Update for Minnesota

Jan 17, 2011


Hey Family,

I just got over the cold/chills about 2 days ago. I was sick for a couple of days. It did not hinder the work though, we were able to set a baptismal date with Sheri! We are now actually teaching her 14 year old son! His name is Oliver, super mature. Sheri came to church for the 4th time and our newest investigator Emily came to church with her kids! We had a total of 5 investigators to church. Another Sunday making sure investigators feel comfortable, boy is it stressful. I am feeling more and more comfortable dealing with tough situations.

I had a ton of crap in my lungs for a good 5 days. I wasn't able to exercise in the morning because i just felt awful. I didn't want to rest or take it easy because i knew if i did that i would show my lazy side to Elder Smedley. It definitely was hard to stay at it though. Being exposed to the cold made things a lot worse and we avoided tracting those days. I'm feeling a lot better though so don't worry family!

As far as the work goes, we've been directing our attention on those who we feel have a chance to be baptized. We're getting away from those investigators who don't progress --aka a number of investigators. We'll be working hard finding this week. Elder Smedley has been a great companion. He took care of me when i was sick! We have a great relationship, he's like a cool cousin! He has definitely helped me out with the work. Training is so much fun especially when you train your cousin! We're cousins now! It makes things so much easier when you get along with your companion. Really, companionship unity lets revelation come quicker.

We got stuck in the snow last Friday. Yeah, it was bad. For a good 20 minutes we were digging, pushing and struggling to get out. Finally the angels felt sorry for us and pushed us out. I knew it was angels because either i got real buff real fast, or it was angels. I'm definitely going with the angels. =) We were able to make it home on time at 9:27pm! We've seen by being obedient the Lord blesses us with opportunity.

Sorry this is short this week. I love you guys and hope all is well. This week is suppose to be one of the coldest weeks in Minnesota. Keep me in your prayers! I have a scripture 2 nephi 32:5. We used this scripture for our main idea when we taught Oliver.

Love,

Elder Browning

Revelation is Real

Jan 10, 2011


Hey family,

It's been a crazy week so far. Guess who I'm training? Elder Smedley!! Jeren and Nelsons cousin! So far we've had a blast. We flipped out when president told us Wednesday night. President had no idea we knew each other, but the Lord did. I do feel overwhelmed at this point. We had a brief training meeting which was beneficial to me in a lot of ways on how i look at missionary work. I was among some amazing missionaries. President Howell told us this is the most important assignment/leadership role you can have as a missionary. He gave us an example of a blank CD. Once you burn media on a blank CD you can't erase the data. He taught that same principle applies to training a new missionary. I was a little nervous but i know the Lord helps the weak! It's been a fun 5 days so far! Elder Smedley is like a cousin! It has been a party to say the least but don't worry we're working harder than ever. Chemistry is so important for a companionship. I've noticed how the spirit guides us together and we're more in tune with revelation. Missionary work is amazing when you get along and have fun! The Lord has to have the opposite in order for you to appreciate the good times.

Sunday was another stressful day. I've caught the fever/chills so I'm not up to full speed. I knew i had to endure the day so Elder Smedley could attend his first church service as a missionary. Sheri came again. We have a couple strong fellowshipers that take care of Sheri at church. For being disabled, she's totally accountable and independent. She wants her 14 year old son to get involved now! His name is Oliver and i was really impressed how he conducted himself. We're working with the Neilsons to get Oliver fellowshiped. The Neilsons have a 15 year old son that enjoys the same hobbies- Basketball, Video Games, food. I was also able to confirm Kevin in sacrament mtg. That was a growning experience for sure.

The Lord was merciful, I wasn't feeling hot at all. Our 8 olcock appointment cancelled on us. That means i would have exposed my sick body in the cold elements in Minnesota.The Lord is watchful however! Leonord called us up and told us we could come over.We had a super spiritual lesson with Leonard a 50 year old black man. We found him in the area book. Elder Smedley is a great teacher and our teaching styles compliment each other. Leonard has really enjoyed the Book of Mormon. We shared Ether 12:27 with him. That scripture hit home for him. He said, "this book has given me the chills." We've also been showing him the relationship in the bible and he loves the bible, so he's really made the connection that the Book of Mormon is Gods word. He's been reading the Book of Mormon every morning. We told him "You can feel this same spirit at our service. Will you attend our service next sunday?" He's totally down and says he'll try to attened. We changed our lesson plan and the spirit guided us on what to say. I'm grateful i didn't have to spend time in a cold environment while being sick. I'm not feeling too good today either but its p-day so maybe i can catch up on some sleep.

