Week 43- Summer Crew

 I just talked to president and he said no emailing back and forth. You forced my hand mommasita, I can't email you back and forth that is texting which is not allowed hahaha! You are going to have to live with that decision:)

The summer crew is back in the Ward.  Referrals here we come! We have a huge influx of YSA church members in the ward now! They are all coming back from college and doing pest control or finding a summer job! There are a ton of newly return missionaries as well so they have referrals because they have been sharing the gospel with all of their friends! Today we have a ton of appointments with referrals so I'm excited.   Cam Blodose my new convert in the Red Leaf Ward just received the priesthood this week and will be passing the sacrament next week! How amazing is that! They are on such a good road.  It's awesome! 

-A little story you might like it!- Me and Elder Heiner received this referral form church headquarters 2 weeks ago and it being a really long drive, we have only been able to contact them twice in two weeks! As we were planning this last week I felt a prompting to go by her house since we were going to be down in castle rock! It was 7 at night and once again nobody in the driveway and the front door hanging wide open and the screen door in visible. We parked the car and decided to knock anyway because...what's it gonna hurt? We knocked three times and no answer! Right as we were turning around to leave we heard a car coming by and I said what if that's them? And guess who pulled into the driveway....they did! We hurried over to the car....awkwardly because we were just knocking at their door. About a 19 year old girl and her mom get out and we said hi are you Lauren...looking at both of them because the description from what we received from salt lake was not specific at all? The daughter answered and said ....uuuhhh yeah that's me..she looked really confused! We both looked at each other and said you requested missionaries to stop at your door and so here we are! She responded...I have never requested missionaries to come by but I have a friend on a mission. Turns out one of her really good friends from college (ASU) just left on a mission to Mexico! I said how can that be, the only way we would know to stop by was if you sent your address into church headquarters requesting a visit....unless your friend sent in a self referral for you from Mexico! The mom and daughter looked at each other and laughed and said that is something he would definitely do! We all laughed and said well while we are here would it be okay if we shared what your friend would be sharing in Mexico. Of course the mom responds and says oh no thanks we know where to get information from if we need it.  We have a Book of Mormon. In my mind I'm telling myself,  I'm not taking no for an answer. but hold on this is awesome! The daughter responds saying your welcome to stop by anytime because I'm very interested in what you guys believe in! In my mind I can hear this evil laugh saying take that mom! And the girl was hinting to us that she wants us to come over but the mom being very protective says why don't you give me your number and call my phone so we can coordinate when you can come by! Again, in my mind I was like yeah we know your going to keep us from coming so.......we will get the daughters info. We talked to all of them for a long time but never was able to get the daughters info. But we are trying to see if her friend in Mexico can get us more info on her mom so we can know how to start teaching the daughter without sneaking behind the moms back....hmmmm kinda sounds like a similar situation, mom not interested but daughter is.... Anyway that was the story.  Hoping for a happy ending! 

As for Zone conference last week, I was able to sing the song and play the piano and it was awesome! I got a lot of compliments which was really nice. Elder Gray says I have such a sweet voice and the girls will love that when I return:) I gave a training at zone conference as well and it went really well! The AP's loved it and said that was exactly what president was looking for so...mission accomplished! Being a zone Leader is tiring though.  We have to make so many phone calls and constantly receive updates on the districts! It takes so long we don't get to sleep until 10:30 and I feel so tired in the morning! I don't know what else to say.  I hope I answered all your questions! It stinks the weather has been so crappy in PA but it's really nice here.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Love 

Elder Brown

WEEK 42- WHAT A WEEK!

WHAT A WEEK!

CAM AND JAMSINE GOT BAPTIZED!

