so basically the only awesome things this week were the baptism and confirmation of Miguel Ángel Sánchez Navarro. This kid is freakin awesome! Elder fallas baptized him and i was his camera man. The service was awesome. there was a guy from the ward baptizing his daughter too so there were a ton of people. As part of the program, we wanted to have a special musical number. So... Elder Brown, you´ll do it right? ah... k. i sang "Cuando me bautice". the spanish version of i like to look for rainbows. without piano. haha ahh yeah. i had one of the guys attending take pictures so i could show you but he ended up taking a video. so i´ll let you see it in about 20 months... oh and i wore Grandpa Flittons tie. awesome day.
The next day we confirmed him at church. we were freaking out because he hadnt shown up when church started. he showed up! Miguelito is a mormoncito.
the other day we had a service thing on a farm. we pulled potatoe plants out of the ground for two hours. theres still dirt under my nails and stained on my hands. mom, i dont know why you enjoy pulling weeds so much but you would have loved it: pulling weeds and potatoe plants till your hands are raw.
so my message today is 2 Nephi 2:27. i Studied that verse this morning and wrote a whole page on it in my study journal. so basically this past week ive been struggling with staying in the moment: letting go of the past, not worrying about the future, and just being happy right now. the scripture says "All things are given [us] which are expedient unto [us]". the scripture is about choice. choosing liberty and eternal life or death and captivity. God has given us the ability to choose. All things are given us by choice. action, reaction. decision, consequence. but i had always thought that this scripture was written solely out of an eternal perspective. make good decisions now and recieve freedom and joy in the life to come. in alma it says that"by small and simple things are great things brought to pass". BUT. i took Nephi´s advice in 1 ne 19:23 and applied the scripture to my life. right here and right now. so here´s my point. as my mom always says, "happiness is a choice". so if we can choose our eternal happiness based on the actions we make right now, can we also choose happiness right now, based on nothing other than the divine gift god has given us: choice? yes. Let go of the past, stop fearing the future, and choose to live right now. Choose to let go of fear. choose to accept Jesus Christ. choose to smile. even if you cant manage real happiness even if you try, follow the quote often used in theater, "fake it till you make it". we have the power to choose happiness. it literally is a gift of god. choosing liberty, freedom, joy, etc. its up to us. all too often, myself included, we think that happiness is a result of external circumstance. NO. as president Uchtdorf says: "STOP IT". choose freedom now "through the great mediator of all men".
Another scripture i found this morning that i lked is Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5. cool.
one last thing. im not sure who all reads this or if anyone´s even made it to the end of this email without getting bored but if any of you have served missions and/or know someonw who has, i have a question for you: in your missions, how did you have success? i dont mean how did you get a ton of numbers, i mean what did you do to work effectively and efficiently as a missionary? we are struggling with efficiency in our area and its a killer. any advice would be great! email me as soon as possible.
The Gospel. Learn it, live it, love it. word.
Elder Brown
Elder Brown and 10 year old Miguel. If you look close Miguel has on the Spanish CTR ring Kendall gave to him. I sent Kendall with some kids CTR rings in Spanish and he has really enjoyed giving them to the kids.
Giving Miguel a "bump" for his good choice to be baptized
Elder Brown and Elder Fallas and Miguel
Some kids They are teaching. Andy and Enrique
Kendall always has fun in life
The four missionaries together
This is some kind of Dance Festival
Kendall and the city lights of Peru
I love reading about your adventures in Peru. Thanks for sharing!
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