Floods, Mystery Lessons and a hike to Vulture Peak Two weeks worth

July 20th 2015

Salome

This week we went to Salome twice, on Monday-Tuesday and Saturday
morning. We helped Saturday a lady who had had her furniture stolen
and hid at a airplane hanger which was recovered by Bro Erekson, that
"enforcer guy". As we were bringing the things inside her husband who
is Native American got really interested and invited us back when we
return from vacation this next week. I've learned that either native
Americans are super nice and wanting to learn or very set in their
traditions. This one, "Chief" as he calls himself, is the first.
Looking forward to seeing him when they come back.

Flood

Saturday after we helped a member unload some hay it started to
drizzle. The member told us we had two seconds to get to our truck
before we got drenched. I laughed it off, counted to two out loud and
then heavy rain immediately hit us. I didn't know how serious this
stuff was. One of the washes got blocked so the water ran into a
smaller, less used wash. This caused some crazy flooding. We got stuck
because the road leading up to our house was blocked by this river
that wasn't there before and a small accident before it. Driving in
the snow in Utah did help me know how to maneuver. Water is
impressive.

The funny thing is that every third Sunday in the branch, they have a
luncheon for the high councilor who comes out after church. I got the
lucky straw and had a very delicious lunch while Elder Vidal got just
sacrament meeting in Wickenburg and then went for 5 hours to help
clean up the mess. And he had the phone which meant I couldn't reach
him (I had the number written down but a Small child ate it) so I had
a really good chat with bro Evans while we waited.

Cassie

We got a call from a part member lady who had been taking the
discussions for almost 3 years, on and off. She was wanting to see if
she could be baptized the same day as her son. It's pretty cool to get
a baptismal date drop into your lap. It goes to show that the
missionaries aren't the converting power, it's the spirit.

Hope all is well!

Love,
Elder Bryan




July 28, 2015

Just got transfer news, Elder Vidal will be leaving Wickenburg. I'm
going to miss my Peruvian buddy, I've learned more Spanish in these 6 weeks
than I thought possible.

This morning before studies we hiked Vulture Peak with Julian, who's
getting ready to finish his mission papers as our guide. Vulture Peak
is the tallest point for miles and you can see it from most of our
area. It's an awesome view and was a great change of exercise. Check
that off my list. Besides that this week was spiritually packed.
Here's what happened...

Mystery Lesson
Last Saturday we had this lesson scheduled after dinner in Congress
with a member family neither of us knew of or who scheduled the
lesson. We went anyway to figure it out and man it was very cool. It's
a retired couple who are taking care of his dad while his health
deteriorates. Dad and son are members but less active. When we arrived
it seemed a little hostile but after we shared a scripture things
worked out. 'Dad' had to be taken to his room as his chest pain kicked
up which made the couple get emotional. The son told us our visit was
inspired because he's been wanting to return to activity but hasn't
had the push to actually make it. We ended up giving him a blessing of
comfort and the sacrament was brought over for him and his dad the
next day. I may never know how that lesson got scheduled, but I'm glad
we were able to be where God needed us.

Cassie
We continue the fast paced lessons with Cassie. It's weird teaching
someone who's been taught many times over and helps her husband teach
primary. Not complaining though. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and the Laws and Ordinances lessons combined last night in about 10
minutes. Mainly it was, "what do you understand about this?" And then
her response. It also helps when you use 3rd Nephi 27:19-21 as a base
to go from. This gospel is simple enough a child can understand. It
was meant to be that way.

Ryan
After reading in Preach my Gospel to see what we could do to help Ryan
in his conversion, it came to me that we should sit down and read out
of the Book of Mormon with him. We read 3 Nephi 11 and it was what we
needed. We could see the importance of this book starting to hit him
as we read of Christ's appearance to the Nephites. "Growing up
Christian," he said, "you only get the one side. It's crazy to think
there's this whole side to the story. But I mean, where did He go when
he died?"
Reading with him helped me remember the importance of the Book of
Mormon. It truly is the key.