Oh man I was on cloud 9! I cried when Cam was baptized by his dad. His dad flew in from Chile to baptize him! What a day that was! Jasmine got baptized as well by Elder Bailey! It was such a good day! I got to see everyone from my old ward.  They all told me they miss me and wish to have me back! Its nice when you know you are loved by the ward! I gave a talk on baptism and I was nervous for some reason. I couldn't read my writing because I only had 10 minutes to write it and I messed up a couple of times because I couldn't see what I wrote on the paper. I wish I would have just bullet pointed and spoke like I do in  training. I have gotten a lot better at that and I'm more comfortable that way so I'm not constantly looking down at a paper! Anyway, I was glad I got to drive up to see it. Elder Heiner wasn't with me because we were on exchanges with the assistants to the president. I exchanged with Elder Gray for the day! That was fun to be with him! He goes home in 4 weeks! How about that! Time flies! I received a call from the  president to train at zone conference so I'm super nervous for that! I'm singing and playing a musical number @ zone conference Wednesday. Its called I will not be still! I'm excited! I'm also playing the piano for 2 other musical numbers that day on top of that! Thursday I get to inspect cars and give the info to Elder Martin the vehicle coordinator! I'm cracking down because some Elders cars are just terrible! I get to pull a Kelly on them:) That's kinda an update on whats going on this week. 

Sunday we met with the stake to go over zone progress! I really spoke up and said "if we want the work to get moving in the YSA Ward we need to get ward missionaries involved. We need to have more than 1 day of splits...preferably 3 times a week. Hopefully our hard work here will pay off! My desire to bring others unto Christ increases each day and I will do whatever it takes to bring the restored gospel to everyone. I have noticed when I have "the fire", that dad would often talk to me about, concerning the work that the lord will make me and my companion an instrument in his hands! Hopefully the Lord will assist the efforts in the ward and hopefully the attitude in the quote "seemingly impossible Parker and Parker South Stakes," will change for the better. Just because it is a wealthier area doesn't mean the work is impossible. Anyway If you can't tell I'm pumped...I am haha! 

Also on Sunday I ran into Mckelle's roommate! We talked for a little but, but I was on the way to gospel principles. Church was LIT on Sunday.  We had so many people there over 120 for sure.  The chapel was packed. Everyone is coming back from school either from  BYU, U of U, UVU, or UST, and doing work for the summer. There are like 5 return missionaries in the ward so that's cool! They all have referrals for us as well! Stake President Lyman said that the summer is the best time for missionary work if you are effective. Hopefully we have some added missionary minds in the ward  Anyway missionary work is great I love it! This is the best 2 years of my life! After Cam and Jasmine's Baptisms I caught myself in a stupor of serious reflection. I really pondered about what I just did. I played the most tiny role in helping such a large thing to be accomplished. I helped them achieve their first ordinance. Their eternal salvation. Physically dunking someone in the water is such a simple performance. But spiritually, the eternal significance is beyond compare. I played the most tinsi tiny role in assisting in their continuous conversion to Jesus Christ. What a blessing that is! I thank my heavenly father for it! I thank my Heavenly Father for the lives I have helped changed! but my joy isn't in my effort but my Joy is in the new found happiness I see in them! They are finally on the right path and I can't wait to see them sealed in the temple next year! 

Anyway enough about me, Dad that is such a cool experience you had! I'm sad I wasn't able to join you on this one but I'm so happy that you were able to run into your scout master! How cool is that! What are the odds! Hopefully you got to catch up with him. I wasn't able to meet with your cousin Marie but I talked to her on the phone. The Pres does not want visits to family members or close acquaintances.  It's handbook rule. So you can tell Mckelle that she was disobedient on her mission hahaha!  Marie understood and said she would rather me be obedient. But she was so close to me it was tempting hahah!

Anyway, I'm not sure what else to say other than I appreciate the support and miss you everyday and hope the girls finish strong before summer hits! I wonder if Izzy will start working? Have her help in the vineyard! lol.  I hated that job it was so lonely! Love you all and hope to talk next week! 

love ya!

Elder Brown

Week 41-Facetime

I love you mom! I thought that was a really good Facetime! I loved every minute of it! Mom I am just so happy! I'm in good spirits and I'm living this mission up! The Lord has been blessing me a ton and I'm grateful for it! I know I'm being prayed for because I can feel the prayers come my way. The other day I was eating at Panda Express and I opened a fortune cookie and inside it says, "share your good fortune with everyone." God works in mysterious ways! I am doing what that cookie said.  I love you mom! My love for you and dad has grown so much! Yesterday in church I was talking about mothers and how special I am to have a mother that cares so much that she is willing to do everything for her baby boy! I love you and I will say it over and over and over again till the day I die! You have given me life which is the greatest gift ever! You have helped me develop talents that I know God has wanted me to develop! I owe a portion of my life to you because you have helped me become the person I am today! ❤❤❤❤❤ I love you.

