Week #5--August 17, 2015

I just want to begin by letting you all know that I love you. I feel your prayers, I feel your support. And more important than that, your Heavenly Father loves you. He's spent years and years and year creating you, teaching you, and getting to know you before you even came to this earth. And he wants nothing more than to see you succeed, and to see you return to him. His love is infinite, his knowledge is infinite, and his gospel is infinite.

Now as for the week: The work is picking up! I don't know if I mentioned this before, but Elder Russell and I are both new to the area. (It's called whitewashing) and the Elder's before us (Awesome Elders) were also over the Young Adult ward AND they were zone leaders, so their efforts were a little spread out. But after 3 weeks of exact obedience to the best of our abilities, we are seeing really incredible blessings! This last sunday was such a pick me up, because we had tons of Less Actives come that we were working with, some investigators, and even a woman who just showed up, lives in our area, and wants to learn more and be baptized! Exact obedience brings miracles brothers and sisters!

By exact obedience I suppose I should expound. One: That would not have been my first instinct, and I owe so much of what I've learned from my incredible trainer, Elder Russell. But he talks about getting up 5 minutes early so that you can be legitimately awake by 6:30, literally eating up the white handbook, every day getting rid of the smallest pieces of disobedience and other things like that. We'll end up at our apartment complex after a very long day at around 8:50. We need to be in at 9:00. So what do we do? We go bike around and meet people for 10 minutes before returning as we are prompted. Things like this have shown us the tender mercies of the Lord.

But Holy Moroni it was hot. Like freakishly hot. And we had so much biking to do. Every door we got to, people were shocked that we were biking in the heat we were in. But that didn't stop us! We had a message to share and lives to save! And souls still need salvation when it's 108 degrees outside! No exceptions!

We have one investigator who is 15, (I may have mentioned him) and is the sweetest kid you'll meet. He melts my heart every time we teach him. But he has a really hard home life, and it crushes me.

We also are teaching these two kids who are really interested but their parents are less active, and we go teach them and they're kind, and loving, and fun... And their parent's won't stop putting them down! One kid plays football and I asked what position he plays, and his dad yells from the kitchen: "Left bench! He can't play football!" The look of discouragement on his face killed me.

Brother's and sisters, especially friends of mine who will be parents in the next 5-10 years, don't put down your children. I am blessed to have parents who are very supportive of everything I try, even the silly things! They cheer me on, and praise me after every performance and always have. They're honest with their critiques, and help me as I strive to improve, but always happy and never put me down. Even on days when I got nothing but put downs all day from friends and others and even teachers, I always relied on my parents to cheer me up and make me feel important.

BE THOSE KINDS OF PARENTS! I can't wait to be! Forget my hobbies, my kids will be my hobby. I realize that parenthood is a ways a way from me, and there's that whole marriage AFTER my mission thing I've got before I get a baby, but still. It's the concept that I'm preparing now to be a father worthy of my children. Someone that is worthy of taking on the role of raising a Child of Heavenly Father. That's what it's all about.

I love learning about the gospel, and it's so cool to study. A young woman asked. "Is it true that you can read the Book of Mormon multiple times and get something new out of it?" I responded by telling her that you could read the Book of Mormon an infinite amount of times and learn more each time. Because God is infinite, anything he creates must be infinite. Otherwise he would no longer be completely infinite and would therefor cease to be God. I told her how Elder Bednar has talked about how he has read it cover to cover well over 1,000 times, not to mention studying it for specific passages and specific scriptures. And why on earth would he continue to read it if he wasn't continually learning.

That's pretty cool isn't it?

Well, I've preached a lot. And it all seemed to have a bit more of a solemn note, so I apologize if you were searching for something very funny.

The Church is true. It has to be true. There's no other way. There is too much proof I see every day to say otherwise. If you have not had that witness yet, and don't know how to receive it let me draw for you the simple equation: Read the Book of Mormon + Pray about it= witness. It's literally that easy. It's a gospel simple enough for children and complex enough that gospel scholars spend their whole lives just trying to scratch the surface.

I love you all and pray for you daily. 

