Hey Family!

So our allotment didn't come in today, we won't be able to get money until tomorrow so I've got to make my email time short and sweet! Don't sweat though, we've got cash for emails and then we've got plenty of food at the house, and don't need travel money until Wednesday- we're still living the good life at home because of our budgeting and the leftover money from last week is gonna really help out today and tomorrow. It's a beautiful day in the city! No long johns, just a suit coat needed and springs really coming on now. We had a spring jump rope competition this morning (none of the double dutch business, just endurance) that our mission doctor set up and it felt good to get out and move! Since Elder Amgalan none of my companions have been runners- so jumping ropes been the alternative, but I stunk. I took first in the Elders division today, did 3,087 in the 20 minute time frame- so that was cool to see some improvement! But to answer the "matters of business:"

No baptism last Friday, but I did baptize our Sister's investigator. Friday is the big day! Our investigator Bayarmunx is getting baptized. Elder Zolthbayar and I met with him the first week we began working together and now he's getting baptized! 15 years old, going to early morning seminary, mutual, and that has made a huge difference in his preparation for baptism, I'll be sending you some pictures next week. The pictures are all on the memory card and I can view them, but the don't show in the memory card's folder- so that means the cards good and the pictures aren't lost. I backed them up a month or so ago, but I'll have to do that again soon. I'm using the other memory card for now and I'll send some of the pictures I took this last week. We haven't had any effects of the tsunami here and since we don't watch the news I get all my information from talking with people. Then the file player for the clip you sent aren't on these computers here (was it Quicktime, or Flash?), anyways, no luck on Skyguy's video. I just found out that the USB ports at this internet center have been disabled, but we're going to the Bayanzurkh office after and I'll send pictures from there. Send some pictures my way too ya?

So to close, a couple of experiences from the week. First, I played the Bayanzurkh 5 year old chess champion, a little girl named Enkhchimeg, and lost! I stink! We met at a member's house to teach their cousin the first lesson and while we were waiting for him to come they challenged me to try and beat their daughter at chess. I've never been big at chess and not a confidence booster for sure. Their cousin Batbaatar arrived and we had an amazing lesson thanks to the power of the Holy Ghost. I have noticed the influence and power of the Spirit in our work especially this week! Our investigator Eegii brought his friend Baukaa to meet with us and we began answering his questions about God. He told us straight up that he was not interested in meeting with us and only came because he heard that Eegii was meeting with an American and wanted an English speaking person to practice with. Our first meeting was all over the board, our time was short, and every time we began sharing he would ask another question, about God, Christianity, Science, lots of stuff. I left knowing that he needed to hear the message of the Restoration! But he agreed to meet with us again, and so the next time we asked that before we answer his questions that we could share our message with him. During the lesson I prayed that he would feel the Spirit from this message and that we would be blessed to "speak with boldness." It was, from my Mongolian speaking point of view, a lesson that I would've taught 2 or 3 months ago, but the Spirit was there and that's all that mattered. I saw that seed of faith beginning to grow in someone who was sure this was going to be a waste of time. I was so grateful for the power of the message that we share and it's simple truths that apply to every walk of life! Later that night (Saturday) we met with Batbaatar, who I wrote about at first.

As of this morning, my group became the "old American" Elders. Elder Davis and Pickett, and about 18 other missionaries, had their fireside last night. When we arrived in Mongolia Elder Cardinal, Davis, and Pickett gave us our orientation and would be leaving in 9 months, now we'll be orienting the new American Elders in May with a year left. Time's flying by way too quickly! This morning I read an amazing scripture that I would like to share with you, Moses 7:62. It talks about the power of the Book of Mormon. In PMG it also states (in Chapter 5) that we should use the Book of Mormon to answer any questions or concerns regarding an investigator and the Restored Gospel. That same power is available to us as members, but I don't think we use it like we could! So, this week, in meetings I've taught or in lessons, I've been trying to look for examples that I could use from the Book of Mormon and I haven't been disappointed yet. Elder McConkie, in last Octobers Conference, said it is against the order of heaven for God to give us revelation that He has already revealed (bad quotation) and that we need to use the incredible blessing of the scriptures that God has revealed to us through His prophets. So, I challenge you all this week, with all of your questions and concerns, to first trust in God's promise and seek an answer from the scriptures! Time's up, but I love you guys, 6 weeks (not that anyone's counting right?)!

Elder Jolley

Extra little somethin' we received yesterday...

Dear Sister Jolley,

I just got to hug your handsome son about 10 days ago when my husband and I were in Ulaanbataar. We are Wheelchair Missionaries with LDS Charities. I had a long visit with your darling missionary and it made me feel like I was hugging my own son who is currently serving in Edmonton, Canada. Your boy is almost EXACTLY the same age as my son and even went to the MTC just one week after my son went last June. He also told me he had been a swimmer in High School and I told him our son had been a swimmer for Davis High for four years! Your boy is almost exactly the same height and build as our son as well, so it did my heart good to give him a great big bear hug. I told him I was giving him an OFFICIAL MOM HUG so I could report that to you. He is so great and appears to be thriving well in Mongolia. His language skills are excellent and he is terrific with the people. His new comp is still pretty green and shy, but Elder Jolley is so upbeat and positive. Everyone loves your son so much.

Anway, I just wanted you to know how fun it was for me to meet Elder Jolley and that he is GREAT!!!!!

All my love,

Sister Gaye Brown

Elder Kim and Sister Gaye Brown
LDS Charities Wheelchair Initiative Missionaries
http://kimbrownfam.blogspot.com

Canada Edmonton Mission
Elder Mitch Brown
http://missionarymitch.blogspot.com

Elder Jolley with Sister Brown

Elder Jolley and Elder and Sister Brown at the church building