Amazing

My amazing family!

Well this week was really crazy and really great! On the top of the list goes Jess and Brian. They got married on Saturday by Bishop Ross. We saw them on Sunday, and when Brian walked into the chapel for Sacrament Meeting, I asked him how everything had gone the day before (we didn't get to go to the wedding, it was super small), and he just couldn't stop smiling. It was awesome to see. We then had the baptism later that night, and man it was awesome! The word everyone kept using was amazing. There were a bunch of people there, and as it started, I just felt this warm peaceful feeling come over me like someone had thrown a blanket on top of me. It was amazing! I can't even describe how happy I was to see Brian and Jess in the waters of baptism, happy and full of the Spirit. I was asked to give a talk after the baptism, and I just talked about the peace that the Spirit brings. They have truly felt this peace come over them as they have made changes in their lives, and as they've given up things of the world for things of eternity. The ward bought them a framed photo of the Denver Temple, and I know their sights are set on it, and on becoming an eternal family. I'm so excited I'll still be in the mission when they are sealed, and I hope I can go.

The rest of this week was a little bit hectic and crazy, but no surprise. We went on exchanges twice. I went with the zone leaders twice so Elder McKay could do his exchanges with the other elders in our district. It was fun, and both Elder Rheingans and Elder deBruyn are great missionaries who really care and love the work. We also had the Christmas Devotional for all the missionaries in the North half of the mission which was great! I loved it, and Brother Keith Handy had an amazing presentation on the archealogical evidence of the Book of Mormon in Mexico and Central America that really strengthened my testimony. I've always loved the Book of Mormon, but I felt even more of a connection to it during his presentation--it made me appreciate my heritage even more.

As for our investigators, Katrina who was going to be baptized tomorrow is not anymore. She just isn't sure of her answer, and Elder McKay and I are pretty sure that her dad has a lot to do with her unnassuredness. Her dad is pretty against the LDS church because her mom is part of it. They are divorced, and I think he has a lot of nasty things to say about our church. Katrina is very swayed by her dad, and she doesn't want to be known as the mom-pleaser. We have prayed and fasted for her, and are meeting with her tonight. We are just going to rely on the Spirit and Trust in God that He has a greater plan that we are all part of. I hope she makes a decision and realizes she has had an answer. Our other investigators are doing well. Tashanna came to church this Sunday and she met with Bishop. He challenged her to find her own testimony and be baptized. I think Bishop is awesome, and he is a really missionary-oriented Bishop. I can't say how grateful I am to him for all he has done for our ward.

Another cool experience we had this week was with a potential investigator, Lamarr Sherrod. We tracted into him last week, and we stopped by this week to meet with him. He let us in, and we talked with him about his religious background which was going to a Baptist church sometimes with his mom and grandma. We established our expectations with him, and shared a little about our beliefs. We told him we didn't want to take much time with him, and that we would teach him more about what we believed in another appt. He just kept saying, "No, don't worry about it. I really NEED to make time for this, I need to get closer to God." And as we were leaving we told him that we would come by with the zone leaders (who cover the YSA branch which he chose to attend) for just a few minutes the next day and that we wouldn't take much time. Then he said, "Don't worry, it's not taking my time. It's time for me that I just can't deny it anymore. I need this in my life." It was awesome, and he'll become a great investigator for the zone leaders.

The problem Elder McKay and I are facing is getting our investigators to church. Granted, it is a difficult and busy time of the year for some people to find time, or to change churches and social circles, but we have really been searching for a way to help people see the importance of church attendance. It makes me appreciate even more the eight fundamentals that they teach missionaries in the MTC (pulled from PMG). They are truly inspired. "Revelation through church attendance" is a fitting fundamental. We encourage people to receive personal revelation--to pray and read and try to find an answer. We need them to also realize that revelation comes through church as well. I believe that if people came to church asking God a question in mind and expecting an answer, they will always receive that answer. There have been countless times people have said that talks in church or testimonies felt like the person was speaking directly to them. That is the Spirit answering these peoples' concerns, and Elder McKay and I are trying to help people find how spiritually enlightening church really is.

This Christmas week is going to be one full of energy and the Spirit of Christ. I have been trying to understand more fully Christ and my relationship with Him. I know that He cares about me and He knows me by my name. I know that He understands everything I go through and He has gone through all of it Himself. I know that He is on my side, and He wants me to succeed. I also know that I have to be on HIS side as well. When times are tough, when I feel alone or feel like my peace has been destroyed, I know that like my favorite hymn says, "Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side." I know that after Sunday's phone call, I'm probably going to be homesick, and I'll probably feel pretty alone or sad. But I know that all I need to do is turn to Christ because He "was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows". With His stripes I can be healed; through His love, I can find peace. I love Him and I love the work.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

P.S. the pictures are of President Toombs dressed up as the grinch for the Christmas Devotional, and Elder McKay and I with Brian and Jess at the baptism. It's a little blurry, I should be getting another, better quality picture soon. Love you.

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Well Family,

This week was great. The title of the email is the title of the song Elder McKay and I performed for our ward party, and for the stake nativity exhibit this past weekend. He sang, and I played the piano. Shout out to Sister Gibson for helping me with my very limited piano abilities. It's a really cool song that I think was a Negro slave spiritual at one point. There are some weird chords that I played. We'll have to do it for the recorder, and then I'll send that home. Elder McKay is an awesome singer. He really brings the Spirit in with his singing, and I am grateful to have been able to help him perform this song.

We saw a lot of blessings, as we have seen this whole past transfer as well. We have been working hard on finding a balance between finding and teaching. It seems that the most effective way to find is to have a specific time planned out each day to find. I think what Elder Maynes talked about was very true. When we start working and teaching, we can't forget finding. He said that eventually we would have to start cancelling appointments to make room for finding. It's very true, and I think Elder McKay and I will be implementing that soon. We have tried to make room for finding each day, and it seems that every time we go out and tract, someone is willing to let us into their homes to teach them. One day this week we decided to finish up a street that we had tracted most of, and the first door that we knocked on was a lady who told us she had just recently gone through cancer treatment and she wanted us to come back and talk to her and her kids and get more information about what we believe. As we walked away from the door after having set up a time to come back, her kids asked her who we were, and she told them, "They're men who do God's work. They're either Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons, but we'll find out." It was really cool to hear that. Then the next door we knocked on, the one right above hers, was a lady who had a baby 3 days before, and she invited us back, and we set up an appointment, but she cancelled on us via text (much nicer than just not showing up). It seems like we're constantly being led to people who are prepared, courteous, and willing to open their hearts to the gospel. I don't think it's any coincidence that this tracting success is happening this time of the year. I feel like more and more peoples' hearts open up during this time of giving and kindness. I'm so thankful for Christ and how we celebrate His birth this time of the year.

