Another Monday is Here...HOLY COW!

I'm not a big fan of how fast time flies on Monday. It's already 2:30 and all we have done is go bowling and now we are writing emails. So I know you might be asking...Bowling, again?!? Yes but this time, a member took us and a few other missionaries and she taught us how to bowl. That's right you're now receiving a letter from Mr. 300! I'll send you my autograph later...but yea, so we still have a ton of stuff to do, and I don't have a ton of time to write. So I'm going to try and make it up with some pictures.

Not really sure what to write...I am in charge of another musical number...I know what you might me asking...Another musical number?!?! Yes and I am super excited...I have come to the realization that I really improved my musical knowledge and ability over the course of my mission. I can almost play any song, and I can play a few songs with both hands now....just the Bass notes for right now...but it's getting better. And to top it all off I've been asked to teach piano to one of the kids in the Spanish ward before church starts...OH BOY....not really looking forward to this one, but we'll see how it goes.

Yesterday at church, I was reminded of a very eternal truth. One of the members was giving a talk about our desires and our choices and she shared that "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem," and that is so true. I was also reminded of something I shared with my missionaries a few months ago quoting that God's work and glory is"to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." I continued to share with the missionaries that if they weren't helping bring this to pass that they were not helping Heavenly Father's plan, but hindering it and that they were not living their purpose. I know ti sounds harsh but in context it wasn't and the meeting was a very spiritual experience. But it is so very true, we can't be in the middle, we have to choose a side and then stay on that side. Every day I am reminded or taught in a different way that the gospel is black and white, and it is us that unnecessarily make the grey area that doesn't and shouldn't exist. 

Welp! I think that just about sums it up for this week! We've been enjoying some lovely weather this past week and I'm hoping it stays that same. It feels like the beginning of summer in Chicago.

Love,

Mr. 300
aka Elder Browning

My toes right after surgery, yes i still have toenails and yes Dad is still the only member of the no toenails club

the Umar Family, they know Grandpa, they were in the Hyde Park ward....i think

Elder Rodriguez and I at New Years in Brownsville, he's my BFFL!

a 50 inch Pizza! no we did not eat it all we just got the left overs

this was when it was cold like 40 degrees and we went and got chinese food

Breakfast with the Bartholomews

Yea, I know it's late!

i have literally spent all day at different doctor's offices. I went for a check up on my toes and they are doing great by the way and we also met a less active member as we waited for about an hour before my appointment. Then I went to the eye doctor ....where I met a member of the reorganized church so we got to talking....its weird in how similar yet so different we are. then we went to another eye doctor and then a check up on the bleeding belly button I had last week....i know gross, but its all better now....hopefully i wont have to see a doctor in a long time.

New Years Eve was great. we spent it in Brownsville. I couldn't play or do much because of my toes so I just caught up with Elder Rodriguez (my Biffel) then we watched 'Forever Strong' the sound wasn't working and we couldn't figure out why so another elder who ran a sound board for his drama club and myself went at the problem and viola! we got it solved 30 mins and a lot of wire later.

this week we are having our Zone Meeting on become the '4th missionary'
we had our own special meeting with the Zone Leader last week at ZLC about become the '4th' and it was a super spiritual and uplifting experience. I can't wait to do the same with our zone tomorrow. Oh and BTW....its been FREEZING here and when i say freezing i mean Texas freezing which is in the lower 40's with wind, no sun and drizzle. unfortunately, went on an exchange this week and had to ride my bike in the weather and I'm pretty sure i caught something because I don't feel so hot. but not to worry, all the members had given me medicine and love and care so I think I'm in good hands....and to reassure you...there is a member in our area that reminds me of you and our family and the crazyness and what not and when ever we complain about not having something from home or whatever she always tells us...."it's ok, I'm your Momma now!' its kind of an inside joke but nevertheless its comforting to know that we have such wonderful members here that worry about our well being.

Love you!

Elder Browning

It's over

Who would have known that the year would have passed that fast. Now it's over and tomorrow we start a new year with new goals and aspirations. I wish you all the best as we analyze the things we did, or perhaps did not so well in the past year and encourage us to make and set goals that will help us reach the potential that our Heavenly Father wees us becoming!

