A God of Miracles

Douglas, Mayra, and Bryan's Baptism!  Sergio, Kevin, and Bishop (the men who performed the baptisms)

Hola Familia!!!

First off, thanks to the friends who sent me early birthday wishes---they were not expected and a happy surprise!  Thanks--love you all.

Wow where to begin.  This week has been CRAZYYY!!!!!  But so crazy good haha and full of just miracles of the Lord!

So Monday night we went to visit Douglas and Mayra and had a whole lesson planned to share with them and to get them excited for their baptism and marriage, etc.  Without expecting or planning it, they basically took over the lesson and shared their feelings for us (how much they will miss us when we leave, etc), the changes they've felt in their home and in their personal lives, etc.  Mayra said I know that you guys didn't come in vain---there was a divine reason for your visits and the timing of it all and she has seen the changes in her home.  Douglas expressed the changes he has seen in his personal life and said that all weekend he wanted to just cry (seeing his son Eduardo be baptized and receive the Spirit, being in a FHE that touched him, etc.) and he never cries!  He said happily, "I think my heart has been softened!"  Eduardo then looked up, tears streaming down his face and we went over to hug him and he just said he was sad even thinking about us leaving and how much he will miss us.
Killer for what I had been feeling just the day before, right?!  haha, but such a miracle!  I don't even know how this change and miracle happened but it did, and the Lord blessed them and us.  Wow.  What an amazing experience and feeling being in that lesson.  They also expressed their love for Kevin and how much they have grown to love him and asked him to be a witness at their wedding haha!

Tuesday morning we taught the class in District Meeting about how to begin teaching and leaving commitments, and we related everything back to the Spirit.  I had been reading Alma 18 and thought some verses interesting.  Verse 12--Ammon was going to leave because he saw the king was troubled.  Thank heavens he didn't!  We can't just leave when we see people troubled or different, that's the purpose of inspired questions!  Verses 14-15, Ammon asked the same question and got the same results--silence for a long time.  Though Ammon without doubts had the Spirit with him, there is a huge difference in asking questions (though we may have the Spirit) and asking inspired questions (something the Spirit literally puts into our mouths).  Verse 16-17, Ammon relied on the Spirit and looked heavenward for his question and then asked a beastly, amazingly inspired question.  Verse 18- the king trusted now, and opened up completely, and later says he wants to hear the Gospel with boldness, etc.
We know how the story ends--great conversion of many many people.

What would have happened if Ammon would have just left and later come back?!  What would have happened if he wouldn't have asked inspired questions?!  The Spirit is SO key in everything we do!

Tuesday we had everything planned to help Mayra make empanadas to sell to the hermanas of the Relief Society to get money for their wedding.  We were getting all that together when the RS president called us and said that Tues was when we had to set the date at the registro civil for the wedding, but that the original documents were needed of everybody.  Man.  Douglas was already at work and we had no way of getting his documents and the registro closed at 5.  So we quickly made like a million phone calls, Kevin came way quickly with his documents, we called Mayra to try to find out where Douglas worked, we called his brother who roughly gave us an idea, we called our ZLs for permission to get these things done and leave our area, etc etc.
Douglas works about 30 minutes away or a little bit more in this island of gated communities as a construction worker.  We got a taxi and Kevin, Hna Alvarez, and I started our adventure of looking for Douglas.  We found the island and entered and then realized how many communities and how many different projects of construction there were going on, and that nobody knew everything or everyone or where individuals work.  We went from community to community, guard to guard, construction worker to construction worker, pausing the taxi, getting out, asking, walking around, etc for 3 hours looking and asking for Douglas Vera.  It was hilarious and the taxi driver--good thing he was a great sport and hilarious about it.  I never imagined anything so crazy---every single person we saw or construction site or community, we stopped.  Well we never found him, and the registro was closed and Wednesday was a holiday here in Guayaquil and we knew that we would have to wait until the day before the wedding to try and set the date and pray they would accept us.
We then went directly up the mountain to Mayra to help with the empanadas and we helped fry them and then the RS pres came in her car and we went for a few hours delivering empanadas and collecting money, etc.  Poor Kevin passed through all this stress, business, emotion, etc with us!  We got home BEAT---I don't think I've ever been so tired in the mission.  Crazy day I will never forget haha.

Wednesday we had a lesson with Angela and her kids bceause we had felt strongly like we needed to go.  Turns out others as well, because our ward mission leader with his assistants showed up halfway through as well haha!!  Well we watched a video and then afterwards talked, but wow the Spirit told me so strongly that Angela felt really alone and sad and that she needed the strength of the temple and to know how much Heavenly Father loved her.  I also felt strongly Kevin needed to share his testimony of being alone doing the work of the Lord but feeling His love and support in the meantime.  The Spirit was so so strong, and I just felt so grateful after, as Angela cried telling us she had felt super lonely but felt the Lord's support as well and that our visits alone make her feel better and with more peace and light.
We then went to Douglas and Mayra and taught about the Priesthood and it was wonderful.  Mayra really wants Douglas to guide their home and their family and Douglas recognized the responsibility and it was great.  Wednesday we got all the documents together to give to the RS pres to try on Thursday to set the date.

Thursday the RS pres came and picked up the documents and said it would be a miracle if they accepted a wedding for the following day; that she would try, but if not they could do it the next week.  We told her that Mayra and Douglas couldn't wait to receive the blessings and we have been praying like crazy and would be praying like crazy that a miracle happens.  We also begged her to pass by Kevin's house for his documents too just in case he needed to present his as well.  She drove off and I had a distinct impression that she was not going to pass by Kevin's house and get his documents and that it would be necessary and key.  We ran back inside the house and called her and she said Kevin wasn't home and she was just going to try to set the date without it.  We called Kevin and he was on his way home from the South and agreed to go to the registro civil to meet the RS pres there.  It was crazy back and forth calls to get them in sync and Kevin to the registro--poor guy had to travel all over the place to get there on the spot, but they did it and thank heavens because turns out if he wouldn't have gone, nothing would have been able to be set!!  Thank Heavens for the Spirit and promptings!  The RS pres called me and said GOOD NEWS your prayers were answered--they have tomorrow but not in the afternoon!  I started laughing with joy and told her it didn't matter when just to book it for Friday!!  What a MIRACLE!!!!  We were SO excited and grateful and felt so blessed by the Lord for hearing our prayers.

