Week 57-I Love This Church!!

 Yesterday President Savage called me and Elder Bird and gave a very warm compliment and I'm pretty humbled. He said, " Elders, I want to tell the both of you individually that you are the most unique, powerful missionary's and missionary companions in the mission. He said I received direct revelation that you and Elder Bird were supposed to be together and it was very clear that he had work for you to do. I'm impressed with your leadership, your kindness to others, the ideas you have to make the mission more effective, and the help you have given me and Sister Savage!"  I wish you could meet him he is a powerful man! 

okay since my email is long I'll type you my letter......

Let's talk about Ryan! Ryan has gone from believing in nothing, to believing in God in a months time. He has had multiple experiences that he has felt( from the holy spirit) that God is a real entity and that he lives in heaven and has a plan for us. This week we have been focusing a  ton on Jesus Christ and coming to know him better. His change has been absolutely visible. He looks happier, he talks openly at church to members, his social anxiety has diminished, and he is friendlier! These are visible changes that I have seen since the time we met him until now. I have been blown away and thankful to my God that helps his children in their lives make the necessary changes to have a happy healthier and more fulfilling life. Not only has Ryan changed but I have too. For Ryan I have never relied on the Lord so much. Everyday we would pray earnestly, fast and think about members that would be right for him. In return the Lord has guided me and my companion to say the right things and act on spiritual promptings when they come. My testimony of Christ and the power that comes when we access his atonement is so real!!! Ryan is set for baptism on the 23rd right now. He called a member the other day and told them how excited he is to be baptized. I really have never been happier for somebody then I have been for Ryan. This mission is getting better and better and my testimony has been growing deeper and deeper.....which hope  cometh of faith maketh and anchor to the soul...Ether can't put it any better. I have always had a testimony of God and Jesus Chirst.   I feel like that has been a blessing the Lord has provided me with. Before we were born we knew the Lord and had a testimony of his plan of salvation. Because we have chose to come down to earth we have accepted his plan. We talk a lot in the church about gaining a testimony but I have a different perspective. I haven't gained a testimony on the earth, I have remembered the testimony that I had before this life. The spiritual truths that have rung in my ear from day to day have had a familiar ring to them. That's because we are reminded of the testimony we had before our life here on earth. People members or not experience these familiar rings in their day to day lives. Ryan always recognized it as a "gut feeling," others have recognized it as "its just feels right." The problem.....they don't know what it is! The world try's to either one, get people to ignore it or two, try to interpret it as something that its not...the doctrine of men mingled with scripture! our job?? To sound it in people's ears and help them remember what it is by telling them through testimony what it actually is! It is beautiful! but many are called and few are chosen, meaning, only some decide to act on that "ring." I pray that everyone that encounters the missionaries and LDS's will recognize the ring for what it is and devote time and energy to put the puzzle pieces together. We have the mission puzzle pieces because this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and his restored church. The BOM is the latter day sickle and it is what adds the 2nd witness that Jesus is the Christ. It gives clarity to the bible and supports its teaching as well as insight on confused doctrine and interpretation. I hope that people take the challenge of Moroni and read it with their might and mind having a sincere heart and real intent. If they do they will unlock the blessings of the kingdom and their lives will change for the greater! Let me bare you my witness of these things by offering my simple testimony! 

God lives, Jesus is the Christ, and his gospel has been restored just like times of old through a modern day prophet. The BOM is the evidence of the restored gospel. I have read it. It is true and it changes lives as it has done mine. I love this church! I am anchored to the gospel! I will dedicate my life to helping those remember the joy and  happiness they have experienced before their lives on earth , on my mission and after for the rest of my life! There is nothing greater, amen.

-Elder Brown

 

 

 Look.....my hair is tamed I combed it this morning. My mission president said it is a tad too short on the sides. He said I know you want to look like me really bad but give it a fad vs giving it a hard line. So I can go short on the sides, I just can't completely buzz the sides. He had to tell a couple of missionaries that so its not just me. He said I'm not in trouble
(his response to his mom and dad chastisement to that↓)     

Mom I love you so much! I want you to know that I don't care about your nagging anymore,  you can nag me all you want as long as you stay in my life forever. I think about you a lot and when I get home I can't wait to give you the most sloppiest kiss ever. You don't know how much my love for you has grown deeper on my mission I love so much! I know the consequences are eternal nagging but we are an eternal family how great is that! I wonder if you will still nag in your resurrected body hehehe!

From Sister Simmons!! She thought he was handsome