Erika to Utah Valley Symphony

Erika and her friend, Caitie, purchased tickets to go and see the Utah Valley Symphony at the Covey Center in Provo.  One of the top reasons they chose this concert, was because Jenny Oaks Baker was playing with the Symphony.  Erika and Caitie love Jenny Oaks Baker and look up to her and her great violin playing.  After the concert they were able to stand in line and get her autograph on the piece of paper they received from the concert.  They didn't have her CD to have it signed, so they did this instead.  When Erika came home, she was so excited to tell us what she had.  She was bouncing off the walls in excitement of this great autographed piece of paper and to able to meet her idol, Jenny Oaks Baker.  Erika hope to see her next performance in July in American Fork.  Maybe next time we can get a picture of Jenny and Erika together, then what would Erika do then, FLY!!!!!

Letter from Cam's Mission President

Elder Brown update

Hello again,

I cannot believe that another week has gone by and here I am writing a e-mail to you. We are having a lot of success here in Fort Worth. Elder Hatch and I baptized another person this past weekend. His name was Javier McKay. It was very cool. We also have another 7 dates coming up on May 22. It is way cool. I am so excited. With all the baptisms and stuff, we are wearing the ward out. They want a break, but what can I say, we are just baptizing right now. It is awesome.

Well, thank you so much for all the pictures. I hope you got mine that I sent last week in my e-mail. I will be sending a baptismal picture this e-mail. Hope you enjoy them.

That's not good to hear that y'all have had bad weather. I am having great weather here. It is almost 80 degrees daily now. It is definately getting warm. I am using my camelback more and more each day. Thank you again for all the things you do for me.

Alright, well have a wonderful week. Love you tons and tons!

-Elder Brown

Erika Prom Pictures

Erika orchestra day tour

Erika went tonight on her orchestra day tour to Salt Lake City.  They left at 2:30 pm and then headed to the Gateway Mall, Clark Planetarium and the Abravanel Hall.  She loved being with the orchestra and many friends as they went together to these amazing places.  They were able to go to the Utah Symphony and listen to their music.  She said they played music from Romeo and Juliet.  She arrived home at 11:30 pm.  She went around with 5 friends, 3 being boys.  She made sure to let us know that she would being have a great time tonight.

Riley accepted into Concert Choir

Riley auditioned for Concert Choir for next school year on Thursday after school.  He was told today, that he was accepted into it as well as 12 other boys.  Apparently, all the boys who auditioned, made the Concert Choir team. (they are in need boys all the time).
He was so excited to be chosen and be able to participate with Dixon Choir.  He had the 7th grade Choir class last semester and really enjoyed it.  He is a 1st Tenor, but his voice hasn't changed yet, so we will see as the next school year comes along.

Great Job Riley, we are so proud of you.

The lastest Doll Cake

Again, here I go, making another doll cake for one of Erika's friends for her birthday.  Why do I put myself through the hard work and effort?  Oh yeah, because we love giving them away and their reaction.  Erika's friend, Peggy had a birthday today and her favorite color is yellow, hence the yellow doll cake.  This really was a good time to do this, because I have offered to make a wedding doll cake for one of my co-workers at her wedding in June.  Again, what was I thinking?  I needed to try and match some colors for her cakes, because her colors are black and grey, which are the hardest colors to make out of white frosting, but it was good to practice.  Now I just have to figure out what I am going to do on the wedding doll cake.  Anyway, this one was fun and Erika and her friend Rachel, took it to Peggy at 9:30 tonight and of course, Peggy loved it.

Elder Brown update & new pictures

Hello from Elder Brown in Fort Worth Texas. The weeks are flying by, but I am still working and baptizing. In fact, Elder Hatch and I have now 6 baptismal dates. It is so exciting! We are doing very well and are bringing those "lost sheep" into the gospel. I am so happy for all your support and help.

I am so happy for Erika. I'm sure she had a wonderful time. Tell her that I like her dress and I think that she looks very nice with her date.
To answer your questions, yes I did fill out a census in the State of Texas. Our mission told us to do so. So do not put me on your form.
I did receive the missionary pass along cards with the Provo Temple on them. I am so grateful to have received those, they save me lots of time.
We have a Credit Card, sort of; it's more like a funds card, at the last day of every month the church puts $135 on it for me to use for the upcoming month. I can find out how much I have through a phone number that is on the back of the card. Although, they want us to not call the number at all and just keep track of the transactions and how much money we have on a piece of paper. They want us to learn to keep track of our funds.
Well, that is all for this week.
Enjoy!

