Riley birthday party

Riley had his birthday party today.  He decided that he wanted to go Laser Tagging with his friends.  He invited 13 friends.  He is a very popular friend, which we are happy about.  We had to take 3 cars to get everyone at the Laser Assault.  We had to wait 30 minutes to get them all in together.  Brian even went with them, to make the teams equal.  They had a great time shooting each other for 30 minutes and then they all received their scores on how many times they were shot and how many times they shot the other team.  Brian was shot 70 times by the other team and Riley shot his 14 times and Brian shot Riley 7 times.  Brian said he was an easy target, because he was so tall and easy to see around the walls and pillars.  After the all looked at their scores, we went back to the house and opened presents and had ice cream and cake.  He played with his friends for a while and then we took him to Olive Garden for dinner.  It was a really great day for him.  

Erika being asked to PROM

 Erika came back from her Orchestra Region concert and her car was all decorated.  Her friend, Levi, had decorated it while she was gone.  As soon as she opened the hood, Levi came walking from the other side of the parking lot.  There was a dozen flowers in the trunk.  She knew he was up to something, because he asked her for her car keys to put his stuff in her car and then he left the door unlocked, so he could get in the car and decorate it.  She was so excited.  Provo High Prom is April 23rd, but not sure if that is what Prom they are going to go too.  Levi spent the day with her, including taking her out to lunch and dinner and watching a movie at our house until 9:00 pm, then she took him to the bus stop for him to ride the UTA bus back home in Salt Lake.  Next is the find for the dress.

Elder Brown update

Well...I got transferred to the Denton 2nd Ward, which is interesting because Lake Cities 2nd Ward meets in the same building I do now. So guess what? I got to see Michalynn yesterday and talk to her for a minute. She invited me out to lunch and I asked her about the temple. She said she is getting ready and she really wanted to hug me because she said "If it weren't for you and 3 other missionaries, I wouldn't be here today." I almost started crying. She is almost ready to go the temple, and when she does, I will have the opportunity to go with her. That is amazing!  Anyways, the work here in the Denton 2nd Ward is VERY SLOW. I got here and there are hardly any investigators and the ones we do have are not progressing investigators. So basically there is nothing going on here. So, I guess I go my work cut out for me. I love the Ward though. It is definitely a change from the country to the metroplex. We live right next to the University of North Texas campus. Actually a member of the church is the president of that University, and he told all the missionaries in Denton that he wants to have a day where we come on campus and talk to people about the church. It will be so much fun. I am so excited!  Well, I will now give you my address. 

 

500 S IH 35 E Apt#737

Denton, TX 76205

 

My new companion's name is Elder Anthony. He is from Lindon, UT and he has been out 1 year now. He is very funny and cool to be serving with. I know we will do a good job here in Denton. I know the lord will bless us.  Well, I hope all is going well with Erika and Riley. I will try to send a Happy Birthday card home for Riley, if not, I wish Riley a very Happy Birthday from Cam. One year older and wiser too!  As always, I love y'all so much and I thank you so much for everything that you do for me. I really do appreciate it. I know it is going to be very hot this summer, but I hope I can make it 6 more months. It seems like time has stopped to me, I don't know why, but it just doesn't seem to be "flying" as some people say the 2nd half does. Maybe I am doing something wrong, I don't know.  Anyways, I will talk to you later.

 

-Elder Brown

What is in my garden? Goffer, groundhog or Voll?

 When I came home for lunch today, I saw this on the side of the carport?  I have been seeing little hills of dirt around, but I thought it was Riley moving dirt.  Well, I think it is a little cridder that is making tunnels and holes all over my garden.  It makes me mad, because I think they are coming this way, since they have been working on the freeway.  Now, I have to try and figure out how to get rid of him or them.  UGGHH!!!

Riley's Choir Concert @ Dixon

Riley's 8th grade Concert Choir performed tonight at Dixon Middle School.  They have been practicing and rehearsing since the christmas concert was over.  They sang some fun songs and they all had a great time.

Riley's simple machine for Science

Riley had to build a simple machine for his science class.  He has been working on it for weeks.  They have to have three different motions and an energy transfer.  He invented the golf ball dispenser.  Yes, he has GOLF on the brain most of the time.  Once he got it done, then he had to make a commerical for it.  Riley and his friends made a video commercial and then all were so funny in it.  The teacher thought it was great.  Hopefully, I can post the video on our blog.  He took it to school today and had to a presentation on it and watch the commercial.  He is always building and building things.

