Lunch with Holland (and Whitney)

Week #19

I love you guys!! It sounds like fall break was pretty fun. And pretty cool you married some people too, Dad. A temple wedding is still where I'm aiming for so that's good. I hope California is fun for the both of you! Sorry this isn't exciting I just want to say that I love you both so much!

Good Times....

Eating Asian food with the Asian companion (Sister Lee)

Apparently they see this all the time!

Ice cream from some members!

Last day with Sister Monks----their first and last meal together was Taco Bell!

Week #18

Another joyous week in Issaquah! This time no sarcasm!! We found 3 new investigators!!!! It was a dang miracle I tell you!!!! 

One lady is named Joyce and we found her tracting. (who'd have thought?) She just moved her but we taught her the restoration and she said she'd pray to know if it was all true! We asked to come back this week but she said she just moved and it's a transition time for her and her family so she doesn't want to rush into any decisions so we're going back next week. We're crossing our fingers that everything works out.

The next is a lady named Debbie. We met her going to visit a member and she was having a hard time so we prayed with her and talked about the Book of Mormon a little bit. We asked if we could come back and teach her more and she said yes!

The last lady was so awesome.. We were visiting a less-active member (her husband) and he was busy so she invited us in and basically just opened right up and told us her whole story. She was an alcoholic but is sober now because she found a higher power. She said she felt something was missing and she filled it with faith. She told us we could come back and teach her about our gospel so we're hoping it fills what is missing in her life even more! Her name is Carise.

So conference was AMAZING!! It was so interesting watching it as a missionary. We had to watch it in the Stake Center with all the other missionaries so there was no way I was falling asleep. All the sessions went by so fast that I was bummed there wasn't more! I couldn't pick my favorite because they were all so amazing! President Packer's talk particularly stuck out to me though. 

OH!! It was Salmon Days in Issaquah this week. We live right by a river so there is a Salmon Hatchery right here and every year for 2 days they just celebrate the salmon I guess. They close off streets and there are booths and tents and games and rides everywhere. It's like the fair a little bit. It was fun but there were some crazies there. Good food though? Hahaha. 

What else... OH!! Umm it's a miracle I'm not dead yet. Seriously. Sister Lee just one day took the liberty of driving and holy cow it was the sketchiest thing ever. I've been getting a lot of headaches lately and I decided it was whiplash. If there was an award for best driver.... It would not go to her. 

I think that about wraps up my week. Thank you so much for everything! Love you all!!! 

Week #17

Another eventful week here in Issaquah!! Sort of. haha.

 

On Friday, it was the funeral of the missionary in Mexico who died. His mom is in our ward and one of my favoritest ladies ever. She is a single mom and Peter was her only son so it was tragic really. But the funeral was absolutely beautiful. Elder Martino from the seventy came and spoke and there was just such a feeling of peace there. It was awesome. We go and see Mary pretty often and she is such an amazing lady! She is one tough cookie that's for sure. 

On Wednesday we had a meeting with President Choi and he told us that he was speaking at a fireside with Korean members only and asked if the sisters in our zone would sing I am a Child of God in Korean. Yeah that came as a shock. We had like 3 days to learn it! Good thing my companion is Korean. He wanted it memorized too so that was all I was singing last week. But, it turned out great and I still find myself singing it haha. It was a cool experience to be there at the fireside! I didn't understand a word but it made me realize that the gospel is the same no matter what language. I'm so grateful for that. 

What else... Nothing I guess. It has been raining so hard since basically last Friday. It hasn't stopped yet! Tracting in it is a blast. I am always wet and cold. I guess I should get used to it. Thank heavens for my rain boots!

That about wraps up my week... Thank you for all the love and support! Love you all!!! 

Week #16

Hello! This week was about the same as last. Not much has changed. We still tract all the time and still haven't had much success. I'm still struggling so my mission president and his wife have decided to have me meet with a counselor. I'm meeting with her on Wednesday so we'll see how that goes.

The rain is starting to come now. It pretty much poors at night and is on and off throughout the rest of the day. It's pretty gloomy here now. It gets dark at like 5 and the rest of the day is just a really bright gray.

