August 27, 2012

FAMILIA Y AMIGOS!!!!!!

Oh man I just want to start out and tell you all how much I love you all. Man I grew up surrounded by greatness like that book by Chad lewis. Wow thanks for all the birthday wishes I am so greatful to all who have thought of me and supported me all through out my mission so far. Sis. Noris thanks for the birthday gift. As well as any one else who sent their love or anything of the sort haha. I am just so full of love for all of you I don´t even know how to explain it.

Well for some of the questions. First off my companion Elder Jensen was born big, meaning that he came already prepared and experienced, ha! First off he speaks Spanish as good as me haha. He took 3 years of Spanish including AP, as well as all his bros (3 of them) speak Spanish. He has so much excitement for the work. I have no doubt that I got the best kid of the batch of like 20 that got here ha. We are going to do some great things here in Calle Calle together. Mom yes I did get that card from Aunt Vicky THANKs but no I have got nothing from that art place which really really bums me out. I hope it gets here somehow. District leader is going well. I havn´t done much but taken the numbers from my district and called them for any news. Dad we are just 4 in my district we are small. We are a small zone we are 14 in our zone with 3 districts Elder Anderson being one of the other district leaders. We have like 12 zones in the mission, some bigger then others. Every thing is going super well here. That is so funny mother that you met Emily Heath. If you see her again you will have to tell her hi. I can´t believe that I am getting so old. Ha, it's crazy I don´t know what to do.

Alright so I have so much to tell you all and so little time to do it. So on Tuesday we got a call from the zone leaders saying that we needed to go to the bus station at 6 to pick up two other elders who were going to stay the night with us, and then me and those two were going to go to Osorno together to go get our children ha. So since we had another elder with us that day Elder Burgos because his comp. He had to leave for his cambio early since he was going to the office. Me and Elder Burgos went to the bus station while Elder Contreras stayed with Abraham to go say bye to all the members and investigadors. So we get to the bus station and low and behold guess what two elders were waiting for me there. My great buddy E. Sprenkle from my first zone and even crazier E. Rytting who graduated with me at Timp and we played football together for awhile. It was a joyous reunion to say the least. I was so happy. So we went back to the house and split up and worked 3 companionships in our little sector. I went with E. Rytting. We were remembering all sorts of memories ha. Even better we found a new investigator, a girl of 12 and all her family are members except her. We challenged her to be baptized and she said yes. It was awesome. Who would have thought or imagined when me and Elder Rytting were sitting in high school class talking together, or out at football practice chatting, that we would be walking together as missionaries working for the Lord challenging people to be baptized. How awesome is that. Wow it was cool. We woke up at 5 to get to Osorno at 9 for our meeting. We met there with all the greenies and trainers and had a little meeting about the training program. But story doesn´t end there. As we were finishing up eating completos, who shows up? All the elders that were dying and going home, which means. E. Nelson. Coria, Purser, and Turner. Wow it was so awesome to be able to see all those guys. We talked for a good amount of time and reminisced a lot. Thats not it. I asked President if he would let me take a little hop over to Rahue to visit my converts and he said yes but to keep it on the down low. So me and Elder Jensen headed over there and I was so happy to be able to see some of my converts and share my love for them and encourage them to work for the temple. Wow what a blessing. Then we came back here to Calle Calle and got to work. Now here we are and everything is going great. We are going to do some big time miracles here and Elder Jensen is just super excited to go out and work. Tomorrow I will doing the class for my district in district meeting we will see how that goes. Well that's about all I got. I sure love you all. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes. Everyone wants me to come over to their house to eat on my birthday, so hopefully we can still get some work done. Love you all.
Love,
Elder Brown

Britt, Wade,
Ha Wade that story about the music from EFY made me laugh so hard because I know that is exactly how it will be for me to after the mish ha thats so funny. I sure do love the mish though. Thats to bad about the leg. Sounds like the fam just keeps growing like crazy though. I can barely believe it. Bridger is talking a bit and looks huge. Blake seems like his personality just keeps growing. I sure do love those kids.
Love,
Elder Brown

Jenna,
Hey just send me that address when you get it. I still haven´t been able to send your letter sorry I am almost done though ha I might send yours and Maryn's together to if that's ok.


