Can you believe it that christmas is next week?!‏

Can you believe it that christmas is next week?!
I can't believe it at all. I am excited. Well actually I don't know.
All I know is that there is going to be so much more going on here. I
am a little nervous haha
 

So sister combs and I will both be staying here in Urawa for the
Christmas season!! Yes. I am way excited. But here is the catch. We
are now both sister training leaders. So that will be fun. But one
more thing. There is now only two sisters here in Urawa. Me and Sister
Combs. So we are going to be taking over all the sisters
investigators. Kind of scary. So many people now. We are going to be
so busy all the time. It should be lots of fun. But way nervous. I
think I am most nervous about my lack of Japanese. Like we are really
going to have to step it up with the Japanese now which is way
stressful. I hope we don't ruin any of their prep greasing
investigators. So scarrryyy!!!
 
This week was such a busy week for us. We were able to find three new
investigators so that is awesome!! This coming week and the weeks to
come should be really exciting.
 
I am glad to hear things at home are doing well and everyone is
staying busy! Gotta love the holidays! I am a little sad to be missing
all those things but let's be honest I rather be here in Japan so no
complaint from me!
 
I am happy to hear that murray basketball is doing good. As well as
the utes. It's about time they start killing it. Number 13th in the
USA  we haven't had that for a long time. Hopefully march madness will
be good :) haha I hope they utes will always be able to win football.
What are your plans for Christmas? Are you going to do things with J
and B? What about Brandon and Haley? Are you excited to skype with me
and Liz?! Ha speaking of liz, she needed a full time car... Haha to
classic. She doesn't even know. Haha just joking, she is one of the
lucky few. She has an iPad and a car. Living the missionary dream
lifestyle.

My investigators rock right now. Sonpon is killing it. Like I know her
and her husband are going to get baptized this trasnfer. Please pray
for the Matsuhashi family. I am going to start saving as soon as I get
home from my mission so I can go to their temple sealing in a year. So
if you want to come, you better start saving as well. Haha
 
This week we went a visited this lady. She took us back into her back
room and said one second. So we just sat down and were just talking
and then all of a sudden we heard this door like slum shut. Haha then
like 5 or so minutes the lady still wasn't back. We were way confused.
Haha then we heard the door slam again and then we hear someone like
running down the hallway. This darling lady had ran all the way to the
store just to hurry and buy us some ice cream and some milk she could
warm up for us to drink. It was soooo kind!! Like I can't even
explain. Melted  my heart that's for sure!!
Anyways I am so grateful for the people here in Japan they are so kind
and hey mean the world to me.
 
Thanks mom and dad for everything you do for me. I love ya!!
XOXO
Sister Brown 

December 7, 2014

Mom and Dad
 
This past week was such a good week! I had so much fun and saw so many
miracles and yeah, it was just perfect.
 

Next week is transfer calls and I am getting a little stressed. I
literally can't leave Urawa. I can't leave Sonpon and her husband. I
love the Matsuhashi family so much! They mean the world to me. I am
going to be so sad when I have to leave them. I want to see their
baptism. Ha I just want to spend the rest of my mission teaching them
the gospel and learning the gospel together. But next week we will
find out. I also hope I don't transfer due to the fact that like its
Christmas. Talk about sad.. Transferring to a new area right at
Christmas.
 

Sounds like you have been busy lately. How was the progressive
dinner?! What did you eat? Is there going to be the Santa Clause Party
this year? What about Christmas Eve and grandmas? Ha it's so weird
being a missionary in Japan at Christmas time. Even though everyday I
am trying to talk with people about Christmas, I still forget that it
is Christmas time. I can't believe it has been so warm for you! Brrrr
it is getting cold here! It's way sunny so when you look out the
window you think oh it's going to be such a nice day, but as soon as
your step outside that cold wind starts blowing in you wow. Haha
riding in a car will be a treat when I get home, or I will just hate it
and ride a bike everywhere. I haven't decided yet.
 

