**I had Elder Brown write this post in his own words.**

Hello everyone. This is Elder Derek Brown. Yes, you read that right: Elder. For the past year, I’ve been on a service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and it has definitely been a challenge, an experience, and tons of fun.

When I first received my call back in March of last year, I never realized just what I was getting myself into. Partially because of just how little I understood about everything about Service Missions. They are definitely different than the missions I’ve heard and read about. Most of my knowledge was about Teaching Missions, where missionaries go around knocking on peoples’ doors to ask to share messages of the gospel. Service Missions, on the other hand, focus more on spreading the gospel through actions instead of words.

Over the past year, I had been spending most of my time going around to different places in the wonderful city of San Antonio, helping out at various different Church and Non-profit organizations. These places include the Animal Shelter, the Bishop’s Storehouse, a place that builds beds for kids called Sleep In Heavenly Peace, and even the San Antonio Temple. I’ve met some wonderful people through helping at all these places, and it’s been awesome.

But just because I was a Service Missionary, it didn’t mean I wasn’t able to go out and do some teaching. In fact, I’ve gotten plenty of chances to go out and teach with the Elders in my ward. I’ve loved getting to help teach people who are investigating my church and getting to share my thoughts and testimony with them.

Plus, the Service Mission Zone has introduced me to some awesome people in the form of my fellow Elders and Sisters. Over this first year, I’ve gotten to spend time with many of these awesome people who are also around my age in serving around San Antonio. Some of them were complete strangers to me at first, while others I actually knew well. But they are all amazing and very spiritual. I’ve learned a lot from them.

I’ve loved this first year of my mission. While it is strange to be living at home while going about doing the work of the Lord, it has been a wonderful experience and has blessed me significantly. And it’s been fun. I’m really looking forward to this last year of my mission. I’m really excited to do more work for the Lord, and I’m ready to face whatever challenges come my way. See you all around!