Dad's letter to Elder Brown:
Hi son,
I'm at work right now, but wanted to drop you a quick note.
First of all, congrats on the new call and responsibility. It's a humbling call. When I was a ZL, I remember feeling like I had to help encourage and bolster up the faith and work efforts of all my missionaries in my zone. I know you'll be great. Take the time to get to know each of them. Do your splits with them and talk to them. Do a LOT of listening. You'll be able to figure out how to help them if you listen carefully and heed the promptings of the spirit.
2nd, I wanted to wish you a happy birthday! I still remember the day you were born. It always brings a tear to my eye. You have always been a special spirit and a strong and independent one as well. Use the talents and skills you've been blessed with along with your sensitivity to the spirit to help you in all you do. You make us all so proud of you with all your hard work.
Keep it son. You now have less then a year to "leave it out on the field."
Love, Dad
Elder Brown's letter:
Good morning family!
Boy it's good to be back in Trinidad, but at the same time, I am sad:(....I really miss Guyana. I have never been so close to people since I served in Guyana. When I arrived in Trinidad I was a little cultural shocked haha, I just wasn't used to seeing nice cars, homes and clothes etc. But I really miss the Guyanese culture and if I could I would love to go back to Guyana and finish my mission there!
I am still adjusting to my new leadership position, oh my gosh I love my calling! Some of my responsibilities are:
1. Fill out Zone leader reports
2. Take nightly calls from District leaders
3. Give constructive feedback to DL concerning the district
4. Convey information received from MLC (missionary leadership council)
5. Follow up with each missionary in the Zone
6. Report any concerns to the PA (President's assistant)
7. Go on companion exchanges with each of the missionaries in the Zone (except the sisters lol)
and assist them in their work.
WHEW! Lot of responsibilities but I'm enjoying it.
I am back to driving a car! My new companion is Elder Guzman and he is from the Dominican Republic and he speaks fluent Spanish. As a matter of fact, I have to help him with his English everyday during our companion study. I served around him when I was in my first area in Diego Martin, he's awesome!
At this time, my area needs a lot of work. We have a small teaching pool which we are working on building up with a goal to baptize 6 people in this transfer.
Last week Friday we had an early Zone Conference, one of the quorum of the seventy, Elder Zivick came to speak to us. We also had a fireside on Saturday and on Sunday as well. Eld. Zivick and his wife gave such amazing talks! I want to share with you some of the important things he said that really stood out to me:
3 Things that make a successful missionary:
1. Exact obedience (obey all mission rules & commandments)
2. Worthiness (do all you can to have the spirit with you always)
3. Health (take care of your body, etc) :) See Mom why I like to workout haha!
He also shared something about the Atonement which I love, which some people can be incredulous when it comes to experiencing the Atonement in their lives. So here are some steps to experience the Atonement in our lives:
1. Feel Godly sorrow for sins
2. Humble yourself
3. Pray with all diligence of heart
4. Receive a hope and use our faith to go the extra mile
FAITH + WORKS = MIRACLES
I love this quote he also shared which is something I want to be: "I WANT TO LIVE AND WORK IN SUCH A WAY THAT EVERY MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP SATAN WILL SAY "OH NO HE'S AWAKE" HAHA!
On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend my first M.LC and man these meetings are D BESS! There are so many things I would like to share with you all from Pres. Mehr and Eld. Zivick's talk but I don't have much time. But I would like to leave with you all with something very profound Elder Zivick shared last night as he closed his talk, he said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." So family go out there and create the future! :)
I hope you all have a safe trip to Navoo/Missouri without me haha:( and that is so exciting for Lawrence! Take lots of pics!
I will send some pics next week. Love you all!
With love,
Elder Brown
P.s...The missionaries in Tobago are in our Zone so I will have the opportunity to fly down there on a companion exchange...how great is my calling!:) If you can, when you mail the package, throw in some hi-chews please....Elder Guzman wants to taste some American candy haha! Finally finished Zone leader reports....whew! Love you Mom and Dad have a good week!:)
