The House of the Lord

GUYS!! I got to go to the Mexico City temple thursday right after I finished emailing you all. It was amazing and beautiful I will include pictures with this email. Even though everything was in Spanish the power of the spirit that is felt when we enter our Lords house is the same.

The District. Elders Benziger, Bushnell, Willmore, Radman, Watts, Evans, Madriaga, Gilliland, Myself and then Sisters Nishan and Fry.

Friday was sad because we learned that our teacher, hermando hernandez, wont be teaching our class anymore. Everyone in the district loves that man even though it has only been a little over a week. Honestly I would not be surprised if that man was a prophet someday, the love we feel through him is amazing. It is the same powerful, all inclusive love that our Saviour has for all of us.

On the bus to the MTC!

Saturday was a bit crazy, I dont think I mentioned in my last emails that there are gunshots going on all night but on saturday in the middle of the day there was a drive by shooting right outside the MTC walls, luckily not directed at anyone in the MTC. It made me really appreciate how amazing our country is. Also, our investigator that we teach (he is actually another teacher here that we are teaching), well he is a bit harsh to us at times so most of our district doesnt really like him. I realized though that if I held a grudge the spirit would not be with me and as president Holland promised us- THE WORDS WOULD CHOKE IN MY THROAT. Powerful words and I testify they are true so I decided to let my own thoughts not matter and to just love that man as much as I could. When I made this decision I saw him as the Savior does, as a son of our Heavenly Father. The love I felt was amazing and as I went into my next lesson of teaching I taught a lesson in spanish with more power in my words than I could ever do in English. I went in and was talking about the book of mormon and the plan for the lesson was to teach the plan of salvation. However, when I gave him a book of mormon he asked how I know it was the word of God. Immediately I listened to the spirit as I knew this man didnt need to know the plan of salvation yet. I cant even remember the words I said but I told the man the story of how even though I was born in this church, I never really knew the book of mormon was true until I read it on my own. I shared with him Moronis promise which is Moroni 10: 4-5 and told him that when I read that I decided to listen to moroni and pray to know if it was true. I shared with him that when I fell to my knees and asked God, I was overwhelmed with the spirit, to the point that I knew without any doubt that the book I had read was the direct word of god and that it was meant for me, yes me. It is meant for everyone but I know that many of the scriptures that are the cornerstone of my testimony might not mean much to other people, that is because God loves me and he instructed prophets to include specific scriptures because he knew that those were the words I would need to hear. As I shared this the spirit was in the room with such strength that tears came to my eyes and I saw in the eyes of Miguel, the investigator, that he felt the spirit as well.

B on the mountain is because the MTC used to be a college but the church renovated it, now they say B is for baptisms.... :)

Sunday got even better than the last sunday here in the MTC which I couldnt even believe was possible because last sunday the spirit I felt was stronger than at any other time in my life. This sunday was amazing though because in sacrament district 16 C, who left on Monday, sung a song for the rest of the branch. As they sang I heard a voice directly behind me singing with them yet when I turned around to see who it was there was nobody there. I turned back and the voice was there again, yet I turned and still nobody was there. I turned back another time and when I heard the voice again this time the spirit flooded into my body even to the point where the strength of the spirit was burning within me. I know that there are angels here, I felt them last week as I said in my letter, but this week I heard an angel. Yes I testify that the voice was that of an angel, it was not exceptionally loud but it was definitely the voice of an angel of the Lord. I listened to the voice throughout the song and although it sounded familiar as if I knew who it was, I could not quite remember. The veil here is thin, I have witnessed this, and I believe I know who was singing, just not in this life. My soul rejoices with the peace that comes by knowing that one day I will meet whoever was there with my and that I will live with my family again. I honestly dont know how I could ever be at peace if I believed death was the end. It makes me remember how important it is for us to all keep the commandments because not only do I want to live forever which I know I will but I want to return to my God, my Father.

Monday my learning in spanish improved rapidly and I know it is because I have chosen that I will obey every rule with exact obedience, even the small ones like chewing gum. I know I have been blessed with the gift of tongues when I did this because it has been promised to me by my God. D&C 82:10 promises that- I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say but when ye do not what I say ye have no promise.

