Coltons spot of Blogging

So this is it!

2010-06-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody. ..

So this is it! This is the lat email. I hate it. I love you all so much, but no offense I would love to stay another 2 years.

Come what may and love it though, right?. . . I guess?

The mission has been nothing short of the best 2 years and coming out here I never really thought I would say that. But now looking back, realizing the progress I’ve made, realizing that I will never be able to serve the Lord in this capacity again, it kills me! I’m going to miss the people in this mission. I’m going to miss talking with everyone I see about Jesus Christ our Savior. I’ll even miss wearing a suit.

But…

I know God loves his children. I know he is always there trying to help us return and live with him. Yes, the heavens are open. Yes, God still speaks. He is the same yesterday today and forever. I know I have to start another chapter in my life, but I will always look back and treasure the incredible experiences I’ve had as one of God’s army, wearing his name, sharing his word. I know he has a plan for me.

I love you all and thank you for the support over the last 2 years. You’re the best! Don’t forget to pray that I won’t go crazy when I get home. . . I might though! hahaha

Love

ELDER Bragg

last week

2010-05-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

HEY HEY HEY!! So thanks for the inspiring words mom. You know I’m just gonna kill it this last week. That’s how we do it in the Denver South mission, finish hard. I usually don’t run distance races as hard as I can just to walk the last 10 feet. I try not to get a brake away in football and stop on the 5 yard line and wait for everyone to catch up, haha. So I think I’ll just keep working, talking with everyone, knocking on doors, you know mission stuff until President Woodley takes my tag. . . I must warn him though, I’m pretty quick and he's gonna have to catch me to take it. . . or have God on his side or something . . . haha! So no worries about me, I finish strong.
So this week was very eventful.
Saturday night we had a lesson with one of our investigators named Aaron. He’s a stud. So we go to Brother McIntosh’s home and have a lesson. We read through 3 Nephi 11 and all is well and the spirit is strong then out of the middle of nowhere he says "I’m moving Monday to South Dakota. . . . What? haha. That was our response. So we were like oh that’s cool playing it off like it was no big deal when really inside we were screaming and jumping up and down trying to convince him to stay. . . haha I’m sure you could picture it. Then both Elder Allred and I at the same time just got this feeling like it would all be alright. So it was cool. Well later on in the lesson we committed him to be baptized that next day, hahaha. For those whole don’t know there is a little bit more preparation that goes into it than that . . . like planning it, bap interview, letting the ward know, having time to confirm. . .. you know small details like that.

Which brings us to Sunday….
7:45 pec for 7 hills
9:00 sacrament for 7 hills
10:00 go and pick up our district leader across town for interview
11:00 pec for Flanders ward
12:00 walk to ward mission leaders house and outline program/ talk to angry wml of another missionaries ward about stuff. . . oh, dont ask haha/ say bye to non angry wml haha
1:00 Flanders sacrament meeting (was asked to give a surprise talk on the w. of w in sacrament. so write talk on stage and speak for 20 minutes. . worked out well haha)
2:00 walk back to wml house and finish program
3:00 start filling fount
4:00 help set up for linger longer in Flanders ward
5:00 baptism/ confirmation ( awesome by the way) I’ll show you pictures soon.
6: 30 dinner
7:30 go to recent converts birthday/ engagement party and talk to all her non member friends (jackpot)
8:30 go to members home and teach a lesson and eat homemade rolls
9:30 send in all the numbers in the zone to salt lake
10:30 clean up
11 bed
It was a wonderfully busy day haha. And it’s not slowing down either. Yesterday had a Zone meeting, today we went to the temple with President. . .got to send bike box home. . .

Dang, I got to go!! haha

Love you all! Have a great week and do missionary work!
Love,
Elder Bragg

I got my flight plans

2010-05-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

That’s awesome about Jordan. He’s the man. Elder Dunn and I were just talking about how he'll be a stud missionary, so that’s cool.

So it’s been a crazy week. I got my flight plans the other day. We call them our trunky papers. That was kinda weird, last time I saw those was when Elder Penrod got his! He was my trainer almost two years ago! That’s intense. That’s almost more intense then Lehi. . . hahaha. You know you’re laughing at that one.

So things are going well. We are working on a couple people to get them baptized by the time the transfer is up. So hopefully that will go though.

I tracted 9 hours the other day cause I was on teamups with an Elder who had no idea what was going on in his area. . .so that was super fun. It was raining like crazy. haha I love missions. They are the best, no other place in the world can make you feel super cool about walking in the rain in a suit.

Anyways, Love you! Have a great week. Talk to you next Wednesday!

Love Elder Bragg

Pictures

2010-05-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother’s Day mom!!!

