- second story.  So we go to this house and this shirtless man probably in his mid 20s answers the door.  I don't know what it is, but boys just don't wear shirts anymore apparently. Anyway- we start introducing ourselves and he seems like REALLY interested.  So we are telling him about the Gospel and bearing our testimonies and everything and he goes, "So how long do you guys stay around here?"  And we tell him that transfers are every 6 weeks but it really depends and what not and he goes, "Awesome!  So are you like allowed to go out and do things?"  And then all of a sudden it clicked that he was not interested in the gospel.  So we quickly ended the conversation to get out of there and we shake his hand goodbye and HE WINKED AT ME.  It was so gross!  He was all, "have a great day(;" Ew. Ew. Ew.

So yeah, we were laughing about that for a while haha it was pretty gross though.  But now I know the difference between when people are actually interested in the Gospel or are just interested in the two Sisters telling them about it.  Glad I learned that now.  

Hermana Chavez was telling me that she has been proposed to a few times.  People are just too funny.

So I am learning a lot.  And last week was so hard bu we have already seen miracles and we have two appointments scheduled for this week!  Let's just hope they go through!  Because I am ready to teach some people!

Remember:

"Obedience brings success, but exact obedience brings miracles" 

Elder Nelson

Well I love you all and I am so grateful for your prayers.  I can feel your support.

Feel free to write me or send me anything!

Much love,

Hermana Bryant