This picture is of our room, very small. If you noticed I tried to bring some of home along with me- Vikes for Life!

So remember how I told you about gunshots, well Tuesday there was a bullet on the sidewalk right in front of our apartment. Not a bullet shell but the actually bullet, probably one that was fired into the air and just fell down. It was smashed because of the hard impact of hitting the ground and its scary to think that the bullet could have hit one of the missionaries but I trust in the Lord and know that we are under his protection as we serve him.

Wednesday everyone in our district started to get sick and I did too which sucks. The food here just gets worse and worse and THERE IS NO DOCTOR PEPPER ANYWHERE. However, one of the elders got a bunch of donuts through the missionarypackagemx.com and shared them. Also if anyone out there wants to be the greatest person in the world you can send me doctor peppers using that site. For most of wednesday I read my scriptures, never before have I wanted to read as much as I do now. I have already reached Alma and am anxious to get reading again.

Me and my companion Elder Evans

I can email most of today and could really use some Utah in my life right now

Until later, love Elder Brown​

Mexico Missionary Package Discounts!!!!

Guys I have some awesome news!

I have figured out a way you can send Austin letters and packages while he is in the MTC without paying shipping charges!
If you would like to send him something this is the place to do it.

http://www.missionarypackagemx.com

* For $1, www.missionarypackagemx.com will deliver a hard copy of   your letter the very next day.

* Care packages can be delivered the very next day by using       www.missionarypackagemx.com

* The best way to get him letters or packages is through   www.missionarypackagemx.com

Since I am making this blog post they are going to give everyone a discount!
Here is the promo code: MexicoMTC

You should also know that if you send at least 5 packages you can get a 25% off coupon. Here are the directions.

1. You have to send at least 5 packages to your missionary while in training at the Mexico MTC (Letters doesn't apply).

2. Send us your 5 invoice IDs to missionary.package@gmail.com

3. You will receive 25 % off  in your last package. The coupon will be sent via email.

Lastly, you can get another discount by liking their Facebook page, commenting on ANY of their posts about why you like their page, and then send them a direct message (the message button is right at the top next to the "like" button) with your email address so they can send you a discount.

Here are the instructions to that.

It's easy to get 10 % off in your package. 

1. Like our facebook fan page.

2. Comment under any of our posts beginning with the prhase "I like Missionary Package because" 

3. Send us your email via inbox (message) in this same page so that we can send you a coupon for your next purchase. 

If you have any more questions visit this webpage which is where I found all this good news!

http://www.missionarypackagemx.com/#!discounts-and-promotions/c1l3e

Best week of my life.

GUYS!! Where do I even begin. This has been the longest and best week in my entire life. I feel like I have already been here for months because the first week went by so slow but the spirit here has been so strong. I have literally felt angels lift me up when I fall to my knees crying. I have witnessed numerous miracles even though my time here has been short. I thought I had a strong testimony before I left but I have learned more in this last week than I have in the last ten years about my loving savior Jesus Christ. I knew when I was baptized that the holy ghost would be my constant companion but this last week has been completely different. When I pray and ask God questions the spirit is so strong I literally receive my answer before the prayer is over and end thanking God for answering the question I started with. BEST WEEK EVER!!!

That being said, it has been really hard up until this sunday even with the spirit being as strong as it is. I miss you all but my wonderful companion, Elder Evans is extremely homesick, to the point he wanted to go home. I knew I had to be strong for him but I have had my fair amount of stuggles too. However, I testify that the Lord knows everything because I had the strength to be strong for Elder Evans and keep him here and he too had the strength to help me with my struggles.

Flying on Tuesday was rough, it was about 12 hours of either flying, waiting in line, finding luggage, or riding on the bus. I would say that night was the hardest for me, I missed my bed, my dog, the familiarity of my room, and of course my friends and family. I remembered the promises I made to Lance Drollinger to stay strong for the first three weeks so I tried to shut that all out and focus on being the best missionary I possibly can.

