TRANSFERS!!

 Hello everyone, so we just got back from eating breakfast, so I'm gonna keep this email short and sweet because we are short on time. Sorry! 
I'll tell you what happened with transfers! So this past Saturday we had transfer calls and this time they came super late at around 8pm which is super unusual but it was good because it kept us all alert and on our feet! So Elder Teokotai and I thought that we weren't getting transferred because they hadn't called us but then while we were coming home from dinner, one member called us and said that we were both getting transferred and that he needed the gym key back. We thought that he was just messing with us but about an hour later, we got calls form the AP's and he told me that I was going to be going to the Idaho Falls Central Stake and that I am going to be a district leader! I was super happy for this new opportunity to fulfill this new leadership calling and know that the Lord will bless me for doing so!
Elder Teokotai is also leaving and he is going to Ammon and serving in the Lincoln Stake. He is also going to be a Zone Leader there. So if you are following along, Ririe is going to be "white washed" which means that 2 brand new elders are going to be in that area. Elder McPeek is one of those elders. He was in the same MTC district as me, so he should be good in serving there.

     

It will be a bitter sweet moment in leaving Ririe. I know that the Lord knew that's where I needed to be and I am thankful everyday for the opportunity to serve there for 6 months. The people in Ririe are so humble and couldn't of asked for a better place to serve. I am excited to take on the Idaho Falls Central Stake and ready to kill it come transfer time! I will truly miss the "Promised Land" but I know that the Lord needs my talents elsewhere! I  think that is about it for this week! I love you and and you are the best! 

  

 The address to send me mail remains the same. Elder Hunter A Browning     Idaho Pocatello Mission    135 S 7th Avenue 

 Pocatello ID 83201-5853

Love - Elder Browning

Snowed In

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a good "chilly"  week for those who are living in the Midwest. As for us in Idaho, we got dumped on by tons of snow and its just been awesome driving in it, haha. Anyways, let me tell you whats been happening in the promised land of Ririe, Idaho.

    So this past week I went on exchanges with one of our Zone Leader, Elder Mann and he is form Milwaukee, WI. Our day was so busy. It started off by waking up to go work our at the Rigby high school; but it was closed. Then we literally spent the day contacting all the ward council members from 7 wards. We got a lot of referrals and we also gave a guy that was sick a priesthood blessing, so that was nice. 

   On Tuesday, we re-arranged our whole house and moved our beds into the bedroom and we now have a super big living room. It's now a lot better and it actually looks like a normal house now. That night we taught Wayne Johnson the Plan of Salvation and it was probably the most spiritual lessons I've head yet. When we told him that he would see his parents again, he started crying and then everyone else started crying and the spirit was felt so strong that night.

   On Wednesday we had our last district meeting as a Star Valley District. This next transfer, President is going to split the Thayne, WY area so they can gave two sets of elders up there since the area is so big. So that means that if I am still here next transfer, we will now be in the Rigby district which is 10x better because of less traveling we have to do. Later that night, we taught Allie a couple of the major commandments. We just got good news yesterday that her boyfriend engaged to her at Lakers vs. Jazz game! We could not be more excited for them.

   Thursday around lunch time, we went to the high school and we taught the 7th and 8th grade gym class how to play rugby. It was so fun and the kids really liked it and and every time they see us, they beg us to play it again. We had a lesson with Jay and Josh later that night and we also taught them the Plan of Salvation. They both asked really good questions and everyone was super involved in the lesson.

  Saturday we really didn't so much of anything because that when is snowed all day and we got tons of snow. We went over to Jay's house and we helped them with their house and then taught them the first half of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We then just went home until dinner because the roads were really bad and it was super windy. We had dinner with our Stake President, Boyd Foster.  He lives in a really nice big house in the middle of the mountains. When we got home, we went to the Browns house and we payed Ticket to Ride. Unfortunately  me and Houston lost the game and only got a score of 31 points, which is really really bad. We are going over there again later this week and we will hopefully get a better score this time, haha.

  Sunday we went to a couple wards and then dinner was the best. We had spaghetti tacos and they were so good! They family they we had dinner at, are so cool and have a son serving in the Milwaukee, WI mission. He is serving now in Neenah, WI, so if any of the Sanofsky's run into an Elder Jones, tell him that I know him! We had a lesson with Tallon and taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he remembered everything and he's only 10 yrs. old. He is progressing well but are still trying to get him to church. That night we went over to Bishop Peterson of the 2nd ward and his wife made all of of white shirts super white again! She works in the temple for the laundry and knows all of the secret tips and trick of making them white. She is so funny and told me that she can be my second mother.

