First Week in the Field

Hello from MAINE!!!! Although there's still TONS of snow around (like seriously, there are snow piles everywhere! It looks like someone is starting to build a house or something! haha) it is beautiful! All of the houses here are New England style (obviously, since I'm in New England), but I've never seen so many Victorian-styled houses in one area. So cool! Also, there are so many white houses out here, so the residents end up painting their doors a bright, random color. It makes driving down the streets a little more bearable since you can see a little splash of color here and there, instead of just white white (houses and snow). Also, they have so much granite here that the sidewalk edges are granite! So cool. We also have the ocean in our area. we haven't driven down to see it yet, but we will. I'm excited to see the Atlantic ocean and all of the lighthouses in Portland, Maine!

So here's a brief recap of what I did last week...Last Monday, we flew out from Salt Lake and stayed at the mission home the first night. On the flight, I was the only sister missionary traveling with, I think, 10 Elders! Weird. Luckily there was a sister traveling with us from Salt Lake to Michigan so I could go to the bathroom with her...that would have been awkward to have 2 Elders waiting outside the bathroom door for me...haha. When we got to Manchester, we met President Stoker and his wife. It was so surreal to come down the escalator and see two smiling faces waiting to greet us and welcome us to New Hampshire. It was also weird to walk around the airport wearing missionary tags. I've never had so many people look at my face, look at my tag, then look away. When we got our luggage, we waited for 4 more sisters to arrive (YES! More sisters!) Unfortunately, they are here waiting for their Visas to Australia, but at least I wasn't the only sister anymore! President Stoker told me that if those sisters weren't waiting for their Visas, I would have been the only sister coming into the mission. That's kinda crazy.

Then, on Tuesday, I met me trainer (Sister Craig) and was told I'd be serving in Saco, Maine. She's been serving for 6 months and is from Boise, ID. It's been fun to get to know her more over the past few days, and she has definitely forced me into missionary work! When we first got to our area, the first thing we did was street contacting. I never had practice with that in the MTC, so that was pretty awkward. You have to stop someone in the middle of the sidewalk to talk to them and invite them to listen to a message about Jesus Christ. We got quite a few nos, obviously, but it was good to experience. Since then, we have done lots of tracting and a little more street contacting. I'm pretty comfortable with both of those now!! Pretty amazing how you can grow so much in just 6 days!

We also taught a few lessons to investigators: the Beam family and Alex. I don't know much about the Beams, but they're nice! We're teaching 3 kids (ages 9, 10, and 20) and then their grandmas listens to the lessons as well. Our goal is to get them to church this week so that we can reschedule their baptism date since they haven't been to church yet (they have to go to church 3 times before they can be baptized).

Alex is awesome!!! He grew us Jewish and has recently been baptized into the Baptist church. He's also a mural painter, and each room of his house is a different theme. I've only seen the living room and the kitchen, but those are pretty awesome (Spider-man and Alice in Wonderland). So cool. On Saturday we taught him the Plan of Salvation, and he is so excited about it!! He texted us and said (while reading the pamphlet) that it's "not boring, so cool, and awesomeness". haha pretty great. He's definitely making me more excited to teach investigators.

Earlier this week, we visited a Senior Living Center and helped them bowl. That was a blast!! It's so fun to see their spirits being lifted and see their competitive sides come out. :) You're probably wondering how they bowl...haha so there were plastic pins, rubber bowling balls, and then they used a ramp to push the ball down. It was great!!

I love missionary work already and am so grateful to be serving a mission. The gospel is true and the Lord is on our side. All we have to do is put faith in Him, do all that we can, and He will do the rest. He leads and guides us everyday, and I'm so grateful to have this gospel in my life.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Keep P.U.S.H.ing (Praying Until Something Happens)

Sister Pierce

 MTC District 

(On Saturday we wear Blue...even our teachers!!)

 Provo Temple! 

I ran into my roommate Caroline in the MTC!

Mission home (look at that snow!)

