Email #38
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
Man this week has been crazy, but really really good! We had zone conference this past week and I always love those because we learn so much! My companion didn't like the fact that they sometimes have us role play and they video it so we can review it in front of the whole zone haha. It is pretty intimidating, but you learn a lot from it because its the only time really you get to see yourself teach. I think it always gives me a spiritual uplift because this past week we have seen some good success and feel more focused.
I don't know where to start with this week... well like I said, there was some good success this week and I know it is because of the Lord, no doubt about that! We have seen some pretty amazing miracles this past week! Also some pretty funny experiences! I hope I will have time to tell you about a few of them. So this week we found 5 New Investigators and they each one in some way told us that it they feel God truly did send us their way! One day early this week we were riding through a neighborhood to follow up with some potentials when I see this house that looks familiar. I wasn't sure if it was just a house that we knocked on a long time ago or what, but decided to knock on it because you never know. Well, a women answered the door (P....) and I remembered. This was someone who gave us a little bit of a hard time back when I first got here. However this time we got to talking and realized that the gospel is exactly what she has been looking for. She has had bad experiences with churches in the past, that is why last time she wasn't happy to see us. Sometime between now and then though, her heart has softened. She just has lost loved ones and is really wondering where God is in her life now. We shared the Plan of Salvation with her and as tears built up in her eyes, we testified that this truth has been restored through a Prophet of God and testified of the Restoration. We have a return appointment with her this week to follow up on her commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon!
Through the week, we continued to see miracles very similar to the one with P..... On Saturday following zone conference, we only had a few hours left in the day so we decided to go find our heart out! We went to the street we previously designed to go and for some reason or another decided to go to the street right across the way instead. Something told us that is where we needed to be. On the very first door that we knocked, a man named B.. answered. (Side note: I have been trying to help my companion have more confidence while finding, so I try to have him lead the conversation every other door. It was his turn!). The initial climate was a little shaky and he didn't seem to sure of what we wanted, but the spirit instructed to not give up. We directed the conversation to the Gospel and what we wanted to share with him and he said "yeah you can teach me right here right now". So as we taught, he agreed with everything that we testified of. He told us how he has gone to practically every single church except for ours. He told us how he has looked for truth, but everyone teaches different. We testified of the restoration of the truth. He accepted a Book of Mormon and said that he was going to start reading it right away! At the beginning of my mission I honestly didn't like going finding because a lot of the time while knocking on doors, there can be some negative experiences. My desire, especially in the past transfer or two, has changed! I want to go find God's children! I think this change of desire may be one reason God has helped me more to find his children.
Well I will save a little for Dad haha! love you!
-Elder Bryner
Excerpts from Dad's email:
Hey Dad!
Well this week was really good! I told mom a few stories and I have a few more for you:). Yeah F... is as always doing well, he said he is still praying on a date. I don't know what to do. He is the most prepared and most ready person I have ever seen for baptism!!! Just this past week, we went to a service project for a refugee center that our stake was participating in. Guess who we saw there! F... and his family! They were probably the only members in our ward there because it was late notice. So yeah, tonight we have a lesson with him and I just want to invite him to a date, but at the same time I don't want to push him because he is close anyway. Just plan on going by the spirit on this one. I want to be able to be there for the baptism honestly. I know it is selfish and I don't want that to effect anything, but still I hope that it will be when I am here so I can see it through!
Well I got one funny story and one miracle for ya. First with the funny one. So we were in the sisters area one day this week to follow up with some referrals and as we were walking through this set of units following up with like 10 people that lived there, we came crossed this dude who was just drunk as! So he called us over and we couldn't tell this dude was drunk until we started talking to him, but it was hilarious! He said "hey, I have a song that you guys can sing at church! I wrote it myself!" He then asked me to write it down so out of sympathy for this poor dude, I did. Now I would like to share this song with you if that would be okay. Idk what it all means so maybe you can figure it out. Let me know if you can:)
I see the while, pick my smile.
I haven't seen it, can you be in it.
The wildest is scorches, but I am approaches.
God is one, we are the front.
Time is raining, the time is gaining.
Lets run, if you can swim, don't fulfill your dream.
Life is breathe, is do or death.
Now is tries, the life is a guess.
He never seen it, but you will be in it.
As a human being
Yep so will definitely be singing that one at church! Anyway he asked us to come by when he isn't so tipsy and we can talk about God with him, so who knows, might go somewhere haha.
