Sharri's hike to the "Y"

My co-worker, Alice, called me at 1:00 pm today and asked me is I wanted to go and hike the "Y" with her.  I was the only one home for the afternoon, so why not.  It was a perfect day for a hike.  It was so beautiful. I picked Alice up on the way and we started hiking at 2:30 pm.  It took us an hour to get to the top and then Alice wanted to hike to the top top of the "Y".  We walked for another hour, and then decided that we weren't getting anywhere fast, so we decided to turn around.  We got back to the car at around 6:00 pm and then we headed to weight watchers for our weekly meeting, and then to dinner and frozen yogurt.  The dinner and frozen yogurt has become a tradition now after our weigh in, which is sort of a treat, but still not really good after weigh in, but it is just fun to be with Alice and Jane.  So, here are some of the pictures I took while we were hiking to the "Y".  This was the 2nd time I have ever hiked to it, and it is so beautiful and there are many people on it at the same time, including families.

Family Yard Art

I found this website that does yard art for $75 and they leave it on your lawn for 3 days.  It is familyyardart.com.  They do many different yard art, like birthdays, birth announcements, holidays, etc.  This made Elder Brown really happy to see this when we pulled up to the house.

Elder Brown Released

Elder Brown was released as a full time missionary today at 1:00 pm.  We went to the stake center and meet President Ouderkirk.  He meet with Elder Brown first and then invited us in to meet with him and Elder Brown.  He gave us a lot of papers about institute, how to get back into the real world, marriage, and a Mission Certificate, and then he released him.  Just like that, no official stamp, approval, just "you are released as a full time missionary."  It was emotional, but we were all very happy that we had the opportunity to have Cameron serve a full time mission and all the blessing and sacrifice we all had during the last two years.  As it was told in the scriptures, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

ELDER BROWN'S RETURN!!!

 First hug to mom as he walks down the stairs towards us.

 Second hug to sister Erika

Third hug, brother Riley, which has changed the most.

 Then Dad for the last hug and a job well done.

 Mom and Elder Brown together.

Dad, Elder Brown and Mom

 At the Back door when we came home

 On the front window of the house

And the Yard Art on our lawn.  Elder Brown was so happy to see this!!

Posters for Elder Brown

Riley PHS Men's Choir Concert

 Riley after the PHS Fall Concert

 Riley in his full uniform for the Men's Choir

Riley with the neighbor, Sara M.  She is in the Women's Choir, opposite Riley.  They look so good together.

Elder Brown departing from TFW

Elder Brown's departing missionaries from the Texas Fort Worth Mission.  19 missionaries went out and 16 are departing back home, 11 to Salt Lake City and 5 to other states.  This picture was taken the night before, when they had a big dinner and a testimony meeting with President & Sister Sagers.

Riley's Duct Tape Paper

The Occasional Paper

By: Riley Brown, Per. 8, Term 1

            I first started when I was 10. I only used Tape and Paper and other random articles I could find. I liked to build stuff. Totally random stuff, usually related to what my mood was at the time I build it. Then I decided that normal tape wasn’t good enough. So from then on was when I started building things out of duct-tape.

            My first creations were marble slides. Using any color and paper, I build slides. At least over 15 were built in this period. I loved using duct-tape but the only hard part was getting it off your fingers.

            Then was the stage of all out duct-tape creations. From swords made out of duct-tape and popsicle sticks. To Super thick nothing but duct-tape swords that were rock hard. Some other things were Duct-tape Spheres. We even invented a game using them, called swipe-out.

            Some of the big accomplishments were duct-tape boats including dozens of small ones and a real one that two of us could actually be in. Another is my Duct-tape business that I did while in my seventh grade year. I earned a lot of money that year, however a lot went into sodas from Mr. Wardle. During that business I sold tons of items including bracelets and bags. In fact someone in this class has one I made for him.

Some of my bigger achievements are Halloween costumes. I’m making one this year and it is awesome and actually very decorative. One of those is my already mentioned duct tape boat that could fit two people in it. I have had a lot of accomplishments and achievements and as I progress through life I’m sure that there are more to come.

A big goal I have is the duct-tape prom scholarship. And I really want to win that. I own a giant duct-tape box filled with it and including other tools.

In the end there is one answer to this paper and it’s the fact that I love duct-tape.

Elder Brown's last email

Well, all I can say is I am so ready to be home. I am so excited to be able to see all of you and to visit with you. I know this past 2 years has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but it has been the most rewarding experience I have ever done. Yesterday at Sacrament I did give me talk. They asked me to talk about Obedience. Bro. Bentley, our Ward Mission Leader asked me to also talk about my mission as well. After I was done, all the members congratulated me on completing a mission and wished me the best in the future. Many members have asked that I keep in contact with them. I will do my best.