Have a good week! Do something nice for somebody, once a day.
Elder Bryan

Elder Vidal discovers pancakes

This week was busy here in dusty Wickenburg. I think I've adjusted to
the place, I felt at home this week instead of just a visitor.
At the beginning of the week a member was telling Elder Vidal about
the different types of food we have in America that he should try. One
of them was pancakes. Tuesday morning we shoveled through our food
supply to find out that we indeed had pancake mix. I taught him how to
get it nice and delicious and we had a great time. Unfortunately of
you teach a mouse how to get cookies, he'll be making a dozen a day.
Elder Vidal does keep a handle on how many pancakes he makes each time
but I think this pancake diet I've unknowingly started isn't good for
my cholesterol... and other big words I don't know the meaning to. I'm
going to find a way to hide 'Aunt Jemima' for a season.

Heather's Baptism

Heather got baptized! After going through a 'finding a team for
Ragnar' like experience with the baptismal program, when it got time
to perform the ordinance it went very smoothly. All of her children
and mom-who I guess lives here in Wickenburg, were able to be there.
Heather was a ball of energy from Thursday when we had dinner with
them to Sunday after she was confirmed. It's such a cool thing to see
the fire in someone that wasn't there before.

Ryan & Stevan

We've been trying to help Ryan and her boyfriend Stevan figure out a
marital situation and on Saturday we sat down to see what they came up
with. Halfway through I asked what it actually would take to marry a
couple (I obviously have zero experience). We figured out the
important things: dress, rings, and a certificate deal-io. It seemed
like this was going to be a long process to get them to the "I do's"
until Ryan instructed Stevan to get something out of a box in the
closet. Lo and behold a marriage certificate, just waiting for some
signatures. Elder Vidal got super excited, "Well, let's do it right
now!" I thought that was a brilliant idea, until I realized I didn't
know what our rules were on elders marrying people. We postponed till
we could figure out the necessary steps.
At church we identified people who could help us out with what we
needed, especially the bishop to get interview them this Wednesday
before he marries them. Now elder Bryan knows rules and procedures on
getting a couple hitched. Just a little learned, every day.

This next week will be zone conferences with the mission president.
I'm looking forward to that, it's always a boost of energy to my
system.

Love,
Elder Bryan

Monsoon season and Happy Fourth of July!

July 6, 2015

Storm cloud rolling forward

Last Monday as we started out at 6 we saw this huge dust storm rolling towards us. And then it hit. Whoo! Monsoon season is here and early which is cool. I had heard Arizona was the 2nd state for lightning, now I see why. Almost every afternoon this week it would get dusty, lightning followed by heavy rain almost to the point of flooding and some more lightning. Most of the time after a few hours it could clear up again and be super hot and everything would dry up. Where am I?

The branch
This Friday after dinner we made the trip out to the Wenden branch, my first time. We had short contacts with members in Aguila, Wenden, Salome, Hope, and almost out to Brenda. Wow, I thought Wickenburg was the wild west. Nah Wickenburg is more like the Disneyland version
built on what once was a western gold mining town but those other places still have that "showdown at 11:45 cuz the ol' clock got stuck at that time" vibe.

Sheffler's Motel

We stayed the night at the Sheffler's Motel, an awesome place owned by the branch president and wife. They're the salt of the earth, hard working people. It's funny how those kind of people can be anywhere, even the middle of nowhere.

The funny thing about the branch is that during the winter time it could almost be a full-fledged ward, the downside is they all leave during the summer. Or die. jk about that last part...kind of. It makes things interesting because some people leave their records here or never bring them. The first counselor, who is also the "enforcer" of Salome, has been going around trying to nab some of these desert dwellers. He's a really funny guy, when you're on his side. I got to see why he's called the enforcer Saturday Morning when we saw him clean throw a man out of shack who wasn't paying his rent. This man is almost 70. I guess that was another important lesson to not go into debt, especially out here.

Right now the branch is 13 people, including me, and the two stake assigned senior couple. Every sunday we trade off going to the branch with Bro. &Sis. Evans and this week was my turn. It was really cool, everyone there really wanted to be there and in the small building you
could feel the same strong spirit that you might get any other big ward. Brother "enforcer" crying through testimonies and all. It was reaffirming to me that the church is the church, wherever
you are. I love the Wenden branch, they live the 'church is a family'.

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July full of watermelon and free
of singed fingers.

Love,
Elder Bryan

P.S. Hey here's a specific blessing of our family moving around all the time.

Sister Evans was feeling down about being here instead of her home back in Logan where they lived for much of their life. That day she met me and found out I used to live just down the road from both brother Evans home in Nibley (down the road by Bobs) and theirs in Hyrum. She felt that was Gods way of saying everything's alright, I sent you someone from your home. She bore her testimony of that In the branch this Sunday.

