Confession: Sacrament Meeting Makes Me Trunky

We just had like 5 young couples move into the ward, on top of the half a dozen already here. There's nowhere to look to escape the cuteness. HELP 

Dear Family, 

So the major event that happened on Tuesday was that Sister Mayfield and I can both cross off "ride in an ambulance" off our bucket lists. We were in a lesson with Sharonda at the end of the day, just got through talking about tithing, and the law of chastity. Invitations extended, promised blessings given; I expect Sis Mayfield to ask Sharonda to say the closing prayer, but instead she says, "and, I'm seeing double vision." What? Thankfully Sharonda is a home health nurse and knew what to do. Our member Sis Bigler called the ambulance so I was like "guess we're gonna take a little ride?" The dispatch crew ended up being an all-Mormon group that happened to be all working overtime. They were able to give her a blessing in the back of the ambulance, and that was awesome. We laughed all the way to the ER, and we laughed while we were there, and we laughed home. When you're with Sister Mayfield even a trip to the ER becomes something funny and fun! :) 

We've been taking it pretty easy while sister mayfield recovers (oh yeah... It was dehydration. I didn't do my job as a good companion and make her drink enough water.) so we were inside a lot. Awesome stuff still happened though! Here's the short list: 

1. I got a call from sister Koyle and her adorable trainee, sister Thornock (forgot to tell you, I'm a grandma!) telling me that PATRICK IS GETTING BAPTIZED!! Do you remember Patrick, that you were probably praying for the whole time I was in Temple View YSA? He finally gained his testimony of the Book of Mormon and is ready! So many prayers will be answered this Saturday! 

2. Derek from robindale, showed up at church on Sunday! I saw him in the hall and it was all Icould do not to hug him! He was there because he was bringing a friend to church who lived in our YSA ward's boundaries. A year after his baptism, Derek is active, getting ready for the temple, and doing missionary work. Ahh my heart is bursting. 

3. While inside I decided to go through our ancient cell phone (it literally has 600 contacts in it...) and text everyone whose name I didn't recognize. Well, I didn't get very far, but I had one guy reply and say that he would love to meet with missionaries again! "In fact," he says, "since the last meeting, I have read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, and am now working my way through the pearl of great price. There is so much to talk about!" Whoa! He's going to talk to his wife and we'll hopefully meet this week. 

4. While watching the Joseph Smith movie with Sharonda, she looked at me and winked. I swear I saw Grandma Snow in her face. That was a special moment for me. I love this woman very much. 

5. We also had a lesson with her where I felt promoted to talk about kneeling morning and night when we pray and listening for answers. I realized that we had never said a kneeling prayer, so she probably didn't even know that's what you do! She sent us the sweetest message the next day telling us how revelatory that was for her, and how now she really feels like she's talking with God, and he's talking back. 

6. We have some sisters that are struggling with the work in their area and Saturday night they came to us for advice. I remembered the time in Kingman where Boulder springs was really struggling and how Sister Hame and I had to get really creative. I sat down with these sisters and for half an hour brainstormed all the finding ideas we could think of. They're gonna keep brainstorming and then pick three things to try first- one thing they can do on their own, one thing they need the wards help with, and one thing they need the district or zone's help with. I now know why I needed to go through that hard time in kingman- it was so I knew how to help these sisters. It means the world that they felt like they could come to us. :) 

Funny story of the week: walking away from a door that had been rude to us, sister mayfield through a one-second fit in frustration. She promptly then fell/stepped into a hole. "I get you, Heavenly Father!" Laughed till I cried. 

The zone leaders came to the rescue when they found out we were in the ER- little did they know that Sharonda and Sis Bigler were taking good care of us :) we're lucky to have such great people around! 

I am so tickled to hear how well everyone's doing at home, especially Ryan just taking off and running with scouts. Way to go, mister 9-merit-badger. Love you all so much! The church is true! Read your Book of Mormon every day, every day! 

"It's after all we can do, the Savior and us, together." -- Sister Porter, one of the awesome new sisters in the zone 

Love, Sister Browning 

P.S: I have a book recommendation for you..The Power of the Everyday Missionary by Clayton M Christiansen, who used to be the president of this mission. We have permission to read it during lunch and stuff. If anyone wants to know how they can comfortably and naturally share the gospel, that book will show you how to do it! It's awesome!! I think every member should read it! 

We Owe It to the Ward and the Lord

Hello dear family of mine!

Well I don't even know where to start with this week! Holy miracles.On tuesday we contacted a referral from the 4th of July photo boothand they became a new investigator. We have heard back from two othersets of missionaries, saying that they have new investigators from thephoto booth. THAT is exciting!!

Dad, I sent Michael's information off to the west mission so I'mreally hoping those missionaries contact him soon. It's kind of theshadow lands over there so I won't have any way to check up. But I didtext Michael and ask if he'd had time to talk with his missionariesyet! He said he's been really busy but hopefully soon. :)

On Thursday we got out of an all-day meeting and found out that Ali'scancer is in REMISSION! She just did her last batch of chemo andhopefully she'll be good to go after that! She came to church onSunday, not feeling well, and sat in the front row so that Braydoncould pass the sacrament to her for the first time. It made SisterMayfield and I cry. What a happy day.

