Peaks and Valleys

Cristina's Baptism!!!

Hey family!

So I'm going to just start off with the happenings of the week.

Monday was Hna Vidrios' birthday (the new Mexican missionary I lived with when I was in Guayacanes) and we went out to Chilis to celebrate and she was so happy, and Hna Alvarez loved the food and was so surprised at how good Mexican food is, but then poor thing, had stomach pains for like 2 days cuz she's not used to anything remotely hot. hahaha

But Monday night we went to visit Cristina and Angela and their family (the less active mom who we have been strengthening, and her kids) and we went because the husband was supposed to be in town.  We went and what a miracle!!!  Angela had told us the Saturday before that she really had felt again that the church was true, that she was reminded of the feelings she felt as a girl when she was baptized, and that she felt the light and love again.  Her countenance has changed so much--what a blessing to be able to have been part of that!  Well the miracle was she had told us her husband was SUPER Catholic and probably wouldn't accept, but she wanted us to try, and we talked to him and he told us that he thought it was great what we had been teaching his family and that he wants to change and he committed to reading the BOM (Angela had read with him 3 chapters earlier that day and he didn't want to stop reading!) And he said when he left for his work travels, he would take the BOM with him and he said he was fine with his kids being baptized, etc.  What a MIRACLE because we were expecting much more of a fight!!!  Cristina was so excited because the whole time she kept whispering to me---tell him about my baptism, I want to get baptized, etc.

Tuesday we had a good District Meeting--it was pretty intense and I felt the Spirit a lot and recognized a lot I need to do better on.  Also Hna Orantes and her new companion were practicing and she stumbled and couldn't say anything and got super down and began to tear up, and I just saw in her face a look of, I'm so tired, I can't do this anymore, like she was losing herself.  Her comp then wasn't ok, etc etc.  She finally picked herself back up and beasted it at the end, but the environment was heavy as they ended and I could tell that, so I raised my hand and asked if I could say something.  I reminded them of what President and Elder Uceda always said---PLEASE mess up!  We are here to mess up!  It's how we learn-and to not get down when it happens, to trust in the Spirit when we don't know what to do, and open our mouths and testify when we can't think of anything else, to support our companions, etc.  Hna Orantes filled with light and smiles (like she usually looks like) and I just realized in that moment how much we miss each other, the Spirit we could always feel together, our unity, and that a lot of the companionships in the zone, or situations we have to fight, to not lose ourselves.

We celebrated Hna Vidrios' bday after, with cake, and I had made homemade salsa which was a hit! 

Wednesday I had to buy a new backpack---I thought mine would last hahaha but it didn't so I bought the only one that had a camelback thing and was going to last. We had just finished lunch and were waiting for the bus to pass by to take us to another part of our area when I looked over and saw someone waving their hands at me and walking towards us.  It was Fabian!!!!  He said he had spotted me from the bus he was on and immediately got off to come say hi and to come accompany us!  What a guy--I missed him and all the people I met in Francisco! While he was accompanying us, I felt this sadness come over me because I realized to myself that I am not the same.  I have lost part of myself, or it doesn't come out with my new comp or something.  He and I were remembering how happy and fun and awesome it was to do the mish work with Hna Jo, and he said we were a powerful team.  I still LOVE the work but it's not the same, and I am not the same, and it made me super sad and down because I want to be that same person; but with every comp we change and it's hard when we don't understand or share a lot of the same things---we are friends but it's not the same obviously, which makes me sad because with Hna Jo and Hna Orantes we really enjoyed our time in the streets together and made it a blast.  I know I can do the same and I am going to try and figure out how but....I think I also have to accept that things are and will be different.  That can be ok too.

So Wednesday we had one of the most INTENSE lessons I've ever had!  We went to Ronald and were determined to teach him Lesson 3 but SUPER directly and make the commitments super strongly, etc.  Well he felt the Spirit SO strongly because he kind of fell back and laughed, etc. and we didn't budge, and I testified as I have never testified before in the name of our Savior and gave promises that he would receive his answer if he accepted to be baptized on Saturday.  We testified a TON, shared the scriptures, by the Spirit, that he needed, and he felt it, and we promised, etc.  It was a way intense lesson with the Spirit ever present but Ronald still said he wasn't sure and didn't accept.  So....ya he isn't ready yet and won't progress right now.  At least we did literally ALL we could now for him and there is no doubt he knows and has felt it but is choosing not to right now.

We got out of that lesson late--at 8:30 and had originally planned to go to Cristina to set the date for her baptism for Saturday and talk to her mom and testify that her daughter will be ready, etc. but we had NO idea how we would go and be home in time because it's not close.  We went home and both felt ancy and couldn't sit still, and we called Angela to tell her we couldn't come and then she told us it was fine but they wouldn't be able to see us the next day and we were like oh no----she's not going to be baptized Saturday if we don't go---we could feel that SO strongly.  We got off the phone and both expressed that we felt like we had to go but then I was freaking out about the time and so I called the ZLs like 3 times and our DL as well to try and tell them what was going on and get permission but no one answered!  But we couldn't deny that feeling, so we bolted out of the door at like 8:40 at night and caught a taxi and rushed over to Cristina's! I was cracking up in the taxi like so surprised at that locura of what we were doing--knowing we never would break the rules like that but that we couldn't deny that feeling and not follow the impression, and at least we had tried to advise our leaders hahahaha I couldn't believe it!  So we get there, and have a short but wonderful lesson with them, testifying, and Cristina accepted, but more importantly, Angela finally recognized that her daughter had been changing and really did want it and accepted that Cristina would be baptized, and have her interview the next day, etc super quickly!  What a miracle again!  We bolted home in another taxi and ran up the stairs to like 13 missed calls! hahahaha I called Elder Falk and he said WHAT HAPPENED?!!  They were all freaked out and worried because we had called so many times and weren't there and that's not like us, etc.  He was surprised and happy when I told him what had happened and it was a huge adrenaline rush for us and we just felt blessed to have followed that impression.  I compared it like how Nephi broke the commandment to not kill, by killing Laban, but only because the Lord impressed upon him strongly to do it for their salvation :)  Crazy! haha

Thursday I woke up and was sick again.  Dizzy, lack of energy completely, etc.  I slept and slept and just felt horribly all day.  I got emotional while reading Mosiah 4:27 and D&C 15:6---that is so true!  I got up to go visit Cristina with our RS president who drove us, thank heavens!  And I just tried to trust in the Lord, as always!  

