April 11, 2016

WOW, WHAT A WEEK! 

It starts off with the APs calling us and saying "uhhh, did you get our text about having a third companion for a week?" (!!!!!!!!!!!!!?). Turns out one of Sister Bryan's old comps is going home early because she's sick so we were in a TRIPANIONSHIP for a week! Didn't realize how much of a party it is to have more than one other person. Also didn't realize how awkward it would be to go to a door and have three people standing there telling you about Jesus and whatnot. Good times, good times. 

We had Mission Leadership Council this week and instead of presentations or role plays and the works, it was just one big discussion about what we can do better as a council and mission. For 2 hours. Really inspiring. Slightly overwhelming, but it was awesome! The biggest thing we learned is it's all about love, and the rest will fall into place. Love love love. Loving the missionaries, the members, the investigators, the people who slam the door in our face. All of them. If you don't see them as God sees them, then you aren't doing your job. 

The work was a bit slow this week, but we were informed that G. is currently living in South Bakersfield because someone told us he needs to look no further to find God, he's sitting in his living room right now. Also, we ran into more Indians than usual and we're picking up Punjabi! By picking up I mean we can understand them when they tell us they don't speak English. 

EXCITING NEWS THOUGH!! A. and her whole family came back to church! And the father of one of our recent converts came as well! The Hermanas are teaching him since he only speaks Spanish, but he'll be attending the shire. He's set to be baptized this month and A. will be next. They were so happy to be there, it was a real testimony builder to why we do this all day every day. So that people can have the peace they need so desperately!

Mariachi Band
Bakersfield, CA
April 2016

God always gives us a little something when we needed it! We had a p-day in the "mountains!" (the Wind Wolves Preserve).  My personal studies were BOMB this week! And we're still dreaming of general conference!

Funniest thing of the week, we jumped out of a car to take a picture with a mariachi band!

Sorry this is rushed but I love you all and I hope that your week is full of miracles! 

I love you, have a great week!

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

April 2016  

Tripanionship!

April 2016  

Wind Wolves Preserve

"Big" Waterfall

April 2016  

April 4, 2016

You'd think that having one extra week in a transfer wouldn't be so bad, but it makes it seem twice as long... SO, week 7 was definitely one to write home about!

SISTER BRYAN AND I ARE TOGETHER FOR ANOTHER 6 WEEKS! We're like the only ones, the entire mission just got flipped upside down, but hey, it’s God’s, work not ours!

I’ve had my mission call for over a year now?  Where did the time go?!

The week started off with a zone activity, ultimate Frisbee with a football because it was too windy for a Frisbee. We all insisted on playing outside because we thought the wind wouldn’t hurt. And it shouldn’t! Anywhere but here. We ended up playing in a dust storm and the dirt here is full of valley fever, so we learned to NOT do that ever again!  

We had a lesson with a less active family, and we taught them a bit about the Book of Mormon challenge the Bishop gave, which is to read it this year and to give one to a friend. The spirit was soo strong and they texted us afterwards saying how grateful they were that we stopped by and said if there was ANYTHING we could do for them to let them know! They're just the sweetest, we are amazed at how receptive people can be about coming back to the fold and getting involved again. We MUST REACH OUT AND RESCUE! Just like general conference said! And it was SO DANG GOOD, but more on that later.

We went to go see a former investigator of ours when her boyfriend opened the door. Turns out he works for Elder Morris, out vehicle coordinator, and has been the guy helping out with our endless car troubles! It felt like we were meeting Oz. We talked to him about the Book of Mormon and baptism and he just goes "oh don’t worry, Matt’s told me alllll about baptism and how I should do it." Talk about member missionary work, didn’t realize Elder Morris was a PRO! Goals man, goals.

Also, the father of O. and F. (who got baptized a month ago) is now taking the discussions with the Hermanas and is planning on being baptized next month! HOW EXCITING IS THAT!! They can be sealed soon; it’s crazy how much this gospel can bless families!!

Taco Contest and Spiritual Lesson
April 2016 Sister King, Sister Bryan,
and the M. Family

Speaking of Hispanic families we're working with, we met with the M. family again for  a TACO EATING COMPETITION! The highest is 28. I got 12. Sister Bryan got 16! And came really close to throwing up, but that’s a different story. We had a lesson after and A. just bore the most powerful testimony and her dad and mom were so emotional. Even though they spent some time away from the church, they’re so ready to come back; it’s awesome to see Christ change people!

Also, after 6 tries, we finally came in contact with a referral from the elders. His names B. and I’ve literally never met someone sooo open to the message. We tried to set him with a baptismal date for May 7th but he insisted it be April 30th instead. We went through a lot of hard times this week but we know that God fulfills his promises and will NEVER abandon us; it’s not part of His nature!