Another Doll Cake to the portfolio

I received a phone call from Erika while i was at work and she told me that she was baking a cake for her friends birthday.  I told her that was great, but then she informed me that it was a doll cake, and could I decorate it this evening.  So, here we go again, adding to the portfolio, but not by choice. Erika told me exactly what she wanted the dress to look like, and we did the best we could.  I think it turned out okay, even though we didn't do it with fondont.  Most of these doll cakes take alot of time decorating, but this one only took an hour or less, thank goodness, because it was 10:00 pm when Erika delivered it.

Riley TSA Competition

 Riley was able to attend the annual Utah State TSA competition at JATC in West Jordan.  He participated in the bridge building and flight making.  He was so excited to go again.  They left at 5:30 am and got back home at 7:30 pm.  He had a long day.  He didn't get an award to qualify this year, but he still was happy to go with the other students on his team.  Hopefully, he will be able to go the Nationals in Dallas Texas in June, even though he didn't place.

Riley was able to attend the annual Utah State TSA competition at JATC in West Jordan.  He participated in the bridge building and flight making.  He was so excited to go again.  They left at 5:30 am and got back home at 7:30 pm.  He had a long day.  He didn't get an award to qualify this year, but he still was happy to go with the other students on his team.  Hopefully, he will be able to go the Nationals in Dallas Texas in June, even though he didn't place.

Utah Valley Symphany Student Solo Concert

Erika and I had to go to a orchestra concert tonight, for her orchestra class.  She has to do a concert report every term for the class, so as usual, she left it to the last minute.  Lucky for her, we found a concert to go to.  It was a really good concert, and the best part was it only lasted an hour.  We heard from different student's playing their instruments.  They were a good symphany and it was quite enjoyable for both of us.  Hopefully, Erika will get it together sooner to get her concert report done early, especially with graduation coming up!!!

Elder Brown update

Well, first off, I wanted to let y'all know that I am headed to Denton, Texas. AHH, I am so excited. The work up there is rough, but I have been assigned for the first time in my mission to be the senior companion. Meaning that I am the one that is supposed to take the lead in the companionship and help us both do the work of the Lord. I am so excited! I really do think I am going to have some fun this upcoming transfer.  Yes, thank you so much for the shoes. They are working out great! I love it!
Well, I have been feeling a lot better now that I am getting transferred out of Hillsboro. To tell you the truth, I really struggled here in Hillsboro to do missionary work just because of the stress of it. Hillsboro really isn't that big and I have pretty much tracted the whole town. Elder Clinger says that his new companion and him are going to retract a lot of it and try to get outside of Hillsboro and do some work out in the country.
Well, just a quick little summary on missionary work here in Hillsboro before I get transferred to Denton. Well, Elder Clinger and I have dropped 2 more investigators this past week. They just will not accept the gospel. UGH! Satan works so hard! We haven't picked up any new investigators because people just aren't interested. I just cannot believe how set people are in what they are doing. I guess people are more tight nit in a smaller community. Also, I left 2 baptisms this Saturday for Hillsboro. Davin Washing and Kyle King, 2 eight year old boys are getting baptized this Saturday. I personally feel I did what I could to help the work of the Lord move forward here in Hillsboro! I know the Lord will bless this area with more baptisms.

Well, I do not have my new address in Denton, but I will get it to you next week! I will leave Hillsboro Wednesday morning.

I love y'all so much, and keep smiling and loving Utah, because I want OUT OF TEXAS! It is so HOT that I will just melt away in a heartbeat! AHHHH, I'm dying! Just kidding!


-Elder Brown

Erika Utah Vally String Festival

Erika had her yearly String festival this morning in American Fork.  She played her 2 solo's and she was in a quartet that played 2 songs.  She doesn't like doing these, but does it anyways for the practice and experience. She is an amazing player.  Of course, I had to record her, but I didn't check the batteries before we left, so I only got some of it, so enjoy what you can.

Elder Brown update

Well, Today is Monday, and I am writing you again!  Thanks for your e-mail. I haven't heard from Nathan yet. I guess I should write him a letter sometime and hopefully he will write me back.
Anyways, I received your package with my shoes in it. Thank you so much! My old shoes were just giving up and I needed some new ones.
This week is missionary work. Well, we had a guy named Billy Watson just randomly show up to church a week ago Sunday and we asked if we could come back and teach him. So we called him this week and he told us not to come over and that he wasn't coming back and that he was no longer interested. Ugh... Satan works hard and fast!  We did find a couple of new investigators this week. They are a way cool family and they love Jesus. We are teaching them, hopefully they will accept the gospel. Their family name is the Gonzales Family. They are way cool!
Anyways, I don't think I have much else to say, other than I haven't been receiving as many letters lately. I guess everyone forgot about me now that I am staying out here in the mission field for now. I guess I need to just write more letters out and I will get some back, right?!?
Well, I hope all is going well with School, Work, and whatever else y'all are doing back there in Provo. Keep me posted on things that are going on.

