New Transfer

December 10, 2012

Hola familia

So! New companion. His name is Elder Zacharias. He and I actually came out at the same time, but we didn't know each other at the MTC. Crazy huh? We met at the airport when we were leaving the MTC I think. So we're co senior companions. However, I am still the district leader and I'm the designated driver. Don't ask me why, that's just what they decided to do. haha. He has an odd, but it's not annoying. Zacharias and I actually have quite a few similar interests and we've gotten along pretty well so far. It's nice to be with someone else who knows what he's doing for the most part again. He's about Jeren's size; a little taller than me and a little larger but not by much. He's from Orem Utah.

We got a fair amount done this week despite Elder Grill saying goodbyes Monday, Transfers Tuesday, and service all day Saturday. We helped a recent convert move from 11 to 6. She had to be out by 6 o clock. So. We got her stuff out by 6! With Elder Newton being gone, Elder Patch and I had to move the heaviest stuff. Like the washer and drier. and the king sized memory foam mattress. And a giant shelving... thing. Bleh.

We started teaching a man named Gene Ruble this past week. He's about 65 and had been to church a few times with some member friends who asked us to wait to try and teach him until he was ready. On Wednesday sister Barnard called us and said "he wants a Book of Mormon - go get him!" So. We did! He is very positive about everything we've taught him so far and says this is the church he's picked. We set a date for baptism on January 5th. He is eagerly reading the Book of Mormon. He wants to quit smoking and we're going to start helping him with that this week.

We had a couple referrals that we received but didn't go anywhere. One was an older woman named Evelyn. She enjoyed our company but doesn't want to change religions at this point in her life. Before we left she was telling the same stories again. haha. Another was a man named Vern Garvin. He's also older and has been around the church and helped out by the church most of his life. I couldn't decide what to think of him. I think he's slightly insane. One minute he'd seem like a nice old man just telling a story and then he would like stop before finishing the story completely and smiling and say something like "huh? Isn't that something?" And his smile and laugh were super creepy. He wanted a Book of Mormon and said it always does wonders for him when he reads it... but he doesn't want to become a member or change anything. ??? Weird. Some people. He's probably an ex drug addict. He wants us to come back and just talk some more but... I don't think we're going to. Yikes.

We visited Thomas (who got baptized in September) and his family (he got married a few weeks ago to his girl friend) on Thursday. His wife Lindsey's family actually lives in the ward in Apple Valley that Elder Grill got transferred to. So I'm sure that was a tender mercy for Elder Grill. Thomas is doing very well and is excited to start doing missionary work with us

So for the ward christmas party they're putting on a nativity play, and we missionaries are the angels. haha. Anyways, we went over to the house of the woman in charge so that we could see if the robe costume thing fit. She was having some computer trouble too so I helped her with that while we were there. Her arm was really hurting her too so we gave her a blessing. I was asking her about her arm and what led up to it and how the pain felt and to me it seemed like multiple issues, any combination of a torn rotator cuff in her shoulder to some tweaked nerves - hot wire-like pain. We stayed and visited her for a little longer and she asked if I was going to be a doctor and I said that's what I'm planning on right now. She asked what field specifically and I said probably pediatrics. She said that I have a kind and caring face and would make a great doctor because patients would feel comfortable with me. Wow huh? I thought that was a pretty cool complement. Evelyn, the woman we visited, said something similar. Pretty cool.

We visited Barbara on Friday, dedicated her home, and read Luke 2 with her. She felt like there were evil spirits in her home. When I started to offer that prayer my heart started racing really hard and I started feeling pressure and sickness, but I commanded the evil spirits to depart in the name of Christ and when those words came out of my mouth... everything stilled. It was pretty cool and a little scary at the same time. Barbara said "wow. That brought a lot of calm."

Also on Friday there was a baptism. It was for an 8 year old girl from a recently re activated family. She asked me to give a talk on the Holy Ghost, which was surprising, but I enjoyed it.

That was our week. Not bad; we're pretty happy about Gene Ruble. I'll send a couple pic updates here in a minute.

I love you guys!

Elder Browning

Transfers

Hi fam.

Transfers are tomorrow. Elder Grill is leaving. Poor guy. He wanted to stay in his first area through Christmas. I told President that I'd be willing to leave so that he could stay but it didn't work. haha. I'm happy to stay put but I know Elder Grill really likes Barstow. He's an odd goofball but the people here love him. I was worried that I'd be training a new missionary but I guess other people have been called and assigned already this morning and I haven't had a call from the Assistants so I think I'm safe for another transfer or two.

 

We had a busy week. I exchanged with Elder Galt, Patch's greenie, on Monday night. Tuesday morning I wasn't feeling very good and by 9 I wanted to flush my face down the toilet. Nothing was in my stomach so nothing came up. District meeting is not supposed to be canceled unless I'm incapacitated so I muscled through. When I got to the church though, Elder Grill was at the piano and Elder Patch had his head down on the table and had his overcoat on. Apparently he'd been up sick all night. Despite nausea, chills, aches, and an angry rear end, we made it through the meeting. I gave a training on prayer and is actually went really well and we had a great discussion. We switched companions afterwards so that Elder Grill and Elder Galt could still get something accomplished. Patch and I spent a few hours dying in bed at my apartment. ha. We didn't eat anything all day besides some yogurt for dinner. I guess if you can count alka seltzer we had some of that too.

 

Anyways. That was an adventure. I got a blessing for the first time since dad and jeren gave me one before I went into the MTC. I was probably overdue for one. haha. Most of Wednesday and Saturday were spent with the choir. The driving took up as much time as the actual practice and performance. That was the only downside to it. Needless to say, I did a lot of driving this week. Almost 6 hours worth just driving to and from the choir practice and performance. The performance itself went fairly well. Several of the bases crowded around me and followed me during the songs. haha. "Hey what are we doing for this song?" "I don't know. Just listen to Browning." I was able to go to a few extra practices too though so I had that advantage.

 

We met again with Sister Wall. At one point, I don't remember what I said but there was a pause and then she said something like "you sounded like my mother. She used to say that to me." Pretty much every time we visit her there's some moment that touches her. It's been pretty cool. She was at church again yesterday.

 

Speaking of yesterday, I went out to Fort Irwin with Elder Patch. It's a big community for being out in the middle of nowhere. The branch was actually fairly sizable. I counted a good 60 people in attendance. All young families with several kids. Only one boy was old enough to hold the priesthood. I've never been to a sacrament meeting that was so noisey. haha. It was great.

 

Sorry this letter is shorter. Elder Grill is anxious to start packing. ha. His desk looks like someone took a suitcase full of stuff and just dumped everything out on it. So. He's got some work to do. haha

 

Love,

Elder Browning