2017 02/20 "Let our faith replace our fears..."

Hello! It's me again! Another wonderful week has come and gone. This is email is going to be sooooooooooo scattered (but what else is new...?) because I have so many things I wanna tell you!!❤

❤❤❤ There were kids from Jordan High school visiting my ward yesterday for a choir thing and it was so weird to see them there hahaha 

Yesterday the weather was so nice  (WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WEAR TIGHTS!!!!!) so we went and ate lunch in central park. What. A. Dream. I love everything. 

We had the best Valentine's Day in history!! February 14th was the New York New York North Sisters Meeting. It was so fun seeing past companions and other sisters whom I LOVE. The best part was being able to hear from Stephanie Nielson. She and her husband survived a plane crash in 2008. Sister Nielson has since become a world famous "mommy blogger" and has given out over 9,000 copies of the Book of Mormon!! She shares a powerful message of hope (and SHE TOOK A PICTURE WITH SISTER JACOBSEN AND I ❤❤) (Ps. Sister Nielson and her husband actually came to NYC to speak to the New York North sisters but the fireside we were able to attend for the stake was just a bonus. Still mad I didn't see Kim and Bri there but it's fine.) We are so spoiled here. Sooooooooooo check out Sister Nielson's blog because she is WONDERFUL.

I hope you all had a good week!! Marvin is GOOD! We had a Skype lesson with him on Tuesday and we read from the Book of Mormon with him. We read Alma 36 (BEST. CHAPTER. EVER.) and we talked about Repentance. Marvin usually doesn't ask questions during our lessons, but during this one he said "Sisters, how do I repent??" And we just about fell out of our chairs-- MARVIN ASKED US A QUESTION!!!!!! We explained the repentance process and it got us talking about baptism. Sister Jacobsen is AWESOME and she's so good at asking inspired questions. She said "Marvin, do you believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the correct authority to baptize?" And he said "Yeah, but I don't believe it's the only one." Sooooooooooo we're going to work through that next. I'm just super grateful for the spirit because we've been kinda frustrated with not being able to really help him this week. BUT! Now we know what his biggest concern is AND NOW WE CAN HELP HIM!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY 

ANNE IS THE BEST EVER HOLY COW I LOVE HER. We had a lesson with her on Tuesday and cute Sister Read was able to come with us. The first Sunday she came to church she was really quiet and she just sat in the back and observed but then last Sunday she was super into gospel principles and she shared some awesome experiences. When we met with her on Tuesday she shared another cool story with us. She said while she was at church she heard someone say that we don't drink coffee. This past week she said she was feeling really anxious and so she would drink some coffee but she kept thinking about what she heard while she was at church and she said "My anxiety would get worse when I drank the coffee so I think I'm going to stop drinking coffee." WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT. OKAY. SHE'S SO COOL. 

Sister Jacobsen has been super sick (throwing up sick...ugh) for the past couple of days so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray that she gets better soon❤❤❤❤

Here's my favorite quote ever. Enjoy!!😚

•••

"I come with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears. We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. But … you can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen. Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. The Lord’s plan is a plan of happiness. The way will be lighter, the worries will be fewer, the confrontations will be less difficult if we cultivate a spirit of happiness." 

--President Gordon B. Hinckley ♡

•••

Instead of me just copying the entire Relief Society lesson GO AND READ IT. It's lesson 3 from the teachings of President Gordon B. Hinckley "Cultivate an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism". I love President Hinckley. Just take one section a day or something but seriously. Go read it. Then email me your thoughts about it.

I love that he says that "life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." We're a week into the transfer, but I've learned that this is to be true with Sister Jacobsen. As I've gotten us lost or as I've taken us on the wrong train again and again...I've learned to just laugh it off. WE DON'T HAVE TO BE STRESSED EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY. Learn to laugh. Learn to ENJOY THE RIDE and show gratitude!! 

Other quotes I love: 

"Stay true to the church because the church is true."