The funeral of the missionary from our ward who died is going to be on Friday and a general authority is going to come speak. It should be a beautiful service and we're lucky we get to go.

That about wraps things up around here. Thinking of you lots! Love you so much!!

 

Sister Brian

Week #15

Wow. Honestly I have no report for this week. It was probably the most boring week EVER. We did nothing. Except tract. and Tract. and TRACT. With no success. HA. 

So Sister Lee is nice. But our house always stinks like Kimchi. and rice. She only eats Korean food haha. 

What else... I think that about wraps it up. Oh, I wore my crocs. For those who don't know what they look like... They are actually pretty cute. Not like the normal crocs. But they are super comfortable. I just had to laugh at myself when I wore them because I feel like such a missionary. Ahh well, I suppose I am so whatever. haha I can't even think of anything else to say... so on that note.... Love you all!!

Week #14

Wow.. Transfers! I made it another one so I am still staying in Issaquah!! It's a blessing and a curse. I love this place and I truly hate it sometimes haha. It's just great. But my new companion is Hyunah Lee from our home ward!! Haha hilarious. It's been alright for the 2 hours I've been with her so far so we'll see how the next 6 weeks goes....

 

So this week we did a ton of service! It's a miracle since no one will ever let us do service! But an awesome lady in our ward works at a place called House of Hope. It's a place where women can go and live for free with their children if they have an abuser have been abandoned... Things like that. It's like a women's shelter but they live in million dollar houses. It's insane. But they have people donate clothes so we got to go and organize the clothes! It was awesome. And I got to wear pants!! That barely fit. It's proof I'm getting fat! GAHHHH. But whatever...

Also we helped Brandy with some service. She has a huge garden and she cans EVERYTHING. Seriuosly everything. So we got to go and help her can! It was awesome. Then she sent us home with so much stuff! So much squash and zucchini! (by the way mom, I made bread and everyone loved it!!!)

What else... I hit my 3 month mark!! I can't believe it! As I always say, it's a miracle I made it this far. And that about wraps up my week. Haha pretty slow week. But it's all good. Hopefully I'll have some more cool things to say next week. My emails are getting pretty boring. Anyway. Love you all!!!!

Kathryn's Baptism

Sister Brian, Sister Monks, Kathryn and Scott Denninghoff (Kathryn's work friend who baptized her)

Dave and Terri Young (ward members who helped fellowship Kathryn.

Turning on the water to fill up the font!

Putting in the plug!

After-baptism celebration. Ice cream with a fork!

It was amazing! So many ward members and missionaries came. Like standing room only! The talks were beautiful, given by the ward members who fellowshipped her--Dave and Terri Young. They are the cutest! Terri (Sister Young....oops!) reminds me of Grandma Brian. Ah, it makes me miss her! We also had a lady in the ward play the harp. She played Nearer my God to Thee and it was incredible. I was tearing up! (Thanks, Mom!) Sister Monks and I walked around the temple after (our stake center is right behind it). That was the moment I thought, man I'm doing something right! It was the best feeling and I'm so lucky I got to experience it.

On a funnier note....We had to be at the Stake Center 2 hours early to start filling the font but you can't leave it. It was right during our dinner time so we just decided to eat there. Sister Monks brought a little thing of easy-mac and I brought pancakes! Yes, pancakes! They sounded soooo good so I brought my pan, PAM, my Kodiak cakes, peanut butter, all the works! It was hilarious. I was still flippin' away when people started to show up! Ha ha! The whole room smelled like pancakes because of me. Ooops! Anyway, it was awesome.

Week #13

Kathryn got baptized this week!!! It was incredible!! There were a million people there! Okay, maybe not but there were a ton of missionaries and so many people from our ward! It was packed. Like standing room only. Everything went perfectly and we had someone in our ward play the harp. It was so perfect! After, Sister Monks and I got a chance to just walk around the temple. That was so nice. And peaceful!! She was confirmed on Sunday and everything went according to plan. She is awesome and we love her!!

