HOLD ON!

Oh what a week it has been. Enjoyable, yet very mentally beating.

First off, I miss y'all. I miss you megan, daddy, mommy, Connor,

Ryley.. And most of all my puppy Xander. Freakin miss you buddy.

Second of all, it's been very beautiful up here. New flowers are

constantly blooming here. Beautifying the earth. And on this note I

think I'll confess my love for flowers. So if y'all remember the

Disney show Atlantis... With milo... There is this one dude. Who is an

explosive expert. Dynamite, c4, and nitro glicerin... Pretty ruff and

tuff guy, but his hopes and dreams are to open a flower shop. I kinda

feel like this dude. I wouldn't mind at all opening a flower business.

But that's a long ways away :) third of all, I figured out that my

balance isn't that great.. I fell off my bike twice this week and I

wasn't even moving. If I can't have kids we can confirm that it is

from both of these crashes. Yep it hurt. And people saw. And my voice

was squeeking 50 octaves higher. Haha jus kiddin it was only 2 octaves

higher ;) fourth of all, birds are awesome and I wish I had a

hedwig (owl) to send letters to people. How legit would that be. And

free postage. And for that fact I could probably just use a pensive. I

really need one of those. And for all you non Harry Potter fans this

is something that takes your thoughts and remembers them. And you can

go back and live them. How legit would that be. Than again I probably

wouldn't want to go back on me picken my noise so it's probably good

we don't have those yet. And 5 of all, now understand I tried to spell

fith, or fiift or fifth oh that's how you spell it ha finally. Ok so

figured out how to spell fifth, and fifth of all, you are constantly

learning. Always learning. So much to learn. So much to hear and

process. So much stress and pressure. Being a missionary is no easy

task. But it is fun. Back on track.. constantly learning! Now as you

all know GENERAL CONFERENCE IS AMAZING !! Why was I so lame in my

childhood and didn't pay attention. I have to say that was the best

priesthood session ever. By far super duper amazing. I loved all the

talks. Yes some were a bit boring. And I'm sure you know which

people I am talking about. Well probably not because you were sleeping

during them. But nonetheless I'm sure it helped someone out there so I

shouldn't judge. Folks if you fell asleep during conference y'all

better go back and rewatch or re read them. In the words of yoda and I

quote.. " amazing they were. HUmm " I absolutely loved how almost all

the talks testified of having faith and having courage to stand alone.

We can increase our faith by doing those things which are pleasing to

The Lord. Now what's pleasing to The Lord, yes the primary answers..

Praying, reading our scriptures, and going to church. But folks, if we

a merely simply GOING to church, or simply READING our scriptures, or

simply PRAYING to God what good does that do us. WE MUST study,

diligently, honestly, with an open heart, with a question, having

strength and faith in The Lord that he will help us to understand that

in which we read from the scriptures. We have to participate,

demonstrate, share, feel, not be distracted from things of the world,

give heed, listen to the teachers who spent time to prepare a lesson,

and go into church with a question. We are going because WE choose to.

To follow a commandment of God and our prophets. To REMEMBER our

savior and redeemer Jesus Christ. And like Dieter F. Uchtdorf said we

must have gratitude in our prayers. Do not just go through the motions

with prayer. Pray diligently. Pray with faith. Pray to GIVE thanks. Be

thankful for everything. Because we have been given much. WRESTLE with

The Lord. Peps, folks, y'all, we must hold on. We must

hold on and be strong. The iron rod is the word of God. We must hold

on. We can always hold on. If we live and love the gospel of Jesus Christ. And if we

follow our prophets. We can overcome anything. We will gain our

eternal salvation. "There are no true endings. Only everlasting

beginnings." And in the words of Jacob 7:27...

"And I make an end of my writing upon these plates (this iPad),which

writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that

many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren (and sisteren), adieu."

GRIZZ 👻

So about breakfast casserole. I didn't know how many eggs to add. And my pan was to big, and didn't cook long enough, lol. But surprisingly it tasted great ! I just added 12 eggs. But I added two cans of cream of mushroom. It was ok tho. Tasted fine. The people we shared it with loved it. I'm glad to be a missionary. It rocks. 