2010-05-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hey tell the Kullicks that I have an Elder Shawn who is being trained in this zone. I guess he hung out with the twins all the time and he was in their ward. He’s a great missionary.

It’s good to hear grandpa is doing well. He’s a stud so I figured all would be well.

My birthday was good. Thanks for the package mom, Kristin and Mick. . . Mick sent like 9 that same day. haha. Pretty sweet!!

I had 3 different birthday cakes that day. And our ward mission leader’s daughter is trying to figure out how to make a good cake you used to make. So you might get a call some time. haha.
(She did call and wanted to know how to make an Ice Cream Roll. It was fun to talk with her and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about Colton.)

No worries about the whole school thing. I’m not sure when I should go up there to school. Also Elder Burton came back to visit and I was talking to him. I guess LDS Business College is like 1400 a semester, but for return missionaries they pay half so it would only be 700 bucks. That’s kinda cool. But I figure I’ll figure it out when I talk with you on the phone.

Anyways, things are going well. Mission is good. I just got back from the temple. And well I must say, that is definitely the house of the lord, no doubt about it.

But hey I have to go. I’m excited to talk to you all on Sunday. . . Happy Mother’s Day mom!!!

Love Elder Bragg

Still dancing for joy

2010-04-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

Sounds like things are going just the way they need to back home. Everyone’s happy not too comfortable, but still happy. If you’re comfortable then that means you’re probably not doing as well as you should. At least that’s what I’ve figured out. I decided I want to do at least 1 thing a day that will make me feel uncomfortable. Of course it’s all approved, but like if there is a huge group of people instead of just saying hi and maybe only talking to a couple of them about the gospel stand on the curb and tell them all about it. It is pretty fun.

Anyways not too much happened this week, well that’s a lie. That was my cop out attempt for not writing a huge email. haha

So on Saturday my companion and I ran a 5 k with our ward. It was something I wanted to do when I got home but I figured I’d get it done before hand so I can focus on a longer one. haha. It was way fun though. It was for the ward and we ran the whole thing right side by side. And yes of course because we are missionaries we ran the whole thing in our white shirts and ties. We even carried a copy of the Book of Mormon in our hands the whole time, haha. It was fun. Our time was 26:47 which is kinda lame. I know we could have done better. So we'll see when happens when I get back home.

So then on Sunday we find out an investigator from the Springs Mission would be coming to our Sacrament meeting and that she was getting baptized that night. Well, we got to go to the baptism and it was great. We met the other missionaries and what not. . . well I guess they were trying to transition her over to us but still wanted to baptize her so they could get a baptism, haha. But it turns out she lived in our ward boundaries the whole time!! They were just trying to snake it from us! Well, after saying swiper no swipey 3 times and a call from our mission president. We might have gotten a surprise baptism! Yay! haha. So she'll be confirmed in our Sacrament meeting and start going to our ward. So that’s pretty cool.

And finally I found out yesterday that I’m staying in this area. Pretty sweet, huh?

Any who, my birthday is coming up. Any letters or nice pictures would be cool. You can all just hold off on the presents till I get back. I’m sitting pretty well right now.

Things are going well. Still dancing for joy, it’s crazy. . . but everyday I come to this crazy realization the church is true. . . it’s weird. It’s like I’ve learned it already but for some reason its truer today than it was yesterday. I know Jesus Christ is my savior. I knew that yesterday. But for some odd reason I know it more today than yesterday. And as I look up this ladder of progression I realize that tomorrow I better be on the next step up or I’ll find myself one step lower. haha I love the gospel.

I love you all!! Keep climbing the ladder!

Love,
Elder Bragg

To dad

2010-04-14T07:42:00.001-07:00

Hey dad,

I got a chance to go on teamups for the last day. I don't know why but I was just super filled with the spirit. At one door, I was super bold and just stated our authority and that we were sent from God to help this guy be able to live with him again. He was a little hesitent and then I proceeded to tell him the consequences of not listening to our message. haha Never done that before. . . usually not the aproach you like to take on the door step first time you meet someone. But it was cool because I had no idea what I was saying and the spirit was super strong. So the misisonries in that area have a return appointment with him on Friday.... hahaha. Just goes to show you that the Lord knows every one of us and what his servants need to say, and if we are worthy and willing, we can receive that through the Holy Ghost.

We are doing great out here, no worries, we are working hard.

Love ya dad! I totally brag to everyone about how I have the coolest dad haha. Just so you know.

p.s.