Brian and Jess are getting married on Saturday, and she's getting baptized on Sunday. Earlier this week, Jess's mom was giving her a lot of grief for jumping into this marriage, and doing it so fast. It really affected Jess, and she was crying one night about it. She even second-guessed the decision she had made, and one day Brian called us very desperately trying to get us to help Jess out and give her some encouragement. We went over the next day, and we had texted her the day before giving her some scriptures to read and some confidence-boosting encouragement. We saw them again yesterday, and Jess said that the day after we went over there, everything just worked itself out. I'm so excited for them. Bishop Ross is marrying them on Saturday, and then we're having a dinner after the wedding that Elder McKay and I are invited to. It's just awesome to have been able to see all this happen from step 1.

Our other investigators are doing well, we still have a lot of work with a lot of them to prepare them for their baptismal dates--we may have to push some back because of church attendance. There are eight investigators that we have right now with a baptismal date. Jess, Katrina, TaShanna and her daughter Abby (which we'll push back a little bit), Teresa, Kelsie, Neil, and Jess. We had a lesson with Teresa this week, and we talked a little more about the plan of salvation and where her dad is right now. She just needs the peace and comfort of the gospel. We talked about baptism with her, and she got really teary at one point and said, "Would God be ok with me getting baptized again?" She just wants to do what is right, and we talked about the priesthood authority with her, and she committed to be baptized on 1/14. Her mom who grew up LDS is very excited for her, and wants to meet us. She is just prepared for the gospel. We haven't met with Rebecca again, yet, but we will this week. We had a lesson with Kelsie this week and we talked about baptism with her also, and she was totally open to it and committed to be baptized on 1/21. We hope to be able to start teaching her husband as well. We are just being so blessed.

We in particular are concerned, and praying for Katrina. She had a baptismal date of 12/20 and yesterday she texted us saying she didn't understand what we were talking about regarding baptism and she wasn't ready. We texted back telling her she had a lot of faith in God, and she just needed to keep the faith up, and He will answer her. That comforted her, and she said she would keep reading and praying. Elder McKay and I are going to fast tomorrow for her to get this answer. I am constantly amazed at the blessings that God gives to us. It really makes me wonder why I ever doubt. At times before I've been a little hesitant to pour my heart out into the work and just step outside and work. But why? Every time we just go to work and do what God asks us to, He blesses us. It's the simplest formula or equation out there. I can't believe I ever doubt that if I work, He will bless me. Time and time again, He has proved to be completely faithful, and I just continue to try to be faithful to Him. I love missionary work. It's amazing and so rewarding. I feel closer to the Spirit more now than ever before. I've been studying Christ lately, and especially His atonement. I am completely amazed at how little the Bible shares of the atonement, and how much the Book of Mormon brings to light about Christ's infinite sacrifice for us. It's just another testimony to me of how inspired and divine the Book of Mormon is. It really is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We put on a little fireside at the Wilzbach's last night, and I was in charge of the Book of Mormon christmas part. I shared some thoughts about how the signs given at Christ's birth were a star and light in the night. Interesting how both signs were light. At Christ's death there was darkness in the land. How can people expect there to be light when the "light of the world" was crucified? How could they not expect there to be signs of light when the "light of the world" was born into the world? Now that Christ is no longer on the earth, we are called to be the light of the world. "A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid". During this time of the year and throughout all our lives, we are responsible to be representatives of Christ, and do what he did. We cannot hide what we do. We need to be reflections of Him whose wonderful life we try to emulate. The wonderful message of Christ's birth is the redeeming message of His life, His sacrifice, and His triumph over death and sin. We simply need to try to live our lives for the "Light and Life of the world" who saved them. I love Him.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Looking Back on my Time in B-Ridge, and Looking Forward to my Time in B-Ridge

Hola Familia,

As you may be able to tell from the title, I am still in Cheyenne! One lady the other day in the ward called us the frozen chosen. I thought that was funny. Well this morning it was -7 degrees outside. Yes, that is NEGATIVE seven degrees. So we walked outside to the zone leaders' truck and the inside of my nose began to freeze. Apparently that is when you know it's pretty dang cold. So we've been with one of my zone leaders, Elder Rheingans, for the last 6 days because our other zone leader, Elder Goesch, was made the new assistant. They're both awesome. Zone leaders have trucks, so we've had a nice warm Chevy Colorado for the last few days, and the best news about transfers was........WE'RE GETTING A CAR!!!! We'll probably be getting it next week, and it's going to be the car the zone leaders drove before it got insane hail damage before I got here. It's a Chevy Colorado as well. I'm still going to be with Elder McKay too, we'll have a ton of fun over this Christmas season.

So, the news of the week. Jess and Brian. Oh man. They're getting married on the 17th!!!! WOOOOOO!! And then she's getting baptized the next day, the 18th! So we had been fasting for a miracle with these guys, and then Bishop called us a couple weeks ago and said the seventy that was coming for stake conference (this past weekend) wanted to visit an investigator close to baptism in the stake, and President Whitehead (the stake president) chose Jess. So they visited her this Saturday, and Brian had already been planning on proposing to her that night. We didn't know this, and we texted him to see if they were planning on going to the adult session of stake conference, and he said they would try, and to wish him luck because that night was the proposal night, and to tell Bishop Ross because he got plenty of chastising that day! It was hilarious, and when I got the text, I yelled and went crazy! Then we had an appointment with them yesterday and we set Jess for a baptismal date of the next day when all the family would be in town. We're invited to the wedding, and I'm going to take lots of pictures. I think Elder Washburn might get permission to come up for it, who knows? I got to call him today and tell him the news. It was great to talk to him.

Katrina Grant. She's the daughter of Sister Jump in the ward, and she was taught the missionary lessons once before. We went in yesterday and talked about the baptismal interview questions and she said she could answer most of them, she just needed to know if it was true. We committed her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, but most importantly we set her with a date to both receive and answer and be baptized on...the 20th of this month! It was an amazing lesson and everything just worked out perfectly it was awesome. Elder McKay is really good about remembering our purpose and talking about baptism with people. It's awesome.

We also picked up 2 new investigators this week. The first is named Teresa. We tracted into her. Actually, kind of. Elder Mckay and I tracted into a guy who really smelled terrible in the beginning of the transfer, and then the other week, he felt like we should visit this guy, and I was totally against it actually. The guy smelled absolutely horrid and disgusting, and he wasn't interested at all, he was like a wikken or something. Well, finally we just went over to the apartments he lived in, and we forgot which top apartment he lived in so we knocked on one, and it was Teresa. She has really been going through a hard time in her life, and she is ready to hear the gospel. In our appointment with her, she said her mom grew up LDS and then married her dad, but she was never taught any of what her mom believed. She told her mom we talked with her on her doorstep and her mom was super excited for her. She needs the gospel right now, and I think she will progress awesomely.

The second is named Rebecca. We tracted into her. She is also going through a hard time. She accepted everything we taught her this week, and I'm really excited to see how she progresses also. She committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. It was really a great week.

