Disappointments and Delays

Right off the bat I have to say that Elder Holland wasn't able to make
it to our mission due to airplane delays. Super sad but we heard from
Elder Robbins from the presidency of the 70 who was on the eleven day
tour with Elder Holland. Here's how it went...

Elder Robbins
So we had been given specific strict instructions on where we were to
stand for the picture with the Brothern and how to act. As we waiting
for Elder Frost of the area 70, Elder Robbins and Elder Holland to
walk in with their wives, President told us the news that Elder
Holland had left for Salt Lake for business the day before and the
plane to come back was malfunctioning. We took the picture and shook
their hands as we walked into the chapel. We heard from the above
mentioned people, President Griffin and Elder Robbins gave outstanding
teachings. Elder Robbins started out by telling us that Satan tries to
disconnect points of doctrine I.e. The fall and the atonement, justice
and mercy, and where he focused- agency and Responsibility.
We came up as a group a list of ways people avoid responsibility and
learned that if we take responsibility, we'll be in charge of our
lives and every blessing available.
At the end of two and a half hours President Griffin came up to Elder
Robbins and showed him his computer. Elder Robbins then told us that
he was stalling, hoping that Elder Holland was going to walk through
the doors and surprise us but Elder Holland would be at the church an
hour later. So close. Incredible stalling though because those 2 1/2
felt like 30 minutes. He is a master teacher
Something President Griffin said stuck with me, disappointments end
and turn into great positive experiences. True true.

Lightning Storm
Saturday I went on exchanges with elder Young from Boise in his area
which meant biking! We helped a couple from Ireland organize their
house to prepare to go back for the summer time who invited us to stay
with them if we ever go to Ireland. In the early afternoon things
turned a wee bit crazy with some hard rain. As we were peddling as
hard as we could against the wind I took some time to reflect. This
week wasn't exactly what I had hoped for. I kept comparing my Spanish
against elder Sperry's, I didn't get to meet Elder Holland (we really
have to do something about our plane technology though), and our
lessons weren't going so smooth. Super frustrated but even though I
was drenched to the bone, muddy and covered in garbage from the road I
became so happy. I got a really good feeling that God was still there
and that he wasn't going to back out of his investment in me. This
week was one of the most difficult I've experienced but I feel like I
grew a little too. 'it's good for you' :)


"Sunday Will Come"
After all that happened, I was ready for fast Sunday to happen. We
arrived at the church building to find a potential investigator
sitting in the pews, named Gabriel. Unfortunately he lives in the
other Spanish ward in this stake but it was still cool to see some
dedication. Julio, Beatriz and their two girls came for all three
hours. No one can believe their not members yet. Right now it's just a
waiting game with them for the courts to clear their case and they can
be baptized. A 20 year old college student walked into a Sacrament
meeting and after translating for him we found out that he slept in
and missed his church so he walked around until he found the closest
Catholic Church. Good thing he didn't know what they look like so he
could find us. We set up a lesson for the sisters that cover the ysa
and we'll see where things go. Mayra also came and left 'jumbo' the
nickname for her ginormous 2 year old who's the size of a big 7 year
old at home with her husband which was the only reason she hadn't come
in the past. It felt like the clouds moved and people feel from the
sky

As far as Mother's Day goes, I'll call around 3pm our time soo 4pm
yours. Can't wait!

Elder Bryan
Arizona Phoenix Mission

After the storm comes the sunshine

First pic- L->R elders Young, 'Osai, Sperry, Me

Hello All!
We cranked out nine member present lessons even with a million
cancels. We had some setbacks in the fact that no one accepted
baptismal invitations. We did have a cool church tour with Krishna and
during it, Krishna kept looking away from us and it was a little
awkward. Afterward she texted us and told us she felt the spirit
really strong and felt a little guilty that she was enjoying the
Mormon church. However that didn't stop her from coming to church for
the first time. Success!

Jimmy Alvarez
Last year we were teaching Jimmy who was progressing super well. And
then we had a straight talk about getting married which wasn't a part
of the plans with his fiancé. He walked out of the church and we
thought we lost him forever. Fast forward to a month ago when Landon,
comp from then emailed me and said that Jimmy was working out in
Abudabi(?) but would skype lessons with the sisters in Verrado. Super
cool, Thursday Dionne and Jimmy got married and Friday, RM Nistler
took me to the baptism. Really really cool experience. One of my
favorite memories of this mission.

2. Nistler, Dionne, Jimmy, me

Transfer
Today we found out that not only Elder Sperry and I are staying for
another round but we'll also be covering all of the ward as well as
the YSA. First time covering a YSA but I'm pretty excited for the new
challenge. Our hope is that Elder Sperry and I stay here till we go
home and next transfer potentially pick up a third companion who can
take over when we leave. We're hopeful for this because Elder Anderson
my trainer did the same thing last year. Who knows but I absolutely
love this ward.

May 16, 2016

This week was cool

Monday night I went to bed early not feeling up to snuff and woke up
worse. The first day in a while where I had to stay in all day. I
thought I was going to get away with not getting sick this year. Elder
Sperry took one of the other elders and got everything done and at
dinner they dropped me off at a members so the English elders could
get back to their area while elder Sperry went on exchange with a
member. Really strange to wear pday clothes all day. The member is
notorious for trying to stuff just me with food and true to form, the
first thing he asked was if I wanted to eat. His son helped me escape
the soccer game that he was trying to get me to watch by inviting me
to crash on his bed. Tuesday will not be repeated as long as I'm a
missionary. Sooo long and all I want to do is teach.

On exchanges with the assistants we set a goal to find a new
investigator and the whole day it was trash as four lessons canceled
on us. The last lesson in the day the grandma who moved up from Mexico
came and decided to sit in our lesson. that was a really cool miracle
to see.

After Thursday we started to see progress. Krishna texted us that she
feels like the Book of Mormon is helping improve her life and she
wants to come to church next week. A member referred us to her
inactive sister who has three sons who all want to be baptized. It's
cool to see things happening after we got door after door of nothing

Sunday was a little interesting. A stake presidency counselor who used
to be the La Joya bishop many years ago came and gave a talk where he
declared repentance hardcore. It was really good because everyone
loves him and he did it in a very loving way.

Love y'all!