I laughed pretty hard Dad when you told me about your skiing trip/death experience. People talk about skiing here but i laugh. There is zero mountains or hills- I call them bumps in the terrain. Thanks Tanner for the band picture. Elder Smedley was also able to see the picture and see his cousins! =) I'm glad new years was a blast!

Alright have a great week family and stay warm! Minnesota's real winter is around the corner! I love this chapter about why we go to church. Moroni chapter 6. Too many people like to justify not going to church.

Love,

Elder Browning

Baptism!

Jan 3, 2011

Hey family,


Estela and Kevin were baptized this last Sunday after church. I had the privilege of baptizing Kevin. Estela was baptized by (Bro Fernandez). It was a great turn out. I would say half the ward attended the service. It was a beautiful thing to be part of their spiritual journey. It did take a lot of work and stress on our part and I was stressed out of my mind. I felt so inadequate to do the job. I'm only 19 years old and i don't have any experience. Sunday is already a stressful day and to have a baptism on top of that, ultimate chaos! When you try something out that's not familiar to you it's always difficult/scary. But things get easier as we continue to experience the same things and learn from our mistakes. It was amazing to witness the baptism. It literally looked like their sins were washed away. The spirit of the Lord was definitely there and it again strengthened my testimony. Sheri, (one of our investigators) also witnessed the baptism. Everything moved so fast and we weren't able to take pictures! I'll take some soon and send them your way sorry =( I asked Kevin how he felt after. He said with a smile on his face, "Happy and wet". Even though Kevin doesn't understand why we ask him to do certain things, he knows there is something better down this path. They will be confirmed next sunday. We could not have come even close if we had not received assistance. Elder Watkins and I are still pretty green and I've only experienced 1 baptism before this. So basically we both lack in experience. We tried our best though to communicate. We had a beastly ward to help us out. The ward was amazing and they took over, which is what should happen. As missionaries, we are weak. We don't know a lot, but the lord provides different avenues for us so we can complete difficult tasks. The Lord carried us through big time!


I got a phone call from President Howell last night and I was not expecting the call. He has asked me to train the next transfer. That was the last thing on my mind! I'm super excited though. I don't feel adequate enough to train, but the lord makes weak things become strong. I'll be staying in Eden Prairie. Elder Watkins got his phone call today and he's going up to north branch -2 hours away. I seriously thought we were going to stay together because good things have been happening here in Eden Prairie. We've also been getting along great and i will dearly miss Elder Watkins. He's a great missionary and contributed a ton with the baptism and the progression of our investigators. I really need to be on the ball now. My trainer set me off on the right foot, and i want to do the same. Haha it would be hilarious if i were to train Jeren and Nelson's cousin. I'll definitely see him though Wednesday. President doesn't decide who trains who until he interviews the new missionaries. He then receives revelation on who's the best fit. I just pray i'll be a worthy instrument to set a missionary on the right foot. I'm looking forward to this transfer. I'll learn a lot!


Well family i'll keep you updated. We hope to set a date with Sheri this week. The work continues. 2 Nephi 31: 17-18 explains why its so important to be baptized. I always had the hardest time figuring out why we have to get wet to be baptized. The real reason we get baptized is because Jesus Christ did and we don't have to worry about why. That's why when we have a testimony of Jesus Christ and put our full trust in him, we don't have to worry about the small worries or doubts. We just do it.


Love, Elder Browning

Happy Holidays!

Dec 27, 2010


Hey Family,

Happy Holidays! Hope things have been relaxing the last couple of days. It was great talking to you guys! I'll be honest i was a little distracted when i got off the computer. It was so surreal for me to see the family and talk to you guys. Thank you for the gifts! I just got done opening them and Elder Watkins was grateful too! The Bodylastics will do me wonders in the hard morning hours and i was so excited to see the scriptures. My studies will be more efficient. And a new sonic tooth brush? HA thank you! I'll also try to use the iron man action figures in a visual lesson, haha. Thank you again! I'll admit i was trunky after the phone call, it took me a good hour to get over my trunky mind set.

Right after i talked to you guys, we hurried and ate some Christmas lunch, then took off to see some less actives. About 6:00, we came back and ate dinner with the Larson's. After dinner we visited a guy named Bill. He's an older guy who's very lonely and he appreciated the visit. It was a good Christmas. Nothing exciting or blood pumping from material things, but a nice calm spirit made the day fantastic.

