Teaching Area Authorities! March 11th

Hey team!

In the mission field, companions are portrayed as members of a family.  Your trainer (1st comp, three months) becomes your father.  If he has trained anyone else, they become your brother.  And so it goes with uncles, grandfathers, etc.  Once you yourself train, your trainee becomes your kid.  Well, transfer announcements came on Saturday and on Thursday I'll be picking at the mission home picking up a brand new kid, fresh from the MTC.  So I guess, in a not so literal sense, I'm pregnant.

It should be quite the humbling experience being with someone who has only had six weeks to somewhat learn Tagalog.  As for me though, I have two excited bits of language news: First, my Rinconada (the local language here) is getting pretty decent.  We had some ancient lady at a Family Home Evening last week who is so old that she never learned Tagalog.  All she speaks is Rinconada.  The last few weeks I've been writing all the Rinconada words I want to learn in a notebook, then when the time came with the old lady, I was actually able to have a nice little (and very broken) conversation.  Second update:  We were at zone training and my comp and I were assigned to practice teaching something to one of the couple missionaries.  They don't speak Tagalog so we were confided to English.  Turns out, English is really great to teach in!  Made me excited to work with the missionaries when I get home (only 16 months wow!).

Had an on edge moment when we got a text from Sister Bliesner (Mission President's wife).  We had District Conference this weekend (like Stake Conference but for Branches, not Wards) and on saturday was a training meeting for all of the leaders.  Sister Bliesner kindly told us that the stinking Area Presidency (the three men who oversee the church in the entire Philippines) gave Elder Balanon and I a "special invitation" to go teach a twenty minute workshop to all of the leaders in the area.  Considering our special guests who would be there (including our mission president), we devoted ourselves to make a great workshop.  As it turns out, it went quite well.  LUCKILY, they let us teach in Tagalog so everyone would understand.  But what made that great for us, is that only one member of the Area Presidency understands Tagalog.  That made it a whole lot less stressful.  It was a great discussion and they gave us candy and a flower after.

Well, I couldn't say more (I could) about how great me week has been.  I've been going about with a big smile and a happy heart.  It was Elder Balanon and I's last week together and we had some awesome work and a wonderful time doing it.  later tonight, we're going to Balanon's last FHE here, Tuesday is transfer day, Wednesday I go to the mission home, Thursday I pick up my new companion, Friday and Saturday will go by wuick, Sunday we'll go to church twice and give two talks, then on Monday.... I'll tell you all how it went!

Love ya!

Elder Shane Scully Brown

Also it's my parents anniversary on the 26th! (right?)

Pictures - The view place was where we went for our zone activity last week.  The house destroying was a service project.  (A fun one!).  Also the first two pictures aren't there because the files were too big.  Oh well.  Also some pictures just don't want to load.  At least you can read the description of what you would have seen!

1. A bunch of Baao Group after District Conference

2.  Elder La'Ulu and I

3.  Cool view

4.  Being funky

5.  View

6.  Sitting down

7.  Service project

A Brown Never Turns Back March 4th

Hello Team!

We had a Zone Activity today so I'm somewhat pressed for time.  I'll throw some good pictures on so you can at least see how I'm doing.

In short, we ate quid, met a German, had an early birthday (not really), enjoyed another fiesta, and came up with a fun joke.  A good week.  The joke: When teens say hi to us, I speak English and Balanon (my comp!) pretends to be my translator then I reveal myself after a while.  As in, I speak Tagalog.  It's actually a good finding activity, sometimes it works.  Also I learned a few things this week -

Turns out, my father's ridiculous inherited saying, "A brown never turns back" is doctrinal.  Normally, the law fell through when we would pass Cafe Rio on the way to Utah (we were actually in Utah at that point) and my mom would make us turn around.  But in all seriousness, it's a great motto.  This is what Christ said about it, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back [or turning back on commitment], is not fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62).  Guess we all shouldn't turn back pala.  Good call Dad.  One more thing - Remember when Jesus commanded us to be perfect?  Did he just say that then leave it to us to figure out what we need to do?  Nope.  He gave us the Sermon on the Mount, a description of an exalted man (God).  Remember the Beatitudes?  Guess what, they are "the constitution for a perfect life." (Harold B Lee).  Let's all review Matthew 5-7 and see what the heck I'm talking about.

Okay that's it.  Have a good week and enjoy the pictures!