--President Buckner (NYNY Stake President)

Be a pineapple. Stand tall. Wear a crown. Be sweet on the inside. 🍍🌴

(5 people sent me this quote this week saying "I saw this and thought of you." ❤❤Much love) 

I love you sooooooooooo much. #BainTrainForever 

Love always,

Sister Bain 🍍

Ps. Pday is on Wednesday next week!!✌

Sister Horton

Sister Jacobsen

Sisters and heart glasses. What else do you need? 

Sister's Conference

STEPHANIE NIELSON ❤

2017 02/13 "Thank you, Mr. Gardener..."

H E L L O

This week was sooooooooooo good. As usual. 

The meth story is a classic and that's going to be a highlight in the mission journal FOR SURE. The guy was super high and dropped the meth on the ground, went across the street to tell his friend to help him pick it up, but then Sister Bain accidentally walked all over it thinking it was ice (hahaha). The Police said they'd been watching him for a couple days but thanks to the Sister missionaries being inspired to walk down that street, they got the proof they needed when he started yelling at me. We gave one of the police officers a pass-a-long card so it wasn't all bad. And my shoes are clean now so yay. 

THANK YOU for the Valentine's day packages! You cuties. I love you all xoxo  

I WAS AT THE FIRESIDE LAST NIGHT THAT KIM AND BRI WENT TO. I was leaving the church and like 5 companionship's told me "Hey we saw your aunt again. And your cousin! Did you see them?" I'm convinced Kim has met every missionary on the island except for my companion 😂 ONE DAY I'M GOING TO SEE THEM. (Hopefully when grandma and grandpa are in Jersey!!) 

My new companion is Sister Jacobsen and I. LOVE. HER. She's just like Sister Sam who is bascially one of my all-time favorite people. Sister Jacobsen is so so sweet and we're always laughing. I'm super super grateful for her and all that I've learned from her in just 1 week! #CompGoals ❤ This area is going to see MIRACLES with Sister Jacobsen here!! 

Something I've been thinking a lot about this week is God's plan. His plan is PERFECT. I know that! God's plan is designed to bring us JOY- joy that is eternal. Part of God's plan for each of us is go through trials and humbling experiences because that's when we grow. We watched a Mormon Message the other day called "The Will of God" (one that I would HIGHLY recommend). It's an excerpt from a talk given by Elder Christofferson and he talks about accepting and embracing correction. He tells a story that I'm going to copy and paste for you to read because I LOVE IT and I hope you can relate it to your own lives.

•••

President Hugh B. Brown, formerly a member of the Twelve and a counselor in the First Presidency, provided a personal experience. He told of purchasing a rundown farm in Canada many years ago. As he went about cleaning up and repairing his property, he came across a currant bush that had grown over six feet (1.8 m) high and was yielding no berries, so he pruned it back drastically, leaving only small stumps. Then he saw a drop like a tear on the top of each of these little stumps, as if the currant bush were crying, and thought he heard it say:

“How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. … And now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me. … How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”

President Brown replied, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.’”

Years later, President Brown was a field officer in the Canadian Army serving in England. When a superior officer became a battle casualty, President Brown was in line to be promoted to general, and he was summoned to London. But even though he was fully qualified for the promotion, it was denied him because he was a Mormon. The commanding general said in essence, “You deserve the appointment, but I cannot give it to you.” What President Brown had spent 10 years hoping, praying, and preparing for slipped through his fingers in that moment because of blatant discrimination. Continuing his story, President Brown remembered:

“I got on the train and started back … with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul. … When I got to my tent, … I threw my cap on the cot. I clenched my fists, and I shook them at heaven. I said, ‘How could you do this to me, God? I have done everything I could do to measure up. There is nothing that I could have done—that I should have done—that I haven’t done. How could you do this to me?’ I was as bitter as gall.

“And then I heard a voice, and I recognized the tone of this voice. It was my own voice, and the voice said, ‘I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do.’ The bitterness went out of my soul, and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask forgiveness for my ungratefulness. …

“… And now, almost 50 years later, I look up to [God] and say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me."

