Sister Brianne Watson: 🚫 SOLICITING.

So, apparently we are halfway through May?? Excuse me? That is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard. I swear just yesterday was Easter.

ANYWAY, holy cow..this past week has been so great :) my new companion is Sister Brown and my goodness, she is already my best friend! She is from Ririe, Idaho and I have never gotten along with a companion so well before, especially this early in the transfer. We haven't even been with each other for a full week yet and we already are so stinkin' close. We are basically the same person with the same likes/dislikes/personality/sense of humor just in different bodies. We are having so much fun together!! I love her to death! Man, Heavenly Father is truly blessing me.

Our investigators cancelled on us again because of crazy work schedules but we were able to see and teach a lot of the members. I LOVE THE MEMBERS. I know I say that in every email but I mean it...there is such a sweet, strong spirit about the people in this area and it is so wonderful. They're so supportive and helpful and loving and my gosh I just love them to pieces. I experienced my second time in this area getting the cops called (and almost called) on us this past week! Two weeks ago Sister Castleton and I went to try and contact a member of our ward in a little neighborhood but he wasn't home. On our way out of the private neighborhood, Sister Castleton saw a couple sitting out in their driveway and she suggested we go and ask them if they wanted to learn about the gospel. So, we walked over to them and this is how the conversation went.

Me- "Beautiful day out here, don't you think?"

Sister Castleton- "Have you two been enjoying it?"

Grumpy man in an angry voice- "What do you want."

Me (now scared to death)- "Oh, we are the missionaries in the area....blah blah blah would you like to---"

Grumpy man- "You need to leave right now. There is no soliciting, get out right now. Go. Leave."

Me- "Okay we will, have a great day!"

**Walks away**

When we approached the main road again to leave the neighborhood, Sister Castleton felt uneasy about the whole thing and wanted to go back and explain that we aren't soliciting, but simply offering a message. Sigh... So we turn around and go back to approach this angry man and woman.

Sister Castleton- "Sir, can I say something?"
Angry man- "No, you need to leave! I'm calling the cops."
Me- "Wait! We just wanted to clear up the fact that we aren't soliciting, we are just sharing a message for anyone that wants to listen."
*Pulls out phone to dial 911*
*We turn and walk away immediately*

Hahaha it was insane! Then this past week Sister Brown and I went to contact a different member in a different town and after parking at a nearby gas station, we proceeded to walk through a neighborhood to find this lady's house. On our way we pass 2 nice looking old women and we greeted them with a "hello" as we passed them. They turned to us and said, "you need to get out of here. This is a no soliciting area."

We told her that we weren't soliciting and continued walking down the street. After a few minutes we got lost but thankfully a kind man noticed our confusion and approached us to help us. When he noticed our tags, he said the same thing! My gosh! We explained ourselves and calmed him down and he happily showed us where the lady we were looking for lived. She wasn't home, so we started walking back to our car when a police car pulled in front of the neighborhood and parked. We thought for sure he was there for us. He was starting at us as we walked back to our car and once we got in, he drove off. These people are great :')

If there is something that I learned this week, it is that THIS IS THE LORD'S WORK. I am here at His command and as long as I am willing to act, He will place me in positions to best help His children that need it most. He has prepared the people around me and I have been called to serve here so that I may bring them the gospel and the burning light of Christ that they are seeking. I love being a missionary, I love it more than I can even explain. Nothing has ever brought so much joy, excitement, humor, embarrassing moments, awkward encounters, nights that bring me to my knees, or opportunities to strengthen my testimony of this restored gospel. I wish everybody could have this chance to serve the Lord and witness the blessings of service and spiritual growth!

I love you all, have a great week!!! :)