Harlem Globetrotters for FHE

We decided to buy tickets to go and see the Harlem Globetrotters perform.  We didn't tell Erika and Riley, other than we were going to Salt Lake that night.  They tried to guess many different things.  Erika said "I hope we are not going to a Barry Manilow concert."  Riley said, "Are we going to a Jazz Game?"  They kept on asking us, that we even played the Sweet Georgia Brown music, and they still didn't know.  Anyways, by the time we arrived at the Energy Solution Center, they had mostly figured it out.  Our seat were right in the middle on the 4th row.  We had great seats and could see the basketball floor and players.  The players did a great job entertaining the audience.  We laughed at them many times and had alot of fun, especially for Riley.  He liked their mascot, Globie.

Brian wins iPod

After Riley's basketball game, we decided that we need to go to Macey's to get some groceries.  Macey's was having a sale and some activities to go with the Superbowl party.  They had many different samples of food all around the store.  While we were in the produce section, Brian heard the announcement that there was a bean bag toss for some prizes and one of them was a iPod.  He told Riley and Sharri that he was going to check it out.  Sharri and Riley just kept shopping down a couple of isles, and about 5 minutes later, Brian came back and said "Guess what, I won the iPod!!"  We both were shocked and excited for him.  It was a iPod nanc chromatic silver.  They run about $200 dollars.  Brian already owns a iPhone, so he gave it to Riley.  Brian was so excited to win something that he wanted to find someone in the store that we knew and tell them.  We didn't find any friends, but he told the cashier and produce guy.  The trip to the grocery store was worth the stop.

Riley basketbal game

Riley and his Jr. Jazz team played one of their best games today.  The team they were played had 5 of 7 guys that were all taller than them.  They played like a team and almost beat them.  The score was 35 to 28.  Riley was able to dribble and pass the ball many times and shot a couple of layups as well, but didn't make the basket.  They only have 1 more game in two weeks and then they are done for the season.  He has done much better this year on his techniques, but he needs to grow a few more inches taller.  Maybe next year.

Jazz Player Appearance

Riley and Brian went to Provo High to see the Jazz Player Appearance for the Jr. Jazz basketball league with the Provo City Recreation.  They didn't know what player would be there until they went.  It was Sundiata Gaines.  He talked to all the players and parents, and then had a 3 point shooting with some of the boys and gave out autographs.  Riley seems to enjoy meeting him, but really didn't know who he was.

Elder Brown update

Well, this week has been a great, and wet week. I don't think I've seen the sun in quite a while. I feel depressed when it rains outside, but I still continue to find people to teach. We tracted into this black guy who says that his brother is in jail and he is at home just needing a job and also wants to get out of the drug business and start his life over the right way. We explained to him the 1st lesson and he was really excited. I am so happy that we get to go back and teach him lesson 2 sometime after the 11th of February. The other lady we tracted into that has been looking for us for a while, we had to give to some other Elder's because she doesn't live in our boundaries. I don't know what will happen, unless she gets baptized by those other Elder's. We had zone conference this week and I was so happy to be with other missionaries in the mission and to hear some encouraging words from President. I always love to hear from him. He makes me so happy. Oh and by the way, from what I hear, the mission sends the baptism slideshow DVD's home. So you might get some DVD's soon so you can see the success in the mission! Other than that, I am doing well, trying to stay warm and not get so wet.
Well, I am so happy to hear that a new temple in Payson was announced! That makes me so happy to hear. I always love it when a new temple is built, because then the members don't have to go as far to get to one. One day there will be a temple in Fort Worth. I know it.
By the way, I have taught all the lessons many times. Lesson 1 more than the rest, but I have taught lessons 2,3 and 4. I don't teach 5, that is the ward mission leaders job.
With treats you can send me, I always love jerky, and skittles. I don't think you can send salsa though. Actually I buy salsa quite often at the store. Just cause I can't resist.
One more thing before I go, they are changing the myldsmail e-mail system. They are teaming up with google to make it better and easier to use. I hope I can still use it next week if they are not in the upgrade process. They are now going to be using the LDS Account you create with your membership number. I created one when I submitted my mission papers. That is what they will be using. I think that my e-mail won't change, just the interface I use to login. So I will be using the account I created to login to lds.org. It will be nice.
I love you all, and pray for all of you with protection and the spirit to be with you. Until next week,
Elder Brown

