ya me voy y ya soy viejito!

(I'm leaving and man, I'm getting old) translation for title

so I'm getting transferred to Harlingen. I'll be in the same stake as far as church is concerned but a different zone in the mission. Its one of the smaller zones in the mission, but I hear many great things about it. A lot of people were sad that I was leaving, but were happy to know that I would be in the same stake. I love Brownsville and it will be sad to leave tomorrow, but I feel that I found those people that were waiting for me. I can leave my area feeling proud and accomplished. Now its time for a new adventure and the best part is....I GET TO BE A SOCCER MOM! We are the only missionaries that have a mini van. Because we have to do a lot of running around and transporting things of missionary nature, for some reason we weren't given a truck but a minivan and I couldn't be happier. it will bring me back to the days when i had the Montana.....awwww que lindos aquellos tiempos.....

now to explain the second part of the title. so as i was going around and taking pictures with everyone yesterday. I came to realize that I'm getting old. You can start to see creases in my face from smiling so much. it was just weird to look at the pictures i took and say...hey, who is that guy? we'll see if the computers in Harlingen are any better. 

thats about it! I Love You All!

love, Elder Browning!

Lost in Translation

k well unfortunately...everyone and their mom decided to email me today so I had to do a quick read and response with all the emails. the unfortunate part is that i wasn't left with ton of time left to write,

for now the rain has stopped. yes it is still hot and humid. and how cow its almost September! who are the 'new' people that came back into the ward. does that mean that the ward is bigger?

well i got some good news. transfers are next week and......I'm getting transferred...again....but I don't know where yet I was just told at our leadership training that I will be a Zone Leader starting next transfer. aaahhhhhh! everything is moving so fast! but i cant wait to get a new companion. I love Elder Dungan but he's starting to and is SUPER trunky and just doesn't want to work.

well that's it for now. LOVE YOU!

60 minutes with Elder Browning

I will be in mcallen all week next week (but I will be coming back everyday), all the monthly meeting are over.

So Zach sent me a letter today saying that he is down in branson. It is nice to hear and see that everyone is doing well and making good use of their time.

Zone meeting went really well. We learned alot and really focused on the power of the message of the restoration. It was such a wonderful experience because as I was teaching the First Vision, I had the Holy Ghost reconfirm to me that this is true and that it did happen. It is so great to see the little ways that heavenly father answers our prayers and helps us build and grow our testimonies.

My interview went great, actually president trayner 'ordered' me to tell you that I amd working hard and that President is proud of all the work I am doing, and that you should be proud as well.

Besides that there hasnt been a lot going on. We reached and surpassed our goal as a mission in july, which is the first time this year. We as a district reached our goal and were main contributers to the zone goal in july. we have already doubled our goal in august and its only the 1st weekend. BOO YEAH REG! the goal is to triple or quadruple it. (our goal was 1 because of some dificulties we had last month, but now we have 2 and looking pretty solid for at least one more.)

Thats about it, we should be getting a ton of rain today, and tuesday through thursday I'll be in mcallen with all the other District Leaders, Zone Leaders, Asssitants, and Trainers. I Cant Wait!

Love you!

Where the heck did July go?

I'm not left with alot of time. so just a quick lowdown of some of the happenings here in Browntown!

 

we had 2 baptisms yesterday, Arlette and Luis Segoviano. It was such a wonderful experience. For awhile I was worried aobut them because they didnt have a huge testimony about what was being taught, but we had a lesson this past week that took away those feelings of doubt and replaced them with comfort that they know enough.

 

we have interviews and zone meeting tomorrow and it will be my first interview as a District Leader. and then next week I will spend 3 days in McAllen for another leadership training. one similiar to the one we had in May.

 

Because of time, this is all I can write now. i love everyone else in that house, regardless is they write me or not.

 

Love you!