Also Thursday I had an amazing study and it was God's personal miracle and tender mercy in my life showing me in 3 different ways and materials exactly what He wanted me to study and learn that day.  I love Hebrews 5:8--even Christ learned obedience by what He suffered!  D&C 93:12-13-even Christ didn't just know all the mysteries of God right away.  He received grace a little at a time and continued until He received all the Father has.  Then while reading Jesus the Christ, pgs 111-112, 116, 119, 128, 135, I was astounded that it was talking exactly about the scriptures and insights I had read--that even Christ had to understand little by little His full potential.  Even He didn't have the full vision of His potential or FULL purpose from the beginning.  I get it now!  We all learn our vision and potential through God's grace and others helping us little by little.  How grateful I am!
Also felt distinct impressions of what I needed to do to be more obedient and focused and feel the Spirit more and have unity again in our companionship (we had struggled a few days before and I was confused as to why.)  She had felt the same, and it was a miracle recognizing the Lord's plan--how He knows exactly what will happen and the decisions we will make and He has back up plans for everything and at the same time, teaches us in irreplaceable ways and perfects us!
Hna Alvarez said, "Somos tan imperfectas por esta obra tan perfecta."  How true that is!!  Yet what a miracle and blessing the Lord grants us to be His servants, and despite our weaknesses and imperfections, provides the way so that "no unhallowed hand can stop the work of the Lord from progressing!"  Not even our imperfections will stop Him! :)

Douglas and Mayra's Wedding!!!

Friday = WEDDING DAY!!!!!  We got there just in time only to find that Mayra and Douglas weren't there, Kevin and the Bishop were freaking out and we were all way nervous and biting our nails, and the Bishop had to walk around to stop being nervous, hahaha, but they made it and got there!!!!  They were SO happy--Mayra was beaming.  Douglas afterwards hugged his kids and kissed them and then just started crying.  He had wanted to cry a lot before and then finally couldn't hold it in.  He said he felt something really wonderful inside.  Wow what a neat thing to see and what a miracle.  We had to wait forever to get their new ID cards, etc, but it was so worth it--everything we went through!!  We had a wonderful lunch and cake afterwards at the RS pres house and then went straight to their baptismal interviews with Elder Falk, and they passed and were just excited!

Friday also we went to Peter, Maria Fernanda, and Jose and they had prayed about Joseph Smith and Peter (the 10 year old and youngest, but so amazing) had a dream about Joseph Smith!  What a blessing and incredible the feelings they described.  Such special amazing kids.

Saturday I literally felt like Alma 29 in the morning!!  So happy!!!  Wanting to stay in the mission forever but why should I want more than what the Lord has blessed me with?!
It was a weird day with a few disappointments (Kenny, Jose not really knowing what he wants, etc.) BUT opposition is always great before BAPTISM!!!
They got baptized and it was so great because Mayra asked the Bishop to baptize her, Douglas asked Sergio, and Bryan asked Kevin.  Eduardo was so happy to see his family join him and in a year I can't wait to be here for their sealing! :)

Our goal for July was 3 people to be baptized but the Lord helped us have 5 people baptized this month of July.  Something that has never happened in my wildest dreams--FIVE--and to way overpass the goal was only accomplished by the Lord and His divine designs and purposes.  We are nothing without Him!  What a miracle.

Sunday while Mayra, Douglas, and Bryan were being confirmed, I felt the Spirit SO strongly and just began crying thinking about how much I love them, seeing their changes, and being a part of that is something I can't even describe.  I felt the joy and Spirit and love for them and sadness at when I have to leave, but hope for being at their sealing in a year!  They felt so wonderful and just felt changed and were just beaming all day!  And it was Douglas birthday to top it all off--best birthday weekend ever! :)

Sunday we went to eat lunch at Kevin's house because his mom invited us and I had felt strongly about the message we had to share.  We shared part of Mountains to Climb by Elder Eyring and the last part of Laborers in the Vineyard by Elder Holland.  The parts we shared were perfect, testified of Christ's Atonement, God's love, trials, and returning to the church no matter how far we think we have traveled and doing it now!  Kevin's mom was crying a lot and Gabby, his 18 yr old sister cried a bit, and Kevin's mom told us it was precise--exactly what she needed and that she knows they will see miracles in their family when Kevin goes on a mission.  The Spirit was so strong in that lesson and I just felt SO much love for them and their family and the love God has for His children.  I know they will come back, painful as it may be, they can do it and I keep praying for them.
We also had a great FHE with Angela and her family and Ruben (her husband was in town) with like half the ward that showed up! haha It was awesome how many people came and want to show their support!  

Lunch with Kevin's Family

Well I just feel grateful to be here.  I LOVE these people and this area with ALL my heart and feel so at home.  I love their quirks, their families, the Gospel.  I LOVE the Lord and His miracles.  God has not ceased to be a God of miracles!  I love our investigators (right now the 3 kids have a date for this coming Saturday), I LOVE our converts and the changes we have seen in them, I love you all and I love my Savior and what He does for me.  The Lord gives us opportunities to perfect ourselves each and every day.  He plans and knows our lives and what we need.  He puts the people in our paths whom we need to love, to help, to learn from, and whom we will never forget.  He does His work and allows me to be part of it.  How grateful I am for Him and for my mission and everyone I love!  Jesus Christ lives.  He loves us. Heavenly Father is the Father of our Spirits.  Sometimes I wish I understood His purposes or means better to understand my future or purpose or the reasons behind situations BUT I know that He will direct our paths.  He is in control and what a blessing!  He will make more of us and our lives than we would ever be able to do for ourselves.  Let Him guide you and bless your lives!

Love you!!
Hermana Bryan

Happy Day!

Douglas, Mayra, and Bryan's Baptism!!!!

This is How a Heart Breaks

Eduardo's Baptism!!!

Hola Familia!!!!

Welp lots of stuff that happened this week and tons of emotions going on but can I just say how much I LOVE being a missionary and serving a mission?!  Wow what a blessing.

Okay so on Tuesday, we had an AWESOME Zone Meeting with 3 trainings and can I just tell you HOW grateful I am for Elder Ayala and Elder Falk and their leadership and how much they follow the Spirit?  I learn so much and it's so edifying!  Awesome.  It was very encouraging to go to work and do it NOW and they talked about Brigham Young's call for the rescue party to leave NOW and rescue the suffering pioneers.  Also Elder Ayala made a beast observation in his study in the BOM.  

