Transfers....

Aush had a great week. She is super excited for this transfer...let her tell you why!!!

Hey Fam Bam! 

Okay the rumors are true... IM WITH HERMANA THOMAS!!! Wow president you really hit the nail on the head with this one! I am soooo excited! We have wanted to be comps for awhile!! I’m so excited to be here in Paita and be able to learn from Hermana Thomas!! Now.. yes I am scared because the first thing Hermana Thomas said to me was your going to get it on your birthday. Ha Ha. If you remember I bought extra eggs when I was serving in Chulucanas to break on her head. Yikes I’m in for it.  Unfortunately, Hermana Ramos left! I will miss her a lot! She was a really fun comp and we had a lot of success together! She got transferred to Piura! It was really sad for her to leave Paita because this was her first area and had been here for 6 months! 

This last week we tried to work hard because well usually people get a little trunky the week of transfers! We were able to put up some really good numbers and able to progress a lot with our investigators. We have an investigator Walter that is truly a gift from god. We were able to meet with him a 2nd time and he had read 5 chapters of the book of Mormon including the testimonies in the front. Also he was able to pray to know if it’s true and said he got a clear answer! WOOOO! We have a baptism date for 13 of September!! This week I am hoping to find some really cool people to teach. We have a lot that we are teaching but I feel like some of them aren’t progressing how we would like them too so we will see. 

Also this week we were able to travel to Piura twice. I’m so not a fan of the buses here. My comp had an allergic reaction and had to go to the hospital. She ate some bad eggs I guess. We need to watch the food that people are giving us better! Also... were just not going to have a pension because well we don’t want eat rice every day! I love Americans ha ha. I love Latinas too but not so much the rice lol. Also traveled to Piura for an interview with Presidente.. for my comp. 

On Sunday night  Hermana Ramos said goodbye to everyone.... now when you say bye everyone wants to feed you food. Now I don’t know about ya’ll but there is only so much fish and rice a girl can eat... little to say it was a rough night. Everyone in the branch is like oh no there is going to be 2 sassy gringas in the branch now ha ha whatever I’m not even sassy... it’s like they think they know me ha ha. 

Love Ya..

Hermana Brown

When you go to the a Elders area for lunch...with members....and follow the Elders directions and it leads you here.......WHHHYYYY! Oh look....a puppy!

So this was my knee last week they wanted me to get a shot for....Nope!

Correlation meeting with the Mission leader and the Elders in our area.

Me trying to teach Hermana Ramos english..lol!!

Time keeps on slippin'......into the future

Hey fam! 

Well this week sure did just fly by! You really don’t realize how fast times goes by and how short this life really is until you get out in the mission field! I’m trying to soak up every feeling and every experience here in Peru! 

This week we almost had a baptism but we felt like maybe a little more time and she would be more ready to be baptized! We have some investigators progressing! The one that is closest to baptism is Walter! He is 37 and single haha…I know what you are all thinking... that’s the road that Dyllon is on but I assure you…… Dyllon will get married before this guy…. haha... hopefully! He has a really desire to know if this church is true and I haven’t seen this much desire in one person! I know that he will know and get a sure answer! He is a special person! 

Whelp... you know how us Browns are just prone to getting hurt.. Well... so, I got totally taken out on the soccer field one morning playing soccer and ended up with a huge bruise the size of an orange on my knee. Now don’t panic.. I’m fine! Now apparently when you get a bruise people think ya need to run to the hospital and get a shot and I was like okay… not doing that... so I let people put herbs and creams on it for a whole week till it went away haha.. These people and there remedies! 

So….I am learning how to play the piano…so that’s cool. I got a call from Presidente the other night….I was kinda scared haha…..but he asked me if I would sing a song with Elder Abbot for a video he is making for the mission. 

So this is the last week of the transfer and well it’s also the most stressful haha because this is counting for the whole next transfer! We are just trying to put our heads down and work hard. Hermana Ramos will probably leave this area! She is really sad but knows that it’s her time to go.. But... you never know with Presidente…he is always getting these weird revelations that I need to be somewhere else in the mission….. so we will see! 

