More Girl's Camp

On Wednesday, we were on our schedule and had some time to decorate journals and give the girls the backpacks that we stuffed with a brown hoodie sweatshirt, Tie Dye shirt, green blanket, green beanie, water bottle holder, 2 bandana's, a kazoo and many other little gadgets.  The hoodie came in very handy, since the wind started to blow and it was getting cold.  That night while we were sleeping, I woke up at 1:00 am to the wind blowing so hard, that I heard our camp equipment blowing.  My camp assists heard the same thing and woke up also.  The three of us put our jackets on and our shoes, and ran outside to see what had blown away, but to our astonishment, nothing was blown down.  We all heard something hit the side of the cabin, but only the trash can had be blown over.  I thought for sure our big canopy had blown and was on it's way to hit the two cars by our campsight, but it hadn't thank goodness.  Then all 3 of us looked at each other, and need to use the biffy.  We ran as fast as we could up the slight incline to the Biffy, with the cold wind blowing in our face, in the dark, and the other 3 people out at that time of night.  We all signed a big relief when we got back to the cabin safe and sound, including our canopy.  This was the night that the storm was coming in.  We knew when we left that there was going to rain on Friday, but didn't know about the wind coming.  The pictures are of Erika and Heather, helping at Waterfront as the Stake YCL's and the other is 5 of the 9 Young Women was came to our ward camp.  They all loved the silly songs, and they all are dressed alike too.

Sharri & Erika to Girl's Camp

This year Girl's Camp was scheduled for the 1st week of August, but our Stake decided to trade weeks and go the 2nd week of June, which is the 1st week that anyone goes to Camp MIA Shalom.  We weren't sure if we were able to go, because of the snow not melting soon enough, but we received the go ahead the friday before.  Erika was a Stake YCL's this year, so she did everything with them, including sleeping, driving up with them and eating.  She left at 6:30 am and the rest of the ward leaders left at 8:00 am.  Brian came and helped us unload our trailor and setup the canopy's and camp chef's.  It was such a nice warm, sunny day on the day we went up.  Erika and I both got sunburned on our faces and arms.  The rest of the Young Women rode a greyhound bus and they got to Camp MIA Shalom at 2:00 pm.  We had most of the morning to get setup and wait for the Young Women.  It was nice and peaceful.  We setup our beds and re-arranged some things.  The pictures above is the banner that our ward made.  Our Theme was Wisdom Warriors - O.W.L.S. Onward We Live Strong.  Our value color was green for knowledge.  So all of our planning was around knowledge and green.  Each ward had to make a banner and pick a scripture and then present it at our flag ceremony time.  Our ward had 4 leaders and 9 young women, not including Erika and her friend Heather, who were with the Stake.

The Wedding doll cakes!!

What was I thinking??  I volunteered to make these wedding doll cakes for a co-worker of mine.  The 8 small ones weren't too bad, except for having to try and get black frosting. (it was disguisting and running)  The big doll cake took alot of time and when we were ready to put the barbie doll in, the back of the cake split.  That is why we use doll picks, instead of full barbie's.  Then we had to transport all of them to Soldier Hollow in Midway, which was a 45 mintue ride through Provo Canyon.  We did alright, as you can see by the pictures, but setting it up was not so fun, especailly since my hands were shaking and the bride cake was melting and sinking into the middle.  At this point, I really didn't care what they looked like, I just wanted to be done and go back home.  I started making the cakes on Wednesday evening.  Decorated the 8 mini cakes all day Thursday and baked the big doll cake on Thursday night until 11 pm.  On Friday, I decoarted the wedding doll cake until it was done at 3:00 pm.  We had to be at Solider Hollow at 5:00 pm, but we were a little bit late, becasue of the road construction, but Aly & Wyatt didn't mind we were late.  So, don't ask me to do a wedding doll cake in the next six month, because I don't want to do any more.  It was alot of work and now I understand why people don't like to do it and stop doing it.  It was so stressful and crazy and now I am just tired.  Thanks anyways Aly for letting me do this for your special day.

