Journal entry from December 30, 2012

Karee sent some of her journal entries and I thought I would share bits of it that were inspiring. We are so proud of her and her desire to do what is right.

     I just taught in district meeting with my companions. We taught about the Book of Mormon.

This is everyone in Karee's mission district

     I felt really bad because the other hermanas wee planning all day, but I have had meetings all morning. I knew this would happen, but it's hard to prepare my part when I don't know their plans. Also, I have a hard time balancing studying for my investigators and myself during personal study time. I have tried reading in Preach My Gospel about the Book of Mormon. I've put the effort/work in, but I felt like I would have done more. It helped that it was the Book of Mormon.(Honestly I lucked out!)
      I decided to entitle my part of the lesson as "So What?"
     Hermana Huskinson started out with the keystone of our religion.

Hermana Jarvis, Karee, and Hermana Huskinson

     Hermana Jarvis spoke on how it completes/testifies with the Bible.They did a good job, lots of scriptures, but I noticed a few things: Elder Hales was distracted and most of the Elders were tired.
    Hermana Huskinson talked about how it testifies of Christ.
     Revelation came to me on how I should teach. 1) I needed to include them so much more than just letting them read. 2) I needed Elder Hales to re sight the first vision. He had been working on memorizing it.
3) I needed to boldly testify. While Hermana Huskinson was doing her part, I started to organize. I knew I had some Book of Mormon quotes in my Book of Mormon. I looked through it. The Hermana Huskinson finished.

This is Karee's mission district with her teachers. I know one of the teachers(the one with glasses-Hermana Haglund)

    I started in on my activity. Putting pressure on the Book of Mormon, mostly in faith.
    I asked Elder Domin to randomly open his scriptures and point to a verse. He found Helaman 5:22.
    I assigned groups and asked them to find personal application.
    I was really surprised with the things they found/applications. They really took it seriously. I wrote them all on the board. I had asked Elder Hales to share and he did great! Before I told the class to think about the power and meaning of what he was saying. I then shared that rarely does God and Jesus appear. Yet I knew that they appeared to Joseph Smith. I shared Mormon which talks about Mormon seeing our day.

    I without thinking much before shared my testimony. I said that I knew the Book of Mormon was written for our day. I said Elders' names and said, "I think this scripture will help Elder Spratling with his investigator." I used a couple of more names.
    I know what  I said was true.
    That activity shows great faith in the Book of Mormon. Wow, I believe it testifies of Christ. I know it was written for us and we need to apply it to ourselves and we can.
The effects of this activity testify that it is true!

Pretty sunset!

This was a great day!
                                                Love always, Hermana Brown

More Snow!
December 28, 2012
Doing some back tracking . Just received a package of letters that were supposed to go to her sister, Kamber's house since we were going to be in Utah.

Sometimes during class I get distracted looking out the window watching the snow fall.
I like this coat, even more with this name tag on... I still do not feel like a missionary.

Dear family and friends,

Are you getting these emails? I only kinda know this email address...hopefully it is the right one.

Sunday Sister Brown's daughter in law came and spoke. It was really neat. Her daughter who is 18 played the harp for us. I wish I could play something really cool like that. Sunday night Stephen B. Allen came and spoke about the gift of repentance.

Christmas eve we had a nativity play along with musical arrangements. I am always amazed by the talents of others and the ability that music has to bring the spirit and teach me. After wards we watched a Christmas Carol. They had bags of caramel popcorn for all of us. that they brought out in big trash bags.

Christmas day was really cool. I loved the Missionary Survival kit!! It was unexpected for sure. I am glad I waited to open it until Christmas. I had fun trying to guess what the gift was. It was so neat that you would take the time to print those off, wrap all of those gifts and spend the time. Thank you!

Also Kamber! Those treats were yummy! The pillow case is possible the cutest ever! Thank you so very much!

We are making progress with our investigators! Pedro is a 16 year old (our teacher acting like a 16 yr. that he actually taught). He just agreed to be baptized on the 25th of Jan. I am pretty excited but we still have a bunch to teach him! Also the language is coming, but it takes time. sometimes I walk into a lesson and totally forget all the Spanish that I know. It comes back though no worries.

Olson family! Thank you so much for the package! It was so thoughtful of you to send me all of those things! I am wearing the earrings right now and planning on the scarf later. I love the pictures and have been showing everyone. Evalyn is SO cute! Thank you for thinking of me and for sending them to me.

Do you have any questions? I feel like i have so much to say during the week but when I get to PDay i can never remember what i wanted to share. I will probably write a better hand letter so feel free to share that.

Thank you for all the dear elders. I love hearing about how everyone is doing!

All my love!

Karee is in the MTC sister missionary choir. This was in the Church News. Can you see her on the bottom?

