June 14th - The 5 more important "P's"

Hello Family!

Man I can't believe Alton has already received his trunky letter! He'll soon be "flying into your arms" mom haha. I always enjoy reading his weekly missionary emails. I definitely will miss them.

Well this week was weird because we were only on Batan for 1 day for exchanges with our zone leaders. One of them being Elder Whitney who is really good friends with Willie Uasilaa. Elder Matautia is the other. He said in his family history he has Brown's from Scotland. There's a good chance we may be related I think. So for 6 days we were here in Albay due to zone training, zone cluster conference, and stake conference broadcast. At that broadcast, Elder Neil L. Andersen was presiding and the concluding speaker. Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, the General Primary President also spoke. It was a great conference.

I went on exchanges with Elder Matautia. We had a great time and improved a lot. We had a great tracting moment. We came across these two people sitting outside their home and we approached them and did the usual intro. They were silent and shook their heads. We still stood there and then they showed us their door and it had a sign on there. It was a symbol of the centennial anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I was very curious about it and asked about it. They had already made it known that they didn't want to hear anything from us so why not hear from them? The young man continued to explain about it and we became very inquisitive. A good kind. I've always had an interest in learning about other religions. Long story short, his grandpa was very friendly and allowed us to enter their gate. They gave us some magazines (similar to our Liahona, Ensign, etc.) about their church. They allowed us to come back and see them again but as for a lesson, they're not sure but we definitely enjoyed one another's presence, with no hate or animosity, but brotherly love.

While Elder Raven and I were teaching one of his investigators yesterday about the Book of Mormon I felt different and my testimony had been strengthened. I could tell his understanding about the whole restoration wasn't too strong so we did a brief review. He was a very inquisitive man but at the end of the lesson all his questions had been answered. He seemed a bit surprised.

The reason I share these two experiences is because I could feel the spirit working through me and my companion so strongly.I tried to share what I taught to my real companion and the words weren't coming to me. I couldn't do it. I told him he just had to be there. When we were teaching, the words were just flowing, and when questions were asked, I was able to discern and understand. But I also learned another lesson as I reflected on these experiences. I had prepared myself. My companion has been a tremendous source of help too. Together with the spirit and preparation I was able to do something beyond my own strength. I am grateful for a God whom I can boast about and it can never be too much. 

It's very true what Kai Greene said (which is also Alton's favorite quote), "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance" the five P's. There's also another five more important P's in tagalog: Pananampalataya,Pagsisisi, Pagbibinyag, Pagtanggap ng kaloob na Espiritu Santo, at Pagtitiis hanggang wakas. (The 5 principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ)

Thank you for all the love and support and I'm very proud of you all. I love that you are all engaged in the work of salvation! Keep it up!

Love,

Elder Brown

June 7th - Be prayerful

Congrats to the batch of 2015 (they call it batch here). Do you know who spoke at graduation? It's good to hear that the sick in our ward are getting better. Little Mason's the man! I miss him and also all of the Tidwell's. I wish coach tidwell the best in his new coaching position. I know he'll not only have an impact on the team's success but more importantly on the individuals. He will always be one of my favorite coaches.

This week was great. We had a hands on submitters family history training this past week. It made me think of nana and all the tremendous work she put in and also with helping our youth become regular temple goers. Keep it up! 

The testimonies that were shared yesterday were beautiful and about the power of prayer. One mother bore her testimony about how her prayers were answered. We have been teaching her son, Marvin, 23, and her "husband". She prayed that one day her husband and son would one day here the missionary discussions. Whenever missionaries would ask to set an appointment with the dad, he never accepted. The first time we met and set an appointment he willingly accepted. Her son was the one I included in the last email that found interest in our lessons. 

She also has asked her partner, June, to marry her but he always said no. In her testimony she shared that he recently asked to marry her. Not only has her prayers been answered but her son's also. She shared that her son approached after he prayed about Joseph Smith and our lessons, and asked her 'mom why does my body feel hot after praying?" Well you know what they sing, the spirit of God like a fire is burning. 

In our teaching we have focused a lot on prayer to all those we teach. I pray that our investigators and members will act on the feelings and miracles they have seen in their lives. Continue to be prayerful in your everyday efforts. 