Weekly Dose Of Brayden

 April 1, 2014    - Weekly dose of Brayden.

Well good afternoon to all. What a great week it has been. It rained really hard here most of the week. We had a lesson under the freeway by the skate park. Which was pretty legit. I got to play football on Autzen field. Super hot day btw. But way fun. I have lost about ten pounds. I know y’all probably can't tell but the members can haha :) I'm in alma 38. Trying to make my goal to finish the BOM. I have 1 month from today. I ate Japanese food that I loved and got a letter from home… btw Connor, that seasoned salt from Red Robin dumped all over me J Awesome surprise!

We had Japanese food again this night. Was actually so good. I love

the Howe family. Then on our walk home the sunset was incredible.

 

I had a PPI with president yesterday – that is why Pday is today, and he basically told me I was staying in Eugene for another transfer. Sad day I know I want to go to a small town or something different than always busyness. Hoping to have 2 baptisms by next transfer. But he said Mecham was definitely going. Sad day. I finally love the kid at the end of the transfer. Been a roller coaster with him. And we're on a steady climb towards Mount Everest.    Speakin of him.. So I have learned the most important and amazing thing on my mission and that is.. Stated in Mosiah 2:17... “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” This is so true! So yesterday was Elder Mecham birthday. I woke up like any normal day after I work out I jumped in the shower. I got out and Mecham hopped in. Then a phone call came in from President Young wanting to wish him a happy birthday. I had totally forgotten it was his b day. So I hurried and grabbed his shoes and polished them. I texted the zone leaders and told them to text everyone to call us and wish him a happy day. I called bishop, for we were having dinner at his house last night and told him that it was his b day. Then he asked me what his favorite cake was. And I was like dang I dunno, but I guessed chocolate German cake. Bam I was correct (as I would later find out.) Then I sent a text to many members, including his favorite, the Winegars, and told them to call us and to many of our investigators. I told everyone we came in contact with. Just to make his day better. I made his bed. I bought his lunch. I wanted him to feel special. So his day was awesome. A nonstop attack of happy birthdays and everyone was calling and I was deleting all the sent mail so he wouldn't know. The day went great. Dinner was amazing. The Bishop made us huge steaks and mashed potatoes. And we had cake and ice cream that was lactose free just for him.

This is where the tour got exciting! Football time. We played a

football game for about 15 minutes. So much fun, so hot tho. This

filed was burning. During the tour the guy kept asking "any questions?"

we were just tracting and it was there. its a Bed and Breakfest. The nicest home in town.  

 We finally have an investigator on date. But it's going to be tricky to get her baptized because we have to get her and her boyfriend, who is a less active member, married and she needs to quit smoking. It's a long story. So we are hoping all goes well. She is incredible and progressing.

Finally at the end of the day, we went home and when we thought the day was over the Winegars texted us and asked if they could come over to give Mecham his gift. We decided to have a little fun. We wrote a note on the outside of the door explaining how they needed to prepare themselves for war with the nerf guns (we had set the nerf guns outside for them) and to come in if they dared. Btw Colette, thank you so much for the nerf guns, and box of goodies definitely helped. And the Winegars came barging in and it was all out war for 10 seconds. So fun! Mecham then expressed how amazing the day was and how it was his best birthday. Made me feel really good. So he didn't know about all the calls and text I sent out and I was super happy to see him happy and appreciative. And could feel of my Saviors love and I knew that I had done good. Sooooo the point of this long story is to help you understand the importance of serving others. There are many, many ways we can do this. Simple testimonies to those around are massive impacts to the soul and well being of those recipients. Giving a helping hand to someone in need. Goll the list goes on and on but I don't want to bore you with a long list of service. Think of your own ways you can do service. I love my family. I'm so thankful for the sacrifices they are making for me to be out here. I love them dearly. Forever we will be.  Also all y'all reading this out there have an amazing week. And look for opportunities to serve others. You'll feel great for doing it.

We had a lesson under the freeway by the skate park. Which was pretty legit. I got to play football on Autzen field. Super hot day btw. 

Eugene is freakin huge!! So many people are here. Most of the members live in mansions in the hills. All their homes are way nice. Very well taken care of. But we are in the city part of Eugene. It’s so crowded and loud. The roads are way small so traffic is always really bad. 

 Mecham and I decided about a month ago, after I sent those photos, we made a goal to clean our apt more frequently and to try to make it a place the Savior would reside. So we deep clean it 2 times a week. Looks so much cleaner. I’m constantly doing dishes so it doesn’t look messy. I’m finally seeing what you mean mommy by dishes out make the house look messy. It’s sooooo true. Cleaning out the shower drain was disgusting but, it was gross and needed to be done! 

I’m super excited for General Conference this week. I can’t even explain it. r u? I’ll look for questions to be answered in conference. I don’t have one yet.. But, you’re right… We need to come to conference with a question and the faith and knowledge that it will be answered! Here’s a question to ponder over the next week; which Elder Holland answers perfectly.. But its why did Jesus Christ pick his resurrected body to still show signs of his crucifixion?

 It’s weird because I do miss you guys, but I know I’m doing what’s right so I don’t. Does that make sense? Like I would give anything to come home and see y’all but I know that I’ll see you in a few short years so I don’t worry about it! We’ll be together forever!

 Mom btw you never put your testimony on fb. So sad. I want you too. I beg you please. For me. This one thing. Please mom. Put your testimony up. Its a great tribute to show HF and Jesus Christ your love for them this Easter season:) It is so strong and will impact all of your friends. Also, wow incredible analogy mommy about the bike and training us to ride it…  running by our side, letting go and watching us balance and fall. (I do remember all of the armor you made us wear hehe) I would have to totally agree with it. And judging by the tears running down my cheeks my spirit does too. Such power in those words. Love how you related it and related it to HF looking for us, but we have our agency. We have to learn on our own and he is the helping hand always there if we accept it.  Your an inspiration to me mom. I love you so much. I'm so sorry for the wall I put up when you were trying to help me balance. I should've listened to your words. For I know I wouldn't have felt the guilt I did for all the years I did. I love you. Have an amazing week :)  I’ll just close up here. I love you mom! Thanks for being an example to me and to the family, I talked about you to the bishop last night and how you anchor our family into the gospel and have always held your anchor there. You strengthen all of us. Your purpose has been and will be more than you will ever know. You have fulfilled it and you will continue to fulfill it. We aren’t a perfect family but, we’re improving in the gospel and what we believe. Everything we go through gives us strength. And our Lord and Savior went through everything. Here’s a little insight for y’all.. Whenever you feel alone our Savior is always there helping us. Now put in perspective when he was alone. Who was there for him? No one. He has ultimately suffered more than we have. He had no one. Darkness was all around him and all he could do was suffer so that he could take care of us in our times of needs. This is why I’m thankful for my Savoir and redeemer. I know that he lives and loves each of us personally. He is always giving us strength to make it through trials. We MUST always turn to him. I wish Ry and Con would feel now the way I do now. I wish they could feel the change that I have had. I wish I could go back with the knowledge I know now and do it all over again. I would not make the same mistakes. I want my brothers to learn from my example and the things I have been through. So they can know that the scriptures give us strength in everything. They need to pray at least twice a day, minimal. It’s so important that they do. We have to turn to the Lord in everything. There’s my soapbox for ya haha. I love you mommy!  I love you so so so much mommy :) my ear is amazing :) totally not hurting :)

I haven’t gotten any letters from my cousins or grandparents?? What the duce? Not that I want letters (hehe) I just want to see if my words are getting to them, I write them! Families are forever.

I love you dad! Thanks for emailing me :) I love getting your insights :) make sure you ask Ry and Con about the scriptures I gave them.. they are so legit and sick!! Love my bros!!

  Grizz :)