So Moroni was a beast of a captain, right?  One of the best ever.  And He was only 25 years old!!!  Alma 43:16-17 but HOW did he become so great so young, and what influenced him?  Elder Ayala thought of the age group which is key in the development of one's character, decisions, etc.  16 years old is usually that age.  So Elder Ayala looked at the years when Moroni would have had about 16 years and it describes the environment in which he lived: Alma 4:11.  Pretty tough and dangerous environment for people with great potential.  That was when Alma decided to give his powerful sermon of pure testimony and machete with love in Alma 5.  That was probably KEY in the conversion of Moroni.  It made us realize that the way we teach will affect the commitment and conversion of others and whether they accept or not.  Let's be like Alma so our converts can be like Moroni!  Awesome.

So then we were going to lessons and they fell through, so I had a thought to pass by a member's house (Kevin's aunt and cousins---who haven't served and we are gaining their confidence and trust and working with them, and it's been awesome!) and Hna Izquierdo (Kevin's aunt) opened the door and said, "Hermanas!!!  You fell from the heavens, we have friends over who want to know about the church!"  Wow the Lord blessed us with a reference and a new person immediately, and right when I had been feeling like we need new people and what had happened to getting references.  He loves us and blesses us so much. When we left, she said to her kids, and us that we are the best missionaries we know and not because we were there and she wanted to just be nice, but because she really feels it and said we are wonderful people and she sees all the new people coming every week to church, etc.  She loves us so much and I love her and her family, and it was such a tender mercy that situation!

Then later on we went to Douglas and Mayra and were talking about their marriage, etc etc and the situation got stressful and tense, and they were saying that maybe they should wait until August because they hate that others have to help pay for their marriage and they want to do it to feel the joy more, etc etc. Man it was a FIGHT with the Spirit in knowing what to say and fighting off opposition, but good always wins out in the end and through bearing loving sweet testimony, they remembered again and committed no matter what to getting married and baptized, and Douglas was just like, well if we have to do activities we will do them and we will do this!  It was so wonderful and I was SO grateful for the Lord's help.  Honestly at one point in the lesson I felt SO sad because I felt like we had lost it and didn't know what to do because I didn't want to force them and I understood how they would feel that way and I knew the only thing left to do was pray.  It was silent for a while and the whole time I was just praying SO hard in my mind, and then the Spirit helped us regain everything.  How grateful I am for the Lord's guidance.

Then we get home only to get a call from the bishopric saying they felt strongly that Eduardo shouldn't be baptized on Saturday and he should wait until the next week with his family, etc etc, and wouldn't accept that we, as the missionaries, had felt strongly exactly the opposite.  They exhorted us to consider their feelings and thoughts and I was just so confused.  I studied PME all night and prayed, and we prayed like a bunch of times for confirmations and were just nervous and confused but at the same time knew I should respect the bishop too, etc.  I didn't sleep much that night.

The next morning, Wednesday, we were still trying to figure out the answer and the Spirit and discern, and it was a fight, and finally I just called the ZLs to explain the situation and explain our feelings and the bishopric's feelings, etc.  They are awesome.  They said exactly what we had said and felt.  They prayed as well and felt as we did and gave us specific counsel and instructions on how to handle the bishopric when they ask us why and what we need to do with Douglas and Mayra to make sure they follow through, etc etc.  How GRATEFUL I was for worthy and supportive leaders and how much of a confirmation it was to me of what a stupor of thought feels like, how no one can receive revelation FOR us, and how we need to trust in the Spirit no matter how trustworthy other opinions appear.  Opposition comes from all sides and all people unfortunately!

Wednesday the Lord blessed us with 3 new investigators--brothers and one sister of an inactive step father.  The Lord prepares the way.  They accepted baptismal dates and though they are young, want this light and love and Spirit in their lives.  It's a hard family situation but we are working with them and know they will enjoy the blessings of the Gospel!  Peter, Maria Fernanda, and Jose. Dallin would LOVE Peter--he is a 10 year old crack up.

Also miracle that happened on Wednesday was Abraham Izquierdo (Kevin's 21 yr old cousin who didn't want to serve a mission) came and accompanied us!  We were there to pick up Kevin and Abraham was chilling and I was talking to them and we were all joking, and I told him to come with us and he kind of laughed and said no and I was like, come on and he then said he didn't have clothes and I told him it didn't matter, etc etc and he accepted with a grin and came!!  The deal he made with me was he would come to one lesson and that was it.  I accepted laughing and he came, ball cap and all, but he came!!!  THEN the real miracle was when he decided to walk forever with us to other visits and continue visiting with us and he shared his testimony, though shy and unsure, shared.  He was touched by his cousin's example and it was awesome that we gained his confidence and trust enough  to be friends and then help him come out and experience the joys of missionary work.  Slowly but surely this family will change--we know it!!

Thursday I was a bit down in the morning and realized that I completely understand Hna Angulo's feelings and tears when we were companions, and I didn't know why she felt that way when I saw we were doing things right, etc. How interesting it was, and a tender mercy that she had written me describing those feelings again that come with being older in the mission, etc.  It was a learning experience.
We had a GREAT comp inventory and she told me some amazing things and it made me so happy--our relationship and how I've helped her and vice versa! We've come a long way.

Thursday was hilarious also because we didn't have lunch, instead we had dinner.  The dad and brother both had to leave at different times during our meal and so we stayed with the mom and her daughters.  When they went to let us out of the house, they realized that both the Hermano and his son had taken the sets of keys and we were locked inside.  Oh my gosh it was hilarious and crazy!  We were trying to figure out how to climb up the huge posts and railings and on the roof and how to get down from there because we had a lesson with Douglas and Mayra!  FINALLY Kenny (our investigator and the son) came home and we ran out the door and up the mountain to Douglas and Mayra!  We got there SO late but the Spirit was with us and the Lord helped us to have short lessons and be on time still with all the things that happened!  hahaha

Friday I had been feeling all week the strong impression that we needed to visit Kevin's family, starting with his mom (they are all inactive except him) and she has always been really nice to us and loving and appreciative.  Friday it was SO strong so we rushed out the door and took a taxi to her house.  Kevin had told us that his mom is a caterer and is always crazy busy cooking in the mornings so we planned on going to help.  They let us in the door and we asked Sis Correa if we could help.  She asked if we really wanted to and we said yes and she said, "Hermanas you fell from the heavens.  I'm SO behind!!"  We got to help her and she opened up to us and Kevin later told me that it affected her and made her think about her own mission (she is a RM) and about her son serving, etc.

