A "Wicked" Week...

It has been a crazy week!  You could compare my week to the WICKED roller coaster at Lagoon! Lots of ups and downs, but where there is a low, there is always a high!  Our new area has slowed things down a lot. Elder Taylor and I have been working hard searching for refurrals from ward members as well as tracting. We are trying to get our teaching poll back up! I have been trying really hard to apply the atonement to my life this week. I have faced many struggles and hard times. Ive been working hard to smash the ANTs (Anti-Negative Thoughts). I have seen Satan working really hard against Elder Taylor and I. He is working hard on our investigators and trying to discourage them from progressing. It just comes to show how real and true this work is. Satan doesn’t want others to join our team and come to the fold of Christ. He wants them to be miserable like unto himself. I know that as we help our investigators feel the spirit, the Holy Ghost will do the converting. They will become strengthened from Satan's temptations and influence as they accept and keep the commitments we give to them. Most of the baptism dates that we set, for the sisters.. have fallen through or been pushed back. It is pretty frustrating because the sisters haven’t been able to visit our investigators with baptism dates. We haven’t been able to get in touch with dora, ray, along with most of our new investigators in our new area. I was really excited to continue teaching the Moralis family, but they were no where to be found this last week! I'm really praying that they will be available this week. We made contact with Ramiro and his family this week! We weren’t able to teach them, but we have a return appointment for this coming week. Really excited for that!! Elder Taylor still hasn’t met Ramiro. It is kinda funny, most of the people we are teaching right now all live in our apartment complex. It is nice because we don’t have to waste too many miles driving and can hide from the sun a little! We did a lot of service this week. I really enjoy service because it gives us a chance to wear different clothes!

This week we have really had to humble our selves to our HF. Prayer has been more important this week then ever before. We have really been seeking guidance and help from HF. We went from teaching 5 or 6 lessons a day to now in our new area, only teaching 2 or 3. It has been a hard change. Elder Taylor and I have worked hard, but I always feel like we could work harder.  I know that I can't just be on my mission physically, but I have to be here mentally as well. Each day I am trying to limit the wordly distractions and surrender myself to the Lord. It is so hard, but I know that it will make my mission experience a lot better! Like I said, where there is all these lows and hard times, there is the most incredible highs! Even though they seem few in numbers this week. One lesson made it all worth it! When I first moved into our apartment, so did a guy named Ishmale and his little family. Every night since we have talked with Ishmale as we go to and from our apartment. He is usually always out smoking or drinking while grilling food that smells amazing. We have always tried to set up an appointment with them and it has never worked out until yesterday! I bought some steaks and Ishmale grilled them up, his wife made some awesome Mexican sides, and we ate lunch together! We had an awesome lesson afterwards and they really liked it. This lunch appointment made the whole week worth it!

Last night I got to see the world wide mission president broadcast from Provo. Wow, it was awesome! It made me feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing gospel. It was great to hear from the beloved prophet and a few of his apostles. The structure and foundation that our church is built upon is so strong. It was the fuel that I needed to add to my fire! The Lord is hastening the work and now is the best time to be a missionary. I learned the importance of being one in purpose with the ward members and ward mission leader.  President Monson talked about how useful ward members are in finding new investigators and how tracting isn’t as successful. I couldn’t agree more with him! We have tracted our butts off in our new area and haven’t had much success. I don’t mean to be a negative nancy, but the sisters have been a pain in the bum bum. They have really struggled this week with getting along, so it threw our schedule off a bit. So as you can see, this was a “WICKED” week!

I have a testimony that I know that this is the true church. I know without a doubt that God is my loving HF and he knows me personally. He sent his son to die for me and provided a way that we can return to live in his presence. I know that Jesus Christ is my brother. He is leading this army that I am part of. When times get hard, I know that I am standing shoulder to shoulder with him. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet that faced much tribulation and hard times. Because of his long suffering, we now have another testament of JC. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Thomas S Monson is a true prophet today and that he is the mouth piece for our Savior in these latter days. I know that families are forever, and as we follow the commandments and live worthy lives we will be eternally happy.

I love my family with all my heart. Thank you for all that you do for me. Until next week!

