We have like 15 people with baptismal dates for the next month. We will probably be getting at least 7ish baptisms. They always say if you want to baptize one person you got to have 2 with date. We have hope for 9 of them but we will see how it goes. Really I've learned a lot from the 2 1/2 weeks I've been with Elder Steren. These principles really will help me for the rest of my mission. I'm really excited for the good that I will be able to do. I have been blessed to be put here in this mission at this time. It also however is a greater responsibility as well.

I really got to tell you a cool lesson I learned this week. I've been thinking a lot about what Elder Taylor taught me which is we need to consecrate ourselves to God (scriptural references from Jesus Christ "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" I've been thinking a lot about it, and really what we have to do is give our "hearts" to God, but then I realized, I've been trying more to take things out of my heart and put God in my heart, but that isn't what God asks. He asks us to give him our "hearts". The sacrifice being the sacrifice of "a broken heart and a contrite spirit." God doesn't want us to take everything we love or like out of our hearts, he just wants us to take our hearts (and all that they contain) and give them to him. We don't end up actually giving up anything that we love (unless our desires are bad) but what we say is that "we acknowledge that you know best. what you tell me, I will do". Scriptural reference in the Joseph Smith translation of that same verse in the bible. "He that is willing to lose his life for my sake shall find it." (go go go Joseph) So yeah thats the gem of knowledge from this week. Well I really have gone over time now, but know that I love you tons and will talk to you next week.

Love you tons!

Elder Brown

Questions:
1. How did you get 12 people with baptism dates already? Were they already being taught or are you guys just that good?
Well things are really good, it's actually really easy when your companion is willing to work hard.

2. Are you on foot? How do you get around in this new area?
Pretty much everywhere in the mission is on foot, I think there's 4 bikes in the whole mission

3. Do you have a Paraguayan Family in the new area yet? How are the members there?
No not really, not yet at least. The members are super great.