March 2, 2015
Mommy you have to read this talk tonight with the whole family.
Or when you have the chance to as a whole family. It's called "The
Abundant Life" May 2006. Here's my preview...
The abundant life is a spiritual life. Too many sit at the banquet
table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at the feast placed
before them. They go through the motions--attending their meetings perhaps,
glancing at scriptures, repeating familiar prayers--but their hearts are far
away. If they are honest, they would admit to being more interested in the
latest neighborhood rumors, stock market trends, and their favorite TV show
than they are in the supernal wonders and sweet ministering’s of the Holy
Spirit.
The Abundant Life
The Mission Conference was awesome! By far my most favorite one
out here yet. It was so cool to see all of the missionaries gathered together
for one huge conference. I gotta see all my old companions. All my buddies. The conference
was all about how to control ourselves while online. And being an online
mission. We talked a lot about pornography and tools to help us overcome it and
not have to worry about it when we get home. In fact I would say 75% of the
conference was on this. They are giving us brand new iPads next week. 32gb
ones. Which in a way kind of sucks because I have tons on this iPad. I will
lose all my photos and videos. Plus I've kept this one super nice. Thank you
for checking on the payment of it mom. We may not pay for it until I get home??
haha. Anywho the conference was awesome ! :) **See insert from President Russell
at bottom. I wrote down a ton of personal revelation. I took some good
notes this last time. I know this message was inspired for me, and I know why I
have now been called to the OEM. It is specifically for this reason. God loves
me and wants me to learn. Our old iPads go to the church. I get to keep this
new one. I will have to email all the notes, and photos home. So be ready for
that.
Thinking about the plague that plagues our world today. Chastity
is a free roaming beast that lies in each of the younger generation. 98% of ALL
youth will see porn. 75% will break the law of chastity in one-way or another.
Every missionary I have talked to out here has been afflicted by this disease.
Some have sinned greater. And have still been incredible missionaries. Heavenly
Father knows what's best for each of his children.
Like our Savior would never force us to do things we didn't want
to. For that was Satan’s plan. Jesus Christ set an example to be a light to
those in darkness. We have to choose to come out of the darkness. We do this by
following His example.
So fun news, the bishop’s councilor called and wants me to speak
in sacrament next week. I will also speak to the stake youth group 100+ kids,
and I will speak on Wednesday at zone conference. I have lots of talks to
prepare. I shared my testimony this week. I mentioned at the very beginning how
I have a testimony of getting up and bearing a testimony. Then I related the
heart beating out of your chest feeling to a roller coaster. And how when you
get up there the line moves along.. There were 4 people ahead of me... And you
just can feel you chest beating so hard. Than you finally get in the seat. And the
bar comes down. I made a funny fat joke here...and then you hear the uphill
click of the coaster. When you sit down,
it’s the rush of breezing through the ride. haha. I was pretty nervous though. God
definitely gave me strength. I told my story again about at the beach and the
seal. It's a cool parable I've created from my own personal experience.
To get on with the gators... This week a formerly less active
lady moved below us. She's now active but her son isn't baptized. He's 9. We're
going to dunk him in a month. I will be able to give
him the tie Sis Medina gave me. (THANK YOU!) That'll be awesome. Was a total
miracle. The M's will get baptized in two weeks. B is going through some
trials of faith. So his baptism is delayed. And I met this kid who
reminds me of Connor. Makes me really really really miss Connor. Bad. Which
reminds me of how much I miss my family. It's crazy. I miss YALL so much! We
raked a ton of leaves this week. And put up a fence. And taught just over 15
lessons. It rained a lot this week. And we had tons of meetings. Goodness two
whole days devoted to meetings. So long! But they were good. Zone conference
was sweet. I thought I was going to die with McDowell driving. Not as bad as
Bilmire though.
Dang I'm pretty sure the blessings that God has blessed me with
far outweigh the blessings YALL are receiving.
Thanks haha :) thanks for that blessing of hope. I love you so much Mom!
:) You rock! That's so awesome to hear about your testimony! Goodness that's
great! Love your temple experience. That's awesome. I'm sure not a lot of
people do sessions in Spanish.
Dude, Dad, you will have to take pictures of the cupcake holders
and send them to me. That'd be cool to see. Dang I miss that pup. Does he still
listen good? I love you dad! Thanks for the awesome email man!
Love GRIZZ 
Insert from President Russell, Brayden’s Mission Pres.
This
past week was an historic time in the OEM. We had our first mission wide
conference in 12 years. The last time one occurred was when Elder Holland
was in the mission. It was glorious to be with all of you in
Roseburg. It was exciting to be taught and instructed about the next test
roll out of mobile device use in furthering the work of the Lord. As we
learned 88 missions will now be using mobile devices (i-pads). We were
certainly blessed to part of the first 28 missions and now part of the
88. As we were taught about the 5 filters for safely using these devices
the spirit confirmed to me how blessed we are to be trusted of the Lord and His
Prophets. By now you are all preparing to receive the new upgraded
devices and have begun to take your data from you old ipads.
In
Matthew 5 The Lord begins to teach the higher law compared to the Law of Moses.
My mind has been drawn to a few verses and I would like to remind you of
them “Ye
are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be
hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven Matthew 5: 14-16” As I read this, it occurs to
me that we are the Lord’s candles and He has placed us in a position for all
the world to see. We are watched more than we know. We
therefore should be mindful of every moment of the day. In addition to
being the candle we have the light of Christ in us and if we do things that may
dim the brightness we will not be as affective in our service or abilities
to find those who are patiently waiting; because they know not where to find
it. If we do something to discourage one of our brothers and sisters from
coming to the light how would we feel. What if that someone was a Mother
or Father or Brother or Sister of someone we knew.
How would we feel? May I suggest and invite you to remember we are the
Lord’s lighthouses. He is depending on us to bring them safely
home. When you are the best missionaries much is expected of you. Because
you are the best – much is expected. I pray we will never let
the light of Christ, which is in us dim. Not even for a moment.
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