Hermana Brown

Christmas Day! December 25, 2012

Kare opening her stocking Christmas Day!

some sister missionaries dressed up for Christmas (Santa and Rudolf) Notice the big red nose

Lights at the MTC. There was snow for Christmas!

Karee's MTC survival kit

reading letters

a pillowcase made by Karee's sister, Kamber. Love it!

Christmas Day Pictures!

Pictures from Karee's camera



These are pictures taken the day she went into the MTC. She had her sister Kamber take her around to see everyone in Provo. Don't you love her new haircut! Kamber cut it the night before she entered the MTC. What a nice sis!

This is Karee, her bishop (Bishop Davis) and his wife

Kamber, Trevor, and Karee

Awesome friend Courtney Chandler at BYU from Springfield, MO

Kamber, Karee, and cousin Lindsay Williams at BYU

Michal Savage(friend from BYU) and Karee

Karee and cousin Lindsay

Karee and Hannah Rackham(friend from BYU)

Natalie Pennington(friend from BYU) and Karee

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2012

Dear family, friends and loved ones,

I want to take this time to reflect a little on what I have learned on this day that we celebrate the day of Christ's birth.

Born of Mary, in humble settings, a baby came into the world. I don't know of many births of which the angels sing, but of this birth, the heavens rejoiced. Angels appeared to shepherds and many came to adore the new born babe. Wise men from the East came seeking the child. Following the signs that had been given of His birth. Wise men and women of today still seek after Him. Though I am just a girl, a young woman of 21, barely starting off in the world on my own, I wish to be seen someday as one of the wise. One that has sought after the Lord and Savior of the world.

I love the testimony that Jacob shares in Jacob 4:4 about why he was writing, "That they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming..." Like Jacob I want all to know that I too have a knowledge of Christ. That He was born humbly in a stable, that He lived a perfect life going about doing good, blessing and healing the sick and afflicted, then on that dreadful evening He took upon Him our sins our afflictions in the Garden of Gethsemane. And that He indeed died for us because He loves us. I know that all that is unfair in life (unexpected death of loved ones, sickness, sorrow...) can be made right through the Atonement. I know that the power of the Atonement enables us to overcome challenges to allow us to become true disciples of Jesus Christ. I know that the Atonement is the greatest evidence of God's love for us. Because God so loved the world He gave His only Begotten Son. I know that through the Atonement Christ doesn't just make up the difference of our imperfections, but that He makes ALL the difference. I want to say that I do know that our Savior "was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Mosiah 14:5). I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Atonement. I am overwhelmed by the love that the Savior would die for me, so that I could live to die and die to live again forever! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Con amor,

Hermana K. Brown

PS. Russell M. Nelson came and spoke with his wife!!! I'll tell more about this in my email or letter on Friday!

The Crazy MTC Schedule

Karee's name tags on her coats. It says"Hermana(sister in spanish)Brown

Dec 14, 2012
I am sorry I didn't get this entered sooner. We went on vacation and I forgot the passwords for the blog. So I will be catching up alot of Karee's letters in the next few days. Receiving Karee's letters are so rewarding as she is so enthusiastic and positive. We appreciate her diligence in keeping us up to date. We will miss hearing from her on Christmas, but know she is having a wonderful experience.

Dear Familia,
  Que pasa? Just wanted to let you know some bad news. I won't be calling on Christmas day because there aren't enough phones in the MTC(Missionary Training Center) to accommidate for all missionaries. I still love you and wish you a very Merry Christmas
    I found I will be in the MTC until February 5, 2013, 9 wks. I am happy because it is so GREAT!
   Alright, who wants to hear about the crazy MTC schedule?
Mondays and Wednesdays
6am-6:30am-wake up, pray, shower, get dressed, fix hair, etc
7am-breakfast (there is so much to choose from-cold cereal everywhere, hot breakfasts pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage pretty much whatever
7:30-10:30am-We go to class (class is with our group-small branch they call it which there are 3 sister missionaries-me, Hermana Huskinson, and Hermana Jarvis and 5 elders

Karee, her companion Sister Huskinson and the other elders in her branch

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Sister Jarvis, Karee, and Sister Huskinson (she is in a threesome)

Sister Huskinson, Karee, and Sister Jarvis(look at Karee's glow)

Our teacher is Hermano Brown(ha ha-there are many Browns). He only speaks Spanish with the exception of making better explanations and the last hr called coaching is where he works on a specific task that we have questions on
10:30-11:30-personal study(study scriptures, Preach My Gospel, and prepare for teaching our investigators
11:30-12:05-Lunch
12:25 1:15-Gym. Usually we play volleyball, but there is also 4 square, basketball, and an indoor track
1:15-1:45-prepare for next activity, shower, get dressed
2:00-3:00-(Mondays only)we have workshops which help us better understand Preach My Gospel and our purpose.(Wednesdays)we go to the computer lab for language study