"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea,he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto God forever. Amen."   -Alma 26:37

Even on the tiny little island of Batan, God hears and answers prayers. He is no respecter of persons and is mindful of us. All we have to do is ask in faith to the Father, which is right, believe that we will receive, and it shall be given unto us.

Love,

Elder Brown

1 - What kind of food there son?

A lot of foods similar to the lu. like lu sipi or lu pulu. They have a lot of leaf kind food. Also chicken and pork adobo which are super good, fish, crab, good healthy greens. The meat foods here do not disappoint. I love all the food here. I'll definitely miss it when I leave. But rice is always a must have. rice is life. Also we eat with a fork and a spoon. The spoon is the feeder, the fork is the loader so to speak. Its a lot better than just a fork

2- Should Fotu play football?  

11.5. And a hall of fame running back curtis martin once said in his hall of fame speech, that if his daughter wanted to play football, he would let her. Not because of the thrill or the fun of the game but because of what he learned from football and how it built his character. I would say the same thing. I wouldn't be the man I am today without sports. especially football. Just like at how much effort me and alton put into a sport that we knew was so short for us. Alton wouldnt be able to share that his coaches taught and always said to him leave it all on the field if he didnt play football. But just whatever aunty is comfortable with. I think curtis martin might have played with bishop for a year or two maybe.

t's a game that changed my life is what it is. All the injuries, all the blood shed, the sweat perspirated, the swearing from coaches and players, the disappointment, the cheers, the good times, bad times, everything, i wouldn't take back or have it any other way. The coaches and teammates you have and the bond you create are very special and something I will always treasure


Elder Bunag, Wlater and Malu

May 31st - Baptism on July 4th

Magandang Hapon!

Reading Alton's letter today made me feel like I just entered the MTC cause he's almost home. I still have a short time left on my mission but not as short as him. Shoutout to Oko and Rachel and also Lance and his wife! Everything goes by so fast when you're on a mission. I love what Alton shared about testimony. It's very true, you will almost always just here story time about my mission. I'll never forget my trainer's departing testimony. Nor will anyone present in our zone at the training will either. Elder Lee-Lo is the self-proclaimed "king of pasaway." (king of disobedience) And also many other things that were funny but very questionable haha.

This week we assisted in running the branch activity here on Batan. It was on this nice little island that's wonderful only if you're not a missionary cause you can't swim haha. It was a lot of fun and better than expected. On Thursday we helped one of the counselors with lifting thin sized logs or "kahoy" as they say here. We hiked up a mountain and into the forest about 1 kilo and we had to grab and tie 2 or 3 logs and then carry them down to where he needed them. That was quite a long walk also and the logs weren't too heavy. Maybe 60-75 lbs. Felt good to do some farmer carries and fireman carries with them. Afterwards we sat down and tatay Frank (counselor) climbed up a coconut tree and cut some coconuts down. We enjoyed the shade as we chopped open some coconuts, drank the coconut, and ate the coconut with a side of gamote. Kind of like kumala and taro and that one yellow stuff that I can't remember the name. WIth a side of brown sugar. Definitely living the islander life.

This week's work is also good. We challenge families to do a personal study of the Book of Mormon and they have been very good with it. We also taught a new investigator who is the son of a mom that's a member and his dad is someone we've just started teaching also. He said after the lesson that he decided he wanted to be taught too because he overheard our lesson to his dad and thought to himself that our message about our loving Heavenly Father and Families are very interesting and drew his attention. He felt good about it. We've committed him to be baptized on the 4th of July. The spirit was definitely there in that lesson when he explained that he enjoyed our message and when we added testimony. I love the work!

In memory of the passing of Elder L. Tom Perry I just wanna share something I wrote down from his last talk:

"Only we have the eternal perspective of the restored gospel. Let our voice be heard that families are the center of life and key to happiness when centered in Christ."