Friday I also woke up pretty dang sick and slept for hours even though I had slept.  I just had no energy.  We had to go to the office for Hna Alvarez and while we were there, the doorbell rang and two people entered from Manta!  The kid looked at me and said, "Hna Bryan what are you doing here?"  I said, "ME?? What are YOU doing here?!!"  Haha It was a ward missionary who has changed a ton (he never wanted to work with us really but now is Ward Mission Leader and preparing to serve a mission!)  He updated me on the people and members and happenings in Manta and that was a tender mercy.  The Lord has sent me memories of Manta a lot lately and I feel very grateful for that.  I still haven't lost the hope to go back :)   (Hna Angulo---Bachita fallecio hace 2 semanas---puede creerlo??!)

Friday was Cristina's interview and when she came out, she was SO happy!

Saturday we had medical appointments, and Hna Orantes was there for her appt and it was so great to be with her and feel that Spirit and unity and understanding more than anything again.  That is what lacks--understanding.  Anyway, afterwards, my comp and I had to have a very long comp talk and inventory and worked a lot of things out that we had needed to.  It's a fight to get along with some companions even when they are great people and want to serve--the clash of personalities or priorities and lack of consideration or understanding is strong sometimes, and the Lord is teaching me A LOT through this companionship of my weaknesses:  I need more charity, more patience, more humility, to serve more, and be more selfless.  Ya I have a lot to work on and just feel humbled all the time.

We then got to go to the Bishop's house for lunch and it was great to share with them.  He cracks me up--his dramatic yet hardworking awesome personality.  He doesn't even realize he is funny.  He told us that he had talked to Pres Amaya 2 days before and just thanked him for us and reported on the work we were doing and said we already had a baptism, etc.  I felt very grateful for that.  Saturday was CRISTINA'S BAPTISM!!!  She was so happy, Angela was SO happy, and the miracle of that day was that Allisson (her 8 year old sister) who is very mature and always told us though she liked this, she was Catholic and doing her first communion, etc was super touched during the baptism and leaned over and expressed to us her desires now to be baptized.  So we are working on that for this coming Saturday!  The Bishop stood up and the Spirit was so strong with what he shared.  He shared that it was really a miracle what was happening: for Angela who went inactive as a 9 year old girl to come back to her testimony and light, and then slowly see each one of her family members accept this and change their lives forever so they can be together forever--what a miracle!!  This week in my study I re-read Alma 31:34-35 and the conference Ensign mentions it as a less active rescue call.  That blew my mind!  I had always loved that scripture but as I realized what that scripture says again, and describes their desires to help their brethren feel the same feelings again, I felt the Spirit SO strongly and teared up, thinking of Angela and the miracle this has been.  Such a special feeling--it is a miracle to witness the re-activity of someone, and the miracle of the Gospel blessing her childrens' and family´s lives.  We are working hard with them and hope to baptize Allison on Saturday, and work on the husband every time he is in town!  I just feel so blessed to merely be an instrument in the Lord's hands as He fully realizes and does these miracles here.  Wow.

Also Elder Falk gave me a blessing on Saturday night, and it was exactly what I needed to hear.  He blessed me that I will have patience in this affliction and blessed me to have a calm spirit around me at all times (wow!) and then to know that this is for my good, and to NOT worry about my future or the effects--that I will have peace and know everything will be ok.  Exactly what I needed and I felt SO calm and at peace for the first time in a long time.  The Priesthood is so real and such a blessing.  As I was reading the conference Ensign, I read the Priesthood talks which were AMAZING and just felt something SO special.  All you Priesthood holders out there, I hope you realize what a privilege and what a blessing it is to hold that, and be God's hands and mouths and instruments! Please fulfill your duties and your callings and live worthily to exercise that power. It blesses our lives more than you know.

Sunday was great--we had meetings, helped the ward missionaries try and get excited about serving--we make them accompany us and contact, haha, but secretly I think they like it or appreciate it.  We had a great FHE with all the leaders and less active family, we found some good contacts, and a couple things the bishopric said touched me.  The counselor said, "Si, ustedes perseveran hasta el fin en el campo misional, veran milagros," and then said if not here, later on in life with our families, etc.  I have seen miracles and KNOW I will continue seeing the miracles of the mission throughout my whole life.

Also the bishop said while talking about the responsibilities of fathers and mothers in the Proclamation, "Proveer es proveer en TODO, y con todo!  Espiritual y fisicamente."  And it just hit me the importance of having a father and husband in the home who really provides NOT just the necessities of life with money etc, but the necessities spiritually--in the gospel--because THAT is what will truly fill our spirits and hearts, and help the children and everyone around us.  It's provide for all of that.  What a responsibility but what a blessing as well!

Well I have been very humbled by my weaknesses as a person, missionary, and human lately and this week.  I need to work on a LOT of things.  It's hard sometimes to find ourselves in the peaks and valleys spiritually and realize we have to pick ourselves up again, and reach what we once felt and were, but isn't that the point of life and the gospel?!  I re-read 2 Nephi 4 today and feel just like Nephi did.  I am flawed and feel sad and down about that, BUT I know in whom I trust.  I KNOW that the Lord is my support and will help lead me through.  I KNOW that He loves me, and that humbles me as well.  How merciful and loving is my Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to be happy, despite our weaknesses.  I love Him and as such, try to be better.  I am grateful for that opportunity!!  What a blessing and miracle is it to have the Atonement, our Heavenly Father's love and light, and to be a missionary.

I love you!!!  Have a great week,

Hermana Bryan

"And this is my Joy"

Paul's Baptism

Hola familia!!!!

Well this week has been a GREAT week full of many tender mercies and awesome experiences. 

So Tuesday the District Meeting was just SO great--as it is every single week and I just feel SO blessed to be in my district and in my zone-!!!!  We are super unified and that's key!  The district meetings are just SOOO uplifting and we are in this together and the practices are awesome.  We were practicing for Ronald in our area, and Elder Ayala with the other ZL Elder Osegueda taught me, and at one point Elder Ayala really boldly and with the Spirit called me to repentance and helped me commit to other things, and I (as Ronald) began cracking up because of how strong I felt the Spirit and the necessity to change that I couldn't do anything else or escape.  It was awesome to feel that, as the investigators feel, and I just LOVE our Zone! :)  It definitely boosted my animos.

Wednesday was my 11 month anniversary and it was awesome that Hna Orantes remembered and brought me cookies and a note the day before.  How thoughtful!  So Wednesday we had some citas medicas and then we had a baptismal interview for Ronald, and it was so great to be able to play the piano and sing and talk and get to talk with Elder Falk--it's just great.  So those were the tender mercies of that day haha.

