Super Bowl Missionary

Whew! What a week! Tuesday, was Brayden’s birthday, Wednesday he flew out of the SLC airport to the Oregon Eugene Mission! What an adventure. Brayden sounded so positive, happy and ready on the phone. He is nervous to be a “REAL MISSIONARY” but looking forward to a different bed and food.  We received a phone call at about 9:00  Wednesday night that Brayden had arrived in Eugene. He will be serving with Elder M (*photo) from Idaho. Elder M has been out for about six months, is a track star and 6’4”! President Young told us they instantly hit it off and are going to work wonders right in the Eugene area. Sister Young then got on the phone to tell us their miracle. Brayden lost his wallet on the plane. (The day before he went into the MTC he lost it as well… we found it at the dr.’s office. It was wedged in a chair in the packed waiting room)  Sister Young said that the miracle was that someone had found it and they are in our stake and bringing it to our house tonight. A couple of hours later Wednesday night, a gentleman came to the door, told us he lives just a couple of blocks from us. He then told us that Brayden’s wallet had flown all over the USA. There were four more stops after Eugene and the plane was cleaned after each flight. However, the wallet wasn’t discovered until they arrived back in SLC… wedged in a seat… and discovered by our “neighbor”. President Young confirmed to us, once again, that The Lord does indeed protect His missionaries. (*photo with President and Sister Young… I figure they went alphabetically and by the time they got to the W’s they were exhausted) Since it’s the Super Bowl, I had some of Brayden’s coach’s and one team mate write to him. The letter I wrote was all about the football field being just like the mission field.  I am including the letter at the end of his email. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

MOM ! I absolutely loved this so much! I love your relations to football and the mission field! this week has been so crazy and exciting! I have loved it so much! again I have been given many opportunities to give blessing and to recieve one for myself. which I’ll get to later. This week started out like any Monday. so tired and you don’t want to do anything and its hard to have strength and I was sad because I wouldn’t be spending time with my family on my birthday. That has been really hard for me to get a hold of. Monday was also the last day that we met with our real atheist investigator. We got him to pray which was awesome. Its so hard to teach and I’m nervous for the real deal. But I know with the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, directed by God he can help me with anything.  

So now to the main story of awesome conversion. So this last Sunday night after our  devotional, which was amazing, I was having doubts on if God had truly forgiven me and I was having a rough go at it. We were sitting in our room not doing anything; we were supposed to be studying, when I just felt like I needed to have a serious talk with my Father in Heaven. So I prayed to God the longest pleading prayer I have ever prayed and asked him to forgive me and if he had done so.  I asked him to make it known unto me that I would receive it through reading my scriptures.  So I said amen and instantly open my scriptures to a random page in D&C 82:1, which reads. 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have ^aforgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.  I was so shocked at the answer I received that I didn’t even believe it. I asked my companions for a blessing of comfort. Deep down inside I was begging God to help my companion be connected to the Holy Ghost. I was pleading with him that my companion, who is new to blessings, would be able to hear the words of The Lord and tell them to me. As my companions struggled to say the right words at the beginning of the blessing I was worried that they would give the blessing wrong and I would not receive my answer. I was saddened. When the blessing had started off my companion seemed nervous, but soon I found that his words became strengthened and I knew that he was speaking the words of God that I needed to hear. My companion who has only ever given one blessing in his life was bearing the spirit and was an instrument in the lords hands effectively listened to the promptings and told me to stop bearing the weight of the cross of Jesus on my back, and he had already paid for my previous sins. he than proceeded to tell me that the adversary dwells in dark places, and to always keep the light of God in my life which is also inD&C 82:5,   5 Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth;   Now tell me this folks, how could my companion say exactly what the scriptures were saying when I was the only one who read this before the blessing. How could he know to say these things when he didn’t know what I was going through? It was only through the true power of God our eternal father in heaven. My heart was instantly full of love and gratitude. My soul had lifted into the air as I knew that God truly loved and cared for me. He had answered my prayers. he had given me a response and my heart was full. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know that we bear the correct authority and keys of the priesthood. I am beyond grateful for my father in heaven and his love that he has shared and shown me. what an amazing day and blessing that was! 

