Here's a quick message from Brynn she wanted me to post a couple of weeks ago when she first got to her new area:
Hello everyone! I know I am not the best at doing this... But as a missionary you really don't have a lot of time to yourself...! But goodness Its been six months already that I have been serving the Lord. a lot has happened! I have just had many experiences talking to people and helping them get closer to God and Christ. I helped two wonderful women come unto the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and help them notice that God loves them. I've developed such a love for this gospel. and for Joseph smith and how such a great man he was. I love him he is my hero. this work is not easy. and there are some people out there who don't want what I have to share with them. which is fine because everyone has the gift of agency but if they only knew how great this restored gospel is. I have meet some very faithful people too. and it's just interesting to know that there are still some good people out there who still believe in christ in this crazy world we live in.
I am now in my second area... In Middletown Ohio! and it is beautiful here. very much like Oregon in a way. its green not as much as Oregon but it will do! and I am now a trainer. which means I train a new missionary all the ropes I guess you can say, of missionary work...! Its hard but has been good so far. I have learned a lot.
I know that this mission is challenging but... "By small things great things come to pass." and just by the little things I do as a missionary great things happen. I am a example of Jesus Christ and people notice it. I love what I am doing. and just trying to soak in everything because it is going by way to fast.
God bless! :)
Sister Carlson's zone leader has made a goal for each companionship to find and baptize a family this month. She and her companion have been having a hard time finding investigators, especially since they are both pretty new to the area and it's difficult to get used to the larger area, too. So pray that they will have the strength to carry on and find those who are hungering for the gospel!
One last fun little thing — our dad's brother Chad passed away last October, a month before Brynn was to leave for her mission. He had told her that he was going to be at her farewell, even if he needed to be carried into the chapel on a bed. He was very sick, but his death was still very much so a shock to the entire family. It made Brynn leaving on her mission that much harder, but she knew that Chad would be with her the entire time. There was a memorial service for him in October without a burial service, as he wanted to be cremated. The entire Carlson family, minus Brynn on memorial day weekend, was able to scatter some of his ashes at one of his most favorite spots to be at with his family — the beach. It was an amazing and perfect weekend, and we had a beautiful little service at the beach before hand where we shared some thoughts, my dad and I sang Be Still My Soul, and my mom got to read a letter Brynn wrote for the family specifically for the service. She was able to share her testimony, thoughts and love. The letter was perfect, and touched so many of our hearts. It goes to show that when you serve a mission you are a missionary in that designated place but can do so much good for others, especially in your family, by example.
I had the idea to make a video to email to Brynn with everyone in the family saying a little hello to make her feel more like she was there and thought it would be a neat thing to put here on the blog.
The password is "ohiobrynn."
-S