We reached our December goal of 10 as a Zone yesterday and I am so happy for all the service and ganas that all the members of the zone gave this month. We finished the month and year strong and now we are setting our eyes to the future. On Friday we set goals for February! HOLY COW! and, again, we welcome in January tomorrow. It's absolutely amazes me how fast time really flies and how much time we really don't have. We as a mission, and I personally, are super excited for the goals we have set for the year 2013. We have set out to baptize 1200 children of our Heavenly Father! It's quite the feat but we are all super excited to work at the side of the Master in His vineyard. This past year was a difficult year for most. I have learned un MONTON! (a lot) and the crazy thing is that I will continue learning everyday and hopefully I will continue changing to become better.

Oh! I remember something that happened this week...I got my toenails taken out! I was having a problem with one of my toenails and it growing in wrong so I went to the doctor and the doctor said...no more monkeys jumping on the bed (there are the dang monkeys again)... no but really she said that my toes grew funny and that I would have problems all my life if she didn't take them out. So I said to take them out! and out they went and now I have wrapped little piggies that won't be going to the market anytime soon. But I'm still alive and to tell you the truth they don't even hurt.

Also one last thing and this is more for the Jensens (Big Al and Josie) so my companion and I gave our talks last week and we said we were from Chicago. So yesterday one of the sister in the ward came up and started to ask which ward we were from and we told her and she wasn't familiar with any of them...now here's the cool part. I asked her how long ago and which ward was she from and she said that she moved here 5 years ago and was in the Hyde Park ward. So then I asked her if she remembered President Jensen (and for some reason people confuse Grandpa with someone else) and she said yes and then she asked how Josie's wrists were and then I knew she knew my Grandparents because I am only aware of one lady that has 'claws' and that's my Grandma! Her name is Sister. Umar....I think I will get a picture with her family next week.

Welp! That's it folks! Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and love! I wish you the very best where ever the Lord may take you in this wonderful new year!

Love you,
Elder Browning

Its [was] Christmas

I hope everyone had a very merry, berry and quite possibly but hopefully not scary Christmas! To tell y'all the truth it didn't feel a lick like Christmas. It was 82 degrees and super sunny. The only thing that gave it away was the palm trees wrapped in lights and all the stores closed. I'm not sure if I like Christmas without all the cold and snow...it just doesn't feel the same...oh well its over now and but the reason for the season should be remembered all year round.

This past Sunday I gave a talk in Spanish Ward I was SUPER SUPER nervous since it was my first time giving a talk in Spanish. After I got up to the podium all my fears and nerves left and i was able to give my talk and then fill in for the super short talk my companion gave. So I ended up talking for 25 mins....in SPANISH!!! CHECK THAT OFF THE BUCKET LIST! BOO YEAH REG! Then yesterday for Christmas I washed a pig! yep that's right you didn't misread anything, I washed a pig that some members got for Christmas to raise and then kill for bacon....btw the pig's name is....BACON...what a fitting name.

Thank you so much to all of you that sent presents. I appreciated all of them!

Sorry for not writing a lot today, I kind of got it all out of my system yesterday when I talked with my family....zorrie!

I wish you the best in all that you do and hope that you have a wonderful new years!

Love,
Elder Browning, but you can call me Grandpa Browning now because I was taught how to knit yesterday and I'll be a knitting fool in no time. Wait until next year when I knit everyone a Ron Weasley sweater.

LOVE YOUS!

ps pic - Christmas at the McMillans. Somehow this is the only picture i took yesterday

We need more Christmas Hymns?!?!

o yea....i think that we have sung every Christmas song possible. and their are still 2 weeks left of December. anyways......

Howdy Y'all! OK so that's not really how they talk down here its more like....buenos dias!, como estas? Everything is really well here in the Valley. We had a wonderful Christmas Zone Conference, with a Pinata, presents and beautiful musical and departing missionary testimonies. I'm going to send the music number we did home, but its on the cassette so if you want to hear it you've gotta go to my house.....sorry y'all

Everything is going great here in the south of Texas, we have baptisms lined up until the end of the year and then some. It's something about the holiday season that open the hearts of the children of our Heavenly Father. and guess what?!?! no I didn't get a pony in the mail.....I'm not getting transferred....AGAIN....this is the longest I have ever been in an area and I absolutely love it....I have no idea what president was thinking keeping "Chicago" together. Oh WELL, its time to reign another transfer of awesomeness here in Harlingen. I also would have been super sad If i were to be transferred right before Christmas...so good thing that I'm not.

