Obedience to Law...Is Liberty"

Malo Soifua!

 

So this past week went fairly well I think. We got our member area book finished, with entries for all the members we know. Now we can update it as we teach families and leave them commitments.

Guess who handed out a bunch more pamphlets? These guys! We got 2 more families excited about sharing the gospel with their friends and coworkers. Yay pamphlets! haha.

 

In district meeting this past week, I really got everyone fired up. I talked about obedience - its importance and associated blessings. I know the spirit was there because I said some things I hadn't planned and several missionaries wrote it down. haha. I said something like "learning to be obedient on your mission will create an armor that will last into the eternities." In preach my gospel it says that obedience brings blessings of faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection and freedom. How great is that? I helped the missionaries realize that if all obedience did was just increase your faith, it would be more than worth it. And yet it brings so many other blessings too! It was pretty cool.

 

Moli's new commitment to reading the Book of Mormon has been super cool to see. She is getting so much more out of it, both in understanding and enjoyment. She said she honestly believes what she is reading. We were all super happy. We ready Mosiah 5 with her and she wants to put the last verse in the chapter on her fridge. haha. We're thinking of waiting for her to bring up baptism instead of bringing it up ourselves.

Sabrinna got a calling to teach in primary! It's so perfect! She is super excited about it.

 

We were trying an old address for an inactive family and found a new family had moved in. The guy talked to us for over an hour. He talked mostly about really studying what you're preaching before you go preach it. He had 1 or 2 goofy ideas but for the most part his beliefs were most similar to Mormonism. He had points against most churches but didn't have anything against the Mormon church, just that he liked not belonging to any church. He had a Book of Mormon and didn't know a ton about the church so we encouraged him to study it more. Who knows what could come of it? We thought he was a member at first. "Sup brothas! I'm brotha Pratt." haha.

 

We were able to catch Sai at home. He was less active, then active for a month, and now inactive again. He's really been struggling. We going to share some scriptures about prayer and scripture study but before we did he said "man... I really need to read my scriptures. I need that spirit." I smiled really big and was just like "well. We actually wanted to talk about that." We can't ignore the importance of regular scripture study. He's working sundays now so he can't make it to sacrament meeting. He said that day was one of his worst in a while, and that he hopes, someday, we know how much that visit meant to him. He took down our number and we told him to call when he was struggling and we'd come over.

 

I got the peppermint oil. It feels super good and works for headaches in the front of my head but not the ones that feel like they're in my head. Which are usually the worse ones. I talked to the mission doctor and he said there's not much more I can do. Maybe see a neurologist when I go home. There's an asian member in Elder Langi's ward that does acupuncture and massage therapy so I might go see him sometime. He's super nice. My past head injuries probably have some influence towards the frequenting of my headaches. That doctor and I both think it's a bunch of little things. stress, diet, mission life in general, etc. Things will probably even out a little more when I get home.

 

What a long letter! haha. Hey what else or what different things do you want me to talk about in my emails? More about people and families? More about food? haha. Let me know! I feel like I sometimes scramble for stuff to talk about. We had fish head yesterday. Haha. A fish head... cooked... on the plate. It stared at me O.O "don't eat me!" haha

 

Well anywho. Until next week! Love you guys!

Peace!

Elder Nelson Browning

Our Labors unto the Californians

And it came to pass that fourscore and six weeks passed away since the beginning of our labors unto the Californians.

 

Haha.. why hello family! It sounds and looks like this fort building has been quite the project! I'm sad I didn't get to be a part of it. I honestly miss good old fashioned physical labor. Be ready to put me to work when I get home! Oh as far as school goes, I won't make winter semester if I come home the 21st. I could come home a few weeks early, at which point I might as well just be home in time for Christmas. However, I don't want to come home and immediately start school. I really don't. I would have to spend time out here figuring out classes and other things and I don't want to take time away to do that. I deferred for 2 years and that deferment ends this year. So if I do stay for the rest of my mission, which I want to, I might need you to talk to someone at the school for me. When I was at the office at BYU-I filling out my deferment (don't remember which one...), I told them I wouldn't be back in time for winter semester in 2014 and they said they'd just figure it out when it got closer. Also, I would prefer to fly home and not be picked up down here. I'd love to tour back through the area, but not while I'm still a missionary. Maybe we can take a break from the Idaho cold during President's week or something. Sound bueno? :) Sister houser in the mission office actually called me this week because she needed to know what airport I would be flying into... haha. She's been working on my flight info. Trunky!