OK so back to reality. Family so your reading in Mosiah... my favorite book!!! Read chapters 4-5 both of em. In one night. and every 3 verses stop and ponder what you read and say it out loud to each other. you learn so much better that way. Ask God when you highlight something, "what is he trying to tell me here"? Its so much fun. I love it!! 

So as yall know it’s my B day today!  I actually didn’t even realize till the sisters in my branch and district said happy birthday to me at breakfast.  So I get to go to the temple later!  Last night, Monday night, my companions and I were in our class room drawing my little ponies. Don’t ask why we were doing this, but we were pretty bored and stressed out. It’s my comps favorite thing to draw… It was about seven and we decided we would wait for the sisters to get to our class room so I could share the amazing pumpkin cookies my mommy made with them. By the way mom that was amazing!!!! My face lit up when I saw the huge package. Love all of the football analogies in it. Love all the party supplies and decorations. Seriously this has been the best birthday ever !!! Also I love the flat white and green lambo, yall gave me!!! so sick! I have it now in front of me. Anyways back to the story, we waited forever and ever and after an hour an a half my companions wanted to go back to the room and sleep and I was like no.. We have district study in 20 minutes lets just wait.  Right as we were getting ready to leave our classroom, we heard something at the door, when all of a sudden 20 people, everyone in my branch and district come barging in the room singing happy birthday! haha I was smilin so big ! They had put a ribbon around a thing of nacho cheese sauce and for some reason sister H had a candle with her and it was lit on top of the nacho sauce and they had me blow it out and gave me a bag of chips to go with the cheese. It was incredible and I have never felt so loved! I was totally in shock, for I had not expected this at all. My branch and district are amazing people! Love them all. will say though this is definitely a rehab place for my addiction to cheese. I miss is dearly and so does my tummy. 

Anyways this has been the best two weeks of my life and I know that the best is about to start. I have so many things I want to write; Sandra thank you so much for the donuts!! I shared them with my whole district, and I used your highlighting pencils to mark D&C 82:1 :) and everything else. To my second mom Katharine, thank you for the love and support of your family. Thank you so much for keeping me in your prayers and sending me letters of love and kindness. I appreciate them so much! To the best coach and quarter backI have ever had. Your letters about football and life made me cry. So good to hear from you and as I write this there is a tear rolling down my cheek in gratitude and love for you both. (and Coach G) And to my amazing family. Dad thank you for always encouraging me to be the best I can. Thank you for bringing joy into my life. MOM YOU ARE SO AMAZING! Thank you for going out of your way to make sure my days here in the MTC have been the best. I also shared the doughnuts you gave me with my branch and they all said they love you so much. This experience has been the best. Connor and Ryley. We’re the three best friends that anyone could have. A wolf pack. Dudes I miss you so much. Sincerely. I really do.  I still haven’t written Meg I feel so bad. gotta go for now peps. I love everyone of you and appreciate all the kindness!! 

Elder Workman  ( yea that’s right Peyton, I’m  copying you )

LETTERS: (to mommy's little missionaries... Hermana and Elder Workman) Life, and mission life, really is like a big, huge football game. (not an expert on mission life, I’m  aware J) At this time of your lives, you are both on the playing field.  Both hitting the turf with of your feet planted squarely in the gospel. 

 Many early mornings, days and nights, through rain, sweat, smiles and tears have been spent as dad and I sat in the bleachers on the sidelines of your games. While, YOU were the one out on the field doing all of the hard work. You had prepared in the gym and every single day at practice. You suited up in the pads to take the big hits. You practiced, and practiced and practiced some more. You worked your guys out.  And you played!! You were always matched against the biggest guys on the field. You were the “Equalizer” as one TV announcer dubbed you. You would level out the playing field. Make the plays happen and kept playing until the whistle blew. I remember the coaches talking about how you would always continue on; No matter what. You didn’t even know at times that the ball had crossed the line or the play had finished because, your job of stopping the opposing team was still continuing. You continued. You kept moving. Never stopping. Never taking praise. Never quit. Never.