Elder Brown update

Well, I am here again writing you an e-mail. I always like it when I can write home to you. Hope all is going well at home.
Well, we had a baptism planned for last Sunday, but it got cancelled. Valerie called us right before Sacrament Meeting and told us that she didn't want to get baptized today because she didn't feel like she was ready yet. So we moved it back. I'm sure Elder Hatch will have something to say to her about that. She is still interested in the gospel and is still learning. We go over often.
Our new mission president actually gets here on the 26th of June, right before board week starts. The old mission president and him talk for about 2 hours then the old one goes home right after that. The new one will start board week that Monday. I believe the first 3 months for a new mission president are the hardest because it is the time for training him on how he is supposed to run the work. I think I would die the first 3 months if I was a new mission president. You have to read a 600 page book on the mission and the mission president book guidelines. Oh well... I'm still excited for him to come in.
WOW! Riley with braces huh. Well tell him that the pain will wear off in the long run. He will have straight teeth and a wonderful smile. Maybe he will still have them on when I get home?
I am so happy for Josh, Laena’s son, and his choice to be baptized. Say Hi to everyone there for me.
Well, I got my first "real" Texas rain storm last night. It was raining so hard that I get drenched in less than 4 seconds. There was a river in the road. We couldn't even cross the road in some places because the water was so high. It was very crazy. Tell our neighbor, Bro. Autrey, that now I know what he means when he says raining cats and dogs. It is very crazy when it rains here. They have canal's in some places because there is so much water that it would instantly close a drainage system if they let that much water go through it.
Well, that is all for this week. Have a wonderful week and thank you for all that you do for me.

-Elder Brown

Riley - Braces!!

Riley was so excited to get his braces on today, not really, but it was time.  We took him at 9:30 am and he finished with a full set of braces at 11:00 am.  He asked for a McFlurry from McDonald's after we were done.  We didn't complain too much, but the next couple of days will be the real pain, with his teeth shifting and the bracets rubbing on the inside of of cheeks.  The next two years will be different as far as what he gets to eat and how well he brushes and flosses.  Both Cameron and Erika have had braces, so they know exactly how he feels.

Riley's new treasure

Today after church, Riley told us about his new treasure that he bought with his school refund money.  He went with his friends yesterday and stopped at the Deseret Industries.  He bought a $10 TV, a $10 vacuum and a $2 snow cone maker.  I couldn't believe that he spent his money of things that probably didn't work, but they all work.  I thought, oh no, now he will want to go all the time and spend money on stupid stuff.  You know the old saying "One mans junk is another man's treasure."  Well, Riley found his treausres all right and they even work really well.  We all laughed about it and my thought was "he is not going there with any money again".  So here are the pictures of what he bought.  Talk about making you money worth while.  Only Riley!!

REAL Soccer Rio Tinto Stadium

Brian was given two tickets to the Real Soccer game tonight at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.  A client is trying to get his business at his company, and wanted to wine and dine him to get him to buy their product.  We decided to go and spend the evening together.  The tickets were in the suite on the 4th floor.  It started at 7 pm, but we left at 5 pm and stopped at Cafe Rio for dinner and then headed over to the stadium where we had reserved parking as well.  It was kind of cool inside of the stadium and it was a little bit chilly too.  We meet with some the of company people and then we just watched to game.  What was really crazy is the clubs in the south end zone.  They stand the whole game playing their drums and waving their flags and chanting and cheering on the team.  They even let off some smoke bombs when they made the 4 goals. I think they are probably deaf after the games, becasue they seriously did not stop banging the drums the whole time.  Apparently, they have a tailgate party a couple of hours before hand, then they have a persession march into the stadium and then the whole game.  I guess this is pretty common for soccer games, especially in Europe, but this was a new experience for me.  The game was two hours long and then we headed home.  I told Brian that next time he shoudl bring Riley, because Riley loves that kind of stuff.  We might go to a game this summer with the family, just to have some fun.

Elder Brown update

Hello from Elder Brown in Fort Worth. Yup, didn't get transferred, still here in White Settlement Texas. My new companion is Elder Proctor. He is from Orem Utah and graduated from Orem High. Wow, what a small world we live in. I think there are a whole bunch of missionaries in the mission from Utah County. It is so weird, but cool.
Well, I know that I have been having a hard time lately, but I am trying my best to get over it now that Elder Hatch is gone, it will get better.
I am trying to stay cool as much as possible. I know with the heat coming on, it is going to get very hot, and I just need to figure out ways to keep cool. Thanks for the package of stuff with things to help me keep cool, I appreciate that very much.
With missionary work, we have a baptism coming up this Sunday for Valerie Flores. Irene Flores Neice. She is so ready to be baptized and wants to keep coming to church with Irene and Javier. It will be so cool.
Well, Start sending me the mail again now that you know I didn't get transferred.
Love ya and talk to you next week,

Elder Brown

Erika Zoology class

Erika has been in a Zoology Honors class this year.  She has really enjoyed it, because she loves animals.  In the picture she looks like a scientist or chemist.  Who knows maybe she will be in the future.  The students had to diesect a cat this past week.  Not sure if she enjoyed it, but by the picture it looks like they had fun together.  Some of the things she had to do this year in the class was; 100 bug collection, diesecting sharks, squid, cats, frogs, pigs, etc and identify 30 birds.  What a great experience for her to have in a high school setting.  Great Job Erika!!