Now we also saw quite a few miracles this week. One day this week we were driving to the place we wanted to go finding and the GPS died on us. So we decided to just follow the spirit. We prayed and asked God to guide us every turn so we can find one of his children. So each turn, I turned each time the way that first came to mind, first prompting. We ended up at Golfers Av were on the second door we knocked on, we came crossed a man named A.... Now A... just got out of a coma recently. Him and his fiancé were preparing to get married when he over dossed on a medication and went into a coma. It was funny when he answered he thought that we were from the hospital and said "oh, didn't know you were coming today, come it'. So a bit confused we went inside but I had a really good feeling about it. We talked to him for a while and he told us how he believes in God but needs more. As well he told us how after his coma, he has had major trouble reading. The spirit really took hold during that lesson and in the end we promised that as he read the Book of Mormon, his reading would improve! Not only that, but he will find that the truth that has been restored would bless him, his fiancé, and their children. We look forward to seeing him as well. God really does know his children. He really does direct his servants to find those in their time of need! My testimony has grown a lot this past week and I am so grateful God has blessed me to see so many miracles!
Wish I could share more, but will have to wait.
Love you Dad! Have a good week!
October 29, 2017
October 22, 2017
Truth Never Changes!
Email #37
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
So yeah this week was pretty good, but I can tell it is still in a rut... Each day is different and has it's different experiences, but at the same time hear and see the same stuff quite a bit. My new companion has made things a lot more interesting that is for sure! Finding is pretty crack up now because he reminds me of myself when I first started out. I can tell now I am a little bit seasoned and have come a long way since when I first arrived hear and it is cool to see. Training has its challenges of coarse, but nothing I can't handle because the Lord blesses his servants. I am starting to notice that more and more as well.
Remember how I said finding has become a little more interesting lately? Well we have had some interesting experiences this week that I want to mention. So just a few days ago, we were door knocking for a few hours and we were off to our last door not seeing much success. Coming to the end of the street, I see that there is another locked gate ahead (I hate those). When we walked past, we just barely see a man walk out and sit down out front so we start talking to him and come to find that he isn't to into it. All of a sudden, a miracle happens! That very moment a WHITE DOVE descended right in between us and him and he says "Wow, never in my life have a seen something like that... That's a sign of peace.. you blessed me!" It was really crazy how fast his attitude changed. If you remember the story when Christ was Baptized, what descended as a sign? If that is not a sign for someone that we are the Lords servants, idk what is. He acknowledged all of this and you know what happened? He then told us he is not ready to change... It seriously reminded of me of Laman and Lemuel. Still we were really blessed to see something like that, because it helped show me that it isn't because of me that we see rejection! I have felt discouraged sometimes feeling that when we see rejection, it is because I didn't contact them right or say the right thing. However in a tender mercy, the Lord corrected my thinking. We are the Lords servants, this is a true fact! We speak the truth! Just because people say we are not or reject us, that does not change truth. Truth Never Changes!
Love you heaps Mom! Have a good week!
-Elder Bryner
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
So yeah this week was pretty good, but I can tell it is still in a rut... Each day is different and has it's different experiences, but at the same time hear and see the same stuff quite a bit. My new companion has made things a lot more interesting that is for sure! Finding is pretty crack up now because he reminds me of myself when I first started out. I can tell now I am a little bit seasoned and have come a long way since when I first arrived hear and it is cool to see. Training has its challenges of coarse, but nothing I can't handle because the Lord blesses his servants. I am starting to notice that more and more as well.
Remember how I said finding has become a little more interesting lately? Well we have had some interesting experiences this week that I want to mention. So just a few days ago, we were door knocking for a few hours and we were off to our last door not seeing much success. Coming to the end of the street, I see that there is another locked gate ahead (I hate those). When we walked past, we just barely see a man walk out and sit down out front so we start talking to him and come to find that he isn't to into it. All of a sudden, a miracle happens! That very moment a WHITE DOVE descended right in between us and him and he says "Wow, never in my life have a seen something like that... That's a sign of peace.. you blessed me!" It was really crazy how fast his attitude changed. If you remember the story when Christ was Baptized, what descended as a sign? If that is not a sign for someone that we are the Lords servants, idk what is. He acknowledged all of this and you know what happened? He then told us he is not ready to change... It seriously reminded of me of Laman and Lemuel. Still we were really blessed to see something like that, because it helped show me that it isn't because of me that we see rejection! I have felt discouraged sometimes feeling that when we see rejection, it is because I didn't contact them right or say the right thing. However in a tender mercy, the Lord corrected my thinking. We are the Lords servants, this is a true fact! We speak the truth! Just because people say we are not or reject us, that does not change truth. Truth Never Changes!