Love Y'all!
-Elder Brown

The old worn out shoes!!

Elder Brown update

Well, here I am again, and I have quite a few stories to tell this week in my e-mail.  Last night, we went to bed at 10:30 and I woke up at 11:30 to hear what sounded like someone taking a hammer to the window. I looked out the window and it was raining SO HARD! I hurried to the sliding glass door we have and I opened the blinds and looked outside only to see nothing! It looked like the rain was twisting in a circle around our apartment. I immediately got scared and kneeled down and said a quick prayer and I just asked Heavenly Father to protect us this night. I thought for sure the Tornado siren was going to go off, so I just thought "I will go back to bed, and if the siren goes off, I'm headed straight for the bathroom!" It never did, and I am so happy that Heavenly Father protected us. I talked with some of the members this morning and they said that Tornadoes touched down near their home, but it never hit Hillsboro. Whew...
We also went out to Clifton this past week to do some work, and when we get there, we park the car in a residential community and the first door we were going to knock on, the guy cussed us out. I don't like Clifton anymore, but that's okay, I'm sure it just was that one guy. I'm still alive, right?
Well, as for zone conference, it was awesome! We got some really good trainings and lots of insight into Preach my Gospel and how to teach better as missionaries. I love President Sagers. He knows what he is doing and what he is teaching.  We set 2 baptismal dates with two 8 year old kids this week for March 20th. They are both excited. The reason why they are considered convert baptisms at 8 for these two kids is because neither of their parents are members, but their grandma is a active member and she is bringing them to church. Preach my Gospel says that they are considered convert baptisms if they are 9 or older, or if the child is 8 and neither of their parents are members and neither of their parents are getting baptized on the same day as the 8 year old. That is what defines a convert baptism.  We are working with some other investigators, not completely progressing investigators, but still interesting in learning more about the gospel.  I am sending the picture of my shoes. Yes, they are tearing apart, so I need them A.S.A.P. Thanks!

As for my B-Day, I don't know what else I want. I just wanted some new shoes and a new Wallet. I guess some eat out cards to Wendy's, or Subway, or whatever would be nice, because we don't get to eat out very often due to the little money we have.  Thanks for everything that you do for me. I know if I chose to come home, you wouldn't throw me out of the house or anything, but I know you would support me in my decision to stay or come home whatever it may be. Thanks for everything!
I love you so much!


-Elder Brown

Erika admitted to BYU!!!

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
Decision Information

23 Feb 2011

Erika Brown
760 N 2250 W
Provo, UT 84601

Dear Erika:

Congratulations! You have been admitted to Brigham Young University to begin Fall 2011. Through your preparation and personal achievements you have distinguished yourself from a very strong group of applicants. We believe you will make a positive contribution to our BYU community. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our campus to pursue your educational goals.

To secure your admissions slot, it is essential for you to read the Frequently Asked Questions link below and follow the instructions in Question 1 to accept your admission opportunity. This link will also provide you with important information regarding scholarships, housing, financial aid, your participation in freshman mentoring, etc.

Best wishes as you finish this school year. We trust you to continue to excel in the classroom and to maintain the standards outlined in the University Honor Code. We look forward to having you as a member of our student body.

Warmest regards,


R. Kirk Strong
Director of Admission Services

Elder Brown update

Well...first off, let me start out by saying that it is definitely warming up here in Texas. I don't like it at all! I can already tell this summer is going to be VERY LONG and HOT!  Yeah, Michael isn't coming back to the church or the gospel. He doesn't talk to anyone from the church at all. It is sad, but what can I say, the adversary is working very hard to get people out of the gospel and lead them away from the truth. It is hard, especially here in Texas to stay active in the church if you do not have a support system, meaning members, to help you in times of trouble.  As far as missionary work is concerned, Elder Clinger and I are seriously thinking about dropping some of our investigators. They are choosing not to read, pray, or give up their old habits. If they won't do that, then we cannot help them. We have to drop them. Sad situation, but it has to happen. We need to find people who are willing to change and accept the gospel. We dropped a 70 year old lady named Mildred this past week because she would always make excuses to not come to church, read, or pray, and always make excuses to not get baptized. Ugh...people just won't change.  We are having Zone Conference this week on Friday. It is going to be great! I always love Zone Conference. I feel like I get some relaxing time to just sit and listen and learn. It is nice to sit every once in a while.  Anyways, as always, I love you and thank you for everything that you are doing for me. Keep smiling, even though I am struggling, and I know that you love me lots.