Riley to PPT

Riley was invited to attend his friend, Landon Gomm birthday party today.  He wasn't excited at first, but when he got there and saw how fun it was going to be, he could stop talking about it.  The place he went was Progressive Power Tumbling.  They have a large area for trampoline's and jumping pits, etc to enjoy.  He was there for an hour and a half.  He said that the pit is so deep, that they were trying to find the bottom, but never did.  He now wants to go there for his birthday party.  Thanks to Landon for inviting him.

Erika to Moab for YCL Hike

Erika went with all the Stake YCL's and 4th year girls and some leaders to Moab today and will be back tomorrow at 3 pm.  Her friend Heather is to the left and her YW President, Sister Hill to the right and Moriah, who is a 4th year.  The stake planned a 4th year hike to Moab a couple of months ago and invited all the Stake YCL's to join them.  Erika was not really excited to go at first, but once she got to the church and saw all her friends and leaders, then she was more excited.  Girls camp week is coming up in a couple of weeks, so this is a good prep hike for the week to come.  At least it is wamer in Moab and there won't be much snow, like it will be at Girls Camp.

Elder Brown update

Hey,  Well, I don't actually have a bunch of time this week, so I will have to keep this e-mail very short. Elder Hatch is headed in for his exit interview and headed home on Thurs, May 28th. I will be receiving a new companion on Wed, May 27th. 
Well, transfers are next week Wednesday. President told me that I will most likely be staying here in Chapel Creek, but I can't be 100% sure, so do not send anything to my apartment until I e-mail you next week, unless you can get the letter or package to me by next Tuesday. I will let you know the outcome next Thursday if I have been transfered or not. 
Well, missionary work is hard and getting harder. I am trying to keep moving forward, but since the heat is coming on, I am just trying to find any way to keep cool. Thanks for the package of things to help me keep cool. I will probably be sending the squirt guns back to you since I am not allowed to have them, at least from what I have been told.
Well, that is all for this week.
-Elder Brown

Uncle Byron's Funeral

My uncle Byron passed away last thursday, May 13th.  He was 64 years old.  He has been in the hospital for the past 6 weeks with bowel obstruction and then his kidneys were failing.  We had his Funeral today, starting at 9 am with a private viewing for just the family and then we headed up the city cemetary in Salt Lake for the Graveside service at 11 am.  My brother flew in from Texas and all the rest of the family where there, including cousins from the Evans side and Bollinger side.  There were also the caregivers for Medallion Manor there.  My dad gave a short tribute to his only brother and Erika played her violin at the end.  Of course she did an awesome job and played my dad's favorite song "I am a Child of God."  We all went to the Training Table for lunch afterwards.  It was a great day to be with family on the joyous occasion of Byron's reunion with his parents.  He will be missed, but we know that he is happy and has no pain or suffering.  WE LOVE YOU BYRON!!!

Erika in the 5K fun run

Erika registered to run in the 5k Fun Run in Provo Canyon today.  Her Young Women's leader has been in charge of it for the past 5 years, and told them she would pay for it, if they would come and support them.  Erika had her friend, Karen and Nate, run with her.  They started at Vivian Park at 9 am and then ended up at Canyon Glen Park, all down hill.  She did a great job and came in to the finish line at 27:20 minutes.  This is aweseom, because last year she came in at 45 minutes.  She has been training with the PHS Track team and has been running with them for the past couple of months.  She seems to like it and has trimmed down in weight too.  She looked so good running, like a professional.  Her friend, Nate, kept pushing her to keep going.  What a great friend and he even let her come in before him.  They seemed to have a great time running together and will probably do it next year and try to beat her score.  Great Job Erika!!!

