"First Down"

Elder Terry Brayden Workman:  

Wow what a week!  So after I hung up the phone with y’all on Wednesday I felt a great deal of sadness that the time was so limited. I instantly miss y’all and wanted to tell you how much I loved you all over again. So tuff but I love it. I have finally shed a tear about how much I miss you all! I miss my puppy sleeping next to me. 

So the flight was ruff. Lots of turbulence, which scares me. The only thing that made me normal was the amazingly cute baby in front of me that just kept smiling and laughing. The lady said he was 7 weeks old, but dang cute! So flight was ruff but I guess that is normal for a smaller plane. We landed and I got all my stuff and all the sisters stuff and we all sat by the airport terminal waiting for the Young’s to arrive. When we saw them they were so happy to see us. There were about 18 new missionaries with us; 7 of us are boys, or men, which ever you prefer. We then started the trek to the church, which was like only 20 minutes. And they gave us interviews and fed us and told us what to expect and had us write home. I dunno all this boring stuff.  The greatest part was eating and getting our companions. But first when I waked in to meet with President Young he said he coached with Coach M at Olympus. And he told me he had the strongest feeling ever and knew who to make my companion be. With the others he said he had to pray hahah! Anyways I got put with Elder M. Awesome awesome man. He is younger than me but I definitely feel like he is older. He is 19 and has been out for 6 months. So spiritually strong and obedient. I love it. Also he knows and loves to cook. And because I haven’t had any money he has paid for me for a few things. I really need my wallet, which leads me to remember... I didn’t even notice my wallet was gone till 2 hours after we arrived. So I said a quick prayer and asked for help. And didn’t worry. I knew God would help me figure it out. So amazing. (I still haven’t got my wallet yet though) Sister Young told me all about the amazing story. I was like I knew God would work it out. 

So the first thing we did as a companionship was go door to door and practice door approaches. So difficult. You would think it would be easy buts its totally not. We didn’t get back to our apt till 9:45 that night. We don’t have a car. We share with the sisters they get it any 5 days a week and we get it 2. So we mostly ride our bikes around. My bike is great. It’s a mountain bike, which makes it hard on the roads, but I manage. Eugene is very hilly and kind of sucks at the big old gut of Grizz. But I suck it up and keep riding... very slowly. I feel bad for Elder M but he is so nice and kind to me. 

Our second day we had the car and dropped off my boxed up bike at a bike shop so they could assemble it. They did it all for free. And on our way out we met this homeless man who said he has been praying to God to find us. Such a miracle. We invited him to church if he was around, he knew so much about the gospel. It was legit. Such a blessing and made me way happy to be a missionary. I have already witnessed so many miracles. I have already used the priesthood power of God and have given a blessing to a guy living in his truck who has been in much pain. Elder M and I believe that he has a tumor or cancer. Another way cool experience; we met a guy at a rock shop, who knew a lot about Mormons. We gave him a Book of Mormon and talked rocks for a bit than continued on our way. 

We have dinner almost every night of the week at someone’s house. At least 4 times a week. Last night it was the J family and they are so awesome. Gave us so much food to take home. I love the members here. They are all so kind and nice. Our ward has like a total of 50 people who are mostly old people. Lots of inactive members or less active. We helped a family move on Saturday. It was so nice to get out and do service for someone. I loved it. We had 2 big semi looking trucks to fill and we packed them to the brim. It was great. 

Right now we are teaching 2 amazing x-convicts. They both have amazing testimonies!! I love them. In fact one said he wasn’t going to watch the super bowl because he wanted to keep the Sabbath day holy. And he loves football. Such amazingness.

I love being a missionary, it can get super awkward though. We talked to a whole group of people who were totally drunk in the park. They were drinking in front of us and spitting all over us when they talked. One guy was telling me he believes in remote dreams and how I should too. It was super weird. They were all high too. Crazy drugs here.

I’m super sad my Bronco’s lost. It’s weird because I knew that’s how it would be. We were in a members home and they were watching it, I looked at the screen for like 10 seconds of the first quarter and it was 3rd and 8 and Manning threw an interception. Guess that’s God telling me to get to work. I’m way glad I didn’t have to watch the whole game. Actually super glad I didn’t haha. So I guess God blessed me again.     

This gospel is so amazing. I love the church. I’m so sad I took it for granted when I was home. And the BOM; so many amazing things are said in it. I wish I had more time to read them here. I have taken advantage of the amazingness of the scriptures. They bring so much joy for me right now.

Sorry for the randomness of this letter so much I want to say but such little time. Any who, I love it here. I know I’m supposed to be here. God has truly blessed and watched out for me. I love you all!!

Love you dad!! Oh venture leader is great dad!!! YOULL BE GREAT AT THAT!!   

I love you so much Mommy you’re amazing. !! I love all the hidden notes you made me. They bring me to tears!! I want more. I want a hand written letters from you!!  I miss you so much!! Yours are best!! Thanks for being so kind and loving mommy. I sure do love and miss you!! Thank you for mailing my wallet. I am being me. Yeppers that’s all I’ll ever be :)