Thank You!

-Elder Brown

Erika Valentine gifts

 Erika's friend from Salt Lake, Levi, came down today to surprise Erika at school and took her to lunch and then gave her the hugh Teddy Bear and 3lb chocolate heart.  She was so excited, but how in the heck is she going to eat that whole piece of chocolate.  She spent the day with Levi until 7:30 pm when he had to catch the UTA bus to go home.  She had a great day!!

Elder Brown update

Well, it is definitely warming up. We are going to reach 70 degrees today. WOW, a big change from 2 weeks ago where we didn't even make it out of the 20's. Crazy how fast the weather can change. I am not excited about it warming up too fast because I don't like it when it gets over 85 degrees. You just start sweating even if you are just under a tree. You don't get cooled down unless you get in a air-conditioned room, or car.  As for missionary work, well...things haven't been going very good. Elder Clinger and I are seriously thinking about dropping 2 of our investigators because they do not want to progress. Ricardo is trying to find a way to not have to give up drinking Coffee, but still get baptized, which just cannot happen. Our other one just isn't wanting to listen to us anymore. Oh well, we did receive a new referral from the Green's, Sis Green is the RSP and she goes and tries to visit the less-actives that we can't get to. She found a less-active that wants to come back to church and he has a wife and 3 kids that aren't members. They are all interested in the church too. Things are picking up in a way. Also, President Sagers has authorized a couple of families that live in the Branch boundaries for us to stay the night with if we need to. We can now go out and work in other areas of our area and not have to travel back to Hillsboro every night. We can stay with member out where we are working. It is going to be fun. I find it nice to stay with members because then they can help us out and feed us and whatnot. We also talked about Sacrifice in our lesson yesterday. I was thinking about how much I have sacrificed and am sacrificing every day just to be out here, even though sometimes I don't even want to stay, and I just think "I can't do it anymore." I am sacrificing every second I am here in Texas. Although I will say this, I think Satan is working on me really hard because every day that goes by seems to get harder and harder to stay out. I think that it really is getting harder to stay out here. Time seems to have stopped. Ugh...Anyways, I hope y'all have a good week and I thank you so much for everything you do for me. Thank you!

-Elder Brown

My cutest daughter, Erika

Erika went to PHS sweetheart dance on Saturday, Feb 12th.  She asked a boy named, Zach, who is in her calculus class.  She decided that the red dress that used to mine, was going to work, only if we altered it.  The big puffy sleeves and ruffle is all gone and we just put in 2" straps.  We bought the jacket and flower tie and shoes and there she is, all cute and beautiful.  She wore her dress to church and everyone commented on her dress.  She told them that the dress used to be mine, but altered a bit.  She was so proud to wear my dress, as I was proud to let her wear it.  It really turned out to be really cute on her.  The red heals were a bit much, but her date was 6'2", so she finally could.  She even let me take some pictures of her and even a little sassy pose.  We love her to pieces and know that someday, some really handsome returned missionary is going to catch her, but first she needs to go to college, and that is a story all in itself.  We love you Erika, you look so beautiful, and we wouldn't trade you for anything in the world.

23rd Anniversary

Today is Brian and I anniversary.  We both took the day off from work and just relaxed in the morning.  We went to lunch with Grandpa Doug at Brick Oven at noon, which is always really good.  Then we came home and packed to go to Salt Lake overnight.  Brian arranged to stay at the Grand America and we went to a movie and dinner with Tamra and Scott, since their anniversary is the day before ours.  At 9:00 pm we went to our room and then decided to go to hot tub at Tamra and Scott's hotel, because it was open until midnight and the Grand America was only open until 10 pm.  Well, one little problem, I don't own a swimsuit anymore, since I have lost 35 lbs, so we had to go to Target and buy me one.  We went to get Tamra and Scott at their room and they gave us this basket full of goodies for our anniversary.  They are so sweet and we love hanging out with them.  I think Tamra is trying to pay me back for the $25 gift card I sent them to thank them for Erika and Riley staying at their house over a weekend a few weeks ago.  We stayed at the hot tub until they turned the lights out and we went back to our hotel room.  We slept in, because we got back so late, and went to a late breakfast (11:30 am) at Ihop.  We then headed home.  Thanks for a great anniversary day, Brian.  I love you!!!