Love,

Elder Broulim

6-17-13
2 months down, 22 to go! I remember the first night in the MTC..Scary! Today was an awesome day, it was so good to get a recharge for the week by hearing from you all. It sounds like everyone is doing great! We had an intense basketball game today. There are some new elders that think they can ball this transfer. Ha. Elder Mower got in my face a little.. so I had to show him that I can play hard ball. It was fun and good to be active! We got haircuts again today with the zone leaders! We all got fades. My hair has never been so short, but I love it!! We did some tracting before and after dinner with the Butterfields and taught some door lessons! We went to a going away party for a military family in our ward that is moving. We were fed again, then spiritually fed everyone in return. I sat down with Sister Kimball tonight and had a talk with her. She packed her bags last night and tried to go home. She is really struggling. She was happy to hear my feelings and advice on sticking it out. It made an impact on both of us and I'm glad I could help her. Helping others always brings me peace and comfort!

6-18-13

I once heard someone say, if your mission isn’t kicking your butt, you're not working hard enough. My butt is feeling pretty kicked tonight! Tuesdays always seem to be a busy day. This morning we did some book work updating progress records and the area book. We ate at El Taco Tote for lunch! I got my very favorite top sirloin tacos, so good! We did a lot of tracting after lunch. I swear every door we knocked on was Spanish speaking. It is frusturating not being able to communicate with them. Before dinner We did some contacting with the sisters. We are still trying to personally hand them off to all of our old investigators. It required a lot of patience. We had a good lesson with Mike Oliveras and his wife. We taught them about charity and the love of Christ. Dinner was so good! We ate with the stake president, President Perez and his family. They spoiled us with steak, corn tortillis, rice and beans! After dinner, all of our appointments fell through except one. We finally got to have another lesson with Keith, Jake Salgados friend. It was awesome, Keith was the very first investigator that I taught! My first day in El Paso. The lesson went well and we set another appointment for Thursday. He is getting married on the 24^th of July. I just wish it was going to be done right, but I'm really excited for him! I have a lot of faith that they will be sealed someday!  I heard that the heat and spurs game was incredible! It is hard not being able to watch it. I'm glad the heat pulled it out for a game 7! I will be anxiently waiting to hear about the game on Thursday!

6-19-13

There is one word that can sum up my day.. INTENSE! After lunch we had an awesome lesson with chris jones along side the sisters. We had to push his baptism date back a little because he had a death in the family. It was a perfect time to talk a little more about the plan of salvation! Right after that we all raced over to Matt Gonzales house to teach a friend named Jake. The sisters have already taught jake one lesson so we were on the plan of salvation. Sister Clemens caused a lot of contention during the lesson with us other missionaries. Matt has been aware of the problems everyone has been having, but never witnessed it first hand. Sis Kimball, her comp has really been struggling. Not much was said after the lesson, and the sisters left. This is where the day got intense! About 15 minutes later, we hear a loud knock on the door. Matt opens it and it is Sister Kimball in tears. She said, “my comp threw my things out of the car, told me to get out and left me.” We couldn’t believe it. Sister Kimball stayed with the Gonzales’,  Elder Taylor and I went looking for Sister Clemens in our car. We drove a few blocks, and the spirit guided us right to where she was on the side of the road. She was crying and yelling at us to leave her alone. Shortly after, I got a call from President Miller wanting to talk to Sis Clemens. We left her with our phone and drove back to Matts. An hour or so later, Sister Clemens returned to Matt's house. Matt gave the sisters and myself a blessing. It was very spiritual. The Zone leaders came and picked the sisters up, and that is the last I've heard from them. I'm not sure what will happen. It was a really eventful night. Today has been one of the hardest days for me personally. The blessing that matt gave me helped a lot.. but the mail that I received tonight helped me even more! Thank you for all the prayers, love and support from the most amazing family in the world.

I love you.