I feel your prayers and appreciate them.
Write me and I'll write you back

The Church IS true.

Week #4--August 10, 2015

Well goodness gracious I feel overwhelmed with gratitude! I am so grateful for all of your beautiful encouraging words that I received today! I am so blessed to have wonderful supportive friends and family. I want you all to know that I love you all incredibly. Almost as much as I love this gospel. But like.... I think you guys will have to enjoy the silver medal on that one. Because at this rate, the standings aren't changing. ;)

I found out that I come home 23 months from today, July 10 2017. This first month FLEW by. And I hear it just keeps going faster which kind of scares me. But luckily I have plenty of time to continue to do this.

This work is beautiful, can I just say that? I get to spend 16 hours a day talking to people I've never met, people who are struggling, people who are so unique, people who are in such terrible ruts and I get to be a tool in the Lords hands and assist them in coming to Christ. All day. Every day. I can't express to you the unspeakable joy that comes. If anything, I think I love these random people I've hardly said a word to too much. Just yesterday, a security guard got mad at us for biking in a no bike gated community, (We didn't know, I promise. We obey all the laws and rules we know about) Elder Russell and I started talking to him and what was originally a warning to leave the premises turned into a 90 minute discussion about his struggles and how Christ can help him, and he agreed to meet with the missionaries in his area.

Saturday, we went to see a less active who we called but she gave us the wrong apartment number. (We think it was on purpose) So we knock on this guy in a wheelchair's door and he invites us in. 2 hours of talking about the restoration.

I am so blessed to be here! To be a part of this work! To be immersed in the spirit! And Elder Russell is probably the biggest blessing I could have asked for. He knows so much about the gospel. Like, so much. He tells me all these beautiful things, and we discuss all these advanced doctrines and EVERYTHING denotes to the fact that there is a God, that Jesus is our Savior and that Joseph Smith restored Christ's one true full gospel. It's incredible.

This last Sunday, while we were teaching Gospel Principle's, (A simpler class for Recent Converts) a sister talked about her experience with the book of mormon that stood out to me. She said she was never very big on the book of mormon because there were always a million things stopping her from reading it. She kept asking for, and expecting, the blessings that come from reading it fervently and consistently but wouldn't get them. She realized then that she was asking for the wrong thing. And this is the key part:

Rather than asking for the blessings of reading, SHE ASKED FOR THE HUNGER.

She wanted so badly to want to read the scriptures, and so that's what her goal became. And she read it everywhere. She replaced music in the car with the Book of Mormon audio book, free time she cut out TV time and kept reading because she wanted to SO badly. Keep in mind, this woman is going to school part time, and has a big family that she is the mother of. So she already has a ton on her plate. But she ended up reading the whole thing in 24 days. Yep. 24 days. Because she hungered for the words of Christ.

It reminds me of when I was in the 7th grade and would pray (This a sad but true story) to wake up one day buff. Like, ripped. And many times, we all ask for shortcuts. But in all actuality, we should be praying and asking for that hunger. I should have been praying for the hunger to exercise, just like this awesome Sister.

I encourage all of you to pray and seek that same hunger in all worthy aspects of your life. OUR GOD IS NOT A GOD OF SHORTCUTS. He never has been. He never will be. Because we cannot receive eternal and celestial glory through shortcuts. It will be through hard work and obtaining the hunger and desire to do good. And unlike hunger for food (Which comes quite naturally for fat guys like me) our hunger for spiritual blessing will not come naturally. We hunger for the blessings but not the process required for attaining them. That is where we seek worldly and earthly things to satisfy that hunger. And for a moment we appeared satisfied.

But once you've experienced a fine rib-eye stake, a McDouble just doesn't taste that good! Sure it takes more effort to grill up some quality cut meats, and a lot more effort than sitting in the drive through and it may seem from the outside that the reward of nourishment is basically the same

BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME. We cannot expect that spiritual nourishment from worldly things. Period. End of story.

Well, off my soapbox. I hope that strange, greasy metaphor made some sort of sense.

