Sister Browning Puts Her Big Girl Pants On

Not literal pants per se, but you know what I mean. :)

Hi Family that I love so much! 

Yes, I do feel so blessed to stay in this dream ward! I love it with my whole heart! It doesn't feel the same without Sister Luke... I miss her a ton, and so does the ward. But I'm learning that a mission is too short to stay in places that don't make you grow very much. I've got to get as much out of these 18 months as I can! In church yesterday a high councilman said, "We don't come on missions to miss things, we come to do things. We don't come here to be served, we come to serve." Thank you, Mr. High Councilman. That message was for me.  

Sister Smith is a fireball! (Not the same Sister Smith you met in Laurie & Kevin's ward.) She came from Royal Mesa, our next-door-neighbor single's ward. So we already knew each other! We taught institute together once and we have lots of mutual member friends. The transfers been an adjustment for both of us, but we're helping each other to laugh and have fun through it. Sister Smith's been out 6 months and this is her second area, but she seems a lot more experienced than that. She's super good at being bold with our investigators so we balance each other well. Couldn't do it without her! 

We're doing our best to keep the work going and the ward strong. Sweet story-- DJ has been working extremely long days, 4:30AM to 9PM, and she's been so worn out. While she was at work on Friday, Sister Smith and I heart-attacked her apartment door. That night, she sent us this text: "I got home at 10:30 and burst into tears. I love you girls so much! Thank you for making my day worth it. It's stuff like this that makes my life meaningful. You will never really understand how much you mean to me." Little does she know that she is making the difference for us. It's such a blessing to know people like her! 

Akeem is still doing great and progressing to his baptism date. We got to meet his mom last night and they're like the same person-- sweet, smart, and quietly confident. There's never a dry eye in a lesson with Akeem. We often teach him at the mission office and the office ladies l.o.v.e him. Our vehicle coordinator, Sister Brewster, even volunteered to bring a cake to his baptism. He has been through a lot, and you can just feel the sincerity in his testimony and desire to follow Christ. I'm learning so much from him. 

We're teaching a couple other trickier people like Johnny and Mike that are willing to listen but don't want to change. Mike's a riot-- he's from Idaho, but seems more like a California dude, always saying "man" and "dude" and making friends with everybody. He invited us and a couple members to go to lunch with him, but has no desire to come to church or be invited to activities. Whaaa?? To each his own, I guess. Haha. When we taught him the plan of salvation, we knew he knew it was true, but I think he's afraid of what it would mean to his lifestyle if it were true. That's the tricky thing about YSAs-- they recognize truth so quickly, but sometimes they don't want to change.   

With Johnny, we're taking baby steps. He's coming to church and Institute and inching along. I told Sister Luke I wouldn't leave this area until he was set for baptism. :) 

We met a girl on Saturday named Sabrina who is so super prepared!! At another ward's baptism, she told us that she feels like God has been nudging her in the church's direction and that she's ready to take the lessons. We'll start teaching her tomorrow! She came with us to the Why I Believe fireside last night, and afterwards she said "I loved every minute of it! Tuesday at 3 can't come fast enough!" 

Funny story of the week: Last night before bed, Sister Smith said, "Goodnight, Sister Luke!" Hahaha, well I'll take it as a big compliment :) 

Mom, I was so sad to hear about Keenan's passing. But hearing that story about Jaden, you're right, he's serving a new mission now. Unrestricted by pain or disability :) Tell his family I love them and they're in my prayers :) 

I loved hearing about your missionary experience with the less active sister! Sometimes the most important thing you can do is be an example of kindness to those lost sheep, and never ever give up on them, because the Savior wouldn't! Keep those stories coming! :) 

Out of time to send pictures but I'll send 'em next week. 