6-20-13

Today was a great day. I felt the spirit really strong this morning as I studied about the brother of jared in Ether. After lunch, We did weekly planning for a few hours. Then, straight to the grind and did a lot of tracting. We have had a really hard time finding that one person.. but each door I knock, I know that I am one door closer to that person! Tonight there was a mix up with the dinner schedule. We had planned to eat with Chris and Amanda Martin. Right before dinner with the Martins, we got a call from Tim Martin saying, “where are you guys?” They also thought they were feeding us. So we got two back2back great meals for dinner! I didn’t complain. After our two dinner appointments, We had another awesome lesson with Keith. He felt the spirit very strong, and understood it really good! Our only problem with keith is his girlfriend. Her and her family are strong in a different faith and keith doesn’t want to go against them. We're going to continue to meet him and I hope it works out. It's hard that he believes it to be true but won't accept it because of others.  The sisters were able to figure things out. I'm happy and hope to help them stick it out.

GO HEAT!!!

 6-22-13
As I reflect on my day, I yawn because it was exhausting! We had an early morning lesson with a less active named Dwight. The last time I saw him was the first week in the field! It was great to see him. He is really struggling with the word of wisdom. After lunch, We did some on-line missionary work. We got a couple refurrals and had to print some pages for our ward directory. The young women returned from girls camp, and we were asked to help unload the trailer and put all the suplize back in the church. So after the library we raced back to our apartment to change into service clothes! We love every excuse to change! We did a lot of service for the YW and spent most of the day cleaning the church. I was asked by brother Gonzales to give him a blessing, I felt very priviledged. We had an awesome lesson with Nora tonight. She has been going to the catholic church with her daughter. We're not supposed to bash... but that is how the lesson went! We kindly helped her to understand that there is a difference.

6-23-13

Wow, we are so blessed to be a part of this church. Every Sunday is a special day, especially in the mission field. We had about 20 people total in sacrament mtg today! The Bishop didn’t show up and everyone else was late. Let's just say that the church is true.. but certain wards are stronger then others! We have a lot of work to do. I had an awesome opportunity to give Eddie another blessing of comfort and counsel. The spirit was so strong and I was amazed at what the Lord spoke through my mouth! We had an AWESOME lunch and lesson with Ishmale and his family. Ishmale has 3 little boys and we love them. They live right next to us in our apartment. Ishmale is a master griller and it always smells so good! Every night for the past 2 months we have been trying to make plans with Ishmale to have a barbeque and lesson. So yesterday, I bought some steaks and Ishmale and his wife cooked us some bomb food! They are solid investigators! Who wants to baptize one when you could baptize a whole family?? Tonight was the best. We watched the mission president broadcast! It added gas to the fire for our missionary work. I saw Quinn Nelson in one of the broadcast videos! Super cool

I love you all!
Elder Broulim 

DETERMINED IN ONE MIND AND IN ONE HEART, UNITED IN ALL THINGS

6-10-2013
I love Mondays!  It was great hearing from everyone today!  It always gives me that extra boost for the week.  I am slowly but surely adjusting.  I am learning to be a better teacher and so much more!  We played basketball until we couldn't walk anymore.  It was a lot of fun.  We had dinner with the Butterfields. They take such good care of us.  They are our family and home away from home.  They are so good to us, whatever they have they give to help us!  We had a hard time with missionary work tonight...our basketball game with the Butterfield kids went a little long...oops.  We have a huge day tomorrow.  We have to write up all the info of our investigators and ward members for the new missionaries. We are starting from the ground up again with finding new people.  I love tracking.

6-11-2013
Patience is a virtue!  A mission is full of unending challenges that require a lot of patience!  The new 11th ward SISTERS arrived today.  All I can say is they have a sweet spirit and are beautful daughters of God.  The trainer has been serving for 14 months and "knows it all".  She told us a few things that, she thought we should be doing better...which was just about everything.  She will take some getting used to.  It is hard handing all our investigators off to the Sisters.  Sister Kimball is the other new missionary...today was her first day!  She is rom Northern Utah and is nice.  All I can say is it is so cool to not be the newest anymore!  Elder Taylor and I did paperwork all day.  We had to fill out and update all of our progress records for our investigators that we are handing off to the sisters...which is pretty much all of them.  So it was a LONG day for sure.  It is hard handing our work off, but I've been humbled in learning that this isn't my work but the Lords.  We got one short lesson in tonight...I still have chills.  We visited Anna, the cocaine addict.  She sent us a scary text at 2 am and said, "Help, please pray for me."  When we stopped by tonight she looked like she had been hit by a train.  Both hands were swollen black n blue and bleeding from “shooting up.” She is very open with us about her problem. She wants to change so bad, but the drugs have completely consumed her life. She told us that she hides knives all over her room for protection from her hallucinations. She tells us that she knows she is killing herself. She doesn’t want to do it.... she hates it, but can't stop.. It is REALLY sad. It is the kind of stuff you only see on TV where we live. Tomorrow will be “opening day for the hunt.” The hunt for brothers and sisters to bring eternal joy too! We have nothing but tracting planned.  "Summer nights, every body’s getting baptized!” ....isn’t that what Rascal Flats' song says?