Trainer (Sister Craig)

Welcome message on my desk! (It says "Welcome to Saco!")

Traditional New England treat...Peanut butter & Fluff

Tried it...Not that bad!!

Some New England scenery....

I'm HERE!!!!

Hello from New Hampshire!!!! :) It is so beautiful here! All of the houses look like Victorian houses! President Stoker said their from the 1700's or something. It's like I'm in an old English town! So much fun. :) So, there are four other sisters here waiting for their visas for Australia, so at least I'm not alone! But, I'm excited to experience all of the beautiful areas here...even if there is a TON of snow. There's snow piles ALL OVER! It seriously looks like dirt piles when they're building a house. No joke. haha but I'm safe and I can't wait to tell you about when I meet my trainer tomorrow!

I love you both, and I'm so grateful I was able to talk to you this morning!

Love always, Sister Pierce

Note from Mom: As you know, we got to talk to her in the SLC airport for about 20 minutes before her flight to NH.  She actually changed planes in Detroit Michigan.  She did not have a sis. companion to travel with, just about 7 Elders! She sounded so excited and happy!!!!!!

First Week!!

Hello all!!!! Well, I made it through my first week as a missionary!! So crazy. And the crazier part is that I fly out to New Hampshire Monday morning! The MTC experience is almost over! Weird. 

Well, my first couple of days were pretty interesting. The first night, we taught our first investigator! Man they really have you hit the ground running over here! Luckily, it was in a group setting, so it wasn't too bad. But, on thursday, we met our first investigator that we would be teaching for the remainder of the time that we are here. Luckily it's just out MTC teacher, but they sure so get in their roles!! It feels like they are a completely different person when they teach us and then when we teach them. That's pretty cool. Then Friday, we found out who our other 2 investigators were. 

The first couple of lessons with Josh (our teacher) were pretty rough. I think mainly because we didn't know what we were doing, and that they had us begin teaching before we really knew anything (alos, he is just a rough investigator and really challenged us and gave us hard questions to answer...ha). Then the next week (a few days ago), we had a much better experience teaching Rachel and Olivia because we knew what we were doing. What's cool about Rachel and Olivia is that we have no idea if they are members or if they really are investigators. Each investigator has different needs and questions, and it's been so exciting to plan for each one!! Missionary work is the best!!!!! :)

With just the few short days that I've been here (8 days now), I have truly learned a ton. First off, I have learned how to teach the first few lessons (the Restoration, and Plan of Salvation--didn't think I'd learn how to teach those effectively so quick) and I've learned how much prayer can bless my life and help me as a missionary. Here at the MTC (and in the field) we pray ALL. THE. TIME. Like honestly, I don't think I've prayed this much in my entire life. We pray before/after each class, we pray before/during personal/companion study, and we pray seriously like every 30 minutes in between. Man, it's been something to definitely get use to, but I love it!! Prayer has helped me and Sister Merkley (my companion) and the rest of the missionaries in my district a TON! I have gained a stronger testimony on how the Spirit can help direct thoughts, comfort us, and help us stay focused and have a clear mind. Prayer is amazing!!!

Another amazing thing that happened this week was that Sister Merkley and I committed 2 of our investigators - Josh & Rachel- to baptism!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Those experiences have helped me have confidence that that can happen in the field too! Plus, we've only been teaching Rachel for 3 lessons, and well, it took longer with Josh just because he was a tough cookie,  but still. It was less than a week!!! SO great. 

Also, the sisters and elders in my district are amazing! We have become so close, and feel like a family! The interesting thing is that all the elders are going to the New Hampshire Manchester mission, and all the sisters are going to the Salt Lake mission. Yep....I'm the only sister going to my mission from my district. As far as I know, I may be the only sister on the flight to New hampshire Monday morning! I say that because at our welcome meeting, they had everyone stand up to see who's going to which part of the world, and the east coast people stood up, and I swear, I was the only sister standing.....so I guess we'll see what happens on Monday!

