Father's Day

July 19, 2012


Hey fam.
So, I was basically done writing a really long email to you all; it
was quite lengthy. I've been working on it for almost 45 minutes. And
what happens? The internet browser quits and my draft wasn't saved.
This... this has just not been my day. Sigh. I'll try and quickly send
off a condensed version. 


So this morning, I was laying on the floor of
the bathroom from 6 to 9 wishing I could flush myself down the toilet.
haha. Didn't ever throw up, but I sure wanted to. I was dizzy all day
too. I don't know why. I finally went and played basketball with the
Phelan missionaries and the member we live with and just sweated it
out. So I'm feeling better now. Not 100%, but good enough.

Transfer calls came, and I'm staying in Wrightwood. 6 months, here I
come! Crandall is getting transferred though. Hopefully he'll be in an
area that is easier so that he'll be more motivated to work hard.
We had a decent week. Not a lot more success, but the best numbers
I've had this transfer. Saturday was pretty busy. We spent all morning
and some of the afternoon helping a less active young couple move.
They're way cool. They need to come back to church. haha. The husband
is a semi-professional musician. It was fun to move some of his
guitars and equipment and talk about music with him. He'd be okay with
us coming by and visiting with them but his wife doesn't want us to.
Maybe if we just visit and don't teach. Eh. I'll take what I can get.
haha. So many less actives are like that. Somewhere inside them, they
know the church is true and that they need it in their lives, but they
don't want to make the necessary changes for it to become the blessing
they need. Dumb. 


Later that day, a part-member family, the Brooks,
asked for some help moving sod. So, we got back into service clothes
and helped them carry a bunch of heavy, wet, muddy sod up their steep
hill to their back yard. Fun stuff! Needless to say, I was pooped by
the end of the day. haha.

There are a couple potentials that we're working with, some of which I
may have mentioned before. One is Jim, a man who agreed to read the
Book of Mormon but didn't want to be taught. He's in Ether now, and
said he'd like to talk about it once he's done. So that should happen
here in a week or two. Another is a woman named Andrea. She's a member
referral that we contacted and invited us back when she's not as busy
(which is this week). Hopefully we'll get some good lessons there this
week. A third one is the husband of another part member family, the
Coronados. He's... rough. Swears like it's all he knows how to do.
haha. But, he's never been open to being taught EVER, and said we
could maybe come back and "tell him some of our stuff." So, Bishop
really wants us to try and teach him. I don't know how the spirit can
be present with that man's vulgarity. I don't know. I'll try and pray
about it and counsel with the ward leaders about what to do for
that... situation.

(A member in Nelson's ward owns a cabin here in Island Park, so he 
stopped by to get a package for Nelson.  He talked highly of "Elder 
Browning", his good attitude, smile, and hard work).
I'm glad I have a good reputation. haha. Smiling and being friendly is
important, especially for working with the members and helping them
get involved. And there's really no reason not to smile and work hard.
I read a story from Henry B Eyring about his dad. His dad was like 80
and had bone cancer, so he couldn't kneel or squat to weed their
crops, but he was able to if he laid on the ground and pulled himself
along with his elbows. So he did that, and when he was done, he and
others realized that the weeds he pulled had been sprayed. All Henry
Eyring did was laugh. When Henry B Eyring asked how he could laugh and
make a joke of it after having wasted the whole day weeding weeds that
were going to die anyways, he said "Hal, I wasn't there for the weeds."
I think there is a lot to be learned from that. Especially for
missionaries in an area like Wrightwood. For example, perhaps a
conversation like this could occur: "Elder Browning, why are you
working hard in an area that's practically dead of work?" My response?
"I'm not there for the numbers." I hope I can really take that to
heart and apply it throughout my mission.

Wow. Still got a good amount written! :) Hope everyone has a great
week! I'd send pictures, but the computer I'm using doesn't work with
my usb drive. So. Next week. Mom, I continue to play piano whenever I
can. I got a couple songs from members and what not that I can sing
along to as I play that I'll try and send. Songs like Chasing Cars by
Snow Patrol. I actually enjoy playing piano now. Gasp! Haha :)

Happy father's day again dad! :)
Love,
Elder Browning