Clogged Kitchen Sink

On Tuesday night, Sharri and Erika decided to clean out the fridge and throw away some of the food that had been in there for a while.  They used the sink with the disposal and then it started to come up in the other sink with all the gunk.  Sharri tried to unclog it, turning off and on the disposal and waiting for a little while, but the water just went back and forth from sink to sink.  We called a neighbor who is a plumber and he took apart the drains and tried to use his long snake down the pipes, but it still would not unclog.  The next day, we finally had to call a different plumber with a stiffer snake to unclog the drain.  It took him about an hour, and it was quite a mess.  Needless to say, the drain is finally unclogged, but we need to be careful not to put egg shells, potato peels, onions or lettuce down the drain.  The pictures below are the machine that was used to unclog it.

Riley Honor Roll

Riley received straight A's again for Term 2 at Dixon Middle School.  Great job Riley!!

Finally - Erika Christmas Dance pictures

Erika and Gregg the night of the Christmas Dance at PHS.  She didn't spend her money on the ones that were at the dance, so this is all we get.  This was taken at ther friends house, while they were decorating Gingerbread houses.  Erika doesn't even have her Christmas "Ugly" Sweatshirt on.  What do you expect out of a bunch of 17 year olds having fun.

Erika YW New Beginnings

Tonight was the New Beginning Program for the Young Women in our ward.  Since Erika has been sick with Ear Infections, she was not able to play the violin with the musical number and she was supposed to conduct the meeting, but her leader told her to just come and enjoy the meeting and not worry about anything.  Her YW President is the best and we all love her to pieces.  She gave Erika her favorite treat (Sweet Peppers) for doing a good dead the other night at mutual.  They used the mutual theme in Joshua 1:9 that talks about "Being strong and having good courage.  They will be focusing on this for this next year.

Girls Camp Winter Workshop

Today was the annual MIA Shalom Winter Workshop for Sharri and all the camp leaders.  All the Orem and Provo Stakes attend, which is about 37 stakes times 3 or more in each ward, so there was about 1000 or more women in one chapel from 9 am to 2 pm.  Sharri's aunt Emylee was recently called in Grand Junction, Colorado as the Stake YW Camp Director.  She called Sharri a month or so ago to get some ideas, because she has no clue what to do.  She called on Tuesday and asked Sharri if she could come and go to the workshop with her.  Emylee said that she wished that she could clone herself, because she wanted to go to all the classes, but you could only choose 4, one each hour.  It was a great day to get some ideas and share some ideas.  Aunt Emylee probably gained the most out the workshop, as for Sharri, it is all becoming redondant and heard it all before.  Thanks Emylee for coming and enjoying some family time with us.

Erika Double Ear Infections

Erika has been complaining all week that she thinks that she has ear infections.  On Friday, we finally were able to get her to the doctor, and sure enough, she had double whammy's.  She has been miserable and has not sleep for a couple of nights, because of the pain.  We immediately went to the pharmacy and picked up some antibiotics so she could start on them right away.  She has to take it for 10 days, so it must be pretty bad.  She does not usually get ear infections, but lately she has been complaining about her ears. We hope that this weekend she can get some sleep and be able to relax.  She did have both her ear drums pop and clear fluids came out.  We have to take her back to the doctor in a couple of weeks to make sure that the ear drums are healed back.  SO SORRY ERIKA!!!