General Conference was spectacular. I loved its focus on temples and our identity as children of God! What stood out to me a lot was how they prophets testified that the first eternal truth is that God loves us, which is why the first and most important commandment is to love the Lord your god with ALL our heart, might, mind and strength! We need to always remember Him as he always remembers us. What a testimony builder to listen to God's representatives testify of our potential.

I feel like we need to take in refugees. Who are you gonna pick?  One from Africa? Turkey? Saudi Arabia? 

President Monson's talk made me cry: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/media/session_4_talk_4/4829398050001?lang=eng

Elder Holland’s hit it home: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/media/session_5_talk_11/4829903593001?lang=eng

I really liked Elder Gong's!! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/media/session_5_talk_4/4829550348001?lang=eng

I love this gospel and am ready for this next week of miracles!

The District
Bakersfield, CA
April 2016

March 29, 2016

Ahh this week was another trying one, but the harder it gets the stronger I get! I think that’s how it works. That’s what I’m telling myself at least. Being spring break and Easter, not many people were home and not many people wanted anything to do with what we were saying, but we still had a MIRACLE!

The last few baptisms in the area have been through part-member families who have fallen into the laps of the missionaries. We've been working hard and finding a lot, but haven't been able to keep those we find. But this week we go see the “M” family, who just got their records moved into our ward from the Spanish ward in the stake and sure enough, the Dad goes, "I need my daughter baptized, could you help?" Of COURSE we can! It's yet another Hispanic family who wants to be taught in English and go to and English ward, so there is a slight barrier like with the “B” family, but never fear! The spirit is real! And so is the blessing of having their 13 year-old be fluent in both. We told Anna, the 11 year-old, that for every chapter she reads of the Book of Mormon in English we'll read it in Spanish. She got really excited, but we took her up on the challenge this morning and it truly is the struggle. El Libro de Mormon, man, it makes NO SENSE.

We had exchanges with the La Cresta Sisters! They serve in Arvin, a tiny town in the mountains, and there isn’t even a branch there, just a group. I went out with Hermana Badger who is only in her second transfer. We had a blast! It was crazy to see how far I’ve come in my 8 months out. It's like 

I'm not even the same person. Missions are the best! They make you feel comfortable walking up to strangers and inviting them to be baptized! At least I've changed in that sense. Maybe it's a good thing that that part of me came out in THIS portion of my life.

So.... Sister Bryan and I........ are now..... MOVIE STARS!!! sorta. We filmed a video for the next zone conference on cleaning with our WML on Friday. So we're like one step away from an Oscar, so stay tuned! That was actually tons of fun. We went to the east side of town to film and it had HILLS and TREES and it didn’t even look like Bakersfield. T’was a bit scary though. All in good fun.

Also, we ran into a friend from a few months back! She moved to Fresno, which explains why we could never get in contact with her again, but we knocked at her grandma’s and she happened to be visiting for Easter. She said she wanted to meet with the missionaries up in Fresno, so we're all grateful God somehow put us all on the same porch, haha. She's so cute, she says she wants to be baptized because the restoration "Makes sense, so why wouldn’t I?"

We went to the Women's Broadcast on Saturday and I can't believe it's already been 6 months since the last one! I was still in training during the last one, and my trainee was in the MTC. Time flies. But I LOVED IT!! For all else who watched it, did anyone feel like they had to house a refugee family? Because those stories were intense. I feel like I'm not doing enough to serve the Lord, even while serving a mission. So inspiring!

But the crowning event was, of course, EASTER!!! I love how the Spirit was extra strong and our bellies were extra full. I think I had 5 pounds of cheesy potatoes. But celebrating holidays like that are way cool on the mission because we ONLY focus on the Savior, no other distractions.

I've been pondering Isaiah Chapter 53: 

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he 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.

Hope it's familiar, it's in the Easter video the church came out with! But every time I feel like I've done some hard thing for Christ, I'm humbled to remember that he's done even more for me individually. When I stand at a door with someone slamming it in my face, I know I don't stand alone. I'm with Him, who was rejected by all, yet loved us perfectly. Loved us enough to suffer and die for us so that we can find new life! He did this so we can be healed from the heartaches that are a part of life, and THAT is what gets me up and keeps me going on days when I feel like my legs can't carry me anymore. I remember Him, and I can never thank Him enough, through my words or deeds. Let’s all give a gift to the Savior, let’s all pray a little harder and do a little more every day to help others. I am so thankful for this gospel and all the support I've gotten. I hope EVERY day can be as great as Easter!

Sister Bryan, Sister King
March 2016
Bakersfield, CA

Eating Oreo Cookies the right way!
Sister Bryan, Sister King
March 2016
Bakersfield, CA