Love,
Elder Brown

1. 3 generations
2. There is my child
3. So many dying elders I can´t believe it

Nachito los colores eran azul oscuro, verde, y gris

August 20, 2012

Querido Familia y Amigos,

WOW, do I have some news for you all! Before I tell you guys about the week, I first have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my awesome Dad. I sure do love you Dad, you are still super joven (young) so don't even worry about it. I love you so much Dad. I can honestly say that the person that I am right now is thanks to the things that my Dad taught me, and of course, my mother. I can remember so many times being sent to my room for fighting and then 15 minutes later hearing my Dads footsteps coming down the hall to have a chat with me. Dad, you taught me so many things that maybe I didn't realize then, but things that I would use here in the mission and I am sure for the rest of my life. Many times here in the mission my thoughts went back to those times when you taught me important things that I have tried my best to apply here in the mission. I am so greatful for your humble, loving example to me Dad. My whole life I have always wanted to be like my Dad. Just like the one time we went hunting together and I had to wear camoflage just like you, and I just slightly remember a time when we went to hunt and I was following behind you with my little plastic bow and looking up to see my huge Dad with his huge bow and just having the desire to be just like you. I am so grateful for you Dad, and I am grateful that you were born on Friday 53 years ago, ha.

Well, I guess I should probably tell you about the cambios (transfers). President called Saturday to tell Elder Contreras to pack up because he was changing to across the street, haha. He is changing from zone Calle Calle to zone Valdivia, haha. They are right next to each other. He is going to be district leader there. Then the phone was passed to me. President said, "well, you're going to be District leader there in Calle Calle now". He said it was going to be a little more responsibilty for me, but that he knew I could do it. Then after saying that he told me that I will be receiving a fresh one straight from the factory, haha. I am going to be a Dad! Ha, I am actually really excited to train a new guy. His name is Elder Jensen. I think and he is from California. It's going to be great and we are going to work our little bums off and work some miracles here in Calle Calle. I am looking forward to a lot of hard times, but with that, a lot of chances to progress and grow. So bring on the growing experiences, I am all about learning now ha. So that is my news for this week. The work was a little tuff this week with no one who showed up to the church again. But we are just going to help them understand the importance of commitments.

Mother, with all the things that you are telling me I feel like the whole world is changing back there at home. First, that all those girls that seemed so young to me are now headed off to college, that Zane is going to be driving Caiden to HIGH SCHOOL, Hannah Hill is getting married, friends are getting home from missions soon!!!!!!!!!! Oh WOW, what has happened with the time. I can't believe it. My world is changing like crazy. I will just stick to the mission life though. I don't have to worry about anything else but the work of the Lord. There is nothing better.

For your questions mother: We go to bed at 11 p.m., a little different from other missions. Yes, I sleep good because, yes, we walk a ton!!!! I have not seen any package yet. I felt great the whole week ha. I don't know what has happened with my body, but all is well now. I got letters from Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Kristi with the wedding invitation of Dalton. I can't believe it!!! So many changes. Also, a letter from Sister Thomas in therapy. I thank them all for their letters, and really, I have felt the strength of the prayers of many on my behalf and to hear from so many people words of encouragement just makes me want to work even harder. I sure do love this work. I am so very thankful for everyone who remembers me in their prayers and sends me words of strength. Please keep those prayers coming because I am going to need a lot of help from on high these next two cambios here as Disrtict leader and trainer. I love you all so very much.
Love,
Elder Brown

Britt and Caiden, thanks for the emails, but I am running out of time. I sure do love you all. I can't believe Caiden has now entered high school. Thanks for the thought Britt, it was awesome.

Maryn,
Thanks for the email. I read the whole thing and I will send your letter as fast as I possibly can. I loved hearing from you.
Love,
Elder Brown

Jenna,
OK, I will just send the letter to Maryn then. Thanks for telling me, Hope all is well.
Love,
Elder Brown

1. Those are little fruit snacks that are shaped like dolphins called flipys. Elder Contreras is addicted and now I am starting to be too.
2. Family Mancilla, they are members and we have family nights with the sometimes. They're great.