6-12-13
Push it Push it to the limit limit cause were init to win it! This Highschool Musical Classic got me through my day! I sang it as I walked house to house loving the 106 degree dessert sun! We worked hard tracting most of the day. We didn’t find much success but our door approaches got a lot of practice! I know that there is someone waiting for us, we just weren’t on the right streets today. The spirit guided us to knock on Tim Martin's door tonight. We couldn’t have come at a better time, they are really stuggling. They are having problems with their daughter. We were able to give blessings to Tim and his wife. It was a great experience. I have such a strong testimony of being “intune” with the spirit!

6-13-13

Being Nice!

I'm learning a valuable lesson.. everyone is different in there own special ways...everyone has the light of Christ in them, some “sisters” you just have to look harder then others. Hint Hint. Elder Taylor and I have two new mothers on the mission.. Sister clements and Kimball.  Today was another one for the record books. This afternoon I literally rung my shirt out and put on the second for the day.. no I didn’t go running through the sprinklers…! Tracting was great.. We were guided to 4 new investigators! Crazy thing is.. 1 of the investigators is Rimero's ex-wife and 1 is his son. (Rimero is the guy that I ran into at our apartment complex when I was on splits, amazing experience). The lord really needs us to teach them obviously. The other three are the Moralis family! It is a mother with a son that is 15, he seemed super cool and a daughter that is 8.  Tonight was another mind blowing spiritual experience with Tim and Ashley Martin. They are going through problems trying to get full custody of their daughter. They feel torn apart when ever she is not with them and feel that they can not be sealed in the temple because of it. Elder Taylor shared his very heart wrenching powerful story of his mother and bore his testimony of eternal families and the plan of salvation.. I felt very impressed to teach about the blessing it is to have an eternal family and said “When you look at life in an eternal perspective, worldly things don’t matter.” I also shared the quote on the back of my planner “If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.” The spirit was very profound in our teaching. We had the whole room in tears. This lesson once again put me in my place. I'm not sure why the Lord loved me so much to give me these eternal blessings here in this life. I am so blessed to have been born into an eternal family. Temple ordinances are of God and are given to us to be together forever.  I received revelation during this, I know without a doubt in my mind that Elder Taylor was called to be my trainer for this reason...To wake me up to all of my blessings in this life. During this time, I opened my BofM and layed my eyes on 2NE 1:21. I thought of Elder Taylor's mother saying what Lehi told his sons, to us…"and now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, MY SONS, AND BE MEN, AND BE DETERMINED IN ONE MIND AND IN ONE HEART, UNITED IN ALL THINGS, THAT YE MAY NOT COME DOWN INTO CAPTIVITY.” Speechless?...yeah thought so..welcome to missionary work.

I love my amazing mother, my christlike father, my valiant brothers, my angelic sister, and my pretty girl.