Friday Eduardo passed his interview and it was awesome being in his house and having Elder Falk and Elder Ayala accompany us and seeing them interact with all the kids there, etc.  How joyful is the mish!

Eduardo got baptized on Saturday!!!!  It was so great.  Elder Falk and Elder Osegueda wanted to be there and so I arranged for us to sing, and we sang "I Feel My Savior's Love" in Spanish and took turns singing and doing different combos, and the Spirit was so sweet and present, and Douglas and Mayra were so happy.  It was wonderful!!

Sunday we found out that the 3 kids, Peter, Jose, Maria Fernanda were going to come to church alone so we quickly went and passed by for them.  But that shows faith, right?!  3 kids.  We got there and saw Kevin's family come in too--they came!!!  Then, during Sac meeting, the Bishop had all the young people preparing to serve missions stand up and I knew immediately what was happening.  He announced that one of them had received his mission call and had Kevin and his mom come up to receive his mission call.  Half the ward started crying--that is the influence of this young man.  I was just beaming watching that and my eyes filled with tears and even more so watching them throughout sac meeting as he kept hugging his mom and putting his arm around her and comforting her.  How the emotions of all that came back to me all at once! Man.  He and his other cousin (David who we are also helping to leave on a mish) came and accompanied us until 6 when Kevin held a FHE for family and really close friends to share his mission call.  We met his dad (the inactive ex bishop) for the first time and his dad arranged for all of us to go around and share our feelings to Kevin and it was SO touching to hear everybody speak and the wonderful things spoken and see and hear the feelings of his cousins and aunts and uncles, etc.  I felt like I was a part of the family and that's really how we feel about them.
Kevin is going to: MEXICO LEON MISSION!!!!!  He leaves Oct 17.
It was a day filled with SO many emotions and when I got home, I was trying to figure out why I felt the way I did even after the fact, etc, or if I have done something wrong or why I was sad, etc.  I then realized what was going on.  I began writing in my journal and immediately started BAWLING.  I finished and then literally broke down bawling like I haven't done in over a year.  I think it hit me a part of what I will feel when I have to leave these people.  There are so many people who have impacted me and left footprints on my heart FOREVER and I love them SO much, with all I have.  They are my family and part of me. Leaving family and friends for the mish was hard and hurt and I was nervous (everything I felt last night) BUT I knew when I would come back, and that things would be the same and we would still enjoy each other's company.  The fact that I feel that way about these people so a part of my heart but know that it will be rare occasion I see them, broke my heart into a million pieces and it was a pain and hurt so profound.  Something I haven't felt in a very very very long time.  Much more so than transfers, etc.  Hna Alvarez was listening and we talked about it and man I just can't believe I'm leaving in less than 5 months.  I don't want to.  It hurts to think about that, and I love these people SO much.  So so so much. Sometimes it's such a curse developing such close relationships with people! But behind those strong and hard emotions or feelings are so many unforgettable memories.  That's what makes it worth it.  These wonderful people have eternally impacted and changed me, my life, my perspective, my heart.  How can I just leave them?  I woke up today and you know what's crazy?  I feel like I did a little before I left on the mission.  While I enjoyed and tried not to focus on it, al fondo there was always a perpetual nervous, sad, melancholy, heart breaking feeling. Man not cool!

Good thing I'm going to take advantage of EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I wish I would have recognized how fast the mission goes at the beginning.  It's such a crazy time warp in the mission and not ok with me how fast it's gone and is going.  I've been reading the Fourth Missionary talk again during personal study and it's changing my life.  Every time I read it I need something new and I love learning more Gospel truths.  How inspiring that talk is and motivating to become the Fourth Missionary--to maintain that level and turn our lives and minds and hearts and will over to our loving Heavenly Father who will mold us into something so much more amazing than we imagine.

What a miracle it is to be here.  What a blessing it is to be a representative of Jesus Christ, to feel the joy of sharing the Gospel, to feel the Spirit guide our every step, to learn from my Heavenly Father daily through study of His word, to understand the meaning of charity, to strive to be more like Christ, to pass and overcome challenges that strengthen us, to realize the fears I once had are gone, to change our natures, to help others gain eternal life, to focus everything on other people: loving them, helping them, praying for them, etc.  I love this work.

I know my Savior lives.  He loves us.  He helps us become more like Him.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just another religion or church. It is the kingdom of God on the earth and it is true.  The Book of Mormon is true. President Monson is a prophet of God and the Lord has restored all truths once placed on the earth.  What an incredible blessing and miracle.  Please share this good news and take joy in the light of the Gospel and the love our Savior gives us!  I LOVE you!!!!!  

Love,
Hermana Bryan

Kevin's Mission Call

To Become Like Him

July 13th--My 1 Year Anniversary in the Mission!!!

Hola Familia y Amigos!!!
Well this week has been great!!!  A week filled of lessons, weird things, and amazing things!

Tuesday morning was pretty rough and as I got to DM, Hna Orantes ran and hugged me and said you are not ok!  And I just started crying because I wasn't.  It's amazing how much the adversary works on us through whatever trial to get us down but God ALWAYS blesses us with tender mercies and angels around us to bear us up!  She and the other sisters had prepared this big glittery sign with a box and treats, etc all saying HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!!  It was so so nice of them to do that early :)  So we were in the middle of DM and I was just down and they asked us to do a practice so I just said I was going to forget our problems and focus on the investigator and the Spirit.  I don't think I've ever felt the Spirit more strongly in a practice, and it was just such a tender mercy to me and confirmation that the Lord is aware of me and loves me and that I still have the Spirit and power and authority even when I feel like I don't or am down.  Satan's stupid.  So it was great and then President Amaya came to our Zone meeting which was crazy and he wanted to speak for a bit.  He talked about the importance of following the example of Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him in who we are.  He shared wonderful scriptures and counsel and then blessings.  The Spirit was SO strong and it was so edifying and uplifting and loving, and I was just astounded and so grateful because it's been a long long time since I've felt like that when Pres speaks. So grateful!  He shared D&C 76:5 and said that the Lord LOVES honoring those who righteously serve Him.  He said He will honor us--can you imagine that?!  And then gave some examples of those blessings and honors.  Afterwards, he talked to us and let us know that if the ward doesn't treat us right, or something happens, to please let him know because he said the ward should recognize who we are and treat us as such.  It was very nice.
Anyway, we had a great lesson with Jonathan and then went over to visit Angela and the girls.  Angela told us that it's so nice when we come over because she can feel light, peace, and like we are part of the family, and it was so neat to hear her express all that.  As they were preparing something for us to eat, they put on The Other Side of Heaven (so cool--every day they listen to hymns, watch mormon messages and other church movies or videos.  I love them!).  As we watched the beginning parts where John Groberg was leaving for his mission, I just started crying, remembering all those feelings one year before and thinking on my experiences and how grateful I am, and just all the emotions that come with it (haha sorry Dallin I haven't changed--you still have family members who cry.)