 

Mad Skills!

Goodbyes!

 

Week 40- Mother's Day is 6 Days away

Hey mom another great week! I will start off by saying I'm being transferred all the way back down to Parker In the Parker South Stake as a zone leader!! They made me a zone leader! Holy Cow even more responsibility! The Lord trust me!!! I'm so excited because I get to be with Elder Heiner, who I served with in Brighton. He was my district leader there! It's going to be a good transfer lets just say! I love that Elder! Elder Bailey is taking over my position as district leader! He is excited about that!

Now for more important news! Cam is still on for his baptism.   His wife is very interested alsoand has set a date later! Cam and Jasmine are awesome! They literally keep every commitment we leave and then ask for more throughout the week because they want to read more! Cam told us in our lesson that he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and this is the right and true church! He already is making plans for his father to come down from New Mexico to baptize him! His wife is a struggling alcoholic and we are making plans to get her to a addiction recovery class but she hasn't taken a drink for a week and a half which is long time for her! They came to church again and love everybody there! The Roundy's are their main fellow shippers. Brother Roundy is a character in the movie forever strong! We tease him about it all the time! So they are going to get baptized bottom line and it has honestly changed their lives completely! Cam sent us a long text last night saying we have blessed his life so much and that he knows we are going about doing god's work! He says we given so much hope for his family including his wife! It just gives me the reassurance that we are going about doing Heavenly Fathers work and I'm so glad he trusts his sons to help assist it. It is humbling! 

This week I got to play the organ in church and bear my testimony! I'm getting a lot more comfortable up on the stand when speaking and I'm glad Heavenly Father is loosening my tongue. It was a nice last Sunday! I'm going to miss Westminster and the people here! I know I have planted a lot of seeds so that makes me happy! I worked hard and gave it all I had! and now I'm no longer on a bike! I'm driving a mini van! The only mini van in the mission! A mom car if you will! oh well, at least not a bike! 

This mission is going by fast.  It really has been the greatest thing I have ever done

Anyway a little short today, I'm going to try to figure out whats happening with face time! I don't know because I will be in a new area.   I'm going to email Elder Heiner so let me get back to you soon...

So He said sometime after 4:00 our time.  I will have someone email or text you the exact time I promise. 

I loved the videos and pictures!

Love,
Elder Brown

Week 39- This Week Was Lit

I'm joking Mom your not a year over 50! kidding  you're not a day over.....well what do you want to hear lets go with 36 , ten years younger....bingo! Was that your birthday wish because you don't need it because you're beautiful as you are! I love you mom!

Well the week was great.   Cam Blodsoe is about 26 married and has a 17 month old son! He was a referral from his dad who just converted about 4 years prior! His dad said Cam might want to hear the message but hasn't ever talked to him about it so it was all a hit or miss! Elder Bailey and I went over with the Bishop and we set up a return appointment with him and he said he was actually really excited to meet! The first lesson we had was at the church with Brother Roundy who is the 2nd counselor in the bishopric who is only 29! He is a stud and was a captain on the BYU rugby team for 4 years and won state champs 4 years in a row! He has only lost 6 games in his whole career! anyway enough about him... Cam came to the church for his lesson and it was a fire lesson! Probably the best lesson so far! At the end we asked him to be baptized and without hesitation he said yes!  and  he said "its not a matter of if I get baptized its a matter of when." He said I have been searching for "10 years for the true church and I know this one is true...I think I found my church" we are so excited for his date! He is so ready and he has been prepared for sure by the Lord! Now I'm not saying its smooth sailing from here but I know he can be ready! He is progressing super well and we are all excited!