Pictures - 

1. My Birthday cake!  Just kidding, for a member that.  Also, Shane is a girl's name here.

2.  Eating and celebrating

3.  District picture

4.  A really cool picture because my backpack was stuffed

5.  Beautiful sunset

6.  Still dark sunrise on a hike

7.  Beautiful sunrise

8.  Helping the Sisters move

9.  After a successful move

10.  Cute

11.  Fun face.  But notice the shirt.... AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization), I did that!

12.  This family feeds us lunch every Saturday (:

13.  Walking

That's a lot now... I'll send more next week for the Zone Activity

TEACHING AMERICANO

Howdy Team!

Another fast week!  I'll start though with my hectic day on Sunday (yesterday).  First of all, because we're a Group, every other week we go over to our "Mother Branch" to coordinate with the Branch Presidency.  Anyways, as we were walking up o the church, I heard an Americano voice say good morning to us so I said hello and knew it was a guy that some other Elders told me they met a while ago.  We then continued on our way (the church is on the same street).  We were in the middle of our coordination meeting when a lady poked her head in and whispered to the Elder siting next to the door (assigned in the Branch) that there was an Americano outside and she needed help with English... Uhh.. She must not have seen me..... I was soon summoned though and met a guy from RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA!!  His wife is Filipino-American so they moved here with their family of three kids three years ago.  We talked for a bit until the meeting ended.  Then this nice Americano gave us a ride home plus a few referrals for people to teach.  The Elders where he lives will be going to him next week!

Anyways, we got home, had a rushed lunch then went to church at our Group.  Almost no one was there!  15 in total (including us), but there were only three other semi-active priesthood holders there!  Luckily one of them was the old Branch President (Pres. Botor) so he had most everything set up and ready.  When no one else showed up, it was time to start a half hour late.  Before that though...  Pres. Botor handed me the manual for the adults' class and said, "I hope you can teach."  Then, since the youth were supposed to speak (and none where there!), he looked at us and said, "Elders, looks like we're speakers today." (Third week in a row).  When we needed to choose what we would sing, he handed me a hymnbook and said, "Elder Brown, you are the chorister."  In short, we basically were in charge of the whole Sunday Service with about a four minute warning, including of course blessing/passing/conducting.  It actually turned out pretty well though and I didn't really get any complaints on my ill-prepared (or in other words, not prepared) lesson.  The whole deal was a good experience, but it means we really have some work to do.  basically, some serious hardships are hitting the Baao Group.  After instruction, we are almost focusing solely on strengthening the members here, becoming the 1st/2nd counselors.

Okay, other news from the week:

-We worked on Family History on Thursday with couple missionaries from Idaho.  They were laughing at my retarding English.  The Americano I met yesterday at first thought I was German "because of my accent." Not sure where he got that from...  I guess that's what I get for having zero contact with English other than the Standard Works, journal writing, and weekly emails.

-Saturday we got a text of mission news: Starting July 1st, the Philippines Naga Mission (my mission, duh) will be splitting to add the Philippines Legaspi Mission.  If I stay in the area I'm in now, I'll be moved under the Philippines Legaspi Mission.  but that's a whiles away, I'll keep you posted there.

-I'm reading the Four Standard Works along with the BYU Student Manuals right now.  I finished the Old Testament yesterday, here are my thoughts I recorded in my journal: I can't believe I've already finished the Old Testament.  I feel as if I could talk forever about what I felt as I both read AND pondered the messages inside.  Everytime I prayed for understanding, I felt the Holy Ghost in me clearing my mind and bringing things to light, connecting ideas I never would have thought of alone.  The overwhelming feeling I had while reading is that God loves me.  So, so much.  He wants the best for me and it's through His commandments that I will achieve that.  I can't let myself be the only benefactor either though.  I need to always have family scripture study so my children can grow up in the same knowledge, "and not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6).  More than anything, I can say without doubt, my testimoney, my understanding, my love and devotion have deepened in Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  "I am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves - and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again." -President Kimball.  It was inspiring, I can't say more.

-Lastly, I have some great news.  Along with my Old testament rading, I have been having so many spiritual experiences.  It brings such inexpressible happiness to me.  That all really hit a high point on Wednesday.  We were just walking down the road at night and I was thinking about how short my time is here, and what I have enjoyed/ will miss.  All of a sudden, I impulsively threw my hands in the air and shouted aloud (in Tagalog), "I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME!!!!!!!!"  Sorry Mom, but it's true.

Whelp, that's it for this week.  Until next time, love ya!