Coolest and most spiritual news of the week...Marina got baptized this Sunday. She has been waiting 3 1/2 years for this day and it finally came. I had the privilege of interviewing her and hear her amazing story....GOD DOES EXIST AND KNOWS EVERYONE OF HIS CHILDREN BY NAME!

Love you all and hope you all have a Great week as Christmas pulls around the corner.

Elder Browning

We baby sat this week and elder Wray(the big one) was from LA so we threw our LAs up

Angry Birds

Us at the Wedding

I was the flower girl

Marina and Us

BRRRRRRRRRR!

its cold....no wait....it's FREEZING! its sad that I'm saying that 55 degrees is cold but its true when yesterday was in the lower 90's.

I'm writing a little later than normal because we just got finished practicing a special musical number for the Zone Christmas Conference. Yes...I'm doing another musical number and yes I just finished doing one. This time I am just a participant and not in charge of anything. Its a super sweet arrangement of 'Mary, Did You Know?' It's a duet, and the goal is to make Sister Trayner cry because of how awesome it is. This week and last week anytime Sister Trayner saw me, she always had something to say about the musical number that I put together for Mission Conference and how great it was and how much Elder and Sister Schwitzer enjoyed it.

So this week is an exciting one besides having our Christmas Parties. Janie(our recent convert) and her fiance Joseph are getting married on Wednesday! It's super exciting....Janie texted us the other day, telling us that she had finished the 1st book of Nephi. We are going to go bowling with Jospeh a little later on today. Woo Hoo!

It seems like up until the time I have to write I have a bazillion things to say but when I actually sit down and write I completely space out. Oh! I remember on thing that I wanted to say....I gave a talk on Sunday...I was asked at the ward Christmas party Saturday night if I could be one of the High Counselor's companion speaker.....it brought me back to the time when I went with Ron to visit and speak at the Watseka branch. May I brag a little by saying that I gave a pretty good talk and I had to cut it short because of time. That also reminds me to tell you about our ward Christmas party. We were asked to sing a few Christmas songs, so we did a few chrismas hymns and then we sang Feliz Navidad! we sang it a capella like SIX so I was on the trumpet, another elder on the stand up bass and others just making noise. It was super funny and the ward loved it.

Welp! that about sums it up! I feel a lot like the Grinch, as in I feel that my heart has grown 2 sizes this year toward the season of Christmas. I love you all and espero que Dios les bendiga con muchos zapatos! Que se Cuiden! con amor, brazitos, y besitos y un renito que se llama Jefferson,

Elder Browning

What a Wonderful Week

This week Elder Scwhitzer came to the mission field and we received a special Zone Leader Council with him as well as as a mission we received a lot of training. On Thursday, we stayed in McAllen after our ZLC for the Fireside that Elder Schwhitzer put on. we had just enough time for dinner, so I called up one of the families in my first area and they were happy to have us over, catch up and feed us. It was super great to see them again, and to catch up with them. I always have this feeling that when I leave an area I will be forgotten, so when the Jenkins were happy to hear from me and have me over it but my little puppy heart to rest.

and yes to clear up any confusion, they put Christmas trees and lights up down in Texas. we actually got to help a family put there's up and we ended up finding a person who would like to start investigating the church.

It was also very enjoyable to hear the words of the prophets yesterday in the Christmas devotional. something that stuck out to me was something that president Monson said

"The Christmas spirit is the time for giving without a single thought of getting"

and to add, the words of president Uchtdorf that we should be betting receivers.

Being on the mission i have come to love the Christmas season and the Christmas spirit. I wish you all a wonderful week full of love and surprises.

Love,
Elder Browning

A thanksgiving dinner

Bowling at Bass Pro Shop

Jaws of Death?

The Jenkins Family

Setting up Christmas Trees

This is our ablum cover for our boy band "The Next Level"

NO MAS GUAJALOTE!

I cant believe how fast Thanksgiving got here! and this Saturday its CHRISTMAS!!!! ok maybe not Christmas, but its the first day of December. HOLY SMOKES!

Its sad to think that this was my first and last Thanksgiving in the mission field. Last time I had it at the MTC and things were crazy there as Zach has already mentioned. It was fun....luckily we only had 2 food appointments and that my friends was plenty. I can confidently say that I didn't feel sick after eating for 4 hours. PACE was the key and eating little bits at a time helped as well.