Lots of Love, 

Sister B 

Transfers are Smelly

Dear Family, 

Transfer facts are in! Tomorrow morning Sister Luke leaves for Black Mountain. Not sure why they would name a stake Black Mountain. It sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings, like she's headed to the orc mines or whatever. **Taps playing softly** But honestly, she's going to be incredible. She's gonna be a Sister Training Leader which means she'll go on exchanges at least once a week with all the other sisters in her zone. She'll get to give lots of trainings, and she'll be covering 3 wards, so basically, Sister Luke is about to hit the people of black mountain with a wave of Christlike love. They are the luckiest people in the entire mission! 

Meanwhile I'm staying in Robindale with Sister Smith, who's been serving in our next-door-neighbor single's ward her entire mission! She's the one who met Zach and also the one who taught Tori. I've never heard of someone singles ward-hopping like this. So there's a huge reason that Heavenly Father needs Sister Smith to work with singles! I get to spend a whole transfer learning from her :) Can't wait! 

This week literally flew by faster than Mom behind the wheel of a corvette. :) It's funny how when you want time to slow down, it speeeeeds up! Some really incredible things happened this week. I love this area and this ward with my whole heart. 

DJ's baptism has been postponed but she's still doing great. Her testimony and conversion just keep growing and deepening! Any backlash she gets from family and "friends" from her decision to be baptized, she just takes in stride. We took her to the temple this week and did our tour of the grounds. She was bothered by the fact that she couldn't go inside past the lobby until we told her just to touch the wall of the temple. As soon as she touched it, she started crying. She said that was the strongest she's ever felt the Spirit. She's amazing!

We also had a lesson with her where she confided in us some of the hard things from her past and how that's affected her self-worth. Sister Luke and I felt impressed to recite the Young Women theme for her. I have never understood or appreciated the full value and power of those words till now. As we said "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him," I almost started to cry. How lucky are we to have that knowledge? So many girls grow up being fed lies... You're fat, you're dumb, you're useless, you're a whale... Nope. You are a daughter. Of the Creator of the Universe! "... as we come to accept and act upon this knowledge, we will strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation." First we have to accept that we're loved and of worth, and then we have to live that way. And then we get peace, lasting happiness, joy, true love, exaltation, eternal life. Knowing you're a child of God opens the doors to heaven! Literally! I want to run around and find every young adult who's ever been deceived or abused or neglected or brainwashed and help them understand the truth. The coolest part of being a missionary is helping people "accept and act." 

We went to the temple a couple times this week actually-- Friday we went inside and watched Stefanie do baptisms for the first time! Great experience for her :) It was also our member friend Keline's first time-- she's just as big of a miracle as Stefanie. Keline was baptized when she was 8 but basically hadn't been back to church since. Before this summer, she confided in us, she didn't have a belief in God. But in June she started coming back to church, and now she teaches with us, holds a calling, holds a temple recommend, has the strongest testimony, is thinking about serving a mission, and is one of the biggest example of selfless service I've ever seen.  

Oh! We also got to do a real life service project this week! We don't get to do much service in this mission simply because not a lot of people will accept help. But on Saturday our whole zone showed up to paint a young couple's house who couldn't afford to have someone come paint for them. Amazing how quickly a big group of missionaries can get a whole house painted! 

I'm so so so grateful I get to keep serving in this singles ward I love so much. I'm just sad that I won't be serving with Sister Luke :( we make a great team, her and I, because we're best friends with the same goals and the same desires. I love her so much but I can't keep her all to myself! She's worked her magic on Robindale, and now her talents and gifts are much needed elsewhere.

 I should be nervous about running the area without her because it's gonna be really hard and scary... but I feel strangely calm (thank you Heavenly Father!) I'm going to do everything in my power to keep the work rolling the way Sister Luke started it. Today I bought a foam poster to make a "vision board" of the things I want to see happen. Gonna work hard and pray hard! And I know a huge key to that success is unity in my companionship, so I basically plan on drowning Sister Smith with love. Hahaha :) Please pray for Sister Smith and I as we start this next transfer! Robindale is so priceless, Heavenly Father is so invested in these people, he knows where the prepared people are and what needs to happen. I just feel so blessed that he would trust me enough to let me labor in this part of His vineyard for the next 6 weeks. 