Erika Orchestra Concert

Tonight was

Erika's final orchestra concert for 2009-2010 school year.  She played in an Octtett, which consists of 8 strings.  The number she played was composed by the student who conducted the piece.  He has been writing 3 movements, but has only finished 1 so far. She is the section leader for the 2nd violins, so she was able to play with the other 7 players.  The last two number where great as well.  Erika's grandparents like the syncopated clock piece, but all the orchestra players hate it, because they play it all the time.  Erika has become quite the violinist.  We are so proud of her and her accomplishments.  See you next year!!!

Elder Brown update

Hello from Elder Brown in Fort Worth Texas! It was so wonderful to be able to talk to you on Sunday. I can't believe that 4 days have already gone by since I talked with you. Hope Mom isn't still crying.  Well, I am finally over my cold, but I still have allergies that I am dealing with. It is hitting me pretty hard. I think that if you come to Texas, you will get allergies that you never thought you had. Many missionaries didn't think they had allergies until they came to Texas. Now they have them. Weird huh?  Missionary Work is going pretty well. We have a hopeful baptism coming up on the 23rd of May. I hope this little girl gets baptized. She really wants to and Irene, her Mom, who just got baptized in April, wants her to get baptized as well.  She is just one happy little girl. Other than that, nothing else is new.  Yes I did get the Ensign's you sent me. Thank you so much.  Also, tell Riley not to play on the PS3 all the time. Get outside, it does the body good.
Well, after all for now. I love you all very much.
Love you tons and tons!

-Elder Brown

The birds and the BBQ

This is what we found in our BBQ today.  We have been seeing birds close by the house and the BBQ, but we didn't know they were building a nest.  There are no eggs, so we think they were just building, but we busted them.  Look at all the sticks and straw.  Were those birds working hard or what?  And where did they find all the sticks and straw and weeds, etc, etc.....!!!  Now we have to clean it all out and scrub it down before we can use the BBQ this year.  Our neighbors had a similar experience, except the birds built there nest in their dryer vent, 5 feet of it.  They were wondering why the dryer wouldn't dry very fast, and they also found 5 blue eggs as well.  I guess it is that time of year for the birds to be busy.  So, if you want some BBQ straw and sticks, come on over and we will have a big bon fire!!!

Erika's award

When Erika went to violin lessons today, her teacher gave her this trophy from the Utah Valley String Festival.  We asked her why she received it and her teacher told her that she had one of the highest points in the competition.  We don't know if this is adding up all the years she has done it, or for just this last one.  Erika was sure either, but it is pretty cool to have it.  Usually, she just gets a certificate of participation and we are okay with that.  Erika is becoming a great violinist as we listen to her practice more and more.  She loves to play in the orchestra, just not solos in church, but it is good for her.  Great job Erika!!

Mother's Day

Today was Mother's Day.  It was a good day for me, because I received a 100,000 grand candy bar from the ward and 10 supersonic car washes from Brian.  (and a new printer, but I think that was more for the whole family)  We also were able to talk to Cameron from Texas.  He called at 4 pm our time. He sounded so good and was so happy to be serving a mission.  He is so obedient about all the rules and wants to do his best.  We talked to him for 40 mintues.  We had him on the speaker phone, so we all could hear him and talk to him at the same time.  We recorded some of the conversation to share with his grandparents.  We went to the Brown's for dinner and then to the Evans for dessert.  Erika decided after church to make these homemade cards for her grandma's.  She spent alot of time on then, cutting out the individual pieces and glueing them on the paper.  She can be so crafty and creative, but also a perfectionist too.  We gave both grandma's T-shirts with all the grandkids names on them, which they both needed updated.  It was good to spend time with them and the rest of the family. We also were able to talk to Cameron at 4 pm our time for 40 minutes again.  We bought a new phone that had a speaker on it so we all could hear him and talk to him together.  We asked him many questions and he also asked some of us.  He sounded so good and happy to be serving a mission in Texas.  We can't believe that he has been out for over 7 months now.  Time has really flown by.  We tried to record our conversation a little bit for his Grandparents to listen to, but it wasn't the best recording.  I will figure something out for next time though.  What a great mother's day gift.