Thursday was a great day!  We went to lunch and the family at lunch is SO fun! They are great, hilarious, spiritual, and just get along great with me and our family type.  They presented us to their non-member son and we have a NDH tonight with him and he is pretty stoked.  I love the people here!  Also we really enjoyed the views we have in our area while climbing the hills.  There was a gorgeous breeze and climate here (what?!!  That never happens!)  We also went and visited a reference this RM in our ward gave us, and we had to visit him outside his house cuz there wasn't a lady present.  We got there and he said he was a little sick to his stomach and then we could see him pretty ancey, and he said it would have been better to come the day before when he wasn't sick, and I told him I understand completely because the week before I was way sick so if he needed to go to the bathroom not to worry---we understood. He looked pretty embarrassed and said ya but then quickly excused himself and bolted up the stairs to his house!  bahahahaha  He hurried and then came down the steps all sweaty, poor guy, and apologized, but Hna Alvarez and I were DYING afterwards of how hilarious and how sad for him---pobrecito!  But things like that happen!  

We saw Gustavo and other people while going to other visits and it's just great to see that people can tell we are joyous in this work, and see and feel their excitement as well!!  In the FHE we had that night, the hermano talked about tender mercies and I got to bear my testimony all about that!  Love it :)  

Something I have loved realizing on my mission is that the Lord and our Heavenly Father work, and are still working.  Their work is as Moses 1:39 says--to bring to pass OUR immortality and eternal life.  So they work all the time FOR us and for our well being, and doing all they can to have that happen.  What a blessing!  So, what is our work?  D&C 11:20----keep His commandments.  That's it!  It's SO simple.  We just need to keep the commandments and He does all the rest.  What a loving, merciful Heavenly Father we have.

Friday we had another baptismal interview for Ronald--Elder Falk was pretty ticked afterwards because Ronald can feel it but is denying it, so that's good to know--we are going to give him some time and space until he recognizes his answer because he has it and knows it.  But during, I loved playing the piano again and then another gringo elder in our zone who was on intercambios with Elder Falk was there (Elder Fredrickson) and he was playing the piano like a beast--he can't read notes much but after only 2 years of playing piano, writes songs and from ear can play tunes.  What talent I've seen here on the mish!  He really loved the music you guys sent me and the other music I have and insisted on video taping and making copies of it so this music is helping other people--thanks fam!  haha

BUT the huge tender mercy of the whole week was FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!!!!  What Joy!  Ok so we got to the baptism early so Hna Orantes and I could practice our song, and we were practicing when we saw Josue Alava (Paul's 12 yr old member cousin) come up to the door.  We went out and he said, "Hermanas, I have bad news.  Paul backed out--he isn't going to be baptized today."  My heart sank and I was like NOOO this can't be, I don't believe it!  He said that he had gone out of town to where he is from (as he usually did every weekend) and he said he was so sorry.  We were laughing and half yelling not believing it and telling him to tell the truth and be serious, etc. haha, it was intense.  Then we saw to our right, a head peeking out of the corner so we RAN over and down the yard, and it was Jonathan (Paul's 15 year old member cousin.)  And Jonathan said he was really sorry but Paul wasn't there and wasn't coming, and at that point Hna Orantes was going around like crazy running around saying, "WHERE IS HE?? WHERE IS HE??!"  We then went out to the back side and it was all dark and we were like is he really not here??  When Paul came out of the darkness walking all calmly and said, "Hey what's all the commotion for?  Why are you guys yelling?!" I started busting up laughing and wanted to go hit him.  I was dying laughing of all the emotions that had just happened in 10 minutes, and cracking up at Hna Orantes who got super mom-strict-mad and went marching up to Josue saying, "JOSUE VEN ACCA, JOSUE!!!" like she was going to scold him.  Haha it was HILARIOUS and THAT is why I love them :)  It was totally a Paul thing to do and totally an Alava thing and I LOVE them!  Haha that was the best prank to pull on us gullible and sensitive sister missionaries who love him.  Great prank.

So he was joking the whole time about backing out and trying to act all smooth like it wasn't a big deal what he was doing, but he was nervous and excited and just full of light!  Hermana Orantes spoke and then I spoke.  I spoke about enduring to the end with the theme as, "Oh Remember, Remember."  I touched on a few ways we can make sure we endure, one of those being remembering.  It went well and Paul could feel our love and light and happiness, and he too exuded that and was happy I was there.  We then sang I Stand All Amazed---she sang soprano and I sang alto (she has a lovely voice) and stupid Elder Fredrickson videoed us that stinker!  haha  But the Spirit was VERY strong in this baptismal service and the whole time I was just bursting with love and joy.

Elder Falk then entered the baptismal font and Paul wasn't entering.  We almost got up to go talk him through it, when he entered :)  During the ordinance and right before going under, Paul was shaking, so I could tell he was nervous but he did it!!!  When he came back, he shared his testimony and the experiences we went through, and can I tell you how incredible it was to hear him say, "YO SE que el Libro de Mormon es verdadero," and tell us he was already in Jacob and has only been reading for 2 months, etc etc.  He is so so great and just always says to us, the key is endure to the end.  What a blessing to be able to have taught him, seen his progress, and be there to participate in the joy of his baptism!  He was literally just SHINING and his eyes changed.  They were SO soft and just so so so FULL of love.  I had never seen him look SO loving and so happy and smiley and just so soft and loving.  The light of Christ, and change the gospel brings, is so incredible.  He felt his moment of joy and was glad I was there, and showed that love and gratitude and change.  What joy---I was on cloud 9 ALL night and just it was perfect!!!  Very spiritual and it meant so much to me.  They said goodbye again and it was very sad--it hurt to say goodbye (as it does always with those we love) but what joy and love at the same time.  

How I LOVE the mission :)

Saturday our tender mercy was DOUGLAS.  So we have this mountain in our area---voluntad de Dios---funny name right? :)  and we get lost a lot but every time we are super lost, we find a member.  The Lord blesses us!  Anyway we had climbed the mountain and then went down again because we were lost.  Then we went around and climbed the other side and went back down---we had to keep climbing and searching and it was SO tiring to try to find Douglas´ house but we did, and how worth it!!!  Douglas only talked to the missionaries one time, but he and his wife are super receptive.  We felt the Spirit so strongly and there is something very special about Douglas.  We taught them the Restoration and they understood and felt the Spirit, and understood the importance of reading the BOM as a testimony, etc.  The wife is a bit more hesitant than he is, and said she wouldn't come to church this week but next week, yes.  I kept feeling like I couldn't accept that though, so I then asked Douglas if HE could accompany us even though his wife wouldn't, and he said yes!!!!  We also passed by the Bishop's house and gave him updates of everything we had been doing and questions we had.  He was very impressed that every reference he had given us we had already visited and had lessons with, or had lessons scheduled with them, etc.  He gave us awesome plans for the ward missionaries:  told us we basically are the Zone Leaders of this ward and the ward missionaries, and the plans, etc.  He is incredible and super proactive, and I felt like that visit was the finishing touch in gaining his full confidence and confiding fully in him.  What a blessing!