This Thursday we will be privileged to hear the words of Elder Greg Switzer of the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy. We will be in McAllen Thursday and Friday. We as Zone Leaders have a special meeting with him and on Thursday and then on Friday he will address the entire mission.....SO EXCITING!!!!

So quick funny story before I sign off. Elder Boswell is from Naperville. I know that, but I guess it never registered. The other day we were pillow talking (jsut talking at night after prayers and what have you) and we were talking about certain things in Plainfield/Naperville and then it hit me that he is from where I am from. Small world story....since Zach told his....Scottie Sonnenburg is in his home ward.

Welp! that's about it.....gotta get our stuff done today because we are going bowling at Bass Pro Shop! WOOOHOOOO!

Love,
Elder Browning

I'm a bald bunny....ain't got no fur!

so funny story.....I'm now a bald bunny....or at least i feel like it. So awhile ago i discovered a growth on my stomach. So i called sis. Trayner, she called the doctor and the doctor said....no more monkeys jumping on the bed (there are those dang monkeys again, good thing a had monkey chow) no but he told me what to do to take care of it. Heat compress and soapy water. well, it hurt as i rubbed my belly with my furry belly so i decided to shave a patch so i wouldn't hurt anymore....well that patch turned into my entire chest and lets just say its a little chilly......I'll save you the pictures...but I'm off today to go see the doctor because my belly lump has not gone away.....hopefully i wont hear the word 'pompis" again like i did about 2 years ago when i was in that sketchy doctors office in Mexico.

with that being said, I'm sure you are busy as ever with getting Zach ready to enter the MTC.....Holy Cow that's on WEDNESDAY.....which means that we are having transfers down here as well. Elder Mickelsen is heading out and I'm receiving a new companion....He's name is elder Boswell and guess where he is from.....If you guessed NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS you are absolutely right!

He lives by 88 and 355! I have no idea what president was thinking when he put 2 Chicagoans together but I'm super excited. now all the missionaries in the mission that are from Chicago are now in one zone...and that's here in Harlingen. This will be his first time a as Zone Leader so I will be 'training' him. I'm super excited for the change as well as for all the AWESOME stuff that is going on in our area! things are looking so good. we are baptizing next week and having a wedding a couple of weeks after that. welp, i think that is about it. Its cold and it feels like a Chicago November and I absolutely love it and we have been listening to Christmas music for the past couple of days....who would have thunked it....it think Branson did something to me.

Love,
Elder Browning

I was a Missionary for Halloween

Welp! that about says it, holidays don't really effect missionaries that much....the work must go on! the only difference being that we had to go home early and do things in the apartment. so that's how we celebrated Halloween, no trick of treating, no candy and no party.....that's why there is always next year.

This week will be just as hectic seeing that we will be going to McAllen Tues-Thursday for Leadership Training. It's going to be great and this time I get to give a training because I'm a Zone Leader.

So I do have some exciting news!!!!! I have been asked to be in charge of the special musical number for our Mission Tour (that's when the General Authority come in) I'm so excited! I'm going to be a little Mack Wilberg :)

I fink that's it for now! Love you all!

Elder Browning (the one and only for the next 2 weeks, I'm going the have to start signing as Zone Leader Browning so we all know the difference but I think that will go against proper use of the priesthood so i wont) anyways LOVE YOU!

Is it really the end of October?

I can not honestly believe that October is over and November is here! It's absolutely blowing my mind how fast time fly down here!

This week has been a little difficult. He have had a lot of ups and downs. Its been a little frustrating because it seems like that no matter how much we train our missionaries, the less they catch on. We just haven't seen a lot of improvement in our zone. It saddens me that our missionaries, nor our zone, see the urgency of this great work. We our on the Lord's side, and some are just looking at it as something to get done before they move on with the next chapter in their life. It's also so sad that there are people waiting to be talked to and taught but have to wait because of the negligence of the Lord's representatives. It's Game Time! Elder Mickelsen and I, take off to McAllen again this Thursday for our Monthly Zone Leader Council. I love to go, but it really going to hurt us this week because we are going to have a half day on wednesday for Halloween and then a few hours to work on Thursday. As well, we have a 3 day leadership training next week and just won't have anytime to get stuff done. (ps, if anyone wants to send me something this would be the best time before Christmas).

