Save me a piece of that corn!

Hey Family! 

How are things going? It sounds like you guys have been ridiculously busy.

 

So first things first, this week was pretty good.  AND I got to be with Elder McKay again for a day!  It was awesome!

 

So most exciting news of the week: Paul! This guy is awesome!  We met with Paul on Tuesday and taught the Plan of Salvation. He loved it and it made a lot of sense to him. He had questions, but he just wanted to know what he needs to do to follow God. We talked about baptism again with him. He asked how soon he would need to be baptized. We told him not tomorrow, but when God gave him an answer that it would be important for him to follow that and act on it. He understood and said, "I don't think it will be long before I'm ready to be baptized"! Then Elder McKay and I were on exchanges on Friday, and we taught Paul again. It was seriously one of the best lessons of my life. We taught part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about baptism again. He asked some good questions and Elder McKay and I both were able to answer some of them. Then Paul felt like he still wasn't ready. Then I felt prompted to read D&C 20:37, and asked him, "Out of the things that are required for baptism, which of those things do you still feel like you're lacking in?" He said it was humility. That he knew what he needed to do and what God was telling him to do, but he felt like his pride was getting in the way of him following it fully. We then had a great discussion about overcoming weaknesses. He definitely felt the Spirit, and I felt it super strongly. We then went back to baptism. We asked again what he thought about baptism. He said he thought it was something he needed to do. We asked when he thought he would want to. He asked, "Next Sunday?" Wow, what faith! We explained about coming to church 3 times, and he is set to be baptized on August 18th!  It was awesome!  He came to church and was fellowshipped awesomely. It was just an amazing experience.

 

Well everything else is doing really well here in Greeley. Things are going well, and we are seeing a lot of progress and a lot of blessings. I love it so much. I had an amazing realization this week. I came to think about what we need to hear as people, members, missionaries, to best help us become better. I thought of hope and of empowerment. Though some people struggle with pride, I feel like sometimes we don't hear enough how much good we're doing, how important we are, and how much we mean to God, and how much potential we have. Lots of people try to tell us how to improve or what to improve. That is excellent.  But, to instill in someone a love for themselves, a longing to change and look forward to the future, and a humble, grateful heart towards God, is to build in them a knowledge and realization of those things innately. It has changed the way I have looked at being Christlike. He taught us who we were and what we could become, and then asked us to become that way. How great of an example that is. If we can hope, if we can find redeeming, enabling, and empowering strength through the Atonement, we are given the perspective we need to become the person we are supposed to be. I love Christ. He is always reaching out to us. Let us "forsake all and follow him". 

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan

Semana de los Milagros

Well my wonderful, busy family, this week was amazing!

Since being companions with Elder McKay, I've had a strong testimony of tracting.  Now, In over a year I hadn't been able to get in one door during tracting...i.e. nobody let us into their house/apartment when we knocked into them; plenty let us come back another time, but no immediate lessons.  I still love tracting, and if nothing else, it is a sign to the Lord that you're willing to put in the work and effort in order to receive blessings.  He definitely blesses you for it. Well, this week we had a ton of days that were empty and basically had a lot of time to tract.  Yes!  It can be a little discouraging at first, but after a while tracting becomes a blast. We had a lot of time to tract this week, and planned this week to get 4 new investigators.

Well we had one appointment set up with a potential investigator on Wednesday, and that went through.  He's a guy named Greg who is from Akron, CO (it isn't any bigger than it sounds) that has investigated the church before, and I think he'll progress, but it may be slow. We had nothing else set up as far as getting new investigators, but we knew we needed to work hard.  So we tracted.

On Friday, we tracted some apartments near UNC, and the first door that someone answered, a guy named CJ answered the door.  He played football @ UNC, and recently transferred to play at CSU (Ft. Collins), but is still living in Greeley.  He was nice to us, and asked if we could come back in 20 minutes because he had to finish shaving.  We did, and we walked to a quiet part of the apt complex, and we started to get to know him and teach the restoration.  I can honestly say that I know the Spirit was guiding our conversation.  I was led to make analogies that I never had before (football analogies) and I knew that the first vision would have an impact on him and that we needed to talk to him about it.  I was able to recite the first vision, and asked him to focus on how he felt when I did so.  Afterwards I asked him how he felt when we talked about it, and he said sincerely "that's powerful."  He definitely felt the Spirit, and said he feels like he needs guidance in his life, and it was such a tender mercy to be able to talk to him.  Later that night he texted us and said "Appreciate u guys man good words". He's awesome!   