Sunday---DOUGLAS CAME!!!!  He came late but he came AND brought 2 of his sons--10 and 8 years old.  They were all singing the hymns, reverent, etc. and the boys told us they really liked the church and Douglas was just so great to come that distance and bring his sons and keep his promise (most people dont here!)  He is GREAT and golden and we are so excited to see his progress and be teaching him and his family.  I'm excited for the miracles there.

Our Principles class is amazing because our teacher (the RM I mentioned earlier) is amazing.  He's Colombian--like most of my fav people here, haha, and is the YM President as well, and a temple worker, and works on the side, and does other ward visits on his own time---just FULLY and FIRSTLY dedicated to the Lord.  Incredible.  It was amazing to hear his conversion story; I was in tears and his class is always full of the Spirit and wonderful insights.  Aren't we blessed to be fortified and edified by the Lord constantly?!  The Lord blessed us to be able to fulfill our goal of 4 investigators at church.  And the ward is just super excited to have us there, and the Bishop mentioned in his talk on Sunday that they have a new team of missionaries who are super willing and excited to work.  What a blessing to hear that come out of the Bishop's mouth!  The members keep giving us references without us even having to ask first, and we have to keep a notebook full of the FHEs they want to do, or their references.  But WHAT a blessing!   We contacted 17 of those references this week and that was without pulling or pushing anyone!  This ward is incredible!  

So in the mission corellation, our leader needs some guidance, and the ward missionaries (almost all of whom are preparing to leave on missions this year) were pretty disanimated, taking this lightly, brushing things off, etc.  We went through their goals, their plans, were firm with our expectations, and then did a question session of why they wanted to go on missions, their feelings, etc.  We testified of missionary work and of the JOY and happiness we feel but that it's not something to take lightly.  It's serious and requires preparation.  You cant just go on a mission and expect to learn there what you have to do.  You go to TEACH and how much more prepapred they will be if they do that now.  They kind of were taken aback and we expressed our support for them and how excited we were to help them and to work hard and prepare them, etc, and we were able to see the change in them and their animos.  We are going to work hard to get them out and have them leave prepared!  2 of them were sitting down on a bench in a corner as we passed going to a lesson later on, and we pulled them up and had them come with us but they enjoyed it a lot and are excited to serve.  I'm excited to brush this excitement and work and joy off on them!  So we were going to visit someone, and then all of a sudden Hna Alvarez and I both felt like we should go visit Angela and Cristina (the less active mom with her girl).  Angela told us she had thought about us and wished we would come and we showed up!  What a blessing it is to have the Spirit guide us.  She shared with us that while reading the BOM this week, she remembered her childhood and remembered her feelings about the Gospel and felt that this was true, and is determined now the path she will take, and that she has to be the example.  She is going to talk to her husband and help her kids and with that, there are 3 people there that can be baptized.  The Lord is helping us strengthen her and see the results of that, and I know they can have an eternal family.

We then had a great FHE with Gustavo and EVERYONE who had showed up to our correlation came without even promising to come!  There were so many people there and they showed their support and their desire to start working, etc. and we just felt so happy and blessed when we came home with the results we've seen this week and what this ward will be able to do.  

We really are a team and will be able to see miracles!

I'm learning a lot with my comp.  It's not as easy to get along with her as my other comps but because we both want to be patient and loving and humble, we are talking A LOT and working things out every day, but nicely and lovingly so it works, and we are compromising and communicating which is key to having unity and maintaining love and patience.  Other than those things, she's obedient and works hard so with a lot of talking and patience the other things don't matter!

So to finish out, I wanted to comment some things I've learned or realized this week.  I'm reading in Exodus and was so amazed and disappointed with how easy it was for the children of Israel to forget the miracles the Lord did for them, yet how merciful and forgiving the Lord is for us!  Also I was reading in D&C 6:21 and it struck me how interesting this is.  You would think that if a light came to the darkness, obviously people would notice--everyone would realize it, right?!  But some people still don't comprehend or notice it---how true that is!  We also are lights (as Christ was) to people, shining in the darkness of this world and sin, and yet so many people still don't get it and don't comprehend and don't see the light. But we have to keep shining and helping people realize that light so it can shine in them!  

Well I love you all SO much and am so grateful for you.  I love the mission and love my Lord and Savior and am SO grateful for this opportunity.

Love,

Hermana Bryan

Me, Paul, and Hermana Orantes!

Me, Paul, and his cousins

My New Area--the part that's paved--and the Beautiful Views

Remembering

Hola Familia!!
Well I want to start off first by saying, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my dad and grandpas, uncles, and everyone else out there!!!!
This week has been way way full of ups and downs.

So Monday we revised things in Condor, our new area, and it was horrible--the area book was empty, everything was out of order and it just surprised me how much people don't take care of these spiritual things.

Tuesday we went to District Meeting and it was SO great to see the hermanas from Guayacanes and Samanes there and to be in the same district and the same zone.  I love these people :)  Elder Tellez, a new elder from Argentina told us his story and I was just SO impressed.  He said that the elders always tried to commit him to being baptized  and he never accepted, but that he accepted to pray more about it and he felt so strongly in his heart that he should be baptized that HE called the missionaries and told them he wanted to be baptized and when, etc.  I was so impressed with that!

Wednesday I was pretty dang down because of how sick I had felt (dizziness, stomach things, etc) and cried a bit--my comp has been great about trying to understand and take care of me when I'm not feeling well but it's still not the same.  Even though I felt that way, we still went out and I was feeling pretty bad outside and wanted to return, but stayed out.  Good thing, too, because Gustavo (Hna Jo's convert) was stitting outside on his balcony reading the BOM, waiting for us.  It was such a tender mercy from the Lord to be with him!  Literally I felt SOO much love for him because I know how much Hna Jo loves him and because I could feel Heavenly Father's love for him, and because he reminds me of Julio.  He had fallen away for a bit and held a lot of resentment, is sensitive, etc. but got really excited when he saw our happiness and excitement and energy and love.  He re-committed to doing the simple things again, and we just let him talk and talk and let it all out, and then we testified and read with him and helped him feel the Spirit and God's love again.  What a blessing to be with him.  He came to church on Sunday too!!!  We are gunna get him back :)