3:00-3:30-additional study time. Usually used to prepare a lesson
3:30-4:30-language study time. Used to practice vocab for lesson, and translate words we want to use
4:30-5:10-Dinner
5:15-6-Mondays-computer lab(wed)additional study time
6-9:30-Class again.

class time

Sometimes we prep again for lesson more, speak with other teachers, and get specific advice. Go teach for 45 mins., recap lesson, what went good, what needs help, pray(Oh by the way, this is our 15th prayer or so for the day)
9:3010:15-back in residencies to read, schedule, get ready for bed, pray as companions, journal, personal pray
10:15- quiet time
10:30-Lights out
Tuesdays and Thursdays
gym is in the morning so we get a sack breakfast at 6:30am. I workout on machines while watching the Joseph Smith movie and mormon ads.
We also have a devotional Tuesday nights
Fridays
my preparation day-do my laundry/write letters/email at 7:30
go to the temple 1:30

this is what letter writing and journaling looks like

these are some of the missionaries on their day to go to the temple(Provo temple in the background)

This is the Provo Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sundays
I have like 5 meetings. 2/3 mtgs before and during breakfast. Then off to Relief Society(womens Sunday class)
12:30- Lunch
1:15-district meeting
3:00-sacrament mtg.
a couple of more meetings
7pm-MTC fireside

8pm-review of past firesides

It's already been a week?!?!

Hola Familia,

It's hard to believe it has been a week already. At the same time it's hard to believe that it has only been one week. I guess I should mention that I actually won't be calling home this Christmas because there is no way the MTC could possibly provide enough phones for all of us. Sorry :( I was looking forward to calling but its ok.

Sunday was absolutely AMAZING!!!! as RS coordinating sister i have more responsibilities. I had 3 meetings before Rs at 9 and then 2 other after sacrament meeting. I am excited to be serving! I guess the best way to explain what a RS coordinating sister is that I am the RS president for my ward/branch. This means that i keep tabs on all the sisters and let the branch president know how they are doing and if they need anything. i have only sent him one letter reporting and he said that it was really good, hopefully i can surpass myself and do better next time. For Rs we had Sister Reeves of the general RS presidency come and speak. She was amazing! She reminded us to keep a sense of humor so that we can laugh at ourselves. which after a humbling experience on Tuesday i can really see why it is important. She also pointed out that everyone that is here on earth has excepted the Gospel, they just forgot. Their spirits desire to come back. Sacrament meeting was really neat too. We are asked to prepare a 3-5 min talk each week (in Spanish) to give it president Bowen invites us up. This will be the first week that he can call on us to speak. I haven't written my talk yet but it is supposed to be on Faith in Christ. I have a feeling that I am going to be asked to get up... I'll let you know. Later that night we had a fireside where the byu men's choirs came and sang. I absolutely loved it!! The music was so neat! After that we watched a devotional given by Elder Bednar about the Character of Christ. It was life changing! Basically it was about how when we focus on becoming like Christ, we become converted.

Our investigator's name is Rebeca. She is 22, from Mexico, and believes in God but doesn't see the need for Christ in her life. Even though she is a teacher and she already knows the truth and what we are going to be teaching her I was amazed by how real it was for me. i truly loved her and wanted her to accept what we were teaching her. She did commit to baptism and said she would come to Church with us this weekend but we actually aren't going to be teaching her any more. She is going to be our teacher!!! Our other teachers name is Hermano Brown (which can be kinda confusing for me because there isn't that much difference between hermano and hermana).

Tuesday i was very humbled because we prepared one lesson and she ended up taking the lesson somewhere totally different. Basically i realized that I can't expect to go in without studying the vocab. I could have answered if it was English but because it was in spanish I couldn't. I wish that I could better express to her my love for her and my knowledge that we are children of God and that He loves us.

I suggested to my companions that we start each lesson with a song. It was amazing how that song (I am a Child of God and Families can be together forever) brought the spirit! It made me feel better too!

I shared with Rebeca what I knew and I was able to do it in spanish!

If you ever, ever have questions, doubts, or problems (Si usted jamas, jamas tiene preguntas, dudas, or problemas, Yo se que Dio esta alli, El le conoce, Y El le ama!!)
I know that God is there!
He knows you
and He loves you!

she was really touched. I hope that this knowledge is something that you are able to learn from and come to rely on as well!

Sorry about not having pictures to add. I really did try. I guess I have to have a disc reader like the black one at home to add pictures I am going to check at the book store and if they don't have one can you send that one to me?
Also, Dear Elder letters are awesome! I can get those everyday and have them to read and then I can have more to say in this weekly email.( Get on dearelder.com to write letters to Karee. They are printed off and put in her mailbox the next day.It is like getting mail, but just not sent through the US post office)

Out of time, send dear elders I can get those every and any day!!! love them!

love always
Hermana Brown