6-14-2013

Tired as ever..guess that means it was a good day. We had district meeting this morning. Each week we are required to have a 5 minute talk prepared and a memorized scripture, then two people are chosen randomly!  For the 3^rd time in a row.. I got selected to give the 5 minute talk. I guess speaking in stake conference wasn’t enough! On top of that, Elder Taylor and I had to give a lesson on getting members out to teach with us... the perks of having the highest numbers in the zone! Right after district meeting, we went to our return appointment with the Moralis family that we tracted into yesterday. THEY ARE SO SOLID. We taught them the restoration and got to know each other a little bit. The family WAS very strong in the Christian faith until her husband left them and she blamed the church. The family is so strong and I love them already. The 15 year old, Aaron was super intense with our lesson. He loved it and said it would bless his life so much. He dresses baller just like my ugly little brother. We connect so good, we have a ton in common. I showed him some pictures.  We joked and laughed a lot, he jokes that he is going to Orem to steal “my shawtay.” Haha. I told him that “my shawtay” is racest and thinks Mexicans stink. We laughed pretty hard. The daughter drew me a picture that said, THANK YOU FOR THE SPIRIT. It all made sense to the mom and she loved it. Aaron said the closing prayer and it was AMAZING. Future missionary for sure. I didn’t feel right about inviting them to baptism, so for sure the next lesson. We were a little late to our lunch appointment with Jose Montoya. I look forward to it every week! We tracted starting at 3, until dinner at 5. We found 2 people that set return appointments, I feel good about one of them! My BS radar was going off on the other. Dinner at the Gonzales! I had a big water fight with all the kids! So so fun. We have to eat dinner with the sisters every night..I have to bite my tongue with Sister Clements, bless her heart. After dinner all 4 of us had an appointment with Chris Martin..my favorite investigator that is by far the most solid. I love Chris and Amanda and their super cute baby, that is my best friend. I was dreading this lesson because it was to hand them off to the sisters. When we walked in, Chris had the Heat game playing just so we could get a glimps of the score. He hates sports, but knows we love the Heat. Such a stud. When we told Chris and Amanda that we wouldn’t be teaching them anymore, Chris said,(right in front of the sisters), “We will move then, because you guys are the one's baptizing me, no girls are going to teach me.” It made my whole day haha. I hope we can work something out, because Chris isn’t happy with the new transfer. We had correlation meeting tonight.. and here I am typing 100mph before bed and shoveling mamma B’s granola down. I love you all!

6-15-13
I am having a hard time reflecting on my day today because I just got the news that I am giving a talk in church. My topic is prayer, so it won't be bad... but the 20 minutes on the other hand.. I am learning that being completely tired and stressed is all part of the game! We did a big service project this morning loading a trailer with stuff for young womens camp, then helped set up for a wedding. It took most of the morning, we ate lunch at the reception. I heard that the NBA finals are pretty intense! King James and D-Wade are just teasing the Spurs.. We had an awesome lesson with Chris and Amanda Martin along with the sisters. Chris wants us to be there everytime... he isn’t too fond of the sisters . He is so ready for baptism. Can't wait. Tonight we taught Manny and the Nigro’s. Bro. Butterfield came with us tonight.  The Butterfields are the MOST amazing family you would ever meet....and like most every family have their own set of struggles.  I'm learning so much about marriage and family relationships! I want to be the very best husband/father. I have always looked up to you (dad) in the way that you treat mom. You always put her first and will defend her to the very end. You always told me “Treat my best friend right, If you don’t ill bounce you off the wall... I am going to be with her forever” I usually heard that when I deserved to be bounced off the wall. Mom is a princess in your eyes, well mine too.. but you know what im sayin.:) Preparing for my talk is calling my name!

6-16-13
I had a good day today. Sundays are always very refreshing. It was a little hard getting up this morning at 6:30 after getting to bed at about 2 a.m. I found out that writing a talk isn’t as easy when your amazing mother isn’t typing it up for you! HA. My talk went great, I was a little upset that I stayed up so late writing my outline because once I got up there I didn’t even use it! We worked hard tracting. We are trying to fill our board back up with new investigators. The people we tracted into today weren’t quite ready to hear our message! We spent a lot of time with the Butterfield family today as well. We had a quick message with Chris Martin again, I love his little family. I'm really looking forward to the 29^th. Tonight we had the opportunity to administer to a non-member family. It is brother Nigros sisters family. They have been sick and going through some hard times. They were so excited for us to give them blessings. It was a great experience. It is such a priviledge to act in God's name.

I love every single one of you with all my heart.