I love this work, brothers and sisters. How many times can I say it? A lot. Because it's true. As true as the church. Which means 100%. Because the church is 100% true. 

Week #3--August 3, 2015

So! I'm here! In my first area with my trainer! I was assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga Terra Vista Ward, and my trainer is Elder Russell. But I'll get to him later. 

       First off, I'm in love. I didn't think I could enjoy anything as much as I enjoyed the MTC, but that is just not the case! On Tuesday I met Elder Russell and we drove out to our area, (Which is right next to the mission home) and got our bikes. We live at the top of a big hill, and all the people we meet are at the bottom. It's really funny talking to other missionaries with cars, (Because like 80% do) and they say things like "Wait... They're making you Terra Vista on bike?" It's brutal. I suppose it didn't really hit me how exhausting biking up hill for 2-4 miles in 105 degree weather with a white shirt, tie and slacks 2-3 times a day would be until we started doing it. But I'm picking it up fast and getting in shape really fast. 

             The other thing about the area is it's mostly apartment complexes. There's like 30-40 complexes in our area. And that's a lot considering they all have about 200 apartments. (You do the math. I'm too tired to try) But that means we have a lot of really cool energetic young adults in our ward! And lot's of tracting (Knocking on doors) to be done. 

               Crime is higher than I expected. Our lights and water bottles got stolen the first day and we were in a gated community! An investigators friend got jumped by an armed hoodlum group in the middle of the day right outside his apartment while we were teaching a lesson, there's certain areas of town we're not allowed to go near past 7:00.... It's freaking awesome! And Heavenly Father just keeps pouring his blessings on my companion and I. 

            There are 2 cool shopping centers nearby with a great 99 cent store and a target and nice restaurants, and there's a gym in our complex where we work out every morning. Alright. Now that I got that boring stuff out of the way, let's chat BUSINESS:

Elder Russell has already become one of the most influential people I've ever met. When I met him he looked like a stuck up missionary with a comb-over, but I couldn't have been more wrong. He is extremely down to earth and knows what he's doing. He's been out 18 months, is from Grantsville Utah, and is also majoring in commercial music! How cool is that? So we sing everywhere we go. Hymns, primary songs, we write spiritual spoofs of other songs, it's a party.

AND HE KICKS MY BUTT. He doesn't really allow break time, nor does he allow nap time, slack off time, nothing. We get up at 6:30 and kick it into high gear until 10:30. No breaks. He bikes a million miles an hour, and makes me keep up with him, and has cut our allotted lunch time in half because that extra half hour he wants to spend proselyting. At first I was thinking "I'm done for" But the spirit is so strong with him and with us as a companionship as we do our best to remain exactly obedient. ALL THE TIME. His philosophy is that a missionary is defined by how he spends his time from 6:30 in the morning until 10:00, so we don't miss a beat. But he's still super nice about it and leads more by powerful/forceful example. 

We've planned and are working on a musical fireside at the end of this month. We're arranging songs and writing talks based on the Plan of Salvation with an emphasis on the Atonement. We hope to do more if it goes well and we get a lot of non members there. 

It's awesome being so involved with the ward. We teach lessons during church, meet tons of nice people, get offers of referrals and things like that from everyone. I think my favorite part is working with the ward so closely. 

We were whitewashed into this area, which means neither of us have served here and don't really know where to go for investigators. There were a few notes from the Elder's before us, but they didn't really pan out. We had hopes for a woman named Cori, but when we met with her we found out that she was a 57 year old with a 14 year old girl's personality. She just whined about her fiancee the whole time, and talked about makeup and clothes.... to missionaries... And found weird ways to go from the Restoration and Joseph smith to Mary Kay.... Yeah. That was an hour I'm never getting back. 

But now for the cool stories. We were tracting one day and this huge african american boy from georgia comes out of nowhere, excited out of his mind. Apparently last fall he had been meeting with missionaries and wanted to be baptized but when he moved out to California, he had lost all contact, and didn't know where to find us. Teaching him has been so cool and his spirit is so strong. He's still struggling to follow up with commitments, but we think if we can get him fellow shipped by some boys in the ward, he'll start coming. He committed to baptism for the end of this month.

