Family and Friends,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This week was fun even though there was nothing to do. We were actually able to find and teach a new investigator named Josh. (Ya he has a pretty sweet name) We knocked into him and shared the Book of Mormon story of the prophecy of the star appearing with a day and night and a day and how it stayed bright like noon day. Yep, that is a tongue twister! He really enjoyed hearing the signs of Jesus Christ coming to the earth. How there are other people in the world that knew about his glorious birth. We came back a couple days later and we watched Joy to the World. We then placed the Book of Mormon in his heart and it was awesome! He said that he was going to read it and when he came to know that it is true that he was going to get baptized. Really excited for that new investigator. We are scheduled to meet with him on Tuesday!
We had a zone conference for Christmas and it was so fun! We practice how to have a good righteous routine! We then had the best homemade hamburgers! All you can eat and it was way better then In N out. We called it Out N In if you know what I am talking about. We did a cool tie exchange. I got an old school tie with a bunch of stains on it. Ha ha. Then President Bowen surprised us with a movie. We watched Christmas Carol while eating popcorn. That is what I am talking about! We had some good laughs. It was a really fun Zone Conference and It was memorable that is for sure!
Christmas Eve we were able to walk Gus and Ricky that was so fun. We get to play and play with them all day. Well more like an hour. We got a frame with three pictures of us with the Reed family and gave it to them for Christmas. The first picture was the baptism with Me, Elder Anderson, Jake, and Haley. The Second picture was with the whole family at the baptism. The last picture was with me, Elder Anderson, Gus and Ricky. We thought it was a pretty well thought out gift. We had fun getting it all prepared for them. With the help of the Solesbees of course. haha. We then went to dinner with the Vargha family. They also have a missionary in Taiwan. So it was fun hanging out with the family. We played ping pong and had a blast. Then we had Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. FANTASTICO! We acted out the Nativity and it was fun!
Christmas morning Elder Anderson woke up at 6:30 put all our Christmas presents in the car and drove as fast as we could to the Anaheim 6th Ward Elders apartment. We took some pictures from the Christmas tree and just having a blast. I open my presents. Heather got both Elder Anderson and I a present. It is funny because they are big Laker fans and we of course are Jazz fans so there is a fun rivalry going on. Well she got both of us Lamar Odom Laker shirts for Christmas. We thought it was really funny since now he is on the Mavericks. So it was a good gift. I Loved it. I also got my sweet calender with my whole family on it! Everyone is looking so big. Best Christmas present a Missionary can get. Then I got a ton of cool little gifts and my favorite BEEF JERKY. That is what I am talking about. So that was fun. We went to Sacrament and had a wonderful Christmas program. The spirit was strong. After I was able to skype my wonderful family and enjoyed seeing and talking with them. That was the best part of my Christmas. We had a zone lunch with Prime Rib from Papa Love. Ya ya. So good melt in my mouth. Then two hours later we had Italian food that was all made from scratch and it was the best. I also had for desert some big old Canolis baby. Satisfied my sweet tooth alright. So tell you how my Christmas was in a nutshell, it is like when Ralphy got his red rider BB gun from Santa! Priceless!!!
Elder Brown
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Family and Friends,
This week was really slow with all the Holiday commotion. Good new is we taught Jeff and officially invited him to hear the discussions. I didn't know if what he was going to say. It could have gone either way but he said yes. He has already been taught all the lessons when he was sitting in with his kids but now we are going to help him keep commitments and act in faith. We are really excited for that.
I received the news from Elder T. Brown that Gina who I taught like 15 times in Fullerton got baptized on Saturday! It was cool because when I was there I said a prayer after a lesson to help her find out a perfect date for her to get baptized. Right when I finished, Gina said that she saw Christmas time was the right time for her. Well, a week before Christmas she was baptized and It is a miracle with all the opposition that came her way. I am so grateful I was able to be a part of that. She is going to be an amazing member!
