April 26th - "he things you learn in you youth will always find you on your mission"

Wow there are a lot of amazing things going on back in America! The coolest of all though is that Aunty Tiare and Uncle Kautai met one of my inspirations, Eric Thomas! Being on the mission I've forgotten pretty much all of the speeches he gave. I no longer know them word for word and the energy that goes with it haha but it's alright. It's only because I am now learning the speeches, teachings and words of the greatest teacher of all, our Savior Jesus Christ.

I'm glad you were able to have a very enjoyable birthday mom you definitely deserved it!

I'm very adjusted to everything in my area and yeah the boat ride two. It's a great time to read and observe the creations of our God.

That's so awesome to see Keaola become a member! I was actually reflecting this past week about how much I wish I had given referrals to missionaries or had been more aggressive in missionary work amongst my friends.

Yesterday after sacrament meeting we were helping in planning the branch activity and I thought about the many times we did that in youth and I remembered the emphasis bishop Fisiinaua and Pouha put on the purpose and how to plan them. The things you learn in youth will always find you on your mission. Especially things you learn from your bishops! I like barbecue/camp and dance. More social and lagoon is overrated haha.Oh and for sacrament meeting there was no bread so we ate crackers haha. 

This past week has been a hot one in the refiners fire. I've been working a lot harder in language study and have challenged myself more in lessons. Yes there were many times where I was stuck and was very embarrassed but I always just think to myself about one Michael Jordan quote "I can accept failure but I can't accept not trying." Similar to Elder Dale Renlund's talk. Also to add to this fire I was assigned to teach Priesthood class, 10 minutes before Priesthood class. One of the members told me I can teach it all in English and it's alright but I knew there was no point if the members don't learn a thing. I taught and received a lot of support from my companion. Thank goodness. I taught the Atonement at first but then we changed to the Plan of Salvation due to questions concerning it.  Hard times that I love is all it is! 

Love

Elder Brown

Sorry Mom, this computer is not reading my card, so no pictures:(

April 20th - Mowing the lawn!

Being in a small branch that I'm in makes me appreciate everything at the Bountiful 6th ward much more. Don't get me wrong I still love my new branch because I've always wanted the experiences here in Batan. 

1-Congrats to Alexis and Olivia that's awesome that they're both going to Chile! I remember when we were all in elementary school together and now we're all about to in the mission field. 

2-Tana is gonna go spanish speaking, french speaking or Italian because foreign music is cool. Or she'll come to the Philippines cause Tagalog music the stuff! haha. People here love their radio. So Argentina, France, Italy Rome.

4-They don't wanna finish at WX? Do they like playing under coach Tidwell? It's great to hear about their success! BYU is the best in the nation. 

5-Sean's home already? That was fast. Can't wait to watch him play some college ball.

The ipod would be a much better idea so yes please! Thats great to hear the growth of the ward. I still remember our small days as a branch and sometimes being the only one in class haha. Some news from our past zone training I only have 1 hour now of email. President really wants us focused 110 percent on the work. And no mom I don't need toilet paper cause a bar of soap and water is all you need :) Plus they sell it here so thats a waste for you. 

Well this week was another mountain to climb. On Saturday we did a little service project at the chapel in preparation for Branch Conference yesterday. We beautified the yard. Mom I can't believe I ever complained about mowing the lawn. To all those who do or plan on doing it I share with you two simple words from President Uchtdorf: "Stop it." It was a great experience cutting the grass with a huge scissor basically. It's used for 'iate. It was most fun when the members would look at me trying to do it with a dull cutter, struggling quite a bit, and then having one of the tatay's show me how it's aggressively and really done. I would've done it like he did but I thought it was bad if I were to bring up a bunch of dirt but they really want that grass cut. There were some other things too that I had to learn and felt like a Kolipoki. Also at Branch Conference we were assigned speakers just before it started. Shocked but prepared I spoke on Faith in the power of the Atonement. Short and sweet.

Last night we taught part of the Plan of Salvation to a recent convert, Angelica. I've taught it so many times and felt really good with it but last night was something else. I've been trying to use new words and take the advice that my companion has been giving me and applying it. Lets just say there was a lot of times that she and everyone else wanted to LOL. Man it was hardest and embarrassing moments but I know that it's just another way that God shows his love for me and that I just need to "keep trying" as said in General Conference. That has helped me a lot.

On an even more brighter side I encourage each and every one of you to read the following story from the April 2015 Liahona. It has added to my knowledge of faith and prayer. It seemed to come into my life just when I needed it and I hope it will have the same impact on you as it did for me. Hopefully even greater.

Love you all!

Elder Brown

Ps....Oh yes that's right.  Happy birthday Mom!  Mahal na mahal kit.  Nagpapasalamat mako sa iyo.  I hope your birthday will be the best.  Salaam sa iyong magandang halimbawa sa paglilinkod sa Diyos!