 Well that's about all for this week. We are going to Rexburg today to go bowling with a young family on one of our wards. And then for dinner, we are going to the Cole's and she is making us a super good dinner. I ask that you please keep me in your prayers that I will at least stay in Ririe for one more area.  I feel that I'm need here for one for transfer! thank you so much for all you do! May the Lord bless you in all you do! Have a good week! God is Good!

                      Elder Browning

 Our last Star Valley District Picture

 

Crazy Miracles

Howdy everyone. This week was way busy for us with a lot of lessons taught and a crazy miracle happened yesterday! It has been crazy with all of the investigators we are finding and them being 'golden'. The Lord has truly been blessing my companion and I and could not of asked for a better placed to serve!

   So last Monday, we hung out with Elders Schaerr and Latu and went to the mall and then went bowling with them. They are the funniest companionship but they get the work done. We played basketball with them and some of the sisters that serve in Idaho Falls. For dinner, since it was Elder Teokotai's birthday, we went over to the Grover's and we had hamburgers. They made something called the "juicy lucy." It was two burgers in one and melted cheese in the middle.

   Tuesday was a slow day. We had our monthly inspection and then taught a couple of people. We went to the Eldridges for dinner and talked them into going bowling with us next Monday in Rexburg. That night we visited with a member who wants the discussions again. We went to the stake center to the youth trek fireside they are going on in June.

   Wednesday, we had zone training and it was good for the most part. It took really long and got done around 3pm. We had Chick-Fil-A catered to us and that was good. We got new cell phones and they are touch screens! They are so much better than the ones we had. I had to go on exchanges with Elder Meyer. He has "Asperger's" and he was a little different to work with, but he was so funny and made the time I had with him a real treat! We went to Swan Valley that night and ate and correlated with our new ward mission leader up there.

   Thursday, we woke up really early because Elder Meyer wanted to get straight to work! The thing about our area is that no one is home in the morning so we just drove around trying to find people to teach. We had Los Albertos for lunch with some of the youth and then we went and taught seminary. It was way fun seeing the getting involved ad seeing them learn. We exchanged back and then had to go to the Idaho Falls Visitors center to get out new license plates stickers. We had dinner at the Balls home and they made us breakfast.  We had a lesson at their house with Jack. He said hes still not ready to get baptized yet but we are hoping pretty soon!

   Friday, we had interviews with our Mission President. It went really well and he is happy for all the work that we are doing! We had dinner with Bishop Peterson of the 2nd ward and then we went to the basketball game to fellowship some the investigators we are teaching.

   Saturday, was a service day for us. That morning  we split some wood. Then that afternoon, we played basketball with a couple of non members that came! They are slowly making their ways back to church. We had dinner with the Rose Family and had elk meatloaf. We played Wii bowling with some of his kids and had a great time.

   Sunday was really good for us. In the Shelton Ward, one of the exchange students gave a talk on "True Friends" and was probably the best youth speaker I've heard in a long time. Then this is where the crazy miracle happened. We had one of our investigators text us and say, "Hi fellowwws. would Sat the 30th be an ok day for my baptism?" We were so excited to hear that awesome news! To be honest, I think that's why I'm here in Ririe, because of that investigator. I need him and he needs me. Later that night we miked cows at Call Nelsons farm.

  This week was awesome and hopefully we can make some more progress with he rest of our investigators! Please keep them in your prayers! I hope you all have a good week and stay warm! God is Good! 

Love, Elder Browning

 Doing Work

Year of the Monkey

Hello everyone! This week seemed to drag for me but I am glad that today is Monday and is a great start to a new year! This is going to be another short email because i am short on time again, but I hope that you enjoy!

     We went bowling last Monday with Carly, Tristan, and Lexie Coles.    

     Tuesday, we played basketball with our less actives and non members again. A lot more came this time and we had a lot of fun. Then the best thing happened that afternoon! Master Sensi (Bishop Michael Clark) took us out to lunch! IT was awesome to catch up with him! 

    On Wednesday,we went to Sy's funeral/memorial and it was very nice. It's really sad that he is gone but he is now in a better place. We taught a lot of lessons that day in Swan Valley. Our dinner appt. that night was the best. We ate with a part member couple and the husband was not  a member. When we introduced ourselves, he didn't care about our last names, he wanted to know our first names, haha. He kept swearing and telling funny jokes at the dinner table. 

