So, my new companion, Sister Wang- is one of the most incredible people I know. She breathes the gospel. She IS the gospel!!! She is originally from Beijing China, and moved here a few years ago. About 8 years ago, I think? She was the only member in her family for quite some time, and then about a year ago, her mother joined the church. She graduated from ASU with her degree in Biology and then came on her mission. She wanted to go sooner, but her father wanted her to finish school first. A lot like you, mom!!! So, now I am blessed to serve with her.

Last transfer was one of the hardest points of my mission-- in a lot of ways. And this transfer I felt would be a transfer of healing-- healing through the atonement. And allowing the Savior to help me. And Sister Wang has come into the mission with such a burning light and is inspiring me in so many ways-- I learn from her everyday. Whether it be one of her insights, or the power of her testimony, or just learning to be more patient. 

Being a trainer is difficult, too-- it brings in new challenges. So- there is always a challenge!! Ah, missionary work. It's wonderful. And I am learning. I get to write my mission president each week, so I asked him for counsel. I don't know when it's appropriate to address my needs, or to let things slide and not worry about it-- I want my companion's needs to be taken care of-- especially since she is new, and I want to be sure I don't do anything that would squander her fire. OH! Funny thing, too-- she is go, go, go, go, go, go, go, and remember how last week I mentioned how I don't know how to do that??? Well, what do you know... 

;)

So great. 

A skeptical investigator

Mission purpose in phonetic Chinese

We work a lot with less-actives here. So, this week we went to quite a few different homes-- and visited quite a few different people on the streets. It's so fun serving with her because she is fearless- and I feel confident going to talk to someone, knowing that she will testify with me! And that she has my back. It's been fun feeling very secure in that aspect. We met an awesome young woman at the ferry the other day-- Emily. We accepted a copy of The Book of Mormon, and it was a very promising seed that we planted. We were able to give 3 copes of The Book of Mormon out that day. Which is a big deal for me. :) Another one to Yenny-- Sister Sakinah Patterson's friend. We went to dinner with them on Saturday night for our Birthdays-- hers is on March 6th. She is amazing. I love her little son, Zaire, so much!!!

Yesterday we also visited a woman in ward-- due to a miscommunication on my end, we went to her home later than she was expecting us. When we called to let her know we were coming, she informed us that she was expecting us an hour and a half earlier. We felt it important to go. So we did just that-- right away. 

We went into these sweet Sisters home and we sat with her. The was cat vomit on random objects in her home-- her cat had been sick-- she had been sitting in her reclining chair for the last 24 hours-- she is in poor health and it hurts to move. As we sat with her on her couch, we were able to testify of the reality of the Love of God and the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Spirit filled the room-- and it was amazing to see how the Spirit was able to reach her heart-- and feel of her love for God. She wept a plea to Him//offered the closing prayer when we left, asking for forgiveness and I believe--- I now can't remember, but I am pretty sure-- help. 

Well, we went to a member's house for she wanted to celebrate my birthday in the morning-- I woke up and forgot it was my birthday!! And so we went to her house, and she had balloons and streamers and bought a cake for me, too!!! Sister Martinez. She is amazing! And Her cute mom, she is from Ecuador and doesn't speak English. :) Well, after that-- that is all we did to celebrate my birthday... I let my district leader know it was my birthday, but they didn't do anything for my birthday. I know it sounds lame, but later in the night, I was just feeling sad that no one said anything for my birthday-- my companion did later in the afternoon, or morning, or something-- it was later-- well, that night I realized that no one in my district was going to do anything for my birthday, and that just hurt me because normally birthdays on the mission are so fun! And last year's birthday it was celebrated by my district, and I love helping other people celebrate their birthdays and making them feel special! But on this day- - anyway, we were in the car, and a few quiet tears slid down my cheeks as I missed home and family, and just wanted to take time to enjoy ME-- well, Sister Wang went off about how much she loved the gospel, and how we need to go out and work and share the gospel with these good people and who will tell them about the gospel if we don't do it?! And I couldn't help but laugh and not be mad at her because I knew she was right. 