-Elder Brown

Erika & Alastair - Prom day

Today was Prom for Erika.  Her date, Alastair Leavitt, came and picked her up at 10:30 am and their group went to Boondocks until 3:00 pm.  While they were gone, she asked us to pick up the boutinneere we ordered from Macey's last Tuesday.  When we went to get it, they had put the wrong color of rose on it.  The flourist at Macey's was gone for the day, so Brian and I went to the Flower Patch and asked them if they could put one together for us in a couple of minutes.  Of course, they were busy doing many corsages and boutinneers for other students, so they had the flourist on hand.  We purchased the correct Hot Pink Rose color and then we let Erika pick which one when she came home to get ready. Then they went to lunch/dinner at Brick Oven from 3:30 until 5:30 and after that she came home to get ready for the dance.  One of our neighbors is in hair school, so Erika had asked her to do her hair.  Thanks Katherine, it looked so cute.  Alastair came at 8:30 pm  with the corsage.  He was so nervous to put it on Erika, as well as Erika putting on the boutineere on Alastair.  They were so cute and even let me take pictures. They went to the Provo City Library for pictures, The Promanade and the dance.  She invited us to come to the promanade at 9:30.  There were so many other parents there it was crazy.  No places to park in the whole area, but we finally were able to see her come down the stairs with Alastair.  The announced their names as they came down (Alastair Leavitt and the beautiful Erika Brown).  I recorded them coming down and we yelled out to her as she was coming down.  She saw us a couple of minutes later and said, "Was that you guys yelling out at me?"  Of course we said, " Yes."    They went and had ice cream at the Malt Shoppe and she arrived home at 12:00 - yes midnight. She had a great time with all her friends and the group.  We can't wait to see the professional pictures in a couple of weeks.

Erika & Peggy Manicures for Prom

Erika and her friend are both going to Prom tomorrow.  The wanted to get a manicure before then.  Peggy came over at 8 pm and we started into it.  I got out all my nail manicure stuff from the past and then they soaked they nails and hands and then put on a scrub to get all the dead skin off.  Then they painted their nails, taking turns doing the hands that they have a hard time doing.  They laughed and giggled for a couple hours until they were done.  Erika painted hers Hot Pink and Peggy did white.  They are funny girls.  We love to listen to them talk and laugh about each other.  They are both so excited to go to Prom.

Elder Brown update

Well, I got transferred out. I am now serving in the Fort Worth Stake in the Chapel Creek ward. It is a very interesting area, because I live right next to a military base, so I get to see the Jet's fly over every day. The building shakes, it is very cool. I have seen many planes and jets fly around, and I love it. My new companion is Elder Hatch. He actually graduated from Provo High 1 yr before I did. He is going home at the end of this transfer, back to Provo, Utah. I am so excited to be serving with him. I am serving with him in the Chapel Creek ward for 6 weeks. It is going to be very fun and cool.

The GPS is very nice. I love it. The weather, well...it just started raining outside, ugh... Oh well.
Well, I love seeing the pictures, and I know that y'all are probably dying to get some from me. Well, I forgot my camera at the apartment, so next week I will get you some.
I am short on time this week, I will write more next week.
Keep smiling and I love you tons and tons.

-Elder Brown

Riley and the duct tape projects

Riley had many of his friends give him duct tape for his birthday.  HE LOVES DUCT TAPE!!!  One day while I was at work he called me and asked me when I came home, could we go to Home Depot.  I asked him why, and he said he needed a Utility knife and a cutting board for his duct tape projects.  He has made a spreadsheet with all the duct tape colors and listed all the things he can make and how much it costs.  A bunch of his friends at school signed up and told him to make them and they would pay him for it.  One day he made over 5 dollars and wanted to go and spend it on more duct tape.  I bought a couple of books for him and now he is coming up with more projects to make.  The lastest creation is this piano bag for one of his friends.  He charged him 3 dollars for it.  He is so amazing for watch and try and figure it out.  He is hard to get up in the mornings for school, but the other morning he was up before all the rest of us and was making some more projects to take to school for his friends.  He is so creative and our little engineer.  What will he do next?  Who knows, but he loves doing it, despite the mess he makes.

The shoes, Jewelry and Hair flower

Erika went with her friends to the mall to pick out the Jewelry to go with her Prom dress.  A co-worker of Sharri's is making her dress.  It is hot pink.  It was designed by Erika and custom made.  The one she really wanted was $400 and we made it for $200.  It pays to have friends to are so talented and want to help us out.  Erika found the shoes online that she wanted, so we just ordered them a couple of weeks ago, so they could shipped in time for Prom.  She is so excited.

Back Home - Spring Break is over

We flew back home today at 1:00 pm and arrived in Salt Lake City at 3:30 pm.  My parents were able to take us and pick us up from the airport, so we didn't have to pay for leaving our van at the long term parking.  We came home and unpacked and relaxed.  Of course, the first thing out of Erika's mouth was, I am hungry.  How could she be hungry again, we ate before breakfast, waiting for our flight and during our flight.  Brian suggested we get Cafe Rio, since we didn't have much food in the fridge, so that is what we did.  I also had to go to the store and get milk and bread and ingredients to make Black Bean Salad for tomorrow's baptism for Brian's cousin's boy in West Jordan.  Erika had to go to bed early, because she had to take the ACT test in the morning.  That is why we had to be back so soon from San Francisco.  Bad planning on the ACT test people, during Spring Break.  What were they thinking.  We had a good vacation and 750 pictures later. (not including the ones that the Autrey's took)  Now we need to save up for the next one, but have no plans for the summer.