This week we had lots of fun lesson and went and did lots of fun things.
We had a lesson with this lady and her brother. They were so cute and
so amazing. We found out that they use to go to Sunday school when
they were growing up. The sister, "Kei" she is so cute. She loved
learning about Jesus Christ while growing up. And when we started
talking about Jesus Christ, the look in her eyes like like a this is
what I have been missing look. This week they weren't able to come to
church because they had something already planned on Sunday but I
think that next week they will be at church. This week we were also
lucky enough to have several really good lessons with Sonpon and her
family. I love the a Matsuhashi family so much. And I know that they
are the reason why I am here in Urawa. I can't wait until I get to be
there standing at their baptism and being able to share that memorable
event with them. Sonpon doesn't have a baptismal date yet, but she is
ever so close to have a specific date. She has told us that baptism is
something  That she wants and she is going to pray and study so that
she can know whether or not it is right for her. Every time we teach
her I am blown away by her diligence and her love for these things.
Sonpon is the most amazing investigator I have ever had. She is so
serious and wants to know the truth so badly. It truly is amazing.
This week we had an amazing experience with her, at least I thought it
was good. In Japan I have noticed that then you are teaching someone
that isn't Japanese and you go out in public with them and you see
some of their friends they sometimes beat around the bush that you are
missionaries from a Christian church. But Sonpon didn't, she was
straight up honest with them and everything. I was actually kind of
surprised. It made me so happy and I really showed me how much Sonpon
truly does love us and how much this church and Jesus Christ thing
truly does mean to here.
 
I love being a missionary. Sister combs is the Bomb. She cut my hair
today so that was kind of her. My hair needs to be cut so bad but it
will Just have to wait tell I get home in America, where I can speak
English to the hair cutter people. Ha
We ate dinner at the bishops house the other night and it was way fun!
 

Anyways I hope that things are going great! I miss YA but have a great day!!
XOXO
Sister Brown

gratitude

Mom and Dad
 
Sounds like thanksgiving was great for all of you!
I am also glad that you all went and did the 5k. It was good for
you. I am a little surprised that you two were the only ones that
walked it... Like does Brandon even know how to Run!? Haha
Boooom Roasted. Just joking brandon, love YA!
 
Anyways thanksgiving here was great. We went to this place called
yakiniku. It's was so good. It's basically all you can eat meat. Haha
you like just get plates of raw meat and you just grill it on the
little grill at the table haha. It's a blast, but you could never have
a place like this in America. So lunch was amazing. For dinner we went
to Sonpon's house. We cooked for her. She wanted american
food and the most easiest, cheapest american food we could think of
was breakfast for dinner. We made some way good scrambled eggs and
potatoes and French Toast. She was kind of nervous about eating our
food so she made a big pot of curry just in case... I think she was
mostly worried that her husband wouldn't like it and he would get home
from work and have nothing to eat. Haha but the good news is, she
loved it!
 
This week was full of great things, except for one thing.. I was
robbed haha. All my money got stolen out of my bag. Talk about a let
down. We went to get on the train Wednesday morning to go to zone
conference and I needed to put money on my train card so I open my
wallet and nothing was there. All it was gone. Sad news. I have
narrowed it down and I think it happened while we were at the church
because my bag was in another room behind closed doors so I figured it
was fine, it has always been that way in the past, but not this time.
But it's all good. This week was full of miracles so I can't complain.
 
