ShaneBrownsMission

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Transfers, Waterfalls and Eternal Bliss 8 26 13

Below is Shane's email… he LOVES real letters : )

Elder Shane Scully Brown

Philippines Legazpi Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
P.O. Box #225
Legazpi City Post Office
Legazpi City, Albay
4500 Philippines

Hello Family!

Team! What a great week I've had! We went to some more waterfalls this morning, just beautiful! (Alldredge almost fell from the top... That and falling through the church roof last week have basically left me with now trust in this guy...). I try to find interesting thoughts/pictures to send home each week and guess what, you'll hopefully get some good ones in the next few weeks because E. Alldredge and I are not getting transferred.Why does us not being transferred mean more interesting things and better pictures? Because this is Alldredge's LAST transfer! He goes home in 6 weeks!! We've after today now got five Pdays to visit all the cool places in the area. Should be fun.

On Friday we were planning out this week and we had to get out new planners for this transfer. We were surprised when we realized that this is his last planner of the mission! (we get a new one every transfer - 6 weeks). I'm pretty sure that at this point I'm thinking more about going home than he is, but that's besides the point. It's just fun with him about being done for me to look back and see how far I've actually come. I can't help sometimes but to laugh at myself for things I used to do. It's been great though in Naga Mission Or now, Legaspi Mission Hah, it's been two months now of Legaspi Mission and I'm only just starting to finally give up the old Naga Mission theme song and begin to memorize the new one here. It's a great time to be a missionary, lots happening We had district conference this weekend Even though the entire district (all of the branches) was about the size (if not smaller) of a normal ward at home, there are some great pans for this to be a stake someday. Also, we've been meeting with the District President talking about our little group becoming it's own branch! (:

So Saturday, because of the district conference we help with some home teaching in our area. Guess who our home teaching companions were - the District President and the Mission President! So great. We taught a family who's husband served as a branch president for a number of years but now they're all inactive. We spoke very frankly about the promises of God. That they are certain, when we hold up our end of the bargain. Even though this family is sealed in the temple, that it is still based on their worthiness. If they give up now then their sealing cannot last! So I asked the parents you know how it would feel to have even just one family member missing. Even just one... It's be a horrible feeling. And then I realized - would I not be just as sad if this family didn't make it as if mine own didn't? I would be devastated if just one of my family couldn't pass into exaltation. And so why would I not feel the exact some way if these, my brothers and sisters failed to qualify. I would. Having now realized that, and with a deepened love, I strive to more fully rely on the Spirit to do all I can. To help this family, and all others, to make certain the promises of God, because of their faith and obedience.

It's the most rewarding work. It gives me the most rewarding feeling. I try and try and try to express this over emails. I use different words, scriptures, etc. This week I stumbled upon something I really view as treasure - Alma 37:44-47. Pretty much, if we will simply look to Christ (it is simple) and give our all, we will be led on a straight course to Eternal Bliss. Eternal bliss. Bliss, joy, happiness and peace that never ends! I want that. I want all to have that. It's just the best! (:

Love, Elder Shane Brown

Pictures -

1-2. Some friends

3-5. One of my favorite families! ...We're wearing "elephant" costumes (:

6-16. Waterfalls! The last one is where Alldredge slipped from the rock on the right then slid uncontrollably down and miraculously lasted on that platform thing..

"Social" 8 19 13

Hello Family!

We had a zone activity this morning so I'm a little late here. We went to the Mayon Rest House which is this little touristy thing on the volcano (which was at alert level 3 today). It was all really well planned out, except for when it got super rainy and windy! Luckily it wasn't raining at the top, just super foggy so the pictures aren't full of the amazing views we were hoping for!