Then there is Anthony! Elder Reynolds and I tracted into his mom last transfer and was never able to get in contact with her. Elder Bailey and I were in the area one day and planned to stop by! Her son Anthony opened the door and came outside so the dogs couldn't get out! We taught him on the door step,  set up a return appointment and he showed up.  We taught him about ordinances like baptism and asked him to be baptized and he said yes as well but hold on it gets better! After the invite we really weren't sure how committed he was! We set up a return appointment for this past Tuesday.   We had the lesson by the pool in the apartment complex which was weird....can't swim! We were teaching him the plan of salvation and could tell he was out of it!  In this moment I had one of the best learning experiences on my mission! We had set plans and I kept looking down at my planner between my legs because it was all mapped out! I looked up and thought to myself Anthony's mind is elsewhere, he is getting ready to go to a friends house and the things we are teaching aren't sinking in.   Elder bailey then just finished talking and it was my turn, In that moment I really thought about in my head what is Anthony thinking in his head as we are teaching him, what does he need? I paused ignored my plans and started to feel the spirit guide me to this inspired question. Anthony, why did you decide to be Christian and why do you chose now to follow Christ?  He paused and said "I have been needing to tell you guys this.....Just recently I have been going through depression! I'm not in the best situation right now and the night before you guys showed up I was thinking about driving off the road because I didn't understand why I was here and if God was real why am I suffering like this. I drove home crying and fell asleep in my bed  praying and asking if God was there and if he cared to even help me.  It was a desperation moment. I then woke up to a knock on my door, I didn't want to answer the door but I did anyway, next thing you know 2 Mormon missionaries showed up at my door telling me that they cared about me and that if he prays to know if things are true God will show him!" He told us in our lesson that we were an answer to his prayer and he knew that God was real and that he cared and that he wanted to be baptized because he knows it will change his life! After that the rest of lesson went 100% by the spirit and we didn't even teach from the planner! Elder Bailey and I were just so happy that he told us all his concerns and we then knew where his commitment level was! As you care about the people around you and ask question that stimulate deep concerns you can teach according to their needs and desires! So let me tell you that his last week has been awesome and has showed me that God prepares people and our job is to find them and teach them according to their needs not our needs!  

Today we went to the temple and  I got to see elder Reynolds.  We went to deseret book and talked there for a little bit after the Temple! I was so happy to see him! and your going to be mad I had to spoil myself a little, I dropped money on your card and 2 piano books.   I'm sorry I just loved the songs in the book and I want to add some songs  to my repertoire! I can send you some videos of me playing!   Love you haha.....sorry!  Temple trip means pday is on Wednesday.   sorry I forgot to tell you last pday

I love my area.  I have found so much happiness just in the skills I continue to learn and my abilities to handle situations!  I have found a lot of confidence in myself that I didn't have before! There is tons more for me to work on but an attitude switch in transfer 4 has made me more teachable meaning I have become more like a sponge! Any insight I get I can soak it right up!   Elder Bailey and I never get comfortable with where we are at and really nit pick at the things we can work on and hold ourselves accountable to! Honestly the mission has been teaching me skills that I think will really help me through the rest of my life! My patriarchal blessing is starting to be fufilled! The mission keeps getting better and better!

A little update on transfer info! They think I'm leaving and becoming a zone leader or staying as district leader or moving to be a district leader somewhere else! We will see what happens this Monday because that's when we get the scoop! I wish I will stay one more transfer! oh and this Saturday I will be baptizing this little 9 year old kid! I had to interview 2 kids this week as part of  my assignments as district leader! Ones  name was Kailai, this little girl who is so cute! so I got to see her get baptized! Tyson is getting baptized this Saturday... I'm excited to perform the ordinance.   I'll let you know how it goes on Monday!

There is so many people to thank and I have like no time left! Tell everyone I am so glad that I have so many people supporting me it means a lot because I know so many missionaries that don't have that! It boosts my confidence and makes me feel loved!  Tell  everyone I love them and wish them all the best of luck in their endeavors!

Man I love you all so much and this is it for this week.  Just keep me posted on everything that's going on at home and life.  I love it all.   it makes me happy to hear about my awesome family! Love you all!

Elder Brown