Well, Last night we had two hours planned to tract to finish up the evening.  We did so, and we tracted again at some apartments near UNC.  We had some really good conversations, but nobody let us in or was interested.  It was about 8:40 at night, and it takes about 10-15 minutes to get home, and we decided to tract a few more doors in the basement of the building.  The first door we knocked on in the basement was a guy named Paul.  He was nice to us at the door, and said he was a music performance major at UNC in piano, and we talked to him a little about religion.  He said he had been going to a church near campus for about a month.  Then he stopped, and looked at us and said, "You know I've actually been really curious about the LDS or Mormon religion (I don't know which you prefer), do you guys have a church here?"  We told him there was and he was always welcome to attend.  He said he was interested in learning what we believe, and we told him that's what we do as missionaries, and I then felt impressed to ask him if he had a little time right now to talk.  He said sure and invited us in.  We sat down and he gave us water (because it was burning up) and we talked about the restoration.  He said that it all made sense, and that he felt like it was right.  We told him that feelings of reassurance and comfort are the Holy Ghost, and we invited him to be baptized, and he accepted!  It was an amazing tender mercy from the Lord, again.  It was the last door of the night, on Sunday night, and we were able to touch someone's life and bring them closer to Christ.  We will meet with him again on Tues.

We also got a call from some other Elders in another ward that a girl had interrupted PEC meeting to ask where the University Ward was because she had just moved from CO Springs and had a baptismal date and wants to be baptized! Another tender mercy.

I don't know what to think of all the things that are happening right now.  I am so grateful that the Lord has seen it fit to have these things happen while I'm here.  I don't feel like I've done much for these blessings, but I feel blessed to be a part of them.

Gary should also be baptized this week.  He's doing pretty well.  I'll let you know more next week.

I love my Heavenly Father.  He truly loves us.  There are times when the world in its shame-filled mockery tries to tell us we're nothing, and we're not worth it.  Why do we keep going? Why do we turn to God?  Because He does care.  Why are we of infinite worth to God? Because He, the almighty creator of mountains and meadows--of mighty and miniscule--, created us.  He created you.  He loves  you.  I am so grateful to know that I have a Father in Heaven who truly takes a part and interest in my life.  He cares because I do, and that is peace.  Turn to Him, He is always waiting. 

I love you,

Elder Logan Bryan

Finally out of the Farmhouse!

Well Dear Family,

It's true.  We're finally out of the farmhouse.  I can't believe it.  I'll include pictures.

This week was a really hard week to tell you the truth. The Farm Manager, who manages the farmhouse as well, told us previously that we needed to be out by July 15.  So now we're out, and living with a family named the Hoovers.

Kelsey got baptized!  It was awesome.  She had the Institute Director baptize her (there's a pic of them 2).  And the program was great.  Her nonmember mom came to watch the baptism and is super supportive of Kelsey.  Kelsey's friend from Washington came also.  I was blessed to be able to confirm Kelsey yesterday, and it was just a great experience.  I was so happy for her, and more excited than I have been in a long time.  Baptisms are awesome.  The Spirit guiding the meeting, and also Sunday's meetings were amazing.

Kelsey's Mom, Kelsey, and Friend from Washington

Bishop Coleman, the Institute Director who baptized Kelsey

Elder Stanger, Kelsey, and Me

Gary is doing ok, we think. We weren't able to meet with him again this week. But, we're meeting with him on Wednesday, so we'll figure things out.  I think he should still be set to be baptized at the end of the month.  He's a great guy, but he has had a hard time lately.  I am so glad that he has been able to find the gospel. We should have a lot more to report this next week. We've gotten several referrals that should pan out.

I'm sorry that this is mostly just informational but I'll take the chance to leave part of my testimony.  I know Jesus Christ is real. He lives.  I have felt the enabling and cleansing power of the atonement.  It is so real.  It is so infinitely reaching and powerful.  If you're hurt, or alone, or broken, or lost, He is the answer.  Stop searching elsewhere. There is no lasting and true happiness except through Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  I love Him.