Well, right as she finished ((she didn't even know I was cyring-- they were just silent tears)) I received a phone call from some Sisters in the mission. And then another text message form another Sister. And then when I got on facebook on Sunday, I was so overwhelmed by the love from people-- and how much I knew and loved the indiviuals that reached out to me-- many of them are people I have because I served a mission. And it was great. And I know the Lord knows the sacrifice that was made!! And that is beautiful. And worth it!!!! 

Well, oh!! YES! And Sister Patterson took me to get my nails done! Originally I said yes, thinking that it was just fine-- and then the night before I was getting panicked because I realized that it wasn't the best decision in the world, but I didn't know what to do! So, I decided to go and keep my commitment and just never do it again-- well, when we went the workers were Chinese, so I couldn't speak to them.. But guess what! Sister Wang could! so she taught them the Plan of Salvation. :) So good. So great! It was so great. So, I typing this email to you as my nails are shellacked. Mom, did you faint?! ;) 

I LO"VE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

And I miss you more and more everyday. It's true!!! 

I am so grateful to serve her. Life is great.

Enjoy the ride!!!!

Onward, ever onward!

LOVE!!!!!

Sister Jenn Blosil

So, another great week!

I am now serving in Staten Island! A car area!! What a blessing--- I am not the greatest fan of the snow, and serving on foot in the freezing months of Januray//February- the brunt of the winter chill- was not something I was looking forward to. Well, Heavenly Father knows me best of all! 

And so, He sent me to Staten Island! A car! And with Sister Hamblin. She is so great. :) 

I stay in communication with Sister Shumway-- she is now in Brazil, and it is over 100 degrees. Poor thing. :( Imagine having to make such huge adjustments in such little time! New mission president, new language, culture, weather, everything! She is such a champ. She will do it and thrive! 

Sister Hamblin, my new companion, is so helpful. She is teaching me what it means to just do things rather than asking people if they need help. She's so great at seeing a need and following through with filling it immediately. She is so great. We have fun together and laugh everyday. 

The picture I sent you! 

So- one of the them is me with Sister Sakinah Patterson-- she is just learning about the church! We met with her on Sunday with a member, Sister Reyes, and we preached to her of the restoration of the Gospel. (We do the preaching, the Spirit does the teaching). She is so amazing-- she found out about the church through a friend, and has been coming on her own, with her son, ever since. We love them already! She is so sweet and loves her son so dearly. I am so grateful for the people that are willing to listen and learn and participate. We went to dinner with them on Friday, and we were laughing and having fun. 

Zaire and I were just having the time of our lives-- we sang primary songs together and played hangman. Get this. We played hangman, and we guessed the word immediately the first two times. We were just so in-sync! (We were so in-sync that the Backstreet Boys would have been jealous! This joke is about a year old and I just still get a kick out of it everytime! It's so great!) :)

They're amazing-- the other picture is with a Sister, Sister Gibson, who is from Africa! She is the only member in her family! We met her for only a few minutes and read part of Moroni chapter 7 with her. Will you pray that she reads the rest of the chapter and come to church? She hasn't been to church in about 3 years.

The ward is amazing-- they are really welcoming me in. It's been such changes! We also moved to a new pad this last week, so I have had to move quite a few different times in the last few weeks. That's okay, though-- I hope my life will be like that. I love change. I thrive off of change. And so, a mission has been just full of change!

It's so fun to see the Lord directing the work, too. In little ways-- the people we talk to as we are at grocery stores, in line, the different backgrounds people have here. How many people came from Brooklyn to live here, etc. The promptings of the Spirit guiding us to speak with people-- we were at a gas station, and I walked up to the woman that was filling up next to us (I felt very prompted to do so) and I invited her to church. Turns out they were just moving to the island! (Or maybe a new area of the island? I can't remember...) I offered to help move- she was basically finished. And she is looking for a church! Or other people that we meet in grocery stores and other places. Because we are in a car, we get to be a little more direct and bold with our finding. In Brooklyn, there were people everywhere you turn! So, it's been a fun adjustment. 