Yesterday, we had the primary program in English ward. It was great! I absolutely love it when the kids talk really loud into the microphone. Unfortunately, we didn't have very many of those this time. At the end of this month we will be having our Mission Tour

I think thats about it for this week. HALLOWEEN IS ON WEDNESDAY!!!! BOO!!!! I would like pictures of all the costumes of everyone this year (Butters, Boomie, the twinks, my brudders)

Love You
Elder Browning

and..... i keep them? i LOVE POOPIES....and serving the lord and my favorite color is light tan

Another week in the mission field

'm not too sure where to begin....I don't really a lot as to what happened last week. Yesterday at church, during gospel principles, we had a bomb awesome lesson and a super sweet musical number to end. We also had 2 investigators at church that liked it and want to come back....we've been struggling the past few weeks...I super excited for interviews this week, seeing that it will be my first interview being a zone leader. When I was a district leader, the interview didn't change much and so I'm thinking that this one won't be very different either, but who knows?

So I apologize at the fairly bland letter. Not a lot has happened. The work is moving forward. It still doesn't feel a lick like the end of October but I guess I will just have to make due with what I got. So a funny side story, so I was getting ready for bed the other night and as I was brushing my teeth.....it hit me.....the whole purpose of life is to grow up and start a family and then to help your family grow up and do the same thing. I was thinking that in a year from now I would be married. I wouldn't have my parents, I wouldn't be living in my parents house but I would be on my own with a stranger, ok so not so stranger since she would be my wife but still a stranger, and I would have a job or be going to school and I would have my own life to live......ITS SO WEIRD! Ya I know that one day I would get married and move out and what not, but it all mad sense to me the other day and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole idea. I think its starting to make a lot more sense with this chapter of my life coming to a close in the near future. Its just weird to think that I won't be a kid forever, I mean I'm 22 now and when I go home I'll be an adult, wow.....growing up is so weird, but I'm so ready for it!

Well that's about it! The CHURCH IS TRUE! I see it work miracles in people's lives everyday of my life!

Love you!

not a lot has happened in 4 days....

wish I could say that we have had a super exciting week, but I cant. I wrote home on Wednesday and nothing has really transpired from then until now......zorrie!

This week we finally had someone that came to church. It's been a while but after diligent and hard work, and faith things get done and miracles happen. We had such an experience as I have decided to leave my comfort zone and just take with EVERYONE! I've come to the point in my life/mission where I just don't care what people do any more. Over the course of my mission I have had some pretty nasty experiences with some people who are just so ignorant and rude. This has, over time, lessened my desires to go out and talk with everyone. We have taken a big hit in the mission and especially in our area because we have been working very one-sided, meaning that we have only been working through one means of finding. My companion and I have just kinda pushed 'contacting and tracting' to the back of our minds and to the bottom of our to-do list. And because of our negligence, the zone is beginning to follow suit, which is taking a HUGE hit to the work. However, we have plans to correct our mistakes so that we will be able to move onward and upward! Welp! that about sums it up.....you know that phrase 'monkey-see-monkey-do'? its real and we are now trying to be good little monkeys and not jump on the bed so that everyone follows after us.

-Elder Browning!

1. me and elder mickelsen taking in the beauties of our heavenly father and loving our call to serve

 2. we had a REAL fireside (charla foganera) and that's our beauty of a car....the Soccer Mom-obile

3. just another pic of the sweet sunset

 4. this is my new slogan, ITS TIME....to change, to work, to baptize, to find, to....ok you get the picture....it's time!

I LOVE CONFERENCE!!!!

I am so sad that that wonderful experience and great opportunity to hear from the prophet and his apostles is over. That weekend went by SO fast! I am so sad that it is over, another 6 months it will happen again, but that means I will be that much closer to coming home But it truly was a spiritually uplifting experience. I also enjoyed the little movies/documentaries in between session. But my mind has been blown by the new announcement of missionary age.  Missionary Age Changes   That just testifies to me that this work needs to move forward at a fast and more urgent pace.