Elder B

fighting for the most amazing cause

I have had a good week fighting for the most amazing cause.  I have had such feelings and experiences that are nearly impossible to put into words.  The Lord is truly hastening the work here in El Paso.  He has called 2 other missionaries to join our area and ward.  This new transfer split our area into a north and south.  We are south.  We had to hand 75% of our investigators off to the new Elders/Sisters coming into our area including our 4 baptism dates.  It is really hard to hand them off.  If feels like I've been working really hard on a homework assignment for a month, and now giving it to someone to copy....It is really humbling and has made me realize that this isn't my work but the Lords.  We are fighting for one cause.  I am finding that success doesn't always happen in the form of baptisms, but in planting seeds for others as well as personal growth.  El Paso is a SAUNA!!!  I tell you every week that it is blazing HOT...but its kinda like the Brad Paisley song....Then.  I thought it was hot then.  I constantly have beads of sweat running down my face.  Elder Taylor and I huddle next to the air vent every chance we get!  Warm air is better than Nothing!!

My knowledge, testimony and love for the Book of Mormon has grown so much.  I've truly seen that the BoM combined with the spirit, is the most powerful resource in conversion.  The conversion of others, but I've seen so much personal conversion as I've fully read the "most correct of any book on earth".  I am reading in Alma on my second way through.  I love reading about all the examples of missionary work found in Alma.  First, In chapter 8 Alma is teaching and baptizing the people in Melek.  Then heads to Ammonihah.  The people of Ammonihah were very wicked and rejected Alma so he left.  When Alma left an angel visited him commanding him to return to Ammonihah.  Alma did so speedily.  He was obedient and God prepared a way.  I love reading about Ammon in Chapters 17, 18, 19.  He was an awesome missionary!  He protects the Nephites by building walls of protection...fortifications.  He is always preparing.  We can learn a lot from these missionaries.  They are always prepared, and are always lead by the spirit.  We can be powerful examples like them, we need to always be worthy and in tune with the spirit.  The spirit is the most important thing to have in our lives and in our home.  At times life feels like a tightrope...but as we nourish ourselves with daily doses of spiritual experiences the spirit will lead and guide us.  The spirit is a powerful influence that Satan can NOT duplicate.  Satan can not get to us personally or our family if the spirit is present.  I want everyone to have more spiritual experiences.  Pray for the spirit.  Bear your testimonies as often as possible.  Let the spirit lead and guide you.  We will kick Satan and his temptations butt if we carry the spirit with us!  Do the little things to be more in tune.  Our purpose in life is to experience happiness by loving one another and being a strong unit as a family.  The spirit will strengthen and bond relationships, that is why it is so important to have a strong spirit at home.

I wish I could share a little HEAT with you!  I would truly be happy to!  I love you all so much!

Elder Broulim

Weekly Update and Picts

                                               Elder B, Sister Butterfield, Elder T

                                                    Elder T, Elder B, and Jose Montoya

6-1-13
Pday was a great day!  I am going to have the best attitude of gratitude this week!  Even in the most difficult times, we can find much to be grateful for!  My haircut is a sad story...I'm not sure if it is because one of my ears is completely different then the other...but the lady forgot to cut one of my sideburns!  Elder Taylor had to cut it for me tonight...after a full day of having one burn longer than the other.  HA.  We had a great lesson with the Rogers' tonight.  Sister Rogers is a member but her husband isn't.  If you talked to him, you would think he could be a General Authority.  Weird situation but it was a great lesson.

6-4-13
Too blessed to be stressed!  I'm trying harder and harder to make the best of every day.  The days really feel like weeks but the weeks feel like days.  We did a lot of studies today.  I read a lot about the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I love this, "This gift is a foretast of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life."  The HG is the most precious gift I've ever received.  Tonight we taught Dora Martinez a long 2 hour lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Such an amazing lesson.  The spirit is always so strong when we teach her.  She told us that she loved church on Sunday.  We talked a lot about baptism...We set a date for the 22nd of June.  Her main concern is leaving the Methodist church.  She has been a strong member for most of her life.  We feel very confident about her!

6-5-13

Had a busy day today.  Visited a lot of less actives and investigators this morning.  The priority was Christopher Jones.  He is in his 30s, works for a filming company.  His mom is less active and recently gave Chris a quad.  We taught him the Plan of Salvation...last but not least...SET A BAPTISM DATE!  We are shooting for the 29th of June.