Wednesday was the 1 year anniversary of being set apart as a missionary.  We had an interesting experience with a Jehovah's Witness taxista, and I couldn't stand his accusations any longer of being a Satan's church, blah blah blah,  no matter what we shared with him, so I finally cut him off and said I didn't want to hear anymore and just bore my testimony.  Every time we bore our testimonies he got like mad or riled up.  You tell me who or what is Satan buddy!  haha Poor guy, but I couldn't stand him saying stuff like that about the truth and God and just bore strong testimony, and I am glad that every testimony we bear is recorded by the angels in the heavens for one day when we all get up there. :)
Wednesday Jonathan had his interview and passed and we were so super excited because we didn't know if he would for some reasons but he did!  He was way excited.

Thursday was one of the craziest and weirdest days of my whole mission, though it started off great!  By chance, or mejor dicho, by tender mercy, 3 key songs came on while we were listening to music in the morning.  Hna Alvarez has a CD like jam packed with songs, and it was way cool how it happened.  Child of Light came on (our farewell song and one that means a ton to my family and especially my brother and I serving the mish), then Send Me (EFY 2000--I had no idea it was an EFY song but it was the song at the MTC our very first night there that touched me so much), then Healing Waters (which we listened to all the time at night our first 2 daysin Ecuador before receiving our trainers).  Awesome songs and milestones in my mish.
We had an amazing planning session and comp inventory, and it was crazy because as we talked through one last situation, it was like finally EVERYTHING clicked with us.  We had worked for 5.5 weeks struggling through our companionship and trying to be more Christlike and patient and charitable and understanding and communicate, etc. and finally, finally the Lord blessed us for that and has blessed us to love each other and serve each other and feel that from each other, and I feel SO so so beyond blessed.

So I don't feel like going into details of everything that happened to us, but it was crazy weird things that happened to us that delayed us for 2.5 hours where we couldn't get to some of our lessons, and we were so confused as to why, and the bishop was mad because we didn't make it to where Douglas and Mayra and he were waiting for us, etc but Hna Alvarez and I both felt like it was so dramatic and long--the situation to prevent us from going somewhere-- and we felt the Lord had protected us from something and put in our paths other members--people we trusted.  It was a different experience, but just trust that the Lord protected us!

Friday was our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!  So crazy.  Hna Johansen called in the morning and it was so great to hear her voice even for just a few mins while helping her find a phone number.  Hna Alvarez made sure to want to make my day special and so we went and got breakfast and just shared stories and laughed a lot.   The ward missionaries accompanied us and some even changed their plans to be there to accompany us all day!  We love those kids :)  We had an amazing lesson with Kenny and just felt the Spirit SO strongly guiding us in that lesson--that our words were not ours and the questions or comments we said were completely guided.  What a blessing.  We felt strongly that he will progress and serve a misson.  Cool impressions.  I had a really neat experience helping Kevin through a hard time. He is facing tons of opposition (as we all do right before going on a mish--he is waiting for his call) and especially gets down that he is the only active member of his fam and it was so neat being able to share our experiences of overcoming that opposition and the blessings and miracles that happen in the mission and what awaits him as well!  He regained his happiness and animo and was able to realize what he needs to do, and Hna Alvarez and I feel strongly that it is NOT a coincidence that these missionaries are here at this time preparing while we are here.  I know that is one of the reasons we needed to be here---to help them in this critical time and we feel so grateful--it's so rewarding.
We had an awesome lesson with Douglas and Mayra---they want to be baptized and get married and so we are working with them hard to be able to accomplish that!  The ward is going to help out too, so that will be great.  Eduardo their son will be baptized this coming Saturday and he is so excited!  They are just so great.
Hna Alvarez, Kevin, and Christian, another ward missionary bought pizza to celebrate my one year anniversary and the song that was playing was I Will Be There by Michael Jackson (hahahahaha Jess and Caity remember our plans for this song???)
It was such a great day and I felt so loved and supported, and the Spirit was so strong in all of our lessons and we were just blessed all day.

Saturday we had lunch with Kevin's cousin's family. The family Izquierdo.  They were married in the temple, he had served a mission, and had all the dreams and hopes of their kids serving missions and being married in the temple, etc.  The oldest is 21 and doesn't want to serve, the second is 20 and got married cuz he fell in love with a nonmember, the 18 year old says he is preparing for a mish but is not at all, and then the other 2 are little.  The parents have so much sadness and grief and heartache over these situations, and the sister was just crying sharing her feelings and the dad was just broken.  We shared scriptures and prayers and God's love.  That would be so hard--to have to deal with such a different vision than we all imagine as we do righteous things.
We then went to do service with Douglas and Mayra and brought 3 ward missionaries and we helped make platano empanadas.  Let me tell you first of all that Saturday was one of the sunniest, hottest days ever.  So we went to work peeling platanos for a long time.  It was crazy and something I will NEVER forget, absolutely dying of heat, peeling platanos as our hands were getting stained and sticky, and literally sweat was just dripping down my face and all my makeup came off, and it was just sick and disgusting and hilarious at the same time thinking how much I will never forget expriences like that, serving out of love and enjoying it, and sharing that with others. I am so grateful for the mission!  There is a pic of Hna Alvarez, me, and Kevin doing the final part of the empanadas--kneading the dough :)
Saturday was also Jonathan's baptism!  Yay!  He was happy and it was a bit of a different baptism but the important thing is he got baptized.
Sunday was so great to be able to renew our covenants through the sacrament.  This week I learned that, "Cuando participamos de la Santa Cena, no solo renovamos nuestros convenios bautismales, sino todos los convenios que se han concertado con el Senor." Wow!!  It's like going to the temple every week too!!!  I never ever knew that, and it made me so happy and blessed and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to renew my temple covenants yesterday in church.  That changed my world about the Sacrament.
Fabian came to visit me in our ward and it was so great to see familiar and awesome faces of great people I love!
Douglas and Mayra came with their whole family and the high counsel guy speaking directed a lot of his talk to them which was cool!  They have a lot of support in the ward and I feel so excited and blessed to see their changes and be a part of this.  Mayra has changed so much, and opens up, is loving and nice and accepting, and wanting to learn and change.