     On Thursday it was new years eve and so that night we went to the Tanners in 2nd ward and they had like 50+ people there! They talked us into going sledding in the freezing cold, it wasn't that bad and it was actually super fun!. 

     New years day we milked cows in the morning with Call Nelson and his brother. They said when I'm off my mission, I can go work there! His dad owns a dairy farm and so I would help with the cows. Later that afternoon, we drove all the way to Afton because my companion had a baptism interview. We went bowling that night and after that we watched Finding Nemo. We spent the night with the elders in Thayne. I think that is all that has happened during this long week! 

     I hope that this new year; 2016 will be filled with miracles beyond miracles! Thank you for all you do and will talk to you all next week! God is Good!

                                                    Elder Browning

 Master Sensi !

 Feeding baby snowball

A White Christmas

Hello everyone! I don't have much time this week because of the holiday season! This email will be short, so I'll tell you the highlights of this week.

So Christmas Eve was good. We went to the Martin's house and I mad dinner for them. They said it was super good. They gave us both Christmas presents and we had a really fun time there. My companion skyped his family that night. 

     On Christmas day, we went to the Call's for breakfast and then afterwards, we played "Telestrations". Mike and Lynda Clark would probably be the best people to play with, haha. We then went to the Cole's and played games while we hung out listening to Christmas music. We did our secret Santa and Sis. Cole's had me and got me some candy, a liter or Mountain Dew and a Kelly Canyon t-shirt. We went to the Young's and played "scum" and I was in the scum seat the whole time. We are going there tonight for FHE and I will get my revenge. They got us BYU-I t-shirts. For the rest of the night, we were over at the Ball's house and I had the opportunity to Skype my family. I talked with my brother Logan who is serving in Brazil. It was such a blessing being able to talk with them. The Ball's and their family got my companion and I some really nice jackets from Nordstroms.

This week is super cold all the way in the negatives!

I think that's all for this week and sorry again that it was so short. I think you should all know that one of our recent converts Sy passed away last week. Please keep his family in your prayers! I love you all and will have more to share with you next week! God is Good!

                    Elder Browning

Subway, A home away from home

HELLO everyone! It seems like forever since the last time I emailed you! I am glad that it is Christmas this week! On Christmas eve from 5-9pm, p-day for us and then on Christmas day its an all day p-day! We are super excited to Skype our families and cant wait to talk to my family.

      Last Monday, we hung out with our zone leaders because they are both getting transferred. We wet to Idaho Falls for the day and did a little shopping at the mall and found a good deal on some khaki pants. We went to Iona and met up with about three zones to play "Gator Ball". It's a combination of soccer and football. It wasn't as fun as everyone made it seem but oh well! We shopped at Walmart and while we got done checking out, some guy dropped $80 in our cart and said "Merry Christmas" and walked away! IT was so nice of him! Later that night, we had a lesson with Ale and the Thanyne elders came down because of transfers. We set a date with Ale for January 16th! Please keep her in your prayers!

     Tuesday, we were with the Thayne elders so we played basketball at the stake center with Tristan Cole's and then we went to Los Alberto's for lunch. We went to the Perry ward Christmas party and we got to wear our onesies! We went to Subway after the party and they gave us all the left over cookies they had!

     Wednesday, was transfers! We woke up at 5:45am without getting any sleep the night before and drove to Rigby to play basketball. It was a waste of time because one of the elders got me sick. We went back to Ririe and then back to Rigby for a quick transfer meeting with all the new missionaries in our zone. We had lunch at Wendy's and then made our way to Subway where we chilled there until dinner. One of the girls there made me drink "jalapeno" juice just for the heck of it. I threw up in the bathroom but they all game me six bucks for it. A member bought us dinner at Subway and then he wanted us to go eat with him and his kids. It was a nice dinner. We went back to Subway for the night and we had a mini guitar session with the workers.

     Thursday, we went to the Seminary class and talked about some of the non member friends they might have. We cleaned our house until dinner. After dinner , we went to the Visitors Center with Jack and he really enjoyed the presentation they they put on. On the way home, Brother Ball got us ice cream at Baskin Robins.

