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.

Teaching, Splitting and Dunking!

February 23, 2015

Hi :) so some quick highlights about this week. It's been crazy being a ZL. So much work. Holy moly, there is no time to stop and consider the lilies. We taught about 20 lessons this week and had 5 people at sacrament. We also got 2 investigators on hard date. For the 14 of March. They are awesome. We had a solid lesson with them on Thursday. And we planted a tree for them. We have another baptism coming up on the 8th of March. He's quit smoking and coffee in three weeks he's been able to do this. Keep him in your prayers. He's a single dad. Changing for his son. It's cool to see his change. Also we have 1 potential on date. And we talked to a la old man tonight who helped with the Apollo 13 mission. He has part of the ship at his house. And he's really old. But he told us cool aeronautical stories and about astronauts. Was wicked awesome. He signed a photo for me and gave it to me. I went on exchanges to Ashland. A college city in the which you don't have to wear any clothing. None at all. So that was really weird. I'm healing from my crash. My hands have healed. Fast really. And my knee is healing haha. Body feels great. I've lost 4 lbs since being out. It was actually sweet because we played football last p day I caught a sick one handed catch while I was being tackled, more like pass interference, but I caught it while falling with my legs. It was cool. And it was a 4th down conversion for 35 yards. Anywho I agree all missionaries should have a good crash story. I have to prepare a talk on the 8th for a stake youth fireside. 15 minutes. We had an ice cream social that I was in charge Friday night with about 30 youth present. I talked about charity and showed the Good Samaritan. We have talks in our up coming mission conference. Notice I said mission. That’s right the whole mission will be there. That's this Tuesday. Than I have a talk at our zone conference in 3 weeks that'll be 10 minutes long. And I have to also prepare a 30 minute talk on the atonement. So I'm a twitch overloaded:) good stuff :) also I finished the Acts. Paul is a stud of a man. We had a really fun chili cook off on Saturday night. Was a blast! Members invited non-members and friends and it was great. I tried the hottest chili. It was hot. But not to bad. It was great to get to know the ward through this event. This ward is a missionary ward. Everything they do they invite people to come with them. It's awesome! On Saturday morning all morning long I chopped and split wood. Massive logs. And little stumps. This guy had a huge wood splitter that we used. It would take a log about 3 feet wide.  Huge! But I got super sore from it. Moving all that wood. Plus I split a lot by hand and they called me the mini Goliath. Lol made me feel good. :) Over all great week! I got a sweet letter from my grandma. And got to remember my amazing little brother on his birthday. Anywho I love you all so much! GRIZZ

Dude!! My brother! Man I love you so much! Seriously I love you man! I can't believe

you are already turning 18. 💀💥 mind blown! I left home when you were 16 and now your 18. Can you grow a sick beard yet? Haha. Man I remember when I turned 18. Feels like 3 years ago. Hehehe. Dude you’re my hero. Happy Birthday!

Love GRIZZ

Ps. Dad is your hair fully grey now? Hahaha kidding. I love you man. Love GRIZZ 👻

Valentines Day Masacre

February 16, 2015

Howdy family and friends !

As most of you know I have been transferred back down to Medford.

After 6 really short weeks in Cottage Grove I've been moved to Medford

2nd ward. The odds... Not high. Honestly the Lord has blessed me so

much. I had been praying most of my mission to go to Cottage Grove and

Heavenly Father granted me long enough to enjoy it.

The work here in Medford is fantastic. Especially here in 2nd ward. I

have already had an amazing experience. I went from teaching 6-8

lessons a week to teaching 20+. It's wonderful to be a missionary. We

had a lot of spiritual experiences and miracles. I think I thoroughly

enjoy teaching ex convicts. We are teaching one right now, who is

hilarious, humble, and has an awesome testimony. Unfortunately he has

to wait another year to get baptized. But he is definitely solid.

We've done a lot of tracting and contacting less actives. Honestly

this past week I have contacted at least 300 people. It's crazy. Work

is good.

Elder McDowell and I get along great. I'm happy to have a companion

that finally talks and participates in the lessons. We have great

companionship unity. Everything just kinda flows great in lessons. We

are definitely a force not to reckon with. He's from Arizona. Gilbert.

Our apartment is huge. It has a washer and dryer. Fairly new carpet.

Has two bathrooms. Which is really unusual. I found a sweet rain

jacket that fits! Something that fits! That never happens.

I guess a fun experience I had was wrecking going about 15 MPH. This

week we were riding bikes, yes I have finally built my bike for only

the second time on my mission. We were riding down a hill and

somehow.. Which is really a mystery, my bikes chain fell off. We

turned around a corner and I went to pedal standing up and my momentum

carried me forward and I wrecked wicked bad. It was an adrenaline Rush

for sure. I rolled, and jumped to my feet, analyzed the damage done,

and fixed me stinkin bike with the help of elder McDowell. It reminded

me of a time I was with my buddy Shawn and I wrecked the same way.

Oh I'm fine. My knees got bruised bad, and my palms are torn up.. But it's all good. I caught myself with my hands and knees. Then I rolled and jumped to my feet. It was kinda cool. I wrecked my lock holder tho.  That was on v day. It was crazy haha. I actually forgot it was valentines.  I got something from Aszia. She sent me some chocolate. Was super super nice of them and made my day!  (Thank you Wilde Family!!)

The members here are super supportive! Great member missionaries.

Always finding us work to do. And they also participate in the work

and home teaching. Which honestly makes the ward a family. The bishop

here.. Bishop Warr, is a master of member missionary work. He has a

sincere care for laboring in the lord vineyard. Members are always

feeding us. And they appreciate the work we do. Which makes a

difference in the relationship we develop with them. They are also

very supportive of their missionaries out in the field. The Elder’s

Quorum  president announced how they needed to continue to share

spiritual experiences with the missionaries out in the field from

their ward. It was cool to see the support and love they have for

those from their home. Makes me miss my home ward. Which sincerely is

the best.

I don't really know what else to say. So I hope everyone has an awesome week!

GRIZZ 👻.

Hi mommy !

I love you more! Sounds like Valentine's Day was a blast.  That's awesome about your experience in the temple. I get to go this month, or next.  We're going to the temple on March 11th.

When does Kenneth come home? Or James? They are almost done aren't they? Anywho I love you! Great email btw!

How's the family? Tell dad he's a stud for studying! :) You’re the best mom! :) I love you!  Sweet ! :) Mom I love you more.. I hope your week is fantastic ! :) 😘

Dinner at a members that ends with a photo to mom! LUCKY~

GRIZZ 👻