 

Elder Browning

 

ps. so one of the missionaries was showing us some pictures of his family and he had a picture of his parents when they got sealed. the picture also included the missionaries that baptized them, and guess who one of them were......Murko Polyak. WHAT?!?!? I know it was cool. so if you ever see him tell him, I'm living with the son of the Hernandez family he baptized in California. Small world. The church is true!

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam!

thought you could use a good mom moo, I'm sure you here it a lot at home but you haven't heard one from me in a while. love you!

 

Ok, so I'm going to answer you question right now so i don't forget.

 

Do I ride my bike? Yes on Saturdays, other than that I enjoy the chilly air conditioner in the car. But I still use my bag....everyday of my life....ok maybe not that much, but it still gets used.

 

Do I speak Spanish? YES....this time....EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE. Cameron Park is like a tiny Mexico. I feel as if i am in Reynosa again. I love it. The funny thing is that the parents only know Spanish and the kids for the most part only now English, so its kinda fun and hectic and a little annoying having to explain everything twice. but yes i do speak Spanish quite frequently.

 

So, now its a lowdown of the happenings here in the mission field. Yesterday we had 3 baptisms as a district. 2 of which were my investigators, that I taught but were baptized by another area because my old area split 2 weeks ago. if all goes as planned we will have 4 more next week as a district and every companionship will have baptized (4 companionships) so it will be awesome to see that happen, because the last time that happened was in December. So I feel really good about that, however, because we have been so focused for July, we haven't put a large focus on August, so august looks a little slim :/ that's about it here, its still hot, we still have crazy 5 minute downpours, and I'm loving my companion and my district.

 

I love you!

 

Elder Browning

1st week of Transfers

So there have been a lot more changes with these past transfers than I had anticipated of foresaw.

 

So some of the changes that that have occured this past week are:

I have a new companion. Elder Dungan, from Detriot, Michigan. He goes home in 12 weeks and he's a little trunky. But I told him from the get-go that I was here to work and thats what I plan on doing.

There are 2 more elders in our apartment. It makes for better company, however it is a little cramped. But it does help when we have to clean and what not.

I now have a District of 9!  Its a little exciting, but at the same time a little overwhelming and I can start to feel and see the pressure from the Leadership of the Mission.

 

This week Presidant talked to us about the refiner's fire and how the Lord builds us up in our trials and afflictions. Which was a huge comfort for me this week and I have began to become a little more stressed and jsut 'worked.' I remember in saying in one of my prayers this week, that I wasnt going to be able to do this on my own. I know that Heavenly Father will strengthen me as long as I continue to do what I am asked and do my best. I'm still alive and have survived all the crazy rain storms that have hit us. Say hello to everyone and send them my love.

 

l Iove you!

 

Elder Browning

Ewwww Gross!

yes you guessed it, I got your package this week. and I just about threw up when I to the card. (It had a hairball in it!)  Usually, you put a note in the package explaining why everything is in there and some random thoughts you had as you were packing it. so that it what I thought when I saw the card. NOt funny!

 

Transfers are tomorrow and I'm staying here but I am receiving a new companion and they are splitting our area again. so our cozy 2-man apartment will now be a tight 4-man-ner. one of the missionaries coming is serving in the other area in my district and his comp is Elder Leiva from Chicago who was in my last zone. My new comp is Elder Dungan. No one really knows him but that is because all of our Zone is super young and he has been out for awhile.

 

We've had freak crazy thunderstorms again this week, where is rains super heavy for 2 days straight and that its back to the humidity and heat. but the good news is that the hot season ends at the end of august and since we are already planning for august it wont be that long and lo voy a aguantar.

 

thats about all the news i got this week. 

 

love who you serve, serve who you love. be prayful....wait a minute...erhm

 

Love you!  Stay safe!

What Browsville are you talking about?

