March 24, 2014

Hello, Everyone!

It’s been a great week for us, for the work, for the zone, for the people of Chiguayante, and for the ward! We are very excited for all the changes that are happening in our sector and in the work here--let me tell you…No, there is too much, let me sum up. 

H. is a great guy. I was going to take a picture of him for y’all but I forgot. He is getting ready to be baptized on Saturday! It has been a miracle that came from talking with everyone, faith, and patience. 

And this week we also found M., who is a miracle, too. She worked with missionaires in Santiago for a long time, never got baptized, moved to Tome, never got baptized, and now lives right by our church here in Chiguayante. Golazo. She is super ready, smokes a bit and is not married, but has lots of desires and she came to church and loved it. So we are really happy about that, as well. We found her in the street--by talking with everyone. 

Kinda making me wonder why I didn’t start this whole “talk with everyone” thing a lot sooner in my mission; it seems to work a little bit! Just some advice for any of you missionaries or future missionaries out there-- the cure to anything you have going on is to just open your mouth and don’t let a person pass you by without them hearing your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I feel like I am progressing a lot in this sector, and that we are starting to see all the blessings from a very long time of hard work and stress and disappointment, but now things are all coming together. SO excited for General Conference this next week, and for all the zone. 

We have had some powerful lessons this week, especially with some less actives. We have been sharing the story that Elder Holland shared in October of 2012, of Peter and Christ at the Sea of Tiberias--Do you love me, and what it means to really love Christ. And that, at its base, I think is really the foundation of a testimony-- a solid motivation to obey, sacrifice, and consecrate yourself. 

Loving the work, and working hard. A great quote from President Uchtdorf for the week: "It is not your responsibility to convert anyone. That is the work of the Holy Ghost. Your task is to share your beliefs and to not be afraid."

Have a great week and remember why we do what we do!

Elder Brown

The cutest gaucho EVER!

Dancing the Cueca at a ward party in Chiguayante--a dance about a rooster and a hen which everyone knows. "If you don't know it, you don't fit in. I'm learning!"

A favorite family, the Familia Riquelme. Hermano Francisco, Hermana Pamela, Francisca (9), Montse (4), and Pedro (14, not shown). They were reactivated and now have tons of neighbors who want to come to church and learn more!

Simply adorable, says Mom.