Hot and Sunny

July 9, 2012

Hey family,

So ya'll think that squash and mushrooms story is great huh? well I'm glad you got a laugh out of it at least. haha. Honestly, I wouldn't have made it through all of it. Maybe with several glasses of water... but I doubt it. Jerks... haha :) just kidding.

Well it's been freaking HOT today! I keep expecting it to break 100 but it's just sitting around about 97. Dumb. I really don't mind upper 80s at all, but upper 90s is uncomfortable for me. We went on a neat hike this morning as a zone nearby here in Wrightwood. It wasn't a very long hike, about 4 miles round trip. It was pleasant and a nice break from the routine of missionary life. My companion and I are going to go on at least one other hike this transfer as well. I led the pack of missionaries; they complained about my quick pace and blamed the lack of oxygen at 7500 feet for their struggle to keep up. haha. 

I can't believe Brooks is home now! I meant to write him one more time before he got home... I'm really bad about writing letters. I just take too long for the little time I have. Oh well. Now that he's home maybe I'll try and write both him as well as Josh. He's overdue for a letter from me.

Ryan had a star wars themed birthday huh? I guess my card will fit right in then. haha. I sent it Thursday, so you should definitely get it by today.

Well we had a decent week I suppose. Still workin hard. We taught that new young couple and they were at church yesterday. The ward was very friendly to them. The young woman, Brittany, wants to get baptized and recognizes that she needs to be married first. That's really all she needs to do to be baptized. We have another appointment with them tomorrow and we'll bring up their marriage plans and what not. 

We got a new investigator rather randomly this week. His name is Dale, and he's an older gentleman that is a friend of some of the members here. He's good friends with the people we had dinner with on the 4th and we talked about the Book of Mormon with him afterwards. He was mildly curious and said he'd read it. He also attended our scripture class held every Thursday night and seems positive about everything he has heard. He goes to bed early, so we're going to try and meet with him Wednesday morning since we have a meeting Tuesday morning.

Things are slowly changing and improving as we continue to be faithful and work hard. I feel like like the exact opposite of the scripture that says "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." More like "by much effort, trial, and tribulation, are simple and small things brought to pass by the hand of man." Or something. haha. 

Mark is home now too huh? It doesn't seem like forever ago that he left; I remember him being at school and playing basketball with him. Maybe I'll survive 2 years after all. haha :)
We have a temple trip on the 18th! Wooo! :) I wish there was a way I could coordinate with grandma and grandpa to maybe see them, but I don't know what restaurant we'll go to afterwards. I guess they could just come to the temple. haha. I believe we're doing the 8:15 AM session. They just barely got out in the field though. Maybe we'll wait until the next temple trip in... October I think. Or, if there's a way you could pass along that info, maybe they'll be available even to just stop by the temple around 10:30 or so. And if I didn't already tell you... I did get permission from Pres to see them since they're missionaries right now. haha. I don't get their emails. I'd like to though!
The Molinaris are swinging down for a Disneyland trip huh? Cool cool :) if they "happenstance" across me, I'll definitely say hi. haha :) visits from family and friends are hard to get approved though. So unless it was accidental... probably not. :/

I'm happy to hear about Binh. I don't remember playing much of a role as a missionary... but if you say so... maybe I did. haha. I'm wishing you the best of luck on your triathlon dad! Maybe someday, I'll be able to do one too. Maybe not. I'm not much of a swimmer or a long distance runner, but I bet at least the running one will change as I get older.

It's good to hear that everyone is doing well :) give Eric and Jana's family hugs from me. And that can also be like... me hugging you back. right? right. haha

Well. Onward Christian soldiers! I've almost gone a mile in my 4 mile race as a missionary. I'll hit 6 months in two weeks. Oh since the temple trip is next week, I'll be emailing on Wednesday again instead of Monday.

I love you! Thanks for all your support and patience with my lack of cool missionary stories. haha :)
Love,
Elder Browning

P.S.  Another thing that I told Megan is that I'm the primary pianist next week! Aahh! I've never struggled trying to learn songs out of the children's song book so much. haha. There isn't a single male member of the ward that plays piano, and the women of the ward have a women's conference thing. I wonder what they would do if I wasn't there. Sing acapella I guess. haha

Anyways. That's that! Love you mom! :)