Thought you might like that.

Love you Mom!

Sweating Popsicles!

June 29,  2015

Grandpa Bryan would love Wickenburg. It's a cowboy town for sure,
complete with gold mining days in February, maybe I'll be here then :)
Full of wild animals as well: jackrabbits, quail, snakes, and
scorpions are all over out here. There's a couple people who promise
to cook us up a good scorpion one of these days. We'll see what that's
like, from what they've said it's pretty good.

It's been hot, Sunday was full of porch lessons and appointments. The
sun was unforgiving. To make a illustration, imagine someone putting a
hose over my head. Needless to say we made a short pit stop at home
before dinner.

Heather
In the last lesson we had with her we asked the baptismal questions
again, set up the interview and set a temple date to do baptisms for
the dead. She was so excited and told us how she's already been doing
her family history and has found some names for when she goes. She'd
be a perfect new convert but there's one hang up- she's moving out of
our area, by 50 feet. Kind of a bummer but the other ward will take
care of her, that's what matters most.

Translating
This Sunday, it figured out that elder Vidal would go to the branch
and I stay. It was weird not being with my companion for half of the
day and translating kicked my brain. The talks were all about the
forth of July. Unfortunately I never read the "US holidays" section of
my Spanish books, well, ok so they don't have that section but I was
really wishing there was. Translating poems and the national anthem
into Spanish probably turned out like a Picasso piece but it seemed
like they got the jest of the theme. A reminder to put all I have into
the language study every day. Elder Vidal is teaching me the peruvian
words which is really cool, their Spanish is clearer and makes more
sense. I've realized some of the things I've heard were English but
with a Spanish slur to it, truck-a and the like. Spanish on!

Brenda
One morning we received a call from a member about this older lady in
Congress who collects all sorts of things and then donates them to
local churches and sells some so she can get more. The member told us
she usually brings a trailer up there every week and takes it to the
DI in Surprise but couldn't this week. I wasn't sure what exactly to
expect when we started up the road. We pulled up to her place and
woah, this huge garage/shed bigger than great grandpa Bryan's sat in
front of us, full of anything and everything. Brenda is such a cool
character. We quickly filled our truck with the boxes of clothes and
as invited, we took a mini tour of the place. Every Thursday night she
pushes the racks of clothes to the side and teaches line dance classes
to the community. This is on top of taking care of her terminally sick
husband. I've met some powerhouse people on the mission and for some
reason they seem to be the most booked, overburdened, and most caring.
She asked us to come back next week to pick up another load and
explain a little about our church. The many examples of righteous
living of her friends after years and years has lead her to this
point. It might take some time but she's already heading in the right
direction.

I asked Brenda if I could take a picture with her and she agreed. She
threw her arm around me like an old friend. I didn't feel like it'd be
a good idea to jump away or whatever, so that's why my arms around her
too. Yeah I'm probably the worst missionary ever but I was panicking.
You mom, might be the only one to see the fear in my eyes. Haha

 

Stay cool!
Love,
Elder Bryan



June  22, 2015


It's been quite an experience here in Wickenburg this past week. For
starters Elder Vidal is awesome. He's only been out 6 months but his
English is really good, we've tried to balance talking in Spanish and
English as equally as possible so we both grow. I guess a rumor got
spread somewhere down the line that an Argentine was coming to this
area. Most everyone I've met do a triple take. The first is that I'm
not elder Garcia, who was here for 13 months. The second is that I'm
white and not Argentinian, followed by a suspicion of doubt, "maybe he
really is Argentinian". Then I talk and yep he's a gringo. Wickenburg
is a very tight knit cowboy town, Congress is more like Tonopah, lots
of people who don't like have too many people around them. And
somewhere to the west is Wendon where we have a branch.

Friday we had dinner with an elderly member in the retirement
community where her and another member live. It was such a treat to
"hang" with the old people and see what it was like on the other side
of life. I met sister Carter who was 95 and was really kicking. She
talked my ear off about all these cool spiritual experiences she had.
When we were walking out of the dining room area she was fast. So fast
that even tall guy (me) had to stretch my stride to keep up with her.
Blew my mind how sharp someone could be.

