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!!

Elder Brown update

Well, here is Transfer information. I am staying in Hillsboro and my new companion will be Elder Clinger. I don't know anything about him yet, will let you know next week. Elder Roberts is being transferred to Hurst 3rd somewhere around Fort Worth. He is going back to his Greene area. He is super excited he tells me. He will be going back to being in a all Spanish area, not in a English/Spanish. I am excited for the upcoming transfers as well. I am hoping that Elder Clinger and I will get along okay.  
Well, we are supposedly getting some VERY COLD weather here tomorrow. It is going to be freezing rain, hail, and snow. It is going to be fun.
Well, now a update on missionary work in Hillsboro. Well, we dropped the Ables family as investigators. They both are not progressing and Stan even told us if we come back he would throw us out very fast. Sis Ables though is still okay with the company from the missionaries, but we would only be able to visit with her outside of the home. Sis Ables said that she is going to go with him to the Baptist church. Oh well, we tried right?Our other investigator Dionisio, well, lets just say we went to visit him one night, and he was stone cold drunk and his supposed lady friend was just over to help him. Right... Now we have 2 problems with him, Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom problems. Ugh... Well, for now we will just be dropping him until he wants to change his life.Ricardo is still having some Coffee problems, but other than that, he told us he really wants to be baptized, he just can't give up Coffee. That will be a big struggle for him.
Well, I do believe that is all for this week.  Love ya lots,

-Elder Brown

Erika asking to sweetheart dance

Erika and four of her friends decided tonight to ask to the sweethearts dance, which is on Sat, Feb 12.  They went to the store to try and figure out something to do.  Erika and her friend, Peggy, decided to get red cups and post it notes.  Peggy put post it notes all over her dates front door with little valentine sayings on them.  Erika put the red cups in a heart shape on Zach's front door step and wrote letters of the alphabet in the bottom of them and her name was in different colored marker.  She put a note in the middle that said, "My heart would fill up if you would go to the sweetheart dance with me."  They did it at around 11:00 pm, because they didn't want to get caught.  Of course, it was dark, and I wasn't there to get a picture, but it sounded really creative and cute.  Now she waits for the answer!!

Riley Honor Roll for Term 2

Elder Brown update

Well, a lot has happened this past week in the way of missionary work. First of all, the Ables family got Anti-Mormon papers sent to their home by a aunt of theirs who absolutely hates the Mormon church, she says. They brought that all up to us and we basically told them that all the stuff in there was mostly false and made up and made to seem like we are bad people. We answered all their questions and told them to just throw it out and read the Book of Mormon. Sis Ables said she would, but Bro Ables (the non-member) still isn't so sure about it all. I think he wants to stay Baptist. By the way, Sis Ables texted us this past week and told us that Bro Ables decided he wanted to be Baptized in the Baptist church. Well...it happened yesterday and Sis Ables got baptized too. We got there and we were like, wow! Anyways, I think all is still going okay at their house. They still invited us back, which means they haven't closed the door on us yet. We are still trying to work with them and get them to stop believing in the Anti-Mormon papers and start actually going to the source, the Book of Mormon and God. I hope they will choose to read and pray, it really is the only way to know if the gospel is true.  Thanks for taking up the challenge to create a mormon.org profile. It really will help to have a lot more people on there for others to see. I know I look at people profiles on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 11-12 every week now. It is so cool to get to use mormon.org and help members create profiles and stuff. I like it.  Yes, this Saturday is the Transfer calls. I will let you know what happens next Monday. Elder Roberts has been in Hillsboro for 1 more transfer than me. That is 1 1/2 months.  I am glad that everything is going well at home and I am glad that y'all are having fun and doing lots of dancing. That is way cool!  Anyways, that is all I have for this week!
Till next week,

-Elder Brown

2nd Bountiful Basket

 This is what we got the 2nd time we bought the Bountiful Basket.  Lots of Lemons, Bananas and Pears and some weird purple colored lettuce, but it tasted like lettuce.  We get so excited to see what we are going to get each time.  Erika tried Grapefruit for the 1st time.  She loved it and wants more.