Well this was quite the exciting week! New things, last week of the transfer and many spiritual experiences. First of all, remember how my apartment was already super cool with it's size and water heater? A set of couple missionaries recently went home so on Tuesday we got a call from the Supply Elder, "Elders! Remember those couple missionaries? Yeah well we need to store all of their furniture somewhere and we think your apartment would be perfect. Could we come drop some things off today?" "Yes!" Later, I heard a car pulling up, ran out and it was the supply truck, then, around came the corner a huge full on moving truck. "Wow," I thought, "what a coincidence that there's a moving truck at the same time the supply elder is dropping off a few small pieces of furniture." Well guess what, that big moving truck was for us! An old hymn instantly popped into my head, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" (: In short, we were given couches, a double door refrigerator, a washing machine(!), an oven(!), two air conditioning units we can't use and this is the best part - a microwave! What?! Yes! -a MICROWAVE! Boy were we eager to use that thing after years of only remembering them in dreams. We had lest out meals after a zone conference from a catering restaraunt, extras just came back to us since we ordered it all so we put it into the ref, later we microwaved it! To emphasize my point, never take couches, a big fridge, washing machine, oven and especially a microwave for granted! Our apartment is now as they say here, "Social".

Anyways, at that same conference, we learned that backpacks aren't allowed anymore here (apparently that was a missionary rule and we just didn't know it here?) so we bought some "business style" side bags and are hitting the streets looking what we think to be quite classy, or in other words, "social". Also, I realized there that this is the last week of the transfer. How fast! There's no way I'll get transferred which is good, the kids are finally into the habit of screaming "Elder Brown!!!" from far away running up and yelling/laughing the whole time just to get a good "App 'ere" (up here - high five) every time we are in the neighborhood.

Had two really wonderful experiences this week. The first was writing our recommendations for the transfer planning. I felt so guided as we talked about each missionary and if they'll be transferred, moved around, etc. The second was a baptismal interview. This was actually the first interview I've gotten to do. The brother I interviews never really learned Tagalog so he just speaks the local language of his town.. Despite that, through his broken Tagalog and my brokel Bikol, I was able to feel a huge witness of the Spirit that he was ready for baptism. Great experience.

The week was full of awesome things. Saying still and will always remain true for this Elder, "It's an exciting time to be a missionary!"

Sige yan lang. Kita kits! Love, Shane

1-4. Mayon rest house! (slightly we got rained out)

5. The apartment before we got all the new stuff

6-10. New apartment things!

10-22. Rocamonte! We thought it was ruins. Turns out, this place was a big touristy thing in the 60's that totally crashed...

23. Hang out

And Yet Another Week Rolls By! Baptism Richard 8 12 13

TAO PO! Hello Fam!

So this week was, yet again, amazing! Yesterday a huge storm came by but didn't pass directly over our area so we didn't get killed (phew!). It did however become a Signal #3 (100+mph winds) on Catanduanes - the island we were on just a few days ago! Good thing we made it back before it hit, especially since we had a baptism on Saturday! (Richard, 16, whole family is members)

Well, life goes on here. It rains pretty much each afternoon, and certainly every night. Not so sweltering hot anymore (: People still do crazy things. People still ride bikes next to semi-trucks on the same narrow little two lane main roads. People still prop up ladders against electricity lines to fix the common outages. Hah, I still try and come up with something interesting to email every week. It's all pretty much the same, great stuff that I love. Even church. Remember I'm in a group (smaller than branch) with no chapel (under an awning only) just like I had for the 6 months I was in Baao for. I got up to the podium (no microphone) to speak yesterday (they actually gave me a day's notice for my talk rather than the usual waiting until sacrament starts, finally!) and looked out over the crowd. There were 43 of us! (: Do you realize how many people that is?! I love each one of them. And I love sharing my personal experiences and testimony with them - even when I have to shout the whole time because the loudness of the wind and rain.

I guess what's different is that I'm in a new area (granted, I've been here for four weeks now), with a new assignment, serving with and to new people. I live right next to great Mt. Mayon - the most perfectly shaped volcano in the world, and most active one in the Philippines. I love next to the largest geothermal power plant in the entire world, 2nd only to Yellowstone. I don't know. I only know that I'm happy doing it! I love, love, love this work. Although, I can't exactly put on a bathing suit and run around in the rain everyday, I can at least put on a white shirt and tie, get soaking wet and share the Gospel! Good trade-off (:

That's it. I'm smiling always. Can't keep it off my face (: Hope your week has been just as joyful as mine.