We were knocking on some doors on Saturday and sister mayfieldmentioned how she was nervous about our trashing pool- everyonegetting baptized and how we needed to find someone to teach. Just atthat moment we walked past a member who stopped us and told us he hada referral for us- his upstairs neighbor, Nate, who had chased awaymissionaries before but was finally ready. Apparently he's on hissecond reading of the Book of Mormon. As we talked to the member, Natecame out of his apartment and we got to meet him right there! He cameto church and enjoyed it and we have an appointment with him forThursday. Pray for him! :)


Dawnna is a pioneer woman! There was opposition every step of the way to her baptism on Tuesday. But she kept telling us, "I can't believe how much peace I feel. I know this is the right decision." I absolutely adore and love her.

Speaking of peace, I have never seen someone fall so head over heels for the temple so quickly as Sharonda did. Her granddaughter Alex also came :) we will be friends forever!

Love you all!  Sister Browning

"It's not just a covenant…it's a commitment!"

That quote is from you this week, Mom! That evening after we got to see you we were in a lesson with a recent converts, talking about covenants, and Sister Mayfield quoted you. "A wise woman said..." :) 

 (President Snow gave us permission to have lunch with Megan and her companion, Sister Mayfield.  Steve was able to give them both father's priesthood blessings after lunch, and we got to meet Megan's missionary trainer, Erika Luke.  An amazing treat for all of us!)

Well I'm just happier than ever out here. The time is going so fast and according to that blessing from Dad it's only going to go faster. Ali, Braydon, and Brennan's baptism was absolutely incredible! We had to move everyone into the chapel, so many people came to support her. About two dozen were nonmember friends that Ali had invited herself. A few of them were crying harder than the ward members were! 

Sister Mayfield and I got to sing Lord I Would Follow Thee at the baptism as a duet. She soared up high with the melody and I just supported her with the harmony part. It was almost symbolic of how our companionship works :P I tell everyone that it's such a blessing in be companions with such a talented, confident, happy, hardworking sister. I'm so grateful for her! 

Sharonda is back and she is more on fire with the gospel than ever! After Alli's baptism she told everyone she talked to about her baptism on the 25th. The ward just loves her and is taking her under their wing. We plan on seeing her every day this week and taking her to walk around the temple grounds on Friday :) 

Dawnna continues to have the spiritual strength of a pioneer woman. As far as family support goes, she is doing this alone. We are praying and fasting that her husbands heart will be softened . Her fellowshippers are helping her a ton and she totally knows that this is true and faith. She has an incredible amount of faith. 

I called Michael Dicks and he told me my parents are wonderful people! ;) it turns out he lives in the west mission... :( but hey, he is willing and excited to meet with missionaries! Good job mom and dad!! You are such great missionaries! It's so exciting to hear about all of the missionary experiences you're having.  

This is the Lords work! He still speaks to His children today and hearts are being changed because of it! The field is white already to harvest! Love you more than Sister Mayfield loves to sing the happy working song from Enchanted :) 

           Love always, Sister Browning  

Sister Browning Pretends to be a Professional Photographer

Dear Family, 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ryan!! There is something on its way for you in the mail but it will be a little late because of the holiday weekend. Have a blast tomorrow!

You guys will not believe how amazing our 4th of July was. They always tell us that holidays are prime proselyting days, but in my experience that hasn't been the case. So we decided to be a little creative :) Our zone got together to help celebrate families. We set up a booth in the most crowded park we could find and took free family photos for those who were there. We also handed out family history cards and conducted a family survey. We were a little worried to see how successful it was going to be, but a member in our ward let us us borrow his professional equipment (that's a lot of trust...) and is going to edit/develop the photos for us. 

It was a huge hit! We had people lining up to get their family photos. Everyone was so kind and super impressed that we were missionaries from our church. When it was all over we ended up with over 55 referrals that will go out to missionaries all over Las Vegas and other states. :) it was incredible. We found 2 less active members who were looking to come back to church, and found many people who would like missionaries to come by. It had to have been one of my favorite things I have done as a missionary. I don't think I have felt like I have done as much good as I did in that one night. We were able to share goodness to thousands of people. THAT is the essence of "missionary fun!" 

As far as transfer news goes, I'm staying with Sister Mayfield in Whitney Ranch, and I am beyond excited. I love this area and my companion so much!  This Sunday Alli and her boys will be baptized. They are so incredibly ready! Their family has been seeing miracle after miracle pour in, by way of Alli's health and her husband's job situation. Hopefully he will recognize that these blessings come from God and make the plunge! 

This week I was struck by how much I love the Book of Mormon! It is such a source of peace and strength that you can never drain dry! I know from the bottom of my heart that it's the word of God! Every word adds a second witness to the Bible's message that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I would defend that book and Joseph Smith as a prophet of God to anyone. President Hinckley's promise is so important in our lives: "Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. … Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts … the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." (PMG pg 108) 

Horrible photo.... We should've taken one with our fancy equipment, not the iPad ;) just want to show you where we were and what we were doing! Prez showed up around 6 to help and he wants to continue doing this for future 4th of Julys! 

Love you all! 

Sister Browning