I also had a pretty humbling experience this week as a listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. A few weeks ago we visited a family and they told us that they would like us to start teaching their neighbors but that they needed time to prepare them. As we left that night we felt inspired to go and talk with those neighbors that night, but we respected what the members had told us and we left and carried on with our business. Weeks went by and every time we were in that area we felt we should visit with the neighbors. Finally over conference weekend, we just decided to stop and introduce ourselves. The husband came out and greeted us and he told us many times in the contact that he was so grateful that we came over and that he wanted to know more. He even set up and appointment right there so that we would teach him and his family in the members home. It was AWESOME! I just cant believe we waited so long. After this experience, and a few others, I have come to better realize that I have been set apart to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost for the salvation of Heavenly Father's children.

It has been such a spiritually uplifting weekend and time at conference, its weird to see how viewpoints change as you get older, hold and have different responsibilities and come with a desire to learn and become better. I love this gospel so much and owe everything to the truth of the message it contains, without it I would not be here.

Has it been 6 months already?

Its about that time again, when we as a church gather together and listen to the words of our prophets. What a wonderful blessing it is to have the guidance from a loving Heavenly Father through his called servants, the prophets and apostles. Last conference, I remember saying that the next 6 months would come fast enough, but look where we are at again....CONFERENCE! I am so excited for the spiritual recharge that comes from conference weekend!   General Conference Addresses

As for me and my week, we've been at it but we haven't been seeing the immediate blessings from our work. Elder Mickelsen and I will be staying together for at least another 6 weeks. This will be the fist time since I got here that I will come away from transfers untouched. It will be nice for once to stay in an area and with a companion for more than 6 weeks. This week will be full of excitement and adventures seeing that transfers will happen on Wednesday, and we go to McAllen on Thursday for our Zone Leader Counsel and then we have Conference this weekend. Its going to be crazy!!

Well that's about it here on this end. Be humble, be prayerful, be thankful, be good!!!! Love those you serve and serve those you love!

Love, Elder Browning

1. This is from a training I gave. I've dissected Moroni's promise and this is Pt. 2 of the Training. Needless to say it got a little crazy!

2. Zone Conference

3. The texas-sized TEXAS THRIFT STORE

4. Too bad no one lives on this street...

She did some sort of voodoo black magic on my head!

yes, I know weird title but let me tell you of the experience I had today as I got my haircut. Normally, I cut my own hair but I loaned out my clippers to some other missionaries and my companion wanted a haircut as well. So, we decided to go to the barbers and get a little trim. My companion referred me to a shop that he has been to before and said that he was in and out in like 10 mins. I didn't believe him for a second, but little did I know. We went in, I told the lady what I wanted and Boom! it was done. I have never seen anyone cut hair so fast and she even did the top with scissors. I walked out of there stunned at the speed and agility of this hair cutting fiend.

Man this week flew by!

I don't have a lot to say. We got Edgar confirmed yesterday as well he received the priesthood. We had Zone Conferences on Friday and I gave my FIRST training as a Zone leader. At the end President told me he was impressed and very proud of the work that I did. That is SUPER CRAZY AWESOME COOL to hear that Zach will be packing up his things and heading out to California. One of my MTC teachers served there, but in the Spanish Speaking Mission. Our focus this month at Zone Conference was on the Book of Mormon. It was so cool and super spiritual to hear and learn so much detail about the coming about of the Book of Mormon. President wrote up a Mock Trial trying the testimonies of the 3 witnesses. It was super cool.

Send everyone my love.

The one and only (but not for long)
Elder Browning

I thought P-day was suppose to be relaxing

normally by this time we haven't done anything of any significance. usually we have barely picked up the other elders and have dropped off our laundry. well today was a little different. We had mid-transfers today. we were at the church since 1030 and we have been running around every since. it was great because everyone get there on time, EXCEPT the most important people with the most people so they got there about 45 mins late and we barely have just gotten to the library.

Its funny to think that 2 years ago this week, I was taking off for Utah to enter the MTC. Who know of the progress and changes that would become of such an extraordinary feat? Big strides have been made to be in the position that I am in now. I have learned so much in the past few years and I know that those experiences have helped me and will continue to help me in the future. All is well here, I'm well, I'm alive. This friday we have the privilege of having Zone conference and I have had the privilege of arranging a special musical number. Man! I LOVE MUSIC! I will try recording it today and sending it home on a tape or on a video.

I cant remember which photos I sent you but here are some more.
1. Just a normal day doing my Book of Mormon reading by the pool.