Love you heaps Mom! Have a good week!
-Elder Bryner
October 20, 2017
Text & Pictures from Brother Ken
Received text & pictures from Brother Ken from California Riverside Mission. We sent him a statue of Christ and a letter from Jaren. He is a wonderful man that watched over and took care of Jaren while he was in California.
Text:
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Just awesome! I knew Jaren was awesome the day I met him, but this... This comes from awesome parents. Thank you for making it happen. Cannot thank you enough! Maybe on one of my trips to SLC we'll meet. Thank you again for raising an awesome man!
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| "The most beautiful thing in my home is on the right. The most valuable thing to me is on the left!" |
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| "Looks awesome, huh!?!" |
Text:
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Just awesome! I knew Jaren was awesome the day I met him, but this... This comes from awesome parents. Thank you for making it happen. Cannot thank you enough! Maybe on one of my trips to SLC we'll meet. Thank you again for raising an awesome man!
October 15, 2017
New missionary presentation for the wards
Email #36
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
Hey Mom!
Thank you so much for sending all of that for me! I know it was a lot, so thank you!! I will keep an eye out for all of it! The camera works perfect, I have had no problems with it. Not really sure what to take pictures of anymore haha been in the same place for a long time. My companion is really cool! We get along really well he is just a quiet guy sometimes, but that's okay. He cracks me up though because most of the time he seems super confused on what is going on haha. I really just laugh a lot with him and a lot of the time he isn't trying to be funny, it's just the things he does is funny.
Well this week just flew by faster then ever! Heaps and heaps of meeting and running around everywhere. Didn't proselyte as much as I would have liked to, but the trips were interesting. So yesterday I went a little ways up north (about an hour drive up) to go and see a new member missionary presentation that the mission is trying to get in all the wards. I just went up to observe and figure out how to do this presentation for when it comes to my ward in a few weeks. It is actually a really cool program they have set up and it should help the ward heaps! So that was cool to see a little bit more of the mission and in reality it wasn't far up at all compared to how large the mission is. Some missionaries in other areas travel 5 hours by car between areas. Up in Darwin and Alice, they have to fly for transfers. Driving up there though was cool, because I didn't know they had 110 kph roads. Not sure how fast that is mph (68 mph), but it felt fast for here. The fastest I have gone before this was 60 kph and it's just slow as compared to home.
In the area, we have had 2 new investigators this week so the teaching pool changes a little bit. F... on the other hand has not had any coffee since last Sunday! We see them tonight for dinner and a lesson, so I'm not sure if he will have a date soon or not. Time will tell, but don't want to rush him into anything. He knows what he is working toward we just need a date haha.
Love ya Mom!
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
Hey Mom!
Thank you so much for sending all of that for me! I know it was a lot, so thank you!! I will keep an eye out for all of it! The camera works perfect, I have had no problems with it. Not really sure what to take pictures of anymore haha been in the same place for a long time. My companion is really cool! We get along really well he is just a quiet guy sometimes, but that's okay. He cracks me up though because most of the time he seems super confused on what is going on haha. I really just laugh a lot with him and a lot of the time he isn't trying to be funny, it's just the things he does is funny.
Well this week just flew by faster then ever! Heaps and heaps of meeting and running around everywhere. Didn't proselyte as much as I would have liked to, but the trips were interesting. So yesterday I went a little ways up north (about an hour drive up) to go and see a new member missionary presentation that the mission is trying to get in all the wards. I just went up to observe and figure out how to do this presentation for when it comes to my ward in a few weeks. It is actually a really cool program they have set up and it should help the ward heaps! So that was cool to see a little bit more of the mission and in reality it wasn't far up at all compared to how large the mission is. Some missionaries in other areas travel 5 hours by car between areas. Up in Darwin and Alice, they have to fly for transfers. Driving up there though was cool, because I didn't know they had 110 kph roads. Not sure how fast that is mph (68 mph), but it felt fast for here. The fastest I have gone before this was 60 kph and it's just slow as compared to home.