I sat next to Elder Dunn at the Priesthood session of conference and we both decided that we missed our dads and wanted to go to dinner with them. So hey.. . next time! hahaha

Love

Elder Bragg

Conference was awesome

2010-04-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

So we are having another baptism this week, it's a kid named Kyle. He's way cool. He's friends with a girl in our ward and their family has been a gerat influence on him. He has read the Book of Mormon twice now and is going to early morning seminary. He has wanted to get baptized for a bit, but his mom wouldn't let him. Then just a week ago we had a fast, right when the fast ended no more than an hour after, his mom said he could be and came to a lesson with us!!! It was great. We shared the restoration and all that goes along with it. It was a great lesson. . .I could tell she felt the spirit there, she was crying a bit.

So we are excited about that and we have a couple more we are working with that we need to get on date, then we'll be golden.

Conference was awesome. I love hearing the leaders of the church speek to us. Elder Holland threw down. . . like always. President Monson had me cracking up as usual. I just shook Elder Perry and Elder Bednar's hands, so I couldn't help but listen much more intently to them. Conference is better then Christmas, for sure.

I figured we were going to Utah right when I got home, so no worries. Maybe we can go to a couple of DI's and see if they have any old church books! haha. And no worries, I'm not truncky. I'm working too hard.

LOVE YOU!!

Elder Bragg

Happy birthday Mickie and Zannie

2010-04-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hey, Hey, Hey! Sounds like things are going pretty well back home. The weather is clearing up again over here . . . but by the end of the week it should get back down . . . lame. But for today it should be good so we are going to play a bunch of games in the park with the zone.

The work over here is going great. We are going to have another 2 baptisms on Saturday in-between conference. What a great time for a baptism!! Herb, who got baptized 2 weeks ago is now going to baptize his 2 kids. So we are excited about that. It’s cool to be able to see whole families come together and grow closer to the lord. We also are working with a guy that just moved into the ward area. He just got married to his girlfriend too so we don’t have to worry too much about chastity issues either!! Those are always fun to deal with. We also have another part member family who has committed to be baptized once the father can hold the priesthood again. It’s great because both of these wonderful families are getting baptized so that eventually they can all be sealed together in the Lord’s temple!!! Man, I love being a missionary.

Elder Allred and I are still working really hard to find new people as well. We’ve got to keep people coming into the teaching pool so that it won’t go to nothing when we baptize everyone haha. I love having that problem. We have been riding our bikes everywhere. So that is fun as well. I really enjoy being out and about with the people on the streets, can’t really do too much of that in a car. The problem is my suits are getting pretty messed up. So I’m going to ask President if I can get special permission to go to a Good Will [cause thrift stores are against the rules ( too many missionaries bring home couches and put them in members homes. .. haha or just super ugly ties)]

And yes I got the Easter package. Elder Allred and I are very grateful for all the nice healthy morsels of joy we found inside when we opened them! haha. So thank you!!! Now you'll be able to recognize me when I get home because I won’t be so FAT! haha.

Happy birthday Mickie and Zannie!! Love you!

I hope everyone is more excited than the Christian Nephites when the sun went down and it was still light that conference is about to come! I’ve been jumping up and down for days! haha No joke. I love conference. Christmas on a mission is great. But definitely second to conference weekend! And we get it twice a year! So much better! haha.

Everyone should invite all of their friends to watch it. I mean if Moses was holding a conference at the Pepsi Center I think everyone would want to go or watch. So why not show the same enthusiasm for President Monson! And he doesn’t even need someone to speak for him like Aaron did for Moses. So it’s pretty much better, right? haha.

Anyways, have a great week. Love you all! Enjoy conference. I know I will. Look to Christ... for he is reason!

LOVE!

Elder Bragg

I ate tongue and cactus

2010-03-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, the weather has a huge effect on the work. It’s crazy to notice but when it’s sunny outside people are generally happier. So we are able to get in a lot more doors and stuff. But hey I guess I spoke too soon cause it’s still snowing and has been since yesterday afternoon . . . lame.

Anyways.

This week has been awesome. We are working super hard as usual. But our area is a lot more humble then Columbine, so it’s so much easier! haha. We had a baptism on Saturday, a guy named Herb Whitaker. He is awesome, he and his wife have 6 kids at home they are all from other marriages and 2 of them aren’t baptized. He will get the priesthood in 2 weeks and then baptize his kids. That is way exciting. Then we just set one on date named Kyle. He is awesome too. He has read the Book of Mormon and is working on a second time. He is getting baptized the Sunday after General Conference. Then there is another family, yeah, isn’t it great! We are working with so the dad can get the priesthood so he can baptize his wife and son. So we are excited like I said.

Oh the other day I ate tongue and cactus. It was pretty good. Weird! This is the only area my entire mission that has different cultures and races! It’s been good.