Love,

Elder Brown

Mayon volcano from Lignon Hill

Japanese tunnel

Sian, the cutest little dude you'll ever meet.  He calls me "Endel Brown"

May 25th - FHE/establish a gospel centered home

Hello Family! That's funny that you bring up uncle Dallin because I was thinking about their family this past week. Wondering how they're doing and how fast time has flown since the days we lived in Laie. Congrats to nana for her hardwork and getting that 4.0! That's great especially since you attend a very smart school. It's good to hear you're reading the Joseph Smith book cause I just finished Joseph Fielding Smith's book this morning on our way to Legazpi. I started it last Tuesday. I can't believe how much I'm reading out here. Those 330 pages went by too fast! I always wondered how Nana was always so into reading and now I understand. There's no knowledge like spiritual knowledge! I'm excited to come home and devote a lot of time to gospel study and missionary work.

There's so many things I want to share from what I've learned from my studies. But lets start with this past week of work. We had a fun family home evening with 3 families. It reminded me of home and after reading about the importance of bringing up children in light and truth made me realize how important it is to establish a gospel centered home. A lot of what Joseph Fielding Smith had to say about that are things that I realized I had learned from FHEs and being at home where the Gospel is the center of everything we do. I can't share just how great the impact it has had on my life. So if there is one thing that parents can do to raise their children up in the right way and in the way of the Lord, make family home evening a priority and establish today that your home will be one where the Gospel and it's principles and lessons can reside. A home where the spirit can be felt in order to teach those in the home. How grateful I am for my great-grandparents establishing this in their family and setting the example for the children to follow!

I read a powerful talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland at the Brazil MTC in 2001 called "The Miracle of a Mission". I 110% highly encourage everyone to read this. Especially those preparing to serve, thinking about serving, or have no interest at all. One thing I want to share from it is when he says missionary work "is higher and holier and more sacred and eternal than anything you've ever done. It is by definition the most important thing you can do in the world, in time or eternity. For this reason you are engaged in the saving of the human soul. And that is the highest and holiest work in the universe." It's the purpose the Savior came here to atone for us. I've been called to serve a 24 month mission and apostles devote their life. I really love when he said to "Start fast. Run hard, and to the tape! You can rest later!" Oh what a shame it would be if you were to fall short of this. In the words of Joseph Smith "after all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel." What a grand opportunity it is to be called to join the ranks of those great ones before us.

I use a lot of the new knowledge I gain and advice given from bishop in my work and in talks. Like yesterday. They only had one speaker for the day and I volunteered to speak. I love our little branch in Batan. Even though we only have an attendance less than 60, the spirit is always felt.

Never let go of the gospel truths. A lot of our new investigators have problems that the gospel can fix, all we have to do is be patient and continue to do what Christ would do. Here's a little quote that I've grown to love and has enlightened my mind and touched my heart:

"If we have a failing, if we have a weakness, there is where we should concentrate, with a desire to overcome, until we master and conquer. If a man feels that it is hard for him to pay his tithing, then that is the thing that he should do, until he learns to pay his tithing. If it is the Word of Wisdom, that is what he should do, until he learns to love that commandment."

-Joseph Fielding Smith

May we all apply these words into every fiber of our body. I know that as we do so, we will be one step closer to fulfilling the commandment from our Lord and Savior of being perfect. Even as our Father in heaven.

Love,

Elder Brown

May 17th - Forever grateful to Joseph Smith

Hello! I thought it was gonna be weird skyping with all of you last week but it felt like I just saw you guys a week before  haha. But no worries I still miss you all and I enjoyed it a lot! And yeah i miss my trainer, he was a really funny guy. Everyone on the mission knows Lee-Lo.

This week was not very fruitful due to fiesta this past week. It's part of the Catholic culture/tradition here. People were busy from sun up to sun down. But we still were able to squeeze out a few lessons. This week should be a lot better. This week is also the end and beginning of a new transfer and my companion and I are still staying together on Batan.

I also gave a talk on Sunday. I felt I needed to speak about the importance of strengthening and gaining a strong testimony in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I mentioned that there was a fight on the first sunday of the month between Mayweather and Pacquiao and that even though the people's champ lost, it didn't matter. It wouldn't have mattered even if Mayweather won because there is a much more real and important fight at hand. The fight between the saints of God and the devil and his angels. There was a lot of other things I mentioned also but this just gives you an idea. 

