Sister Brianne Watson: Sister....Katy Perry?

Hello again!! This past week was crazy busy and I couldn't even tell you what happened on what day because it's all just one giant blur. But I promise it was all great! We had so many lessons and so many miracles...#BLISS We also walked A LOT. Many, many, many miles of walking. Ow. The blisters are coming back and giving me war flashbacks of all the walking I did in my first area in Bath, Maine. 😁

On Tuesday we were supposed to have a lesson with our investigator Paul but he ended up not answering his door. We even had a member with us so that was super disappointing! Instead of the member dropping us back off at our apartment, she took a detour and took us to the
grocery store because she had a feeling we were low on money/food. She was absolutely correct!! She bought us so many groceries and made sure we got whatever we wanted...it was such a blessing and I am so so so grateful for her. We would have starved the rest of the month if it wasn't for her! She said, "I take care of the missionaries in hopes that the Lord will return that favor to my son on his mission." But then I remembered that her son was already home and he came home over
a month ago...yet she still takes care of the missionaries!! Again, I LOVE THESE PEOPLE.

Another miracle: while we were teaching our investigator Idania, her sister Gabby, and her mom Mary for the third or fourth time since I've been here, Idania told us that her husband texted her and asked her if he could sit in on the lesson!! He hadn't shown any interest until then! So of course we waited for him to get home from work to teach them and it ended up being a great lesson. We read about Abinadi and the 10 Commandments but the best part is hearing them all talk about the scriptures and the things they learn from reading them. They are just soaking in the gospel and it brings me so much joy to see it strengthen them and bring them closer to Christ.

Sister Castleton and I have been having a difficult time opening our mouths and talking to people/inviting people to learn while we are street contacting. We say "hi" to them and ask how they're doing, but it's always so hard to find the nerve to ask them if they want to hear a message about Jesus Christ. It sounds easy, but it's so hard and so awkward at times. SO we brought up our struggle with the ward mission leader (he's the best) and he gave us a challenge to talk to 10 people

each and invite them to learn every day for the next week.

Throughout the week he's sent us scriptures that talk about "opening our mouths" and "not being afraid" and he's been following up with our ITL (invite to learn) count every night. First couple of days we really didn't have much time to walk around contacting people until Thursday came along. It actually might have been Friday....or Saturday...heck, I don't know! But I got a total of 13 contacts that day and got another 7 the next day!! I gave out 2 restoration pamphlets and set up a return appointment for next week with someone that was actually interested :) holla!! Sister Castleton is still working on opening her mouth but she's doing great. Moral of the story: The Lord truly does put words into our mouths when we need them :)

At church yesterday I was sitting in Relief Society and Sister Miller was sitting across the aisle from me. When I looked up, she blurted out "Wow, you have Katy Perry eyes! They're so big!" Hahaha I've never heard that one before! I've been accused for fake eyelashes and I've had several compliments but none of them have related to Katy Perry. The missionary veil actually made me forget that she even existed AHH how horrible😭 #sorryKP

This week we've been sharing a part out of a general conference talk from April 2011 given by Henry B Eyring called "A Living Testimony" with members. The part that we read with them says: "You will be a light to the world as you share your testimony with others. You will reflect to others the Light of Christ in your life. The Lord will find ways for that light to touch those you love. And through the combined faith and testimony of His daughters (or children), God will touch the lives of millions in His kingdom and across the world with His light."

When I first read this, it reminded me of when my family and I were on a cruise (go figure) and while we were standing in an elevator one day, a lady that was standing in there with us looked at us and immediately asked if we were Mormon. We obviously told her that we were and then we asked her how she knew. She told us that we just looked happy and there was a "glow" around us. It was such a neat experience! It's not like we were wearing Utah shirts. It's not like we made sure our entire bodies were covered from head to toe...it's not like we were taking turns bearing testimony to this woman..it was the light of Christ in us that she was noticing.

As long as we are living worthily and feasting upon the word of God and living a righteous life, people WILL notice that light and that countenance within us. Another man in Mexico that was running his little booth in the flea market asked us the same thing! He asked us if we were from Utah because we look like happy people. Yes sir, we are living the gospel..therefore, we are happy.

I hope everyone had a marvelous week!!!! Love you!