2. Meet Shadow, she's a Shitzu and she like to sit by me while we eat....remind you of someone???

3. We went to a 50's Soda Shop last week. I felt like i was in Branson again

Love You AND BIRRRRRRFFFFFFDAAAAAAYYYYYYYY to my momma!

I was going to share a spiritual thought but for some reason we already got the October Liahona and the message come from there and I tried to look for it on the website but its not up yet. anyways [insert spiritual thought here] kkthnxluvubuiiee

pps. I died laughing listening to the tape

We had a cold front come in

and when I say cold front, I mean like upper 80's lower 90's and man has it felt good. It got here last night and I have been enjoying every minute of it. If our area wasn't so dang big we would ride our bikes all week. but because of time and size we cant do that.

So think week we had our bumps in the road. We were trying to apply some of the new principles that we have learned recently however, we focused too much of our time in one area and left other areas out to dry, if you will. And because we weren't reaching our goals for the week, we got a little stressed out and started getting a little snappy with each other which didn't make for the best end of the week experience. And because we weren't getting along we didn't have the spirit, and because we didn't have the spirit we didn't teach by the Lord's way, therefore we didn't see a ton of success this week. Spiritual Lesson and summary of the week all wrapped up into one this week. who could have thought that it could happen? It was also a very humbling experience, trying not to blame my companion and picking out his faults but rather do some introspection and figure out what I can do, to work better with my companion. From doing so I was able to love my companion even more in times of difficulty and not seeing eye to eye.

and one me thing. I FINISHED CLEANING THE APARTMENT! I've kind of turned into a clean freak while being out here....i think i have OCD, but that's besides the point. Anyways back to the apartment. Every apartment I get to I've done an overhaul in cleaning. Fortunately enough the apartments have been fairly new so there hasn't been a ton of stuff as well as there have been other missionaries to help me clean. The apartment I live in now is a tiny one bedroom/one bath 2 man aprtment that the church has rented out for YEARS, I'm talking about decades. So when I got here I had a hay day. I've been throwing things out left and right, some stuff dating back to the early 2000's....FINALLY, this morning I cleaned out the Fridge. a Feat only fit for champions and I live to tell the tale. Now I can sleep peacefully and happily.

Love you whomever receives this 

Love,
Elder Browning

Did I skip a week?

So I apologize profusely for not writing y'all last week....se me olvido...oops. we got back into the car and I was like....I didn't write my family, sorry...

so first things first the apartment address

We went to McAllen today for our Zone Leader Counsel.

One thing I noticed is that since I have left all of our friends come into town more often, did I stink or something?

All is well here in Harlingen, Texas. Not a lot of difference between being a Zone Leader and a District Leader, just more paper work and meetings. When I got here our area wasn't doing so great but in the short 2 weeks I've been here we have flipped things around and we are on an upbeat. We have a really big area and tons of members to work with. The only minor flaw in all of it is that we have to chauffeur 4 other missionaries around, which takes a HUGE hit our of schedule, especially on P-Day. So P-day are mostly spent running around and waiting for other missionaries as they shop. Oh the joys of  being a Zone Leader......

Yesterday we had 7 investigators at church. NEW RECORD! and our of those 7, four will be getting baptized in the next few weeks. Its super excited to being in a different environment and work with different people. Yes, I do miss the member and people of Brownsville, but I'm making new friends and relationships here in Harlingen.

One SUPER cool thing that we found out today at Zone Leader Counsel is that in November we will have our Mission Tour, when a general authority comes down and we have a big conference. This year we will be meeting as an entire mission, usually they split up the mission and do it in sessions, but this year it will be all the missionaries in one spot for the first time in mission history. Now you thought that was cool, hear this, part of this year's tour all the Zone Leaders will have a special training with the general authority the day before and we will all be interviewed by him. What?!?!? How cool is that?!

That's about it from the south! Its hot and it keeps getting hotter, though they say its going to end soon. I'm doing well and getting accustomed to my new surroundings, which has been hard since I'm not driving nearly as much. My comp is a car hog. Ni modo!

Love you!

-Elder Browning

ps. one of the elders in the zone is from the Naperville stake. He went to Waubanoise. His name is Elder Whittington. Crazy Huh?

Marly the Puppy

Elder Dungan and the Villarreal Family

'If you could hie to Kolob' done by a member in our area

Elder Carlisle

Elder Greenland