Snow Day

On Sunday night it snowed and snowed and snowed!! By Monday morning I was thinking to myself, "Please be a snow day! Please be a snow day! And guess what? We got a snow day! The kids where super excited to be out of school for the day. They shoveled our driveway and steps. And then they took off to spend the day at Stokes (their cousins). They had snowball fights and pulled each other around on their sleds. They had tons of fun in the snow. And mom got the quiet house to her self to sleep away her snow day. Fun was had by all!



Our first big snow fall of the year.
"I am a little pilgrim girl. I like to fish and play. I'll follow the little Indian boy. On his first turkey hunt today."
I forgot to post these pictures with my Thanksgiving pictures. Heidi's kindergarten classes had a little Thanksgiving program. Afterwards we had punch and pumpkin pie.

The entire kindergarten at Fruitland Elementary. About 150 students! They where dressed at pilrims, indians and turkeys. They sang songs and recited poems. It was about 15 minutes long. They did a great job!

Thanksgiving 2010

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Nampa. And celebrated it with the Stokes side of the family. Everyone was there except for Amberly and Jeron and their families. We had some delicious food. And a wonderful visit. It turned out to be a very nice Thanksgiving.
Dad, Mom, Kerry and Shalisa deep in conversation.
Kerry and Shalisa
Everyone hanging out waiting for the rest of dinner to arrive.
Kerry, Sarah, Cassandra, Jarrit, Adam and Allie
Mom carving the turkey
Kerry I love that smile!
Mom and Shalisa
What? You don't like my hat? Who says it's a purse?
New cars, a table and only a diaper on. Life doesn't get better than this!
Enjoying a little movie time on the computer.

Random Pictures I have taken lately

Elder Brown at the top of the mountain
Elder Brown
Tristan with Grandma and Grandpa Winegar
Karder and Jarrit
Tristan and Jarrit
Kerry's indoor soccer game. It is kind of dark. But you can still see him. I couldn't get a clear picture of him.

Grandpa Winegar

Elder Brown,
I hope you will forgive me. But I am going to post part of your letter I wrote you, into my blog. Because I think it best describes what is going on with Grandpa. I think it is important to journel the hard times as well as the good. Because the Lords hand is in all things.
Grandpa Winegar has had a problem swallowing for about a month now. He really struggles to eat and drink anything. So Grandma made an appointment for him to see the doctor. They went in last week and did a scope of his throat and took a piece of it so that they could biopsy it. The results came back as throat cancer. It is a very fast growing cancer. On Friday he went to Boise and had a Pet Scan done. This will show if it is any other organs or part of his body. His cancer is in the bottom portion of his esophagus, next to his stomach. However, the doctor didn't see anything in his stomach. But this scan will show his stomach, lungs, liver all those areas. We will have a better idea then how long he has. And what can be done for him. Grandpa is Grandpa though. He is a fighter. And he plans on fighting this. He just tells everyone that he wants it out. I am not sure with his age and his congestive heart failure what they are going to be able to do. He basically has 2 options if he is going to fight it. He can have surgery and take the cancer out. Or he can have radiation. Both of those options are very painful and have risk involved. Since the cancer is in his throat and fast growing every time they cut into that it spawns new cells and grows even faster. So the doctor is very hesitant to do that. And the radiation will burn really bad. It is very painful. But it could shrink the cancer, helping him to eat again. We will get the results back from that scan in another week or two. And then he will sit down with his doctor, the oncologist (cancer doctor) and the surgeon to decide what the best options will be. I will definitely keep you posted. But for now, Grandpa is in good spirits. He still has his sense of humor. The day the nurse called to give him instructions about his Pet scan, she told Grandma that he had to dress warm and not wear any metal for the scan. When Grandma told Grandpa that he said, "That means I can't wear my pocket knife?" Grandma said, "No you can't wear your pocket knife!" Grandpa said, "Well, how am I supposed to protect myself?" He is so funny! I love his dry sense of humor. It used to be that Grandma would sit on one side of the couch and Grandpa would sit on the other. Now everytime they are together they are sitting right next to each other, holding hands. They are so sweet. They have been married for 64 years. Grandma keeps saying she doesn't know how to live without Grandpa. He is her whole life. From the moment she wakes up every morning, until she goes to sleep at night, she takes care of Grandpas every need. So this is very hard for Grandma. I am just so glad that I am there with them every day. That I can spend that one on one time with them and help them as much as I can. That is a big blessing in my life. I think I have gone through just about every emotion with this. But I know that it is in the Lords hands. It is his will. It is just so hard to let them go. Grandpa and Grandma have been a huge part of my life. I don't think there will ever be a good time for them to leave this earth. But I know that I have a mother on the other side that is anxiously awaiting their arrival. That gives me alot of comfort having that knowledge. Yesterday Jeron and Heather and Amberly and Tyler came down to see them. So all 5 of us got together for lunch at Grandma and Grandpas. We spent the afternoon visiting. I think Grandpa really enjoyed that. We took a picture together. That is something that never happens. It is definitely one that I will cherish.