Speaking of miracles. A couple weeks ago Elder Anderson decided to go knock on the huge mansions on the hills to see if we could find anyone that was interested. Nobody answered besides like one Filipino lady who is catholic. So we thought that was a waste. Well a couple days ago a lady called us and asked if we could help her and her husband put up a tree. She explained she isn't a active member but she would love to feed us dinner. We get there and this lady was a character. She was going burzurk, so excited to see us. We walk in and the house and it is huge! I repeat huge! It was so nice inside. House was so beautiful! She right then and there opened up to us that she has been suffering with depression for the past two years because of events that transpired. She explained to us that she hadn't gotten out of bed for 6 months. Not showering for that amount of time either. I was like whoa! You were depressed. She told us how she is a convert to the church and how her husband who is a orthopedic surgeon does not believe in God. She said that she prayed to Heavenly Father to deliver her out of this state of mind. Well not soon after, we knocked on her door. She saw our name tags but she was too embarrased to open the door because how big of a mess she was. Well, she is out of bed now and has snapped out of her depression. She is going to start coming to church and wants us to try to teach her husband. She wants to spoil us this Christmas but we are already spoiled to be part of this miracle of being an answer to her prayer. Tender mercies of the lord are every where.
This Sunday I was suprised to get a new Bishopric in the ward. Also to see the Shelly family from my home ward at my sacrament meeting. It was cool to see them and to hear that they have been at Disneyland. I am so close but yet so far away! It was really cool to get a little peice of home. I am very grateful they took the time to suprise me. Thank you Brother and Sister Shelly!
I am so excited for Christmas and to talk to my family! I Love them and miss them very much. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
Elder Brown
This week was really slow with all the Holiday commotion. Good new is we taught Jeff and officially invited him to hear the discussions. I didn't know if what he was going to say. It could have gone either way but he said yes. He has already been taught all the lessons when he was sitting in with his kids but now we are going to help him keep commitments and act in faith. We are really excited for that.
I received the news from Elder T. Brown that Gina who I taught like 15 times in Fullerton got baptized on Saturday! It was cool because when I was there I said a prayer after a lesson to help her find out a perfect date for her to get baptized. Right when I finished, Gina said that she saw Christmas time was the right time for her. Well, a week before Christmas she was baptized and It is a miracle with all the opposition that came her way. I am so grateful I was able to be a part of that. She is going to be an amazing member!
Speaking of miracles. A couple weeks ago Elder Anderson decided to go knock on the huge mansions on the hills to see if we could find anyone that was interested. Nobody answered besides like one Filipino lady who is catholic. So we thought that was a waste. Well a couple days ago a lady called us and asked if we could help her and her husband put up a tree. She explained she isn't a active member but she would love to feed us dinner. We get there and this lady was a character. She was going burzurk, so excited to see us. We walk in and the house and it is huge! I repeat huge! It was so nice inside. House was so beautiful! She right then and there opened up to us that she has been suffering with depression for the past two years because of events that transpired. She explained to us that she hadn't gotten out of bed for 6 months. Not showering for that amount of time either. I was like whoa! You were depressed. She told us how she is a convert to the church and how her husband who is a orthopedic surgeon does not believe in God. She said that she prayed to Heavenly Father to deliver her out of this state of mind. Well not soon after, we knocked on her door. She saw our name tags but she was too embarrased to open the door because how big of a mess she was. Well, she is out of bed now and has snapped out of her depression. She is going to start coming to church and wants us to try to teach her husband. She wants to spoil us this Christmas but we are already spoiled to be part of this miracle of being an answer to her prayer. Tender mercies of the lord are every where.
This Sunday I was suprised to get a new Bishopric in the ward. Also to see the Shelly family from my home ward at my sacrament meeting. It was cool to see them and to hear that they have been at Disneyland. I am so close but yet so far away! It was really cool to get a little peice of home. I am very grateful they took the time to suprise me. Thank you Brother and Sister Shelly!
I am so excited for Christmas and to talk to my family! I Love them and miss them very much. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
Elder Brown
It has been a White December here in Anaheim!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Friends and Family,
Well this week was Phenomenal!!!!!! A lot of cool things happened that I am so grateful for. First thing is that we went to CAMELOT for p-day. It is like Boondocks in Utah and it was so chill! Our whole zone went and played mini golf, mini bowling and all that fun jazz. Then, 24 missionaries played a massive game of Laser tag! It was so fun I really enjoyed it. Elder Anderson and I teamed up and did pretty good. So that was really fun to do right before transfers.