To answer your question about Brownsville weather......Well for starters I'm not sure what Brownsville you have heard about, but this one has been wet all week. Not a hurricane, however we had flash flood warnings and torrential downpour for 3 days. Apparently, our little rain storm was just as uncommon as a hurricane. So needless to say, I have to do a ton of laundry this week because all my clothes got worn and soaked but....ni modo! (oh well/tough luck)

 

Progress down here is moving along swimmingly, all of the members of the district are working hard and we are starting to see blessing and the rekindling of testimonies down here in southern Texas. NO I have not received your package yet, but there will be 2 trips made to McAllen this week, so I'm bound to get. Transfers are in a few weeks, and all the news for trainers and new DL and ZL were already given and I've missed the chopping block....for the first time in awhile but that doesn't exclude me from getting transferred or receiving a new companion. Only time will tell now.

 

Hopefully, this cloud cover will stay because it has brought us some pleasantly cooler weather. not really sure what else has been going on. Just the normal stuff I guess, we have focused our efforts in working with the members instead of contacting and we have found some success in it so far. Some members are a little reluctant, but with time and love I know things will change.

 

Thats about it, I guess I will have more things to report next week and tell you about our crazy 4th of July stories, all I know right now is that we have to be in at 6. So who knows,

 

Love you and Sweet Baby Butters.....and everyone else too. <3 div="div">

 

The more Humble and Loving, Elder Browning

CAT-an

So I got my surprise from Josh, I was wondering who it was from. The amount of people who know that I play catan is limited and the amount of people who know that I play catan AND know about woot is even more limited. By all means, I was very excited and grateful.  I'm glad to hear that my letter was turned into a game. I knew that if I didn't put a specific name on it than probably Hunter or Makenzie would have been the ones who had opened it, because they both obsess about the mail. (like they have any friends that write them lol)

I think its safe to say that I've settled in quite nicely. If not, I don't think I would have been called as a District Leader.

So my crazy and spiritual news from the field.

 Yesterday was stake conference and its always a delight to attend. however this conference was CRAZY. the morning session was in Harlingen (Stake Center) and then Spanish Session was help in our chapel later that afternoon. So needless to say, we did a ton of running around. We we fortunate enough to get a ride ,and save miles, with the senior couple missionaries. Me being smart and courteous, we called last Monday and made plans with them. the Zone Leaders called the night before and asked if they could get a ride, and Sister White (being a grandma) could not say no. so we were packed like sardines for 35 mins up there and another 35 mins back. but it was still a wonderful conference with the theme being "Families can be together forever" it was such a good conference and we were super happy to bring investigators their because some of their questions (i feel) were answered.

Unfortunately, that's all the time that I have this week. I love you and everything that you do for me and the family. Tell Josh I love him, and that I'm thankful for the shirt. I've worn it every nite to bed. (its funny because i was think about him this week and what do you know I heard from him. How great and mysterious God works and answers prayers.)

Love you

-Elder Browning

To My Mom and my sweet baby Butters

So this past week was full of its ups and downs, its highs and lows. We had an awesome Zone conference in which we learned a ton a stuff. This conference was mostly themed around the Restoration of the Gospel focusing in Jesus' mortal ministry and the Apostasy. It was very informative and insightful, who knew that historians, not members of our church, were commenting that the establishment that Jesus created was lost from the earth. I guess thats why they have us as missionaries.

 

We also had a 2 day exchange with the Zone Leaders. Usually, I'm not a fan of exchanges however, I was in need of some counsel and direction as to what I should be doing as a District Leader. We had an excellent exchange and I learned a ton in just a few days. I also think that we worked a lot harder in just 2 days than I have my entire mission and we saw the success of doing so. The only thing now is to get my companion on board. he has recently been harbouring a lot of feelings from his last companion, which pretty much demoralized him as a missionary, and so he decided to take it out on me the past few days. Normally, I would put him in his place, but I have been in his position before, so I just sat there and listened. Hopefully we can get things figured out soon, because as it says in the scriptures, 'if ye are not one, ye are not mine.' I hoping that we can blow off a little steam during p-day and get back to work tomorrow.

 

now a note for the BIG BABY!

Hi fweet baby, I love you. Just to let you know I only have pictures of you here and none of dum dum doggie boomber. but I will give you some words of advice and a motto for texas...Cowboy Up! Love you fweet baby!