On Sunday it was the Primary Program. Sonpon and her family came to
church. It was so great. Hinako participated in the primary program.
Sonpon loves coming to church because she says that everyone is just
full of so much love. Her husband even had such an amazing time at
church. After church Sonpon invited us over to lunch at her house. And
that is where seriously all the magic took place. We were able to hear
lots from her husband and what not. And he seems way into this stuff.
Like super interested in the gospel. Sonpon told me that having
eternal families is すてき and that she wants that too. I am so proud of
how diligent she is in her studying and her praying right now. She was
telling us all of the things she has been studying and it's truly
amazing. Her husband was also very surprised as well. His face and his
reaction to all this was like, "hey you have been doing all this with
out me." I think he actually felt a little left out. The best is when
she asked her husband, "what do you think the meaning of Christmas
is?" Then she told him all the things that we had taught her and
testified about it. It was amazing. Leaving their house today I knew
that this is gods plan. I know that I am meant to be here in Urawa
with Sister Combs teaching and helping Sonpon and her family. I love
them more than anything, and I can't wait for the day that they get
baptized.
 
I can't describe my feelings of gratitude as a missionary. I never
have been so grateful in my life. My life is truly so blessed and I
feel terrible that it took so long for me to realize the amazing
blessings that I have in my life. I am so humbled and so grateful for
coming on a mission. I am so grateful for every single person I have
met, every single person I have helped come closer to Christ through
this gospel. I am so grateful for this gospel and for a loving savior.
Thank you mom and dad and everyone of you for everything thing you do
for me!
 
XOXO
Sister Brown

Amazing week 11/22/2014

Mom and Dad
How are you doing?!
This week has been so amazing.
I have seen so many miracles happen this week.
This week was a week full of hard work and fun. Sister Combs and I
were blessed with many amazing lessons.
For starters things are going kind of hard with Ma. We talked with her
the other day and she mentioned how she became very busy and probably
won't be able to meet until December, which doesn't seem far but when
you are trying for baptism it is such a long time away. But despite
that happening this week hasn't slowed down at all. Sonpon, my
favorite person ever has been amazing. We see her about 4 times a
week. She has the cutest daughter, hinako. I love them with my whole
heart. This week Sonpon really changed, and I am so excited for her.
We had some really special lessons with her this past week. She is
seriously being prepared right In front of our eyes. She loves feeling
the spirit. She knows that church is great and she knows that it is
important. She has being think about a lot of things lately and has
been so curious as to why Jesus Christ is so important and she is
finally realizing why. It is so amazing seeing the change that is
happening to her. I have so much faith in her. I know that she is
going to receive that witness that God is real and God loves her and
Jesus Christ is here to save all of us. This Christmas season is
bringing in so many miracles. It's actually mind blowing.
Happy thanksgiving by the way!!
 
I can't believe that thanksgiving is here. I wish I could go Black
Friday shopping.
But I am a missionary and I live in Japan. Today we are having a zone
activity. Everyone is coming and we are all making food and having
thanksgiving feast. So hopefully it will be good! It should be fun. But
let be honest it won't touch real American home cooked thanksgiving.
Sister combs and I are planning on going to a steak house for
thanksgiving haha.
 
So sister combs is from Washington. We are the same age and she goes
to BYU Idaho. She is the bomb. I love being her companion. We are the
same age mission wise. But she is going to go home a transfer early
because of school. So in Tokyo you see tons of American people. But
there are more that I see here. When we went to sky tree the other day
we ran into this guy. He came up and asked me what mission I was in.
He said that his niece is in the Sendai mission. So yeah it happens.
Either the people we see don't like Mormons or they are like on
vacation or something. But I don't even care. I like seeing other
white people haha. I have never seen military people. Yeah I don't
know if I will ever see them. I love serving in Japan. Tokyo area is
like such a huge melting pot and there are just people from all over
the world here!!
 
It sounds like there are lots and lots of things happening there at
home. I am happy for you. I am sorry the utes lost. That is dumb. But
oh well.. Haha such a missionary comment..
I am sorry to hear about Megan coordey and Gayles brother. That is way
hard. I am so grateful for this gospel. It means the world to me!
 
Lately I have been so blessed with amazing weather. The sun has been
shinning and so beautiful and the leaves are looking amazing but today
it is really cold... So I think the bad weather is coming.. But I mean
it is practically December so no complaining!!
 