Well I have felt since Pres´s talk and even before that I've needed to learn a lot about being more Christlike.  I know that is what I had to learn with my companionship, and now He is blessing us.  I get it now---the whole point of the mission is really to become like Him. While doing so, we bless the lives of other people, but also lay the eternal foundation for our own lives.  I loved the part of the VT message in the Ensign this month, "Llama a Sus discipulos a trabajar con El en Su ministerio, brindandoles asi la oportunidad de servir a los demas y de llegar a ser mas como El."
Christ calls us to BE His disciples and to work WITH Him in His labor.  Through that, He gives us the opportunity to serve others, but in turn,  we become more like Him. What a privilege and blessing!
I know that Christ lives and loves us.  We have the potential to become like Him and if we so desire, He will help us in the process.  I know that every struggle is for a reason and He molds and purifies us until we reflect His light and His life, being examples of Him at all times and in all things and in all places.  What mercy and grace He gives us if we so ask.
I love Him.  and I love serving with Him in this work.

Love you!!  Have a great week!!
Love,
Hermana Bryan

Kevin, Me, and Hermana Alvarez making Empanadas to raise money for Douglas and Mayra's Wedding!!!

My Angels Round About You

Hola Familia y Amigos!!!

Well this week was another full of awesome things and hard things, and I am just SO grateful for your support and love and emails, cards, prayers, thoughts. Thank you!!

To start off the highlights :)

Tuesday was a down day for me where the whole day I was fighting the natural man inside my mind and trying to have and really FEEL charity and patience and love, and just was pretty silent all day with my comp talking myself through everything.  We were walking down a big hill as I was trying to be better and I was just trying to notice the blessings and the scenery of beautiful plants and trees here, and then looked at the sky and saw the most gorgeous beginnings of a sunset ever.  The sun was bright orange pink and the sky all around it was filled with pink, orange, yellow, blue just amazing gorgeous bright, celestial colors.  I immediately stopped in my tracks and just watched.  My comp had kept walking and turned around to notice me stopped and came back and saw what I was looking at and said, "Wow how beautiful!!"  We then stood there and watched the whole sunset (it was surprising how fast it was from the sun being full in the sky to below the horizon.)  The whole time I was just so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me that tender mercy and for His beautiful creations; and when I have nobody else, He is closer than I think.  It was awesome also to watch everybody else in their houses or in the streets staring at us and trying to figure out what the heck we were staring at or why we weren't moving haha.  Oh if people could just pay attention to these small yet divine moments, how much happier they would be!!

So Tuesday night, we went to Douglas and Mayra and wow it was awesome how great it was.  We taught the law of chastity ( I had felt strongly they needed that and our DM confirmed those impressions) and we had a member accompany us. We got there and Mayra asked all about the Primary activity that was going to happen the coming Saturday to make sure her boys wore the right colored shirt according to their age groups and that her husband had volunteered to do service in the house of an older sister, etc etc.  WHAT?!!!  What investigators volunteer to do service and want to spend all day Saturday in the activities--how incredible!  I was so excited.  The lesson was super great and they expressed their feelings that they wanted to get married and wanted to experience those blessings they will receive by keeping that commandment of God, etc.  Douglas read the whole pamphlet right away and was just really interested in it.  The only problem is they don't have enough money to get married this month so we are trying to work with them and see their desires and work with the ward to figure out a fundraising activity.  But it was SO awesome to see that they volunteered to give service, and Mayra has changed so much that she WANTS her family to participate in this also.  She also was asking about the RS cake making classes going on, the schedule, etc etc.  What a miracle.

Also in the prayer, Eduardo said it and said that we were like 2 angels that had fallen from the sky to help his family.  What an amazing 10 year old---he is so sweet and ready and wanting the Gospel in his life.

Wednesday JULY 4th!!!!!!  I was freaking out about it all day and people kind of laughed at me, but humored me, so I was grateful haha.  I was just proud you know to be an American!  We had the awesome company of our ward missionaries, Kevin and Pablo.  There are like eight 18-23 year olds that are preparing to serve missions and we have them accompany us all the time, especially Kevin and Pablo and have grown really close to them.  We feel way grateful for the opportunity to motivate them and see them in action and see them progress and be able to share experiences with them and help them prepare.  I've grown close to Kevin and just feel like I have little brothers here to brighten my day.  It is SO awesome and we love them just like little brothers!  Kevin and Pablo carried our backpacks on Wednesday cuz my back hurt and it was so cute to see their willingness to help. hahaha It's just awesome to have them accompany us because they are hilarious and we love talking with them and really sharing things with each other, and it's great to see them bear their testimonies and encourage them to do so.  It was awesome because Kevin shared with me his conversion experience.  He comes from a member home, grew up in the church but when he was 10, his Dad got released from being Bishop and then became inactive.  What?!  Crazy.  That was way hard for his family so they all basically became inactive.  Kevin kept going and went to seminary, etc but mostly for his friends. He didn't have a testimony and one day in seminary told his teacher that he didn't pray or read the BOM, didn't want to, didn't have a testimony and wouldn't do anything about it, and didn't go back.  One day on a fast and testimony meeting, Kevin started feeling his heart racing and this warm feeling inside and he was so confused and weirded out by that because he had never felt anything like that.  It impacted him so much that after church, he went home and really for the first time prayed and repented of his sins and attitude, and asked if the church was true.  He said he got an answer immediately and ever since then, has read the BOM, said his prayers, gone to church, had a tesitmony, etc etc and even though he's the only active member in his family, has faith that through his serving a mission, he will come home to his family members being active.  I was just so in awe, and encouraged him and bore my testimony of the miracles that happen in the mission and just built him up.  What an example right?  He is my fav little brother here, though we shouldn't have favorites, haha, but I really feel like he is a Logan or a Dallin in my life right now, and I'm grateful I can be here to experience the joy of helping these young men prepare and feel that happiness the mission brings!