Then Saturday came, and we were supposed to go very far west to meet some less actives. But after dinner, Elder Russell felt prompted to go to the very south east corner (Like 5-6 miles away down hill) to visit a less active. This was an area we had avoided because of the enormous journey it would take to get there so I said "Well Elder Russell, he'd better be there and we'd better change his life" This was, of course, an extremely selfish and foolish thing for me to say and I have since repented and followed my companions promptings with much more faith.

 

So we made the extensive journey down, and GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?!?

No one was home. 

Boy I tell you, I was not happy. In fact in the words of Elder Russell. "Wow, you know I've never seen you so grumpy Elder Brown" I then replied. "We have to bike back, and we got nothing done! And you're not even the fat one!" So we started back up and he felt prompted to visit some SUPER less active who was never home in a nearby complex. (Don't get your hopes up she wasn't home either) but while we were in the parking lot we were stopped by someone else. 

You have to understand, here in Rancho EVERYONE is a born again Christian, and there are TONS of bible bashers. Like, tons. Most people want nothing to do with us. So this guys pulling us aside was weird. 

He asked us to pray with him, so we did and started teaching him about the Restoration and his countenance changed completely. The spirit was so incredibly strong as we taught this man. Apparently he had just spent a few years in prison for manslaughter (That's a joke, I don't know what he was in for, but I figured I'd scare my mom) But he'd spent a few years in prison and he said he really wanted to change and become religious. He kept trying to describe what he was feeling, and I thought it was awesome! He was saying thing's like "It's like there's a rushing wind running through my body" "I can feel everything so much deeper" "I'm just happy but determined" "I can feel God telling me that meeting you was no coincidence." And things of that nature. We explained to him that this was the spirit testifying of truth. Then Elder Russell told the story of the first vision and recited verses 16 and 17, and holy cow. It was a powerhouse spirit. He started smiling and getting emotional, and I don't even remember the bike ride home being difficult at all.

I'm sure there's more I could say, but this is already too long. I love you all! Write me! Even if they're short! Just update me about your life! I'd love to hear about it and write you back! Church is true!

Week #2--July 27, 2015

So I have legit zero time today, they gave us like 10 minutes, so I'm just sending you a quick update. My real email will come next monday!

I'm finally here! And I'm so in love already. It's really gorgeous, I love my fellow missionaries that I've met and I love the President and his Wife. I arrived safely yesterday at around 4:10 California time, because our flight was delayed for a bit.

I haven't met my trainer yet, because President is still busy interviewing the other 28 missionaries that arrived here yesterday. There's 170 total in the mission.

Elders Paxton, Golden and I spent the night in the zone leaders apartment, and that was a cool intro to the area. 

But there wasn't any bedding, so I had to sleep with a bedazzled pillow and a pancho. Yep. A pancho. My leg kept getting stuck in the head hole during the night, and it was very uncomfortable. But it sure makes for a fun story. 

It's very hot down here. Like VERY hot. But luckily we've been in the mission home most of the time. 

Most missionaries have cars, which will be fun, but I was kind of looking forward to just biking the whole time. But I'll get over myself.

I've honestly never been happier in my life since coming here. Alma 26 keeps me going, because it gives me the goal of feeling like Ammon did when he came home with his companions. I know that I can't make it the whole 2 years alone, but through Christ and his help I can do all things. I'm so grateful for your comforting words, and your words of encouragement. I miss and love you all and will respond to you personally when I have more time. I promise. :) 

Church is true!

Here is a picture of me with all the newly arrived missionaries:

Week #1--July 23, 2015

Wow! I am so grateful for the outpouring of love I found on this account and the wonderful letters I have received with encouraging words and fun stories!

What an amazing week! I don't really know where to start! Getting dropped off was hard, and for a few seconds I wasn't sure if I'd made the right decision. But that thought has not crossed my mind since. I have never been happier and more in tune with myself and the spirit than I am right now in the MTC. And although I miss all of you, I can proudly say I am a member of the Lord's army, called to fight for him in California, and I can't wait to get there.