In the area, we have had 2 new investigators this week so the teaching pool changes a little bit. F... on the other hand has not had any coffee since last Sunday! We see them tonight for dinner and a lesson, so I'm not sure if he will have a date soon or not. Time will tell, but don't want to rush him into anything. He knows what he is working toward we just need a date haha.
Love ya Mom!
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| Monster lemon, Elder Touti in the background |
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| Elder Touti ready to eat |
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| Looks like pork chops and corn |
October 8, 2017
Teaching in analogies and parables
Email #35
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
B.... is pretty cool he just needs to fully commit and then a miracle can happen not the other way around. No, F...'s kids are not members, but his wife's are. The funny thing is that his son, J..., has been playing ball with us and F... told us last night that he is now thinking a lot about it as well. Maybe he will start investigating soon as well.
I loved conference! There was just so much and I will have to go back through and read my notes and compare to the talks later on. Elder Stevenson and Elder Ardon both were here a short time ago speaking with us and they both spoke in conference which was pretty cool! I really liked Elder Ardon's talk!(don't know if I spelled that right). I love the talent show idea! I have been wanting to set something up like that, but the ward here is not the best with activities and the sisters are already trying to set up something else.Yeah always busy and are doing something all the time. It is kind of hard to always have something to do when I sometimes would love a few min to relax, but I know why we can't. Two years are a short time in my life to do this, so I want to devote all my time I can to it. Even sacrifice P-day to do what we can.
So this week was full of meetings! We have arrivers training #2 for my companion, then conference, and district meeting and everything else... it was really cool though when we were over at the mission office, there was a kangaroo just jumping around everywhere around the church. It was a smaller one, but still was pretty cool. Seen a koala bear there, but this was the first time they ever have seen a kangaroo by the office. Also for the first time I am experiencing Australia's heat! Man it gets pretty warm here and it's going to get even hotter! Going to get everything I need today like sunscreen, hat, and everything else I need to survive the heat haha. Now that summer is approaching, I am able to experience more of what Australia has to offer and I am scared and excited at the same time.
Love you!
-Elder Bryner
Excerpts from Dad's email:
Hey Dad!
District Meeting was really good except President wasn't able to make it this time, but the assistance did. They gave me good improvements to work on haha and told me what I am doing well as well. We seem to always be doing that, giving improvements so that way we know what we need to do to move forward.
The week was a slow one work wise unfortunately, but it went by really quickly. The hard thing is now since I have been here so long I can't completely remember where we have gone and where we have not. Our area is huge and we have knocked all over. Starting to realize how long I have been here... I wonder if next transfer I will be here or not.
The real highlight as usual was last night over at the H......'s! We had a super spiritual lesson! Had a mini testimony meeting which was super powerful (brought the water works haha). Then we taught the doctrine of Obedience and Grace. I really enjoy teaching in analogies and parables to help people understand things like that. This is one of my favorite things to teach and yesterday was probably my favorite lesson. As for giving up coffee, he is truly trying! Today is supposed to be the day he 100 % gives it up! I have full faith in him! I still am a little hesitant to bring up the baptism question with him, because he knows. I feel that soon as he is ready (I hope next visit) the spirit will direct and we will put him on date for a weeks time. That's how fast it will probably be soon as he is on date. I really really hope I will be here to see it! It's in the Lord's hands I know, but still that is a huge reason I wanted to stay in Grange, to see him through. I will try to take pictures with them next time maybe so you can see who they are. Gave him some homework to look at. First a talk by Elder Holland called "Safety For The Soul" and also a book called "The Book of Mormon on Trial".
Sorry not to many stories for this week though. I wish I could tell you in more detail about the lesson yesterday, but I don't know how to in full to do it justice... that's the hard part about emailing.
Love ya
-Elder Bryner
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
B.... is pretty cool he just needs to fully commit and then a miracle can happen not the other way around. No, F...'s kids are not members, but his wife's are. The funny thing is that his son, J..., has been playing ball with us and F... told us last night that he is now thinking a lot about it as well. Maybe he will start investigating soon as well.
I loved conference! There was just so much and I will have to go back through and read my notes and compare to the talks later on. Elder Stevenson and Elder Ardon both were here a short time ago speaking with us and they both spoke in conference which was pretty cool! I really liked Elder Ardon's talk!(don't know if I spelled that right). I love the talent show idea! I have been wanting to set something up like that, but the ward here is not the best with activities and the sisters are already trying to set up something else.Yeah always busy and are doing something all the time. It is kind of hard to always have something to do when I sometimes would love a few min to relax, but I know why we can't. Two years are a short time in my life to do this, so I want to devote all my time I can to it. Even sacrifice P-day to do what we can.