New Pictures from Elder Brown

We received two packages from Cameron today.  He sent back his little christmas tree for us to store and send back to him next year and a few other things that he won't be needing for now.  He also sent us some more pictures.  He didn't write on them, but I think you can figure it out by looking at all the green food items.  I am sure that one of the members put on a Greenie Dinner for Cam.  His grandparents used to do this for missionaries serving in Sandy, Utah, and we all enjoyed it with all the green stuff we could come up with.  Cameron was with Elder Moli at the time, so that is the picture with the two of them.  How fun it is to have some pictures from him.  He is doing great and loves Texas and the all the ward members in Arlington 2nd ward.

Riley at the Piano

The family went to a ward Eagle Court of Honor for a neighbor, Scott Libutti.  It was a great court of honor for him. Riley and a couple of scouts were able to do the flag ceremony.  After the 40 minute presentation, then the refreshments.  Riley decided that since nobody was at the piano any more that he would play his rendition of the "Pink Panther Theme."  All the younger boys flocked to the piano and watched and laughed while he played.  He also has the "Ukranian Bell" christmas song memorized, so he played that too.  Riley has been in the Choir class at Dixon and they have Talent Days at school.  He decided that he wanted to play the "Pink Panther Theme" for the class.  We thought that was great, but he didn't know how to play it.  The day before he was to perform the piece, he learned it and memorized it.  DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE HEARD IT AT HOME????  Some of the parents of the boys were praising him for his piano playing.  They told me, "the piano lessons paid off."  He isn't taking piano lessons anymore.  He only know the two songs.  Anyway, the boys thought it was great and they all came and joined him by the piano.

Jazz Game

Riley had free tickets to the Jazz Game tonight with his Jr. Jazz Basketball team.  His coaches could not come, so they asked Brian and I to drive some of the boys to the game.  We ended up having an extra ticket, so we called Riley's friend, Cole Atkinson, and they meet us at the game.  As you can see in the picture above, we were not very close to the basketball players or the game floor.  We were 5 rows down from the very top, but oh well, we had fun any ways. We also recieved a free hot dog and drink with our ticket.  Brian didn't want his hot dog, so Cole had his.  We also had a big bag a popcorn.  We got home around 10:30 pm that night.  It was a great game against the New Jersey Nicks, the Jazz won 114 to 87.  Of course I enjoyed the time out shows and half time. 

Elder Brown update

Well, guess what? I cannot believe it, but I am staying a 3rd Transfer here in the Arlington 2nd Ward. That means that I will be here in Arlington 2nd Ward for 18 weeks! I also get to stay with Elder Young another transfer as well. I am so excited to be serving with him again. We are doing well in the work. Although this week, the work hasn't been exciting being transfer week. We have been trying to find someone to teach, but have not succeeded this week. This week was a tough one on both of us. We continue to try to find people to teach, but some weeks are better than others. I feel like I have been living here in Arlington all my life since I have been here so long, but I guess the Lord needs me here to get the work done.
Well, I also wanted to tell you that today we actually had to turn on the Air Conditioner! SOMETHING IS WRONG! I never turn on the A/C in Winter. It is so warm outside it is ridiculous! I can't believe it. I am wearing short sleeves and all.
Yesterday were under a Tornado Watch because of the weather. I was actually a bit scared, but I'm glad I had Elder Young to help me. We didn't have a Tornado at all, but I'm sure it will get worse as the year goes on. We may be watching for more Tornadoes.
My teaching experiences, well, most of the time we teach someone the 1st discussion, which I have gotten really good at teaching. Then the people we are trying to teach usually try to not be home when we come back for the 2nd one. It gets frustrating, but we continue to try to teach them. I always love teaching, but sometimes people get mad at what we tell them, but it's the truth. We are the restored church of Jesus Christ, not the reformed church of Jesus Christ and most people don't like that idea. It's okay though, I know that someone out there is willing to listen to the message we have to share.
One thing I would encourage y'all to do is at the beginning of each month at FHE or sometime at the beginning of the month try to study out of PMG. It is a wonderful tool in the teaching the gospel and it will definitely help you when you need it. I found that out since I have started using it. It has strengthened my testimony of the gospel tremendously and has helped me so many times when I get lost trying to share with someone else my beliefs. There are lots of people that believe what we do, but there are many people who do not, even in Utah.
I have not had the opportunity to talk in Sacrament Meeting, but I have had the opportunity to teach Gospel Essentials many times. I have also helped pass the sacrament many times too.
I don't "have" to teach so many discussions a week, but it is encouraged we teach at least 9 people each week with a member present. It is very, very difficult to reach that number, but it is reachable. I have done it a few times, but sometimes I just can't reach it. You make that goal of 9 and shoot for it. We mostly just knock doors here in Texas, and you don't know what the person on the other side of the door is going to say or do. Most people here in Texas have a No Soliciting sign by or on the door, but here is the thing, we are not soliciting. What we have to share is FREE and most people don't get that. I have been told to get off people's property for telling them that we are not selling anything, they just mostly don't want to talk to us, but that is okay. I know that someone out there is willing to listen.
I can't believe how fast time is flying. I feel like I have only been out for a couple of days, but in reality I have been out for longer. Day's mean nothing to me anymore. They are all the same.
Well, that is all for this week. Look forward to hearing from y'all next week!
Love you tons and tons.