Funny story of the week: In one of our lessons with Akeem, who is a scripture-reading-commitment-keeping-boss, we asked him what was happening in the Book of Mormon right then. He sighed, shook his head, and in his quiet, New York-ghetto accent, said, "Nephi's brother's are still ignorant fools." Haha you got it Akeem! 

I almost forgot to mention that I got to meet Sister Luke's whole family on Friday, minus one brother. She got permission to see them when they were driving through, so they took us out to breakfast and Brother Luke gave us both priesthood blessings for transfers. She has an amazing family! Not surprised! :) 

 In honor of Sister Luke, I'm attaching some of my favorite pictures of us from the last 2 transfers, that you may or may not already have seen. Enjoy!

Love you lots! 

Sister Browning 

Sister Browning Punches a Shark

Hey dearly beloved family,

You bought a TRAILER?? And you're thinking about a jacuzzi? Okee, you guys have learned how to have fun. ;) Have you named the trailer yet? Don't forget, it has to start with a "B"! Y'know, cause of Agnes...

Mom and Dad, I loved hearing about your experience at the temple. It really does align us spiritually every time. Several of the new converts are going to the temple to do baptisms for the first time this week. We bought them little temple recommend holders and pictures of the Las Vegas temple. It makes me so happy to see people keep their eyes on the temple! Mom, I'll be praying for you as the weather cools down. Going to the temple every week is the best idea ever. This is gonna be the best winter you ever had! :)

Ok, so I didn't actually punch a shark this week. But hopefully that got you really interested in this email! xD I did, however, have a dream that I was swimming through a pool punching great white sharks in the face. Meanwhile, Sister Luke has started praying for investigators and less-actives in her sleep. You can see who the more consecrated companion is. I'll let you know when she gets translated. ;)

This has been SUCH an awesome week!! Stefanie was baptized yesterday, right after church! She has taught me a lot about the importance of member missionary work. Her boyfriend, Holden, started sharing his beliefs and answering her questions before they were even dating, he came to almost every lesson, and yesterday he got to baptize her. He got to see her progress from believing that religion was a crutch to accepting Christ's gospel as the way to lasting happiness. I'm catching the vision of members being the full-time finders and missionaries being the full-time teachers! When the work is done that way, testimonies flourish. No wonder they stress that in General Conference. :)

DJ is continuing to make amazing changes in her life. She's a testimony to me that happiness, inner peace, and healing are available to anyone who accepts the Gospel. She told us that for the first time in years, she feels happy and loved, she wants to help people, she can sleep through the night, etc etc. Why? Because she's been reading, praying, coming to church, keeping the Word of Wisdom and repenting daily. And talk about change-- on Sunday she wore a dress for the first time in her life! She bore her testimony, too. She is such a hilarious delight. Her not-so-quiet laugh resonating through the chapel is exactly the addition this ward needs. XD I know that she's someone that I came here to meet!

Someone new we are teaching this week-- Akeem! Oh my gosh he's the coolest investigator ever! He's from the Bronx, and Don is from Compton, so they've basically become best friends forever. I'm glad Don has this opportunity to really be a mentor in the gospel for somebody. The success happening right now really is because Heavenly Father can trust this ward and the members in it to take new converts under their wings. I'm SO grateful for member missionaries!! They're an example to me!

But seriously, Akeem is so cool-- we asked him to read the first chapter in the Book of Mormon, and he went home and read twelve. "Twelve of 'dem!" And he should be an English teacher, his comprehension was so good. In the most spirit-filled lesson I have ever been in, we set him for baptism and he cried. He is so prepared. :)

We had exchanges on Tuesday and they made me sooo nervous for transfers next week... *fhooo* *whoo* *fhooo* *whooo* Sister Luke has been here 7 months so she's probably good as gone. *cries* Sister Luke is my person. We work well together, she makes me laugh and we help each other have fun and be obedient... really, she's become one of my very best friends! But of course we both have learning and growing to do, so we can't stay together forever... though I wouldn't complain.