Wednesday was the longest week of my life, and yes I said week because I honestly thought it was! There isnt any easing into the language or teaching here in the MTC. Its literally just hope for the best and just get thrown right in. All day we were in classes that were all spanish and that night we had to teach our first lesson, IN SPANISH. I thought my spanish was alright before I left but I think I just stared at the 'Investigators' face for about a full minute as I tried to say my name is Elder Brown.

Thursday was a lot better, it only felt like five days. One of the guys in our district, Elder Richmond went home thursday night, he missed his girlfriend too much. Seeing him go home destroyed my companion, Elder Evans. That night he told me he wanted to leave but I bore my testimony that the lord needed him here and I am here to help him however I can. I must have said something right because he is still here today and is doing a lot better.

Friday was good. I looked at my journal and that night I wrote about the gift of tongues and how much progress I had made. I still feel like I know nothing but I am actually teaching whole lessons now without needing notes so I guess I really have grown a lot. We also had gym time friday which makes the day seem to go by so much faster, even though we only get an hour.

Saturday was very good. Elder Evans and I are doing a lot better at teaching and both our spanish has improved tremedously. I would write more about saturday but its nothing compared to sunday so Im moving on

Sunday was the most spiritual day of my life. We had worthiness interviews with our Zone President. As I read my scripures I felt the impression that I should confess some past sins I stuggled with even though I knew I was forgiven. I really didnt want to confess so I thought I would be fine but I immediately felt the holy ghost withdraw from me. I continued reading where I was at which was 2 Nephi chapter 2. The chapter is meant for Jacob, the son of Lehi but for fun I put my name in for Jacob. Throughout the entire chapter I noticed things that are spoken of in my patriartical blessing and things that my Stake President said at my setting apart as a missionary. The chaper ended talking about repentance. I knew God wanted me to confess but I still didnt want to. I promised God that I was going to open my scriptures to a random page and if it said anything about confession I would go and obey. I opened to somewhere in proverbs or maybe it was revations I cant remember but It said by truth are all things purged and talked about fearing God not man. I immediately fell on my knees and cried before telling my companion I needed to take care of something. I went in to President Call and told him everything I had struggled with and even then I didn{t know why I had to. When I was done President Call thanked me for listening to the lord and told me I was forgiven. Afterwards the spirit returned even stonger and has been with me ever since. That night I figured out why I needed to confess because that night I felt the need to talk to one of the elders in my room and tell him everything I had just told President Call. I would have never had the strength to do that if the spirit weren{t begging me and if I hadent witnessed the miracles I saw in the scriptures that day. I knew I had to confess to President Call to have the stregth to tell that missionary afterwards. The next day that missionary went in and confessed what he was struggling with. He was sent home on Wednesday, I dont know exactly why but I know that he was struggling with something serious. I realize that I was a tool in the lords hands because I recieved the strenth I needed to do what I could have never done before. The lord needed me to tell my story to that missionary, Elder L, because the lord knew he was unworthy. Later Elder L told me that if it wasn{t for me he would have never had the ability to confess his sins. I thank the Lord for allowing me to help Elder L because I know it was him that spoke to Elder L not me, even if it was my voice.

Guys I gotta go but I leave you my testimony. I know this church is true and I know without a doubt that I am meant to be here. The language is a real struggle for me but I have faith it will come. I miss you all so much but I already never want to leave my mission. I love it here, the food is gross but its bearable because I know the lord blesses me every hour of every day.

 Yo Testifico Jesucristo amor nosotros. Jesucristo dar su vida porque Dios querin nosotros arregresar a El. El Libro de Mormon es Verdadero. Yo leer y orar porque yo quero si el Libro De Mormon es verdadaro. Yo reciben el espiritu santo y yo sé es verdadero. Mi Salvador es mi vida. Yo es muy agrecido por el opportunidad servir Dios. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

P.s. OH AND I COMPLETLY FORGOT, today we get to go to the temple which is why I dont have any time to talk. Also it took forever to type this email because of the stupid spanish keyboards and we only have an hour to chat in the MTC but next week I will spend more time replying to emails. I just needed to share with you guys how amazing this week has been. It truly is the best week of my life.