That reminds me.. The temple last week was so awesome!!! The Seattle temple is so cool! It has escalators in it haha it was hilarious. But it was beautiful. I honestly wish we could go more! I'd go every week if it were possible. 

What else... Transfers are next Tuesday! I have a hunch I'm going to stay here and that Sister Monks is leaving? It's so weird! I like don't know a mission without her! Hahaha. I guess we'll see what happens? 

We got a referral from a new convert in our ward to teach her friend. So we went over for dinner and taught Ariane the Restoration and part of the Plan of Salvation. We gave her a book of mormon too! It was cool but I'm not sure she's super interested. So we'll see! We also taught another lesson to a kid in our ward's girlfriend. Her name is Melissa. She was so cute! She was just rollin with everything we taught and she is already like half way through the Book of Mormon. Crazy!! Hopefully we'll get to teach her again!!

I think that's all.. Super short but our time is way short today. I love you all!!!!

Week #12

I'm the worst. I have zero time left. So this week was good? Kathryn is getting baptized on Friday! Yay! We get to go to the temple today! And life is good!! That's all. Love you all!!!

Life in Issaquah

Week #11

his week wasn't the most exciting but here it is anyway!

We had a zone conference and it was good. Man are they long though! They fed us, which was nice but still.. I felt bad because I was dozing! President Choi talked about being homesick and how we should have fun with the spirit.  

Kathryn is doing great! She does in fact spell her name that way... I've been spelling it wrong since day one. Oh well. She is still getting baptized on the 30th so we're really excited! She is solid. I'm so happy we're baptizing her but not? As soon as we do, there goes our teaching pool! Ah well, it happens.

So we have been meeting with a former investigator named Lorena. She has had a few sets of missionaries but hasn't gotten baptized because of her live-in boyfriend. I can't remember if I told about her or not... Anyway. We put her on date for this coming weekend! We were so excited! But then she missed her baptismal interview on Sunday so we'll see what happens with that. We're really hoping though. She is ready she just doesn't quite know it yet. 

Aaaaaaand that about wraps up my week. Nothing exciting but it's all good. Thanks for the letters and emails! Love you all!!! 

Week #10

So this week was a little better than last week! We met with Katherine the night I emailed and she committed to be baptized onAugust 31! woooo! We are so so excited! She asked what we would be teaching her next and we said the commandments and we gave her a little teaser on what they were. We said Word of Wisdom and told her it was like our health code then she says, "Oh! We don't need to worry about that, I already threw out all my coffee." Umm wha!? Still in shock we told her about the Law of Chastity ("No problem there, I'm dating a Mormon guy") and Tithing ("Oh yeah! When should I start paying that?") Are you kidding me!? This lady is golden! We cannot wait!!

Then, we were street contacting one night when we saw a harmless looking old man wearing red suspenders. We go up and talk to him and he says, "Will you come with me? I write poems about Jesus Christ and want to show you some." So we follow him and stay outside while he goes up to his apartment to get the poems. He reads them to us and they're nice, blah blah. We give him a Book of Mormon and tell him we'd like to come back. We schedule an appointment for Thursday at 2 and we left. This was Tuesday. He calls the next day and asks for someone elses number to verify that we're actually sister missionaries. Umm for real dude? Who would impersonate us? LDS Sister Missionaries, really? So we give him the bishop's number and tell the Bishop to prepare for a weird call. He calls us and says that Roger seems nice, a little weird, but nice. Then he tells us to take someone with us when we go see him. So the next day we get to his apartment just us 2. We couldn't find anyone to go with us. He comes down and says, "I hope you girls can walk up 3 flights of stairs to my apartment." We told him we couldn't go in to his apartment because of the ratio/safety rule. At this point... He loses it. He starts yelling and saying "You didn't tell me you couldn't come up to my apartment! I had everything set up and ready for you!" Woah, acca-scuse me!? You have WHAT set up and all ready for us?! There was no way we were going up there! Then he has the nerve to call us LAZY! Bah! Sister Monks and I were in complete shock. We had no idea what to say! He told us we were lazy and inconsiderate and didn't know how to do business because we didn't call him and tell him we couldn't come up to his apartment. Then Sister Monks said, "Umm, Roger. We never told you we would go up to your apartment." Haha that shut him up for a minute. We asked if we should just leave and he told us how he valued his time so now that we took it he wanted us to teach him. We were both so flustered at this point I had no idea what we were teaching him. We got our act together and gave the fastest Restoration lesson in history. Like a minute 30 tops. We testified of the Book of Mormon and asked him to read it. He said he had and that it was the most boring book he's ever read and it didn't even talk about Jesus Christ in there! Sister Monks then said, "clearly you didn't read it" Haha! So after that we promptly left. Yikes.

