Me voy a Lindsay

Every week in the mission field is amazing in it's own way but this week has had a little bit of everything!!! 

One night we passed by a former, Javier, and asked him about the Book of Mormon he said he remembered two guys coming over and talking to him about it but he wasn't really interested in us coming back. He said he didn't feel uplifted or strengthened when he learned more about the Book of Mormon from the other missionaries. We talked a lot about the spirit and peace that comes from the Book of Mormon and I asked him if he feels that peace everyday and he says some days but not everyday. And I asked him if he would want that peace everyday and he basically said he wasn't sure anymore. By asking a few more questions, he expressed that he isn't too sure of God right now or where his life is going. I testified that our message would bring that assurance and he still wasn't down to take it. While we ultimately just left him with a gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet and no return appointment it was such a powerful contact. I felt the spirit so strong and I truly felt the Holy Ghost guide me to ask inspired questions. I really feel like he needed a full opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, and although he didn't accept it. I hope that one day he will remember that experience when he is in need of the peace that comes from this gospel. 

Also l had the best adventure one day this past week. To start off the day, we had an appointment very early in the morning and we are a bit low on miles so we decided to bike!!! As we were leaving we realized it was drizzling but we didn't think much of it and told ourselves, people in biking areas deal with this all the time, no way out we cant be complaining! So we biked to the far end of Farmersville (7.4 miles) and our appointment fell through hahaha. So we turned right back around and biked to the Conyer Building from Farmersville for weekly planning (8.4 miles) and it was poouuuurrrrriiinnnnggggg rain. Seriously my bag and my shirt both turned a few shades darker.Haha. But so fun because on the Church building there is a farm with a bunch of cows!!! So we took a break to try and get them to come over to us so we could pet them!!! And one of them licked me hee hee. It made my day!!!!!

Transfers are this week! I am being transferred to Lindsay. A small little town near Porterville, Ca. I will be training again!!! It will be another wild adventure, but I'm ready for a fresh start and new challenges! 

btw my missionary email has changed to kmbrown@missionary.org

Love yall!! Thank you for all the support. 

Stick this into Google translate

Vi muchos milagros esta semana pasada. Tuvimos muchos miembros del barrio salir con nosotras para enseñar y eso fue buenísimo!! Un poquito por todos lados, pero bueno jajaja. Una vez en específico un miembro estaba un poquito enojada con nosotras porque antes de salir con nosotras, pensaba que fue tan tarde para andar a fuera (fue 7:30pm). Y nos dijo que no debemos tener citas a las 6:30 de la noche y adelante. Pero lo que no entiende ella es que cada día andamos hasta a las 9 de la noche jajaja. Y no podemos evitar a hacer citas en este tiempo porque este es cuando las personas están en casa.
Nuestro amigo, Alvaro, nos dio CIEN QUINCE naranjas. Jajaja nos dijo que tenía las naranjas y llenó 2 bolsas de ellas. Pensamos que eso fue todo hasta que vino a nuestro caro con una bolsa más. Son tan ricas y creo que cada día desde nos dio las naranjas, he comido 3 o 4 por lo menos.
Pero él está progresando TANTO!! En serio. El último lección que tuvimos con él fue tan bonito. Él recuerda mucho de lo que le explicamos. En este lección en específico estudiamos de Alma 42 y del bautismo de Jesucristo en Mateo. Y platicamos de la caída de Adán y Eva. El pudo recordar todo de la fruta del árbol y del árbol de la vida. Y le explicamos lo que es la expiación de Jesucristo y todo.
Y también hablamos sobre los miembros de la Trinidad y cómo son separados pero que tienen el mismo propósito.
Y por el fin de la lección ÉL ORÓ!!! Estaba tan emocionada. Al principio de la lección nos dijo que la diría la última y la hizo!!! Hemos tenido más de 10 lecciones con él y cada vez nos decía que no sentía listo o preparado. Trabajábamos tanto con el para ayudarle entender la importancia de la oración y este relación personal con Dios. Entonces por fin lo hizo!!!