I have thought a lot this week about remembrance. We hear it so often in the church, every Sunday in fact. We also read it so often in the Book of Mormon. I know with all of my soul, that there is power in remembrance. Remembrance leads us to self-reflection, and also to reflection on our blessings. It gives us a broader view of the hand of the Lord in our lives. I cannot believe or comprehend the love that my Father in Heaven has for me. He has blessed me with so much, so many incredible blessings have filled my life from the moment I was born. Most importantly, though, he has blessed me with the gospel. Sometimes, it is hard to see how we will get through life. Sometimes it is hard to wake up knowing the same struggles that plagued our minds when we went to bed are going to be there when we open our eyes. Never give up. Remember the times that God has blessed you. Remember His mercy and love to you and your fathers and your brothers and sisters. Most importantly remember that in a garden and on a hill halfway across the world and almost 2,000 years ago, the only perfect person that ever walked the earth suffered, bled, and died--for you. His infinite sacrifice was for me personally and was for you personally. Take a moment and reflect on his tears and his pain for you, all because he loves you perfectly completely lies beyond the realm of any visage of mortal comprehension. "Greater love hath no man". He lives. He loves. And during this significant time of year, I am drawn to remember the words he said to Paul that apply to me and to you: "My grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect in weakness." I would invite you to remember the power of the Only Begotten Son of the Father. Only an innocent baby when he was born, yes; but "how great the wisdom and the love" of our Savior who lived for everyone but himself, and marked the path for us to walk. I love Him. I love you.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Transfers...

Well my awesome family,

You can tell what's on my mind today. I won't know anything until Saturday, but transfers have kind of been in the back of my mind this whole transfer, and I think I may be leaving, but who knows?

Well, this week was actually really good, which is kind of surprising because I thought Thanksgiving would be a really slow week. It was slow on Thanksgiving, and a little bit the day after, but it's amazing how much the Lord blesses you for just stepping out the door and working. The numbers just seemed to work themselves out, and we reached several of the goals we had for this week. Thanksgiving was a good day. We found out the day before that the lady we're staying with (Bobbi Estes, she's awesome and we love her) bought a bunch of stuff to have a thanksgiving lunch with us. So we woke up, and from like 7 to 12 we cooked. We cooked everything, the turkey, the stuffing, the potatoes, the rolls, it was awesome! At first, we felt very badly for staying in our house and not proselyting, but we realized that if we weren't there, she wouldn't have been able to cook because her hip is really bad and she's getting surgery next month so she wouldn't have been able to stand up and cook, and she wouldn't have had anyone to eat with for thanksgiving. It was great to be able to eat and cook with her and talk with her. She is awesome! Then that night we ate dinner with the Blanchards, and I couldn't eat like anything! I was stuffed from lunch, and I ate a few bites of corn and stuffing, and I was stuffed. They had invited a guy that works at Terry Bison Ranch (where their daughter works) to eat with them, and he is probably the most legitimate looking the truest bluest cowboy I've ever seen. He was wearing a brown leather vest, serious boots, wranglers, and had a sweet mustachio. He was awesome! We gave his info to the sisters in another ward because they cover where he lives.

So on Tuesday we had our first Thanksgiving dinner of the week with Brian and Jess. It was awesome, and we went in there knowing that we were going to be bold with them. We basically talked about Jesus Christ, and told them he would want them to get married soon. They agreed, and then we said, "Well Jesus Christ isn't here in this room right now, but we wear His name, and we are representatives of him. As such, we want you to know that we want, and He wants you to get married as soon as possible so you can enjoy the blessings of living a life dedicated to Him." It was awesome. They said they were planning on getting married pretty soon, so we'll see how that goes.

On Wednesday, I was on exchanges with Elder Quicaño and we tore it up. We saw a few less actives, and we went to Anthony's house to see him before he left on Friday for Australia for the next few weeks. Well, we talked about the Book of Mormon with him because he hasn't read any yet, and we asked him what he thought its purpose was. He gave an answer and then we told him that we'd look in the Book of Mormon to see what its purpose is: to come unto Christ. We asked him, "Do you want to come closer to Christ?" He said yes. Then we said, "Well, then the only logical next question would be, do you want to read the Book of Mormon?" He thought about it, and said yes. Then we had him promise to read up to 1 Nephi 19 before the next time we saw him, in a couple weeks, and he agreed and seemed happy to do so. It was great. That night, after Elder McKay got back from Leadership Training, we had an appointment with Neil and Jess, where we taught about the Book of Mormon and commitments, and they agreed to prepare to be baptized on January 21st. It's a ways off, but Neil can't get off work until a month from now, so it will be great.

Friday, we taught Tashanna, and Jess (Neil's wife) was there too (they're good friends). TaShanna committed to come to church on Sunday....and she did! She brought her 5 year old daughter with her and they stayed for all 3 hours. It was awesome. We also taught Jeff, the Olsen's 13 year old foster son, and he was very receptive to what we taught and said he wanted to be baptized. We'll be working with him this week too. Then that day we set up an appt with Kelsie for this week, so we haven't seen her in a while.

Saturday, we saw quite a few less actives, and we went street contacting downtown before the big Christmas parade. Yes Mom and Dad, that day was FREEZING! My toes felt like they'd fall off. But good thing for the monstrously thick long johns Mom got me (which I love). It was awesome though. I just felt so good talking to these people on the street, and we actually got two people to tell us to come back and talk with them, and one of them is in our area! It was so fun, and I really enjoyed my first experience with legitimate street contacting.

Then Yesterday, we had Tashanna and Jeff at church which was awesome, and Todd Hufford blessed the sacrament for the first time! It was a great day. We also met with the Jumps, an awesome less active family. They have two preteen daughters-one of them has been baptized and one of them hasn't. Her dad, who lives somewhere else is pretty anti, so she has taken the lessons, but never really pursued it because she didn't want to make her dad mad. But yesterday, Elder McKay gave the spiritual thought with them, and he rocked it and basically invited her to take the lessons again and she was super interested. He was awesome, and his teaching is great. We told her that it didn't matter what we said, or what her mom said, or what her dad said, but this decision for a religious path was between her and God and who cares what anyone else says or thinks? She was very receptive, and decided to meet with us.

So this week has been a huge success, and I really enjoyed it. I'm a little nervous/anxious to hear about transfers, but who knows what will happen. The work is awesome, I love it, and I love to see people change. It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done, and the best thing I've ever done.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Week of Miracles

Well, this week was amazing.

I'll start out by saying that we did have a lesson with Kelsie on Monday, and it went pretty well, but she's having knee surgery today, and we don't know when we'll get another lesson with her. But she's awesome, and we taught her the plan of salvation and asked if she thought what we taught is true, and she said that she believed that everything we talked about was true. It was great.