Love Shane!

Pictures -

1-2. My back pack was breaking. Another Elder sewed up one broken part.. I winged it and did my best to try and fix another rip... Guess which one was my job... (Yep, the horrible one with the string coming out all over the place!)

3. Coming home from Catanduanes on Wednesday, great Mt. Mayon in the background!

4. Richard's baptism

"Uhhh.. Yes, I'd love to join!" Possibly the BEST WEEK EVER!!

Hello Family!

...Wow! Where to start? I mean really... this week was the best! Whole week was great, but wow, the weekend (especially Saturday) was the best! Phew! I'm just sitting trying to figure out how to express this to you in an interesting way over the net. Here's a big list I guess of what we did, hope you are just delighted to read it. If not, know that at least I'm delighted to write it! (:

So Tuesday we're on a tricycle coming home from work to eat lunch and we got a text from the AP's (Assistants to the President), "Text your zone about a potential long term brown out!..." So hah, get this: the province that we live in, Albay, basically didn't have enough money to pay for the government run electric company so they were going to kill all power in the entire province for at least a week to be able to pay their supplier of electricity (long story). Hah, that was awesome since we bought a food for the next two weeks and put it all in our refrigerator (which would also suffer from the power outage)...

So under the candle light on Tuesday we got prepared for out meeting with President on Wednesday. Basically, the best part of the meeting was when President came up to us with an invitation, "Elders, would you like to come with me to Catanduanes this weekend?" Okay, remember now that Catanduanes is the island in our zone. We had a plan to leave for here this Monday morning, but President invited us to come with him on Saturday to attend meetings with him for the District Conference (like Stake Conference) here. Uhh... Yes President, we'd love to join!

The days go by then come Saturday, we were out the door at 6AM to meet President Guanzon at the pier for out big trip. Turns out, it was just him! He didn't bring his wife, the AP's or anyone. And so it was just me, my companion and President for our island journey. After a 3 hour boat ride we arrived in Catanduanes and went straight to President's hotel to drop off his luggage. He walks up to the counter and then turns back to us, "Elders, would you like to stay with me tonight?" Uhh... Yes President, we'd love to join! Dropped everything off, ate lunch with the missionaries here then President had meetings and my comp. and I went in search of apartments (lots of new areas opening here). We got back to the hotel around six to drop off somethings and President had gotten there just before us... "Elders, would you like to join me for dinner?" Uhh... Yes President, we'd love to join! (:

And so we talked and really got to get to know our Mission President. I've learned so much and have just really loved the time together. We were so excited every time we'd get invited somewhere, but the best was Saturday night when we were finishing the day at our small little hotel room. This time, we were the ones doing the inviting... "President, would you like to join us in closing the day?" "Uhh... Yes Elder, I'd love to join." You know, as missionaries, we have daily planning at the end of every day to close the work and plan for the morrow. We talk about this. We talk about where we could improve. We talk about what we did well. We talk about the missionaries in out zone. We talk about each other. It was just so special to have our Mission President there with us. Well, thinking practically, the specialness of this maybe doesn't quite make snse to someone who hasn't served a full-time mission. But to those who do get it, do you understand what a wonderful experience this weekend on a paradise island with my Mission President has been? The best.

So this morning President went home and we visited some waterfalls (beautiful!) and went to a super nice beach (started pouring rain!). We're here 'till Wednesday to work with other missionaries and other stuff. If my story wasn't as exciting for you, I'll share this: Remember vans shoes? Remember how they can cost $40? I got a brand new pair, straight from the "Vans [knock-off] Factory" for just $5! What a steal. They're definitely [NOT!] genuine (:

Love you!

P.S. August 1st was the official first day I could say I won't be here in a year... PABABA NA AKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures -

There are some big file ones... I'll send them in another email (imagine me giving you a reassuring thumbs up)

Whhoooooooossshhhhhhh - time is fast! 7-29-13

Hello Family

I'm on early today! Apparently there's going to be a planned brown out (no power) later today so we had to come here early...