For church we stayed here in Wickenburg so we could get to know more
people. Elder Vidal has only been here for a transfer and didn't get
to know a lot of the members (vacations, etc). Since there's a group
that meets with the ward for sacrament meeting and then splits for
separate classes, missionaries translate the first hour through
headphones. I guess I didn't understand Elder Vidal on Wednesday
because when we were finished setting up the equipment he gave me the
headset and left to talk to our investigators who came. Woah I am
supposed to translate? Wait hold up, this isn't the language they
taught me in the mtc!?! After a very heartfelt prayer, the meeting
started, the Spanish members looked at me, and boom, I translated.
Yeah I stumbled on some words (scout camp, stake business's words, and
what the hymn was in Spanish) but I did it. Even the returned
missionary who gave his testimony in Portugese.

On Thursday, Duolingo (Spanish learning app) kicked me out and I
couldn't remember my password. As I made a new account I made the
mistake and put my primary language as Spanish. Of course I wasn't
going to learn English from Spanish that's goofy so I picked
Portugese. It was easier than I thought and had been studying it the
rest of the week. So when the testimony in Portugese came, I felt a
little *God loves you* kind of kick and man, it was the easiest part
to translate. Now I don't know if all that was for me, but
I do know how good I felt and confident in the power of faith and
prayer. My testimony of how real this whole thing really is was
strengthened.

As Dad would always quote, "the time passed away with us, and also our
lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream". I feel it to be
more true now then ever.

Love,
Elder Bryan


P.S. Remember when I made that title about the gross fake ice cream made
out of marshmallows? Here's a picture elder Smith sent. I was sick for
most of the day and couldn't finish.

Pretend ice cream that's really marshmallows is nasty

Hey gang!

This week was zone meeting and Quarterly interviews with President Griffin. I love interviews, that one on one time is pretty cool. 

I can't believe its June. Time really has flown. Elders Brown and Perkes from when I first got here go home this next week. Elder Perkes has been in Buckeye for a year and two months minus a week where he got transferred and emergency transferred back to the other side of Buckeye. Its a weird thing when missionaries that you've spent a lot of time with go home. It reminds me of how short these two years are. I don't want to waste a minute. I love being a missionary! It's such a testimony that this church is God's. Who in their right mind would ask the youth to teach the gospel to adults? I can tell that the words are coming from the holy ghost. I'm simply not capable to do everything we do as missionaries, but with the help from God we can do what needs to be done. 

The work is going great here in the branch and the ward. I sent a picture of Elder Smith and I on top of a mountain or in Utah terms, a hill, with the ward mission plan "#PrayInvite" that we posted on the ward facebook page. I don't know why I keep getting these missionary letters complaining about having an ipad. I think they're awesome, we're more effective in reaching out to our members with this extra tool and of course if the leaders of the church didn't think it'd be a good idea then we wouldn't have them. One of the older single member of our ward expressed her gratitude for all of the posts that the members have been taking with our signs because she now gets to know the families of the ward better. 

It's been very rewarding to see the change in people's lives that have happened in my time here. The branch is focusing on reactivating families and so far we're three for three, one of the three just got sealed in the temple and the son is going to Villahermosa, Mexico this Wednesday for his mission.

I don't remember where all dad served in El Salvador but I keep meeting people from there these past few weeks. This sunday we went to a new move in spanish members dinner with half of the branch. Papusas(?) are sooo good. The family, Paredes, agreed to teach us how to make them. Yay!

I had a thought come to me a few days ago as I was studying the scriptures. Sometimes I thought that missionaries were these supermen and women who could do anything. What I've realized is that I am still me, I can't cut hair,  but I do the simple "primary answers"-pray with intent, study the scriptures, go to church, and be a good boy. Living the gospel isn't hard, life is hard. I enjoy helping people find the light they've been searching for-even the members who forget. 

Love,

Elder Bryan

#prayinvite

June 1, 2015

The thermostat doesn't lie, it's picking up heat down here in the
desert valley! At least I don't have to worry about freezing right?

We were asked to give the 5th Sunday, 3rd hour lesson
about the new ward mission plan we created, "#PrayInvite". Pray for
guidance and courage, then invite someone to anything at all. Even
active members. Crazy simple, easy, and doable. It's cool to see the
ward as a family hop on board and Elder Smith and I have already seen
the mindset starting to shift. Missionary work isn't a chore nor
should it be. In a place like Verrado I've learned that we have to
work with the members or nothing productive will get done. Even though
we've only have had 7 family home evenings, I can already see the
difference it's making and how it'll help missionary work in the long
run.