Another picture is with cute Sister Martinez and her children Daryl and Chantal-- they're so cute!! She is coming back into full activiity-- she has yet to receive her endowment and wept with us as we were at her house on Thursday. We love this family so much already and I am so excited to keep working with them! And just growing with them. I love the people here! 

Also, the hands and the rocks-- the other day we went on a little drive to just ponder. (It was a needed thing--) We listened to great tunes that focused our thoughts on the Savior, and we went to a part on the island where you are able to enjoy the skyline of Manhattan (also known as the skyline of DREAMS! I am still not over its majestic beauty everytime I look at it-- I just feel I can conquer the world! ;) And the verrazano bridge. And they were both lit up and just looked beautiful. I took a picture with my ipad, and I sent the skyline to you. . . As you can see, it isn't quite as captivating as it is in real life. :) 

Well-- we just danced to the tunes outside of the car- it was great. EFY tunes for the win! Well, LDS.ORG free downloadable songs for the win! And interpretive danced and then we picked up these rocks, we dreamed a little dream, and we cast them into the water.

There are fun things we get to do everyday. 

I love being a missionary-- it is so amazing. The people we get to work with are so wonderful. 

I have been pondering a lot about the love Heavenly Father has for me and for all of His children. I have been pondering about that a lot-- for the reason of why were are obedient. Why we do things. Why I am here. Etc, etc. And realizing that as I understand His love for me, the love I have for myself increases. The more patient I am with myself, for I understand how patient He is with me. Also, the more love I am able to feel and have and experience with others. 

I am changing and it's beautiful. 

I have seen miracles and I continue to see miracles. And I know that it is truly through sacrifice that we sanctify the things we are doing. And I speak of sacrifice a lot, and that is because it is required. And it's glorious. And it's beautiful. And the path of TRUE and honest discipleship truly is a path of sacrifice-- of overcoming the natural man, of learning to desire the Lord's will and acting on that and choosing to live by faith. 

The gospel is so true. I have faith in the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I know that Heavenly Father has been tempering the elements in my life, and I have been able to find joy and gratitude in the sharpest moments of pain, and the deepest feelings of joy in the moments of gratitude. And it's great! And that didn't even make sense! But basically, as we keep the commandments, life is the greatest thrill of joy and pain and beauty and we get to just enjoy the ride!!! And be safe!!!! And I love it!

The work continues to roll forth-- and it will continue to roll forth. Thank you for all that you are doing to connect lives. Thank you for your kindness to God's children. I love you all so very muhc!!! And I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement and FAITH FILLED LIVES you ALL live!!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Love, 

Sister Jenn Blosil

oh! We just keep meeting cool people with cool stories-- our waitress at the restaurant we went to with Sister Patterson is from the Dominican REpublic and when she was younger, she went to the church! And her... aunt? Is a member???? Something like that-- I just remembered that. There are just great people we meet everyday! I am keeping ajournal, it's jus tnot with me right now... Oh, and on the front of the journal says "Enjoy the ride". And it's a picture of a bicycle and it's colorful and stitched. So perfect! 

And the cat is out of the bag! Yes, I am in BUShWICk!

 

((A little bit about this area-- it is SO ME. Okay, I just feel like Brooklyn is so me. We have the most dangerous of ghettos in our area, as well as Williamsburg-- the hub of hip-ness. And in Williamsburg there are more registered bands than in the whole United States combined. Rather spectacular! So. It is so fun. ))

 

It is truly an answer to prayer. Early on in my mission, I realized that it was a good thing to let Heavenly Father know of the things we desire-- especially when they are righteous, And we Can ask Him for them. Well, I really wanted to serve in Williamsburg-- ((as a side note! let me also add that Salt Lake is joining the ranks... Salt Lake is becoming exceedingly 'hip' it's been occurring to me lately...))