     Friday morning, we went to a morning side with the seminary kids and had a guest speaker named Sal. He is in a church video but now lives in Ririe. He talked about his conversion story and how he changes his life around. One of the youth, Kaylee Brown gave us some old Ririe basketball uniforms (she wanted me to mention her in this email). Later that afternoon, we went back to the seminary class and shared with them a little message about members and missionary work. We went to the Young's wedding reception for one of their daughters. We went to Subway to visit Dally and we shared a scripture with her. At dinner I played football on the Wii with their 7 year old son. He is now my best friend and his name is Cooper. We went back to Subway to help the girls clean for the night.

    Saturday, I was still sick so we didn't do much of anything. We had dinner with our investigator, Jay and he cooked us Salmon. We had our first discussion with him. Later that night we went to the basketball game and everyone was there! It was so packed! Went to Subway so see Dally again.

     Yesterday was an awesome day! Dally came to church and she love it! We went to 2nd ward and three of our investigators came! We taught the 16-17 year old class. After our dinner, we went to the Ririe Christmas Devotional and Dally came and she even brought her best friend who is not even a member! We went to Bishop Peterson's for the night where we played just dance and charades!

     I hope that you enjoy this email and hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas! Let us all remember the reason for this holiday season! I love you all and thank you for all you do for me! Until next time! God is Good!

                                                              Elder Browning

 

 

Well thought of in the Ririe Stake

Well hello everyone! This week was busy as usual. We basically had all the wards except one have their party this past week.

     Last Monday, we were in Rexburg with the Thayne elders and we spent the whole day there. We played basketball at the Rigby stake center with the rest of the zone. We had dinner in 2nd ward with Bishop Peterson and one of our investigators. We are going to start teaching him soon once his house gets a little more settled.

     Tuesday, we had Zone Training in Rigby. Everyone gave good training's and I continue to learn something new each time we have one. We had lunch at Los Albertos with the Thayne elders and then they went home. We just cleaned our house until dinner since we had our monthly inspection the next day. We had dinner in Clark ward with the other Bishop Peterson and they made us sandwiches and they were really good because it was a traditional meal. We first went the Rudy's wards Christmas party and the theme was "Polar Express". Everything was well decorated and a lot of the less actives came, which is really good! We then went to 3rd ward's party and one of our foreign exchange students came! After their party, Fredrika invited us to the Ririe High school basketball game. It was a little awkward being there as a missionary because there was a few people that were judging us, but we had a good time with her and everyone else that was there.

     Wednesday, we had our monthly inspection. We went over to Sy's house to start his new member lessons. He's not doing so well but still has a good spirit. We had to go to the old seminary building and tell the kids there why we came on a mission during this Christmas season. We headed off to Swan valley and went to dinner with a part member family. After dinner, we drove back to Ririe to teach our fourth lesson with Jack. We are going to go with him the the Idaho Falls Visitors Center with him this coming Thursday!

     Thursday, we went to go see Sy again and taught him the second new member lesson. We stayed in the house all day. Later that night, we went to the Clark ward's Christmas party and the theme was "Hawaiian". They made my companion and I do the 'Hula Dance' in front of every one and everybody kept cheering us on!

     Friday, was another slow day for us. We had transfer call that day and my companion and I are both staying in Ririe for at least another month! We went to 2nd ward's Christmas party. We shows the new Christmas video to the ward.

     Saturday, we went to lunch at the Darrington's and then we went to the Priesthood Session of the Ririe Stake Conference. Elder David S. Baxter from the quorum of the seventy was there and we got to sit up on the stand and he kept calling on us every five minutes! Our stake president invited my companion and I to eat dinner with his councilors, Elder Baxer and his wife. We then had the adult session of conference and that was really good.

     Sunday morning, we went over to the Cole's and made pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast. We then went to stake conference and Jack came with the Balls. Tristan Cole's, was ordained an elder after conference and he asked my companion and I if we could stand in his circle. It was such a spiritual experience for us and his whole family. We went to the Darrington's again and this time they had two foreign exchange students form Brazil and we talked with them about the Book of Mormon with them. One of them wants to learn more. We went the Cole's for the rest of the night and we got to talk via Skype with Carly's fiance. I gave Lexi a priesthood blessing and her brother anointed the oil for his first time. It was again a very spiritual experience for us and their family.

    I hope you enjoy this email. I bought a 'Selfie Stick' last Monday so all my photos are basically from the selfie stick! Remember the reason for this holiday season! God is Good! Until next time!

                                  Elder Browning

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE)