Getting WET!

**From a sister in his current ward: 

March 16, 2015

We attended a wonderful baptism yesterday. It was a touching example of the results of diligent and prayerful missionary work. President Russell came and brought three of our past missionaries, and another flew out from home. A joyful day in many ways!

I meant to tell you too that Elder Workman spoke at a stake youth fireside last week, and he connected so well with the youth! They loved his talk! He spoke in Sacrament Meeting too - a busy day for him! You mentioned that he doesn't feel like he always has the right words, but I disagree! He has a very easy, personal way of speaking that really draws everyone in.

Have a great Sunday!

Sister B

March 17, 2015

Wow what an incredible day. Full of love and the spirit. I greatly

enjoyed this day. I had the opportunity, for the first time in my

life, to baptize and bring two souls to their Heavenly Father. We

spent all of the day preparing for the baptism. We had a couple things

go wrong early this morning that we had to figure out. Desserts,

programs, and the timing of the water was killing us all day long.

Thank goodness for an awesome 2nd ward here in Medford.

So to the good stuff. Up to this point on my mission I hadn't had a

single baptism. And then when bro M asked me I thought he was

doing it to be nice.  But I'll have you know this was definitely not

the case. When we hoped into the water, and after they both ditched

their glasses, I was able to baptize hid wife first. Everything went

extremely good. I remembered the words, she bent her knees great. And

it was overall smooth. Then brother M got in and I got a little

more worried. He's a big guy. And not very flexible. I was worried I

wouldn't be able to get him back up. I prayed a ton haha. And the Lord

granted me strength. Unfortunately I was so worried about getting him

up that he never fully went down. His forehead didn't go all the way

in. So we had to do a round 2. Then everything went way smooth.

Success!  When we had gone into the locker room to change from our

wet clothes, brother M told me he needed someone like me to get

him baptized. Made me feel so good. He really complimented me. He likes the guys that have a good work ethnic. Or are.. In his words, country boys. Made my feel goods feel good. He genuinely will be family the rest of

my life. And they are a wonderful people to have included into my

family. I'm honored I got this chance to meet them. I know God was

well aware of my needs and his. I will be back for their sealing in

the temple.

On top of the M’s asking me to baptize them, I have also been

extremely blessed to receive some of their charity. 6 shoes, 4 really

nice ties, 3 jackets, one is an old western awesome looking one that

reminds me of red dead redemption. I feel so blessed to have met the

M’s. What a wonderful people.  Beyond measure I am grateful to

have met them. They will be kingdom builders for sure.

Hi mommy :)

I love you more ! Email definitely not distracting. I will share this

with the M’s for sure. I did end of meeting her dad. (My friend’s dad works at the Medford Oregon Temple as the recorder.)   It was

super awkward because we were both looking for each other, but we

didn't really have anything to talk about. And it was in the temple,

he was being loud so we kinda got in trouble lol. But it was cool to

meet someone who knew a someone I knew haha. The temple was beautiful. I felt so happy there and just up lifted by the spirit.

We have to get a kid ready for baptism. His name is D. He's 9. Pretty hard to work with. But we have two lessons with him this week. And a lot of finding too.

(His cousin

got a mission call to the Georgia Atlanta Mission)I knew he would serve in the south! So happy for him ! When does he leave?  Loved the video. What does Ivan think? Was he surprised? And that is tons of time! Holy moly! Congratulations!

 

Love,

 

Elder Workman

Baptism this week

March 9, 2015

Hi mommy!

I love you more! I was honestly originally testing how my talk was and how I could deliver it. The first one I sent was in front of the mirror on an app from the family history called memory. I've added a couple stories into it. It's a cool app. But you can record yourself, so I did haha :) I didn’t like the sacrament meeting talk as much. For the fireside one on Spiritual Strength I used one of the things you told me about “Yoke-ing ourselves to God”. I got that same scripture from a friend in a letter so I figured it must be important to add. Last minute changes went great!  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). Oh I did relative finder last week. Me and McDowell are 5th cousins. (I asked him if he could use relative finder.com. It’s been fun to see the famous people that we are related to. He sent links to his family history account and we are able to listen to him give his talks. He thinks they aren’t that great… as we all sit here in amazement! Modern Technology is amazing!)

Only 40 days till the wedding! Remember this time last year when I had been out for 47 days and Megan only had 47 days left? It's crazy now that she has less time till she gets married! How are you feeling about her moving out? Where are they going to live?

So about the m's, they are getting baptized this week! Saturday!  Haha it's so cool! They asked me to baptize them. My first one! Wahoo! They've been meeting with missionaries for over a year, all really really awesome missionaries. All zone leaders and they asked me to do it. They are even paying for one who has already went home to come out and they still picked me to do the baptism. They are awesome!  President and a ton of missionaries will be there. I'm pretty excited! Thanks for putting them on the prayer roll. B has kind of fallen away. He's been getting busy with work!

The new iPad is the same as the old one haha. Just in newer condition.

It's got 16 more gb. Zone Conference went good. McDowell & I taught in it.

I'm enjoying this adventure. This week has been really busy for us. We've done a lot of preparing for talks and lessons. I think other than the mchattons not much else is new. We drove to grants pass twice. The APs stayed at our apt on Tuesday night for our zone conference the next day. They left their wallets here on accident so we had to drive to GP to give it to them. GP is about 40 minutes away. I went on exchanges to an area in Phoenix. Was super fun. I went with an Elder Ross. We taught 4 lessons. Was good. Oh and I got my package! Love the “Let it Go” theme to it. Thanks so much! Do I have to do anything to get my cards to work? Or just use em ? I love you mom beyond words!  Btw I love this email. Nothing you write to me is ever boring! I love you mom.

Elder Workman

We go this Wednesday to the temple! yes :)  We have to go shop and do adult stuff for pday. Then, we are playing volleyball with the zone. I love you mommy! 

Mission Conference - The Abundant Life

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

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/05/the-abundant-life?lang=eng

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.