Hello! Wasn't general conference just awesome? I feel like I enjoy conference more and more each year. It used to be something I more endured than enjoyed. I used to always watch the clock waiting for it to be over. When the last session started yesterday I was like wait, what? Already? There were several common themes and several repeated scriptures and topics throughout conference. I feel like everything ties back to obedience. Being better member missionaries, being more virtuous and chaste, staying close to Christ and His foundation while the world wanders and drifts away from Him, the importance of the family, etc. The last verses in Matthew were read 3 times and not following traditions and trends of the world was also talked about at least 3 times. I hope some members not only heard that but really listened to what was said about becoming better member missionaries. President Eyring basically said that we could have a full teaching pool simply from the efforts of the ward members. We haven't been doing as much member work so we're going to pick that back up.
So if I said we still aren't teaching anyone... haha. um. We aren't. Yet. But! We do have an appointment tomorrow! Chris, a member in the YSA ward, has a cousin that's divorced with kids and she wants to meet with missionaries. So we're super excited about that! Her kids I guess are pretty wild teenagers but maybe they'll listen as well. So we have the potential of 3 new investigators with that family! Hopefully all goes well tomorrow.
We did talk to 2 people that actually sorta listened this past week and we were able to visit with some less actives. We had a member with us Wednesday night and had a list of people to try with him. He felt like we should visit one or two other people that were also close by one of the people we tried to see that wasn't home. So we tried Tyler Johnson and he was home and visited with us for a while. He doesnt come to church because if he did, his ex wife would take the kids back Saturday instead of Sunday. She claims that if he goes to church then he shouldn't get to keep the kids on Sunday. On rare occasions when he can get his kids to go he comes but other than that he doesn't. His wife doesn't like the church so he has a hard time getting them to church and she said no to having them taught by missionaries. Dumb. But, brother Johnson wants to go on splits with us and stuff so that's pretty cool.
We visited another woman that hasn't been coming, sister rios. She works nights so usually she just doesn't get up for church. She's moving but her daughter is staying with a friend and her daughter comes to church sometimes so we might have a potential friend that could become interested there.
So on like Thursday we were trying some more people, knocking some more doors and we passed 2 girls but didn't talk to them... but, a short while later we heard them call after us so we walked back to talk to them and they asked us who we were. We told them and they were just like "oh so that's what you do." But instead of continuing on we just stood there... stupidly... saying nothing. Totally blanked. And missed a super great opportunity! I'm still kicking myself in the foot about it. Soon after we both felt terrible and started combing the area trying to find them again. No luck. But, we ran into a guy that was waiting in the same spot the girls had been and we talked to him and gave him a card. Maybe he knows those girls and will talk to them. I think it was the same day that a dude on a bike rode up to us and asked us about the "3 heavens." We briefly explained the kingdoms of glory and asked if he wanted to learn more. He said yeah and asked if we had any reading material since he had to take off and didn't live in the area. I offered him a book of Mormon and he was super stoked about it! His choice of words were about as vulgar as you can get but he was quite emphatic in his excitement and then apologized for cussing. haha. We gave him a card as well so that he could get missionaries where he lives (in Redlands I think).
When we were with that member Wednesday night Whiting had to use the restroom so we stopped by his home (brother Parker) and visited with them for a little bit before going home. Their little boy climbed right up on my lap and started showing me all his toys. haha. Sister Parker said I must be good with kids because he doesn't usually do that. I wasn't expecting it but it was pretty cute. Another family we had dinner with has a young boy and girl. After dinner we were in their living room and the little boy came over with an ipad, showing us all these primary songs. The little girl asked if we could stay and watch a movie with her and at first we said we needed to go but she got slightly teary eyed, and my "heart was filled with compassion." Haha. So we stayed a bit longer and watched a short Easter video about Jesus Christ.
This church is true. Perhaps we work so that missionaries in central and south America can have so much success. haha. Success as a missionary is not measured by numbers or obvious visual success, but by one's commitment to his purpose to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Elder Nelson Browning
Oh Nelson what a great letter! You have SUCH a compassionate heart that truly is drawn to children. I love, love, love hearing about those experiences with children, because that shows the true soul that is Nelson Browning. And the never giving up. You have amazing tenacity.
XO Mom :)
Tenacity huh? Like a rubber band! A band of rubbers! Robber bands... :)
Oh, you know how to speak Ryan's language--Scripture Scouts! He now wants to email you--it might be a while, so check next week.
:)
Did I tell you they're recruiting me to sing in a mens quintet? I might have said that last week. I can't remember. Bass, baritone, 1st and 2nd tenor, and melody. It's a rendition of I need thee every hour. Should be pretty sweet! We're singing it in Sacrament meeting on mothers day. I'll try and get a recording for ya at a practice/rehearsal or something :)
No! You didn't tell me that. I would LOVE to have a recording...And with your musical talent and fearlessness you should always be singing and playing piano at EVERY opportunity!!! So what part are you singing?
Bass. The others in the group can't hit the low notes for the bass part. It doesn't go that low - just down to an F. I haven't played piano like at ALL in this ward. They have an automatic piano at district and zone meetings so I don't ever get called upon to play. And, the church is too far away to go to unless we're with a member so we basically only go for meetings. I still have my keyboard. I'm going to borrow a hymn book from the church so I can at least keep some skill up.
Good! I've had 5 piano lessons with Sally Geisler so far, and it is so fun to try to work on this dormant and undeveloped talent of mine! My objective is to be able to play hymns, choir stuff, etc. when Dad and I go off to serve a mission 10 years or so from now. Yes, I do think it will take me that long to be able to play well!
:)
I still only have a small handful I can play. No new ones yet. It'd be cool to get to the point where I can play more hymns; that's my goal. Well the rest of the group we're with is finally ready to leave the biblioteca. So! I'll talk to you next week mother dear :)
I love you!
Elder Nelson Browning
I love you!
Elder Nelson Browning
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