-Elder Brown

Erika and the temple

Erika and her friends have been planning for a couple of weeks to go right after school and do baptisms for the dead at the temple.  So, today was the day they went.  She called at 3:30 and said they were almost there and her friends Peggy and Heather were with her.  They each did 4 names and were back home at around 5:45.  They are such amazing girls, to want to be able to go to the temple and do baptisms, without having an adult with them or having to go with the ward.  We are so glad that Erika has such great friends that want to go the the temple and not just hang out and go to the mall.  Sometimes we wonder what a great generation they are and the things that they are inspired to do.

Erika's new bed & car keys

Erika has been complaining to us that her old mattresses were not good and she sunk to the middle and couldn't get a good night's sleep.  So we went and purchased her a new mattress and box springs.  It was a little more than we planned on spending, but for her to sleep better and do better in school, we just went ahead and spent the extra.  She was so happy when she came home from Cortney's birthday party to find the mattresses already delivered.  She immediately decided to re-arrange her room, including the bed.  We are still waiting for the headboard to come in, but for now she is happy.  She did comment to us that now she can't say her prayers, because the bed is too high from the floor. I told her that we could take them back, but she said she would some how manage.

On another note, when we went to get her from Cortney's party, Sharri took the car that Erika drives to pick her up.  When we came home and pulled up in the drive way, Erika grabbed the keys and turned the car off, thinking that her mom would grab them.  Well, Sharri thought since Erika turned the car off, that she took the keys, hence the keys got locked in the car and all the doors where locked.  Earlier, Sharri thought to herself as she was driving the car, that we still need to make extra copies of her car keys.  Not having an extra set is not very smart.  What a day to lock the keys in the car.  Erika freaked out immediately and tried to open the door with a bobby pin.  We call our neighbor who works at a transmission shop and asked him if he had a slim jim to open the doors.  He came after work and opened them right up with the right slim jim.  We thought we might have to call a towing business to open the car doors, but our neighbor is a life saver.  We owe him dinner or something.  He has helped us out many times with our cars.  Thanks Greg.  So, now Erika is happy with her new bed and her car keys NOT locked in her car.  What will be the next drama for this cute 17 year old daughter?

Fun with cousins

We had some of the cousins come to our house sunday night and monday.  Their older sister, Cortney turned 16 on sunday, and wanted to have a party without her sisters.  In trade for Erika to go to her party, we got Lindsee, Anna and Kimber.  They love playing with Riley, especially Anna.  Notice in the picture that the other two girls let me curl their hair, but not Anna, she is a real tom boy and didn't want it done.  Her and Riley seem to have the most fun together.  They played the playstation 3, watched "Aliens in the Attic" movie, had pancakes for breakfast and then we took them to Brick Oven for lunch.  They left our house at 4:00 pm.  It was fun to have them come and spend time with us, even though it was our day off from school and work.