Well….that’s pretty much all for this week! I love you all and want you to know I am praying for each and every one of you! Have a great week!

Hermana Brown

This picture made me laugh....it looks like they are in a giant red wagon.

Aushlynn and her companion and some members...I think....or possibly some investigators. She never tells me.

Twenty-One

It is hard to believe that my second born is 21.....for heavens sake where has the time gone? It seems like last week that I was knee deep in little kids.....oh wait that was last week...I mean it seems like last week that I was knee deep with my own little kids. How did they grow up so fast and who gave permission for it to happen? 

Avery is my first that I have gotten to celebrate his 21st birthday with. Dyllon was on his mission but I lucked out with the missionary age change so I get to celebrate with him. We're are going to eat cake later today...yay!!!!

 Avery was the cutest baby...if I could find the picture I would post it. He had thick black hair that stood straight up...he looked like a little monchichi. Remember those???

 This boy did not get to be a baby for long because his sister over took his position when he was 13 months old. He grew up way to fast. He had a second set of church parents that took care of him in sacrament meeting because Barbee's took pity on use that we were out numbered. They even brought a bag for him....His best friend was a 25 year old when he was 2.

 Boy did this boy love his blankie....my sister made it for her future kids but made the mistake of wrapping him up in it everyday. When she tried to take it from him...I had to put my foot down...life would have been miserable without it.

 Avery went from jet black hair to a toe head. He has always been a easy going kid and has just went with whatever...

 Poor boy had to suffer with the bowl cut for a few years of his life. I liked the look but when ever they look back on photos they just laugh.

 Avery has always been a fun loving, goofball free spirit. I love that about him. He is such a tease. Just so you know...you should never believe the first words that come out of his mouth.

 This boy is heading out to USU Eastern in just a few days. I am sure gonna miss him.

Happy 21st birthday Avery. Thanks for choosing me to be your mom.

Better late....then never!

Sorry....I am pretty late posting Aushlynn letter this week....I have been gallivanting around the Southwest for the past few days for my 25th anniversary......please forgive! It's better late then never....right? Come on....I had a pretty good excuse!

This girl had an amazing week! Baptisms....zone conferences...some of her favorite things. She also told me she really misses my veggie beef soup....ahh....me to...but it is to hot to enjoy soup for a few months. I will think of her next time I make it....I am super nice like that! Well....I guess with no further adieu here is her letter.

 

Hey family! 

Well this past week was full of inspiration and spiritual experiences! Honestly I am so grateful for everyone who made it possible for me to be out here! I am learning so much every day and gaining such a strong testimony of the doctrine of Christ!

This week our investigator Hermana veronica got baptized! It was a really special experience because her dad got to baptize her on her birthday! Before her baptism and when I wasn’t in this area she was very stubborn girl teenage girl. She didn’t like to be told things that she had to do so she didn’t get baptized when she was nine. After like 2 years the missionaries started to visit her but she was still really stubborn up until I got here... I don’t know we just clicked and became really good friends. I feel like if you don’t really have a relationship with this people then how are they going to open up and trust you let alone the lord. Also we got to see the baptism of Hermana Rosario! She is an amazing woman! She has been listening to the missionaries for like 9 years! I know she is going to be a great leader in the church!

Also this week we had the multi-zone conference! It was all about the Book of Mormon and how to use it more effectively! Honestly i can testify that president receives revelation for this mission because after this conference and putting to use all the things we had learned we were able to find 4 new people to teach! I am so grateful for this example I have to learn from! I have learned that the Book of Mormon isn’t just a book of scripture but it holds the fullness of this gospel. Just reading it you can tell that he loves each and every one of us so much! I invite everyone who isn’t reading the Book of Mormon to start today! I know that it changes the lives of the people who are searching for wholeness and happiness in their lives!