 

Tell everyone I say Hi and that I would love to hear from them. Via snail mail, email, pigeon mail, grakel mail. Whatever is most convienent!

 

Love Elder Browning! xxooXOooXoo

No Subject :(

Another week has come and gone. holy cow! eventhough its seems like I have been here yesterday, at the some time it seems forever ago. where should I begin?

 

We had 2 baptisms yesterday, and it was (as always) crazy and hectic. because we had a baptism in each ward, and because of other complications. We had to do a bilingual service. It was fun, but as you could imagine, it went a little long. but it was a beautiful service none the less. unfortunatley we will not be having another baptism for a while now. I got here and our teaching pool was bone dry, so its time to hit the ground running again. It would be the first time that I have entered an area with nothing. (last transfer) but I left my last area in way better hands than when I got it. So those are my plans for this transfer and for the rest of the mission.

 

It was a hard week, not being able to find anyone. we spent many hours in the streets, knocking on doors and talking with people but nobody was willing to let us in. it is a little discouraging, but its not the message that is wrong it is the way we are sharing it. so this week I have a 2 day exchange with the zone leaders and then on tuesday we have Zone conference. My hopes and faith are high but the next  test is getting my district and companion on that same level.

 

Its different being so far from the offices and being 'isolated' form everything. even mail takes a little longer to get forwarded here.

 

That about all that times allows me this week. 

 

I love everyone!  Send me mail!  I would love to hear from anyone!

 

Elder Kye Browning

200 Wet LaVista Avenue

McAllen, TX  78501

I am lacking the wit for a catchy title

Firstly, I would like to have you tell Josué...BIRRRRFFFFFDAAYYYYY! (no, I didn't forget!)

 

Well, I've been here in SUPER southern Texas for 1 week and its still HOT. I had my first few District Leader meetings this week also, alot of information on how to help and lead a district and how to do exchanges and how.....to prepare for HURRICANES. I know that it probably worries you, everytime I talk about hurricanes, but they did let us know that we have a good chance of getting one and that hurricane season has come about 2 weeks early, so we are making all the necessary arrangements, if we would have to evacuate. So no worries, everything is doing well and getting prepared down here.

 

As for the work, everything is doing well. We are trying to learn the area and work and find new people. We should have 2 baptisms next week. Things are looking great here. I think I am starting to realize one of the reasons why I have been sent here. This area is struggling with faith and excitement for the work. I'm not saying that that is the sole reason but I can see the lack of efforts and faith here. Its sad, but tomorrow in District Meeting, they are going to get a large heaping of FAITH and ANIMO!

 

-Elder Browning

 

ps. if you anyone wants to send me mail we are having zone conference next week and that is normally the only time we get stuff from the office.

So I finally arrived in my new area and since the Library was closed yesterday, I am writing now, at 3 pm Tuesday afternoon, here in Brownsville, TX. So far so good, its a little more humid here, but thats because we are closer to the ocean. I am now as far south as you can go without getting into Mexico.

I am super excited for my new responsibilities as District Leader. I was told by the one AP as I was leaving today that my area and district need a lot of excitement and a BIG faith booster. With that being one of the last things I heard before I left, the butterflies started to flutter in my stomach and my 'homework' or 'task' seemed a lot  bigger. But again, I am super excited to be here and to get people excited to do missionary work. It honestly can't be any worse than when I arrived to my last area. Yes, I inherited 2 baptisms, meaning I didn't have to teach them anything, the transfers happened the Sunday before their baptisms. But aside from this I was left from nothing, and now I left my area in a lot better condition then when I got it. It wasn't easy, especially with an all '0' week, but with faith and determination, everything worked out. But I think on of the best things this past week, other than having a great week and investigators at church, was that I got to drive one of the trucks down for transfers. So thank James for letting me be the delivery driver at Carrier because it felt like I was transporting again. Well I think that is about it for this week. I'm sending a bunch of texi-mexi love from Brownsville, Texas!