We're still meeting with Anthony, and we met with him 2 times this week and he's warmed up to us quite a bit. The last time we met with him, a couple of days ago, we went in, and we talked about the Book of Mormon. He hadn't read any, and he's kind of a video game bum. But, I was feeling kind of frustrated and then I just started talking because I felt like I needed to say something. I asked him, "Anthony, why do you think the first lesson we talked with you about baptism, and the last lesson we did, and now we are too? Why do you feel like you were led to let us in here, and we've been talking about it ever since?" He said he thought it was because we wanted him to be part of our church. I told him that was part of the reason, but the main reason was because we loved him. I told him "Anthony, we are representatives of Jesus Christ, and we want for you what He wants for you, and that is to be a part of this church and find more happiness than you ever thought was possible." Well, I think that hit him pretty hard, and it woke him up as to why we are going over there, and why we ask him to do things like read the Book of Mormon and go to church. It was a good lesson.

We met with Neil and Jessica on Wednesday, and we brought brother Cameron Clark with us--he's an awesome guy with a wife and 4 little daughters who served his mission in Cancún. Neil and Jessica's daughter, Shauna, is kind of crazy and last lesson we were feeling like she was a big distraction. But, since Bro. Clark is awesome, he played with Shauna and they blew bubbles in the kitchen while we were in the living room teaching. Neil asked some seriously awesome questions, and we taught them lesson 1. We had given them a Book of Mormon and Neil read the whole intro pages and a few more. We then asked them if they found what we were talking about to be true, would they be baptized? And the answer was YES!!! They're awesome.

Next, we met with a lady named TaShanna who was a tracting referral that we met a few weeks ago. We took Bro. Olsen with us (our Ward Mission Leader) and we taught her pretty basically and simply lesson 3, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I asked her specifically in the beginning if she would like to improve her relationship with God, and she said yes. Then I told her that was what we were here to do. She was in agreeance with everything we taught, and she really needs this in her life right now. She's a single mom of 2 daughters and she is going through her 2nd divorce. She could feel that the things we were talking about were true, and we asked her if she would be baptized, and she said she would!!!!

Later that night, we went tracting in this sketchy apartment complex, and the last door we knocked on of the night, a black lady named Jasmine opened the door, and said we could come back the next day. Well, we went back, and she was there, and she let us in and she said her brother in law Isaac was there and she wanted him to be there because he was looking for his religion path right now in his life. Well, we talked to them about their relationship with God, and then we taught lesson 1, the Restoration. We used some metaphors that we like using, and the whole time, Isaac's face was just mindblown. He said to us, "Man, it's crazy how y'all are like speakin in parables and stuff. You guys are really makin me think". After the first vision, we asked both of them if they would be baptized when they found it to be true and read the Book of Mormon, and both of them said YES!!!! Jasmine said she was excited to get the Book of Mormon and she was really going to read it, and she said, "I don't think ya'll gonna believe this, but I'mma come to church!" Well, she was sick Sunday, so she didn't come, but she'll come next week. It was awesome though.

I can't believe all these miracles have happened, and it makes me mad at myself for the times that I've even doubted the Lord just a little bit. He is a God of Mircles. And there is no doubt that is what happened this week. 5 people in Buffalo Ridge accepted the invitation to be baptized this week, and there is no shadow of doubt in my mind that the first 4 weeks of this transfer were in preparation for these people that are ready and willing to hear the message of the Restored Gospel. They are searchers of truth, and until now, they didn't know where to find it. (D&C 123:12)

We had a mission tour this week, which is basically when a general authority comes and talks to our mission and trains us on how to be better. Elder Richard J Maynes of the seventy came and talked to the south half of the mission on wednesday, and to us in the north half on Thursday. It was amazing. It really taught me that we are called to gather the elect, and that those who aren't searching for the truth may be there for us to plant some seeds, but shouldn't be occupying our full efforts or attention. He is an awesome man, and served as a mission president in Monterrey Mexico. I also got to see Elder Washburn there, and that was really cool. I am so grateful to him for the trainer that he was, and the example that he set for me. I love that guy.

Well my recommended scripture reading of the week (based on the title and content of this email) is Mormon 9. "Believe in God" "God has not ceased to be a God of Miracles". I love all of you, I love the work. There is no greater thing than seeing someone change their life and yield it to God--to see them "put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord". I am thankful for my many blessings especially at this time of the year. I am thankful for Christ the Lord, I am thankful for his mercy and love that has truly saved my life, I am thankful to my Father in Heaven for all that he is, and his great wisdom, love, and plan. I am thankful for you, for your prayers, and your testimonies. I love this gospel.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Ask and ye shall Receive

Hola Familia,

This week was pretty good, but very busy and kind of hectic. We went on exchanges twice this week. The first time on Thursday I was with Elder Rheingans, and the second time which was on Saturday, I was with both Elder Goesch and Elder Rheingans. They're awesome guys, and great examples of great leaders. We have still been spending a lot of time finding and meeting with potentials.

This week we had one time when we really got an answer to prayers. We had been praying for a family to teach, and then the Zone Leaders encouraged us to fast for a family to teach, and then we taught a potential that we had found last week with her husband. They have two young kids, and they were really nice, and wanted to believe what we taught them. We asked the husband, Neil, if he felt like what we were teaching was true, and he said that he wanted to believe. They don't have a ton of faith right now, but we are going to try and help them recognize the Spirit very strongly so that they can feel like they know that the gospel is true. It was truly an answer to prayers to teach them, and I was very grateful the Lord blessed us with this tender mercy this week.

We had a lesson with Jess on Thursday when I was with Elder Rheingans, and we talked mostly about baptism, and how the gospel will change her life. Again, she knows she needs to be baptized and she has that as a goal in the future, but the only thing holding her back is getting married to Brian. We had talked about having a quick wedding where the Bishop would marry them, and they seemed fairly open to that. Jess said that after talking with both sets of parents, hers and Brian's, they were getting pressure to have a big wedding. We encouraged her to think still about the quick wedding and do a big celebration later, and she said she and Brian would talk about it. They were planning on meeting with Bishop Ross this Sunday to talk about their goals and how to get there, but they both were sick, and Bishop didn't make it to Church until the third hour. So it didn't happen, but we're really hoping that we can meet with her later this weekend. She was very grateful that we came over this week, and made a comment before we left that it felt nice to have us over since it had been a week and a half. She feels the Spirit, and is so ready for baptism.

Some other good news is that tonight we're meeting with a lady named Kelsie Davison who the Zone Leaders had taught the first lesson to a couple months ago. She kind of dropped off the face of the earth for a while, and then they gave us her teaching record and we contacted her a couple of weeks ago. She was gone the last two weeks, but a lady in the ward invited Kelsie and her family over for FHE tonight. Kelsie, from what the teaching record says, was very receptive to the Spirit, and she said she wanted to be baptized and learn more about the gospel. We are planning on teaching her the Plan of Salvation tonight with emphasis on divine potential as a child of God, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I think these things will really bring in the Spirit, and she will be receptive to being baptized on a certain date. I'm really excited for this lesson.