So this week was full of meetings! We have arrivers training #2 for my companion, then conference, and district meeting and everything else... it was really cool though when we were over at the mission office, there was a kangaroo just jumping around everywhere around the church. It was a smaller one, but still was pretty cool. Seen a koala bear there, but this was the first time they ever have seen a kangaroo by the office. Also for the first time I am experiencing Australia's heat! Man it gets pretty warm here and it's going to get even hotter! Going to get everything I need today like sunscreen, hat, and everything else I need to survive the heat haha. Now that summer is approaching, I am able to experience more of what Australia has to offer and I am scared and excited at the same time.
Love you!
-Elder Bryner
Excerpts from Dad's email:
Hey Dad!
District Meeting was really good except President wasn't able to make it this time, but the assistance did. They gave me good improvements to work on haha and told me what I am doing well as well. We seem to always be doing that, giving improvements so that way we know what we need to do to move forward.
The week was a slow one work wise unfortunately, but it went by really quickly. The hard thing is now since I have been here so long I can't completely remember where we have gone and where we have not. Our area is huge and we have knocked all over. Starting to realize how long I have been here... I wonder if next transfer I will be here or not.
The real highlight as usual was last night over at the H......'s! We had a super spiritual lesson! Had a mini testimony meeting which was super powerful (brought the water works haha). Then we taught the doctrine of Obedience and Grace. I really enjoy teaching in analogies and parables to help people understand things like that. This is one of my favorite things to teach and yesterday was probably my favorite lesson. As for giving up coffee, he is truly trying! Today is supposed to be the day he 100 % gives it up! I have full faith in him! I still am a little hesitant to bring up the baptism question with him, because he knows. I feel that soon as he is ready (I hope next visit) the spirit will direct and we will put him on date for a weeks time. That's how fast it will probably be soon as he is on date. I really really hope I will be here to see it! It's in the Lord's hands I know, but still that is a huge reason I wanted to stay in Grange, to see him through. I will try to take pictures with them next time maybe so you can see who they are. Gave him some homework to look at. First a talk by Elder Holland called "Safety For The Soul" and also a book called "The Book of Mormon on Trial".
Sorry not to many stories for this week though. I wish I could tell you in more detail about the lesson yesterday, but I don't know how to in full to do it justice... that's the hard part about emailing.
Love ya
-Elder Bryner
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| Kangaroo in the church grounds |
October 2, 2017
Training Elder Touti, Referral from God method
Email #34
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
Hey Mom!
This week went pretty quick for me like most weeks. That's so weird that they are moving out. Still don't fully believe it. Yeah send pics! My new companion is pretty cool, but he is pretty quiet so far. He slowly is figuring things out though and opening up a little bit more day by day. His name is Elder Touti from Samoa! He is teaching me some Samoan, so I'm learning a more of the language. I learned a little in California, but just basics. Everything here is super different to him. Especially the food I guess. Typically Samoans can eat heaps, but he doesn't eat much at all, I eat more then him haha. He is pretty cool though, still can't believe that I am training again. Pretty crazy and the pressure is real! I don't really worry about it anymore or get overwhelmed since I am used to it now, but I was noticing the other day just how busy I am and how many responsibilities I have. Don't really have a moment in the day haha. I was talking to another missionary the other day and he was talking about how he thinks President will be calling me as a Zone Leader soon... Haha that would be crazy, because then I would be even more busy then I am now, which is hard to believe. It's all a good experience though for sure! I feel like training is the most rewarding for sure, but also the most difficult. My last companion was pretty prepared, but I have a feeling this time around will be a little tougher. We get along super great though!
This week was pretty exciting as well! Really didn't have a moment to spare, didn't even have time to go finding 3 hours everyday (which we are supposed to do). Played catch up, because I was out of our area for a few days. We now have 3 on date, all of which are this month. The new one is B.... S...., who has been investigating for about a year now. A year ago he was close to being baptized, but then a week before, he got hit by a car and was then in the hospital for 9 months (tore his legs off...). He is in a wheel chair now and has ulcers on his legs and the nurses say he can't be submerged in water until they go away. Well this last lesson we had with him, we watched a video about a man named John Tanner. Watch it! It is really good, LDS.org! There is a part that shows how he was healed by his faith! After the video, we talked to him about how this same power can apply to him now! He then asked for a blessing and a member, Brother Gabehart, gave him an amazing blessing. Very powerful! We then put him on date for Oct 29. We are praying for a miracle now! It's all in the Lord's hands.
