Mom and Dad,

Thank you for the letter and the picture! I am glad to see it. Even if my eyes are pretty much shut. Oh well. I am so glad to hear you enjoyed the Easter Pageant. I am a bit on the sad side that it is already over :( I want to share some experiences with you that I had the last night of the Pageant. 

Every night we have a  focus in the VC. The last night of the pageant it was Baptism. We were encouraged to bring it up in conversation or whenever we had the chance with those we talked to. It was probably one of the most spiritually uplifting nights I had at the Easter Pageant. In PMG there is a point that talks of how we begin our teaching as missionaries. This bullet says "•

 As you accept our message, you will learn how to make covenants, or promises, with God. You will learn how to make changes to bring your lives in closer harmony with His teachings. You will want to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and be baptized by proper authority (see John 3:5)." 

I thought a lot about this point as I talked to my brothers and sisters who entered the Visitors' Center that day. Nobody jumped up and down and begged to be baptized, but being able to testify that the message we have to share will ultimately lead one to have that desire to be baptized really strengthened my testimony of this work. The Savior has called all of us to be here on earth and invite people to learn of Christ. We do not need to be a full time missionary, but we do need to have a testimony of our own. I love the story in the Bible of how after Christ's death the apostles don't know what to do so they go back to fish. Finally when Christ comes to them again and tells them to "feed my sheep" they get it! We are all here to feed the people with the gospel. It can and does allow us to be full. [Maybe that is why I am staying so skinny ;) I am full all the time with the spirit that real food just does not seem to want to do anything..joke] 

Easter is about our Savior. I loved the chance to declare that to people. As a family growing up the whole bunny and candy thing was never that big of a deal for us, neither was the big Easter dinner. I thank you for that Mom and Dad. We were not focused on the silly things that people focus on, rather we were focused on our Savior and one another. You are such amazing examples to me. Thank you.

As for Jamesies letter thanks for sending it. Ill read it when I get home. I do have the chance to open pictures, so if you ever want to send them please do :) 

The investigator we came with on Friday to the Pageant has been coming to church for quite a while. He is waiting for that big answer to know if this is the correct church for him. He discussed how he may just end up taking the plunge and being baptized soon. He has wonderful support in the ward and amazing little grandkids who are the cutest things ever. I am pretty sure one of them has a pretty big crush on me. Its funny when we catch him watching me at church and following me around and such. Hopefully his answers to prayers will come, and he will be able to recognize them. That is one thing that is difficult for people to grasp is how these different answers come because they are so unique for each person. Personally I have felt the spirit answer my prayers in many different ways. When I prayed about the mission I never received a "do this or that" answer, rather I had to decide and then go in prayer and get that confirmation. I have also felt this tingling in my stomach regarding other answers to questions I have had while on the mission. Answers are different for each person, I just pray that he will be able to feel the answers as they come. 

I am so excited that this weekend coming up is conference weekend! I love conference!!! The spirit is always so strong when hearing the words of the prophets and apostles. I know that they are truly are men that receive revelation from God. You will have to watch and let me know what the favorite talks are and all the inspiration that was felt and such :) Yay for conference. 

Tell me about the work in the ward? Do you still have Elders? Sisters are going to be taking over the world soon if you haven't heard :) This next transfer (in 3 weeks) we are going to be getting 6VC sisters coming in!  That is going to be so amazing. I am not even sure how many other sisters we are will have but I am sure it will be a lot. This work is moving forward and it is so needed. 

Well family I love you all. I pray that you will have a fantastic week and ENJOY CONFERENCE! Try and invite somebody to come watch it with you :) Yay for member missionaries! Tell the extended family I love them as well. Update me with the new babies coming along soon when you get the chance. Hope all is well for Marissa and Tahnee.

Love you! and I am glad you enjoyed Bahama Bucks :)

Loves,

Sister Brownell