Well things have been going pretty good here in Buffalo Ridge, definitely different than last transfer, but I guess that's just how the work goes. We are trying very hard, but there's always room to try harder. I have been trying a lot more to develop patience and let things roll of my back. I have also been praying for charity, because I have come to the realization that what it says in Moroni is so true "if ye have not charity, ye are nothing". I try to develop love for those around me, and it's not always the easiest, but I am really trying to humble myself and let love take place in my heart. It's not always easy to do this, especially when people are taking lightly the things we hold to be sacred and true. But it's what Christ did, and I know I need to become more like him. I am working on creating a routine for my personal study so that I get in memorization, the Book of Mormon, and Preach My Gospel all in the hour that I'm given. I've been trying to be more in Preach My Gospel, and every time I read it, I feel very uplifted and edified. I have felt the Spirit really strongly this week, but I've also felt the workings of the adversary in my life. I know that's an eternal principle, though. Just like Joseph Smith in the Grove, and just like Moses after speaking with God, Satan always tries his hardest when we are trying our hardest. It's kind of annoying really. But we have so much power over Satan that it is incredible if we just do the right thing and keep the commandments. I love missionary work. The Holy Ghost is a comforter, a warner, a peacegiver. In 3 Nephi 19 it says the people prayed for that which they desired most: they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given to them. The Holy Ghost is the answer to all of our problems. There are times we may feel terrible, dark, alone, full of despair, ready to give up. Like Nephi says in 2 Nephi 4: "Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin! Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul" We need not wait any longer in sin or despair or sadness. The Holy Ghost is the way to give place no more for Satan. Pray for its presence, and it shall be given unto you. Look to God, and live. I love you all, I love this work.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

It Doesn't Come until...AFTER the Trial of your Faith

Well my wonderful, awesome family that I love,

As you can tell from the title of this email, it's been a trying week. We haven't seen much success--well, I shouldn't say that. The success we've had seems like it's Heavenly Father helping us reach our goals (as far as numbers go), but we don't have many people that we're working with. I know Dad said the teaching pool there is 4 people. Well up until this week, ours was 1. We have been tracting insane amounts of time, and we get a lot of potential investigators, but when we say we'll come back at a certain time, they're never there. And I guess I shouldn't expect them to be--if two guys knocked on my door and asked to come back, I probably wouldn't make it a priority to be home either. But there have been two contacts that have been there when we came back. They both (according to the qualifications) became new investigators of ours:

Anthony is an interesting guy who is 27 years old and who we'll probably end up handing over to the Zone Leaders who work in the YSA branch. Our first lesson with him, Elder McKay asked a bunch of questions and really tried to resolve concerns about baptism and get a commitment. Anthony said he felt a really aggressive and ferocious presence from Elder McKay during that, and he almost told us to get out of his apartment! It was kind of ridiculous. Elder McKay wasn't being ferocious at all, but Anthony says he's real sensitive to presences and spirits and apparitions, and that he's met the man who baptized him into the Catholic church and he felt that man was a man of God. We tried to talk about authority, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears, or I guess maybe ears that were getting eaten by a ferocious aggressive presence coming from Elder McKay ;) It was funny, to say the least.

Nicole and Ben were there when we went back to their apartment, and they reluctantly invited us in. We got a little background from them and they met eachother at Bible College, and they are very familiar with the Bible. Nicole has a little bit of a knowledge of our faith, but I'm pretty sure it was skewed and most of what she was taught were weird deep doctrinal things. Anyway, she has read some of the Book of Mormon before, but she said she found times when it disagreed with the Bible, so she didn't agree with it. Her husband, Ben, is a very outspoken, abrasive guy. He wasn't afraid to tell us we were completely wrong, and at one point after he asked or responded in a biting way, he said, "I'm just trying to teach you guys something". Well, after a very long time in their apartment, we managed to scrape out the rudiments of lesson 1, the restoration. We tried to ask them to read the Book of Mormon, and Ben said if anything, our conversation has urged him to read more of the Bible, and then if he finds something that tells him to read the Book of Mormon, he will. Well as we closed our lesson, Ben said he was impressed that we didn't lose our cool, because he said he was pretty close a couple of times. It was kind of an interesting lesson, but I do have to thank Heavenly Father because they said we could come back this week, so Anthony and them are our 3 new investigators for this past week.

Things are looking up though. While tracting we asked for a referral from a lady who wasn't interested, and she gave us the name of a lady who is going through a divorce right now. We knocked on her door, and she was super nice to us, and we have an appointment with her tomorrow. I have a really good feeling about her. Her name is something like DeShauna or TaShawna or something like that. We also have an awesome guy named Ron who works security on F.E. Warren Air Force Base (almost everyone here works there) who is ultra nice to us, and who said he's going to call us in the next couple of days to set an appointment up. We are working hard, and I know we'll start to see a lot of our hard work pay off in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to meeting with these two this week, and the ward is trying to work on getting us more people to teach. Line upon line, I know the work will come. It's just a little discouraging day after day working and tracting for hours with no apparent success. But I have to remind myself that sowing seeds is bringing people closer to Christ as well.

On a funnier note, on Friday we moved probably the heaviest piano in the world. It is an upright grand built in 1910 and definitely weighs at least that many pounds. Then that night we got a call from the people we were supposed to do service with the next day, and they asked us to do it Friday night. So we helped them haul and stack 5 tons of hay. It was a workout day. Then we went over to their house the next day and helped them killl their two 50 lb (or so) turkeys. They were huge! Brother Friis had to shoot them in the head before Elder McKay and I chopped their necks because their necks were so stinking big! It was kind of fun though.

A scripture that has really helped me this week is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. I know that I am weak. Plain and simple, I am a very weak person who has many infirmities and weaknesses. But, our weaknesses make us humble. Humility makes us strong because when we are humble, we turn to Christ, our Savior, and in turn, he lifts us up and carries our burdens. Like Paul says, "I take pleasure in infirmities...for when I am weak, then am I strong." I have found out through study that each of our weaknesses is a step away from charity. As we repent and change and allow Christ to pick up our slack, we become more charitable. Each thing we repent of, each weakness we make strong is a step toward charity. Charity never faileth. God doesn't call people to fail. He calls us in our weakness so that we can turn to him and be humble and allow ourselves to be made strong, be made charitable, and it is then that we cannot and will not fail. Without charity we are nothing. Look to God and live. I know I have many things to work on, and I do not have enough charity. But we must "pray for this love". As we do so, we can accomplish anything that God asks us to do--anything. I have a strong and burning testimony of that.

