Tom's letter to Elder Brown: Hi son! I hope this email finds you and Elder Felix doing well. Sorry I haven't been writing you as often as I like, but know that my thoughts and prayers are always with you. I'm always amazed at your letters and the things you are experiencing and going through. You are a natural leader so always remember that. People look up to you. Stay humble and always look for ways to serve others, esp. your companion.
Keep working hard everyday. It's cool the things that happens when you're working hard at something or with someone and then something totally different happens that you weren't expecting. That's what's called "serendipity." My mission president used to tell us about that. It does work because the Lord will see how hard you two are working and he'll bless you for your efforts.
That's it for now. Love you son and take care. Say hi to Elder Felix.
Love, Dad
Dad!
Hey dad just thought I tell you how much you mean to me. Yesterday I was thinking of all the counsel and ear flicking you gave me and I am grateful for them, except for the ear flicks! haha:) Thank you for being the man you are and I hope I can live up to be like you someday.
Being able to support 3 monkeys, Mom and yourself shows a lot. Imagining what the Lord had to go through for us really helped me understand the love parents have for their children. Thank you again for being you!
With love and admiration,
Elder Brown
Wom Family!
It was so good to hear from you all. Sounds like you guys had a good father's day even though Dad wasn't there. I am pumped to hear where Lawrence will be serving and looking forward to next Monday!
Glad Nana had a good time at her camp. Papa is looking fresh in his new suit, is it dark blue? Thank you Mom for the package, I can't wait to open it with Elder Woodruff. The transfer is over and I am still in New Amsterdam with a new companion, Elder Woodruff, a direct decedent of prophet Woodruff, pretty cool huh?
Elder Felix is going back to Trinidad and will serve in my last area. He will attend the same ward I used to serve at, Grande Ward. He's not too excited to go back cause he was hoping to stay with me or be called to another island:(
Guess what? I will finally be the SENIOR COMPANION! haha! Looking forward to slam dunking people together:)
Last Saturday, we were able to baptize Winston Austin. Sister Gilbert didn't pass her baptism interview, still need to understand some doctrine. Brother Gilbert passed his interview but he wants to wait to be baptized with his wife and later baptize his 2 kids. Sister Riya is still in progress with her marriage paper work before she's able to be baptized.
Although we planned for 4 baptisms, I am still happy with the one baptism we had. In D&C 18 says, "How great shall be your joy if you bring one soul unto me." I am indeed grateful for the hard work Elder Felix and I had done to bring this one special soul to the fold within the short time we had together. There is still room for improvement! Pres. Mehr has challenged us to prayerfully decide "what will I do differently to be more faithful, diligent and increase obedience?" then take this challenge to the Lord in the spirit of Ether12:27: "And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble.....for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto me."
This fast Sunday, we will be doing a mission-wide fast, for the purpose of bringing more souls to teach and baptize. We have a mission goal to hit 600 baptisms by the end of the year. To contribute to the 600, every companionship is expected to baptize 3 people per transfer! I am stoked for this transfer with Elder Woodruff. We have a good amount of people we are working with towards baptism.
Been thinking a lot about Alma 13:27-30, I must say this is definitely one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon. Read along with me: {27}"And now my brethren I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins and not procrastinate the day of your repentance. {28} But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord and call on his holy name and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering. {29} Having faith on the Lord, having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life, having the love of God always in your heart, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest."
Well family I sure do love you all. I pray for you all everyday. Please continue to read and really ponder upon the things you read in the scriptures and I promise the Spirit will teach you new things. Have a great week nah!
With love,
Elder Brown
P.s.....It's 30-40 minutes by flight from Trinidad to Guyana!