My companion and I have got along great!! There's been some harder days just because of different situations, but I think we've been able to work through those times because we're with each other 24/7. You have to really work things out when you have to be with someone ALL. THE. TIME. haha and I'm glad I'm learning how to do that. You can't just escape them like roommates, or family members. You have to follow them where ever they go! (until we'rte back at our room, then we can have some time to ourselves). But If you have to go to the bathroom, they have to go. If you have to fill up your water bottle, they have to go. If you have to go to the bathroom to just blow your nose, they have to go. Get the picture? Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to get more used to this! hahaha

Well, I'm sure I'm way out of time, so I'll just share that I know this gospel is true! Being a missionary is the best and it's the best decision I have ever made! I am so grateful that I have the opportunitry to share this gospel with everyone and be able to bear testimony on how it can bless their lives, and continue to bless mine! I am so greateful for prayer, and for all the many blessings it brings. In those hard/trying times, just remember to Keep Praying Until Something Happens (Keep P.U.S.H.ing)!!

I love you all, and thank you for your support!!!

Keep P.U.S.H.ing!

Love, Sister Pierce

 First day with Sisters

Companion (Sister Merkely)

Our District 

Map!

Elders and Me!

map with comp

Zone @ Temple (Sunday walk)

On Wednesday's We wear Purple!! :) (Middle guy=one of our teachers)

GIANT COOKIE IN THE MAIL!!!!! (Thanks Aunt Tammy!!!! :))

First Letter Home

Today's the DAY!

After months of waiting (or for Brittany it was really a whole lifetime of waiting), it was finally time to go to the Provo Missionary Training Center (a.k.a. the MTC). Young adults from all over the world come to the MTC to learn how to be a missionary. Sister Pierce will be in the MTC for a total of 10 days and then she'll fly out to New Hampshire. 

Cutest Sister missionary ever!

In front of the Provo Temple (which is right across the street from the MTC).

That's the MTC behind her. 

In the car line at the MTC, minutes away from being dropped off. Missionaries say their final goodbyes right outside of the MTC, parents don't actually go in with them. It actually prevents a lot of tears this way, oddly enough.  

Got her luggage. Ready to go!

Last picture with the parents for 18 months. 

Sister Missionary Host ready to escort Sister Pierce inside. 

And she's off!! We love you Sister Pierce!

Farewell...It's Not Really Goodbye

Sister Pierce gave her Farewell talk on February 15, 2015. Afterwards, there was a fun little gathering and celebration.

 Sister Pierce and the kids. (From Left: Eliza, Calissa, Skyler, Andrew, Haley)

Three missionaries in the house! Mom and Dad are missionaries for the BYU-I Pathways program.

 David, Aimee, Sister Pierce, Rebecca, Clark. 

A new trend maybe?? You can't see it but these are one-of-a-kind missionary badges (compliments of Rebecca) that say things like "Sister Awesome," "Sister Walksalot," and "Sister Smiley."

Studying the Book of Mormon is awesome!

...and exhausting!

On February 22, 2015, Brittany met with the Stake President, President Mott, to be set apart and officially became "Sister Pierce," a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a representative of Jesus Christ. 

One of the last goodbyes was to these two--Robert and Kristi. 

Yeah we'll miss Sister Smiley a lot these next 18 months but we know it's not really goodbye. It's just "see ya later!"

A Desire to Serve

For journaling sake, here are some pre-mission pics to start things off...

 The letter! It arrived on Halloween day (10/31/14), two days after Sister Pierce turned 21. 

 It's finally here! She looks excited, huh? :)

Sister Pierce was called to the New Hampshire, Manchester Mission, English speaking, and asked to report to the Provo MTC on February 25, 2015. 

Mission Boundaries. 

This is one of Sister Pierce's favorite quotes and something that inspired her while she was making her decision on whether or not to serve. She has always had a strong desire to serve the Lord and what better way to serve Him than to serve a full-time mission? She's going to be simply amazing!!