 

Anywho. It's been pretty same ol same ol round here. I feel like there's not a lot different to talk about. We're continuing to work on all the lists - the member area book as well as the ward lists. The ward clerk has been updating the information that we've found out so that the ward lists are more up to date. We've started making origami white shirts out of paper with little origami ties and drawing a little name badge on it and then writing a little thank you note to leave at dinners. Elder Judd and I think it's pretty cool :)

 

We had another similar experience regarding the pamphlets with a different family this week. This was an idea the president van cott gave us about a month ago that I really feel was inspired. We might not see the success in having more people to teach, but the seeds being planted by all these youth and young adults with their friends is really cool to see.

 

We seemed pretty unsuccessful in all our attempts to visit people (we litterally exhausted the whole list of less actives/former investigators/recent converts) but we'll keep trying. The bishopric talked to us about not giving up on our increased efforts, which was cool because I don't feel disheartened or anything. I think I've gotten more and more used to not always seeing the fruits of my labors as a missionary. As long as you keep trying, keep working, keep staying faithful to your purpose, you'll be successful.

 

So this is now my 6th transfer as a district leader. Any thoughts on what I'm not learning that I'm supposed to? haha.

 

A bunch of crap hit the fan with the missionaries specifically in the polynesian wards, and we're some of the only ones that didn't get hit. It just shows to me, once again, that when we're obedient, we get blessed; and when we're not obedient, even to mission rules, we lose that blessing. Elder Judd's helped me to keep an even truer course than before and I'm definitely grateful for that. I've started to really see the depth and importance of goals and of making them an active part of our life.  

 

I think that's everything. If I forgot something... oops! Remind me again about it next week. haha.

 

I love you guys! I say that every week, but I mean it!

Elder Nelson Browning

New/Old Transfer

Hey fam,

 

Well, first off, I'm not getting transferred. And second off, neither is my companion. So, pray for us that we survive 6 more weeks. haha.

 

Anyways! Moli put the brakes on again :( she wasn't sure why she didn't feel ready though. We met with her a second time and she realized she's been reading the Book of Mormon more to compare it to the Bible than to really find out if it's true. So she's committed now to reading it with an open heart and to continue praying about it. Omar has had the rest of the lessons now so he's completely ready. Just waitin on his ma now. We encouraged the ward council to fellowship her more.

 

We were able to get in with a couple additional families this week and teach them. Theres one family we've been trying to see and finally caught the older kids at home this past week. They were really nice and invited us in. We shared a short message with them about prayer. Their mom and some of them have started coming back to church recently. Theres an active family that we committed to pray for missionary opportunities a few weeks ago and all the kids have had a TON at school - friends asking about the church, the Book of Mormon, etc. We showed them a restoration pamphlet and they all wanted one! haha. So we gave all the kids one to give to a friend (they're all teenagers I think). They're hoping to maybe hand out a book of Mormon or two sometime soon as well.

Also met with Sam again - I might have mentioned him before. His wife isn't a member but she's nice. He always says he wants and needs to come back but hasn't made it. That's one of my goals - I want to see him come back.

 

I sent a package home on Saturday. I need to start getting rid of more stuff soon. Well. Maybe in November ish. But you should get that on Wednesday. It might be a good idea to open it together... ;) Consider it early Christmas maybe... hehe...

 

We started that member Area book idea I came up with a while ago. We've been designing a template, like a "member teaching record" similar to something used for investigators. We might show the APs to see if other missionaries want it. It's a good idea and doesn't hurt to be extra organized, especially with the increase in need of member involvement and especially in a polynesian ward.

 

Anywho. 18 more weeks! It'll get here all too soon.

Love you guys

Elder Nelson Browning

James's Baptism

Talofa Lava!