Did I tell you about the referral from God method? It's something new that we have been trying. As well, the BLITZ idea is now going mission wide and we did a training on it to all the leaders, so they could apply it in their districts and zones. Now the Referral from God is something new. It's a way of finding where to go finding instead of knocking random doors. I did a training on it last week and we went from an average of 3 new investigators a week as a district to now this past week we had 9 total. Just yesterday, we had 5 new in a single day. It's all about putting our faith in God and using revelation to find those he has prepared. It's actually been pretty cool!
Love ya Mom!
-Elder Bryner
Excerpts from Dad's email:
Hey Dad!
So the way conference works over here is we see it a week late. We will be watching it this coming Saturday and Sunday. Idk why they do it that way, but that's how they do it. Investigators are all doing okay, some much better then others. As always, F... is doing super well! Man I am getting anxious with him, because he is just soooooo close!!! I love his family so much and always look forward to seeing them every week!
Yesterday was pretty cool! We went and played basketball with our investigator T.. and we invited F... as well. He ended up bringing his two sons who are really cool as well. Pretty dang good at basketball too!!! That was cool, then last night we had dinner with the H.....'s and a lesson with F... afterward. His daughter L..... has started sitting in on the lessons a while back, but now during some of it, F...'s boys sat in. We talked to him after and he told us about how he keeps getting offered free coffee at work and all these things, but he is resisting it all! He only has the one cup in the morning. He was talking to a work mate who has quit coffee and he gave him this alternative that taste just like it. The best part is this week he thinks he will give it up completely! Not much farther to go! After that, all he has to do is set a date and go through with it. Month of October is all I know. Even then though, we are letting it all be up to him! He got a little pressured last week by a member and that's never good. Doesn't seem like it bothered him to much though so all goods. Next lesson is on Sunday. Stay tuned:)
I'm loving the mission field! It really has flown by for me and it continues to go fast. It's pretty crazy. Not sure what lies ahead, but I look forward to everyday. Like I said before, I may never have an investigator again like F..., so I look forward to seeing his family every week. We have started going to members homes to talk to them about missionary work and how we can help the ward. A lot of them sure feel that the ward needs a change. They said years back they used to be like a family and had social events, but now not really. It's definitely a good ward don't get me wrong, but there is a lot to improve. Many of the members were complaining about it and how they want it to change so our goal is to instead of complaining about it, fix it. To take action and take the steps to repent and change. We explained to them that that is the way repentance works. So we have already set up a weekly sports night on Friday night for all those that can attend. It would be good for many of our investigators as well, because many love sports. A lot of the ward is elderly as well, so we talked about how we want to do other activities that can be done simply and weekly. Board game night, chess, things like that. The members seemed to like the ideas, now we just have to help them come together and actually take action. That's the hard part, but we are going to do it. Then we talked to them about Applying the Referral from God method for streets around their area. Then they give us the streets, we knock those streets, then we report back. We'll see how it goes.
I found out that tomorrow in district meeting, President Parker and the Assistance are attending... Should be cool haha, but a little nervous as expected. Wish me luck!
Love you Dad!
-Elder Bryner
Area: Grange area of the Firle Zone
Companion: Elder Touti
Excerpts from Mom's email:
Hey Mom!
This week went pretty quick for me like most weeks. That's so weird that they are moving out. Still don't fully believe it. Yeah send pics! My new companion is pretty cool, but he is pretty quiet so far. He slowly is figuring things out though and opening up a little bit more day by day. His name is Elder Touti from Samoa! He is teaching me some Samoan, so I'm learning a more of the language. I learned a little in California, but just basics. Everything here is super different to him. Especially the food I guess. Typically Samoans can eat heaps, but he doesn't eat much at all, I eat more then him haha. He is pretty cool though, still can't believe that I am training again. Pretty crazy and the pressure is real! I don't really worry about it anymore or get overwhelmed since I am used to it now, but I was noticing the other day just how busy I am and how many responsibilities I have. Don't really have a moment in the day haha. I was talking to another missionary the other day and he was talking about how he thinks President will be calling me as a Zone Leader soon... Haha that would be crazy, because then I would be even more busy then I am now, which is hard to believe. It's all a good experience though for sure! I feel like training is the most rewarding for sure, but also the most difficult. My last companion was pretty prepared, but I have a feeling this time around will be a little tougher. We get along super great though!