Jake and Haley got Baptized!!!!!! Elder Anderson and I were able to baptize and confirm them members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! I prayed so hard that it would be a spiritual experience that Haley and Jake will remember the rest of their lives. Heavenly Father answered my prayer. The spirit was so strong. Every one knows what happens at baptisms. When I brought Haley out of the water she had the biggest grin on her face. I can't describe with words how awesome I felt and I know that everyone else felt it also during the baptismal service. The ward really supported them as the room was packed going out all the way into hall with people peeping their heads in the doorway. The spirit of love was defitnitely there. Jeff, who is not a member yet, felt the spirit so strong and I saw a tear or two. We are really excited to continue to work with this family. Jake got a basketball scripture case which is sweet! Haley got some books from the Deseret book store. This family is the best! I love them so much and I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this amazing act of faith.
So we found out what is happening on transfers and well Elder Anderson and I are staying together during CHRISTMAS!!!! oh ya. That is what I am talking about. We told President we would love to stay together and the Lord thought it would be a good idea too! We are really excited, we have been celebrating all weekend. Sad news is that Elder Tensmeyer is leaving our district. He is one of my most favorite Elders and I am going to miss him a lot. I will say it once again he was my "best district leader". I was called to be the new district leader so I have big shoes to fill. I still have Elder Hansen in my district (my trainee) and he is with Elder Arnold who is from Provo that I love. So I am excited to be with this district and learn how to have greater charity and serve my district members to the fullest. I feel like I am going to be in Anaheim 10th ward for a long time!
We have a lot of investigatos we are still working with but none have baptismal dates yet but they are progressing. It is hard to find time here to meet with them. Everyone is so frantic and busy during this time. We are just going to have to go forward with faith. I really want to get one more baptism with Elder Anderson by the end of this transfer. I know we can as we share the true meaning of Christmas. I love this time of year! I feel the Christmas spirit and the love my Heavenly Father has for me and everyone around me. This Christmas season I want to help someone have a magical Christmas, where all of their wildest dreams will come true. haha. It has been a white December here in Anaheim. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ that makes all of this possible. Have a wonderful week!
Elder Brown
Well this week was Phenomenal!!!!!! A lot of cool things happened that I am so grateful for. First thing is that we went to CAMELOT for p-day. It is like Boondocks in Utah and it was so chill! Our whole zone went and played mini golf, mini bowling and all that fun jazz. Then, 24 missionaries played a massive game of Laser tag! It was so fun I really enjoyed it. Elder Anderson and I teamed up and did pretty good. So that was really fun to do right before transfers.
Jake and Haley got Baptized!!!!!! Elder Anderson and I were able to baptize and confirm them members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! I prayed so hard that it would be a spiritual experience that Haley and Jake will remember the rest of their lives. Heavenly Father answered my prayer. The spirit was so strong. Every one knows what happens at baptisms. When I brought Haley out of the water she had the biggest grin on her face. I can't describe with words how awesome I felt and I know that everyone else felt it also during the baptismal service. The ward really supported them as the room was packed going out all the way into hall with people peeping their heads in the doorway. The spirit of love was defitnitely there. Jeff, who is not a member yet, felt the spirit so strong and I saw a tear or two. We are really excited to continue to work with this family. Jake got a basketball scripture case which is sweet! Haley got some books from the Deseret book store. This family is the best! I love them so much and I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this amazing act of faith.
So we found out what is happening on transfers and well Elder Anderson and I are staying together during CHRISTMAS!!!! oh ya. That is what I am talking about. We told President we would love to stay together and the Lord thought it would be a good idea too! We are really excited, we have been celebrating all weekend. Sad news is that Elder Tensmeyer is leaving our district. He is one of my most favorite Elders and I am going to miss him a lot. I will say it once again he was my "best district leader". I was called to be the new district leader so I have big shoes to fill. I still have Elder Hansen in my district (my trainee) and he is with Elder Arnold who is from Provo that I love. So I am excited to be with this district and learn how to have greater charity and serve my district members to the fullest. I feel like I am going to be in Anaheim 10th ward for a long time!