I love you all, and I miss you greatly. I pray for you always.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Finding

Well familia,

This week was pretty good. We taught Jess twice, and both times they went awesome. She is going to get baptized without a doubt. The only question is when. She is so ready and prepared. She accepts everything we teach and she reads the Book of Mormon. We just need her and Brian to get married, and then she is golden for baptism. It's been awesome being able to teach them. I really look back on how we originally were just going over there to talk with Brian and share a spiritual thought with him. Then he asked us to give him a blessing. Then she was there for that, and they both felt the Spirit immensely. Then she was interested in learning more about what we believe. Then we started teaching her, and baptism wasn't really in the question for her. Then her and Brian realized baptism HAD to be in the plans. Now here we are, only a few more concerns need to be resolved, and I marvel and am humbled at how the Lord works in people's lives. He does, I have no doubt of that. We may not be able to see it in the moment, but looking back, how can we deny the ever-outstretched arm of the Lord working tender mercies every singular day of our lives? He is the God of open arms and outstretched hands. He has said to us, "Come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal [you]." The truth is, we all need healing. Our job is simply to come unto Him. To do so with all of our hearts. How great is His promise to us. Like the hymn says, "Where can I turn for peace? ... Who, who can understand? He, only one." If I could suggest a scripture to read I would say, read Alma 37:44-47. The way for us is prepared. It is there for us to hold fast to the iron rod. Like Alma says, "if we will look we may live forever...and now...se that ye look to God and live." The gospel isn't an escape from real life, it isn't a fantasy that brings us superficial or ignorant comfort and peace. The Gospel of Jesus Christ IS real life. It brings us "peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come" (intro to B.o.M.). Sorry if it sounds like I'm preaching or something, but I've seen the difference in people's lives. I've seen how much this gospel can change people. Granted, I've only been on my mission for a little while, but man! There is nothing that can help people more than the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyway, back to the week.

So we have been tracting a ton this week. Because, we only have really one investigator, Jess. Gregg Bailey dropped us over the phone, and we're giving Spencer some breathing room. We have been tracting a ton each day, and from it over the last few days, we have gotten like 15 potential investigators. It's been awesome to see that people will invite us back, now we just have to help them feel the Spirit and they will want to learn and feel it more in their lives. I don't know how many of these people will become investigators, but if nothing else, we're trying to work hard and do what God has asked us to do. And the Lord will see our righteous efforts to do so, and I know, in His own time, he will bless us. I've been kind of down lately just because we have had nobody to teach besides Jess, and we want more people to teach and help bring closer to Christ. It's hard at times to see the end from the beginning, but I've come to realize the Lord will bless us. I remember the first week I was here, we had nothing going on. And then we were so blessed. It will happen again, I know it. Elder McKay is awesome! I really love working with him, and he has brought a really great Spirit to the area. With Elder Washburn, we didn't focus on finding people as much as we are now. Finding is one of the most important things we can do as missionaries. I can't tell you how much we appreciate referrals from members in the ward. If you know someone who would listen to the missionaries, or who would even just invite them back in their home, let the missionaries (as long as they're not deadbeats) know. Please. Look in Preach My Gospel in the chapter about finding people. President Hinckley is quoted saying that many people just think missionary work is tracting, but those who are involved in the work know that there is a better way. That is through the members. The members are awesome here, but you can honestly never get too many referrals.

Well, my email was kind of interesting this week, but I want you all to know how much this work means. It is the work of the salvation of souls, and honestly, I find myself wondering every day how I am a part of such an awesome work. We are weak, we are imperfect, we are afraid. But His grace is sufficient for us. He makes weak things become strong. And although many times I feel like a very weak thing, I know that the Lord can work through even me, a weak, imperfect being. And not only is he working through me, but He is shaping me every day into something He wants me to be. Every day he helps me "Try a little harder to be a little better" as President Hinckley said. He can do the same for you. I love you all so much. I miss you immensely. But, God has called me to do a greater work than I could ever imagine. And like Nephi, I try and make my response "And I must obey". I love you. I pray for you.

Love always and forever,

Elder Logan Bryan

Still in B-Ridge!!!

So Family,

As you can guess, I am still in Buffalo Ridge, for which I am super grateful. The thing is, Elder Washburn is no longer here. He was made a Zone Leader for the Loveland Zone. So my new companion is Elder McKay. He has been out for 1 transfer longer than me, so we're both pretty much greenies. But, he has led the mission in baptisms ever since he's been out. The guy is a stud. He is from Louisiana and he went to BYU the year before me and for part of the year I went. He has been serving in Westminster until now, and now he's district leader for our district. I'm super excited to have a companion who loves the work and is doing it to the fullest extent he can. I'm really grateful to have him for a companion and to get to know him better. So we moved to Bobbie Estes's house, a pink house down the hill. Here the members usually only sign up for 3 month periods to house the missionaries, so we moved from the Wilzbachs. It is a good living situation.

Thank you very much for the packages this week. I really appreciated the facemask. Elder Washburn took the other one, for which he was very grateful. I'm sure I'll be using it this week since the weather is set to snow tomorrow and Wednesday at least 20 inches.

So this week was great. First off, Todd was baptized, confirmed, and ordained a priest. I was the one who got to baptize him, it was nerve-wracking, but I was very grateful for the opportunity to do so. I had to get those white pants wet at some point, right? His baptism was great, Trudee's family came into town for it from Ogden, and he was confirmed by Elder Washburn. He was ordained by Bishop Thad Brown, who is so awesome. I was just really grateful the whole time in all three of those situations for the opportunity I had to be a part of Todd's conversion and be there as he chose this wonderful path for himself, but mostly for his family.

We taught Jess yesterday, and it was a great lesson. First off, Brian told us that he's realized by reading Alma 32 with Jess, that for Taycee (their daughter) to be raised like he was that he and Jess need to be involved fully and commited to the church. He knows this is what he needs to do. I told Jess that I was pretty sure she knew she needed to be baptized as well, and she said that yes she knows that. We asked them what a realistic goal would be for them to get to the end goal, and they both agreed to give up drinking! Yes! Also, towards the end of the lesson, we asked them to pray about and talk about a date where she could be baptized and where he could receive the Melchizedek priesthood. They said they would do that, and we're kind of taking this approach because we don't know just yet how to handle bringing up the fact that they need to be married. But she's going to get baptized, it's only a matter of when.

Spencer. Oh, Spencer. We had the most frustrating lesson of my life with Spencer this week. He kept going in circles around how he didn't know how to get answers. Then when we explained that, he would say, "Well why should I limit myself to only asking this God if he's there? What if another God is the true God?" Well, needless to say, my brain blew up, and I was frustrated that he was complicating a very simple and sweet gospel, and Bro. Robertson (the YM pres and C130 pilot) just told him plainly that the message he was hearing from Spencer the whole time was: "I'm not going to do this stupid thing you guys are asking me to do". Well, we committed him to ask again, if God was there and if what we were teaching was true. I hate to think of it, but I was considering after the lesson, how many more lessons like this would it take for us to say that we are wasting our time teaching him anymore. It was just kind of a rough day.

We have quite a bit going on in this area, and I am excited to be able to learn from and work with Elder McKay. I think he's awesome and I think he'll teach me a lot about being a good and powerful missionary. We'll meet with Gregg Bailey tomorrow, and a couple other potentials this week. I'm excited about the future for this area and I know that by doing work, we will be able to see miracles happen. Faith, and trust in God, combined with work is the recipe for miracles in God's kingdom. No doubt about it. I was reading this week in Helaman 10. There are some great lessons in this chapter about obedience. Nephi was tired, exhausted, and probably sad about the wickedness of the people. He was on his way to his home. And God told him he needed to go and declare repentance to this people. And it says, "And behold, now it came to pass that when the Lord had spoken these words unto Nephi, he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes...and he did go forth in the Spirit...declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all." Nephi's obedience here is amazing. It is immediate obedience, it is exact obedience, and it is whole-hearted obedience. I think we can all learn from his example, and it really reminded me of Elder Alonso's talk in Conference. Do the right thing, at the right time, without delay. I need to work on my obedience. I try to be good in obeying, but I need to do it immediately, exactly, and whole-heartedly. It was a good lesson for me to learn this week.

