Monday, December 30, 2013

New Year's: Look Not behind Thee

 
Elder Brown wanted to share this wonderful 
Mormon Message with everyone. 
Happy New Year!





Crazy Fun Week!


Oi! Family and Friends!

Happy New Years! Here in like 2 days haha. This past week was a lot of fun for us. On Monday we had a half Pday because we had a devotional with the Elders here in Luanda. We watched that christmas movie of our mission, had some food, had some words from President and Sister Merrill, then watched the First Presidency Devotional. It was a good time.

Tuesday was Christmas Eve, we went out and worked, did get alot of stuff done, just because of the holiday, we had a dinner at Irma Lasselete's house which was good, but that's

about it. Christmas we woke up, I opened my presents from Home, thanks for what you sent:) Then Elder Cafferety made us breakfast which was delicious. Then we had a gift exchange between our district. Elder Yeanoplos gave me a Dodger Hat, with army guys and a wind up baby toy so that was cool haha. Did some studies and then we played some Bang until we went to President's house for Skype. Sorry I did it so early, but luckily we didnt have any problems with connection like other Elders did. But Skype was way awesome. Loved Loved, Loved it. Can't 
wait for the Next New Years haha. 

Then we chilled a bit at President's house, had some food, help Sister Merrill with a puzzle, talked with the other Elders, it was way good. But a nightmare getting home by taxi, but eventually we succeeded. The last couple of days kind of dragged a bit because of post holiday and no one is really here for the holidays. But were just trying to keep our head above water until January or next week where people will start coming back. We have walked a ton these past couple of days though, and I'm tired. But that's alright.

Life is good, excited to start off 2014 already haha. We have to be home by 18 tomorrow and Wednesday. And Wednesday were getting together all the Elders in Luanda to play soccer again so that will be fun. The trip to San Francisco looked way fun, and too bad BYU Sports is sucking right now, but hopefully they can turn it around. Crazy the next time a BYU Football game is played I'll be at it or watching it haha, stoked.

Well that's about it. I'm loving it, I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, they are always there for us, no matter we go through our lives, and will give us opportunity after opportunity, chance after chance, and they will never forsake us or forget about us. And that's a comforting thought. I love this perfect gospel. Love you Guys and hope this New Year starts off good!


Tchau,


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Pictures Week #80

 
Two adorable kids from the Ward
Gospel Group
Santa!

Do Work!


Oi! Family and Friends,

This week went really good for me and Elder Cafferty in our area. One lesson we had this week was with a part member family of Antonio and Juana. Antonio is the member and Juana is the non member, and it's been like 7 months since her husband was baptized. Elder Cafferty said that missionaries have been hitting her hard with lessons and everything, but she just doesn't do anything. Well we taught her and the Spirit was there, and she finally committed to get baptized someday. It was a big step for her. And then even cooler, we didn't even focus on this part with her in the lesson, but she came to church with her family, and Elder Cafferty never has seen her in church, so we hope that this is a sign of her heart softening and changing, were excited for her. But this week went really good for us, we taught a lot of lessons, made contacts, etc, etc. We worked hard. 

I'm really excited to talk with you guys on Wednesday, we're going to President's house to do Skype around 15, or 3 pm. So I don't know if I will be on at 15 but anywhere between 15 to 16, and if there are problems just be on email and I can email or call or something. But yeah that's Wednesday. 

I just want to express my love for all of you during this season of the spirit of Christ. I miss you all so much. But I know where I'm at is where I'm supposed to be, and I'm seeing the power of the Atonement in not only my life, but in the lives of others. 

To answer questions, Elder Domingos is from Mozambique, Elder Yeanoplos is from Arizona, and those Mozambicanos have yet to get here because of Visa issues. But were getting Elder Quezada on Saturday from Utah, our first missionary in like 6 months so were excited about that. And I haven't eaten anything strange lately, just normal stuff. 

Really weird that 2013 is coming to a close, and were about to start up a new year. Especially since I come home this coming year. Not going to let it get to me, but obviously I'm excited haha. Just gonna work as hard as I can with the time I got left. 

Love you all, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, have a safe one
and remember why these Holidays even exist. Love You All!


Love,

Monday, December 16, 2013

Pictures week #79

Danilson's family
Miradouro, Antonio, and Amarildo
Ivandro and Iracema's family
Elder Hobbs, Elder Brown, and Elder Chandler
Angola
City
Cool Art Palancas 
Advent Calendar-Brown Family tradition
Elder Brown's tiny tree and presents-yay they got there!

 

Lots and Lots of Work


Oi! Family and Friends!