We have a lot of investigatos we are still working with but none have baptismal dates yet but they are progressing. It is hard to find time here to meet with them. Everyone is so frantic and busy during this time. We are just going to have to go forward with faith. I really want to get one more baptism with Elder Anderson by the end of this transfer. I know we can as we share the true meaning of Christmas. I love this time of year! I feel the Christmas spirit and the love my Heavenly Father has for me and everyone around me. This Christmas season I want to help someone have a magical Christmas, where all of their wildest dreams will come true. haha. It has been a white December here in Anaheim. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ that makes all of this possible. Have a wonderful week!
Elder Brown
At the Creche with Jeff, Heather & "Brother Jake"
Monday, December 5, 2011
Baptism of Haley & Jake December 11th (Haley not in the picture)
Miracles, Miracles, Miracles!
Family and Friends,
This week was a blast filled with miracles! This Anaheim 10th ward is booming and it is filled with the Christmas Spirit! We have been working really hard with the members on how we can boost their faith and invite their friends and family to listen and hear the Good News and the discussions. One family in particular we had an amazing experience with. We went in with faith trusting in God that we will help them and promise them many great blessings. We read through the Joseph Smith History hearing the experience Joseph Smith had with the first vision. Right then and there we felt the Spirit testify of the truth of this experience and I felt it so strongly. Elder Anderson and I then both bore our testimonies of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Prophet Joseph Smith, the priesthood power that has again been restored to the earth. It was amazing! We then invited the Keplers, a young couple, to bear their testimony and it was so cool to just here how everyone came to know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet. We then asked them if they would be offended if we taught someone in their home. They said of course not. We told them that we have as of right now nobody to teach in their home. We promised them as representatives of Jesus Christ that if they would fast and pray that they would find someone that we could teach in the next two weeks. It was a bold promise. Brother Kepler is a stud and he had tremendous faith. One week went by and they said they haven't found anybody. Well, this last Thursday we get a text from Brother Kepler and said that he has a friend that would love to hear the discussions and we set up an appointment the next Friday. The faith that we had along with the Kepler's brought forth an answer to our prayers! We will have a new investigator that I feel will be prepared for entering into a covenant with his Father in Heaven. My testimony has grown in the power of being a missionary and having the authority to promise blessings. I am so grateful that I am worthy to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead and guide me through this work.
Miracle Numero dos. From my last e-mail I told you about running into Brother Rodriguez son two days after Thanksgiving. Well our lesson followed through and we had an amazing spiritual experience. Once again with the restoration and the power of the first vision. Robert is a smart college student who is very knowledgeable and uses a lot of big words. He doesn't know what he believes but he knows that what he has seen in the LDS faith and that it is good. When we were about to recite him the first vision in Joseph Smiths own words, we let him know that he is going to feel something amazing and know that what we are telling you is true. Well, once again the spirit came in and swooped in and bore testimony like no other! We asked him what he thought and felt after. He said warmth, joy, happiness, all the fruits of the spirit! We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. He is prepared and there is a support system for him with his dad being a convert. I am so grateful for the Holy ghost and the power of prayer.
I was able to go to the Creche (100's of nativities) in Orange this Christmas Season! I wanted to go so bad last year when I was in Irvine but we were not able to get investigators there. So, Jeff, Heather, Jake (my mom will post picture) came with us and it was absolutely amazing! There were nativities from all over the world! They really enjoyed it. We saw Bobi there and I wanted to get a picture with them in front of the Christmas tree and Little Brother Jake was being a little stubborn. ha ha. He did not like taking pictures and Bobi was able to convince him just to take one. I was so happy ha ha. I wonder what will happen on the big Baptism day when we want to take pictures. haha.
We moved the baptismal date to December 11th so that more family of Haley and Jake will be there. I have the opportunity to baptize Haley and confirm Jake a member! I am really excited and Elder Anderson is doing the opposite. The biggest change I have seen is in Haley. She has really come along way and Heather sees it every day. Haley is reading so much of the Book of Mormon and I am so proud of her. She is like my new adopted sister! Jake who we now call "Brother Jake" loves church! He loves primary and now loves to pray. It is so cool to see his growth and how he loves spiritual things once he chooses to enjoy it. haha. I am really excited. Miracles are happening every day. I love this family so much.