Translated by Google:
I saw many miracles this past week. We had many members of the neighborhood go out with us to teach and that was great! A little bit everywhere, but good lol. Once in a specific member was a little angry with us because before leaving with us, I thought it was so late to walk out (it was 7:30 pm). And he told us that we should not have appointments at 6:30 at night and later. But what she does not understand is that every day we walk until 9 at night hahaha. And we can not avoid making appointments at this time because this is when people are at home.
Our friend, Alvaro, gave us ONE HUNDRED FIFTY oranges. Hahaha told us that I had the oranges and filled 2 bags of them. We thought that was all until he came to our expensive one with a bag. They are so rich and I think that every day since we got the oranges, I have eaten 3 or 4 at least.
But he is progressing SO MUCH !! Seriously. The last lesson we had with him was so beautiful. He remembers a lot of what we explained to him. In this specific lesson we study Alma 42 and the baptism of Jesus Christ in Matthew. And we talked about the fall of Adam and Eve. He was able to remember everything about the fruit of the tree and the tree of life. And we explain what is the atonement of Jesus Christ and everything.
And we also talk about the members of the Trinity and how they are separated but have the same purpose.
And by the end of the lesson HE PRAYED !!! I was so excited. At the beginning of the lesson he told us he would say the last one and he did it !!! We had more than 10 lessons with him and every time he told us that he did not feel ready or prepared. We worked so hard with him to help him understand the importance of prayer and this personal relationship with God. Then he finally did it !!!

MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN

Missions are special for many reasons. And serving Spanish speaking in the California Fresno Mission is just on a whole other level. 
We are teaching a man who works in the oranges. One day, we were talking with him about his work and he asked us if we liked oranges. We told him that of course we did!!! So he told us that the next time we came by he would give us some. We kind of were like oh no we dont want to take your oranges! He looked at us so confused of why we were concerned about taking his oranges. (I'm telling yall these people are so generous and give without a second thought!) Well let me tell you friends, this sweet little man has given us a bag of oranges everytime we visit him now. And we aren't talking a little wimpy grocery bag with 7-10 oranges in it. We're talking those big California grocery bags (cause you have to pay 10c for every grocery bag you use so there like slightly higher quality, smh) with like 50 oranges in a bag (I have counted) And he's even given us these big yellow grapefruit/orange fruits that I dont know the name of (if anyone knows or can look it up let me know haha). And the best part is, he gets so excited to give them to us! 
But on the more spiritual side of this sweet person we are teaching. He has grown so much. Were honestly buds and it's so fun. But it's even more fun to see how much light he has in his life now! He is learning so much and seriously words cant even explain. Let me try by giving you an example. Our last lesson with him he was trying to understand revelation and how God speaks to us. We were discussing how important it is to do our part, for exampke reading the scriptures. So he said (in slightly more words and in Spanish) "so its like if I go looking for deer in the mountains one day and I search and search but I dont find one. Then the next day I go back and search some more I might find one that day. It's the same with the scriptures if I read one day I might not find an answer, but if I keep reading the next day I might get my answer. So that's what it's so important to read everyday?" I sat there blow away at how much he had taken from what we had taught him, but even more that that what the Spirit had taught him!!!! 
And when we invited him to church he said he could only come if it rains because he wouldn't have work or would go in later. So we were praying harddddd for rain. But it didn't rain when we needed it to!!! Sunday morning about an hour before church we called and asked if he had to work and he said yes and that he was about to go so we said "qué lástima!" Like what a shame! And he said no I'm going right now, to church. I'll just go and go to work after. Even though he had to leave half way through, he told us right when he was about to leave that he changed his schedule so that he will be working Monday through Sunday so that he can have Sundays off. He takes everything we talk about and strives his best to apply it and that is what is so amazing!!! We know that he can feel the Spirit testifying to him that what we teach is true. I know that God knows us. That he knows our needs. I know that God doesnt give us a commandment we cant keep because when we exercise our faith into action, he will provide a way! (1 Nephi 3:7).