•••

All these thoughts might be a little scattered sorryyyyyyyyy 😂

When I hear this story or read it again and again, I always think about humility. I've learned that humility is one personality trait that if you think you have it, you don't. I think humility comes a little at a time when Heavenly Father puts us through a "refiners fire". Manhattan has been my refiners fire. While I've been in this CRAZY city, I've learned that my way is definitely not the right way. But HIS way is what brings blessings and happiness-- even when it's hard. Sometimes I'd rather be the fruit tree or the shade tree. But Heavenly Father has created me, Sister Bain, to be a currant bush. God is the gardener here and He knows what He wants us to be, what He needs us to be, and what we can become with His help and with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we are put through our own refiners fire, we see the need for our Savior Jesus Christ and we're humbled a little more each time. Accepting God's will IS NOT EASY. If it were easy we wouldn't grow and progress. What would be the point? I know that God is loving. I know that He knows each of us as individuals and I know that He loves us more than we can comprehend. I've felt His love over and over again and the times when I feel it most are the times when I've needed some correction. I know He loves me enough to cut me down so that I can grow closer to Him❤

I love being in Manhattan. There are some REALLY good people here. Marvin is doing really well. At church yesterday he said "Sisters, God is answering my prayers. Today was a good day." Sister Jacobsen and I could have started crying right then and there. He's getting there!!✌ Millie is good. We've given her a little space because she doesn't want to come to church until the weather gets warmer. But! She loves the Book of Mormon! 

Anyway. We were true New Yorkers and went to the Met today. It's cool. I like it here.

I hope you all have a good week and a Happy Valentine's Day! Remember, God loves you. 

I love you!! ❤❤❤

Love always,

Sister Bain 🍍

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." 

--John 3:16 

Sister Jacobsen

Sister Jacobsen

Sister Jacobsen

Sister Evans, Bain, Jacobesen, and Larsen

Snow and the Skyline

2017 02/06 "She said a friend of a friend referred her to the church..."

First of all. I can't believe Brianne is going HOME this week. What in the world. Has it really been 18 months already? 

Second, I hope Maggie had the best birthday ever yesterday ❤ She sent me the gold plates for Christmas hahaha 

**Story of the week**

I was walking and there was salt on the sidewalk and I always like walking on the salt and hearing it crunch (haha) but then this guy came running across the street yelling "Stop stepping on my meth!! What are you doing!!??" 😂😂😂 

So that's the story of when Sister Bain walked on illegal drugs in New York City.

(It really was meth because the police officers down the street had to clean off my shoes😂)

This week was full of miracles! Heavenly Father is sooooooooooo good to us (and our investigstors!!!!!) Millie is still getting baptized! Just not on February 18th.....but we're shooting for March!❤ Satan is super rude and is making it real hard for us to meet with her, but I know that she's prepared and everything will work out the way it's supposed to! Marvin is GOOD! He came to church yesterday and had a really good time. I think he got some prayers answered❤ We got a new investigator at church yesterday! Her name is Anne and she just showed up😂 She's from Brazil and is in New York studying photography. She said a friend of a friend referred her to the church and she woke up just in time to take the train to Manhattan from Brooklyn! She stayed for all 3 hours and LOVED it. She asked if she could keep the gospel principles book and nobody wanted to tell her no so she took it with her 😂 she said she really enjoyed Relief Society and wanted to come back next week! ❤❤❤ We got a couple other new investigstors that we're hoping to meet with! The Lord is preparing people in Manhattan!! 

I'm getting a new companion tomorrow so I need to go clean the apartment😂 Sister Jacobsen is coming to the Manhattan 1st Ward!! It's soooooooo fun because I knew Sister Jacobsen before the mission. We've gone to lunch and the temple together a couple of times so I'm SO excited to have her in the city with me!! ❤❤❤ (Pray that my subway navigation skills are up to par and we don't get lost!!) 

I love you all and I'm grateful for eternal families ❤

Don't forget to pray! 

Lots of love,

Sister Bain 🍍

Alma 13:28-29. Read it. ❤❤❤

 28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

 29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.

Joshua got baptized last Sunday!! 

The Gold Plates I got from Maggie for Christmas 😂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL! 

District pics

Alma 13:28-29. Read it