For the last several (about 52) weeks, I've continuously started out these emails by saying out fast the time has gone by. This week though, has been different! Things ACTUALLY started to somewhat slow back down to normal speed (in comparison to the regular pace of life here). Maybe the one year mark on Thursday (18th) slowed things down (don't get too excited, July 31st, 2014 is still my go-home day), or maybe my new area. Either way, life is great. Here's the report -

...I'm in my new area! After 2 months of the MTC, 3 months in Naga, 6 months in Baao, and just 6 weeks in Pilar, I'm now transferred to Tabaco! I somehow got places in yet another big city (all other areas at least had access every Pday to a big city, pretty lucky) so I must be playing my cards right. They bumped me up to become a Zone Leader which is probably why I got transferred so fast from my last area. There's a lot I could story to you about being a Zone Leader, but most importantly, it means I get to live in the Tabaco Mansion! Even back when it was still Naga Mission, I had heard rumors about this awesome apartment. It's huge, has 2 bathrooms (both with bidets) and a hot shower! Better yet, it's only us two here! My companion is Elder Alldredge from Arizona. He goes home in a little less than three months now. We've met lots before now so we were surprised that we're companions because we both Americans. Even though there are way more Filipino's in the mission, I've somehow had 5 American companions now and only 1 Filipino... Alldredge and I were both assigned in Baao too, just he was there a year before me! We have to do a bunch of new administration kind of things since we're the Zone Leaders, but the best part (2nd I suppose to the awesome house) is that we have an island in our zone so each transfer, we go spend a week there!

This place has really seen the effects of the new missionary wave. Our Branch (the only like it in the mission), has 8 missionaries! - six of which are Sisters. They're actially in the Branch, meanwhile, Alldredge and I are assigned in a Group under the Branch. So I'm in another group. Just like Baao, 30 is about the average attendance each week and... we go to church outside again! There are only 3 Groups (MUCH smaller than a Branch) in the whole Mission - I've now been assigned in 2! This week, we spent a lot of time with the church leaders here in splitting up all of the missionary boundaries to fit all 8 of us in the Branch, and also we're trying to find other places to put more missionaries in. It's pretty exciting (I'm not doing a good job of conveying that (: )

Anyways, I could tell you all about the new and exciting things I've been doing, but I'll reflect on this last full year as a full-time missionary. In short... It has been the best! Better than high school (obviously), better than college and better than all the classic adventures I had at home. There's just something about loving others so much more than yourself (or at least, striving to). I can't describe how joyous it is to literally forget myself, and give it all to Him. I've said that over and over again here, and that's simply because it's true. I mean, what more need I say? I've quoted this scripture a few times in these emails, and it still rings true (basically talking about missionary work and everything that comes with it): "Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness." (Alma 27:18). I just love it. I really, really do. So as with my New Year's Resolution from January 1st, what will I do with my last year of full-time service? Continue. Continue it all. And when I say that, I don't mean flat-lining where I am, but to continue with the progress I've already made. Continue to grow, continue to have greater and greater happiness, continue to be the best I can, everyday, always improving. Easy task? No. But worth it? Of course.

That's it. Thanks for it all! Sorry for few pictures/stories only, more to come next week!

Love, Elder Brown

Pictures -

1-2. Members who worked with us yesterday. The little house on the left is where we go to church.

3. Our house! Granted, it's only the left side, but it's still enormous!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

1 New Area, 1 LONG Week, and 1 YEAR Completed 7 23 13

Hello Family!

I'm on early today! Apparently there's going to be a planned brown out (no power) later today so we had to come here early...

That's it. Thanks for it all! Sorry for few pictures/stories only, more to come next week!

Love, Elder Brown

Pictures -

1-2. Members who worked with us yesterday. The little house on the left is where we go to church.

3. Our house! Granted, it's only the left side, but it's still enormous!