 

We spent a lot of time this past week trying to figure things out for James's baptism. We were running around figuring out the program and who was doing what as well as trying to find jumpsuits. No one in the ward or even neighboring wards knew where there might be jumpsuits. I finally contacted stake leadership and it turns out that the stake used to have jumpsuits available but when people consistently stopped returning them, they just turned over responsibility to the individual wards. So I brought that up in Ward Council yesterday which should hopefully help resolve that problem for the ward for future baptisms.

The baptism went well though. Lots of people showed up and Brother Hawkins already has a calling in scouting. He has friends, nourishment from the word of God, and a calling. All set!

 

Moli is still doing well but we weren't able to meet with her this week. She had a lot of family stuff going on, including a funeral of a relative (aunt or uncle - can't remember which). But she should still be getting baptized with Omar next week.

 

So President texted me Thursday and was like Hey! Everything going well with you? I hope so. How about I take you two out to lunch tomorrow - my treat? So... we went out to lunch with President Van Cott! It was actually pretty cool. He's so down to earth. And funny. He's fun to joke around with. Has a good sense of humor.

I played mom for the rest of that afternoon - Elder Langi had to get an MRI done and he wanted me to be the one to go with him so I took him to that appointment.

 

We were in Moreno Valley with the Maile family for dinner Thursday night. Driving through made me think of Jeren.

 

There was also a wedding on Saturday after the baptism that we went to part of. Most of the ward was there and a few nonmembers from Riverside. We spent the inbetween time that we had available trying to see less actives and former investigators. Some have long since moved but we found that several still live at the same address. At one place we went to there were some polynesian youth standing around outside so we talked to them for a little bit - 1 was Tongan and the rest were Samoan. They were polite - said they've talked to missionaries before. We're planning on going back with some of the prospective elders in tow. haha. So that was pretty cool to actually be the one to find Samoan non-members.

 

We taught both gospel principles as well as elders quorum yesterday. Talked about honesty and then about purifying ourselves as priesthood holders. I'm not a huge fan of preparing lessons, but I really don't mind teaching or being in front of people.

 

This is the last week of the transfer so we're hoping to make it a good one. I have no idea what's going to happen with transfers - it really could be anything. We'll see what happens next week.

 

Love you guys! Manuia le aso :)

Elder Nelson Browning

20 Weeks O.o

Hey Everyone,

So President Van Cott's decision was to have everyone just email on Tuesday when libraries are closed on Monday. It gave us extra time yesterday to catch up on some neglected household chores. Haha.

 

Well this week, like much of the rest of this past transfer, has been very bi-polar. Some days (especially this week) I've had migraine level headaches and been super grouchy but others have been fun with lots of laughing and joking. It's been a roller coaster ride that I don't really want to ride a 2nd time. haha.

 

So I've become nicknamed the "traveling barber." I've given... probably 10 haircuts this transfer. Like yesterday I was going around the zone cutting missionaries hair and have a few others lined up now that also want hair cuts. I've gotten fast and thorough enough that people ask if I was going to barber school before the mission. All I have to do to answer that question is try and use scissors instead of clippers. haha :)

 

Brother Hawkins bore his testimony in church this week which was super cool. He's definitely ready for his baptism this Saturday.

Moli is also getting there. We showed her the Mormon Message about "you don't know everything; but you know enough" by Neil L Anderson which helped her too. Oh we gave her a blessing as well.

 

So I hate to ask for things, but I'm out of contacts... help? :) haha. Also, my drivers lincense expires in 2 months so we should probably get working on that extension form or whatever. I think there's one that I already signed sitting somewhere in a file at home.

 

We went to a baptism for a couple in the Mountain View ward in Redlands which is Elder Judd's previous area. It was cool to talk to so many people that knew Grandma and Grandpa and loved having them serve in that ward. A few individuals that have recently come from rough and hard situations became tearful when recalling some of the experiences and the love they have for Elder and Sister Browning. One couple is going up to visit in October I think they said. I also met  Brother Jolley who's a relative of ours. It was fun to talk with him.

 

Mmm and that's about it! I'll try and send a few fun photos before I log off. I'm looking forward to that applesauce and some carrot chowder when I get home! :) haha. Glad you enjoyed the songs mom!

 

Love,

Elder Nelson Browning