Also, from my personal study I have just finished The Teachings of The Presidents of The Church: Joseph Smith book. I encourage you all to read this too! It's long but it's worth it. I know I've said it since I was in primary but I know that Joseph Smith is and was and forever will be a true prophet called of God. My gratitude and love for the prophet and all men have increased since my completion of this book. The words of the prophets of old and more importantly, the one today, are so powerful and important. They will always lead us to Christ.

Love,

Elder Brown

May 11th - Happy mother's day Mom

Elder Brown finally able to Skype with us about 1 am Utah time which was their P-day (Monday) about their noon time.  He sort of struggled to remember a few English words.  His Tagalog is improving and could hear the accent a little heavy.  He appeared to be happy, healthy and still got that great sense of humor.  He's currently serving in Batan island and him and his companion are the only missionaries in that little island.  There's no buses or cars in the island because all the roads are so narrow.  They walked everywhere, food is great, people are nice to them and he loves them so much.  There are about 45-55 members in their little branch.  He shared with us some of the fun time he had with his trainer, Elder Lee-Lo.  At the end of our Skype, he bore his testimony in the Tagalog language.

 Some weird abandoned mansion looking home. It's used to store carbon bags now

 Us and little Trish!  She's always so happy and cheerful.  She's awesome!

 Me and Elder Raven

 Me and my man Lawrence!  He's 9 years old, recent convert

 District activity day

 Cagsawa and the Mayon Volcano.  The Volcano erupted and covered this area we are on.  We are on top of corpses and where the main floor of the church was.  This building is like the bell tower.  That's why there's a lot of rocks.

May 4th - Philippines...perfect for her! I sang loud!

Philippines!! Congratulations Tana!  It's perfect for her because videoke here is life and they love to sing like no one is watching or listening haha. That's so exciting, I'm willing to do all I can to help her as much as I can, language and culture. The important thing is is that the Legazpi mission is the best in the Philippines and Pacquiao is still the People's champ hehe. 

The committee has come up with a great plan and sounds like a lot of fun!  I like that idea, "Bountiful 6th family reunion."

This past week we had interviews with President Guanzon. Elder Pangilinan and I both expressed our concerns to president our area and how we work hard but aren't having the results we've thought would surely come. President told my companion that it's like a road trip. Don't be so focused on the end goal that you miss all the little things that are a sight to see as you pass by. They're little things like commitments that help reach that end goal. The result of our newness of mind and new action plan has increased our baptismal dates and progressing and new investigators. I've been doing a lot of things that I am so uncomfortable with (in a great way) but I know that there is no comfort in a growth zone and no growth in a comfort zone.

Just a little story from this past sacrament meeting I performed a musical number believe it or not haha. No not really but for the closing hymn we sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" and only about 3 people knew it...kinda. I sang loud and proud to help lead my fellow branch members in this song. At first it was weird but I'll do what the Lord wants me to do. The singing in sacrament meeting is different cause it's slow and there are nice pauses haha. 

The island life is still great and I've only lost 7 lbs. 165-158. Oh and one thing that's cool here is there's a lot of men here that are ripped and shredded in their muscle definition. It's that natural labor and fish and rice that gets you ripped here. There's also this one guy on a little transport boat that's about Alton's size and he looks like he should be in a bodybuilding competition. He manually hand steers and turns his little boat so that's why he's so strong and big. I wanna come out here and work with them, maybe then I'll be big.

Answers to your questions Mom:

>There's this apartment in Legazpi where we come to use the computer in this one apartment.

>Those songs I told you to listen to, well they were Elder Lee Lo's favorite songs and he always sang it.  I developed loud singing from him and not caring what people think...sometimes...from him haha.

>Like I said, people here videoke all the timing the radio is always on non stop.

>For the music, add some Christmas songs cause Christmas starts in September haha.

Batan is awesome. Legazpi mission is the best!

Love

Elder Brown

My new little friends

 Eating with our hands and on a banana leaf is the way to do it here!  We have corn beef, rice, canned pork sisig and panic caton noodles

 Ginataang sitaw is my favorite here.  It has stringed beans (sitaw), chili peppers, gintaan is coconut milk, and some fish in there too.  Sobrang sarap!!!

 I've ascended to Heaven

 Halo halo.  It has ube, lot of sugar, jello stuff at the bottom, peanuts, beans, crunchy ice and I think some other stuff