So we have been practicing this song for the multi-zone conference! Ugh… we had like 4 practices and a few of the Elders weren’t really taking it seriously and just screwing around... what’s new??? Anyways… we finally were able to pull it together and it actually sounded really good. For the baptism of Hermana Veronica I sang a duet with Elder Abbott that sounded really good as well! I still remember when my dad blessed me to love music right before I left on my mission and honestly I have been blessed with so many opportunities to sing! 

Well this is where it gets kinda sad... my bff left me today... Elder Ayala left me this morning! Honestly he was such a great missionary! He was so funny and worked really hard. Man I’m gonna miss him! He taught me a lot of things about the mission and really motivated me to do better! Chau Elder Ayala! 

Con amor Hermana Brown

Hermana Brown and Hermana Rasmussen at the Multi-Zone conference.

Aushlynn and her companion

Hermana Brown, Hermana Veronica and Hermana Ramos at the Baptism of Veronica.

Paita Zone

Name tags enjoying the beach on p-day. LUCKY TAGS!!!!

We had Pollo a la Braza for our last dinner with Elder Alaya! Chau!!

Paita Zone.....why so serious all the time??? Haha

The Hermana's at the Multi-Zone Conference

Hermana Brown and the Elders singing!

Aush and her companion....ah she looks so pretty here! That's my girl!

Book of Mormon...the missionaries invite you to read!

Trust exercise...

Confession.....some of these photos are hot!! I lifted them from the Rasmussen's facebook page......I am sure they will forgive me. (???)  I wanted to share them with you that don't see the mission website!

Woah..we're halfway there.......Woah...livin on a prayer......

Ok....nine months tomorrow......we are halfway tomorrow.....I can't believe it! Aushlynn's mission has flew by faster then her brother's ever did. Funny how that happens......I guess when we are looking at possibly the last missionary from our family....the last experience always passes by in a blurr.

So....Aushlynn started her letter out with a song from Bon Jovi....Livin on a Prayer.......we are cool parents making sure she knows the classics. Funny story...our family likes to karaoke. When Madi was little she would want to sing this song but she would always sing "Livin on a Prarie"......haha.....made me laugh when I saw the song and gave me a quick flash back........Aushlynn might be livin on a Prarie and a prayer.

She is doing awesome...in fact I think she might be coming off her best week of the mission.....I am sure she has a lot of best weeks...but this one will surely stand out. Here is what she had to say this week!

Ooooo were half way there... woah ooo livin on a prayer

Hola Familia!

If that caption wasn’t the truest thing I have ever written I don’t know what was. I can’t believe in 2 days I finish half my misión! It has honestly been the fastest 9 months of my life! 

For the last 9 months I have served my Heavenly Father. I still remember when I received my call and opened up the envelope in the front room of my house ... and could not for the life of me pronounce the name. I imagined I was going to Machu Picchu or something like that and would be eating Mexican food for the following 18 months. After getting to Peru I realized that this was not the case. 

I landed in this beautiful desert scared to death and having no idea what I was getting into. I received my first comp, a latina, and could not speak to her whatsoever so I acted out everything. I stumbled over my words, trying to get to know the people who surrounded me … and literally felt alone and lost. But ... it is crazy how a land that was so unfamiliar and scary to me has come to be my home ... and is now filled with many people who I love and cherish. Learning to communicate with these loving people has been the hardest thing I have done in my life, but I can testify that the gift of tongues is real!

As the months have flown by, I have been through many ups and downs. I have laughed, cried, been rejected too many times to count, and have prayed harder than I ever have in my entire life. But now I have come to realize that a mission is meant to shape and form us into the sons and daughters of God that Heavenly Fathers sees us as. Every challenge has taught me something and formed me into the person I am today. A mission is not easy … but EVERY DAY is worth it!

This week we had the baptism for Hermana Milagros and Hermana Vanessa and Hermano Billy were able to get married and have their whole family be baptized!! We are definitely seeing so many blessings here in the branch Pescador! I have been teaching Hermana Milagros for the whole time I have been here in Paita! It took god putting a trial in her life to get her to realize that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that when we can’t do anymore for these people that I love so much that is when god steps in and works miracles!! 