Something Elder Smith and I have been trying is Tajin with fruit like
we saw it in the MTC. Super delicious, now we're hooked. It's very
nice having a companion who you share food with because we now eat
healthy, feeling full, and we have money left over at the end of the
month.

The Barreto's son came home from his mission in Morristown, New Jersey
this week (told me he knew Heather, small world). It's really weird
because I've been looking at his missionary plaque since October and
never thought I would be here when he returned. He was a really good
missionary from the look of things. It was good talking to him about
his experiences. Sister Barreto is kind of the coolest ever. I'm happy
she sent a video to Mom, I mean who wouldn't want a surprise video of
this kid? jk.

Love,
Elder Bryan




May 18, 2015

This week was wonderfully cool. We've been saved by a lot of clouds and some rainstorms-very rare this time of year. I'll take it though. One of our big goals was to get Elder Smith to meet every member as well as to roll out a ward mission plan or "theme". Even though we had fewer lessons, we've set up a great foundation to build on. 

Our focus is to change the mentality of the ward that in order to do missionary work you have to pass out copies of the Book of Mormon to everyone, invite neighbors over to dinner and conveniently invite the missionaries over at the same time without either party knowing the other will be there (least favorite moments as a missionary, even I don't want to be there!), or shout from a mountaintop(or Facebook) your testimony. Its much easier and natural than that! How much more meaningful would it be if you had friends over for dinner (without the missionaries, unless you've warned them and asked if it'd be ok with them. Please) had a pray over the food, then...you were yourselves. If people felt comfortable around us then they could ask their real questions that they really want to know about. The gospel conversation would come up wither you planned it or not. I can't believe it's taken so long for me to understand this. Even after conferences talks on the subject of being a member instead of forcing yourself to be a missionary. I've noticed that my teaching has improved as I've shifted over to being more "Chase, with a message". I'm learning! 

I love being here, working closely with members and teaching people every day.

We started teaching a couple that the hermanas of the ward were working with until they moved into our area. They've recently moved from Venezuela and are really cool. They understand the gospel and the importance of having it in their lives, they just feel like they need more time till they are baptized. I love it when people are honest with us because they're most likely honest with God. It's much easier to teach someone who has concerns when they tell you instead of just us talking. Very enjoyable to work through a doubt with someone and help them understand it rather than to just give them the answer. I'm glad people took the time with me as well. Thanks everyone!

Till next time,

Elder Bryan

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Tomorrow is transfers and we got the news that Elder Nistler will be
leaving. It's fitting that this last week we had together was a rocking
week.

*Update
Elder Bryan has a new companion , Elder Smith from Ogden 

Densfords
We were able to have Kadin, a spiritual giant who's preparing to go on
a mission, come with us to a lesson with the Densford family who had a
wonderful relationship with missionaries 15 years ago in Alaska. They
respect and defend the church which is really cool to see from someone
not of our faith. I hope I would do the same for others and their
beliefs. It's also interesting that 15 years ago the missionaries
couldn't have known what they were impacting for so much later.
At our lesson Kadin offered to take Caleb and Emma, the two kids, to church and the to the fireside that night. It's awesome to have members who take the initiative and friendship investigators outside
of the lesson.

Swanns
With the baptismal date set for the 30th for the three boys and brother Swann planning on baptizing them it's fun to have lessons because their all on board and so involved, asking questions andsoaking it all in. One of my favorite families I've met here so far,
brother Swann has the driest humor around, probably due to the landscape we have here, and every time when we're both over at the
Randalls, everyone ends up busting up.

Social Media Fireside 
After all the planning, the fireside happened! President Juchau of the mission presidency spent the whole day with us, all of the teachers of the breakout sessions were ready, and the refreshments were laid out all delicately-very important.

To challenge ourselves a little, we found out right before we started, that one of the presenters decided to use an old defective MacBook instead of their iPad. We scrambled the three projector rooms to make it work. It made me appreciative of the planning we had put into it instead of just winging it. Also was nice was having brother Randall say a break the ice comment as I fumbled alone in front of everyone as the video wouldn't play. Everyone needs a wing man and companions.

Happy cinco de mayo!! And Feliz Cumpleaños Mama!!
Love,
Elder Bryan