Elder Shane Scully Brown

Pictures - 

1.  So, SO pretty here!

 2.  Destroying a wall, a fun service project (:

 3.  I <3 IRIGA... Iriga is the city where we Pday

4.  This is an example of the five-star buses we ride on

 7.  Being funky.  We found a place that would take those pictures for 50 cents

Fiesta, FAT dinner, Have You Prayed about BoM?

Howdy Team!

As I sit here, I'm just amazed that it's Pday again.  The last few weeks have felt like quick Pdays in a row.  And of course, I'm still  at the point where I feel like I gave my farewell talk just two weeks ago, but all other memories of home feel like a dream.  To keep it short - time is accelerating again.

Today by the way has been quite the adventure.  We woke up extra early, played basketball at the church, then did our first cultural event here!  It's Fiesta in Iriga (the big city we go to for Pday) so there is a huge parade going on.  After basketball, we went and watched all of the floats go by and took some fun pictures.  

Anyways, to add to the speed of weeks, we had more exchanges this week.  One with Elder LaUlu (Wed-Thurs) and another with E. Shepardson (Fri-Sat).  On each, I worked in my area with the names missionary.  E. LaUlu s a humongous Samoan from Australia.  We had a great time riding on top of jeeps and singing on the roof of our apartment after work.  E. Sheps and I were coming from the city so before we left, we spent a bit of extra personal money on the most gourmet meal I've had in the Philippines.  In total, we only spent about 16 American Dollars, but here, that's 650 Pesos!  Needless to say, we splurged and were fatly rewarded with luxury (this was at the only high class restaurant in the near 2 hours).

We teach a lot of less-active members here.  One thing we do for those who are really progressing is switch off sharing messages from the Liahona (you know, the church magazine.  Basically the Ensign) with them.  Example, I will teach a message, then they will, then my comp, another family member, so on and so forth.  This week, the rotation fell on me.  As I was preparing my lesson, I felt impressed to share an article about the question, "Have we really prayed about the Book of Mormon and the experience of Joseph Smith?"  Basically about a member who was converted three years ago but never really asked God through prayer if what the missionaries were teaching her was true, she just felt good about our message.  I couldn't at all figure out how I could relate the story back to the mother we would be focusing on.  I continued to flip through the pages, but I kept getting drawn back to that one article.  When it was time for the actual lesson to come around, I stuck with what felt right, only trusting that it was prompted to me and we would be helped to know what to say.  As the lesson progressed, it turns out, this long time member had never truly prayed about the BoM and the experience of Joseph Smith (you know, the one about him seeing our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ).  It was perfect.  A good lesson and a happy ending later helped her to come to church yesterday with her family (:

Before I close, I feel I need to clarify a few things.  First of all (all of my list of 2), I mentioned showers a few weeks ago and a comment from my mother made me realize I've never explained this: Showers are not showers here.  Instead, we have a big barrel (those large trash cans) placed right under a pipe coming out of the wall.  We turn on the water and as it pours out, we use a ladle to scoop the water and wash.  Number 2, everything I've ever mentioned about the beauty here is true.  Except for I don't think I've ever brought up that what beauty I've been able to express, has been accompanied by big, wonderful rainbows almost everyday.  It's wonderful.

Just like mine, I hope your week was wonderful too!

Love, Elder Shane Scully Brown

Pictures - 

1.  Watching the Parade

2.  Looking at the floats

3.  Getting some rest after a long morning

4.  Hanging out on the roof with Elder LaUlu

5.  Some of the gang at zone training

AAAAAAPP EEEEEER JOE!

Hello!

Exciting update:  We had hot water yesterday!  Yep.  In the afternoon it got so extremely hot, that it heated up our water!  I got so excited that I almost took a shower until I realized that I was already quite warm without the hot water.  Needless to say, we're seen some high temperatures these last few days.  My poor electric fan gets zero rest from the time I walk in the door, all through the night, until we leave again.  And although I turn it off at departure, there isn't much of a "cool-down" period.

Sensing my plight in the heat as we were walking down the road, a nice man called out to us, his "brethren", to have a drink with him and his pals.  Upon kindly refusing, he wasn't going to give up insisting, "Friends... Just one shot, my friends."  As always, an entertaining experience.  Because we were walking at midafternoon, school was just getting out as we rounded a corner to come into view of the elementary school.  (Not sure if I've explained this before, but nearly every Filipino called us white missionaries, "Joe."  On the street, on the bus, everywhere.)  All of a sudden, a kid climbs on top of a fence and sees me, then turning back to his friends, begins to yell at the top of his voice, "JOE!  JOE IS COMING!!  QUICK!"  At that moment, dozens of kids burst through the fence gate and start running at me for a big high five.  "AAAAAAPP EEEEEER JOE!  AAAP EEER!"  That was quite the rush.