Cassandra's State Soccer Tournament

These are pictures of Cassandra's state soccer tournament in Twin Falls. This was her first game. They played Snake River. They lost by 1 point.


This was Fridays game. They played Filer. They won 7-0. Cassandra is the one in black kicking the ball. She made a goal during this game

Lining up to play their last game. They where playing for 5/6 place.
The last game was against Community School. It is a private school from Ketchum. It went into triple overtime. So they picked 5 girls from each team to take turns kicking the ball into the goal. Whoever had the most balls into the goal at the end, won the game. Cassandra was one of the girls chosen for her team. This is a picture of her shooting. Their team ended up loosing. But it was hard fought to the end. Cassandra did awesome!

Fall Sports

This was Tanners first year of playing football. He spent the season learning the sport. He was excited to finally get to play football.
This was Braxton's first year of playing soccer. He did a great job! He can run and run and run! He made a few goals this year for his team. Their team was undefeated.

At the beginning of the season, Tristan had to make a decision between soccer and football. He hates playing football. But he had never played soccer before. He didn't think he would like it. But after his first day of practice he loved it. He was the jv's goalie gaurd. Tristan found a new sport that he loves! He did a great job this season.

Cassandra started her soccer season as jv and varsity goalie. As well as goalie gaurd. Midway they put her in as forward for the varsity team. She did fantastic at that position. Their team won districts. Tomorrow they go to the State Tournament in Twin Falls. She will be their starting forward.

Cassandra's First Date

Cassandra turned 16 on September 22. She was asked out on her first date by Zane Sather. He is from Ontario. He asked her to go to Ontario's Homecoming dance. She was so excited. She was beautiful. And had a wonderful time on her first date.

Cassandra and Zane

Cassandra trying to pin on Zanes flowers.
When all else fails ask Mom to pin on the flowers. Only to find out that she is not any better at it.
Why is it so difficult to pin on flowers? I took forever. But Zane was very patient.

Letter from Elder Brown 9-27-2010

The room where he had is surgery
The table the Kent layed on to have his surgery.
The hospital where Kent had his surgery.