Also, during my personal study on Wednesday, I was really touched by how much people fall or remain okay in the Gospel or in their lives just by doing, or not doing, one simple key thing.  (Dad, I don’t know how you ALWAYS know what I study and find or need, etc.  The Spirit is always guiding you to share these exact things—it’s incredible!)  That key is: REMEMBERING.  All throughout Ether, I was so touched that their journey to the promised land was filled of them focusing on, putting first, and remembering the Lord, His tender mercies, and recognizing His blessings.  They spent their time thanking Him, singing to Him, and as soon as they landed, they knelt down and prayed in gratitude, and then immediately got to work.  What examples and what a different journey than that of 1 Nephi!  Also, throughout the people and the different kings in the land, the key to if they prospered and remained blessed or started becoming wicked, was remembering the Lord’s tender mercies and blessings He had wrought upon their ancestors and in their own lives.  Do we remember the Lord?  If we always remember Him (as we promise to do upon being baptized and partaking of the Sacrament), we will be assured that we will live our lives in accordance with His will.  How can one do wrong when they are thinking about or remembering the Lord?  That’s the key.  We need to remember Him.  We need to recognize His hand in our lives, and be grateful.  How grateful I am for Him and His tender mercies daily.  I write those down daily and encourage you all to do the same!  It makes the difference and helps us get through the hard times.

Thursday I felt super sick and was pretty down emotionally because of how the sickness was making me feel emotionally, and Satan has really been working hard on me through my health and emotions--that piece.  It seems he works harder and harder the more time goes by.  Elder Falk called in the morning and asked if I was dead (haha it cracked me up because that’s like a best friend thing to say--like something Hna Jo and I say to each other) and when I said I was sick he said, "NOOOO WE NEED YOU!!!"  So once we finished planning and doing some other things, we finally went out to preach and we got to visit RONALD!  Ronald is the son of a recent convert and he is evangelical and very intellectual and has had a hard life.  We visited him one other time this week and it was good, we got his needs out by listening.  (Listening, and listening by the Spirit, is KEY.  They tell you everything, and then the Spirit knows what to say in response!  My comp was pretty ancey to just teach and get it done with, but I had to put my hand on her to tell her to calm down and just let him talk.  That’s a hard thing for some of the missionaries here.  They want to get in, teach, and leave, but what good does that do if we don’t know their needs or if they don’t trust us?  That’s just teaching lessons, not people.)  So we felt that for the next lesson we taught him, our goals would be to let him feel God’s love in his life, let him recognize his divine potential, and feel the Spirit (all of which he had never experienced before from what he told us.)  We got there, not knowing beforehand what we would say or do (like Nephi going in to get Laban haha) and just asked him how it went with his commitments, etc.  He then began to completely and utterly open up to us about his whole life, his feelings, his questions, etc, and by the end of the lesson, as we testified according to his needs, everything we wanted him to feel or recognize was accomplished!!!!!  By questions, and his trust in us, and the SPIRIT!  He said he felt that God did love him, that he had a special purpose to fulfill here, that Heavenly Father has given him many answers that he hadn’t recognized until we were there with him helping him recognize it, etc.  It was AMAZING and just so uplifting and edifying.  He said that he really wants this to be true, he wants families to be forever, etc.  He needs a testimony, but working with him, I know he can be baptized.  What a miracle---it was an amazing lift in spirits for me, from being down and sick, to feeling the Spirit and being able to help someone feel God’s love for them--that’s what it's all about.  Such a tender mercy and a blessing that though I may not be the best health wise or be able to do everything, the Lord still helps us accomplish His will and our righteous desires as He gives us His Spirit and guides us in His work.

Friday the ZLs came and contacted in our area and took one of the ward missionaries with them.  The ward missionary’s family is awesome and the mom was so helpful in helping me out with what I could eat, etc (I was still SO sick to my stomach, etc all week).  We then went out and contacted other areas ourselves and it was incredible.  We found Joanna--an 8 year old little girl who literally could be 16 by the way she thinks and asks questions and understands things.  She asked us if we were religious and what we did, and we began to share with her.  She wanted to listen and I asked how she was and she said she was bad because her dad doesn’t love her because he abandoned her when she was little and that her mom doesn’t live with her, only visits on the weekends because of work, so she feels pretty badly.  She was tearing up and I knelt down and grabbed her hands and just told her how much God loved her and that she was His child, and we talked about Christ and then she just hugged me and cried a bit and then we talked about Christ’s life, and she was the one who asked us if we had any pamphlets or anything and wants us to come back and immediately sat down and began reading the pamphlet as we left.  I was so in awe of her and her mature spirit and as we were walking away, with her pamphlet in hand, Joanna yelled, “Gracias, religiosas!” with her cute 8 year old smile full of love.  These moments make everything all worth it. 

Also we are working with a less active mom and her non member daughters and husband.  Her daughters want to be baptized and love the church but the Mom inactivated like at age 9 so it’s a hard come back for her and when we are there, she feels peace and gets excited, but when we leave, it’s easier to think about just staying with the Catholics, etc.  Anyway, I know that we will work hard with them and be able to see that family become eternal!  They are a really special great family.  We were walking away from that lesson and Hna Alvarez commented that she feels the Spirit a lot since we have been companions and just hugged me and thanked me and was excited about everything she is learning.  That was another tender mercy because as I shared last week, with all the pressures that happen and get put on us, and the trials, sometimes we get down if we don’t have much to show for it.  But the Spirit is the key, and most important element in this work, and the most valuable gift we could receive from our Father in Heaven!

Saturday I woke up and was horrible.  My health was bad and my stomach still hadn’t recovered, and I just hurt a ton and checked my temp and I was actually 3 degrees Celsius below what I should be because of dehydration--crazy!  We went to the doctors and they said I had an intestinal infection so they gave me antibiotics and meds and I hydrated a ton.  I learned that intestinal infections HURT a lot.  Also it was a tender mercy that Hna Alvarez was like a mom that day to comfort me and help.  The members were great and supportive, and Heavenly Father literally answered my prayers in regards to the doctor and the results.  It’s the same doctor I’ve seen who has always been pretty rude and made me come back a million times to tell me what I have.  I prayed that he would behave nicely and give me results the same day as I felt I couldn’t wait longer.  I got there and the doctor was nice and said to remember they were there if I ever needed help or concerns as I was getting better.  He then said, "Well you have an intestinal infection, so why should I send you to go get labs if I know you have that, right?!"  ANSWER to prayers right there!  How I love my Heavenly Father.  He is SO aware of us and helps us daily.