Also Wednesday Elder Falk called at night just to wish me a happy 4th of July! haha He is so great.  He said he wanted to call someone to wish them that and thought of me--I'm so grateful to have these great people around me during the hard times.  The Lord knew we all would need each other here! :)

Thursday--Logan's 20th birthday!!!!  :)  During personal study I was reading in PME about praying and got very emotional thinking and really imagining my family praying for me daily by name and naming Ecuador and my comp's name and just who and where I am right now.  I got very emotional picturing that and so grateful. How blessed I am!

Also got emotional that justamente we read in PMG my mission scripture, Isaiah 55:8-9.

We had a great comp inventory and she told me things that were so wonderful to hear and we both just felt love and support and patience from one another and felt gratitude and joy for that.  The Lord helped Hna Alvarez to express to me what she wants to work on that was exactly what I was hoping for too, cuz it's hard one sided to work on charity, and I just felt grateful.

Also Thursday, DOUGLAS, MAYRA Y EDUARDO!!!  They accepted baptismal dates for Eduardo and said they would be baptized too, they just need to get married, and in the prayer Mayra said that being part of this has started to change her home and they will be able to start over, etc.  What joy and happiness to see the change in them and especially her, and see their desires to have those blessings!!!!  Just felt SO happy and joyful.

Friday night to Saturday didn't sleep AT ALL!!!  haha Oh the joys of snoring comps---the Lord is really trying to help me have patience and purify me even when I'm tired.  So that's the good news!  Also it was hilarious because Pablo told us he didn't sleep at all either and had nightmares of him accompanying us and preaching the gospel all the time!  bahahaha  Poor thing! :)

Saturday was rough being tired BUT, we went to Jonathan who has a baptismal date for this weekend and he was way sad because a friend's grandma had died, etc so we got to teach him the plan of salvation and I LOVE when the Spirit helps us apply things to peoples' individual needs.  It was great.

Also we had planned a workshop for the ward missionaries who are planning to go on missions, with the mission prep teacher, and our ZLs agreed to come help and it was AWESOME!  We read parts of PMG, talked about it and taught, then did a bunch of practices and it was hilarious--Elder Falk doing a horrible practice and then a good one.  But the best part was watching them doing practices and seeing the kids who didn't have a clue what to say, refer to the board and to the Spirit and ask inspired questions or bear testimony.  Elder Falk and I were just dying of happiness and being able to see them progress was so great!  I made brownies to share and Kevin and Pablo (the teacher) made chuzos (sausages) and it was just great to be able to help them.  That is one of the main joys I experience in this ward--being a part of the missionary work in the ward and helping light that spark within these kids to prepare them.  They will fly in the mission because of this, and how impressive it was to see these cool, awesome, hilarious, popular kids choose to be in the chapel on a Saturday night with missionaries.  Awesome.

Sunday--I love Sundays even though they are crazy in the mish!  The Stake Presidency came and spoke and it was ALL on missionary work because of the amount of jovenes we have here preparing to serve!  What a blessing. Somethings he said really touched me.  He said that we never would have been even close to knowing our full potential without coming on the mission.  (TRUE) He said and counseled that in the field, to not seek for the glories of men.  No valen.  Instead, seek to serve WITH the Savior.  I loved that.  Serve with Him! He is our comp!  It's hard to not get caught up in wanting to have people be happy with the baptisms, numbers, the bishop and Pres expectations and our leaders, etc BUT NONE of that matters!  I love that!  What matters is serving with the Savior and doing what He would do, when He would do it, and how He would do it.

Also he read the same scriptures Pres shared with me in my interview in D&C but then also read D&C 84:88.  This scripture took on a whole new light for me yesterday and I got so grateful and emotional thinking about it.  Christ promises that He, His Spirit and His angles will be with us to bear us up.  As the stake pres was testifying of this and how we are NEVER alone in the mission field, I got emotional and realized the MORTAL angels the Lord has put in my path and has sent me during this transfer to bear me up.  (Hna Orantes, Elder Falk, Elder Ayala, Kevin, other members, etc).  People who literally have been around me (in District meetings or accompanying us 4 times a week) to literally lift and bear me up, lift my spirits, etc.  What a blessing and how grateful I am for these mortal angels the Lord sends me to make things ok this transfer.  Apart from His help and love and support, He sends us angels of all forms!  Wow.

Also the class in Gospel Principles was awesome as always, the teacher is incredible.  But something he said really touched me.  He said that we, the missionaries, are angels and said to the class, "So if you guys think you've never seen an angel, you are mistaken!  We have 2 sitting in the back of the class right now."  What a tender mercy.

So this week I have learned a lot.  Some things I want to share from my studies:

So in my companionship, I realized I lack charity and was aware of it and trying to work on it.  Dad, you addressed some things I really needed to hear last week. Thanks!  It is hard to have charity and serve at times, BUT it's just as Christ said in Matt 5:44-46 that anybody can love people who love us.  That's easy!  And awesome!  But He gives us a higher law!  When we love those who are more difficult, it says we THEN are Heavenly Father's children because He blesses and loves everyone.  Don't I want to be like Him??  It's interesting how much my experiences here are purifying and sanctifying me.  I never have considered before in my life that I've had a problem with loving people!  Until now.  How the Lord knows what we need in each trial to make us more like Him and helps us reach our potential!  

I then became determined to start to really try and love her by serving her even when I don't feel like it or won't get a thank you in return.  It's going to be hard and take time, but I know the Lord will help me do it.  He has helped me do it a bit this week and it helped me feel more love and happiness!  It's worth it--I just have to keep reminding myself that!

D&C 49:2--do we want the truth in part or do we want ALL of the truth?  People who want to pick and choose are not fully reconciled with God and need to repent.  There is no picking and choosing with the things of God!

D&C 50:10-12---the Lord teaches by example that sometimes we have to simplify our manners of teaching or language as we teach for understanding.

50:24-25--when we accept the gospel and God's teachings, we receive light.  As we keep the commandments, we endure and that brings us more light and it keeps growing.  With that light, we can CHASE darkness from among us! Awesome.

Hebrews 12:1--loved this--just do it all and keep going with patience!

D&C 56:14-17--super harsh stuff!  Interesting to note that when people have sins, don't repent, they don't receive forgiveness and don't obey, while it says they might have pleasure, their hearts are not satisfied.  Wickedness never was happiness and never will be!