Tuesday we went to a missionary fireside for our Mother Branch.  Elder Balanon and I were speakers along with the two missionaries assigned in the actual Branch.  They put it together for us to speak on whatever we wanted, so long as it would benefit the kid in the Branch who reported to the MTC two days later.  As I was sitting on the bench, waiting my turn to speak, my prepared talk in hand, I began to feel what I had prepared was not what I needed to talk about that night.  When I stood up at the podium, I knew with a surety that I wouldn't be speaking on what I had originally planned.  I felt constrained to speak about families.  I'm sure glad that's what the Spirit picked for me because if there's any field in which I feel confident, it's that of families and what they can become through the Gospel.  I was able to share a few experiences and the whole thing went surprisingly well.  I really am so grateful for God's plan for us as families.  Saturday we went to our busiest area where there was a funeral of a member a few hours earlier.  After greeting the family and friends there, we were asked to share a few thoughts on where their grandpa's spirit is now, along with our purpose for coming to Earth.  Following that, and for the rest of the afternoon, we taught the Plan of Salvation more times than I can count!  It was a very unique and wonderful experience, we even had a few extra people at church on Sunday.  

I love God's plan for me and my mission.  I love His plan for those I meet and teach here.  Most of all, I love His plan that He has set for families.  The plan that He made for me, those I teach, and everyone else in the world to grow and progress in a family.  His work is our salvation, and it'll take place in the basic social unit we were born into.  It's the Plan of Salvation, or as I prefer, the Plan of Happiness - and I will rejoice in it forever.

May we all help that Plan to be realized throughout the world!  Until next week, love you!

Elder Shane Scully Brown

Pictures - (I forgot to take pictures this week, here's some old things I never sent)

1.  Scenery

2.  Happy!

3.  Eating Coconut (may have sent this once before)

4.  A few kids from my MTC district, reunited at Christmas Conference.

Iguana

Hey family!

How are things at home?  I'm diong great (:  As noted in the email subject.. I bought a new pet this week!  On Tuesday we were about to walk into a family's house when our Group Leader (Jeff) comes running up asking me if I wanted to eat some classy food.  We had already been planning to eat dog, so I figured something a little more gounrmet would be better.  he led us down to a nearby river and basking on the shore was my new pet.  For just seven American Dollars, I bought myself a bayawak (iguana)!  Brother Jeff happily took it home to wait until Friday when we would eat (:  Turns out, it was actually pretty delicious - though I'm not sure it's something I'd do again (the preparation was a bit tedious).  That was the most happening thing of the week.

A few other highlights:  We had exchanges with the Iriga 2 Elders on Friday.  Friday also happened to be the same day that they were moving apartments!  After eating the bayawak around 12:30 with Brother Jeff and his family, we got to Iriga around 2 for the big move.  Pres. Riparip (2nd counselor in the Branch there, also the only member who owns a car) came in his jeep to help.  After lowering the beds and book shelves down from the 2nd story, we were able to get everything done in just three trips (minus the refrigerator).  As I was admittedly a bit impressed at how much we fit on the jeep, President Riparip saw this as an opportunity to overuse his favorite phrase for me, "Only in the Philippines Elder, only in the Philippines!" ...it was a good time.  That afternoon, E. Alcoseba came to work with me in Baao while his companion and E. Balanon stayed in Iriga.  Hah when it was time to go to bed, I opened the door (as usual) so it wouldn't get too hot, then E. Elcoseba freaked out, "Don't you know about 'asuwangs' Elder?!"  He tried to explain this eveil creature to me, but after looking it up in the dictionary and reading the first two words, "In folklore..." I couldn't help but to chuckle to myself.  In the end, however, I consented to leave the door closed to avoid "harassment from a mythical creature." ....I didn't notice a difference in my sleep.

Though I've gotten used to people's reaction when they see me, a White, I guess they haven't.  We were riding on the back of a jeep (serve same function as buses) one night and it pulled over to let some people clamber out.  As the last person approached, I could see a few bags in hand... This poor lady...  Out of nowhere she just fell right out! The reason why was made apparent when she said as we drove away, "I was just surprised to see an Americano standing there on the back on the jeep."  Hah I sure had a good laugh along with all of the other guys on back.  Whoops!  (She was okay)

Anyways, the whole week was a fairly consistent high note.  Not only did we teach more lessons than we ever have, but that was accompanied by a surreal ambiance in the air.  While bright and sunny almost each day, there was a light drizzle - only noticeable by the sparkles in the air, and the refreshing feeling on my face, as a blissful spring morning.