Sidetracked. Right, exchanges-- they made me nervous for transfers 'cause it's always a little nerve-wracking to run the area without Sister Luke by my side... Coordinating which member is coming out with us when and remembering things and planning are challenging for me. I always thought I was an organized person, but a mission takes it to the next level! In one day without Sister Luke, I used up more miles than Sister Luke has ever used in a day on her mission. Our area is really big and I haven't quite caught the strategy of planning to conserve mileage. Hopefully my new companion and I aren't on bikes by week 2! ;) Please pray for President Snow that he will be extra-inspired to know who to send to Robindale!!

The Alex Boye fireside was incredible! We took DJ and the recent-convert-gang :) He sang one song and then told his awesome, inspiring, side-splittingly funny conversion story. And I'm so glad that Don was able to come, because it was perfect for him. He's been struggling with understanding why life after baptism is still hard, and how he might balance his dream of a music career with living the Gospel. Alex Boye was able to answer both of those questions in ways no one else could! :) As soon as the fireside was over we hurried up with Don so he could meet him. Alex Boye hugged Don, gave him his email address, and told him to send his music! Dream come true for Don!

And it was right after that that I heard Katie call "Sister Browning!!" I'm so glad she sent you that picture :) It was amazing to see her after almost two years! It made my heart so happy to have a hug from her! 

Funny story of the week: An older lady that we're teaching for the Elders gave us some cute frilly underwear as a gift. Thank you? Haha.

Mom, I'm so glad Derek wrote you! To answer your question, that's something Sister Luke came up with. I hadn't thought about that, though-- it is a great opportunity for the new convert to bear their testimony and to hear yours as well. Hopefully you'll hear from Stefanie soon :)

And to answer your other question, Sister Luke and I do get a lot of pats-on-the-back and we really, really do our best to re-direct the praise where it belongs. I can't take credit for anyone'sconversion and neither can Sister Luke! All the amazing things happening in this area are really because of Heavenly Father. I'm just grateful that He handed me a little shovel and let me do some of the digging in this particular part of the vineyard. As a missionary I hardly know what I'm doing and I'd never know the right thing to say or do without Him, so I know without a doubt that He guides and directs us as long as we're obedient! I'm just so so so grateful.

I absolutely love this mission. It's like having a front-row ticket to watching people's lives change through the Atonement-- including and especially mine! I feel like I've changed a lot in the past three months and I know I have so much growing to do. I have the chance to experience, like Alma and the sons of Mosiah, the inexpressible joy of sharing the Gospel. It's the best feeling in the world! Thanks everybody for your emails and letters and prayers and support :)

Lots of love,

Sister Browning  

P.S: Normally the internet gives us fits whenever it's windy outside, but we said a prayer before we emailed and it's been lightning-quick and reliable. Prayer works! :)

So in the pictures Stefanie looks a tad uncomfortable with all of our love... She likes it. Deep down. ;) But we were just really excited to finally be able to hug an investigator. Haha

Happy September!

Howdy!

Well I've almost survived my first Las Vegas summer! Today's a little bit of a crazy day because Sister Luke's grandparents were here and there's a big zone barbeque going on but I'll try my best to do this week justice. The work is on fire here, in proportion to the heat! It was 109 degrees in the shade today :) This is September?!

I've learned a lot this week about true success. I think the biggest successes are the times when we know we've been led by the Spirit to be in exactly the right place at the right time. And that seems to happen a lot! On Friday, our 4:00 appointment didn't show up so we had our members follow us to try some backups. At the last house we tried, we found the brother of a referral home. Boy was he a talker! As he talked to Aaron and Daniel in the garage, a beautiful lost-looking girl about our age who was there walked up to Sis. Luke and I. She told us that she was a member, that she'd fallen away and wanted to come back, that she tried to pray but often didn't feel good enough to pray. We told her to keep on praying, that Satan would try to tell her she wasn't worthy to pray but that that was a lie and she could always pray. She started to cry, thanked us, hugged us, and left. That is a true success!