Quilt tying for Elder McGriff

Erika and I helped Nancy, Heather and Sara with a quilt that they are making for Elder McGriff, when he returns home on Feb 22.  Nancy cut up all his old T-shirts into 12" squares and put them together.  We went to Nancy's parents house, because they have a room big enough to put up the frames.  We had it done in an hour and a half.  It was quite interesting, because the needles wouldn't pull through, because of  the T-shirt material that was stretchy, so our thumbs and fingers are going to be sore tomorrow from pulling and pushing them in and out.  It looks really cool and we are glad we were able to help them out.

The Before & After Valentine Dress

Erika decided that she wanted a red dress for the sweetheart's dance.  We shopped and couldn't find one that she liked or that was modest.  I told her that I had a red dress that I had kept from when I went to the valentine's dance.  She asked me why I kept it, and I told her that I just liked it.  She asked if I was going to wear it again, and I said "NO", I just liked the dress.  I had one of my co-workers take the ruffle and big puffy sleeves off and put in wide straps and shortened it by 4".  Then we had to find a jacket, shoes, jewelry and anything else that would go with it.  We started at David's Bridal, because we had seen jackets there.  She feel in love with the off white one and the we saw the cutest tie ribbon with flowers on the front.  The two together made the dress perfect, and we had to find the matching shoes.  And of course, we did at the mall at Forever Young.  We have been laughing about the dress, that it used to be mine and I wore it and my sister, Kelly, wore it on a different occassion as well.  It kind looks like the same dress, but not really. She looks so cute in it and with all the accessories.  Now to wait for the dance on Saturday.

Elder Brown update

Well, this week we had some VERY COLD air come into Texas. It got down to 10 degrees overnight when that storm came through. The state of Texas has some sort of save energy type of thing when it gets that cold. We had rolling blackouts which means that they turn of the electricity in areas of Texas for about 30 minutes. Then they turn it back on and do the next area. They did that 3 times to us. I started freaking out the first time it went off because I was like, oh no, get the blankets, but it turned on 30 minutes later. It was interesting experience. I guess it is a way to tell people to turn off things that they aren't using so people can heat their homes. It was fun, but very cold. I was wishing I had my cold weather stuff, but now it is 55 outside, don't need it anymore... hehe
Well, Elder Clinger is from Yucca Valley, California. He is 1 of 6 kids and he does NOT like the cold. He likes the warm! I would too if I were from Southern California. He has been out 1 year next week. He is my District Leader. We have been struggling to keep investigators. We had to drop a few more this week because they were completely avoiding us. With the Ables, we did bring members over to fellowship them, but that Anti-mormon stuff is BAD! Don't read it! I have seen the consequences from reading it.
Also, President Sagers got rid of Transfer meetings because of some circumstances that I cannot say, but we will not longer be going to transfer meetings. We will just go straight to our new area.
I think time has stopped for me. The days seem like FOREVER! I just want this all to be over, I know that you want me to finish and I hope that I can make it. Things are changing here in the mission. I don't really like the changes very much, but I am dealing with it.  Hope all is going well at home.

-Elder Brown

Volunteering for Bountiful Basket

I decided to volunteer this morning for the Bountiful Basket.  Since they are based on volunteers, they tell you that you should help out every 4 weeks.  My co-worker, Alice and I went at 7 am and helped unload the truck of boxes of fruit and veggies and then split it up into 84 baskets.  For volunteering, we were able to pick some extra items for our own basket, so I took bananas and celery.  It really was a lot of fun, even though we had to get up early.  The pictures are unloading the truck, the empty baskets and then the full baskets after we were done.

Jazz Game

We were able to go to the Jazz Game tonight with Independence High.  We had extra tickets, so Erika and Riley took a friend.  We had to ride the school bus up and back, but that was okay, because we had a lot of fun with the other staff and students.  Riley sang silly songs with his friend, Bryan on the way home from the game.  The game was good, except that they lost by 1 point, which was a bummer.  Oh well, we had some good family time together.

Erika's answer for sweetheart's dance

Zach gave her this in their calculus class today.  How creative to have the answer be a calculus equation.  Only Erika and Zach would know what the answer is, but of course, it means YES!!