Scholarship from Weber State for Erika

Elder Brown update

Well, first of all, it has been cold the past few days with no sunshine. Elder Roberts and I haven't been out tracting as much because it is just pointless. No one opens the door when it is cold and wet. So we try to visit people and teach them. Oh by the way, some AWESOME NEWS! Guess what?!? Our mission president has told us to go to the Library other than P-Day and get on the computers and use mormon.org and learn it so we can teach members how to use it. The Prophet has told all the missionaries to get the members to make a profile on mormon.org. So, I have a challenge for all of you back home. Please get on Mormon.org and fill out a profile about your faith and your background and whatnot. When you create it, I will be able to use it to let people here see it. It is a great missionary tool. It is so cool to be able to play around mormon.org during the least productive times of the day. Elder Roberts and I have decided that Tuesday and Friday mornings from 11-12 are the worst times of the day to be doing stuff, so we go to the Library and use mormon.org. Cool Huh? So please, everyone back home, make a profile. That is my challenge to you!
Well, in other news, the Ables have fallen apart. Bro Ables is investigating and he has decided that he still isn't sure about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and he really wants to start going to the Baptist church. Sis Ables however, doesn't want to, so they are a very divided right now. We as the missionaries haven't done anything but teach them, and now he is just feeling too much pressure to join the church from his wife, and I think he thinks us as well, but we haven't pressured him to do anything. Just to read and pray. Oh well, we are going back this week. Hopefully everything turns out okay. Bro Ables is a really nice guy, just having a hard time accepting that we are the "Only True Church" on the earth. We will continue to work with them. Also, our other investigator, Ricardo, we found out last night that he has been smoking, and he never told us, so now we have more stuff to do to get him ready for baptism. Ugh... Oh well, in God's own time, he will get baptized. Next transfer day is February 2nd. We will get our transfer calls the Saturday before. That is in 2 weeks, I think. I can't remember.
Anyways, hope the learning the Cha Cha is going great and I will talk to you next week!  Thanks for all your support and Thanks for everything!

-Elder Brown

Mexico shells

This is Erika's shell collection that she washed today.  She found 3 hermit crabs in their shells, but they were dead and did the bags she had them in smell, YES!!!  We are planning to make some picture frames with them when we get together on the 1st Sunday of the month, with the picture of all 18 of us that went to Mexico.  Riley has double this amount of shells.  He was very busy on the beach.

Scholarship from Snow College for Erika

Another Doll Cake

I had planned to make a doll cake for a student's mother, but Erika came home and said that her friends wanted to make a cake for their friend's birthday.  I told her since I had the cake already baked, that they could use it.  Of course, Erika and her friends all agreed, but I had to decorate it still.  I admit, I enjoy doing them, but they do take alot of time and work, but the end result is the best.  When they took the cake to their friend, she was so excited and said that she had never had a doll cake before.  That is why I like to do them.  So this time was a green one, which I don't think I have done before, but the design is still the same as always.  I need to learn some new designs for future cakes, but until then, this one is the latest creation.

Erika's internship at Westridge

Erika has been interning for school credit at Westridge Elementary.  She has been in the 1st grade class with Mrs. Spadafora. The 1st grade students love her and she loves them.  Thursday, Jan 13th is her last day to intern at Westridge.  She took them all some treats and I took pictures of all of them for her.  The teacher loves Erika and wrote her a really nice letter of recommendation.  You can tell by the pictures that Erika is happy and all the students.