I miss ya all! I hope you have good thanks giving! Love ya lots!!
XOXO
Sister Brown

happy throw up?

Mom and Dad!! 

What's up?! 

How are things going?! I hope all is well.

Things here so so great!! 

I love sister combs so much.

She is so great! 

You have to meet her.

We are like the same person so it is so fun!! 

We are seeing so many miracles together. 

 

Last week we found 3 new Investigators and we taught 16 lessons! How rad is that! Those are some awesome stats. I am pretty happy our goal next week is to  get 20! 

 

Here is a pretty funny story from last week. Last week we were with this lady Stacy. She is great. We were at the train station and we met these two black jazz artists from New York City.  Stacy is way cute and way funny so she started talking to them. So then we all introduced ourselves to each other. She said "hi I am Stacy " then my companion said "hi I am combs" and then I said "hi I am brown" yeah.... That was really really awkward. Haha I wasn't sure what I was thinking. I wish I could have just taken those words and put them back in my mouth. Even though I am still a missionary I am still so extremely awkward. 

 

This week we had an awesome lesson with Ma. She is so great!! I know that she can get baptized soon one day! I hope before Christmas. The only problem is the language. Like if I spoke fluent Chinese she would be baptized already... But I don't so that makes things kind of hard.

Oh I am also learning Japanese sign language.  Sister combs is teaching me! She knows it and can like translate Japanese into sign language. It is way cool. 

 

Today we went and visited an investigator. She and her daughter are so cute. Her daughter had been sick so we went to take her some treats. When we rang the doorbell and they saw that it was us they started screaming and it was so cute and they ran to the door. While there we helped her clean up her house a little bit and we played some fun games with her daughter.  Then I think we made her daughter throw up on accident. She was so excited to have us over. And she started jumping up-and-down. And then she started coughing. And then she threw up. It was actually kind of funny. I thought Sister Combs was going to die or just maybe throw up. 

 But the mom wasn't mad. She just laughed and thought it was funny. The little girl felt fine though it was cute then the mother made us some really delicious food I love Sonpon and Hinako. (That is their names) 

 

I really do love Urawa this place rocks!! I can't believe that it is almost thanksgiving. So crazy to think that. Like soon it's going to be Christmas! I forget that because here is japan Christmas just isn't a huge deal. We bought some candy canes and are going to figure out a fun way to do missionary work with them. 

I am sorry this email is lame. We did lots his week but it was lots and lots of teaching, which rocked!!! I love YA so much! 

I can't wait to here from you next week!! Keep it real

Go Utes!! 

XOXO

Sister Brown

 

 

Sky tree

Mom and Dad

Well today has been a great day! 

We did a lot of fun things!! 

We went to sky tree and then on the way back we accidentally went to this really big shrine here, it was way cool and a lot of fun!! 

Anyways Sister Combs is the bomb!! I love her so much. We get a long so well. It's fun because we are the same doki. So we have been on the mission for the same amount of time. It's fun because we both know how a mission works and what needs to be done and what not. It is also nice because we don't have to worry about someone being the senior companion or something. We are both equal and it rocks I love it! Anyways!! She is the bomb!! ISO basically everyone in the entire mission has been thinking this same question lately... "What was president Budge thinking putting Sister Brown and Sister Combs as companions?"

But I think it was a great decision. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to train Sister Johnson. I really hope I helped her out and was able to teach her many things.

So this past week we saw to really awesome miracles!! On Thursday we met this awesome Chinese lady and we were able to set up an appointment with her for Saturday night. We went and ate dinner together. We also named her Karen. It's really interesting working with her because she has never once been to church she has never believed in God she has never prayed or just anything. Like it's just weird. But she is great. After dinner we went to the church and did a church tour it was tons of fun!! I loved it. There was actually a ward party going on and Karen was being to funny. She was talking with everyone and making jokes and it was great!! 