 I loved to watch you block. Usually you would take out three guys. Every game! It was an exciting thing to see. Watching your face at the ball crossed the plane and we scored a touchdown. The smile shining in your eyes was pure happiness. True joy.  Then, we would watch as you picked up the downed players. Jumped into chest bumps and slapped high fives and hugs. Loved to see your brotherhood on the field. The same jersey’s all united. One team. One common goal.

 You broke records. You de-cleated and cleated. You broke facemasks. Three!! No one has ever even come close to that. It’s very unusual for anyone to bend those facemasks. The intensity you showed was bent into that metal, coated facemask. Again proof of your “Never Quit” attitude.

 When hands were placed to the “T” and you would come to the sidelines for a time out, I would watch you. Watch as you grabbed a few gulps of water and dumped the rest over your head to cool down. Watch as you patted your teammates on the shoulders or butts. Watch as you supported those that were injured. Watch as you picked each other off of the field. Watch as you led the team back out. You led.

 The Wing T. Oh need I say more? Now… I look at that T formation and see the “T”. Training. Training… and more training. MTC.

 Yes, the outcome wasn’t always in favor of our side of the board. Many times we watched as you cried on each other’s shoulders. Tears are a real cleansing power. Little did we know then, that those same eyes might produce tears for a very different reason? When others use their agency in a way we wish they wouldn’t. When someone doesn’t show up to church after a promise or when the waters of baptism wash their tears from their face. Tears of pure joy when the spirit testifies to us of the truth of a principle or promise we are teaching. Tears. Tears for our family, loved ones and those we miss. Is it ironic that the shortest chapter of scripture is “Jesus Wept”?

 One of the funny saying that dad and I would say on the sidelines was “That’ll move the chains.” Now, I look at that in a different light. You will be moving chains. Whether they be the chains of death and eternal damnation for our progenitors or the chains that bind our brothers and sisters from their bad habits or the chains that hold Satan at bay. You are a playmaker! You are moving the chains.

 Taking photos of you was my favorite part of the game. So many times I didn’t see the play with the ball as I had my eye on you. I watched YOU my son. I loved to watch You. Sometimes, I would drive dad crazy with my questions. His irritation was because I was stopping him from watching YOU. Those photographs are precious to me. Photos of ref’s with their hand held up in the “TOUCHDOWN” signal. Photos of your teams and photos of you.

 I’m sure you can see the parallel to the football game and the mission field. You and your brothers and sisters are all wearing the same nametag baring the name of our Savior. The Savior and Our Father – are your coaches. You are all on the same team; The winning team. We know that we win in the end. It’s now just a matter of helping the rest of our team remember that. Everyone is playing his or her own super bowl. Good vs. Evil. “Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even if no one is doing it.” You are finishing up your game plan and heading onto the field for hours and hours of practice. Lots of hard work,  sweat and tears. Now is the time for you to suit up, snap the ball, make the hit and put the points on the board. You are in the spot lights again. You get to work, work, work and work. I love the saying by President Benson that the secret to missionary work is WORK. That is something you have never been afraid of. It’s literally who you are. It’s part of your name. Enjoy the game; find the joy in every situation. It’s there. Love your teammates. Cheer each other on and lift each other. Remember the song: “Who’s on The Lord’s side? Who?”

 Daddy and I will continue to cheer you on from the sidelines. We will be here through the blood, sweat and tears. Smiles, miles and shoes. “Don’t take your eye off the ball”. We love you so very much!

Babies, take your starting stance every single day on your knees. Be prepared for the hits that will come. Be prepared to make the plays happen and be ready for the win!