Pantalones (Pants)

(note: Kathleen wrote this in spanish and we Google translated it, so it may seem a little strange)

This week was very short. The Basinger sister was not with us because she was the sister gardiner for a little while. So for this reason, we were not a "trio" by this time the week was a little weird. 
Despite that, we did many many things. We had so many lessons. But unfortunately, many do not Daron. And we had were a little everywhere haha. For example, at last we communicate with Nicholas and we were going to teach but we were just talking haha. Seriously he's a good friend to me. And his family is amazing too! 
But still we saw much success and so many miracles! We started teaching 5th most people this week !! And that's fantastic! Also three of the people who are teaching venieron the church. Nicholas, Alvaro, and Peter (who I recently met in church when he came haha). And Nicholas seemed so happy! I love when I see a big smile. Same with Alvaro. And it's crazy because all of the three of them are from Oaxaca !!! We want to find out if they are the same people there. 
Also Sunday was the first Sunday of the new year then the church was just 2 hours !! That really did not feel weird. I think this will be very good for all. As missionaries, we will have more time to teach and study because every Sunday are busy. 
Also, as missionaries we can wear pants now !!!!!! Ahhhhh I can not believe it. I'm excited about that!

I love them and hope they have a good week.

Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas!!!

A quick summary of the past few weeks here in Farmersville. We are finding so many people to teach!!! It's amazing to see how God has a hand in His work. One day this past week, we decided to contact a couple people the sister missionaries before us had met. We felt super prompted to ask them if they would be baptized when they know that what we teach them is true and they both said yes! It was awesome! We are also teaching an old Mexican man, Alvaro. I JUST LOVE HIM!! He's soft spoken, but is very reflective and asks amazing questions. He's one of those people who doesn't make silence awkward because you know he is thinking about what we are discussing! 

I love the Christmas season so much!!!!! I hope you all find some time to reflect on the birth of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ!!! 

The trainee becomes the trainer

This past week was so fun!!!! Thanksgiving was such a blast! We basically spent all day with a bunch of different families the ward. They are so cute!!! And we ate, A LOT. We had four dinners haha. It was crazy. But I survived. 

I'm being transferred out of Madera!!! I'm so sad. I'm sad because I love the people here so much!! I have met such such amazing people and I'm sad I don't get more time to connect with them (see end of email for a list of all the things I love about Madera). BUT I am super excited because IM TRAINING! So my new area is Farmersville and I will be in a trio. That means that I will have two companions and one will be a new missionary from the MTC (Missionary Training Center) and the other is actually one of the girls that I was in the MTC with not too long ago haha. It is a little crazy because I just got out of training so I hardly feel qualified Haha. But!!! The Lord qualifies the unqualified in His work! So I know it'll be awesome.

Our church has a I dont know what you would call it "campaign" that we do every December that's called "Light the World". It is a way to encourage people both within the church and in the community to serve one another!!! It is so great and it starts December 1st!!! You all should check it out! Essentially it just gives people inspiration for how they can share the light that comes this time of the year!!! Here is the link: https://www.mormon.org/christmas

I love you all! Have a great week!!!

Why I love Madera:

1. It is nicknamed Little Oaxaca because nearly everyone is Oaxaca, Mexico
2. Oaxaca is purely native Aztecs so many of the people speak Aztec languages like mixteco or zapateco and there are like 3 dialects within those two. It's crazy because Spanish is some of these people's second language!!!!!
3. Every weekend the bouncy houses come out. Even in winter. The same goes for parties, the go big here.
4. Random people give us uvas!
5. Everyone here works in the fields. With the changing of the seasons people travel up to 2 hours for work.
6. So many almond orchards and grape vines!!!!! I LOVE it.
7. The signs here are in Spanish first, and the small print is English
8. People who move here from Mexico can live here over 20 years and never have to learn English because everyone speaks Spanish
9. A member made us homemade pozole. I think I could have sat in the pot he made it in, it was so big.
10. Claudia and Carlos are so Mexican that they went to a Chinese restaurant and Carlos was genuinely concerned he wouldn't be able to eat a meal without tortillas
11. My first meal in madera was a pasta/spaghetti of sorts, with tostadas on the side. No meal is complete without tortillas of some form or another.
12. Even the burger place has agua fresca.
13. The ward cooked 11 turkeys in the ground for the ward Thanksgiving party.
14. Everything grows here!!!!! Grapes, almonds, olives, lemons, oranges, pomegranates, dates, todo!
15. People have their own fruit trees in their backyard (that's the dream).
16. The people here love mole. They put mole in pazole, tamales, tortillas, everything!!!
17. People are so generous!!!! Maria gave us woven flowers and dia de los muertos bread (and this was only our second time talking to her)
18. Tortillas and salsa at every meal no matter how American all the other food is.
19. One of the Hermanos in the ward said he really cut back on his tortilla intake when he got married. Instead of 30 or 40 at every meal, now he only eats 15 or 20.
20. Hermana Nava was like my madera mom when I got sick. She is so thoughtful! And hilarious. She taught us a lot about life.
21. Hermana giron knocks doors to find people for us to teach.
22. There was a two week period where I had a pomegranate a day.
23. La actividad de la día de acción de gracias, hicieron una "stuffing" tan mexicana. And with all the insides of the turkeys.
24. La mixteca ice cream. Best ice cream every!!!!! Some of the best flavors: chili mango, leche quemada, coco, and at least 7 random flavors of fruits I've never heard of. You really can't go wrong.
25. Fruit stand man Max. They have fruit stands everywhere especially on the weekends. And they are soooooo good. Topped with tajin and chamoy.
26. Our neighbor plays banda o mariachi music every morning. We always know when it's coming because we can hear the bluetooth turn on.
27. One of the families in the ward calls us missionaries the "Wolfpack". Everytime we see him he makes us howl with him (he has a sick handle bar mustache and I don't think he has teeth so need less to say I don't understand him very well but I do understand the howling hahaha)
28. When they announced that the members weren't going to feed us anymore the Vazquez family was not happy Haha. Lucio asked who decided that, if it was the prophet. Wasn't satisfied until he heard that elder uchtdorf was at the meeting where it was announced to all the mission presidents.
29. One Saturday night we passed by one of our friends we are teaching to see if they could come to church the next day and there were two ladies who we thought were testigos de jehová till they started pulling out Mexican version of Mary kay products. So we got facials instead of teaching a lesson.
30. Its funny how many door contacts we have had with drunk shirtless Mexican men. 

Fotos: 

1-4 Thanksgiving dinners

5-6 sad goodbyes 

7 HERMANA MALMSTROM MI AMOR

Cambios

This past week they announced that the members of our ward (congregation) won't be feeding us anymore. Usually us as missionaries would eat with members every night. But now we will be cooking for ourselves every meal of the day! Well except for holidays and the occasional meal with a member on a weekend or something. All the missions in Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California are doing this! It was really funny because the hermanas in the ward were not super happy about it. They love feeding us and they really don't think we know how to feed ourselves!!! 

The ward here is great! I know I say that a lot haha but it's so true! We had a Thanksgiving activity this past weekend and they cooked ELEVEN turkeys!!! In the ground!!!! It was so fun! We got to go help. They cooked them in one of the members backyard. This family's house is so cool!!! They have everything growing there. Their own grape vine, at least 5 different types of chilis, raspberries, lemons, a bunch of pomegranate trees, tangerines, avocado, dates, and probably more but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head haha!

Other than that, the work is great here!! We are finding more people to teach about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is awesome!!!!! I'm so excited for Thanksgiving this week. It is such a great time of the year!! I am so grateful for all I have. My friends and family, the gospel, my Savior Jesus Christ, the opportunity to be a missionary, my mission and where I'm serving, I could go on and on!!!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!! I love you all!