Just a few things you may want to think about. I will explain those in a round-about way, but I hope I can get the point across. In my exit interview with President Sagers, he told me many things and we had some good discussions on what he would like me to do. He told me that we NEVER vacation from the gospel. If we vacation for even 1 day, Satan will work on us twice as hard. He looked at me and told me to tell him straight in the eyes that I would NEVER EVER go less-active. I looked him back straight in the eyes and told him that I would NEVER EVER go less-active. He then told me that he has a facebook account that he is required to make and he told me that his facebook account is for only returned missionaries. He told me to friend him. I told him I would.

Also he told me that when I get home, until I am released I have to wear missonary clothes and act like a missionary. So that means I cannot watch TV, use the computer, listen to the radio, and I have to have a companion until I am released. So, if there is any way to get me released sooner than 8:30, that would be great, but if not I can wait. I will just have to figure out things to do until I am released, although I am sure that y'all have things planned to do.

I would love to bring home souvenirs, but I just don't think I will have the time to go and buy some. I am hoping that I can come back to the mission before the end of this year, but if it happens it happens, if it doesn't, oh well... I am sure I will be here in Texas to see Milan and Sarah at some point.

I am so excited to see the snow! YAY! I hope y'all are ready for the snow. By the way, I do say y'all a lot, so be ready for me to say that.

Well, have fun without me for the last 2 days I am not there.  Take Care until Thursday!

-Elder Brown

Riley's Triangle pictures

Riley had to take 7 pictures for his Geometry class with different kinds of triangles.  Some of them were easy, but some were a little bit more difficult, but we managed to find them.  So here is the collection of all the different Triangles.

(Equilateral, Isosceles Acute, Isosceles Obtuse, Isosceles Right, Scalene Acute, Scalene Obtuse and Scalene Right Triangles)

BYU Homecoming Spectacular

We were given tickets to go and see the BYU Homecoming Spectacular at the Marriott Center.  We went with the McGriff's out to dinner and then to the show.  I have gone before in the past, but it has been a long time, so I was excited to be able to go again.  The spectaculars are always full of music and performances from some of the dance groups.  It was a great performances by Brian Stokes Mitchell.  He has a "frank sinatra" voice, so the music was incredible.  Thanks to the Cox family for the 4 tickets for us to have an enjoyable evening.

Elder Brown update

Well, I guess I only have about 9 days left. Isn't that crazy? I cannot believe that I will be seeing y'all in a few days. I am so excited and happy to be able to see you. I have missed being around you. I look forward to the Salt Lake City International Airport where I can see all of you again.

 

Well, a little update on what is happening around here. It is warming up again! NOOO! It is supposed to get into the upper 80's, which sucks, but I will be coming home to cold Utah soon. Elder Reaveley and I have been teaching some new investigators. We have a new investigator which was a referral from the Lake Cities 1st Ward Elders. He is a little A.D.D., but he has a friend which was just baptized in their Ward and he lives in our Ward. He really wants to come to church and get familiar with it. Hopefully he will agree to being baptized so I can leave this area with a baptism. His name is John. We also found a new lady named Danielle. She is extremely interested in the Book of Mormon because she told us that she has always grown up being told that the book was from the devil. We explained to her what it is and what is would do in her life if she would read it and pray about it. She was very interested after our little conversation and now she is currently reading it. It should be a good lady to teach. We have had some good new people coming out of the woodwork. Some of those 14 new investigators we found last week we have had to drop due to lack of answering the door or not being home or being told that they were no longer interested. Oh well, you press forward.

 

I would like to answer some of your questions/tell you some things before I come home, so here I go.

 

Yes I did receive the package you sent me with the Corn Nuts. I was very happy you sent it to me. At first I thought that was for Elder Reaveley since he had a huge envelope in his hands, then he gave it to me. I was like "I don't remember asking for something." Then I opened it and was like "Oh, I love my family. They are so good to me." So, yes thank you so much.

 

As for the e-mail next week, I will not guarantee it. I will do my best to send you one, if not, just remember I was talking with President Sagers. Just go ahead and send me a e-mail next week even though I may not be able to respond to it, just in case I can e-mail. That would be great! If I don't get to e-mail next week, I will see you in 9 days!

 

With General Conference all I have to say is that it was amazing! I could not but think about everything they talked about. Elder Reaveley and I talked about it for hours on Sunday. I personally noticed quite a few things and I took some notes on each speaker. I just loved it. I now realize how important it is to listen to the chosen prophets and apostles. They are truly inspired men to help keep us on the right path. I want to listen to them over and over again. I just love it.

 

Well, I think that is all. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again and yes, the snow too!

 

Until next week, or until October 13th,

 

-Elder Brown

 

P.S. I hope you heal quickly from the surgery Mom. I have been praying for your quick recovery every night in my prayers.