August 16th - Still in Batan but in the Mainland!

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't get trunky one bit looking at all those photos! It definitely was super weird looking at all of them. I am glad he RWH. He sounds super different too. It's funny he was with Seleti cause I was at a funeral yesterday and I met a guy there who's the uncle/bishop of the young man that died and he knows the Kichiro family!! His name is Freddy Liserio. It's cool that I finally made a connection with a non-missionary.

This week I was a little worried as to where I was gonna be transferred and I found out I'm actually still in Batan....Guinobatan 2C that is haha. It's on the mainland so no more boats!! Man this place is home and the best! Dinner appointments, the members are cool with the missionaries and they are eager to work with them and feed them. I know I've only been in 3 areas but this one is the best of them all. It's nice to have an area where I can shower at least twice a day and not worry about how much water I am using. 

A lot of people find it hard to believe that I'm Tongan because they will always make reference to the largeness of people like me. My shirts are getting bigger on me everyday and also the new pants you sent me are too big. I think you sent a size smaller this time. My shoes are also coming apart. Oh and by the way I'm gonna be sending the best christmas present of your lives if I can find a low price place to send it. I'm excited to see the finished product first.

My new companion is Elder Tamayo and he's a stud! Oh I've also been called to be the District Leader here. I taught about how to develop christlike attributes from PMG. I included a lot of what I have learned from The Infinite Atonement and also from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I feel like it went pretty well. It's hard that's for sure which also means I will be developing weaknesses. My district is small and also our zone. We have 2 other polynesians in our zone from New Zealand, Elder's Tonga and Ah Ching. They're studs too. 

This area does have it's difficulties. It's been awhile since the last baptism in this zone. We are hungry for baptisms and will strive to do our best. I also found out that one of my investigators that was great at picking up our lessons and understood very well is here in my area. She moved back to Guinobatan so I am excited to see how she has been and also her spouse.

At the funeral, of course I didn't know the young man who had passed but I was assigned to be a speaker by the bishopric. That reminded me of seminary. I remember Brother Vasas shared with us that if we ever speak at a funeral he recommends turning to 2 Nephi 9 because it is the best chapter for funerals or deaths. I thought at the time that I wouldn't be speaking at your funerals but nevermind. It came quicker than I thought. Always Be Prepared!

This area has been great so far and I'm looking forward to the work here. It should be a good one. Know that I'm happy and life couldn't be better right now for me. My brother has returned home with honor, you are all happy and healthy (hopefully) and I'm in my second home here in Guinobatan.

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Brown

BTW, listening to Alton's home coming talk, he sounded like David A Bednar. The way he enunciates and delivers and also the presentation and layout.