March 12

MLC

The definition of a mormon is one going to, coming to, and sitting in meetings...

I think Elder Holland said that. Could be wrong. But it perfectly
describes the past week! Meetings upon meetings.


Hello family!!!

Man I was thinking of you all a lot. Yesterday we went to bishop's
house for dinner. They are American and have 4 blonde girls. Sarah and
Lily's age. It almost felt like I was with all of you!

And I know there are even more birthdays now, so happy birthday
Mom!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy happy birthday from all of us to you, we wish
you happy birthday.....(I think I'm gonna finally send my letter today
so look for it in The next couple of weeks)

MLC was great. Elder Phillips came and spoke. Everything he spoke
about was focusing on the Savior and loving people one by one. He said
programs and plans are great and all, but the best thing you can do is
take a piece of paper write down a list of names and love one at a
time. He said there are so many things to take care of. So many things
to be overwhelmed with. But it all goes back to Matthew 22:36-40. He
also stressed the importance of teaching what things lead to. Faith vs
faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. Joseph smith being a prophet
of God vs Joseph Smith as a prophet helping us understand Christ's
divinity more than ever.

I loved this quote given concerning Joseph Smith...
“Through him, I learn more about Christ and my relationship with
Christ than from any other source I can find.  Joseph Smith is a
window for me to Christ and the clearest one I have ever found.” -
Truman G. Madsen

It was a wonderful meeting. Elder Phillips was such a person that he
would pause in the middle of his testimony and the spirit would just
flood your whole body. It was such a cool feeling.

Super long meeting tho. It ended at 7 and then sister Matthews and I
ended up talking to President so we didn't get home until half nine.

Friday was the mission tour with Elder Phillips so we made the trek
back to Hyde Park. This time we transferred at Finsbury Park and it
made me so happy to see the familiar place!!! Can't believe I was
there a year ago. That is insane.

At the mission tour I got to see my dearest friends ever. Sister
Brown, sister Guimaraes, sister Cardoso, sister Daines, sister
Tavares, sister Yau, Sister Gade, Sister Teng, Sister Sheward...I just
love them all so much. They are so fantastic!!!!!! I love them all.

Again elder Phillips stressed the importance of focusing on the Savior
and understanding His divinity. (John 17:3) President and Sister
Stevens spoke and they did a wonderful job. Heber C Kimball was
probably a good mission President, but I think President Stevens comes
at a close second.

We got famous Ben's cookies afterward to celebrate. Especially cuz
sister Matthews has never had any before! Really good, but definitely
overpriced.

Saturday the next day was Zone meeting! (See way to many meetings). It
was good. We gave a training on referring to the restoration when
finding on the street. Everyone (including ourselves) is now committed
to mentioning priesthood, prophets, and the Book of Mormon on the
street. Which is really good and it'll help us avoid some awkward
situations. It's always awkward when you find someone on the street
and never told them about the Book of Mormon so it's always more nerve
wracking to bring it up when you sit down for a lesson. The APs had
given us this training in MLC so all we had to do was make it more
aesthetically pleasing and we were good to go! Easy for us.

Church was good. We had a miracle! All of our friends confirmed for
church cancelled that Sunday. Haha classic. A little frustrating.  But
we prayed lots and Heavenly Father knows we need His help a ton so He
helped us out! Lovelace from Ghana came! Wahoo! His girlfriend Joy
brought him. She is less active. Yes this is the perfect set up. Only
probable, he goes to school in south London so we need to figure out
how he is going to be taught. Really cool though because Heavenly
Father provided us with a miracle when we did not necessarily deserve
one. He is good!

Oh and I can't forget to add in a biking adventure!!! Brother Thomas
(ward mission leader) saw our bikes and decided we needed some help.
(Very true). He raised our seats so my knees don't bonk on the handle
bars and he tightened our brakes so the wheels stop almost before you
put your hand on the brake it's so fast. He brought our bikes back
when we weren't expecting it so we were in pencil skirts. My goodness
that plus a foot higher seat made for an interesting ride. When we
first hobbled on to our bikes a woman commented and said we were
finally off our training wheels. Haha trying to learn how to ride a
bike again is difficult. But it was so great! We biked for an hour
after to a member's home and I felt way less sore! Except for a few
tricky parts. I can deal with the pavement roots but it's when the
pebbles come now that's a whole new level. And we were biking on this
teeny tiny sidewalk next to a busy road. Gave a whole new meaning to
the whole straight and narrow. Biking home in the dark was interesting
too. There were many windy roads. God protected us though so all is
well. Except for being a little sore tho.
LOVE YOU BYE!!!!

our dinner

off to church

Teaching primary

Bishop's family

I wanted to add this nice from from a former companion I got today too:

Hi there, this is Sister Brown!

To be totally honest with you, I was meant to ask for your email all
those months ago when Sister Soulier and I were serving together, but
I never seemed to. Strange

But when I found out that it's your birthday soon, I had to ask her!

So, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday! I hope that you have a
truly wonderful day and that you enjoy every minute of it 😃
Also, is there anything I can get for you? Is there anything from
Britain that you particularly want? I'm more than happy to send
something over! So, if there's anything at all, please feel free to
let me know! 😊

Whilst I am typing this though, I also wanted to say thank you for
encouraging and supporting Sister Soulier to come on a mission. She
is, quite frankly, incredible.
She's doing so well, better than what she thinks, and I know you must
be so proud of her.

Sister Soulier is an incredibly hard worker; she loves Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ and, also, she loves those around her. She's obedient
and does all that she can to make sure that she's using the Lord's
time fully, wisely and effectively. She's a great leader and a great
example to those around her.
She really is worthy of the blessings she receives.

I'm sure you already know all of this about her, but I just wanted to
let you know 🙂

I'll forever be grateful to Heavenly Father for allowing our paths to
cross; she gave me exactly the right start that I needed to my mission
- she taught me so much! She was also incredibly patient and loving
with me.
Even now I'm still learning from her; whether it be through email or
on exchanges just the other week (yet again I'm grateful that Heavenly
Father allowed our paths to cross for another time). She really is a
blessing in my life and I'm grateful for our friendship; she has a
special place in my heart.

And you and the rest of your wonderful family do too. Sister Soulier
has told me so much about you all - she loves you all so much!

So, yeah, that's it really. I know I've never met you, but I think
that you are an absolutely incredible family! I have a lot of love and
respect for each one of you.

I hope you have a great week

Love always,

Sister Brown xx