Erika accepted to Snow College

Elder Brown update

Well, first off, we got SNOW yesterday during Church. Crazy huh? I was so surprised to see it, but excited as well. I haven't seen snow in 11 months! WOW! I didn't get any pictures because it just melted right away, couldn't get a picture fast enough. Oh well... it is very cold now though. I like it, I would much rather have it cold, than 110 any day. The hot is not fun, especially in church clothes all the time. Yes I did get your package. I was so surprised to see the flamin' hot stuff, but I have eaten it all gone, except a couple left. That was the so nice to get some flamin' hot food. My mouth...IT BURNS! Just kidding. He he Anyways, to answer your questions about who does the baptizing, the investigator gets to choose who baptizes them. Usually they chose my companion. Apparently my priesthood isn't good enough for them. Just kidding. Yeah, it's their choice. They can also choose anyone from the ward/branch to do it as well, but most of the time they usually pick the missionary they have known the longest. I am so happy to hear that Grandma Bette is doing okay. That is some great news! Also, thank Grandma Bette and Aunt Christi for the presents in advance for me. Well, what is going on in missionary work in the Hillsboro area? Well...we have a investigator named Stan Ables. His wife is a Less-active member who really wants to come back to church. He is investigating and has lots of questions about Joesph Smith and the validity of the Book of Mormon vs the Bible. He asks a lot of questions because he really wants us to I guess in a sense "Prove" it to him. We try to answer his questions, but really we told him it comes down to his personal involvement in reading and praying about Joesph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He is really wanting to know now because he is facing a lot of life changing choices in the coming weeks. We want to commit him to be baptized here this upcoming week. Hopefully he will accept. We also have a couple of 8 year old kids who's Grandma is a member, but the parents are not. They have been coming to church since they were born and they both want to be baptized. The parents have agreed to let them be baptized on the condition that they take all the missionary lessons and explain to them why they want to be baptized. I hope all goes well with these two 8 year old kids. They really do want to be baptized. Well, there are a couple of other investigators we have, but they are not progressing. We are working with them. Well, I am excited for everything. I cannot believe that Nathan comes home the 22nd of February. That is crazy. I want to write another letter to him before he goes home. Well, thanks for everything and keep praying for me. I hope I can make it through another summer. It is going to be the hardest thing for me to do. I just know it. Also, this week we have interviews with President Sagers on Friday starting at 2 pm. Just to let you know. I am also attaching the Band of Brothers again. Enjoy! Thanks for everything you do.

-Elder Brown

P.S. It really is cold, tell Grandma Holly and Gary to not expect nice weather. It is cold and snowy today too here in Hillsboro.

Bountiful Basket - Yummy!!!

Today, I started this new thing called Bountiful Basket.  It is where they cut out the middle man, so it comes straight from the Farmer to you.  I was a little bit unsure at first, but when I went and picked it up, I was so happy.  When I brought it home, the family was surprised also.  What alot of fruit and veggies for $15.  When I first got to the spot to pick it up, there was a line, about 100 people or so.  It was crazy.  I thought to myself, what have I been missing out on.  Now I know!! 

Elder Brown update

Hello from Elder Brown in Hillsboro Texas! Well, first of let me start by saying... We had a BAPTISM! His name is Michael Griffin. I am sending some pictures home as well as the Band of Brothers. It has some good information inside of it.  So the story behind Michael. Sister Shelton brought him to church one Sunday and we grabbed him and starting teaching him pretty quick. He progressed very quickly and wanted to get baptized. We challenged him for the 2nd of January, but because Sister Shelton was headed back to Idaho to BYU for school on the 1st of January, we moved it to the 31st of December. It was a awesome experience! Thanks for sending me the gifts for new years as well. I didn't use them because when 10:40 hit, I was out. I don't even remember midnight. Oh well...next year. Thanks for getting back to me on grandma's money that she sent me. Also, I am so happy y'all liked the stuff I sent you for Christmas. I hope y'all had a good time in Mexico. It sounds like a blast. I'm sure the weather was nice. Then back to Utah, the cold. Ugh...I will send the Christmas stuff home. Well, as for me, I am doing okay. Things could be better, but of course, missionary work is hard and I am trying my best everyday to make the best of it. I hope I can make it through the Summer. It is hot down here. Well, in other news ( missionary work ), we have a few other investigators that are doing well. We are working with a part-member family named the Ables. They have been sick with the flu, so we haven't gone over in a while. We will try next week. All our other investigators were out of town. There really wasn't much to do this past week in missionary work with the holidays and stuff. Oh well, people will be back this week from the holidays, so hopefully things will pick up. I cannot believe that this year I will be coming home. That is crazy to think about. I also cannot believe that Nathan comes home in a month and a half. Crazy!! Oh, and I am sad to hear about the accident with the car, they are just things, but that's okay, at least you got it all solved. Yes I can use the Wendy's and Subway cards, we just haven't gone out to eat yet. We are planning on it this upcoming week. Well, I have sent home lots of files. Hopefully you will enjoy them! Love ya lots!

-Elder Brown