I feel at home in Boston!

November 11, 2013

It was crazy how much I felt at home when I went back to Boston. I JUST LOVE IT THERE! 

Those of you who know "Helping Hand" shirts, Karee passed some youth who were picking up trash in Cambridge on their way to Boston

some pictures of Cambridge, MA

more pics of Cambridge

love the trees creating a canopy over the street

Karee and Sis States eating D'Andgelos (a great place for sandwiches)

being silly

They support the Red Sox!

Monday night we had dinner and FHE at the Parker home. They are the most talented, loving, devoted, amazing family! There are twelve children (two are serving missions right now) all of which have been home schooled. They are all very polite and well mannered and adorable! They have such good family home evenings involving all of the children (can you imagine?). I am not sure if I want to have that many children, but I sure hope I can teach them to be well-mannered and loving as these cute children. We also met with Sister Jarnagin to talk to her about her plans for the Young women and how we can best help her. (Did you hear about how there isn't going to be a different conference for the young women and relief society?)

Karee, you look like a natural!

Karee learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

One of the Parker kids who taught Karee how to play

Tuesday I was home. Home in Boston! It took a little longer than we expected as far as traffic and we had to make a few u-turns. Seeing Eridania and Sister Baez (with Brydon) was just what I needed! It surprised me how quickly I could understand them again. So far Eridania isn't any closer to making covenants through baptism, but some day she says she will. She showed me that she was using the markers that I send her and that she put the picture of me and her up on her mirror with the other pictures of her family. It was so sweet. Sister Baez was so happy and surprised to see me. She was busy but took a few minutes to make sure we had some orange juice and some company. She was just so happy and beautiful!

Karee and Endriana back in Boston

Karee, Endriana, and Sis Miller(Karee's old companion)

Karee, Sis Baez and Brydon

Wednesday we had a Relief Society get to know you. The new relief society presidency did a wonderful job. There were tables set up where the sisters could put things that represented or described themselves, there was a speed friend-shipping game, and there were a lot of pumpkiny yummy treats!

Something really interesting happened to us the other day... we had the cops called on us. Sorta. We were just going down the list of people that are less-active so that we can see if they want us to come visit. One of these ladys has been visited multiple times through the years and always tells the missionaries that she is not interested. The problem is that the only one that can officially take her off the ward list is herself and the bishop. We told her this, and he is helping her with that process now, but not before she called the police to complain. I was actually on splits with the sister training leaders in Billricka when the Bishop's wife and the mission office both called to tell us to not go back (as if we were going to go after she told us she wasn't interested).

 

Billerica is a really nice area! They have a really nice apartment (with an elevator and everything). We started out the day with some service of raking leaves with the elders there. It was a really nice morning temperature wise but then it started to rain. We kept going until the whole backyard was all raked up. It got a little messy, but it was fun. The rest of the day we were stopping by less-actives to invite them to the thanksgiving dinner. When we got back together we met up with the Nashua sisters for another  split. They were going to teach a Hispanic family named the Guerreros. It was a  lot of fun to see the family get excited as their father prepares to be baptized. The wife was baptized before the twins were born which was about 15 years ago. So they have been waiting a while. That is something really special about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is all in our own timing to accept it and He is always standing there with open arms to receive us. 

Friday we got an early start and taught a woman named Suyhen. She was a little confused about the Book of Mormon, but we helped her to understand that it, like the Bible, was written by prophets. That it contains a history of the people on the American continent and that it contains prophecies of Christ's coming. Then we went to district meeting with our district. Then we went with Sister Dodge (the relief society president) to visit a few sisters in the Merrimack area. After Sister States and I did a couple stopby's. We happened to pass by the Hensch family, who honked at us. We went over to say hi and ended up staying at their house to help them make some quiche for a family that was sick. They are such a fun family and made sure we had some warm hot chocolate before we left. (which is funny because we were talking about stopping at a gas station to get some... it was cold). Have you ever had BBQ pizza? I can now say that I have. And I am a fan! It was so yummy!

Saturday was an even earlier start. We woke up at 5:30 and left by 6 so that we could get to the Cambridge chapel by 8...we were early. It didn't take that long. But it was alright because we were able to get some studying in. Then came the actual thing. There are some really talented sisters in this mission can I just say. They can sing, play piano, guitar, violin and viola, just to name a few. President Packard talked about holy places along with the youth theme for the year. It was really interesting and enlightening. He shared the story of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, of how he went through a lot and was still able to stand in holy places. Then he went on to talk about how we can and should do the same. His daughter sang and played a song that I really like about how sometimes blessing are in disguise. It is so true and actually something I was able to share with a family at their family home evening. Heavenly Father knows us and He knows how we can learn best. Sometimes we have to learn through trials and through pain. But Heavenly Father is always looking out for us and He loves us.

The sister missionaries singing at a youth conference

Sis Miller with Jen

Karee with Jen

Karee with the Young Women in Boston (she loved being with them!)

Karee with Alicia

Karee with McKinzie

one of the sister missionaries and Karee

Karee and Sis Garcia(she has gotten a pic with her everytime they meet for conferences)

more serious pose this time

Karee and Sis Allen

Karee and Sis Allen's mom

Later on Saturday we went and sang to Sister Janeke, an elderly woman. We just sang a few hymns but she said that it made her whole day, whole week and even her whole month. She is so sweet! She said that she wishes everyone in the whole nursing home could hear us. We want to go back and carol when it gets closer to Christmas. 

We also went caroling (singing songs of gratitude and thanks) to Andy and Danielle. They absolutely loved the hymns and even teared up a bit. Which is really a good thing because we feel like the visits with them haven't been as effective lately. Now they have invited us to come over to eat dinner with them on Friday. We will probably be singing some more hymns. Music has such a wonderful way of inviting the Spirit.

A few updates: It is getting colder here and I believe we are expecting snow some time this coming week. 

Isabel got her personal progress medallion.

Kamber is going to have her baby soon!

Also, I heard about the hurricane that hit the Phillipines (actually heard about it mentioned first in a prayer that I was translating during sacrament meeting). Those people will be in my prayers here. 

I love you all!

Always,

Sister Brown

 

PS- We didn't get to watch the game or even watch the parade, but we do know that we WON THE WORLD SERIES!!(mom note: We asked Karee if she tells people she is from Missouri and her response was "
Hahah yea I do! I like the red sox more. The people here are nice to the cardinals, nice to everyone unless you like the yankees"