YAY!!! I finally received my package... my zone leaders had to pull some strings to get it but I got it! Thanks to everyone who wrote me a birthday card! Also thanks mom and dad for hooking me up with lots of food! Hahaha that pickle chapstick is nasty!! 

We finally were able to get water back to our apartment. We are going to possibly start looking again for another place. We have a multizone conference coming up this Thursday. We are going to be singing in it. That same night we have a baptism scheduled for Hermana Veronica. Today for P-day we just went to the beach as a zone and played soccer and stuff! It was fun and relaxing! I am sure going to miss the beaches in Peru when I leave!

Well that is pretty much all for this week! I love you all and well ill see y’all in 9 months!;)

with lots of love Hermana Brown

Aushlynn and her Companion Hermana Ramos.

You haven't seen a self in awhile....in case ya'll have forgotten what I look like! I have a confession to make.....I opened my hump day package early....I had a feeling there was a new dress in there and I wanted a new one for the wedding. I love it.....it is my favorite dress now!!!

Thanks for all the Birthday cards....they are the best!

Hermana Brown and Hermana Vanessa after Vanessa's wedding.

Aushlynn and Hermana Milagros before her baptism.

Hermana Milagros and her mom and baby at her baptism

Hermana Milagros at her baptism

So they had a youth cultural night in our branch and these are two of the people that danced. This is Moises....he is leaving tomorrow for his mission to Chile!

 

Youth culture night dancer.

Seeing the people I have grown to love all in WHITE is the best feeling!

At the wedding of Vanessa and Billy. Congratulations!!! Such a beautiful day!

I seriously love Paita so much!!!

So I tried taking a cool picture...but the water was gonna ruin it......so we had to take it fast........I did my best! I ♡ my Family!

Guinea Pig....Oh...Cuy!

Did another week just fly by or what? So much happened this week without her. We sold her favorite car.....I am pretty sure she is super upset about it....haha! We went to Mapleton days without her to watch the fireworks....which by the way were pretty amazing!!!  Aushlynn tells us that her mission is not going to be long enough....she feels she needs more time out there. Geez whiz girl....you haven't even hit hump day yet! Anyways she is doing good....here is her letter!

Hey guys! 

Welp....this week in Paita was just like any other week. Just a lot of work work and more work! There isn’t anything I’d rather be doing than this work right now. Honestly in these few short months I have been able to learn a totally different language, adjust to a whole different culture and gain a never shaking testimony of my savior Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful for this opportunity I have to serve my lord and savior Jesus Christ. I feel highly privileged to be able to wear my name tag and say that I am a representative of Jesus Christ. 

This week we didn’t see a wedding or a baptism. Our couple that was supposed to get married can’t get married until they settle something with the court so there wedding is currently pending. Also we have plans for Hermana Milagros to be baptized this upcoming Saturday. We are praying a lot for her because she is a little unsure about having a living prophet. Also we were able to take an investigator to another baptism that was happening and it was awesome! It changed her whole look on the church and now she is super excited to be baptized. We are shooting for the 14th! Also.... this wasn’t even my baptism and they just announce over the pulpit that I am leading the music ha ha I guess apparently they think cause I am Caucasian I can lead the music ha ha!

Also this week we have been practicing a musical number for a multi zone conference that we are having. I am super excited and it is sounding so good! We are going to be singing Be still my soul! It’s just 6 of us gringos. Also there is this Elder from Montana Elder Abbott that sings so goood! He is like David Archuleta like seriously. 

This week was kind of crazy as well. We didn’t have water for like 3 days... yanno... I’ve come to realize without water we would all die. Ha ha no but really It has been very rough. We also got invited to eat with a member on Saturday and we have RICE AND CUY!!!! ( GUINEA PIG) I about threw up... it was like a fried guinea pig... the whole thing... like they killed it and just fried it. I was trying so hard to get a picture but they were all watching ha ha oh my gosh... Also we are still getting up at 5:30 and playing soccer in the mornings! It’s fun to get out and play but also one Elder broke his foot so yikes.... I don’t know what’s going to happen with him.