Elder Brown update

Wow, another transfer has gone by. I am here in Lewisville and I just found out today from President that I am getting Pink washed out! That means that Elder Call and I will be leaving at the same time and 2 sisters will replace us. It is very exciting, but stressful because we have to make sure the area is ready for sisters. It is crazy, but I am excited. Well, next time I e-mail you I will be in a new area. I don't know where I will be yet, but I have to start packing up again. Ugh, but oh well.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the presents you sent me. It was exactly what I wanted to get on my B-day. I had a wonderful Easter and had a good time watching Conference. The messages were wonderful. I can't believe that I am now 20. That is not right.
Well, I also want to let you know that I received a Happy Birthday card from Nate. He is a great friend and I can't wait to sit down with him and talk about our missions, it will be fun.
Well, I am so glad that y'all decided to go on a vacation. I'm sure that dad needed it and that it was good to get away from the stress of life. Most of the time as a missionary, you get stressed out from trying to find exchanges and to go out and teach. It can be stressful, but it is always rewarding in the end. I will definitely need a break when I get home from serving. I am working 24/7, non stop. It is crazy.
Well, I was just trying to send home some pictures, but the computer won't let me plug in my device, so I will have to try next week. I will send you my recent baptism as well as some other fun pictures.
Oh, and I am so happy for Erika. The pictures of the flamingos on the lawn looked awesome and that someone would take the time to do something cool like that.  Well, that is all for this week.
Love you tons and tons!

-Elder Brown

Day 4 - Alcatraz - Cable Car - Golden Gate - 4D movies - Lombard Street

Fourth day started early for our Alcatraz tour at 9:30 am.  We had to be there 45 minutes before the ferry boat left for our tour time.  The boat we rode in held 700 people and went every 30 minutes back and forth from Alcatraz island.  Once we got to the island, we had to walk 1/4 mile up a incline to get to the audio tour inside the prison cells.  Each of us had headphones and a mini mp3 player that had the audio on and told us different facts about each area.  It lasted about 90 minutes.  It was very interesting and very quiet too, because everyone had on headsets and listening.  The kids weren't even bored.  It was a great history lesson for all of us.  We saw a 17 minutes DVD on Alcatraz at the discovery channel did and then the audio tour and we at our leisure we could walk around the island as long as we wanted.  They had one of the inmates that is still living sign books in the bookstore for souveniers.  Erika purchased one for her US History class and possibly get extra credit points.  We left the island at around 1:00 pm and then the kids were starving again and suggested we go to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch, so we walked to Pier 39 where it was.  The food was okay, but it is all about the atmosphere inside.  We then booked a tour on a Cable Car that was converted to drive anywhere to Golden Gate Bridge and other San Francisco sites, which we had seen on the ride the duck tour, but we were able to get a discount for the same tour company.  It was a little bit chilly riding the car over the bridge at 50 miles per hour, but luckily for us, they had blankets there to use.  After two hours of the tour, we sent Brian and Rob to get our jackets at the cars, because we left them there earlier, and it was getting chilly again.  Oh, and it cost to park your car down by the pier, the first day it cost us $28 for the day and the second time we were smarter, and only paid $10 for the day. Everyone is trying to earn a buck at the Pier's.  From jugglers, to mime's, to guitar players and keyboards, to homeless people, to magician's, etc ,etc, etc.  It was crazy in Pier 39 with all that going on outside and inside.  We then decided to go to the 4D movies that Riley and Sarah wanted to do the day before.  The movies were Speed Racer, Spongebob and Journey to the Center of the Earth.  So you get the 3D glasses and then the seats move around when you are watching the 3D movie.  It was really crazy, but it was fun too.  The best one was Spongebob, surprisingly.  We decided to get Funnel Cake and watch a lady do a magic show.  She was 57 years old and she asked Brian to come and volunteer for her.  He had to hold a walking stick for her to walk across and juggle.  She climbed up his back over his head.  I thought Erika and Riley were going to die of laughter.  Brian was a good sport and let us laugh at him doing his chippendale dance as well.  We then went to our cars and decided to drive down Lombard street, the #1 most crooked street in the US.  It was crazy, becasue people actually live on that street and park their cars on it.  It was a very steep street and can understand why they made it wind back and forth, but it is the only one if San Francisco.  It is very famous from many different movies, like "What's up doc" with Barbra Streisand.  We then drove to the Coit tower to look at the city in the dark.  We tried to go there earlier, but didn't make it until it was dark and it was closed.  We then decided to go back to the hotel and pack up, since we were leaving on the airplane in the afternoon.  We had a great time, but we wanted to do some much more, but there just wasn't time.  There is alot to do in San Francisco, but I am sure we only saw a sliver of it.  Thanks to the Autrey's who came and spent time with us for a couple of days.