Thursday, January 29, 2009

Happy Missionary Hahaha

I love # 3. (Harvey told him a few rules to follow #3 was to smile) That is something my new companion and I are working on. It's funny for the last while I have been known as the happy missionary haha. Not a bad title at all. But every time our district leader follows up with us at night he says "how was your day" and I say SOOO GOOD!! haha. Then I gave a training in District Meeting all about being happy hahaha. I loved it. It is probably one of my favorite things to talk on. Of course I talked about mom and my car wreck and how being sad and gloomy would just make things worse, but if we always have a positive outlook then things always go a lot smoother, haha. I thought it went alright.
Oh and tell Halley and all the Schmidt's that I miss them, love them and still NEED a family picture of them! haha I use Shaner's conversion story every once in a while for stuff, never gets old. And don't worry, I never disclose any names or anything, to protect the innocent, haha.

This week has been insane! Remember, last week we found like 15 new investigators, way exciting, I know. So this week we dropped about 13 old potential investigators. Yeah sad I know, but they weren't ready to hear it yet so their time will come. ( plus we shared it with them anyways haha) So now we can focus on the people who will progress!!!! haha Oh man, and we totally fired up the Daniels Park Ward this week with the help of a member! It's been awesome seeing them get excited about the work and start fellowshipping their neighbors and things.hahaha

Today I learned how to solve a rubix cube by myself without anyone helping me! Never thought that would happen, hahaha.

One of our investigators works for the Broncos and has 2 super bowl rings from when they won back to back! haha We took some funny pictures with them on. Never thought I would even touch one of those. . . or care really, but hey funny stuff, hahaha.

I've got to write president now, so love you!

Share the gospel! (a good way to do that is talking to people about it)
Love,
Elder Bragg

(Editors note- I just couldn't take any hahaha's out after he said how he was a happy missionary, usually I edit out about half)

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I got my greeny

Dang, it sounds crazy! We heard a lot about the Inauguration and how there were over 2 million people there! That's intense! EVEN MORE INTENSE THEN CAMPING!! haha. Sorry. I had to.

Anyways, this last week has been pretty incredible. The Lord is definitely with us. Elder Pond got transfer out to Grand Junction with Elder Dunn who is the District Leader now, cool.

I got my greeny haha. I know I have always worked really hard my whole mission, but now for some reason I find myself biking harder and longer then before, knocking more doors, talking to everyone even if we already have 5 times haha. (happened a couple of times in fact a couple already know me by name haha). I'm trying to be the best teacher and example I can. I know I was trying as hard as I could before but now it seems like I have more strength, more love, and more willingness then ever before. I love it! I know that if we work as hard as possible this transfer that the Lord will bless us with a baptism as well. I'm excited for that.

My new companion is from Alberta Canada about 10 min away from Montana. He's a pretty studly kid. haha. It was funny, I've been doing the same things to him that Elder Penrod did to me. We were talking to these people and he was saying something, but then I saw someone else down the road walking there dog so I excused myself and let him take it away. haha It was fun. I remember being so scared the first time, but then when it was all said and done I was happy it happened. It was cool seeing how excited he was that he could do it on his own, not that he ever really has to, because we are always within sight and sound. He's a good kid and a hard worker, so I'm excited to train him. His first couple of days were cake compared to mine, no cops, no really really angry people, and no one even swore at us; way lucky. Since he came we have found almost 15 new investigators, way out of the ordinary! But hey, if things keep going like this we'll baptize all of Highlands Ranch!! I would love that! Everything is going awesome and that the Lord's work is progressing!

Oh yeah, I spoke in Sacrament Meeting this week. It turned out pretty well. I talked all about missionary work and how much the gospel has blessed our lives so we should share it with everyone. It was cool.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Keep the faith!

Love , Elder Bragg

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Trainer/ Transfers

Hey Hey! How's it going?

This week has been a crazy week, a great one, but still a little crazy. Transfers are this Thursday and we got the call. I found out I'm staying. I'm pretty happy about that. But Elder Pond is outta here, kinda sad. It's been a pleasure serving with him. But change is good.

I found out I'm going to be training a new missionary. There are 5 new missionaries coming in this transfer. I kinda feel inadequate. We had a meeting yesterday morning that kinda talked about training, there were 3 old Zone Leaders an old AP and me. haha. The whole time I was thinking, what am I doing here. . . . I don't think I really fit in that category yet. The Lord calls who he will and I know that with his help I can do all this just like Ammon says in alma 26 : 12. I think that's it. (I've got to work on my scripture knowledge) Anyways, I'm very grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way and be able to have this learning experience.

Oh man and funny story, right after I find out I'm getting a greenie, the 2nd counselor calls and asks if I can give a talk in Sacrament Meeting haha. It would be funny to have the newbie do it on his first Sunday, hahaha! I don't think I'll make him. But yeah, it should be interesting, but I'm sure it will be a great transfer. The work is progressing and the wards are awesome. We just have to work hard and have faith. . . and I can do that!

I am sending a package home today if I get time and it will have a bunch of stuff in it. But there will be 2 shirts in there for HD and Brit for Christmas. . . haha! January is better then late May right, Zannie! haha!

Oh man, at the Walgreens here they have shirts for 5 bucks that say Colorado all over them. . . and if they have Oregon ones over there, I would love some of those! I've got to represent Oregon. I talk about how awesome it is enough anyways, haha. If you could check that would be sweet! thanks! I'm sure the next email will be a lot more eventful, haha! LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Keep us missionaries in your prayers! We need all the help we can get!

LOVE
Elder Bragg

Thursday, January 8, 2009

I love being an instrument...

WHAT'S UP!!! Hey, sorry about last week. We had a crazy day. . .

And today was a Temple Wednesday, so I don't have much time left. . . and I had a bazillion emails. . . never a bad thing. I loved it! Oh man, thanks a bunch for the sweaters and stuff. So awesome! I needed some warm cloths. I've been freezen' my neenees of over here! haha! But I can't complain, I get to be a missionary! Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot! I got the boots too, just in time! It snowed to next day. haha Pretty epic, but yeah, they're awesome.

So we have this investigator named John, who is just about the coolest guy ever! We met him outside playing with remote control cars, haha. He's going to come to church! And there is a french family we are going to start teaching this week too. Hopefully I can stay here another transfer, I think 2 of them will probably get baptized! I know right!

I love being an instrument. . . anyways if you really want to know my feelings on missionary work read in Alma when Ammon is talking to Aaron and others about how awesome missionary work is! It's one of the greatest chapters ever. I think that would be good to give a training on in District Meeting tomorrow. I think it's 29 or so. Just in time, I finished the BOM the day after Christmas! haha! Close enough, I say! It was so awesome. I always learn a lot from that book. I know it might not seem like it but I think I've grown up a lot on my mission.

I loved talking to you all at Christmas! Maybe the speaker phone will work next time too, haha. Remember, with great sacrifice comes great blessings, and I'm pretty sure the hardest sacrifice is not talking to my family and loved ones. It's cool though. The mission is the greatest place ever. I know it's not really a place. . . but being a missionary is the greatest blessing I think I've ever had. Other than my family and the great friends I have, I wouldn't have even realized how awesome those are unless it were for my mission.

So pretty much persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calamity may defame. . . but the truth of God forward! The only way Satan is getting my home is getting hit by a bus (I knocked on wood it's cool) haha.

On a sadder note, Elder Bryson went home last week. (One of Colton's old mission companions) It was an honorable release. He struggled sometimes, but he was a good missionary. I think it's for the best. I'm just glad he got to serve for a while!

Love you all!
Thanks again!
Elder Bragg