I felt better enough in the afternoon to actually study the scriptures (because the Bishop had asked us to speak on Sunday so I had to prepare!) and how I love studying the scriptures.  It’s something I am going to miss SO much when I go home--the time spent studying the scriptures.  I love the mission.  I was looking through some of my pictures from the mission and it’s crazy how some of those experiences seem like a dream.  Like I haven’t really lived it--like it was a dream.  Time goes by so quickly and before I know it, it will all seem like a dream.  That makes me way sad!  But what a wonderful time :)

Elder Falk also called at night and I seriously love him--I’m way grateful for him.  He made fun of my voice as I answered the phone and I told him to shut up and we just laughed, and he told me not to feel badly or that I shouldn’t feel it was my fault because it’s not like I’m bringing these sicknesses upon myself.  He asked about our investigators and said we are doing awesome, and he is stoked for Condor to finally have baptisms and success.  He said he would pray a lot for my intestinal infection haha (he reminds me of Adam Demello--they have the same personality--like a best friend here!)

Elder Ayala was also great and understanding, and I just can’t express over and over again each week how grateful I am for my leaders.

Sunday we went to church and I got to play the piano (one of 2 real pianos I’ve found here in the mission!) and we gave talks.  The 1st counselor leaned over to me while my comp was speaking and it was only 9:25, and smiled and laughed a bit and said that after the hymn, I would have the WHOLE rest of the time to speak.  hahahaha Oh Joseph.  But I did it!  :) I talked about experiencing the happiness that the gospel brings us as we live the gospel principles, and then talked about the joy that missionary work brings us as well.  I related the two to Spanish phrases they have, shared scriptures, shared part of “No me Puedo Contener” (thanks Dad!) and bore testimony.  The whole time I tried to be super upbeat and smiley and happy and loving, and I really just felt all that being in this ward--I feel at home with these members and they are active, fun, happy, and like working in the Lord’s work. I’ve been so impressed with them!  We got some great compliments about the talks, and people were super impressed and said we activated the ward once again.  I can’t tell you how many horrible, negative comments I’ve heard just in 1 week about the previous missionaries.  How sad and horrible that they left that kind of impression on the ward, its leaders, the recent converts, everybody!  The Bishop pulled us aside and said that he finally called Pres Amaya and asked for elders or something to help the ward because he couldn’t deal with it any longer.  So President sent Hna Alvarez and me.  No pressure or anything!  haha.  The bishop is great, and super active and supportive and wants to work hard.  He expects crazy miracles though and doesn’t really understand that we are human and get sick but that’s ok! :)  We like working hard and I just hope and we will try to live up to everything he expects, doing the best we can (which is what we always try to give).  I’m way impressed that this ward is preparing 8-10 missionaries to leave on missions this year (ps--is the worldwide age now 18 for young men to go out?!) and we have a lot of ward missionaries, a ton of people wanting to do FHEs and visits, etc--SO much so, in fact, that we feel dizzy each and every time we talk to members or have meetings.  It’s a lot to handle all at once because the ward is stoked to recover everything lost with the other missionaries, but little by little we are gunna get it all done!  It’s a heavy load to carry, and crazy information overload all the time, but we just have to trust in the Lord!  I am way grateful to be in Condor.  The feeling there is one of at home.  I love the people already and their personalities, and we all just mesh together which will make for miracles here.  My comp is awesome.  She is so so so humble, way happy and smiley, only a 2 year convert (wow--such an example to me), very patient, and just great.  We get along!  It’s not the mesh of me and Hna Jo--nothing ever will be--but I feel very grateful for yet another good comp.  The work doesn’t move forward without unity, work, and happiness and joy.  If we don’t have joy in the work, something is wrong, and when other people notice that lack of joy, (from the previous missionaries) something is definitely way way wrong!  So we are starting from zero and working our way up, and praying a ton for Ronald, Kristina, (the daughter of the less active) and other chosen people here to be baptized (the ward has a 40 baptism goal for the year---crazy!!!) and just trusting in the Lord a lot.

So with all the overwhelmingness of being here in the new area and having all this responsibility and trying to live up to everyone’s expectations, the Lord blessed me with yet another tender mercy--the best one all week.  Hna Orantes called me last night and said, "GUESS WHAT?!!!"  I had no idea what she was going to say and then all of a sudden burst out with, “PAUL IS GOING TO GET BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”  I started screaming and was going to cry of joy and was just SOOOO excited.  She said that since I left they haven’t even taught him personally, but set up an appt for him to be interviewed to see if he was ready or not.  She said Elder Falk spent a ton of time in there and then when they got out, Paul just dictated that on Friday he would be baptized as a surprise for the ward during the ward Father’s Day activity; that he didn’t want anyone else other than Hna Orantes and her comp and ME to know, and that Elder Falk would baptize him.  Oh my, I am SOOO happy!!!!!  I just always felt how ready he was and that I was there for him, and the Lord is granting me the opportunity to go see this fruit of our labors!!!  Hna Orantes and I are going to speak and do a musical number, and I’m SO excited for Friday and to send the pics next week!  What a miracle and what joy this work brings!!!!!!! 

I’ve been pretty emotional lately about the fact that I only have 6 months left (on Wednesday I hit 11 months).  I can’t believe where the time has gone, and I don’t feel ready, and it just makes me sad that the day where I get to say, “As a representative of Jesus Christ, I promise or I testify,” etc will come to an end.  I just get SO grateful for the opportunity to be here and what a miracle the mission is, and emotional when I think about this ending (good thing I still have 6 months right?!) haha.  The time in my life has never gone by so quickly and never been more jam-packed full of learning and growing opportunities, and how grateful I am.  I just feel grateful, loving, happy, and joyful thinking about the mission, this Gospel, and my Savior and Heavenly Father.  They love us so much and they let us know that daily.  How blessed we are!  Ok I’ll stop love bursting about the mission now and how grateful I am despite challenges, etc. :)  Thanks for understanding this rollercoaster ride of emotions week by week!  It’s great.

Thank you all for your prayers, counsel, thoughts, and love.  I feel it and need it every day. I pray for you as well!!!  Love you and have a wonderful week and wonderful FATHER’S DAY!!!

Love,

Hermana Bryan

Just when the Crazy gets Crazier

Hola familia!!!

Welp just when we thought 3 changes was too many for one transfer, another transfer came last night and I am now in a new area with a new companion, Hermana Alvarez (from Bolivia--she has 4 months here in the mish) and we are opening the area of Condor.  Good news!  I'm still in the same Zone, Orquideas, AND best news of all, have the same district leader and in the same district as Hna Orantes!!!!  Thank heavens for those blessings.  Crazy, right?  I'm kind of glad that in 6 months I will not have to have so many crazy, emotional, and physical changes all the time haha.