But... The story continues. He showed up to church on Sunday!! He sat in sacrament by his grumpy old self and then we asked if he wanted to come to Sunday School. He followed us there and walked in the class and saw a lady with a baby in there. He lost it again! This man is crazy. He said is there no adult class? We told him this was it and he said, "Why are there babies in here? When I study the Bible I want it to be quiet with no crying babies and distractions!" Long story short he stormed out of the class and that was the end of Roger. Man, we are not calling him back. So that was a long story but it needed to be shared!

We had a Zone Meeting this week, that was pretty fun. We met with Brandy again - she isn't progressing unfortunately. We, well Sister Monks, made Gooey Butter cake. Yeah, it makes my butt get bigger just thinking about it. It's a Paula Deen recipe so you can imagine.. It's to die for. And clearly I'm getting fat. Really though. There is a lady in our ward who served a mission in Russia and actually married her Zone Leader haha, who we went to see. She told us all about her mission experience and gave us an awesome pep-talk. She is so awesome! And it's funny because there are actually a lot of people in our ward who married people from their missions. We are always making bets on who is getting married from ours. We have started meeting with a lady that has had a few sets of missionaries teach her now. She has been dropped every time because of Law of Chastity issues with her live-in boyfriend. But we stopped by and they broke up so hopefully we can start making progess with her. We'll see!

I think that's basically it! It's been a pretty eventful week. Thank you for the emails and letters and prayers! They are so appreciated! Love you all!!

Sister Brian

Week #9--another letter

hello fam!

 

Sounds like another fun week at the Brian abode! Thank you SO much for the package!! It was perfect! I've had Crio everyday since I got it and pretty sure Sister Monks thinks I'm psycho. She still won't try it but I'll get her too! I'm buying creamer today so I'm really excited. The tank tops were awesome and I've worn my OneDirection shirt every single night to bed :) THANK YOU! Thanks for the scissors too! I'm sorry I feel like I am always asking for you to send packages and things to me. I do love you guys! Not just the packages.

 

Sounds like your biking trip was fun! Sorry about your crash, mom. Good thing it wasn't too bad. You guys are going to be crazy bikers when I get home I just know it! Do you have a bike hitch to take them down to St. George? That would be beautiful to ride down there! Especially in the fall.

 

I can't believe school starts for the kids so soon. It seems like the summer just flew by! But doesn't it always? Any other fun trips? Dad Hawaii will be fun! But I guess it's mostly work and no play. It's your traveling time here pretty soon right? It sounds like you'll be going a lot of cool places! Mom, since you are in the market for a job.. Work at 3B! How cool would it be if you taught yoga? Or work at Soel and send me cute clothes :) Tell Em good luck with the soccer tryouts! Be sure and tell me how she does!

 

Haha that cat story was hilarious dad! The people around here are crazy animal people so I do not like cats anymore. I barely like dogs. All the ones here nip at your ankles are little demons. I do miss Duke though... Is he still alive? Send a picture!

 

The apartment is good! We didn't swap with the Elders. They moved into another apartment with new Elders. There are 5 of them in their apartment. I kinda feel bad sometimes, we caused this huge domino effect. Oops. But it is nice to sleep without distractions! The members were bummed we left but we are not. It was a terrible environment for missionaries so it's much better where we are now. We are eating dinner with them tonight actually so that should be interesting.