No complaints this week (or ever).  Hope everyone else is doing just as great too!

Love,  Elder Shane Scully Brown

Pictures -

1.  Step one, Catch.

2.  Step Two....

3.  Brother Jeff working on Step 3

4.  Eat na!

5.  Loading the jeep

6.  Another load

7.  A typical CR (bathroom)

Jan 2 Weeks of Updates

Howdy team!

Sorry about no email last week. we had a District Activity so or email time was cut short.  I'll send plenty of pictures though!

Along with the Activity, the last two weeks have been full of celebrations.  The Bicol Region (the boundaries of the Naga Mission) is known for having lots of Fiestas.  These Fiestas aren't just on Saturday to eat chips and salsa for an hour or two, but these are multi-day, no school/work, pure eating and partying kind of event.  There were three in the last two week...  In visiting these areas to teach, we were, in classic Filipino style, invited to go house to house and eat as much as we could to not offend the host.  As we would walk out of one house another person (sometimes just random people) would grab us, drag us to there house, and urge us to eat - or in more accurate words, FORCED us to eat!  I felt like a pig getting fattened for the slaughter... Luckily, the slaughter never came, but I'm convince that I've never eaten more rice in my entire life than in the past two weeks...

In addition to excitement on the outside, I also did some celebrating of my own.  As it turns out (and I'm not sure how time has gone by so incredibly fast), last Friday marked my first full six months in the mission!  I don't have too many terrifically exciting stories of that recognition here, but all my experiences leading up to this point have been more than enough for me to stand on my tip toes, tingling with joy.  I've made several traditions in my mission.  Adapting to the culture (the fish has been the biggest change), I've held onto at least one bit of American life as I eat hamburgers and slowly sip on ice cold Kern's Guava Juice every Wednesday night.  As part of my efforts of assimilation, I've driven a padjack and sat on top of Jeepneys barreling down the highway.  I'm not at all lacking in good stories either, even though I'm generally too pressed for time (lazy) to type them all out.  My favorite thing has been seeing the change in peoples' lives.  After direct involvement with the Group when speaking/blessing/passing in sacrament weekly and teaching the youth class, coupled with proselyting for the duration of the week, I've seen miracles happen.  Without doubt though, the biggest change I've seen (and felt), is the one in myself.  Not only just the speaking Tagalog all-day-every-day r conquering my fear of sea food, but it's this:  Not a day of being set apart as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has gone by that I  do not feel a special Spirit.  Something that constantly abides within me.  A little piece of God's love that my heart is not big enough to hold.  There's a saying in our working with members that the more they see and feel the blessings of the Gospel in their lives, so will their desire to share it increase.  I've seen it in families coming together and former less-actives I've taught going on missions, but of course, it's unparalleled in myself.  I wish I could take a little bit of what I feel and give it to each of you.  Fortunately, that's not possible.  You're going to have to work for it and earn it yourselves! (:   Something that's helped me personally is reading the Book of Mormon.  Last week I was asked what I like about it, this is my answer: "My favorite thing about the Book of Mormon?  I've read that book many many many times.  Each time, no matter how much I've read a particular chapter (or the whole Book itself), I feel a stronger spirit of God's love for me and a Spirit of revelation that touches my heart.  I absolutely love that. Therefore, I continue."

I sure love it here, especially in Baao!  Saturday we got our transfer announcements.  Elder Balanon and I will be going another six weeks.  Because I'm supposed to be training in April, that means I'll most likely be 71/2 months in this area!  A long time, but I'm happy.  The people here, like most other Filipinos remind me of hobbits - there's not a period in time in which we can't have big smiles on our faces as we sing merrily and slap each other on the backs.  I sure will miss it.  But hey, I've still got another year and a half!  I hope all of you can feel the joy and happiness I do.  Have a great week! (:

Love,

Elder Shane Scully Brown

Pictures -

1.  Eels, yum!

2.  Even tastier!

3.  One of the counselors to the Branch President trying to teach me to "play with emotion."

4.  District Activity

5.  Wearing our flamboyant District Shirts.

6.  Super beautiful on the hill top.

7.  More pictures

8.  Last District Picture before transfers

9.  Squished in a triccy

10.  Brother Jeff (our Group Leader) on his padjack.

11.  He gave me a chance.  It's harder than it looks!

12.  Another picture

13.  One of my favorite families here