August 13, 2012

Hola lo major familia y amigos en todo el mundo,

Wow, I am going to tell the truth and say that this week was a tuff one, but ended really good and all is well. I will tell you more about that later in the email. First things first. Sounds like it was a busy week trying to make things work there in the kitchen and booting Lacee out of the house, ha. Dad has always been good at finding a way to make things work. It was super good to see pics of football. I sure do love that game. Caiden is tight end now huh!!!! That is cool. He should just move to defensive end then as well, ha. It's the best spot on the field. He would have to gain a lot of weight though, ha. I can't believe school is going to start so soon, that is so crazy, little lurp nation Caiden is going to be going to high school. I can't believe how time flys and people grow.

Well, now for some of your questions mother. I don't remember High School being all that much of a change. Caiden, it has all to do with whether you are willing to put in your part and work. If you do that, High School will be a breeze, as well as you will learn a lot. It's all about doing the work that you are asked to do. So DO WORK! Mom, to send letters it is the same address. I would love to send my card home with Elder Nelson, but I have no idea how I would get it to him in this next week. It would be pretty tuff. I am not sure if I could do it. I have no idea about the cambios, we should know by next Monday. I can't remember any of the other questions, sorry.

Well, now to tell you about the week. First thing that happened was pretty crazy. So, Tuesday after district meeting we did an intercambio. Our district leader came with me to my sector and E. Contreras went with the comp of the district leader to his sector. We did that and I was with E. Trejo. We went and ate lunch and then as we were going to leave the house E. Trejo got a call. It was President Rappleye. He called to tell E. Trejo that he was going to be part of an emergency transfer and was going to a new sector to be Branch President. He was going to die he was so nervous, it was funny. So we had to change back to our normal companionships so that Elder Trejo could pack because he left the next day. The problem was our district was left without a leader, but right after the phone call to Elder Trejo our phone rang and it was President Rappeye. He told me he was going to call E. Contreras as district leader and that I needed to help and support him to do a good job. I was really happy to hear that because I have wanted to see E. Contreras progress really badly and I had been trying all I could to help him do so. Well, I have seen a change in my companion since he was called. He has been working harder and has begun to forget more of himself and go to work. I am so happy to see it. It was just the kick in the pants that he needed, ha. Well, for the rest of the week it was really tuff. We are struggling to find more people to teach. But, we are working hard and we will keep doing so and we will find people to baptize because for that reason we are here. I don't know what happened to my body since I got to Calle Calle, but Friday I must have ate something bad and Saturday my stomach was sick. We went to a meeting with the Zone leaders to talk about being a leader and I had to leave now and then to throw up in the bathroom, ha. But by night I was all good eating, empanadas that Abraham's grandma gave us ha. It was just the beggining of the day that was bad. I am all good once again, ha. We finished off the week very good though, with 2 INVESTIGATORS at church POR FIN (Finally)! Ha, it was great. I love having people in church. Mariluz and Lidia (grandma of Abraham) went to church and I was so happy. Good way to finish off the week.

Well family, I sure do love you all. One thing that I have learned this week... well, actually I always knew it, I just never applied, but Dad always told me this. The way we react to situations and other people has nothing to do with others, but everything to do with oursleves. We choose whether to get mad, annoyed, or frustrated. Others don't make us do it. It's our choice. With people, with problems, with trials, it's all the same. We choose how we act - no one else chooses for us. So, if we don't like to be mad - don't get mad. If you don't like to feel annoyed - don't get annoyed. I feel like I learn deep complex doctrines, but really, I just come to understand the simple things that my parents always told me. Ha, it's like uncovering simple doctrines that make all the difference. I sure do love you all.
Con mucho amor y con todo kariño y respeto, (With much love and with complete love and respect) (This is what the drunks always say to us before asking for something, haha)
Elder Brown

Britt,
I just love your little boys ha. I can't get enough of them and hearing about what they say and do ha. I love you so much and your fam.
Love,
Elder Brown

Jenna,
Thanks for the email. You need to send me your new address so I don't send your letter to the wrong direction. Do it fast so I can send the letter fast. I am glad you got to go visit my wonderful fam and see the great truck as well. Thanks for the pics.
Love,
Elder Brown

1. This is a white board I carry around in my back pack to teach, ha, and that is a picture that a member kid drew of me while I was teaching him english haha.