Well... that’s all for this week! Thanks for all your love and support and I would love to hear from all of you!

Hermana Brown

Aushlynn and her companion and two little angels......she says they might look like angels but don't be fooled they really know how to turn it on.

Hermana Ramos is not a fan of 5:30 a.m. soccer games. Gotta get your exercise in some how!

Does this picture surprise anyone???

Since Aushlynn was not able to get a picture of her dinner....I took to the internet. I imagine her Guinea Pig dinner looked something like this. Apparently it is a delicacy in Peru and only brought out on special occasions. She must be pretty special to whom ever served it to her....even if it was a little hard to swallow. I might have died....

The end of an Era....

Yesterday was a sad day at our house....we sold a family member yesterday. I had some tears well up in my eyes as she drove away from the curb for the last time. I did not think I would get emotional but when I think of the memories our kids made in this car it was just a little to much raw emotion to keep the tear ducts from filling up.

Purchased nearly six years ago...I thought maybe she was a mistake from the beginning. When we came to the realization one of kids would be driving we quickly agreed that one we did not want teenagers driving our cars, two we needed something that would be affordable for insurance and three something that would enhance the beauty of our curb in the front yard.

I let Kendall take the reins on looking for a car and he told me he found one up in Pocatello and that his Pops checked it out and gave us the thumbs up. We drove up there and one look at it and I was not completely sold. It was missing the glove box, an arm rest and some molding around the windows. Was this the best we could do for our $2000 bucks. Kendall was excited for the purchase. I was a little more hesitant and quickly talked them down to $1600. We were pretty big spenders back in 2010. 

I bought a nice glove box and arm rest off of ebay, but I was never able to find the molding.... confession after a month of two I stopped trying. The car is what it is and they just needed to get used to it.

Dyllon was such a trooper...he was just super grateful to have a car at his disposal. Funny when it is your only option how cool it can become.  He added a few dings to the outside and thus began the poor cars era of being a teenagers mode of transportation.

 When it came time to turn the keys over to Avery he needed to make some upgrades. First thing he did was take the Honda symbol off the front and put a sweet Eagle emblem on instead. He gave the eagle a professional installation with excess glue on the front of the car. A sweet upgrade for sure.

When it came time for Aushlynn to take over the keys she was less than excited. She begged for a better option, but at this point driving the car became a Brown's rite of passage. One time the car was making a funny noise and a piece of metal fell off the bottom of the car. It was a heat shield and Kendall assured her she did not need it and threw it in the trash. The car sounded much better without the rattle and I guess the car really did not need it....still drove just fine. Aushlynn was hard on her. She had never had so many dents in the exterior. I don't want to know what happened....I hope she is forgiven for her transgression with the car in the next life. 

This little lady has been thru three radios. My kids would forget the importance of locking her up at night. Such a hassle to push down a lock because no power locks were around in the age of the dinosaurs when the car was manufactured. This car was left unlocked and rifled thru by many strangers and all of them agreeing the only thing worth anything was the Walmart special radio in the car.

Madison refuses to drive the car. I was like...well then I guess you can walk.....Kendall being on the same wave length as the baby told her we would get her a different car. The other kids are a little upset and are questioning there place as favorite child. We love them all the same of course.....but we are getting tired and the last child is wearing us down. 

I wrote up a sweet obituary...I mean ad for the car. I had an interested buyer within 5 minutes of posting the car and four others lined up to look at it if it fell thru. 

 

Needless to say...my sweet ad worked and the car is now in the hands of a new family. I hope the Honey Wagon knows how much we appreciated her. She never gave us any problems. Well except the time she was a little loud and we had to get a new muffler. She saved us so much money on insurance. I am sad to drop her today. I am sure my insurance rates will go up once the boys are no longer rated on liability only on a 1992 Honda Civic...

Good bye my friend. I will miss seeing you out on the curb....I am sure Madison is a little sad to see you go! Here is a little video she made as you drove off for the last time.