I mentioned DJ last week-- It's so fun to be teaching girls for a change! She is getting baptized onSeptember 13th! She is a testimony to me that our church is true. She's tried just about every church out there, and after coming to ours once, she's found what the others were missing. She's really diving in head-first to everything the church offers. She's been coming to activities, institute, throwing movie nights for the members, and is eating up the book of Mormon. When we taught her the word of wisdom, she immediately took all her tea bags and threw them in the trash while Michael poured her pitcher of iced tea down the sink. She's amazing!

Stephanie is still doing super awesome and progressing toward her baptism on Sunday the 7th. She and her boyfriend came to dinner with us at Bishop's home this week which was amazing because he was able to explain prayer and the atonement to her better than I ever could, and his explanation answered questions that I'd had, as well! We're so blessed to have such a fantastic bishop! He really would do anything for us.

Johnny is doing great as well-- progressing slowly and making baby steps in the Gospel. He is much more of a challenge to teach than anyone I've taught before, but I'm sooo grateful. How am I supposed to progress in my teaching skills, or learn how to really rely on the Spirit to answer questions, if everyone just rides a slip-'n-slide right into the baptismal font? And it makes the successes all the more sweet! Hearing that he read 2 pages in the Book of Mormon, or seeing him stay for all 3 hours of church, means so much more that way.  

We got to see Tori be baptized on Saturday morning in the Royal Mesa ward. Knowing that when Sister Luke met him he didn't believe in God, seeing his progression, and then hearing him say, "I want to make it clear that I love this church and I love Jesus Christ," was one of the happiest moments I've ever experienced! As a missionary I really get a front-row seat to watching people's lives change through the Atonement. There's nothing better!

"And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended toward me." (Alma 29:10)

Alright, funny story of the week (this one's hilarious): Sister Luke got chased around our car by a cross dresser! As she was backing me out of a parking spot (you know how missionaries do) said cross dresser spots her and starts super-speed walking it over as fast as his shaved legs can carry him... she had to run the opposite way around the car and jump in or they would've kept going in circles! We drove out of that parking lot so fast... part of me was afraid he was going to jump on to the back of the car and ride fabulously with us down St. Rose Parkway. Thankfully it was not so and we escaped. :)

I love you all, have a wonderful labor day!

Lots of love-

Sister Browning

Another fabulous week in the chosen valley!

Family! :) 

Thank you so much for sending pictures! It's so great to see Jeren's graduation, Lake Powell, and all the other fun stuff! The thank you that Katherine made for Grandpa is unbelieveable... Did she take that picture?? You could sell it as a postcard! 

Happy Birthday to Mommy on Wednesday! Dad said you got my gift! I hope you do something awesome like test drive a corvette ;) What are you going to do at the Humanitarian center? You selfless serving mommy you! 

Speaking of birthdays, Josh is 20 today! Anyone else think that's crazy?! Feels like we were 14 and 15 just yesterday. :P 

Wow, you'll have to keep me updated on what happens with the old white house. I think it might be like a good luck charm or something; I'm nervous for you to tear it down too. It's just too full of history! But I guess it's not doing much good just sitting there :) 

Oh and thanks for the green smoothie recipes! I'll put those to good use, 'cause I actually drink a green smoothie every morning. I discovered the secret-- ALMOND MILK. It makes it taste like a milkshake. Dessert for breakfast, but 100% good for ya. Plain ol' milk would do the same thing, probably. :) 

This week was so super great. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE LAS VEGAS? This is the place! Brigham Young said it, well he was talking about Salt Lake, but he should have been talking about the Robindale YSA ward in the Warm Springs Stake of Las Vegas. I am p.r.a.y.i.n.g that I stay here next transfer. There is so much work to be done! 

Derek's baptism was amazing! He was absolutely glowing! So many people showed up that we had to move into the chapel. That's mostly thanks to Zach, our little social ringleader. He made sure evvvveryone was coming.