6-6-13

We had apartment inspections this morning.  I felt bad for the inspectors!  We had this place as clean as we possibly could..and we still didn't pass.  I wasn't surprised, our apartment checked out to be "unsafe".  BUT we received amazing new that we will be moving to a different apartment beginning next month!  This means we will have a working toilet, working dishwasher, and might be able to breathe!  I'm really excited...sometimes I think we have to start in the telestial kingdom and work our way up!  Tracting was good and HOT today!  The last door we knocked opened and slammed shut, hard!!  We turned around to meet an older lady named Celieo.  She looked at us and said, "Keep your heads up, brush off your shoulders, and move to the next house!"  I thought that was pretty cool.  She asked us who we are and why the he** we aren't married, and why we are wearing suits in this weather?!  She had a lot of respect for us after we gave her the low down.  She said, "I sure feel bad for the girl having to wait for two years, but she is lucky to have an angel of the Lord."  Ha. I loved it.  She was very religious in a different faith.  We hope to visit with her again soon.  Well,  some good news and some bad news....we have 3 baptism dates....here's the bad...Marcus and Dora dropped us today.  They have been taught by missionaries for over a year now.  We got them to come to church and they said its not for them and to not come back.  Pretty sad.  Had dinner with the Gonzalez family--I love them so much!

6-7-13
The day started off a little slow.  We had zone training.  After we had a lunch appointment with Jose Montaya.  I look forward to this all week.  It was super good as always.  I love being in his home, I feel so peaceful.  Between lunch and dinner we tried to visit a lot of investigators and less actives but we weren't very successful.  We had a dinner appointment with Sister Snyder.  She invited an interested friend to come over to be taught, named Judy.  Bother of their husbands are deployed.  We had a super sweet restoration lesson with them.  I invited her to baptism and she said YES!  I hope she follows through.  Sister Snyder's family is from South Jordan, Utah.  The spirit was really strong during the lesson.  Judy wants to raise her kids the right way.  I always testify of the happiness and blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to my amazing family.  Right after dinner, we had an appointment to teach Chris and Amanda Martin.  Remember, Amanda is a less active and we are teaching her husband, Chris.  Chris is progressing awesome!  We taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ---so faith, repentance, baptism, HG, endure.  It was awesome!  Ha ha...we told Chris that we want to set a day for him to be baptized.  We said, how about July 6th?  He said, why not sooner?  Music to our ears!  We set a date for the 29th of June.  The 3rd baptism date this week!  Sweet sweet.  The day started off slow and ended up being great!

6-8-13
What a day!  The Lord has a lot in store for Elder Taylor and I.  We are really struggling tonight...I will tell you why in a bit.  We taught Alecia and Ruth this morning, the lesson went well and we are hoping to see them at church in the morning.  We taught a less active named Kayla.  We had an interesting dinner appointment tonight with the Hernandez family...the food was amazing, steak!  The topi of conversation was how they met on ldssingles.com and all about their online experiences.  They met online a couple of years ago, in their 40s.  Bro Hernandez reminded me of Brad Paisley's song, "so much cooler on line".  He was pretty proud of all the girls he dated on line!  tonight we taught the Nigros and watched some Mormon Messages with them.  We received our transfer news tonight...tomorrow is the end of the transfer.  This brought some hurt feelings.  We found out that we are staying ut that our area is being split.  It will now be the 11th ward north and south.  We are South....75% of our investigators are in the north part..INCLUDING not one, but all 4 of our investigators with baptism dates.  We lose them to other missionaries.  We have worked so hard to teach them.  I've really grown close to them...they are the only people I really know.  It's really hard.  But I guess the Lord has different plans for us.  Lucky new missionaries get 4 baptisms right off.  Its really hard for me, I've been looking forward to them.  I'll still be able to be at the baptisms hopefully.

"Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday!"

