Again, we just had another amazing week here in the Bronx. My last full week in the Bronx, and it was probably one of my favorite weeks in my whole mission. A lot of good things are happening in our area and ward and I'm pretty bummed out I will have to be leaving. Transfers will be next week. I will find out where I am going and who my companion will be on Saturday, so next week y'all will know! I'm super excited to see what happens! :)
It's kind of hit me the past couple days that I'm not going to be in this area in one week. I know transfers are just what happens as missionaries and they are necessary, but the Bronx has just become part of me. It just feels like home... I'm sad, to say the least! But I'm also super excited to meet new people and start new friendships and just to continue sharing the gospel. It seriously is such a blessing.
Okay, for those of you who don't know and are reading this, my family decided to pick a talk from conference every week and study it and share their feelings with each other. So, I would just like to share a few comments on the talk "Do I believe?" by Bonnie Oscarson. I really did enjoy her talk, like a lot a lot. The more I read it in both languages, it just hits more and more at home for me. I would like to share a quote... "We believe that this Church is more than just a good place to go on Sundays and learn how to be a good person. It is more than just a lovely Christian social club where we can associate with people of good moral standing. It is not just a great set of ideas that parents can teach their children at home so they will be responsible, nice people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is infinitely more than all of these things." Something that I have noticed while on my mission is that a lot of people JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND! Haha, especially in the Hispanic culture, they think that all churches are of God and that the priesthood just flies over the heads of every person who claims it, and that it just doesn't matter what church you go to or how you get baptized, but just as long as you have faith you will be saved. IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST WE ARE SURROUNDED BY AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE. There is nowhere else in the world someone can find that. I think at times we don't recognize that... We are literally in the exact same church Jesus Christ established. I would say we probably teach the restoration 7 times a day and it has just changed my whole outlook on the church in general. We really are in God’s kingdom on the earth today. I know it and I believe it!
Here’s some more about the two guys I talked about that we had that cool experience with last week. It was about the one that was the uncle and his nephew. Well, they are doing really well! They came to church and just loved it! It was Eduardo's first time to church in a long, long time and he was just having a blast. There was a huge smile on his face the whole time. The church also brings smiles if you didn't know that ;) and Eber, the nephew is kind of like a thug kid, but I can already see him changing in side. That's probably one of my favorite things about the mission - seeing the change of people's hearts! “The Family” also came to church which was great. Haha, they are so crazy. I won't be here to see them all get baptized, which is sad, but I'm grateful for awesome funny people like them! Also, Flávio will be getting baptized here pretty soon. Obviously I won't be here to see it, but that guy is seriously so prepared and such a great example. He went from being in jail and into all the bad stuff to being the type of father and person everybody strives to be. Super awesome guy! Man, as I type I just realize how much I am going to miss all these people. Forever they will have a place in my heart!
The work is going really well! I've loved my time in the Bronx and my time with Elder Frei! He has taught me so many things. I've definitely changed because of his example! The weeks just flew by! It feels like just yesterday it was me and Elder Frei’s first p-day and now it's our last.... Haha, sad time!
I love you all! Keep being the best examples. Thank you all for your love and support in everything!
Love Elder Brown
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| Squatting picture with the Perez kids, Jaja! |
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