Ok well this week has been one FULL of trials and also the Lord's tender mercies so let's get the stories going :)

Monday night I barely slept cuz my cough was so bad, and when I don't sleep I get pretty dang sick physically, but had to wake up anyway and go strong for District Meeting because Hna Orantes and I were giving the lesson!  Tuesday we gave the lesson on Teaching People, Not Lessons, and gave them requirements we had come up with to summarize the theme.  We expounded on those, did activities, and shared testimony.  The requirements we talked about were: Trust, Listening, Discerning, The Spirit, Love, and one other I can't remember.  Anyway, it went really well and our district is AWESOME!!!  Our district leader, Elder Ayala is just incredible, and Elder Falk was there and two other awesome elders, and the hermanas from Condor (who are now us but used to be Hna Hernandez and Hna Climaco--a really special person Hna Orantes now has to deal with.)  So there are 4 new missionaries in our zone (being trained) and Elder Ayala's comp is named Elder Tellez from Argentina.  He is this big guy and looks Poly and is so humble and loving, and when he told us his story I just wanted to hug him.  He is the only member of his family, he had no support from his parents coming, he has only been a member for 1 year and a half and he is here.  He said his parents are now going to church, and the other elders were telling him they'll get baptized and he will be so blessed, and he finally put on a smile.  He and his humble, loving, sharp personality touched me so much and I thanked him for being here.  What an example.  We take things so for granted sometimes and think our sacrifices are sacrifices, when others give so much more.  What an example.

Also on Tuesday, Elder Falk had written Hna Orantes and I a note.  It brought me to tears.  He wrote us a thank you letter for making his birthday special, and although it wasn't a huge deal to us, it meant a lot, and he said for the first time in a long time, he hasn't felt so alone.  I started bawling because he does so much for us and we really have a great friendship, us 3, and I can't imagine all the things he is dealing with (4 new missionaries, a hard zone, a difficult or different comp, ZL, etc) and it was so nice of him to express that.  Tender mercy for sure.

So Tuesday we left the meeting and went out to work, and I just felt SO sick all day (from being sick with the flu, from being so tired from not sleeping, dizzy, etc.) I hate not being able to work though, so when Hna Orantes and I talked in the street and she said she could see it on my face, I started crying cuz I didn't want to go home.  I just begged her if we could try one lesson with Evelyn (a jovencita girlfriend of a member who got her pregnant so now they are waiting to get married and she wants the discussions.)  We went inside and turns out she was sick too, so we just shared something short, but during sharing my testimony, I felt the Spirit so strongly and more than that, felt God´s love for Evelyn, and it was so strong.  I was crying and it was such a tender mercy to feel a part of the love He must have for her.  Then, in the closing prayer, the grandma Garcia got very emotional while thanking Heavenly Father for us being there and called us angels and that was such a tender mercy for me.  We ended up going home afterwards because I was feeling sick, and I rested.

Wednesday we did practices with the other hermanas (cuz the ZLs requested that) and it was a good thing--we got to help them, give them counsel, etc.  Then we went to Paul!  A member, Pedro Chavez a RM accompanied us, and it was AWESOME.  He was super direct with him but awesome.  Paul said he has thought about being baptized, about going on a mission, entering the temple, everything.  BUT he refuses to accept still.  Dang it!   Then towards the evening, I got feeling REALLY sick and had to go home.  This time I felt so horrible though, like down emotionally about everything, and just physically horrible.  I felt really down like I want to do SO many things and feel inhibited like I can't, and like I am being prevented from accomplishing my potential as a missionary.  Elder Waddell talked a lot about true success being reaching our true potential as a missionary, and I felt so horribly for our lack of numbers, baptisms, lessons, everything mostly because this last transfer I've been pretty sick.  I felt sad and just really disappointed cuz I didn't want to disappoint everybody (the ZLs, my DL, my comp, the Bishop, etc).  Hna Orantes felt horribly, and she got really bad emotionally cuz she hates seeing me sick and said she feels badly she can't do anything to help, etc and I explained that the little things DO help a ton, etc etc.  I asked for a blessing and a recent RM in our ward, Jose Luis (who has really become like our best friend/brother in the ward--he is way awesome) came and gave me the blessing.  I felt afterwards that I needed more faith and obedience, and it was a good, simple blessing.  I was just grateful that he came and shared of his spirit with us.

Thursday I was sick and we stayed home.  I was a bit more animada but was really super sick throughout the day.  Luckily the members help us and support us a lot.

Friday we went out because I wanted to see Paul and teach him, but he wasn't home.  We went to lunch and I just got very down again because I was NOT better, and not getting better, and getting super dizzy again, and just down because I want to do SO many things and work hard and find new people and baptize and bring this happiness to everyone and reach my potential.  I just didn't understand why this was happening, and so often in my mission.  I know I've learned a lot but the Lord wants me to work and baptize and help others and reach my potential so that's what didn't make sense to me.  Hna Orantes quoted a scripture to me (Isaiah 55:8-9) and she didn't even know that that scripture has actually been the theme of my mission!  My ways are not your ways, my thoughts not your thoughts.  Hna Angulo, hna Johansen and I always used that.  That was inspired for sure to share that and then I read Mosiah 4:9 and got teary and realized that I probably won't understand, and that it's ok.  The Lord helped me to continue preaching that day and even though I was sick, He helped me to have the Spirit when we contacted, and to have the energy to stay outside.

Saturday we were going to do a practice with the other Hermanas when Hna Sanchez broke down and couldn't continue, and so Hna Orantes took Hna Vidrio out and I stayed to talk with her.  We had a long talk and I helped her answer her own doubts and questions and I built her and testified and she came up with goals she could do, etc etc.  It was wonderful.  Afterwards, I hugged her and when I did, she said it felt so good because she felt like it was the Lord´s hands hugging her and letting her feel of His love.  Wow.  Saturday was also Hna JO´s 22 bday!!!  I called her in the morning and Hna Orantes and I sang "Estas son las Mañanitas" the whole song, plus Happy Bday and she was laughing at first and then just crying a lot and so grateful.  Awwww I could tell that it meant SO much to her and probably was the highlight of her day.  I love her so so so much.  Saturday we had a GREAT day full of success and people with real intentions and we were just on top of the world and I felt SO grateful!!!  We were then invited to the ZLs baptism, and Paul had promised to come with us but when we got there, he had gone out of town (stupid needs to rearrange priorities haha) but his cousin accompanied us and that was a blessing because we feel it's his time to learn now too!!  The Spirit was SO strong at the baptism and they asked Hna Orantes and I to share our testimonies, and the people that got baptized thanked us so much afterwards, and it was just really neat.  Also, there is a member in their ward that looks and acts EXACTLY like Jack Black--it's awesome haha.  It's just always great to be with great people who have the Spirit, but also know how to have fun (ex: Hna Orantes, Hna Jo, Elder Falk, etc).  Something I really loved that the first counselor of the Bishopric shared at the baptism, was he said, "Esta es una decision para valientes."  I loved that.  Although it doesn't seem so hard to choose and do it, only the valiant choose to do so.  Only the valiant get their priorities in line, feel the Spirit, follow their answers, and make covenants with the Lord.  This is a Gospel for the valiant, and what a blessing it is to find those people, and share with them, and be blessed by them!  Be valiant :)  It's the best way!