Transfers are next week, so Elder Anderson and I are going to let President know if it is the Lord's will to keep us together for one more transfer. I have never heard of a companionship being together for 3 transfers but we are tearing it up in Anaheim and they just got to let us keep Baptizing. I love what I do. I do it because I Love my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ! The love that I feel from them I am able to transfer to those I teach and serve. Christmas season is here. Love one another and serve others and I promise you that you will have a magical Christmas filled with miracles also! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Brown
This week was a blast filled with miracles! This Anaheim 10th ward is booming and it is filled with the Christmas Spirit! We have been working really hard with the members on how we can boost their faith and invite their friends and family to listen and hear the Good News and the discussions. One family in particular we had an amazing experience with. We went in with faith trusting in God that we will help them and promise them many great blessings. We read through the Joseph Smith History hearing the experience Joseph Smith had with the first vision. Right then and there we felt the Spirit testify of the truth of this experience and I felt it so strongly. Elder Anderson and I then both bore our testimonies of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Prophet Joseph Smith, the priesthood power that has again been restored to the earth. It was amazing! We then invited the Keplers, a young couple, to bear their testimony and it was so cool to just here how everyone came to know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet. We then asked them if they would be offended if we taught someone in their home. They said of course not. We told them that we have as of right now nobody to teach in their home. We promised them as representatives of Jesus Christ that if they would fast and pray that they would find someone that we could teach in the next two weeks. It was a bold promise. Brother Kepler is a stud and he had tremendous faith. One week went by and they said they haven't found anybody. Well, this last Thursday we get a text from Brother Kepler and said that he has a friend that would love to hear the discussions and we set up an appointment the next Friday. The faith that we had along with the Kepler's brought forth an answer to our prayers! We will have a new investigator that I feel will be prepared for entering into a covenant with his Father in Heaven. My testimony has grown in the power of being a missionary and having the authority to promise blessings. I am so grateful that I am worthy to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead and guide me through this work.
Miracle Numero dos. From my last e-mail I told you about running into Brother Rodriguez son two days after Thanksgiving. Well our lesson followed through and we had an amazing spiritual experience. Once again with the restoration and the power of the first vision. Robert is a smart college student who is very knowledgeable and uses a lot of big words. He doesn't know what he believes but he knows that what he has seen in the LDS faith and that it is good. When we were about to recite him the first vision in Joseph Smiths own words, we let him know that he is going to feel something amazing and know that what we are telling you is true. Well, once again the spirit came in and swooped in and bore testimony like no other! We asked him what he thought and felt after. He said warmth, joy, happiness, all the fruits of the spirit! We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. He is prepared and there is a support system for him with his dad being a convert. I am so grateful for the Holy ghost and the power of prayer.
I was able to go to the Creche (100's of nativities) in Orange this Christmas Season! I wanted to go so bad last year when I was in Irvine but we were not able to get investigators there. So, Jeff, Heather, Jake (my mom will post picture) came with us and it was absolutely amazing! There were nativities from all over the world! They really enjoyed it. We saw Bobi there and I wanted to get a picture with them in front of the Christmas tree and Little Brother Jake was being a little stubborn. ha ha. He did not like taking pictures and Bobi was able to convince him just to take one. I was so happy ha ha. I wonder what will happen on the big Baptism day when we want to take pictures. haha.
We moved the baptismal date to December 11th so that more family of Haley and Jake will be there. I have the opportunity to baptize Haley and confirm Jake a member! I am really excited and Elder Anderson is doing the opposite. The biggest change I have seen is in Haley. She has really come along way and Heather sees it every day. Haley is reading so much of the Book of Mormon and I am so proud of her. She is like my new adopted sister! Jake who we now call "Brother Jake" loves church! He loves primary and now loves to pray. It is so cool to see his growth and how he loves spiritual things once he chooses to enjoy it. haha. I am really excited. Miracles are happening every day. I love this family so much.
Transfers are next week, so Elder Anderson and I are going to let President know if it is the Lord's will to keep us together for one more transfer. I have never heard of a companionship being together for 3 transfers but we are tearing it up in Anaheim and they just got to let us keep Baptizing. I love what I do. I do it because I Love my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ! The love that I feel from them I am able to transfer to those I teach and serve. Christmas season is here. Love one another and serve others and I promise you that you will have a magical Christmas filled with miracles also! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Brown
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