The next doll cake

Since I will be doing a wedding doll cake in June, I thought that I had better practice my skills and make a bigger doll cake.  My friend, Nancy, her birthday was on Sunday, so I made this one for her, but she couldn't give me a direct answer as to her favorite color, so I picked for her.  I finished it after the Ward Picnic and took it to her at 9:30 pm.  Her birthday is tomorrow, so I wanted her to have it before she left to her parents house for dinner and the missionary phone call.  It actually turned out really good, even though I over filled the cake pan and it over flowed in the oven, but it still worked out.  The wedding doll cake I am doing for a co-worker and she has bought a real barbie to put in it, not a pick.  I have to make the cake taller to make the barbie fit in the middle. It seemed to work, but I have not idea what I am going to do for the wedding dress.  I am also making 4 mini doll cakes for the bridesmaids, so the week after school is out will be all about the cakes, even thought I should be getting ready for girls camp that week.  What was I thinking when she asked me to do the cake?  I told the co-worker today, that she better not tell anyone I did it, because I don't want to do another one for someone else.  It is just to time consuming and I am not a professional, I just do it for a hobbie and fun.  I found a picture of doll cake in a magazine that had the wedding doll and bridesmaids on pedastals, so I am thinking that is what I am going to do to display the cakes.  It should be very interesting and I hope it turns out okay and she likes it for her wedding.

Riley and his garden

Riley has a little bit of the garden bug.  He was with me when we went to Wal-mart the other day, and he saw the garden center, and wanted to stop and get some flowers.  Little did I know, he wanted them for his garden in the pot.  I thought he wanted our front garden area to look great with flowers, was I wrong.  He decided on Saturday, that he need to get his in the pot as soon as possible.  He even received a tomato plant from the Ward Picnic and planted it also. (It is by the stick)  I am happy that he wants to plant his own garden and take care of it and nurture it, but he also has a little bit of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).  He was insistant that he do it today and get the dirt and pot ready for planting his garden.  He even wanted to bring it inside the house, so they didn't freeze overnight.  He is great when his creative juices are going, but this is beyond that.  Oh, well, I am glad he wants to get his hands in the dirt and plant some flowers.  Hopefully, one day he will help me in the real garden.

Elder Brown Update

Well, another week has gone by and I am here again writing an e-mail to you. I am so happy for all the success that Elder Hatch and I are having, although with the Summer coming up, I am dreading the days more and more. It is going to be HOT!
I know that y'all are looking forward to talking to me on Mother's Day, and I will be looking forward to talking to you as well.
Riley braces?!? WOW! I will come home and he will be in braces, that is if he will have them on for 2 yrs. That is so weird, but very cool that he is going to get his teeth straightened out. Tell him to remember that he has to BRUSH and FLOSS everyday. I didn't and had some problems later with my gums, so tell him that.
Well, as for missionary work, the work is moving forward. We are hoping that 3 more of our investigators get baptized. They are all around 9-12, I think. They are young, but the parents have given us permission to baptize them and they want to be baptized. It is very cool to see and experience the change that they want to make to bring them closer to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This area is a bit harder for me, because there are more baptist people and they like to bash, but I try to get out A.S.A.P. because it isn't worth my time, their time, or the Lord's time for me to try to convince them, because it doesn't work. It just makes them angry, me angry and the only thing that can convert is the Spirit. Not me.
Oh, one more thing, Grandma Bette sent me a letter and Grandpa says that he is very jealous of me living right next to the jets. Well, it is very cool, but also tell him that I am starting to get annoyed with them, because when I am out teaching, they fly over and I can't hear the person I am talking to or them me. It can get annoying at the same time, but it is still very cool. The air show was last weekend and I got to watch it and teach the gospel at the same time. It was a interesting, yet fun experience.
Love ya tons and tons, and look forward to talking to you this Sunday!

-Elder Brown

Do the duct tape projects ever end?

Riley Science Constellation

Riley has been in a class called Young Astronaunts.  He loves Astronomy and everything about it.  The class was assigned a constellation and had to do an oral report and poster board.  Riley was assigned "Orion" constellation.  The teacher told them to be creative on how to present their constellation on their poster.  Riley has been bugging us all weekend to get some shrinky plastic,  I thought he just wanted it to play around with it, but I find out he wants it for his presentation of Orion.  He made a poster and blew up balloons to the specifications of how big each star was in the constellation.  This was all his idea and then he ran with it and was creative.  He then poked holes in the board so that they balloons would stay in transport to class the next day.  He wrote on the board and the balloons.  The balloons were also the same color as the stars.  He then drew 15 Orion constellations on the shrinky plastic and shrunk them in the oven and made necklaces for the whole class.  Of course, the presentation was awesome (in Riley's words) and he received an A+ for his work.  Sometimes he drives us crazy with all the projects and duct tape around, but this one turned out to be worth the hassel.  He is becoming that great little creative engineer.