Missionaries! (July 5th, 2013)

Dear Family,

 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!! There are so many blessings that come from being a missionary and being a servant of the Lord. I have truly grown closer to God and I have been filled with His spirit and divine love for me. I am so happy to be able to wear our Savoir Jesus Chirst's name next to mine, and I feel sad every night when I have to take my badge off. The spirit is so strong, and there isn't anywhere else I would rather be than on my mission. Before I get into telling stories and such I have to take care of some bussiness. I will be leaving the MTC on July 11 (Thursday) at 2:30 a.m. My flight leaves at6:00 a.m. and has a layover at Minneapolis. We then will take off again at 10:10 and should be in Clevand by one. I have been told that I will be able to call home while at the airport. Thank you for all of the yummy packages and treats! I love emails, but letters would also be nice since we can read those whenever, but we can only read emails on P-day. But do whatever you prefer, as long as I am able to hear from you all.

 

This week truly has been amazing and enjoyable! I have learned so much and have grown as a person and as a missionary. This week I had an amazing spiritual experience. One day we were asked to put ourselves in the shoes of an investigator. We then had our teachers teach us as if they were the missionaries. I was filled with an amazing impression of the pains and loss people without this church feel and I couldn't believe how lost they truly are. It pained me to have to feel that, but it has truly motivated me to become better and to grow. While reading the Book of Mormon, I have received so much revelation! As you read it and open your heart to God, I know that He will guide and impress your mind and will give you help and strength. I hope that you truly will try this and that it will help you, as it has me.

 

All of my "investigators" are doing really well. We challenged one to read the Book of Mormon and to go to church. He has followed through with all of them. It is so excting to be able to reach out and to help him, even though he is just an actor. I love my district and we are all very close! We have such a good time and all get along very well. I couldn't be happier with all of the amazing friends that I have made. My companion is cool and he is very patient. He is always using a cane or brace, but he remains dilligent and strong. We all call him the wise owl.

 

In our classes we focuss on learing how to teach with the spirit and the importance of welcoming it and showing our love for the people we are teaching. I have learned so much and I have grown a lot. I have also become much more social. I love talking to people and I have practiced doing lots of street contacting. Mission work isn't easy, and I find that I am always tired, but I love it very much! For our devotionals we have to walk over to the Marriott Center. We fill it up half way and it is really cool to be able to see all of the missionaries. We truly are an army of God and we are all very blessed and guided by Him. I find myself constantly happy and laughing and filled with the spirit. I want to be a missionary for my whole life, I love it that much.

 

Yesterday, July 4th, we had our infield training. That was really long, but also went really well.  It got me way more excited to go out to Cleveland and to be able to teach real people and to be able to help all of them. We then had a really cool devotional and got to watch the movie: "17 Miracles". After the movie they gave us ice cream and then walked us out to the field to be able to watch the fireworks. One of the sister's mom sent us confetti cannons, glow sticks, and candy.  Our district had ourselves a little party! We had such a great time together and we all enjoyed being able to celebrate our wonderful country that has provided us with so many joys and freedoms.

 

THE BROTHERS HAVE BEEN REUNITED!! Kolton and I ran into each the first day he was here, and I have been with him many times since. He is doing really well and is staying strong. We are both in the same building so we get to visit every night before going to bed. He loves it here, but he is having a hard time adjusting, like we all have. I am so happy to be able to see him and to be a support for him as he is for me. I have seen many other friends here as well and it is cool to see all of us wearing our name tags. I am so happy that I get to serve the Lord with my best friends and to know that we are all servants of the Lord doing His glorious work. Thank you all so much for your support towards me and towards my friends. We all truly love and appretiate that!

 

To all of you future misssionaries (this means you Carter), here is my advice for the week: Don't endure it, but rather enjoy it! You will learn and grow so much, so allow yourself to be able to do so. Be happy, be strong, and forget yourself and get lost in the work of the Lord.

 

I love you all so very much. Be strong and remember that the Lord is always there and ready to help and to bless you. Your friend, son, cousin, grandson, nephew, and missionary,

 

Elder Brown

 Jory's district visiting the temple!  I believe that is his companion on his right.  

 Best friends reunited!

 Celebrating the 4th with glowing wristbands!

In the MTC (June 28th)

Dear Family,

 

I am so happy to be able to hear from you and to be able to enjoy your emails. Thank you so much for the cupcakes! They are yummy and really have made my day. I am so greatful for your love and your support. I truly am feeling all of your love and prayers.

 

I am located in the main MTC campus and have six elders in my room. We all get along really well and enjoy being able to be around one another. We spend awhile talking everynight and help each other. They are like my new little family. I am going a little crazy here I have to admit. I feel like I am in  a little prison, with being in Provo and all. But this will all be well and I am adjusting.

 

The spirit is so strong and I am filled with the love of the Lord. He truly does care for me and I do feel that. I have been a little home sick, and have been worrying about many things. But the spirit has been comforting me and helping me through that, and I know that I am not alone. This is such an amazing experience and I am so happy that I am here able to serve the Lord and to reach out to others.

 

We have had lots of lessons about the importance of letting the spirit into our lives. They have been really good and enjoyed. We also have had a couple of fake investigators that we have had to teach. They are named Courtney and Ben. Even though they are just actors  I still have felt the spirit guiding and directing me through what to say and I have received that great support and blssings.

 

My companions name is Elder Reeder. He is a pretty cool guy and is very kind to me and to others. He has an injured leg and has to use a cane, so I have had to help him a lot and have had to be kind and patient towards him. I love everyone in my district and we get along very well. We have seven sisters and six elders, so that is very cool to be able to see and to have. Our Zone is also very cool  and I love all of them. We have the ASL missionaries in our zone and they are such cool people. I love being able to talk to all of them and to enjoy their sweet love and kindness. Deaf people truly are amazing.

 

I love and miss all of you so much! You are all so important to me and I truly do care for each of you. I hope you know that Heavenly Father loves all of you and that He truly is there to help and to comfort. Missions are hard, but they are the best things in the world. I already love it, and I have just started!

 

Love,

Elder Brown 

Drop Off

     On Wednesday, June 26th we dropped off Elder Brown at the Provo MTC!  He was set apart with many family members and friends the night before so he'd be all set for his departure.  In the morning we went out to eat with the immediate family, and then had pictures taken at the Temple.  Around noon we drove him into the MTC.   These days they just have parents drop off the missionary at the curb.  As we drove into the MTC grounds, we saw lots of  missionaries that were hosts to the new missionaries coming in.  They were all smiling and waving and I could tell that Elder Brown was so excited to join their ranks!  His host was very nice and friendly as we got the luggage out and ready to go.  We gave shared hugs and goodbyes and then he was on his way!

 With parents, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nieces.  

Temple with the parents.  

And away he goes!