58:14-16--the Lord calls missionaries despite their faults or lack of preparation. That's mercy.  BUT we need to be careful of being too lax in our preparation because some things could be our downfall in the mission field.  The field is hard and requires preparation, and certain things can be stumbling blocks here if they don't prepare..  I've seen that in others and it's sad because like it says, the mission is a once in a lifetime opportunity!  How awesome--so we should prepare! NOW! :)

Ezk 18:21-23, 27-32--the Lord doesn't find pleasure in punishing the wicked.  He wants them to repent and receive His blessings--He is SO merciful and loving!!!!

Also in the July Ensign there is an AMAZING article entitled, "The Lesson is Inside the Learner" by Russell T. Osguthorpe.  Gold.  Changed my life today. 

Some awesome quotes:

Anytime we live a principle of the gospel more fully, someone else is blessed either directly or indirectly.  (I am a witness of those miracles that happen when we do this)

Love prompts us to prepare and teach differently. (SO True!!!  Teach to their needs because we love them!)

We do not learn and teach the gospel for the sole purpose of gaining knowledge. We learn and teach the gospel to gain exaltation.  (wow I love that--this will be part of what determines that)

Gospel learning and teaching are not about mastering facts. They are about mastering discipleship.  (That's the whole goal, isn't it?!  That's why the mission is a jam packed time period of amazing trials and experiences good and bad to help purify us, and that's why life is that way too!  The Gospel is to help us become like Christ and really BE His disciples!)

Lastly, we need to remember that the lesson we are teaching is already inside the learner.  Our role as parents or teachers is to help learners discover the lesson inside their own hearts and minds.

So cool and so true and HOW BLESSED we are!  I feel so blessed.  I love being a missionary.  I love my Lord.  I love you all.  I am so grateful for His grace.  The church is true and the gospel is true.  We have a loving Father in Heaven who always sends us His tender mercies and His angels.  Let's recognize those events and people!  We will be happier and more grateful.  Let us be His disciples and bless others with our light.

I love you!  Have a great week!
Hermana Bryan

Ward Missionaries, Me, and Hermana Alvarez

The Vision to Reach our Potential

Alisson's Baptism with Ruben, her dad, present!

Hola Familia y Amigos!!

First of all, HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY LOGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I sent you something and can't believe July is here!

Well Monday we went to a mall that had a bunch of US name stuff (I found Cinnabon and Subway!!  Stuff I haven't seen in a year!) and got excited haha.

Tuesday we went to Douglas and Mayra again and saw that Mayra wasn't super excited that we were there and she went right to the kitchen; we asked if we could help her with anything and she was like no, but just smiled and didn't really respond so I dropped my backpack and told my comp, "Let's go!"  And Douglas started smiling and we were laughing and we just invaded her kitchen and made her put us to work.  We peeled platanos and helped chop vegetables and while doing so, she was expressing her doubts and feelings and asking questions.  It was great and then afterwards, agreed to come join us for a hymn and a prayer.  After the hymn, the kids were all there too, and I asked if we could say the prayer but do so kneeling down.  Eduardo, the 10 year old, right away and super obediently jumped down from his chair and knelt.  We then waited for the parents and everyone else to do the same but I was SO impressed by him!  He said he would remind his family to do prayers together every night.

Wednesday we had interviews with the President and my fam already has details of this so I won't go into details, but it was what I needed.  He humbled me very much and also made me realize my full potential and what I can become and do as a missionary, and made me some great promises.  It made me excited to arise and shake off the dust and DO THIS!!!!

So I have like no time left but highlights of the week:

Douglas and Mayra---we visited them twice after that service and Mayra had completely changed and was more open--not super open still but much more open, and we gained their confidence.  Douglas is so ready--he reads the BOM every single day and they do family prayers and they ALL (the whole family) came to church yesterday!!!!!!!  What joy!!

Alisson, Cristina, Angela, Ruben---so we had taught Alisson all week and then found out she doesn't count as a mission baptism--just the ward but it's cool!  Ruben came home from out of town work just in time for the baptism and while there, he was crying A LOT.  It was so wonderful--the Spirit has been so strong in these girls´ baptisms and it was so cool to see her cute face and smile and hear her and Cristina talking in the bathroom about their experiences and what they felt.  The whole family came to church on Sunday and Ruben committed to baptism as well when he is in town next, and so we are going like crazy to try and get him ready and that he can progress on his own in the meantime, and also Dayana, his child from another marriage felt the Spirit so strongly and committed to baptism!  What a miracle it has been to teach this family and see the change.  Ruben described his experience at the baptism and at church as feeling this burning inside of him and feeling peace and happiness.  The Spirit is working and we just feel blessed to be merely the instruments.  It was so joyful to see his happiness and the whole family together led by a righteous and faithful and valiant mother.

We had 10 investigators at church yesterday.  TEN!!!  That NEVER has happened.  This area is golden and there are so many of God's elect here waiting, and the Lord is blessing us so much.  I don't even feel like we are doing anything to deserve all of this but us, plus the ward, who works and supports us SO much it blows my mind--we see miracles here every week.  What a blessing, like Logan feels, to be in an area like this and see these miracles.

So this week a few talks in the general conference Liahona touched me.  Henry B. Eyring said, "It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength."  That is what we experience in the mission.  I came with a testimony, but through serving and studying and learning and trials, the Lord has turned that testimony into firmness and unbreakable spiritual strength.  Pres mentioned that as well, and I just feel so blessed and privileged to serve a mission!

Also I realized the need to have the vision of our potential.  After my interview, the Lord taught me a lot, and Elder Haleck's talk about Vision SO touched me!!!!  Proverbs 29:18 is so true in every aspect of life, and his teaching us to have the vision of what the Savior sees us as, and who the Savior knows we can become has helped me a lot to develop my own vision of who I can become, and rely on my Savior and Redeemer to do so.  We are nothing without His mercy and grace but with Him, we can become all He knows we can become!  What a blessing.

Also, today I was reading Elder Uchtdorf's, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" talk, and it touched me especially about my companionship right now and how I need to change and act.

All in all a very humbling but uplifting, motivating, and inspiring week.

I love you all so much and you are in my thoughts and prayers!!!!!!  Rely on Him and obtain the vision of what you can become with His help!  And then, rise up and DO IT!!!!

He lives and loves us.

Love,
Hermana Bryan