Zone trip to La Bufadora (pictures are from last week)

Hola! Elder Brown again! Week three and a different area! I'm now in Alisos, another ward in the same steak. My companion is still Elder V***. We just moved to another biking area. It’s rather nice here, though not quite as nice as Bahia. The house is huge!! The ward is bigger, and there's a lot of potential here. Hopefully we can take advantage of it. We cleaned the house and it looks a lot better. Unfortunately, I don't have much on the last week because we were busy with a bunch of changes. We visited a less-active family and they were really kind. they miss their old ward and area, but are willing to give this one another shot. they're the B*** Family.

Weird story, I was looking through my agenda for the number of Hna. B***. She knew English and, well, nobody else does. I found a number without a name associated and called it. I still don't remember where it came from or how I got it, but it was the number from someone in Tijuana. Anyway, when she answered, I greeted her in english, to make sure it was the right person (having forgotten her name). The lady who answered replied in English, so I assumed it was her. I realized it was a bit hard speaking English, so I switched back to Spanish, and she didn't understand anything. It turns out that she's lived in Tijuana 10 years and still doesn't know a lick of Spanish. I contacted her and she wasn't interested, but she was nice. :) Fortunately, my companion had written the number of Sister B*** down and remembered where it was. Anyway, that's the funny experience of the week.

It’s really not all that hot here. It's 63 degrees today. It's almost parfect, actually. Ensenada's right by the beach and so there's almost as much variation in temperature in one day as there is in a year. I'm not one to complain.

One of the other moms of the missionaries serving in the same district as Brock sent the following excerpt from her son’s letter. Elder Brown is mentioned so I thought I’d share it with you.

"This week was very interesting, but very good. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday I lead the sector because my companion was in Tijuana for a district leader meeting and to be in the sealing of an ex-elder who he knew. It was really cool being in my sector and directing the work there and working with Elder Gutierrez, Brown and Bravo. With Elder Gutierrez, we found a man that his name is Saul. He has left drugs for 2 months and has a very strong faith and hope in Jesus Christ. We taught the Restoration to the prophets. Elder Brown is really cool, because he had a good number of pass along cards and his goal was that at the end of that day, he wouldn´t have any of his cards and we tried to contact some references, but they were not home and neither with their neighbors. “ — Elder T*** S***

Another Six Weeks in Aweseome Ensenada

Elder Brown

Yet another week flew by. another transfer went. and I didn´t. Neither did my companion. we're still here rocking Bahia.

Actually, we had a baptism! We baptized the house and, well, the confirmation is still wating a bit. Anyway, I actually don´t remember much of what happened this past week.

 I lost my agenda and we knocked a bunch of doors. I know the Lord is preparing something really cool for us. We just need to prepare for it. Have a great week! Signature, ME

"I think your home is a little out of my area."

Elder Brown's letter was super short this week so here are a few pictures for your pleasure. We love the little lamb with Elder Brown and his name tag. A few weeks ago we sent a package to Elder Brown with objects we found for cheap at Target that we could put a scripture with. Elder Brown's sister and youngest brother found the cute little lamb and wanted Elder Brown to remember to go rescue the little lost sheept. 

"Why Am I Here On Earth?" Elder Brown gives a pass-along card to this astronaut (who cares that it is a statue). Missionaries can answer all kinds of questions. Remember the General Conference talk, Ask the Missionaries. They can help you! by Russell M. Nelson? If you don't, look it up and read it.

Lastly, a wonderful picture of a REALLY tall flag pole. Elder Brown wrote home, "An inspirational quote." I suppose now it is my job to find a quote to add to the photo. If any of you have suggestions, go ahead and send them my way. :)

Another great week has passed! The work keeps working us and we keep enjoying it. There are so many good people in the world and I can´t wait to meet them all! General Conference was really cool! It was a bit harder getting investigators to church, but I am so grateful to know that God speaks to man today, and that man, President Thomas S. Monson, speaks to us. I know that God lives and loves us, and that He misses us. He hears us in our prayers. He talks to us through revelation. This revelation helps us to change and strengthen our lives and character. It helps us to realize that our lives aren´t only a piece of paper, but a muscle. it is grown and there is no fault in not having a perfectly strong muscle. neither is there guilt in having imperfections. The beauty of the atonement is that our relationships with God, family, and friends are not strengthened despite human weakness, but because of it. I learned something really cool the last week. It´s more a thought process:

I am who I am today for what I did yesterday to get here, whether I did it on purpose or not, true?

I will be who I will be tomorrow for what I do today to get there, true?

Thought for the week--a little meme from my Mom

As I live today, who I want to be tomorrow, am I not already him today?

And so, are we the summation of our decisions of the past, or our hopes for the future?

What´s the answer? I believe it´s Agency. =)

Also, In my study the other day, I remembered a poem as well that says:

The distant picture, fitly framed,
will never be by man obtained,
til pored upon, when by and by,
it´s lifes brought forth from memory´s eye.

When I remembered this poem, it helped me to realize the importance of goal setting, but then I realized that good goal (alliteration) is useless without proper planning (alliteration again, and again, you get the point).

Last interesting point in the week. Remember what I said about the mission and its knack for poking and prodding for all our weaknesses? Sometimes its a little bothersome. Other times it can be very helpful. Anyway, I learned that I have ADHD. Before, it had been considered as a possibility, but not thoroughly addressed. I took a little survey test thing and talked to a psychologist about it.

Surprisingly, instead of making me feel like I´m less of a person for my imperfections, I´ve learned to appreciate myself more. It´s helped me address who I really am and realize that God truly does love everyone, imperfections and all. anyway, Great week, better companion, and best mission. Have a great day!!