 All my love,

 Mommy

“We must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children.” “when we dwell upon our public image and believe our own press clippings—that’s when the trouble begins; that’s when pride begins to corrupt.”  DIETER F. UCHTDORF

Elder Workman, I know you are about to leave the MTC and have learned a lot on what is expected. You should know what I am talking when I say there is role playing over and over - I remember that in the days I was in the MTC. They do this in getting you ready with different things you might be face with while teaching the gospel. Please know that being one of your coaches over the years has been a joy to me. Teaching young kids to play a sport is like teaching the gospel. It will be new to your investigators and they will be willing to learn just like a young child learns to play a sport. Elder Workman the greatest thing I could leave with you as you enter the field is to come to learn D&C section 4, which I know you are. The field is ready for a missionary like you. Also, let your investigators know that you LOVE them. Remember Acts chapter 17: 28-29 that  we are all a child of God created in his image. People are yearning to know that. Elder good luck and know that I love you as does my family. Happy Birthday Grizz. Love, Coach Y

Grizz, I know it's going to be difficult living away from home at first and not being able to see your family everyday. But that feeling of being alone will shortly be forgotten. Remember now you are on The Lord’s team, running the lords play book. He will give you all the practice and advice that you need to serve an honorable mission. Thank you so much for being a great example and a protector of mine and most importantly a friend for life of mine throughout all of these years together. I want to wish you a happy birthday and just know that I’m  rooting for ya and I'll be seeing you out on the mission field shortly! PY “Your Quarterback”

Elder Workman,

I dare you to think of anything meaningful that you have accomplished or hope to accomplish that will NOT require the help or cooperation of someone else.  If you can think of anything, your list is going to be very short. I would suggest that the entire plan of happiness that has been implemented by our Heavenly Father is based upon teamwork and cooperation.  Think about it… family, temple work, teaching one another, celestial marriage, etc.--it’s all about the team and teachings such as parable of The Prodigal Son in Luke clearly spells out how important it is that everyone is included on the Lord’s team.  D & C 18:10-16 says it beautifully as well.  I am passionate about teamwork and I love how it is such an important part of the gospel.  Can you imagine experiencing true happiness without being part of a family or a team? I cannot.

 You’re about to begin a new adventure as you go to Oregon (don’t smoke the weed) and serve as member of the Lord’s team. It really isn’t that much different than playing on a football team. You’ll have teammates, coaches, schedules, rules, uniforms, etc. You know the routine, you’ve done it for years.

 You’ll “win” & you’ll “lose”.  You will feel incredibly energetic and optimistic at times and you will also face discouragement and disappointment.  You will have teammates (companions) who may be difficult for you to get along with while others will become friends forever.  There will be the days you don’t feel like practicing (tracting, finding) and then there will be the anticipation for the big game (baptism) that keeps you awake at night. You are so lucky to have been through the battles on the gridiron. You’ve already been through these same experiences just on a different “field”!

 As you battle through the heavy challenges of serving the Lord in a world that is chaotic and confusing (there’s A LOT of confused people in Oregon!!), you must always remember that you are a member of a team that has been guaranteed victory if we follow the game plan. Ponder that for a moment. We are absolutely guaranteed victory if we follow the plan and that is the message you will be sharing!  What a confidence builder! What a cool thing to share. And when you encounter people who are not ready, keep pushing, keep moving, and keep sharing. Just like in football, that extra block, that extra effort, that next play could mean the difference between scoring a TD and being stopped short of the goal line.

 One reason why I love competitive sports so much is that it truly is a prep school for a mission, marriage, parenthood, and your career. You have made the right choice to become a servant of Jesus Christ. Now, make the next right choice and become the BEST servant you can become. The key is “servant”.  That is the true essence of teamwork. Be a great teammate and remember always that your coaches are the absolute best.  Follow their counsel--they aren’t like us human coaches who make many mistakes. Your coaches are literally your Father in Heaven and your personal Savior and brother.  His assistants (your mission president and other leaders) will be inspired to help you. Listen. Obey. Work. Succeed.

 I wish you the best. You will be a terrific servant and teammate.

Coach G