Yesterday, Sheri (investigator) attended church. She's in a wheelchair, so it put a little more pressure on Elder Watkins and I to make her feel comfortable. She seemed to feel comfortable and luckily she has fellowship friends who watched after her. Go members! Church is a stressful time as a missionary. Following up with auxiliary leaders, finding joint teachers, confirming dinner appointments, taking care of investigators, taking the meal calender around, getting to know members, GAH!

Transfer calls are in 1 week. I want to stay here in Eden Prairie. I've seen the growth and i know elder Watkins and I can do some damage. When i left Rochester i was ready to leave, but i know revelation is real in the church, and regardless what happens i know its where I'm suppose to go. So far i haven't been in a area longer than 12 weeks. We'll see what happens!

Mom i hope you have a great birthday, and happy new year! I can't believe 2011 is here! Best of luck with the upcoming year.

Love,

Elder Browning

Christmas is Here!

Dec 21, 2010


Merry Christmas family,

Where did the month of December go? It's going by so fast! These 6 months have flown by. The snow continues to fall here what i now call the north pole. We received another 4 inches to add to our 20 inches in the last week. Haha, it's a challenge getting out of our parking lot every morning. Sorry about not emailing monday. We had our christmas zone conference.

This past week has been great, we're growing in teaching. Can i tell ya how fast the day goes by when you have a busy schedule and your not tracking all day? How grateful i am to be busy! Our progressing investigator- Sheri- is coming along great. We met with her for the second time and taught her the restoration. The KEY to a successful lesson is to have a member present. We've brought 2 sisters each time from our ward- they relate very well with Sheri. The spirit was so strong, Sheri started to cry when she saw the first vision picture. The Lord prepares the elite!

So our Christmas zone conference was great. At the beginning, the zone leaders train the zone on a topic out of preach my gospel. President Howell jumped in as Santa Claus and sister Howell dressed up too! Their grand kids also played a role. We missionaries got a kick out of that! One by one we all sat on presidents lap. Ha, we had some good laughs. President and Sister Howell are doing their part to keep us missionaries happy this holiday season. We each received a CD. I'm in love with it. Solo piano- hymns but their exciting, fast, and intense enough to not fall asleep to.

The Zone Conference was obviously about Jesus Christ. I learned a ton about the atonement of Jesus Christ. How crucial it was to have a mortal mother and Heavenly Father as his parents. It all fits in the plan! He had to be a God to endure, but had to be mortal to feel pain and sorrow. He had to experience what it was like to be a mortal man so he could relate to us, and because he had to experience it, sacrifice was necessary. The only Begotten Son, Heavenly Father gave his best lamb to die for us. The old testament/law of moses clearly explains the God heads role. Small things like this help wipe away stupid misconceptions of the trinity. President Howell challenged us to find names that refer to Christ. There are more than 100 different references to Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon. So cool, check it out! Nephi likes to use Lamb of God- one of my favorites. I challenge you guys to try this out while reading scriptures as a family.

Well, family I'm excited to talk to you this saturday! I sent a package for you guys so i hope it gets to Idaho on time! Don't open it! I was too cheap to buy wrapping paper.

Love you all and hope you guys remember the true meaning of christmas! An awesome chapter for christmas is in Alma 7. I like verses 9-13. Check out this beast of a chapter!

Merry Christmas,

Elder Browning

Minnesota SNOWFALL

Dec 13, 2010


Hey family,

I'm sad to hear the passing of Grandma Smith. I truly looked up to her. She was a great example for all and she'll continue to be an example for generations to come. I have focused a lot on what a good example can do for a person. As a missionary i look up to so many people! Grandma Smith was one of the elite. I will be forever grateful for what she did for my mom and the Eliasons. Actions speak louder than words, she led her life with action and purpose.

I'm not frozen yet, I'm still alive! This week as been a crazy to say the least! As you have heard, Minnesota was dumped on by mother nature. Mission head quarters let us know not to drive Saturday and Sunday. The mission is pretty good when it comes to letting us know updates on severe weather conditions. It was a perfect time to tract! Elder Watkins and I took advantage of the severe weather morning/early afternoon. We knocked on as many houses as we could on foot. People thought we were crazy, but i had fun trying to survive the elements and a negative wind chill to go with the day! We also shoveled driveways- what a perfect time to show charity. Somebody let us in and we taught a lesson because we served first. We were able to talk to tons of people during the storm and the aftermath of the storm. However, we were not able to travel to our appointments in Chaska. Other than that our numbers our still on the up and up. My winter gear is holding up and i'm staying warm and dry. I love my coat, and my Scott gloves are amazing! The ecco snow shoes are doing well.

