GO, and DO thou likewise

The Good Samaritan. I have been thinking about this popular parable a lot recently.

Here at the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center we have a new exhibit called "Love Thy Neighbor". It shows humanitarian efforts that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has put forth in the world. Each time I am blessed to take a group through my mind starts turning. I begin thinking what I can personally do to serve those around me. This exhibit shows grand service projects such as re-roofing homes, feeding thousands of people, providing water for those who previously had to walk two miles to receive it, and caring for those who are sick and in need. I think about what a miracle service truly is for those we give.

The Good Samaritan is such a wonderful example of the kind of service we, as human beings, should be giving to others. No matter who the person is, their race, their religion, their economic standing, we are here to give. As Christ talked of this parable he told those around him to "Go, and do thou likewise" (Luke 10:37). He tells us that we are to be those who show mercy on all those that are standing in need.

I often stop and think if I am Going and Doing likewise. I know as we give to those around us we are following the example of Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to have him as our guide in this crazy thing we called life. Here is a video that I love about the parable of the Good Samaritan. Watch it. Ponder it. Pray about if you are doing likewise, and if you are not Change!  The Good Samaritan Bible Video

I promise whoever is out there reading this silly blog that there is something more to life than life itself. As we serve, as we give, as we put others ahead of ourselves we can find a small glimpse of the eternal happiness that we each can and will one day receive.

Until next time,
Sister Danielle Brownell

TOMORROW!

Tomorrow is a pretty big day. There will be an announcement made from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It must be a pretty big deal when times of churches are being changed all over the world so that we can have the chance to see this!
It is actually going to be broadcasted from BYU's Marriott Center (I love that place!). It is a special session of the Seminar for New Mission Presidents and I KNOW it will be a miracle in many peoples hearts. It is entitled "The Work of Salvation" and begins at 4pm MDT (So 3 here in Mesa due to the odd no day light saving thing and 3 back home in Oregon).
The Church News has a little more information you can read about--  More Information here!
I was thinking about the title of this broadcast, "The Work of Salvation"and realized it is about missionary work! That is the work I am out here doing, the work that the Lord is leading me to do. What a blessing that there will be a special broadcast to talk about that even more.
I encourage EVERYBODY to watch it! I know I will be. It is going to be so important, trust me.... I may already know what it is about and I promise it is big news :)
Love you all!
-Sister Brownell

The times are changing!

Hello Friends and Family! This is Sister Brownell writing this. In the Flesh!
I have some exciting news for everybody. As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I have been asked to keep up my blog for missionary purposes! Rather than having my wonderful Mother update things I can now sign on and write some miracles that I have seen! How wonderful is that. (Mom you can still put family letters and pictures and such up if you wish!).
The work of the Lord is really moving forward. I see that in how now the Church has asked us here serving at the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center to use such social networking tools such as this blog! Many people are searching for truth and having social media is a way many will find their way to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I was reading today about Christ in something called "The Living Christ". A few things really stuck out to me including these statements; "Non other (talking of Jesus Christ) has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth". I know that is true! Jesus Christ is the most influential person....ever! I know that! It continues to state that "He (Jesus Christ) is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son". That last line really touched my heart.
I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven and the Love he has for ME. He has so much love for each one of us. So much love that he sent us HIS SON (John 3:16-17).
I know that this gospel message is true. I am so thankful for this knowledge.
Until next time.
-Sister Brownell

My Savior and Friend

Here is Danielle's letter for the week, May 6, 2013

Well I shall let you know about my week.... where to begin. Let us start with a scripture that sums up my week. I will replace a few words to make it my own.

"for ye receive no [SUCCESS] until after the trial of your faith" -Ether 12:6. It reads no Witness, but for me this week the word success fits much better. This week was trial after trial. Many appointments feel through, people decided they did not want to meet with us, others moved with out letting us know and have no way to contact missionaries. Things like that. It was trial after trial. I am not going to lie and say it was easy because it was not. It was HARD! I even grew a zit on my chin from the stress! (its okay because it is already gone so not to worry). Trial after trial sprang up and we just had to keep trudging our way through the muck that was associated. 

I read a scripture Saturday night and I know it has changed my mind about myself as a missionary! 

Heleman 15:6 "Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their bretheren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily"

K. Here were a few of my thoughts in a nut shell - - These people know truth, and they are proclaiming it. I know truth and that is what I am doing.... Yet they are working with UNWEARIED DILIGENCE... am I doing that? If I were I would have people added to the numbers daily. I need to be better.... Yet I realized that it is not MY numbers that these people are added to, it is the Lords numbers. Some people may take longer to be added, but eventually they will be. Those who rejected us this week, or moved away will come to the knowledge and light eventually. This scripture just gave me the boost to get back on my feet after all these trials and push forward. 

The next day was fast Sunday... or should I say miracle Sunday! I KNOW the lord is so aware of us! There are so many times on my mission I have seen simple acts that have truly been from Him. Yesterday was one of those days. 

This man who we have been meeting with on and off came to church and that was really exciting. What was even more exciting was after class his member friend asked us to come over more often and teach him because, as she said, "he decided he wants to do it".

"DO what?" I asked. "Have lessons or be baptized"

"Both!" She responded with a big smile. "He said he is ready to join the church."

I couldn't believe it. I shot this man a look (he is really shy and wouldn't tell us himself these things) and he just had the biggest smile on his face. Talking with him he confirmed what the lady had let us known. It was so wonderful to just see him so happy after so many times seeing him so depressed and sad. I pray he will continue having this desire and not let Satan get into his way as he makes these changes in his life for the better. 

A few hours later we went to a lesson with this young woman Lima. She has been going to church for a while and knows much about the gospel. Her mother is recently started coming back to church and Lima needs to be baptized! She is actually not in my ward, but we received an OK from President Ellsworth to teach her. This was the spiritual highlight of my week! During our first lesson we discussed the importance of the restoration of the gospel. Her testimony of Joseph Smith was so simple, yet powerful. She already knows the truth of this gospel and has accepted to be baptized! We have a date set and will continue to work with this wonderful young woman. 

Something amazing about her is the reason she realized she needed to do this. She expressed, with tears in her eyes, that she needs to so that she can go serve her mission. :) She already wants to be a missionary!!!! I was balling by now, of course, and felt such a strong spirit. I honestly could see her smiling face in a few years receiving her mission call and wearing this special black name tag that is so important to me on her own chest. 

Being a missionary is so amazing because we honestly can feel a portion of Heavenly Fathers love for these people. I love Lima sooooo much! I only met her once and have no idea how to even attempt to say her last name! (its a way long Tongan one).

Well I should get going. Know I love you very much! Being a missionary is the best feeling in the world. Declaring to others the importance of having a loving Father in Heaven and the unique message of the restoration fills me with so much joy! Keep doing all you can for own personal missionary experiences. I love you a lot!

Love, Sister Brownell