The Plan of Happiness for Cameron

We decided to make this Plan of Happiness activity to send to Cameron for his mission teaching.  This has been a project in the making since Thanksgiving and it is finally finished with the help of our neighbor, Nancy.  All the pieces are laminated and just go on the piece of fabric as you tell about it.  Nancy and I made up 4 of them, so we are sending one to her son and another missionary in our ward.

Riley at the Scout Klondike

Riley was able to go with the ward scouts to the Klondike Derby at Mapledell scout camp.  He left at 4:00 pm and came home on Sat, Jan 16 at 3:00 pm.  He loves to be in the outdoors, especially the snow.  His friends Bryan, Garrett, Nathan, Random and Deagan went as well.  They had 4 leaders with them.  We knew he was home because he smelled like campfire.  We are so glad that he enjoys being with the other boys and the outdoors.  Now the fun part, cleaning up.

Elder Brown update

Hello from Elder Brown in Arlington Texas!
I always look forward to P-Day and hearing from you all. I want to let you know that as of today, if my numbers are correct, I have been out 100 days!  Well, the lady we tracted into that I told you about in the last e-mail, well we haven't had much success with her and she is not home, but we continue to try to find a time to teach her.  Well, guess what? Transfer week is next week. DO NOT send mail to my apartment address next week, because I may be getting transferred. I will find out this Saturday evening whether or not I am leaving or staying. I will be e-mailing you on P-Day next week if I got transferred or not.  Well, I am so happy that Dad is jealous of me getting to go twice to the cowboys stadium, and yes the money on my card rolls over from month to month, so whatever I don't use the previous month, I can use the next month. I had money left over from last month, so I could go twice to the cowboy's stadium. It is the coolest stadium EVER! I can't wait until the prices come down and we can actually go to a game. It is so cool. They designed the stadium so everything is convenient and easy to access, and the best part is they made it practically impossible for you to wait in any lines to get food, or use the bathroom. It is way cool.  Yes, I do use the habits mom taught me about the best deals at the grocery store, that is why I have money left over. I don't buy what I won't eat or drink.  About the Dentist, I went in to have them look at me and see if I grind my teeth at night. Elder Young said I do, and I may have to get a guard to use at night. I didn't get one yet, I just went in to have him have a look at my teeth to see if I am grinding at night. They required insurance information. I have the insurance cards with me at all times, because you just never know if I have an emergency or not.  Well, that is all for this week. Thank you for all your help and support. I will be e-mailing you next week with the details of the upcoming transfer.

Love you tons and tons!

-Elder Brown

Riley in the bus

 Today, Grandpa Doug came down to our house while he was waiting for his field trip to end.  He parked the bus he was driving across the street until he had to go back and pick up the students and take them back home.  Riley decided it would be fun to play in the bus while it was sitting.  His friends, Sara and Sarah were with him and they had a great time playing and building things with their blankets.  They also had a little picnic inside the bus under all the blankets.  He is so funny, because he can come up the the craziest ideas and not only that, but he is creative in his craftiness.  He promised Grandpa that he wouldn't play with the driving wheel or that area.  To be a kid again.  Love ya Riley.