 

I wish Finn and I exchanged emails! We don't. Haha he doesn't email me. But it's okay. I know getting an email out in the MTC is hard. I do pray for him everyday though. I hope he's doing good. I'm starting to read Jesus the Christ but it's pretty deep stuff. I'm excited though! It should be good though!

 

Tell Nate good luck on the mish! Finland is going to be crazy cool!

 

Thank you for your fast and prayers - they are so appreciated! We are still teaching the same people so hopefully something actually happens this week.

 

I love you guys! so much!!

 

Sister Brian

 

Week #9

Hello! and happy 2 months to me! This week wasn't the most exciting but here is a little rundown of what happened..

 

We had a Zone Conference but it was a weird one. It was multiple zones and President Choi spoke. It was pretty good! It was supposed to be on mission culture but he kinda just spoke. He is a funny guy, I like him. His wife spoke too so that was pretty cool.

 

We met with Brandy, as always. Her husband just had major surgery though so she has to take constant care of him. The poor lady looked exhausted so we didn't get to teach her. The people that referred us to them had their son get baptized this week and invited Brandy and her kids but of course she didn't show up. We'll get her though!

 

I can't remember if I told you about a referral we got from the Elders but her name is Christina. Single woman with 3 kids. One of them is old enough to be baptized! We haven't been able to set a time to meet with her but we keep stopping by. We're so excited to start teaching her! HOpefully it will be this week! We're trying to get her (like everyone else we talk to) to come to church.

 

Speaking of church.. Jami promised she would come. AND she didn't. surprise. haha. Katherine did though! So that was awesome. We're teaching her tonight too.

 

That about wraps up my week. Seriously. HA. Pathetic.

 

BUT, on the bright side our apartment is AWESOME! It's so spacious and amazing! I'll be in the bathroom and Sister Monks will be in the kitchen and I can't even hear her! I've asked her to come in the bathroom with me cause I get lonely in there haha. But, the Elders seriously have no mirrors in there. That may or may not be a bad thing considering I'm getting fat and don't like to look... But it's still a pain. We had members go buy us one haha. The Elders did leave us all their food though. That was not nice of them. We had to clean out so much crap! The mold on all of their food was like growing into the tupperware so we could not even save them. I'll send some pictures of the apartment soon. Another odd thing, there are candles everywhere! Like what in the heck Elders? Seriously everywhere! The tall, white, Jesus candles too haha it's hilarious. It still slightly smells like Elder too. We're working on it.

 

Well, that's all. Love you guys!!

Mission Life

The Zone Leaders---Elder Yamashita and Elder Harding

The "pie" they ate at a member's house.

The 7-year old granddaughter of the members where Montana lived her first 6 weeks in Issaquah. 

Week #8

Sorry that I didn't get to email yesterday! They move P-days to Tuesday on transfer weeks. Sister Monks and I are staying together and staying in the same area too! Just a different apartment. The address is 200 Newport Way SW #203. The city and zip are the same as last time. So you can share that and send stuff now :) I'll be sure to take pictures.

 

Lake Powell sounded like a blast! I can't believe Em didn't go. The pictures were awesome! A nice reminder of what life used to consist of ;) Sounds like Em had fun at the Ranch though! I miss that place so much! Our investigator Brandi's house smells like it. I haven't decided if that's a good thing or a bad thing yet but it does. So I get reminded pretty often. Poor grandma though! It sounds like a mess down there. I hope everything gets fixed up alright.

 

By the way, mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I should've said something in my email last week but I just didn't think about it. I'm sorry! But I hope your day was fabulous! I'm excited for you and dad to try out your new bikes! Be sure to get matching outfits when you're really good. It's a good thing you don't look a day over 25 mom :) But really. I missed you even more than I normally do on Sunday so just know that I really was thinking about you! I wish I could've done something for you but i'm a missionary. Haha I'm poor and don't have a ton of resources so sorry... Sounds like Maddie did the job for me though. haha

 

It sounds like Zach did a great job! He is a sweet kid and I'm super excited for him! Stephen mentioned he saw you guys and was super embarrassed he didn't recognize you til like right after ha. Oh well. He leaves on September 4th to Spain. Madrid I'm pretty sure?