Anyway, I love you all. I really appreciate the letters, the emails, the prayers, the love, and the support. It means the world to me. I couldn't do this work without you.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

We Baptized Fred, and Confirmed his bald Head

Hola Familia!

I've had a pretty dang awesome week. Much better than my last one too which is awesome. The weather was a little better this last week, but then today it started raining/snowing again. Dang Wyoming, make up your mind. I think the worst part about the weather here is the wind. But we all know that's because Idaho sucks and Nebraska blows :) At least that's what they say here. I miss you guys a ton, but this week has been so rewarding that I have just thanked Heavenly Father so much for everything that's happened.

First, Fred was baptized! Elder Washburn baptized him on Saturday and that was an awesome service, and Fred was just ready. After he came up out of the water he kind of just stood there for a minute, I don't think he wanted to leave. Then when he came back into the room, immediately he went to his wife and gave her a big hug and a kiss. He is such an awesome guy. On Sunday, I confirmed Fred. It was probably one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life, but while I was doing it I felt at peace and that I said what needed to be said. When Bishop was closing off the meeting he talked about how Fred told him in his meeting with him that morning, "How soon can I go to the temple and get sealed to Jessica?" Fred really does have his sights set on eternity. He was prepared and I feel so blessed we were able to be a part of his conversion. Elder Washburn ordained him as a priest in priesthood meeting yesterday. It was just an awesome day....

Until it got better!!!!!!!!! We met with Todd after church. We brought Bishop Brown with us, and we taught the last part of lesson 3: baptism, holy ghost, and enduring to the end. After that, I said, "Todd, you have committed to live everything we've asked you to. You know it's true. Then I read the scripture in Mosiah 18 that says basically if you're going to live everything, what do you have against being baptized?? So I asked him, what do you have against being baptized? (because up to this point we had asked him to be baptized on the 22nd but he kept saying we'll see, we'll see) He then thought about it and said, "I guess I don't have anything against it". Then I asked him, "So will you be baptized this Saturday?" Then Elder Washburn said, "I think the better question would be, what time do you want to get baptized on Saturday?" HAHA. He's getting baptized at 4 on Saturday, and we're so completely stoked out of our minds!! I think I'm more excited about this one than any of the other ones because I feel like we've done the most with Todd, we've helped him progress, and we've really worked hard at getting him to find his answers.

Also in the news, we got a new investigator this week named Gregg Bailey. He was a potential that Elder Washburn taught lesson 1 to before I got here, and he never set a return appointment. So we stopped by his house every now and again and he always said he was going to read the Book of Mormon but didn't. Well, we stopped by his house this week hoping to set a time we could teach him, and he ended up inviting us in and we talked with him for 2 hours!!!! It was awesome! We both felt like that lesson went awesomely and that we both said what needed to be said. We ended up just saying, to get your answer what do you have to do? And before we could even end that question he said "I need to read the book and see how it feels". He's awesome and we felt really great about how that lesson went. We have another lesson with him in a week. We also stopped by Genesis's house this week and set an appointment with her to teach her again, so now she's officially a new investigator too. It was just an awesome week.

As for Jess and Brian, she was working this week, so we have a lesson set up for this upcoming Sunday, which should be an awesome day after Todd has just been baptized and confirmed and we'll set Jess for baptism hopefully.

Well transfers are a week from today, and I'm thinking I'll stay here. We're even thinking Elder Washburn and I will be together for one more transfer. But who knows? We are moving from the house we're at now to a new one, so if you're going to send anything, send it through the mission office. We move on Saturday and I should get the new address on that day, so if you want to hold off sending anything until then, I don't know. I have been kind of having a drought on letters from people other than mom (which I love getting your letters mom). I know I'm not the best on writing back, but I'm working on it. I have been making progress on how many letters I have to write each p-day. So, keep them coming, because they always are nice to get and are a nice way to get my spirits up if I'm having a hard time. I love you all so much. Love this gospel with all your hearts because it is where we receive the most blessings. It's true, and I'm beginning to see how much of a profound effect it has on the lives of people who live it and change their lives because of it.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Snow!?!?!?!

Hey Family,

So as the title says, yes it did snow. Yes it was freezing. We tried biking in it and every snowflake felt like a dagger to the face. My pants were soaked, my face was eaten off. It was crazy. So first item on the shopping list, long johns. Then a facemask. Luckily John Cox, an awesome guy in the ward that served his mission in Ireland, took us around for the rest of the day. It was really awesome of him. He's a great guy. One of my pictures should be me in the snow/wind. Ya that wind is nothing, wait til you're biking in it. It was kind of awesome though. Stories to tell. It's been cold here, and I think it's gonna stay that way. So a couple more long sleeve shirts wouldn't hurt anything (thank you very much). We had interviews with the President this week. I love President Toombs. He is awesome. I really liked my interview with him and it helped me out a lot. He asked us to increase our faith. We as missionaries need to rely on faith more than methods, and that's something I'm trying to work on.

Fred Hurlburt is on for Baptism this Saturday, and he's getting more excited about it and less nervous. I think he's going to ask either Elder Washburn or me to do it. He was going to ask his 95 year old grandfather to do it, but his grandpa doesn't have the priesthood. So if he does choose either of us, it will be the first time we actually physically baptize someone. It's kind of nerve-wracking, but I think it will be ok. We're super excited for him, and for the fact that he has progressed so much since we first started teaching him. His wife, Jessica, has helped us so much along the way; her testimony is so solid, and she is really excited for Fred. She is in tune with the Spirit and has really been a major factor in his conversion. We have a lesson with them tonight, and we're getting him ready for baptism. He is ready, and I think he realizes he won't know everything before he gets baptized, but what matters is what he does know is true.

We had a lesson with Todd Hufford at Bishop Thad Brown's (previous bishop) house last night and that went really well. Todd was hesitant towards paying tithing beforehand, but with the testimony of both Bishop and Sister Brown, Todd said he would be willing to "prove" tithing like the Lord asks us to. I think he is progressing more than he thinks. He told us that he thinks he isn't opening up as much as he thinks he is. He said he needs to open up more to receive answers and I think he's right. He needs to be willing to listen for God's answers and actually look for them. He is a great guy, and we are really hoping and praying that he will be ready for his baptismal date on the 22nd. Todd is a stubborn guy, but he realizes that, and I think slowly he is starting to open up more and more to the idea of how much this can bless his, and his wife's, and his son's lives. Bishop Brown told Todd that this decision would make a world of difference in the life of his son. Bishop Brown told him that his father had taken the lessons for 7 years and then was baptized, and that is the thing that he is most grateful for about his dad-his decision to become a member of this gospel and live according to it's standards in order to receive the blessings. I think Todd was really hit by this and he realizes how much of an impact this decision will have on his son Tanner's life. He's awesome though, and he'll be able to see the light.