August 6, 2012

Hola Familia y Amigos,

Como le ha ida? Todo bien aqui en calle calle. I have just got to say right now.... hahahahaha, that picture of Blake in the back yard relieving himself made me laugh so hard. That's my nephew right there, a true boy. I was glad to hear that, because before my mission he wouldn't even do boy things, ha, like instead of playing ball with me having a tea party. I am so proud of that little guy. It's amazing how mom was laughing. She really would have sent a big whap to my little bare bottom! Haha, love you mom. The pic is so funny!

Ok, now for the mother's questions. No, I have not got the thing from Brittany still, but maybe tomorrow. That's when we usually get mail. Mother, I cannot believe that it has been 300 days! It has gone by way too fast and that is crazy and kinda sad. Yes, I am getting to know the family of Mamita really well. She has lots of kids, some inactive, so that is not too good. She has a 15 year old girl, a 16 year old boy, 2 older kids that sometimes live at her house. They are both inactive and both have one kid. Those two little kids are my favorite. I always play with them. They say that the little girl who is like two is my girlfriend because she likes to play with me, haha. Mamita has one older son who lives in northern Chile. Yeah, I love President Rappleye, he is so awesome. He always teaches me tons when I get to talk to him. I don't know what is going to happen this next transfer. All I know is the mission is going to change a lot. 15 elders are going home, including two of my compsanions, E. Purser and E. Turner, as well as my buds E. Nelson and E. Coria. Then, like 20 elders are coming. Things are going to be changing up a lot. Yeah, I am eating well and everything. I take my vitamins, when I remember ha, and I write in my journal everyday without fail. I love to do that! We can drink water where ever we want. Sometimes we even drink from the gutter, haha, just kidding. The water is good here.

I can't believe that Lacee is headed to school so soon. That was fast. It's even crazier that she will be done with school. I have a lot of that ahead of me ha. Everyone is getting married!! Now Acacia, ha that is so crazy. Tell Emily to wait till I get home. I sure do love those Olympics. It's too bad I can't see them. Everyone here is watching them. As we walked by a house I saw a glimpse of the shotput! I was like, NO WAY! I had to start walking faster to not get pegged to the TV.

Well, for a little bit about this week. We focused a lot on getting people to come to church this week. We had 4 people who were commited to go. We went to go get one of them before church. But, he had been partying all night and was asleep. In the end no one showed up. That has been the hardest part for us in this sector. We will keep working hard though until we get someone there. I keep thinking to myself, ya it's hard but all the more sweet when we can see someone get baptized. I sure do miss those white clothes. It was a tuff week this week. Friday I was up all night and I started to shake with the chills and couldn't stop. At about 4 in the morning Elder Contreras woke up to go to the bathroom and I asked him for a blessing. I was able to sleep for the next three hours. Then, for the next two days my head and body hurt so bad. I have no idea how that happened, but I am back to healthy and working my bum off again. I am so very greatful for the chance to have hard times, so I can grow. I sure have seen a lot of that this past two cambios and I am so thankful for that. I feel like my spiritual tuffness, and callouses are growing, haha. I can sum all that I learned this week into a few sentances, Keep on keepin' on, when the going gets tuff the tuff get going, and the best thing for your self interest is to forget yourself. I sure do love you family.
Love,
Elder Brown

Lacee,
Wow, you are so old - going into your last year of school, haha just kidding. I can't believe it. Oh, you are so lucky that you will be amongst football soon ha. I love that game. Love you
Love,
Elder Brown

Caiden,
I am glad you had a good activity. I sure love those things. Keep on working hard now with football and do some work. I can't believe you will be going into high school, ha that's crazy.
Love,
Elder Brown

Britt and Wade,
What?? That is way too bad that Wade broke his foot! Sorry my man. That is no fun. But hey, right in time for the olympics! What great timing, an excuse to watch more, ha, if Britt lets you get away with that one.  I love to hear the funny stories about the boys, it cracks me up. I sure love your family. Thanks for always remembering me.
Love,
Elder Brown

1 We made sopiapillas and pizza one day for a family night with some members and inactive members. I learned how to do it.
2. Thats pretty much just me and Elder Contreras