Our little chapel

 This is how we travel to and from Batan

 This is where the LOLs took place.  This family is cool though and fed us pork adobo (my favorite), rice and some fish stuff

If you're standing right now Mom, I think you better sit down before you view these photos...yup, we have some pretty good little friends always visiting our room, we play with them for a while then we let them go haha.

April 13th - First transfer - Batan island

Magandang hapon sa inyo lahat!

Dear Elder Brown...You are assigned to labor in the Batan area! Batan is a cool island off of the main land about 2 hours by boat. I finally have my first Pinoy companion Elder Pangilinan, from the hottest part of the Philippines up north. This was my journey to Batan: Take a nice 2 hour boat ride, they didn't take us to the Rapu-Rapu port but stopped one port short so we had to hop on to a small motor boat, get to shore, take off our shoes and socks and walk to dry ground, then we journeyed through the wilderness for about 20 minutes till we finally arrived at our nice home in Batan. Also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel. Yes, we live in a chapel.

No fridge, we have solar power and our outlet power only works at night. No running water or fridge, so we carry two big buckets to a water pump (about 50 yards away in football terms) hand pump it and then carry it back into the chapel and to the back where we empty into a big trash can used for water. It takes about 4 trips to fill that up and also 2 other big sized washing bowls. I'm finally in an area where I have to do hand washing now. Our bedroom is a small classroom. 

Another great thing about our area are the member families. We get fed every night. We eat fish, fish covered in taro leaves, good sweet potatoes that taste kind of like kumala and that other tongan food I forgot. A lot of rice of course, corn beef, and chicken. It's really good and the families are even better. They are active in the work of salvation and love working with us. Especially with referrals and coming with us to teach their non-member relatives. 

We watched conference this past weekend and man were they great! I really enjoyed Elder Bednar's, Andersen, Renlund, Holland, and Pino if I had to list my top 5. They seemed to relate to my questions that I had in mind very well. As I sat on the boat this early morning my mind reflected on the words of Elder Ringwood in conference and what he shared about Shiblon. I decided to read about this interesting man. He was a man that was faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments. He exercised patience and long-suffering in times of trial during his missionary work. I particularly was drawn to verse 5. I loved it because I feel like I'm back in my training again. Where it's hard to communicate and understand. Adjusting to this new area. The answer to all my fears and questions is to have trust in that God that has called me to be here. Why would he send me here to fail? He has sent me here to be his disciple and learn to trust in His will.  Then shall we be delivered from the bands which bound us.

I'm excited to work this transfer with this knowledge that has rejuvenated me. I love Batan and the plan that the Lord himself has prepared for me. I know that as I fear God my completely, I will love my perfectly, and perfect love casteth out all fear (Bednar). 

Love,

Elder Brown

April 6th - First transfer

I have no idea what's happened this conference weekend except for one dude who opposed the presidency and the apostles. We're gonna watch it this Saturday and Sunday. I'm very excited to listen to what they have to say. I've been reading their talks on the Liahona from last year. I'm glad that dad was able to keep the tradition going, I'm gonna buy myself some ice cream this Saturday to keep it alive in myself.

I received some bittersweet news this past week. I'm getting transferred on Tuesday! My four months in Oas and Polangui are done. It all went by so fast! It was hard especially seeing our recent convert nanay Leonor cry her eyes out. I will miss my home here in Oas and Polangui. I'm especially gonna miss the baptism of one of best investigators. He studies the Book of Mormon till he's tired and no longer has energy to take notes. He bore his testimony this yesterday and shared a nice poem. The members loved him. If he comes to church for the fourth time (this sunday) he will qualify for his scheduled date on the 18th of this month. 

This past week we met this little 9 year old girl named Alexa while we were tracting. She seemed very curious and watched us as we tracted. As we were about to leave the alley she asks if we're leaving and we told her yes. She then told us "awww magmimiss ko kayo" (I'm gonna miss you guys) We felt touched and we sat on down and talked with her. She's catholic but she said she wants to serve a mission because it's a good thing to do for God. She wants to study the Book of Mormon and a lot of different languages. She's trying to learn Japanese right now. We're currently teaching her grandma who has interest in our message. I hope Elder Merrick and his new companion get to see them enter the waters of baptism. 

I've thought a lot about where I'm gonna be transferred to, who will be my companion, and why the Lord needs me to be transferred now. I came across a story in the Liahona and there was a quote that I really liked:

 "You must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show you the way before." 

These were the words Elder Harold B. Lee (back when he was just Elder), to a newly called apostle Boyd K. Packer. 

Just like a sunrise. It doesn't happen in a blink of an eye, but it slowly through the dark and the light springs forth from it's night of sleep. So if you feel you're in the dark, keep walking and press forward with an eye of faith. For we walk by faith not by sight. 

I'm having a lot of fun and I can't believe how fast everything is going! I feel like it's been a year already.

Love,

Elder Brown


Brother Jonnel, the Branch missionary

 My companion, Elder Merrick and I

 Our investigator, Bernadino aka OG, 81 yrs old