We had a lesson with Brian Thomas and Jess yesterday. Bishop Ross came along. Bishop asked them a bunch of questions and got to know them much better. We taught the first half of lesson 2, and Bishop then kind of took charge and commited them to pray if this was the right path. They were super receptive the whole time, and I think it was inspired and directed of God that Bishop was there because they reacted to his questions and his invitations so well. Bishop asked Jess to be baptized and Brian to prepare to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. It was awesome to be there and testify of the change they'll be able to see in their lives. Brian shared with us that ever since we came over and gave him a blessing, he's been thinking about how he wants to be able to do that for Jess and their daughter Taycee. He said it has been a long time since he's thought about the priesthood, but that kind of sparked those feelings again that he wants and desires to be a worthy priesthood holder who can bless the life of his family through the righteous exercising of the authority that God will give him. Brian has a super strong testimony and he knows this is what he needs to do, I think he is just afraid of the change and sacrifice that he will have to make to get there. Jess is solid too. She knows this is the path she needs to take, she just doesn't feel like she knows enough about the gospel. As they both pray to know if these paths are right for them (which they are), they'll be able to see the sacrifices they need to make are nothing compared to the blessings they'll get. It was a great lesson and went a lot better than the last one we had with them.

We had a lesson with Dustin, who is now our investigator that we are going to pass on to the zone leaders because he wants to go to the singles ward. He has had a rough life, but we emphasized the importance of the Book of Mormon with him. He has been searching for something but he says he doesn't know what that is. We testified that this is it, and although it may not seem like it, this gospel has all the answers and he will find more happiness through it than anything else. Sarah Jimenez, a girl in the singles ward, testified really simply and strongly about how not much matters besides knowing that the Book of Mormon is true. When you know that, you know pretty much everything else. It was an awesome lesson, and we have another one on Tuesday where we'll take the zone leaders with us and pass him to them I think.

This week has been pretty awesome as far as the work goes. It is hard work, that is for sure, but it is so worth it. I have a testimony of work, it is what keeps us obedient, successful, and happy. I know that we have seen so many blessings by just getting out and going to work. And like Elder Alonso said in conference, you don't need a planning meeting for everything. Sometimes you just have to work. I know that's true. I love being a missionary. I just want to be the best missionary I can be, and I'm trying to become better one day at a time. I know this gospel is true, I know the atonement is real, I've felt it change my life. One of my favorite quotes is by President Hinckley: "try a little harder, to be a little better". Elder Washburn and I truly try to always find ways to become better.

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Helaman 5:12

Well Family, this week has been particularly rough. Probably one of the hardest weeks of my mission. You can decide whether or not you want to send this to the rest of the people you normally do or not. I truly have felt down and kind of how Alma feels in chapter 36, in the gall of bitterness. I've had an interesting week. I don't know if I told you this or if it was this week that it happened, but Todd Hufford committed to baptism on the 22nd. This week we had another great lesson with him. We went in thinking and planning that we were going to teach the plan of salvation and when we would talk about earth life we would talk about bodies and the word of wisdom. Well we got in there, and the first thing he asked us was, "Well, what do I need to like give up for this?" It was a kind of a pat on the back saying go ahead, teach the word of wisdom. Which we did. We talked about the 5 things we don't do: tobacco, coffee, tea, alcohol, illegal drugs. He said he had problems with 2: tea and alcohol. He said he goes through like two huge packs of green tea every week, and he usually makes a beer run like once a week. Well, after some encouragement and promised blessings, he agreed to commit to live the Word of Wisdom. It was awesome.

We didn't get a chance to meet with Fred, we're meeting with him tonight. We met with Brian Thomas and Jess. We took Bro. Hall (High Priest's Group Leader) with us. We taught lesson 1, and before we began they made sure to tell us that Brian said he wants his daughter to be raised LDS, and he wants Jess to know what she will be taught. He said maybe baptism was an option somewhere down the line, but now they weren't ready to jump in with both feet because they both like social drinking. Ok, cool. Anyway, so that was interesting, and we taught lesson 1 and Jess said she likes going to church and feeling refreshed and feeling the Spirit. So we testified of the Book of Mormon and she was very excited to read it. We hope they come around and realize there is no better time to change than now. I hope she actually does read the Book of Mormon because if she does it sincerely expecting an answer, she'll get it. No way around it.

We watched Conference at the Cantrell's on Saturday (awesome family in the ward) and at the Bingham's yesterday. Jake has been kind of different lately--I hope he's keeping his commitments because we can't hardly ever see him now that he's working out of town during the week. But I started explaining who some of the people were in conference, and Kelly said she knew because she watched the RS sesh. And she said she loves President Monson. Kelly is so great, and I hope Jake will see that he needs to be too.

Well, Satan has been working overtime on me this week. He threw about everything at me, and it got me really down. Especially on Saturday and Sunday. I think looking back on it, and coming out of the hole that I've been in, Satan knew how much I love Conference, and he wanted to ruin it for me, and to make me question my power as a missionary. And he worked on Elder Washburn too. He said he felt the same thing. Yesterday, virtually everything that could've gone wrong did. Every appointment cancelled, nobody was home, we saw one of the people we were supposed to have an appointment with (who was supposedly sick) walking down the street with her boyfriend perfectly fine. Yup it was awesome. I just kind of felt like it couldn't have gotten much worse. Plus I was already down. It was kind of a sucker punch from Satan. That piece. I love getting your emails though, they pick me up and I love them very much.

Well I loved getting my Ukulele this week, even though I can only play it on P-day. So now pdays will be better. Thank you so much for the packages. Tell Jill Gibson thanks a bunch for her email, it was awesome. And Luke Sanford. Can you guys get me Uncle Jorge's address so I can write him a letter. I got an email from him this week and I loved it so much. I need to write him. I also very much appreciate Odie's and Papa's letters-they mean a lot to me and I love and miss them so much.

Well, hopefully this week will be awesome. I just gotta keep working and doing what I'm supposed to, and things will go well. When Satan sends for his mighty whirlwinds, remember it is upon the rock of our Redeemer-the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the World-that we are built on. We cannot fall. Like Jacob, I am continually working so that I can say without faltering, "I could not be shaken". I love you all so much. I pray for you. I love the Prophet and the apostles. They are men of God. This church is true, no question. Feel it, believe it. "Believe in God, believe that He is". Why? Because life is better that way. Because He is real and He loves us more than anyone. I've felt his love, mercy, and grace. I've seen people's lives with and without the gospel, and what a world of difference there is. If you need to change, do it now. Turn to Christ, come unto Him. "His arms are outstretched still".

Love you,

Elder Logan Bryan