Hello Everyone,
Another week down and nothing to incredibly exciting has happened this week. Not that I can think of anyways. But I hung out in the house quite a bit this week, kind of. On Monday we did P day and i stayed around in the house. And Tuesday same, just kind of hung around in the house. It was Really boring and we dont have Air conditioning. And it is really stinking hot here! I have lost weight just sitting in the house haha!! Me and my companion were talking this week and we decided the only way you can get fat here is by bad genes and no way else. But anyways, I worked all day Wendsday and the rest of the week. I was tired of sitting in the house and so was my companion. But really the work was the same this week. I liked it a lot more this week because sitting in the house and studying 12 hours a day helps you get caught up on the gospel subject. Granted I am no were close where I want to be. But I am catching up. I read all of Jesus The Christ. And man that book if you havent read it I would suggest it. It really goes into the life of Christ and just the scriptures and everything it is a really good book. But anyways I really dont have a whole lot to write about this week. I guess the only real big news is that transfers were this week. And something happened that I didnt think would. I am staying a third transfer with my companion. Which he said never happens. Three with someone is very rare, I guess. And I am staying here in Sal probably for another at least two transfers. haha! So it should be great fun. But I feel bad for my Companion. He was so ready to leave because he has been here in Sal for 6 Months. And he was like there is no way I am staying another transfer. I have knocked every door. And I just dont know what I would do if I got put here another transfer. And we got the call from President and he told Elder Rosell you are staying one more with Elder Brown in Sal. And I thought Elder Rosell was going to die. Seven and a half months in one area!haha! And these areas are small. Theres only so much you can do. But that was all the exciting news this week though. That I am staying on Sal and probably will stay here for a couple more transfers.
But anyways, I dont know what else to write. I was very sad and yet happy to hear about Mr. Paridis. He is having a joyous reunion, I am sure, with his loved ones on the other side. I was reflecting a lot about Mr. Paridis these last couple of days. And just thinking about all the times we would go over there and knock on his front door and say my tire is flat. Or I need to put a new tire on my bike. Or I hit a tree stump in Grammys yard with the lawn mower, now the blade is bent. haha!! He was always there. I am very glad that you all went to his funeral. He was a great man. Almost like a Grandpa. But the awesome part about it is, we will see him again. What a great blessing the plan of salvation is. That we can live with our family and all of our loved ones once again. That after this life isnt the end but merly the beginning of our mission. That is why we must prepare to meet our Savior one day. And prepare everyday. I want to let you all know that I know that Families are forever. And are very important to your Father in Heaven. It is the greatest possesion we have on this earth. Because it is one of the only thing we can take with us after this life. So cherish your families. Love them, care for them, and most importantly serve them. Be the examples to them. Because I promise you that the path or direction you take in your life they will follow. But be joyous to know that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER. But I dont know what else to write besides I love you all. And will be more animated in my writing next week.
Love Elder Brown

A letter from Elder Brown

Our Missionary
A small army of Helamon
His first baptism
Doesn't he look awesome! He looks so happy!
Elder Brown's new ride
This looks like a little village
I think these are houses that people actually live in!
Baboon on the house
Hey Mom ya it has been a better week since the A.P.S left. Well kind of sort of! haha! On Thursday I was sitting there doing personal study and out of the corner of my eye I see someone at our door. It was President Neves. He made a surprise visit to our house. Our house was a filthy mess! Because the other two elders that live with me and Elder Rosell are very sloppy and dont clean up after themselves. It rained that night so our house was muddy and it was just a disaster. But luckily my room was clean. haha! But anyways he came and didnt say a word to us and went and sat down and we finished our personal study. And then probably the most emabarrasing thing that has ever happened to me in my life, President Neves said,"Cancel all your appointments until 6. Because can you honestly feel the spirit with your house like this. And he helped us clean our house. o man was i just in the upmost embarrasment. I wanted to go hide in a corner! Then we had an interview and President Neves is a cool guy. Man he made me feel loved and stupid at the same time. But he made me realize that what I did wasnt the best thing. And that I could have been more loving about the way i handled it. (Just a side note: Elder Brown had a run in with his A.P. last week. He kind of lost his temper with him. That is what he is talking about.) Then he said,"Elder Brown when I first saw you and even now, I see a strong leader. You had something I have never seen in a missionary before. That is when I wanted to go bang my head against the door. But it was all good. And I have learned from that mistake. And am trying to better myself from that.
This week has been a crappy week of sleep. For the first time in my mission I have woken up a half hour late two days in a row and not exercised. Not to be disobedient. But I have this really bad rash on my legs. That is eating away my skin. And it burns really bad and makes it so I cant sleep at night. The last 4 nights I have got a combined eight hours of sleep. So my tank has been running low and it stinks. I have had to sleep in that extra half hour or I would be miserable all day. I have put a ton of desitan and the things you put in the package on it. And it doesnt help at all. It is just getting worse and our nurse went home last week. So I am stuck until our new nurse comes which is next week. But it is like I told my companion, I am not going to their hospital here. It is nasty! I dont want Aids! I"ll take a picture of it and you will know why. haha!
One thing that was cool about this week is I got my first Baptisms. It was sweet! I got to baptize in the ocean and the water was magnificent!
Other then that we have been having really nasty weather. And hurricane season is coming. So that will be cool. If you dont hear from me it is probably because I am dead or something. (another side note: Someone should tell him he should never say those kind of things to his mother!)
But anyways love ya mom and will talk to you next week! Well I am glad to hear everything is well at home and thank you for everything in the package I loved it all! I feed the Flamming hot Cheetos to these African kids and they hate them because they dont eat hot things here. haha! but thank you so much!
Love you
Elder Brown