Elder Brown update

Well, today was a good day. I went and toured the Cowboy's Stadium again, because all the other Elder's didn't get to go because they didn't have money. I don't know why, but I always have left over money from last month. The tour is about $18 and I just pay for it on my blue card that the church provides. This time I was on the tour the stadium's owner was there and the cowboy's were practicing. We actually got to go out on the field! It was so cool! We didn't get any autographs because the players are told to try to ignore us and practice, but it was just so cool to be on the field where they were. They gave us all the little facts about the stadium again. I thought it was so cool!
Well, this week has been fun, Elder Young and I had a New Year's Party at our apartment with the package you sent. I got the package on New Year's Eve Day!
Well, missionary work has been exciting this week. Elder Young and I tracted into a lady who had been praying for months to find the true gospel and she talked to us and told us to come back because she had a good feeling about us and that we were the right church to join. I was so happy! The lord works in mysterious ways, but he will always bless us to find someone who is ready to receive the gospel.
Well, it sounds like you all are having a good week and the everyone is happy. I am so excited to continue to do missionary work here in Texas. Right now it is only 25 degrees outside! IT IS SO COLD! We had a cold front move in and it dropped the temps down to below 30. We hope it doesn't rain, otherwise it will instantly turn to ice and we will have a ice storm. It will not be fun.  Well, that is all for this week. I love you tons and tons!
-Elder Brown

Erika upgraded to 1st Chair

Erika came home today and told us that her orchestra teacher, Mr. Allred, upgraded her to the 1st chair position in 2nd violin section.  Yes, that means she will be in the front, and maybe we might be able to see her now at her concerts.  She didn't think it was a good thing, because now she has to be the leader and know the songs, but we told her it was a great accomplishment.  Why would your teacher move you to the front and the leader if he didn't think you were good enough to do it?  Erika is very critical of her playing and doesn't think she is that good of a player, but she really is.  She could be better at practicing and memorizing her pieces, but isn't that what life is about.  She asked for a new shoulder rest for christmas because the other one was broken, and they told her that her neck was long and she needed a more customized one to fit her neck.  This has helped her be a better player and be able to do the vabrato.  She has been struggling with it, because she is trying to hold up her violin.  Now she has the better shoulder rest, so she can perfect the vabrato.  We are so proud of her and the many accomplishments she has had and done over the past 7 years playing the violin.  We hope she continues to play it during college and shares her talent.  Way to go Erika.

Erika's new fish

Erika has been begging us to get these GloFish.  She saw them at Wal-mart about a month ago, and since her guinea pig dies, she needed to have some kind of live animal in her room.  She pulled out the old fish tank that we used for the Beta fish and convinced us that we had everything already, we just needed to buy them.  So, tonight after FHE, she asked if we could go and get the fish from Wal-mart.  How could we say no?  So now she is a proud owner of 3 new Glofish.  Each one is a different color, red, orange and green.  They may keep her up at night, but oh well, that is her problem now.  Why do we give in as parents?  Because we love our kids and want them to be happy.  We don't think the fish will last 5 years, like her guinea pig did, so all is good.

Marshmellow Burial

Brian finally decided it was time to bury Erika's pet guinea pig, Marshmellow.  It had been 5 days since he died, and we just put him in a shoe box and placed him in the playhouse, until the weather cleared up enough to dig a hole in the yard.  Erika wanted him buried under the Cherry Tree in the backyard.  So around 1:00 pm Brian went out with the shovel and dug a deep enough hole to place her guinea pig in.  It wasn't too cold, so the ground wasn't too frozen to dig.  Erika placed him in the ground and Brian put dirt on him in the box to bury him.  Brian asked Erika if she wanted to say anything, but she said that she already said her goodbye's to him earlier.  Brian said "Thanks Marshmellow for being a great pet for Erika."

New Years Eve with neighbors

We had a party with the McGriff family and the Autrey Family for New Years Eve.  We started at 7:00 pm at the McGriff's house.  We ate lots of food and then we talked and played games.  The first game that we played was a game called "Curses."  Basically, you have to do what the card says on your turn, like "Give the person next to you a compliment."  Then you pick up a curses card and give it to someone else.  You can have many curses cards at one time.  Some of the curses where. you had to talk with the hiccups, use sign language while holding your nose and talking like the wicked witch of the west.  Brian and our neighbor Rob, were so funny, trying to do many curses at one time.  We should of had our camera's there, because it was so funny.  We played that for a couple of hours and then we had intermission for more treats and snacks, and then we played a game called "Imagine If" for the last hour before midnight.  At midnight, the kids blew horns and did poppers and our neighbor did 1000 firecrackers in the street.  There were also many other fireworks going on at the same time also.  This was the first year without Cameron and Nathan, because they are both serving full time missions.  Cameron said that his companion and him for having their own New Years Eve party.  So it has been a great year for our family, with many opportunities and happiness.  2010 will be a great year for us too.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