 Something else cool is that the whole program was done by recent converts of less than 4 months. Michael, a member for 3 months, baptized Derek, Don, 2 months, gave the baptism talk, and Zach, 1 month, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. These new converts are the life force of our ward! And that's exactly how it should be! 

 Sis Luke and I bought him a white shirt and tie to wear-- green, his favorite color-- because he didn't have one. He was confirmed in church yesterday!  

It's fun what you notice sitting up at the piano-- So many faces beaming at Derek. None of his family came to support him-- can you imagine not having any family support?-- but our ward is amazing; they've really just taken him in. I also noticed Stephanie, our investigator who is getting baptized in 2 weeks, crying through most of the baptism. Feelin' the Spirit! :) We've been able to meet with her several times this week and each time I'm blown away by her sincere questions and deep testimony. She is so ready! 

Speaking of baptisms. Big news! Do you remember Tori, Mr. "That-would-be-a-waste-of-my-time" turned social convert turned investigator? He is getting baptized in the Royal Mesa Ward-- NEXT WEEK! This is such evidence to me that the Gospel changes people. That's the best thing about serving a mission-- seeing that happen. It's amazing what a knowledge that you are a son or daughter of God can do. He texted us the other night and said, "Time to get off the fence." His heart is changed! 

Johnny is still doing well also-- he is a fun challenge to teach. Almost every time we go over, he's asleep or just woke up. We usually go over in the evenings. Bless him :) But he came to the baptism and to church, which is huge. We see so much potential in him!

We have a few new investigators this week! Alejandro, Aaron, and DJ (Danielle). I have to tell you about DJ. She is amazing! She's been through a lot-- she's only 23, was a military wife and just went through a bad divorce-- but her faith is unshakeable. She was a referral from the APs, and we met her at the beginning of the week. She came to all 3 hours of church, fed us a yummy dinner last night, and then we taught her the first lesson, which was INCREDIBLE! Apparently, there's been things she disagrees with at every church she's been to. And she's been to a lot of churches. Hmm... you sound a lot like Joseph Smith, DJ. :) When we read Moroni 10:4-5, she said, "That's a testimony right there that this book is true... Who would tell you to ask God unless it were true?!" Right, that's what I'm saying!! I know we will see miracles with DJ. She is a miracle herself! 

Our ward increased in numbers this week because a handful of BYU-I student teachers are here for a semester. I walked into institute Wednesday night and one of them looked verrrry familiar...Janna Merrill! Holy blast from the past, she's in the ward! 

Funny story of the week: If the luck Sister Luke and I have had with cars transfers over to cards, you should never let us gamble. Because we would lose all our money. XD This week at Zone Conference, our vehicle coordinator checked all the missionary cars to make sure they're in good working condition... and killed 4 out of 10 of them. Hahaha he left everybody's headlights on! Thankfully we got a ride to our next appointment and didn't have to miss it, and we got our car back that night. Apparently the AP's had been blasting our super girly church music as they drove. It happens. :) 

I love you all! I'll send some pictures in a minute or two! (And I'll try and re-send some old ones in a different format.) Remember that Heavenly Father loves you, is individually aware of you, and hears and answers prayer! 

Lots of love-

Sister Browning

The Sisters, Michael, and Derek!

You Sneaky Mom! :)

Alright, Family.

Last night at the Why I Believe fireside, Sister Smith comes up to me with her camera out-- and there's a picture of all y'all on there!! Haha it blew me away! I can't believe you were here and left and I had no idea! It sounds like Katie's talk was fabulous. You're right Dad, her topic was very similar to mine :) Just one question, Nelson has a beard?? Haha going for the rugged look I see ;) You guys looked so happy!

Bout 2 minutes after Sis Smith told me you were here, President Snow walked up to me to say hello, so I told him "Guess what President? My family was in the mission today!" And he says,"And they didn't call?!" Apparently it would have been ok for you to see me for an hour, for dinner or lunch, as long as you get permission from them. Oh well. Something to keep in mind if family stuff brings you to Vegas again! I haven't struggled much with homesickness in a long time so I'd enjoy that. But it's great either way, whether you want to see me or think it would be too hard. It's just kinda fun to know you were so close! ;)

Well, while you were at Katie's homecoming talk, I was singing a solo in church! Haha not sure how I got roped into that, but boy let me tell you. Singing in church is a lot more nerve wracking as a missionary! There's a part of you that's like "There are investigators here, and they have to feel the Spirit, and what if you mess up and they can't feel the spirit and they don't come back to church and it's all your fault *fhoooo* *whooo* *fhooo* *whooo*" I sure prayed that the Spirit would accompany my singing and that it would help strengthen people's testimonies of Christ. It strengthened my testimony at least, so I think it worked :) I sang I Know That My Redeemer Lives and a girl named Kaitlin accompanied me. She's a middle school choir teacher, so I'm thinkin we should've switched places ;)

 Gonna backtrack now and talk about the week. This week was FABULOUS! There was a sister's conference on Friday where allll 100 of the sisters in the mission got together and had an uplifting training and a yummy lunch. It was like a huge powwow spiritual-shot-in-the-arm girl's day! So I got to see Sister Robinson again (sooo much love) and many other sisters that I love as well. A couple counselors from LDS family services came and talked to us about guilt, shame, and vulnerability; Mom, you would have loved it! It finally sunk in for me-- the difference between making a mistake and viewing it as "I did a bad thing" and "I am bad." One leads to self-improvement, and the other leads to low self esteem! Gotta get rid of stinkin' thinkin', as Sister Neider would say!

We took Derek on a self-guided tour of the temple grounds, explaining baptisms and family history work and temple marriage. He really understands that baptism is not a finish line-- it's just the beginning! He told us "I'm coming back as soon as I possibly can!" Good guy Derek. :) His testimony is so strong. His baptism is on Saturday and I'm thinking we might have to move into the chapel because the whole ward may show up! He's become so popular! Keep him in your prayers this week please :)

To answer your question Mom, Stephanie is still doing great! She asks the absolute best questions in lessons. I've learned over the past couple months that there's a huge difference between "asking questions" and "questioning." When you ask questions, you sincerely want to know, but when you question, you want to disprove or discredit something. Stephanie asks questions! That is such a strength! It shows that she has so much faith. It's so important that when we have honest questions, we ask them, but don't let them be fueled by our doubts. I think they talked about this in Conference. :)

We have a new investigator named Johnny! How do I describe Johnny? I really don't know how to describe Johnny... except he's a riot! He keeps us hoppin' for sure! 20something YSA, apparently was in jail recently, crazy tattoos, swears like a sailor, laughs at evvvverything, but has a great heart. He keeps surprising us by coming to the things we invite him to, including institute, the luau, AND church, and making lots of friends in the ward. He is progressing and I think we'll see miracles with him!

One of my favorite things about being in a single's ward is that there's always activities to invite people to! We sound so cool in street contacts... like, "Yeah, you should come to our church, they go to the beach and play volleyball and racquetball and there's a luau on Saturday with a whole roast pig and hula dancers and everything..." I'm not sure why everybody doesn't want to be a Mormon! ;) The luau was a huge hit. Several investigators came, a less-active and her boyfriend, and Michael even invited two random guys he met in his apartment complex who showed up. They came to church the next day AND we got a return appointment. I'm catching the vision of church activities! Sister Luke and I ran around like everyone's moms, making sure everyone was having a good time and had rides to get there and rides home. We shouldn't have worried-- the ward is so unified!

Oh, one more thing. We went to contact a new referral several days ago and ended up on the strip! Haha whoooooops. I'm so glad we were with a member. But we realized the referral was going to be out of our area, so we said "we'd better exit the freeway," and all of the sudden.... there's the castle! It was basically the most exciting and also petrifying experience of my mission so far. We're still laughing about it.

Being a missionary is so super cool! When else do you get to see as many amazing things happen in other people's lives every day? Whoever's been praying for me, thank you, because Heavenly Father has been pouring blessings down. This is the best decision I've ever made! It's worth every minute!

I'm going to try and re-send some pictures so you can see them. ...next week, because I forgot my camera cord. Haha sorry the pictures haven't been working! Have you been able to upload them to the blog? In the meantime, I'll send a few from Sister Luke's camera.

Lots of love, Seester Browning

The LAST week of the FIRST transfer!

Family!! 

Happy birthday to Aubree! 13 going on 30! Did she get my card? Also happiest of birthdays to Lauren, and Jen Rawlins and Katie Holmes, if they're reading this ;) Strange to think the Browning reunion has come and gone! It sounds like you all had a blast! I love how our whole family has become this group of roadrunners! Fun fun! 

Well some of our numbers this week were lowlowlowlow. But our determination to work hard was sky-high! And we are so excited about how well some of our investigators, especially Derek, are progressing. Lemme tell you about Derek. He has made AMAZING changes in his life! He told us that he's been praying for the strength to keep the word of wisdom and avoid temptation, and as he's been doing so, lots of his old friends that are bad influences have stopped calling. He even broke up with his girlfriend because she wasn't on board. Go Derek!! He is so ready for baptism. 

Sister Luke and I want to teach girls sooo bad. Every time we get a girl potential or investigator, we get so excited! Like "They're gonna love the gospel and get baptized and be our best friends!!" Sometimes, unfortunately, that enthusiasm is just not returned. We met these two super cool girls named Rainee and Amber, 19 and 20 year old college freshman, who we have really high hopes for. They moved here from California and are looking for a church. We taught them the first lesson on Tuesday and have tried to contact them every day since, with no luck. But we're not giving up yet! 

Some of the new converts in our ward have really been struggling lately. It is so inspiring to me to see someone completely do a 180 on everything they've ever been taught. Some people are raised in homes where there is no love, and that is heartbreaking to see. As missionaries we really ask a lot of people but we know it's not impossible when they rely on their Savior. And I've been learning that I really have to rely on my Savior as well, so that I can be a vessel for the Spirit and help others the best I can! 

Apparently I picked up an admirer this week! Haha, we got a new investigator named Matthew last week, taught him once, got him to church once, and then he dropped us. And then he texts us, "it's a shame, because Sister Browning is very attractive to me. Would love to meet her soul." ?!? No one is meeting anyone's soul, thank you very much. Haha poor guy. 

Oh! GOOD NEWS. TORI IS READY TO TAKE THE LESSONS! We knew he would come around. However, since he technically doesn't live in our area, we are handing him over to the Royal Mesa YSA sisters :( It's so sad to think we can't teach him, but we're thrilled beyond thrilled that he's finally decided to take this step. 

Recent convert Michael got to baptize his dad on Saturday! He is starting the gospel chain for his family! It is so amazing to see this Gospel change people's lives, I tell ya. It doesn't matter if your 17 or 57, married or single, rich or poor, it is for you! As Gerry was bearing his testimony at his baptism, he said something that I'm sure was inspired of the Spirit for me. He said, "If you want to change your life, you have got to be willing to be uncomfortable."  Amen and amen! 

One other funny thing. Sister Luke is such a good, hardworking missionary that she does it in her sleep! I've woken up countless times to hear her whispering, "if you just pray about it you'll know it's true," or "and then we showed up at the door in our P-day clothes," or "can we set up a time to come back?" If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is. I think she's a little embarrassed but I think it's great. 

Family, thank you so so so so much for the package. When Bishop handed it to me, he smiled and said, "you look JUST like your mom." And when I saw Amber again yesterday, that was the first thing she said to me too! It's the best compliment in. the. world. Those pistachio cookies are to die for, better than anything I ever made! Jeren, Aubree, and Ryan, you'll have to let me know what your secret is! Thank you for doing that, and for making that super awesome shirt. It meant the world to me to have that lil' piece of home. :) 

Thanks for all the letters and emails this week! Keep having fun and being happy ;) 

Lots of love, Sis B