 

I loved reading Finn's email! The poor kid is in a trio.. I hear that's pretty rough sometimes. he'll be fine though! It's all a big adjustment. Thanks for forwarding me his letter! Keep me updated on him if you hear from him anymore.

 

Thanks for the help on the work! That advice is awesome! I'm trying to do everything that I can within my power to be obedient and I'm hoping it rubs off. It's not terrible but sometimes it's frustrating when she just won't help ya know? But I'll try all those things and hope they work out! I don't want contention so I'll do it gently. Thank you!!

 

So mom, did you get Jami's voicemail? haha I'm not sure what the rules are on that but that woman has a mind of her own. She said if it was ever an emergency or I absolutely had to get in contact with you I should go through her. We'll see about that.

 

Well, I think that's all. Oddly enough, I'm starting to love it out here! Weird!! I'm so grateful for this opportunity and the experiences I'm having. I love this gospel and the chance I have to share it with others! I love you guys soo much and am so grateful for the support! Have a good week!!

 

Sister Brian

 

She's moving.....UPDATED

I just got a voicemail message from a lady in Montana's ward that she is moving to an apartment today. I know that this will be a good move for her! Maybe now they can get a little sleep at night....

I will post her new address as soon as I get it!

NEW ADDRESS:

200 Newport Way SW #203
Issaquah, WA  98027

Week #7

Hello! Monday couldn't come soon enough this week. It was just a very slow week with not a lot to do. Thank you SO much for the package though Mom and Dad! It was awesome! We listen to the music all the time, not even kidding! Those speakers are awesome, Dad. And the Swig cookies stayed good :) We enjoyed them haha. Everything in there was awesome so thank you :) 

So, a cool story. I guess it was last week but I forgot to tell you. After we had our interviews with Pres. Choi the ZL's looked at our planners. Me and my companion are both so new that neither of us knew fully how to use them and we wrote in pen. The ZL's gave us some advice and told us to write in pencil. So we did and the next week we like doubled all of our numbers! It was so cool! The planner works. 

This week, we had the Laurels come out with us for a day. That was super fun! They're sweet girls. But of course all the people we wanted to see cancelled but whatever ha. 

We also got to help with the Community Dinner this week. It's open to anyone in the community and our church was putting it on this week. Mostly homeless people and the druggies come but it was still cool to be able to serve them food and talk to some of them. 

We have been trying for a while now to see a lady named Lisa Parnell. She is way less-active but we were finally able to get into her house this week! We just chatted and got to know her and at the end she said "This is nice, nobody ever wants to talk about me". She's so sweet! She has a ton of health and personal issues but we are working on getting her back to church. 

We saw Brandi Koonce again and she is doing well! We did find out that she has issues with church though. She likes it but it scares her because she doesn't want to conform. So we're working on it. 

We did have a MIRACLE this week though! So we were at church handing out the programs in foyer when a lady walks in looking confused. She came over to us and said, "I'm looking for the missionaries I think? Someone who can teach me? I found the address of this church online and I was wondering if you could help me?" HAHA! Sister Monks and I walked right up to her and said, "HI! We're the missionaries!!" It was sooo cool! Her name is Katherine Clark and she works with a lot of members. She asked if she could just follow us around for the meeting. We told her absolutely! At the end of church she was like, "So what now? When do I get do I get the whole shpeal?" We were like tomorrow...? Ha! So we are teaching her tonight and are super super excited! Hopefully all goes well! Pray for us! And her haha. 

Other than that... It's all pretty much the same out here. The house is still so disgusting I want to puke every time I'm in the kitchen. Mom, you would probably pass out if you saw it. It's hard not to sometimes...The smell is overwhelming. It's a joy. And their grandkids are still here with more on the way! Super JOY. Til the end of September. It's going to be a long summer. The mom believes in letting her cry it out. That's not okay especially when the baby's room is next to ours. I'm a little crankier than usual. 

I love you all! And miss you! Thank you for the letters and emails :) You're the best!!

Sister Brian