New Zhu Zhu Pets

We purchased these Hamster pets for Erika after her guinea pig died.  Not to really replace him, but to have something to keep her mind busy and not be sad about her guinea pig being gone.  The Zhu Zhu Pets drive around in little cars, zip up ramps and spin down slides, run in their hamster wheels, and get into all sorts of crazy situations. Their artificial intelligence even allows them to know what room of their hamster habitat they are in. They make toilet-flushing or teeth-brushing sounds when they enter the bathroom and sleeping noises and alarm-clock sounds when they go into their bedroom.

Elder Brown update

Hello from Texas where it is warmer than Utah and NOT SNOWING!! HA HA Just kidding, I don't want to make you feel bad.

Well, this week has been a wonderful week to talk to you and to hear that all is going well. I am so happy for you and the support you are giving me while I am here in Texas. I love doing the work and am excited to continue to do the work next year in 2010!
Well, this morning the Zone Leaders, some spanish missionaries and me went and toured the new cowboy's stadium. It is so unreal. We went in the locker rooms and in the suite's and underground and found out all the statistics for the building. The roof opens in 11 minutes and is completely silent. You cannot hear it opening unless you actually look at it. The glass doors on the sides open in 9 minutes and they are completely silent as well. It is so amazing. The TV in the middle weighs I think around 1.2 million pounds and the arches holding it up bended about 3 inches when they first hung it. It is so amazing that the arches are actually holding that TV and the roof up. They told us all about why it looks like a UFO and why they built it the way they did. It is the biggest stadium in the world. Not to Dad's amazement, but I thought it was really cool. I have some pictures of it that I will have to mail home to you.
Well, the work is going great, we talked to lots of people this week, although no baptisms. We are still working with this guy from chicago to see if he still wants to receive the lessons, but other than that, the work is going great.
We have 2-3 District Meetings a transfer and we have 1 Zone Conference a transfer. I have been to many District meetings and 2 zone conferences. We have 1 more unexpected Zone Conference for the new year that president decided to announce to help us start out the new year. It is going to be a short Zone Conference, but worth while.
Well, that is all I have to let you know for this week
I know that I need to continue to do the work here in Texas. I know that the Lord has a plan for all of us, even animals, but we all need to continue to move forward with a desire to do good and better the next day.
I am so happy to be serving here in Texas. I am so happy to be bringing people into the waters of baptism. They need the change in their life and I know this gospel can do it. Continue to find people to have the missionaries come and teach. Everyone needs to hear the message that we share. Everyone needs that opportunity. Until next week, love ya tons and tons!

-Elder Brown

Marshmellow the Guinea Pig

Erika's Guinea Pig, Marshmellow, pasted away this evening.  We all had noticed that he was acting strangely the past couple of days, but when she went into her room at 9:00 pm, he was laying in the corner barely breathing.  She was able to hold him for a minutue before he gave his last breath.  She has had him for 5 years now.  She got him from Sharri's cousin, Kris Olsen, when Erika was 12 years old.  She was so happy to have an animal of her own and to take care of.  He was very smart Guinea Pig.  He knew exactly where Erika's room was when she put him down on the carpet, he would run straight to her room every time.  He would bite the top of the zipper on Erika's hoodie, and pull down the zipper a couple of inches.  She enjoyed having him as her pet.  We will be burying him in our backyard, if the snow storm lets up tomorrow.  Thank you Marshmellow for being a great pet for our family and especially for Erika.