The work continues. We're progressing with investigators and lessons, the Lord continues to provide for Eden Prairie. We're starting to build our schedule in advance to give us a cushion. Two weeks ago we struggled to find things to do in a day. Now we're struggling to find travel time! The days go by fast when you're busy, that's a natural law.

It's amazing to see the Egbert family grow! Estella (the mom) is ready to be baptized. She's given up coffee and wants to obey the commandments big and small. Kevin is the 13 year old and he was a tough one at first, but has softened as we've taught him stories and brought God into his life. He now wants us to come over and teach him one on one! He has his Book of Mormon in hand ready to learn where as before he had no interest. This gospel is real.

We also picked up 2 new investigators, Sheri and Leonard. Sheri has big potential. We had two sisters from the ward joint teach with us when we taught her. Members are everything when they're present for the lesson, and they made the difference. It was a spiritual experience. Leonard was a former. We gave him a call, he was pumped to hear from us. He calls us his bible study peeps. We'll see if we can turn that into a Book of Mormon study.

I must tell you about the Neilson family. They are the best member family! I hit it off with their sons who love jazz basketball! They're from Boise Idaho! Our families have huge similarities! They are just classy and chill. They're missionary minded too! Quailty Idaho family!

Allright family i hope you're enjoying the Christmas spirit! I know I am! Drink hot cocoa!

My scripture this week is 2 Nephi 29. This explains what the world thinks about the Book of Mormon, and what God thinks about it.

Love,

Elder Browning

Eden Prairie Update

Dec 6, 2010




Hey family! 


I'm glad things went well for thanksgiving. It's a winter wonderland here, and I'm breaking out the big time snow gear. Minnesota had another snow fall of 8 inches! I'll let you know if i get frost bite. A storm is coming Friday, i think? My driving skills our sufficient for this snow!

Things are starting to pick up here in Eden Prairie. Things haven't been the same since the boundary change. We've been working hard to fill our schedule and we met and broke the ice with a lot of less active/former investigators. Now we'll be teaching a couple more families on a regular basis! We also picked up a couple new investigators! It's nice to see the progress of our labors as we realize it comes from the Lord. We met with a less active man named George. His wife and daughter are not members but have been exposed to missionary lessons before. We also contacted Chris and he's looking to get active again in the church with his family. He's 20 years old and a way cool guy who's been lost in the world. We totally hit it off! We have the same taste of music! He knows the band Digital Summer! Way cool guy. It was important for us to develop that trust with him. I'm really close with the Hawkes family, this has definitely been a tender mercy for me to witness. He came to church!

We had dinner with Jay and Andrea and we definitely broke the ice. They are just awesome! We shared the Book of Mormon with them, and also discussed what makes our church different. They know that there's something different with mormon families and they respect how we live. They know the church leads to a good path. I just hope they know the real reason we're there. Kingdom builder family! Wish us luck this week!

Ok so we taught the Egberts last night. And we have a BAPTISMAL DATE! Estella is ready to be baptized Dec 26! We fasted for them! We came in and told her with boldness and love that we wanted her to be baptized this Chrismas season. We basically said this was her gift to Christ. I truly have love for their family and poured out my feelings with them. She's ready and is willing to give up coffee! They also went to church this week. Carla and Kevin are not ready at the moment, but we'll be working one on one with Kevin for baptism. Their mom is the sweetest Mexican lady ever! She's always cooking us authentic meals and offering treats and hot chocolate. I've been teaching this family for 6 weeks and I've grown attached to them. Kevin is a big tough 13 year old that looks likes he's 17 and never seemed that interested in the gospel. Something was different in his eyes this time around. We asked him straight up if he believes that baptism could help him. He said yes but isn't ready and wants to know for himself.

Well, family I've never been more excited. i know the Lord can soften any heart. I'm really loving the people and i'm seeing a pattern. That was a hard principle to develop--true charity and love for the people. I'm now not focusing on my personal needs or desires. Even when i use my personal study it's for the Eden Prairie people and what they need.

Stay warm in shelley! Minnesota has been in the teens with a foot of snow on the ground.

My scripture for you is 1 Nephi 22. I've learned so much about the House of Israel and how important it is to learn the historical back ground to understand true missionary work.

Love,

Elder Browning