Hey y'all! For starters Happy Memorial day everyone! I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating. I am so grateful for those who have served our country, thank you!
This week was so awesome!! We had zone conference which is the best thing ever. Zone Conference is a time when all the missionaries in Lubbock get together and learn together how we can better improve and become better representatives of Jesus Christ. I learned so much on how I can improve, myself so I can help the work further progress. I am grateful for the leaders I have who are inspired to teach us. That day was also Sister Bergeson 15 month mark, so we had to go get ice cream to celebrate.
I also got to see one of my best friends Nikko! I found Nikko about a month ago on campus. When he asked me if I was a believer I said yes, and then he proceeded to ask me if I could help him be baptized. I of course said YES!! Well we had a first lesson and he was older than 30 so we had to give him to another set of elders who have been taking good care of him. I even saw him on campus one day and he was so excited to tell me he was getting baptized on June 1st. Since moving areas I am in the same district as the elders that teach him, so I get lots of updates in our district councils. One night we were accounting and the elders asked how we were and we said awesome. They then proceeded to tell us we were not about to be so awesome anymore. I was very sad and asked what was up. They said that our friend Nikko no longer wanted to be baptized and wanted to stop meeting. One of the elders persuaded him to meet one more time and he accepted. My heart was broken into a million pieces when I heard that. I knew that he had a desire to follow Jesus Christ so what was holding him back. The elders said Sister Browning will you please come to our lesson tomorrow. I was so excited and said yes. The next day I prayed in might mighty prayer and asked Heavenly Father to help me know what he needed to say to Nikko through me! The next day we saw Nikko in the Tech library. I was so excited to see him and I could see a change in his countenance since the last time I had seen him. He seemed happier. I asked him how he was and a few other things. He told me he didn't want to be baptized anymore. The spirit just took over at that point. I was able to bear testimony to him that we have a Heavenly Father who loves him so much. I shared, 3 Nephi 9:14 "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me" I told him to continue meeting with the elders. They will be the ones to help him follow Jesus Christ. He agreed and said he will continue to meet with them. My heart was relieved. I prayed and thanked my Heavenly Father after that experience to share his love with Nikko. I know that whatever happens with Nikko is in God's plan for him.
Missions are hard and there are a lot of trials that come with them. One of the hardest things I think on a mission is when people who you have come to love so dearly decide they no longer want to meet. You know how much this Gospel can bless their lives and we are freely giving it to them and they are not taking it. Though missions can be hard, they are also the best thing ever! I can not describe to you all the happiness that can come from sharing the Book of Mormon or seeing someone enter into the waters of baptism. Everything is so worth it. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ was the perfect missionary and perfect example. I am so grateful I have been able to represent him for the past 11 months of my life. I can not wait to continue. I love you all so much. I know that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God. It can bring so much peace and happiness in your lives. I know this because it has done that for my life. If you have not read it in a while or read it at all. I invite you to. I PROMISE you will not regret it. I love you all! Have a great week!
-Love Sister Browning