This week has been pretty good, and very tiring. I got to Cassquel on Wednesday, and me and Elder Cafferty got to work. We contacted so much this week, because the people they did have just weren't sitting with us. So we knocked doors a ton, found some cool people. One guy named Mario seems like he could be really cool in the future. But overall we worked hard this week. So my area is pretty much the city, huge area. Sometimes when I'm walking through the city I just feel like I'm walking the streets of Los Angeles. It's a really nice area with tons of people, so there will never be a shortage of work here haha. Also the city has Christmas lights and decorations so its very festive. 


I live in a house with Elder Domingos, Elder Yeanopolis, and Elder Cafferty. Then in another house but in our district is Elder Hanson and Elder Chatwin, so that's our district. The branch is good, from what I've seen already. We pretty much have a lunch or a dinner every day from a member so that's very nice. But overall I'm really liking it here, and I'm excited to work hard here. 

Christmas plans, I still don't know exactly yet, I'll let you know for sure next Monday the whole Skype set up and all. But I'm excited for Christmas and New Years. I got that other package with the presents and the Dr. Pepper so thank you:) 

This week I read an amazing talk from Brad Wilcox on the BYU Speech website. It's about how Christs grace is sufficient for all. It is an amazing talk that truly opened up my eyes to the Atonement in a whole new other way. I challenge everyone to go and find it and study it because it really has helped me out a lot. The Christmas season is amazing, a time where we can truly focus on Christ and the role of him in our lives. I'm so grateful for him, and everything he did, and still does for us. I get to be his special representative for these last 5 to 6 months, and I'm going to treasure that time, to help other people the way Christ would. 

I love you all, I'm so grateful for all of you, and the examples you are. Truly remember why we have Christmas, and remember why we are here. I love you all, and have a great week this week!

Love,

Monday, December 9, 2013

4 Transfers Left.....


Oi! Family and Friends,

This week went by pretty good. The highlight of the week obviously was the visit from Elder Hamilton and his wife. It was a really good conference and I wish it was a little bit longer. His teachings and words really inspired me to continue forword strong, becoming better each and every day, and just putting my whole heart mind and soul into it. It was really good, and I can't wait to finally apply the principles I learned because finally transfers came. 

I'm in Cassequel now with Elder Cafferty again, pretty cool huh? And I feel like this could be my last area. We shall see, but it's likely because I only got 4 transfers left. Weird. Also weird that Elder Hobbs and Elder Chandler are going home this Wednesday, I'm going to miss them both. Time passes by fast. So pretty much just walking with the Assistants in their area and other areas in Benfica. It's been really cool to see old people like Danilson's family and Armando, and just the members in the branch, it's been real cool. But now I get to know a new branch, the heart of the city, and a whole new experience and adventure ahead. 

After learning from the conference this week, I can already see a difference of how lessons go, and just feeling the spirit. I'm just ready to get back into a regular routine, not living in my suit cases all the time, it's been frustrating, but I've been patient with it and now it's finally over. I'm sorry my emails have been short, it's been hard for me these last two weeks, but from here on out they should be a lot better, with pictures as well. 

It's sad that Nelson Mandela died, he was a great man. Also sad that America landed in the group with Ghana, Germany, and Portugal. But it will be fun to watch a miracle happen right haha? I'm loving my mission, sad that it's winding down, but I'm going to make the most of it, do everything I can in these last couple of months. I love you all, I miss you all, especially during this holiday season, but it's ok. Remember Christ, conciously remember him each day in your lives, and do something Christlike for someone else. Well love you all, have a great week.

Ps. Elder Clifford says Hi to everyone:)

Love,

Monday, December 2, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving


Oi Family and Friends,

Sorry for last week, it was kind of crazy because I've been up in Luanda this past week. Elder Andre has been up here for his visa to Portugal, and we traveled on Monday. But pretty much we have been hanging out here in Luanda this past week. Weve been staying in the Benfica house, which has been really weird, and I've been walking with the Assistants in their area. The APs, they work hard, its kind of rough being an AP so I'm thankful for them. 

Had Thanksgiving with everyone up here which was awesome. My team won the first Annual Turkey Cup here on the mission, I'll send a pic of the cup next Pday. For right now, I don't know where I'll be working, because I've been transferred here to Luanda, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting a new companion. But I don't think I'll find out about all that until the visit by Elder Hamilton is over this week. Which I'm really excited about. 

Sorry that there isn't too much to talk about, Luanda is Luanda. And just kind of bumming around with the AP's. But I'm really excited for this week, and it's awesome that it's already December. Well I love you all, and I hope this holiday season will be the best holiday season ever. Love you all, thank you for all the support, and I miss you all.

Love,