 

Anyway-- at the beginning of my mission, I asked Heavenly Father to serve in Bushwick//Williamsburg. I also decided to tell President Calderwood-- he chuckled and told me that's not how it works. I am aware of that, but I felt it would be good thing to tell him, so I did!

 

So-- when transfer calls came on Saturday, I felt excitement with the change, but couldn't really imagine myself living somewhere else-- just the week ish before as I was sitting with Sister Freeze at a little Internet cafe place in Williamsburg, I just felt so at home And understood by these people. Just at peace and grateful-- 

Which leads to also the question mom asked as I watched my hair fall to the floor-

 

I felt relief.

 

I felt liberated.

 

It felt like the synthetic pieces in my life were being cut off.

 

And so, when I went home and looked in the mirror and sAw the haircut, I also knew it wasn't finished-- I needed to cut off ALL the dyed pieces. 

 

And it felt great when I went short, short-- because it felt right. 

It sometimes feels like a wig- which is hilarious to me-

 

But hey, I am not this hair!

 

I am not these clothes. ;)

 

I'm sure...

 

I GET TO TALK TO YOU IN A FEW DAYS!!! 

 

Anyway- Bushwick! It is just home! Brooklyn is home. That was the first thing I thought when I arrived here-- and after spending 71/2 months in Midwood, and now I am back in Brooklyn again... I am grateful! So-- our branch is full of amazing people. 

 

My companion, Sister Shumway, is incredible.  She is truly a friend to me. And that is amazing. We have so much fun together. And she is such a hard worker! And so smart! And she was going to go to Georgetown before her mission ((on scholarship!!)) and study engineering-- and then she was in Washington D.C. on an internship for Senator Hatch. 

 

Well. While she was there, she felt that she needed to go on a mission. And now, she has been really feeling like she needs to become a high school math teacher. And change her plans. She is amazing. And so SO great at talking to people and being so natural and comfortable. And she is just comfortable with herself and so real. 

And also strives I to be exactly obedient. And loves this area. And oh yes, she is a visa waiter. Waiting to go to Brazil. 

 

I love this area.

 

I am so grateful.

 

It is always hard leaving an area, though. I love the Midwood members so much. And so it is hitting me now that I am gone how much I miss them, and the good news-- they live in New York! So. I will still get to see them!! They live on this continent, and it is great, and I just love being a missionary.

 

I can't really envision how I am going to grow in the next bit, but I just know that I want to. And my new district leader, elder Yates is so incredible-- and yesterday we had a district fast and we each created a list of 10 things we are committed to doing. And I am excited to see they growth that comes to all of us as we fully commit. God is so good!! I have truly seen how keeping commandments is the way in which we progress and develop. I love the commandments. They keep us safe and protected.

 

This is truly the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are so blessed to have the Book of Mormon, the bible, the doctrine and covenants, teachings of the living prophets, the list goes on!!

 

Okay, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh-- also, this transfer theme for me and Sister Shumway is this:

Come unto Christ and Don't Look Back.

 

Trusting that the Lord's plan is better for me than my own plans. And letting go of the things I want for myself that are not in alignment with His well. And not thinking that, "oh, when I go home I will..." Or thinking that the things I change are temporary. But that the changes i am making are permanent. I am coming unto Christ and I cannot look back.

 

Remember Lott's wife.

 

And so. This is what I have been pondering.

 

And it hurts a little bit-- but I know it is worth it. And necessary, and I am excited for the results. It's funny-- thinking that my past is better than my future. And I get to trust in God that my future is so much brighter and happier and I just have to trust and believe and be patient. ((<---- eh? It is already working its miracle! :] ))

Anway. Yes. Thoughts??

I love you both//ALL SO MUCN!!!

You are incredible parents-- thank you for choosing the right and for your faith and testimonies. I want you to know that I am so grateful. Thank you for repenting and having faith in our Savior and being such great examples to many. I love you!!!!

 

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Onward, ever onward!

 

Come unto Christ,

 

AND DON'T LOOK BACK.

 

LOVE,

 

Sister Brooklyn Beloogy Blosil