DAY 1: They throw you through this assembly line at a rapid pace giving you bags and books and your name tags, people dragging you all across campus and I was legit super scared. Then they toss you in a class room with your district, who are just a bunch of other scared and confused Elders and Sisters. No one really talks, except the teacher. But fun fact! Michael Avila's older brother is one of our two teachers! So that was cool. He's amazing. He knows so freaking much about the scriptures, and Preach My Gospel (PMG for short) that you can ask any question and he'll quote the reference, page, and relay the answer word for word. And they aren't easy questions.

My district is amazing and we've become best friends since we've met. I'll just give a brief description of them.

Elder Golden: My companion. Silent but Sassy.
Woops. I didn't finish but hit the wrong button. Let me start where I left.
Elder Golden: Legit didn't say more than 2 words the first few days. Like nothing. And then when we started getting to know eachother, I learned he is the funniest kid I know. He has the best on liners I've ever heard. Legit. They're a riot. He's also going to my mission

Elder Paxton: StereoTypical Rich Pretty boy who says the most controversial things. Everything that he says is funny because it is offensive to some group of people. But we love him. He is also going to my mission. And he has a girlfriend that he's "in love with" who's "waiting for him", but they met July 3.... Yep. 12 days before he came here.

Elder Carter: The genius. He knows so much. Wants to be a Doctor, and knows so much about EVERYTHING. He also tells everyone a bunch of useless facts but we've come to love him for it.

Elder Osborn: The spiritual Giant. He was very quiet as well at first, but has such a strong testimony it's amazing.

Elder Webber: The leader of the pack. Also him and I have become best friends. We plan on being roommates in college and that's a legitimate fact. He's so awesome. One of my favorite people ever.
These are also all 5 of my roommates so we have lots of fun. There are some sister too, but the only notable thing is that one companion ship is made up of a Liberal and Libertarian both going into Political Science and Debate and Law type things and they argue all the time and they have personalities that are exactly like Leslie and Ron swanson from community.

Our other teacher is Brother Savio and he's the most Christlike man I've ever met. Most people are indifferent towards their teachers, but not our district. We understand that we've been blessed with 2 of the greatest people we've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Lessons from them are true gifts from Heavenly Father.

The rest of the days sort of blur together. Although we had 2 missionaries who left this last Monday. One was this overly hyper funny guy named Elder Bozue, and the other was this dry laid back guy named Elder Flemming. Elder Flemming and I hit it off really well, and fun fact: He's got a full ride to ASU to play Defensive End. He's massive. And I can proudly say that I've played volleyball against a Division I athlete, got stuffed by him and got a spike from him straight to the crotch. I will cherish those things forever. It was sad when they left, but they'll do great in the field.

Sunday was amazing, and we got to watch a talk by Elder Bednar called: Character of Christ. It was the most influential thing I've ever seen. I'm not joking. It was so incredible. Unfortunately you are only able to watch it in the MTC, on sunday nights, but I think you can read it online. Not sure.

Every day we have hours of study time (Both personal and companion) 6 hours of classroom time, and hour of exercise time, and the rest of the time is spent teaching recent converts who pretend to be investigators. It's a cool experience because they're all (Mostly) Really great actors. Except on of mine and Elder Golden's investigators. He's an actual investigator. Played football at UNLV and has a mormon girlfriend. It's been very stressful for me trying to figure out what to say to him and how to help him. But it's brought me closer to God during the process.

I love how simple the Gospel has become for me. I spent a lot of time worrying about complicated specifics and advanced concepts, but here in the MTC we have to learn and teach from a basic level. And the gospel, at it's core, is so simple. I have found a lot of joy in the New Testament, especially the four gospels, and have spent most my study time in those books. I love learning about Christ and his atonement and teachings. Because truly, the Gospel is as simple as those basic teachings of Christ.

I don't have much time, and still have to write my parents, but that's the main jist of what went on! I leave monday! I'll try and send some pictures to you all soon. Church is true. I love you all and miss you. Stay strong. See you in 2!