Then we also saw another huge miracle on Sunday! On Saturday night after planning we didn't have anyone coming to church. It was a completely bummer. We prayed really hard that someone would come tomorrow. We invited almost everyone that we know so we were hoping for a miracle. On Sunday during sacrament meeting it happened. Our Investigator Sonpon and her daughter hinako came to church. She said that they had been at the doctors and were right by the church so they decided that they would come by. Sonpon loved it too!! She really loved sacrament meeting. She listened so intently and really enjoyed it. She said that she felt such a great feeling. Then we went to primary for hinako chan. During that we talked about Jesus Christ. And Sonpon started telling us how she remembers learning about Jesus when she was in school. And she knew so much about him. It was so amazing. We talked a lot about him and we were able to show her the because of him video in Thai so she could understand it. Today we also gave her a Book of Mormon in Thai. She is way excited to start reading it. She is so interested in it. She also loved how everyone was so kind to hinako and how they taught her such great things. She was a little bummed that we only have primary once a were because she wants hinako to learn more and more. I am pretty sure that next week they will come again because of how great this week was! 

This week we weren't able to meet with Ma. She was going out of town and she couldn't come to church on Sunday. But no worries. I know Ma. And she is great and she wants to start meeting more often so that makes me way excited!! 

Thank you so much for caring so much about me and my investigators. It really means a lot to me. I know that this transfer is going to bring so many good things I am way pumped for it!! I love it. 

Sounds like Arizona was way fun! I am sorry if my email this week sounds way dumb. We just got a little behind and yeah... I don't have lots of time!! 

I love you so much and I am so thankful for everything that you have been doing for me!! Thanks for being great! 

XOXO

Sister Brown

Staying in Urawa

Wow

Transfer calls just happened.

And I am staying here in Urawa. But I am kind of nervous haha.... 

I need Johnson Shimai.

Her Japanese is so good... I hardly talked. She did all the talking sooo I mean she grew a lot and learned a lot... So she will do great in her next area. Please pray haha! 

So my new companion is sister combs. Me and her are the same trasnfer. She is so funny and way nice! I am so excited to be companions with her but I am going to miss sister Johnson. She is going to Joetsu. I am secretly way jelly. It is right next to Nagaoka. She will love it, but it will be way cold!! Ha 

Anyways things here in Urawa are great! They are so amazing. We keep seeing miracle after miracle. I know that Christmas season is seriously right Round the corner. It is such an amazing feeling being able to to be a missionary at this time! I am so happy and thankful for it. 

So we had an awesome Halloween party on Saturday night! It turned out way good! We had tons of non member people come so that was great. And my new favorite family came to. They are so cute. The mom is from Thai and her husband is Japanese. They are amazing. I can just picture them being strong members! I really hope something awesome happens with them. 

Also Ma. She didn't come to the Halloween Party on Saturday but she did come to church on Sunday. And this time we were able to have a friend translate it into Chinese for her and she enjoyed it so much more!!!! So that was a blessing. She said even though  she doesn't understand everything she still knows that it is so important because she can feel something different when she comes to the church! Please keep her in your prayers so that she can get baptized before Christmas. 

Halloween looked so lonely this year... Bahh that is so sad. Don't worry hopefully next year there will be more people over! Halloween is great on Japan because seriously you don't have to worry about getting fat from eating to much food or getting cavities from candy because there is like no candy here for Halloween. All they eat is like jello cups so that is kind of weird ha. I am excited for some really Halloween candy next year! 

I am sorry to hear about the utes. That is the worst! But I am still proud of them!! 

Lizzy sounds like she is doing great. She is awesome! I think she is perfect where she is at. It is crazy how sometimes we think the situations God puts us in are just 100 percent wrong and that we know better. I know I have felt that way before but ever since becoming a missionary I have learned other wise. We might not right away see the purpose behind things and might be confused but we have to have patiences and faith and hope and then that's when we learn and realize why God has us where we are in our lives. 

Thanks for all of your love and support! I love you all.

XOXO

Sister Brown