Sunday we went to church and we were feeling pretty sick from fasting, etc and then the Bishop made us feel horribly about something about the Principles of the Gospel class, that hasn't been going on because nobody goes, and knows they should go.  There isn't a teacher, we didn't have the manual to prepare the lesson, we don't have a ward mission leader who comes, etc etc but the Bishop made us feel pretty badly in consejo de barrio about some things, and I just felt that once again, I was letting him down and then he also said, "Hna Bryan, you were sick this week again right?"  I teared up and said yes, and he asked if we were going to the doctor or what, etc and it just made us feel misunderstood and just wanted him to know I wasn't choosing this, and wanted him to know what my true self is like, etc.  I felt pretty sad and down after that, and we went to go break our fast, and as I broke my personal one, I was just bawling and bawling because during the prayer, I just felt so much love and closeness to my Heavenly Father. I know that if no one else can see who I am, or know my desires, at least He knows, and isn't that all that matters?  Anyway, Hna Orantes was pretty teary as well--she was crying for me because she could see I wasn't ok and she also felt sick, and we were just down about our program, the bishop, letting the adversary make us think we were letting people down , etc etc and we were just crying and wouldn't you know but Jose Luis was waiting at the window to catch our attention, and ask to come in the room.  What a tender mercy from the Lord.  He came in and asked what was wrong and he just showed us that he cared, that he supported us, that the Lord loved us, gave us animo and counsel, etc.  He told us that if we don't have logros, we at least have the Spirit.  I really liked that, and isn't that the greatest accomplishment of all?  To have the Spirit as our guide?  He has been the means through which the Lord shares His love to us so many times, and WHAT a tender mercy it is to know people like that who follow the Spirit and truly have charity and share that.  He is like our best friend and brother.  What a blessing.

We went to lunch and then got super pwned by it--pretty sure the chicken was a bit raw.  (We are still sick today--I've barely eaten anything since because I can't. We spend time in the bathroom a lot dang it) Hna Orantes got so sick that she had to hold onto my backpack as I led her home and she had to stop and fall down to rest a few times on the way home.  I took care of her and we had to go home.  I rested for a bit cuz I felt sick too, but then studied, and loved it so much--how I love studying the scriptures!!!!  I'm reading in Genesis, and something I have loved reading about is Abraham.  To receive the covenants and eternal blessings promised him, he too, had to prove his faithfulness, obedience, willingness, etc.  (through obeying and being willing to sacrifice Isaac) and every scripture that talked about the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant gives the reason that it was due to his obedience with that.  What if he would have questioned the Lord or complained cuz he loved his son?  Maybe the Abrahamic covenant would not be.  What amazing blessings we can receive just for being willing, and obeying, and it's just proof that the Lord proves or tests us and then blesses us immediately.

Also, all throughout Genesis, the Lord gives commandments and then immediately reassures them, "I will be with thee."  He always is with us when we obey and serve Him and do His will, and He will always help and make Himself known.  I have felt that, and know that the Lord is with me through everything.  He loves us and will help us along our earthly journey!

Elder Ayala called to get our numbers, and he was just so understanding again, and he just said how much he admired us for going out when we are sick, and said that he has recognized that this week has been one full of challenges for us, but thanked us so much for the work we do, and I just wanted to cry for how amazing he has been.  I thanked him so much for being so understanding.  In my notebook of memories we all pass around, he wrote that he wasn't sure why the Lord called him as DL (pssh I am!!!  He is the best I've EVER had, and I've told him that) and said that if it was his choice, he would tell people he votes to be in the district of Hna Bryan. haha He was so so nice and complimentary in the entry and he just makes me want to cry of gratitude.  So that's why I'm SO blessed and happy to still have him as my leader even with this change!

So then the crazy phone call came at like 10 something and Elder Falk said hi to me and then said he had good news and bad news.  He then said, "Hna Bryan, you have changes."  I thought it was a joke because we have had so many, and he said that unfortunately it wasn't, though he wished it was.  I asked him why the heck it was good news?  haha  And he said cuz I was going to be amazing in my new area and see miracles, etc.  He said it was bad news for him (he thought I wouldn't be in the zone haha) and then just began to thank me for everything I've done and etc etc.  He thanked me a ton and I thanked him a ton.  Then later he sent a message that said, "Thanks so much Sister Bryan for all you've done! Have fun being the first sister Assistant to the President!"  hahahaha I called him and he said that when they called him to tell him I had transfers, that was the first thing he thought bahahaha.  I said that he was hilarious and that would never happen, thank heavens, haha and just thanked him.  I'm so glad I still have him as my leader too!  I just feel very blessed with leaders who know me and are so understanding and helpful and are appreciative, etc.

Today was so sad going to the terminal to see where I was going, and on the way, saw Hna Jo and gave her her Bday present, and she gave me a note that once again had the Isaiah scripture on it :)  I am opening the area she first started in!  In the terminal, a huge tender mercy was that I saw the Bishop from Manta and his family!!!!!!!  He was SO happy to see me and his wife too and they just kept telling me to come back to Manta and how much they remember me, etc.  I had always prayed to see someone from Manta even though that never happens cuz it's 5 hours away, but the Lord is so aware of me and of all of us, and loves us and sends us His tender mercies with His divine signature on them.  "What we call coincidence is God's way of letting Himself be known." "Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and the pulleys." (Gerald Lund)

So a lot of lessons learned but all in all, a pesar de all the down, or disappointments, or sad feelings, the Lord has made Himself be very known in my life this week, and always found moments or people to share that love and His Spirit with me, and to let me know He is aware of me.  What a blessing it is to be a child of God and to be His missionary, and what a blessing to have this Gospel! I know that He loves all of you SO much and if we can recognize His hand in our lives daily, we will be so much happier and feel of His love so much more.  I know He lives and loves us.  I love this work and love being a missionary.  I love my Lord and my Savior, and love my Heavenly Father.  I love you all and encourage you to notice His hand in your lives this week.  Have a great one!!!  Thanks for your support and prayers!!

Love,
Hermana Bryan

Bishop and his Family from Manta

Elder Falk on his birthday with the stuff we did for him!