Love,
Elder Logan Bryan

Me in the Cornfield across the Farmhouse

Almost getting hit by a Semi!

Greeley "An All America City"

Zone Leader Conference, July 6, 2012

Well Family,

Yes, that is Greeley's motto.  Crazy huh?  What does that even mean?  But anyway, I don't have a ton of time today.  Like always.

Thanks everyone so much for your birthday wishes, cards, packages.  I truly appreciate all of it.  Wow, I felt spoiled.

So this week there isn't a ton to report. We met with Kelsey and Gary, and with the Pritchard family again.  They are all doing well, and we're trying to keep them progressing.  Kelsey is more than ready to be baptized.  She is so excited!  Gary didn't make it to church this week, but we're meeting with him this week again and he should be ready to be baptized at the end of the month!  We're working with a few part member families in the Peakview Ward. We weren't able to meet with the Ballentines this week for a lesson, but they should be meeting with us soon.  All in all the work is going well. This week was a little crazy with our meetings and transfers and all that, but we should be doing well the rest of the transfer.

So I encourage all of you to read Preach My Gospel. It truly is an inspired book. I love it. I read this morning in the first presidency message in the front pages of the book: "We challenge you to rise to a new sense of commitment to assist our Father in Heaven in His glorious work. Every missionary has an important role in helping “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”.  We are assisting God the Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipotent being in carrying about His purposes. It's amazing! I love the responsibility and honor it is to be in His service.

I love you all,
Elder Logan Bryan

Stampede

Hey Family!

So this week was one of the most hectic, stressful weeks of my life.  But things are going well now!  Guess who the new assistant is?  ELDER MCKAY!  My first two companions are the APs and I get to go on an exchange with Elder Mckay this transfer instead of Elder Washburn.  Crazy!  I'm still in Greeley with Elder Stanger which means that I'll probably be here for 2 more transfers including this one.  Elder Stanger goes home 10 days after next transfer, so I will probably be staying and getting a new companion in 6 weeks.  Greeley is HOT.  But it's still great.  We have a lot of changes in the zone this transfer which will be good. They're much needed changes.

So a few short updates:

We taught Kelsey again this week a couple of times, and she loved everything. We have taught her all the lessons within the span of a week and two days. Crazy! Now we're just gearing her up for her baptism.

We taught Gary this week and he is doing ok, but his grandma died, and we taught the plan of salvation and it really touched him I think.  He is doing well, and it's so great to have good fellowship in the Peakview Ward.  That is what is really helping Gary.  The Searle family is an awesome family that has just taken Gary in as their brother.  It's awesome!

We met with a part member family named the Ballentine-Buxmans.  The mom is a member, and a very solid one with a strong testimony.  Her husband and daughter aren't members, and haven't really looked into the church on their own. So we were planning on what to teach them, and we thought we should talk to them about how Jesus Christ in his earthly ministry was a teacher who invited people to do things.  That is how he helped people become better, and change their lives--by inviting them to do so.  So we shared the story from the New Testament of Christ inviting the fishermen to "Come Follow Me", and then we invited them to listen to the lessons and find out for themselves.  It was great and it went really well.  Sis Ballentine bore a powerful testimony and invited them again to learn more, and they are having us over tomorrow for dinner and a lesson!  Then yesterday Sis Ballentine tearily bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting personally thanking us for being bold and bringing the Spirit with us into her home.  It was a humbling moment for me to know that if we just strive to do what we can, we can influence people's lives for eternity.  It was a "divine signature" you could say.

We did the Spanish musical fireside this weekend, and it was great.  Elder Stanger and I sang our song, "En un Hermoso Bosque" and it went well.  I know people were touched by the Spirit during the fireside, and it was a good experience.

We also set up a booth at the Greeley Stampede--a huge rodeo carnival-- and it didn't go as well as we expected, but we are revamping it for July 4.

Well I don't have a ton of time, but I love you so much.  Thanks to everyone for their Birthday wishes.  I truly appreciate them.  I love the gospel.  What a miracle it is, and an undeniable, unshakeable witness the gospel is, of God's love for us. He loves us perfectly, immensely, and fully.  Now our job is to try to become like Him so we can have that love for others as well.  I love you. 

Love,

Elder Logan Bryan