6-9-13
Church was awesome!  I am growing close to alot of people and love them.  Elder Taylor and I got to teach the gosple principles class with no notice...nothing new, piece of cake!  I was standing by the door at church welcoming people when a girl named, Maureah (Raymond) that I went to school with came walking up to me with her newish husband!  They just moved into the ward.  She is one of Mandi's best friends.  Her husband is pretty tight.  Such a small world!  Lunch at the Butterfield's was BOMB!  I love them!  I met a guy from Afton Wyoming that has been to our stores!!  He is a big hunter so we exchanged a few stories and photos!  He knows a lot of places that I snowmobile...It was awesome to talk with him.  Today was the last day of transfer, so starting a new planner tomorrow!  We should be meeting the new Elders/Sisters that will be joining our ward tomorrow.

Open My Aperture, Aim High, and Carry On

I have had a really successful week as far as missionary work goes!  We worked really hard!  We taught A LOT of lessons and stayed really busy.  It is very important to have members working along side us with our investigators.  They can fellowship the investigator and make them feel welcome.  We have the smallest ward in the area but the members are really good to work with us.  I'd love to encourage G-money (Garrett) and dad to get out with the local missionaries.  We have done a lot of splits this week.  All the hard work paid off.  We had 5 investigators at church yesterday....Dora Martinez, Dora and Marcus Duval and their son, Adrian, as well as Chris Martin.  Both Dora's seemed to love church.  The other three didn't have much to say about it.  I hope we can keep them coming and progressing  We had a very very good lesson with Ruth and Alecia earlier this week, we were hoping to get them to church but hopefully next week.  We have seen many miracles this week.  We have been blessed and I've truly felt the spirti guide us to those that stand in need.  The feeling I get from helping people in their darkest moments is amazing.  I know that Heavenly Father works through us...that the things I say aren't from me but from God.

Hey GB, just want you to know that my jumper is beautiful...my 3 baller is cash...my dunks aren't bad...hope you're practicing.  Coach Jones is GOOD...buuuuut I'm on the Lord's team...no keeping up.

Earlier this week we had zone conference.  It was Pres. and Sister Miller's last before the new mission presidents.  They shared a lot of uplifting and inspiring things during conference.  The main topic was being happy and having a positive attitude.  Exactly what I've been needing.  The El Paso Stake President talked first and talked about how we always have to be converting ourselves.  Yes, we became a member when we were baptized but we have to keep progressing and keep converting ourselves daily.  We can do this by reading the scriptures and praying everyday....it will keep the devil away.

Sis Miller gave a great talk. The two main points were "Aim High and Carry On".  We need to aim high and reach our full potential.  We need to Carry on and sink our roots deep and have a firm foundation.  (Helaman 5:12)

President Miller spoke about being successful.  "You can plan the future, if you will open your aperture it will let more light in.  This is how we will be more successful."  We need to open our aperture and allow change.  I am trying harder and harder everyday to allow this change, it isn't easy.  I know that Heavenly Father knows my potential and he is pushing me.  He is trying to shape me into the man that I am destined to be!  Whether I like it or not, I have to allow this change and I have to be flexible.  He also talked about eternal families.  I understand the plan of salvation better than ever.  I know that I have to open my aperture so the Lord can shape me into the best husband and father for my eternal companion someday!

Everything in this gospel begins with faith.  As it says in Alma 32 we have to exercise a particle of faith.  When we plant a seed, we have to nourish it.  We have to nourish our faith by feeding it with the little things...prayer, studying the word, and going to church.  As we do this our faith will grow.  I have seen my faith grow.  We all need to have the faith like Nephi did all throughout first Nephi and not doubt like his brothers did.  It seems impossible at times, but I have faith that I will be able to open my aperture, Aim High, and Carry On.

I want everyone to learn to love the Savior more than anything else.  If it doesn't seem easy, study the Atonement.  Have Faith.  I know that Christ lives and that he performed the Perfect Atonement.  He is my brother and knows every fear and pain that I have.  I know this is God's kingdom here on earth and we are all here to build it and strengthen it.  I know that  FAMILIES are the most important unit in the gospel.  I know that we can be together forever.

Elder B

"The hardest trials you face, will be the greatest blessings you receive."

"When feeling overwhelmed by a far away goal, repeat the following:  I HAVE IT WITHIN ME RIGHT NOW, TO GET ME WHERE I WANT TO BE LATER!"

"If God brings you to it, He will bring you throught it."

                                   Some Personal Study Time...