This week was pretty exciting as well! Really didn't have a moment to spare, didn't even have time to go finding 3 hours everyday (which we are supposed to do). Played catch up, because I was out of our area for a few days. We now have 3 on date, all of which are this month. The new one is B.... S...., who has been investigating for about a year now. A year ago he was close to being baptized, but then a week before, he got hit by a car and was then in the hospital for 9 months (tore his legs off...). He is in a wheel chair now and has ulcers on his legs and the nurses say he can't be submerged in water until they go away. Well this last lesson we had with him, we watched a video about a man named John Tanner. Watch it! It is really good, LDS.org! There is a part that shows how he was healed by his faith! After the video, we talked to him about how this same power can apply to him now! He then asked for a blessing and a member, Brother Gabehart, gave him an amazing blessing. Very powerful! We then put him on date for Oct 29. We are praying for a miracle now! It's all in the Lord's hands.
Did I tell you about the referral from God method? It's something new that we have been trying. As well, the BLITZ idea is now going mission wide and we did a training on it to all the leaders, so they could apply it in their districts and zones. Now the Referral from God is something new. It's a way of finding where to go finding instead of knocking random doors. I did a training on it last week and we went from an average of 3 new investigators a week as a district to now this past week we had 9 total. Just yesterday, we had 5 new in a single day. It's all about putting our faith in God and using revelation to find those he has prepared. It's actually been pretty cool!
Love ya Mom!
-Elder Bryner
Excerpts from Dad's email:
Hey Dad!
So the way conference works over here is we see it a week late. We will be watching it this coming Saturday and Sunday. Idk why they do it that way, but that's how they do it. Investigators are all doing okay, some much better then others. As always, F... is doing super well! Man I am getting anxious with him, because he is just soooooo close!!! I love his family so much and always look forward to seeing them every week!
Yesterday was pretty cool! We went and played basketball with our investigator T.. and we invited F... as well. He ended up bringing his two sons who are really cool as well. Pretty dang good at basketball too!!! That was cool, then last night we had dinner with the H.....'s and a lesson with F... afterward. His daughter L..... has started sitting in on the lessons a while back, but now during some of it, F...'s boys sat in. We talked to him after and he told us about how he keeps getting offered free coffee at work and all these things, but he is resisting it all! He only has the one cup in the morning. He was talking to a work mate who has quit coffee and he gave him this alternative that taste just like it. The best part is this week he thinks he will give it up completely! Not much farther to go! After that, all he has to do is set a date and go through with it. Month of October is all I know. Even then though, we are letting it all be up to him! He got a little pressured last week by a member and that's never good. Doesn't seem like it bothered him to much though so all goods. Next lesson is on Sunday. Stay tuned:)
I'm loving the mission field! It really has flown by for me and it continues to go fast. It's pretty crazy. Not sure what lies ahead, but I look forward to everyday. Like I said before, I may never have an investigator again like F..., so I look forward to seeing his family every week. We have started going to members homes to talk to them about missionary work and how we can help the ward. A lot of them sure feel that the ward needs a change. They said years back they used to be like a family and had social events, but now not really. It's definitely a good ward don't get me wrong, but there is a lot to improve. Many of the members were complaining about it and how they want it to change so our goal is to instead of complaining about it, fix it. To take action and take the steps to repent and change. We explained to them that that is the way repentance works. So we have already set up a weekly sports night on Friday night for all those that can attend. It would be good for many of our investigators as well, because many love sports. A lot of the ward is elderly as well, so we talked about how we want to do other activities that can be done simply and weekly. Board game night, chess, things like that. The members seemed to like the ideas, now we just have to help them come together and actually take action. That's the hard part, but we are going to do it. Then we talked to them about Applying the Referral from God method for streets around their area. Then they give us the streets, we knock those streets, then we report back. We'll see how it goes.
I found out that tomorrow in district meeting, President Parker and the Assistance are attending... Should be cool haha, but a little nervous as expected. Wish me luck!
Love you Dad!
-Elder Bryner
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