Things are going great. Elder Allred keeps saying that his home town in the best. . . I just don’t say anything because he is from a town in the desert. He doesn’t really know any better, so how can he judge right? All I’m saying is Oregon is the best. haha.

Sweet. I’ve got to go write president a letter now. Love you all! Have a great week. Share the gospel!

Love

Elder Bragg

New Address

2010-03-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hey! That’s awesome all the success stories that are happening. Glad I could donate a pair of pants to someone who needed them. It’s getting a lot warmer out so things are going a lot better with the work.

So I was moved over to Aurora. It’s crazy. It’s completely different then anywhere I’ve ever served. We cover a ward named the 7 Hills Ward which is actually a really nice ward. The homes are pretty wealthy. But then we also cover the singles ward. haha That’s fun. We cover the whole stake. So we go down town all the time. The crazy people ratio has definitely gone up quite a bit since my last e-mail.

The work is going really great well. We are teaching loads of people. It’s way nice to just go from appointment to appointment. We still tract a bunch to, and we are hopping on our bikes as much as we can. So that is good.

Oh hey and Kristin, if you want to I would definitely not be opposed to more fruit leather. I eat it like candy. sooooo goood. haha.

My new companions name is elder Allred. He’s way awesome. He’s been out about 9 months or so and is a way better missionary then I’ll ever be. Of course that’s how the last like 13 have been. He is from Royal City Washington. He says it’s the best place in the world but I keep telling him that the desert isn’t as good as Medford. That’s like comparing outer darkness to the celestial kingdom. haha. He’s great though, grew up on a farm, hard worker. We have fun.

Also the last zone I was in was the smallest zone, 6 companionships including us. That was the same way with Grand Mesa zone. . . but not this time. Now I’m in the biggest zone, with 13 companionships. Its fun to try and keep track of and do Sunday night numbers and stuff. I think the earliest I’ve been to bed in the last couple days has been 11.

Oh but hey! Elder Rathbone AND Elder Dunn are in the zone! I’m so excited. I haven’t served around Elder Dunn my whole mission! So that will be fun. We are going to play ultimate Frisbee today because we don’t know where a disc golf course is. haha.

Anyways here is my address so everyone can write me (even more so now cause my companion gets at least a letter a day. . . no joke)

Elder Bragg
3420 s. Halifax Way
Aurora Co, 80013

Have A GREAT Week Everybody!!!

LOVE!

Elder Bragg

Pictures!

2010-03-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hey! What’s up?

So this week has been great, not too much happened. We had a zone meeting, went tracting, and ate a bunch. And worked out to counter act the eating. . . . you know, the usual. ha-ha. But yeah, those pictures were from like a year ago. But I’m working on sending home a memory card so you could just look at all those on the computer again, save them on there, then erase the card and send it back. Oh and you have to let me know if the videos I take have sound. It doesn’t have a speaker on my camera. ha-ha. Anyways. Transfers are next week. I’ll let you know what happens. I’m gonna go play some disc golf! ha-ha

Love you all!! Have a good week. Don’t die. . . physically. . . or spiritually. ha-ha

LOVE

Elder Bragg

No jumping on the bed!

I guess that "free" stuff by the side of the road comes in handy for tried missionaries!

Trying to teach anyone who will listen, or can't move?

Colton is still Colton! What else would we expect?!

I had to make a list

2010-02-25T07:14:00.000-08:00

Good to hear from you!

So on the Olympic side of things. Yeah her name is Tora bright, I think. . She was good friends with Elder Burton one of my companions. He is way good at snowboarding and I guess she just rips it up pretty hard ha-ha. Apparently she got a medal in the Olympics right? ha-ha. Also yeah I know about Canada too. Elder McMurry calls me every time they win and tells me all about it. He’s from Canada and loves hockey. So when a member told me about the US win, it was nice to be able to give him a call ha-ha. AMERICA!!

So for this week I had to make a list cause it was packed with sweet stuff!

So on Friday we had zone leader council, again. That’s right 2 in a transfer. The rule is that we aren’t supposed to gather over half the mission without 1st presidency approval. But Elder Perry was only coming to this half of the mission! So president had all the district leaders and zone leaders come over from the west and spend the night at the mission home. And it just so happened to be the day before Elder Perry came! ha-ha President is the best. It was fun though. I got to see a lot of old companions and we evaluated each zone. Our mission is one of the top missions in our area. It’s neat because 2 years ago Elder Perry gave a mission presidents seminar and he talked about how we have less missionaries coming out then we need. So over the next while he said they were going to start taking the missions that weren’t doing as well and reduce them and then give more missionaries to the missions that are doing well. .. Well, most missions are either being joined with another mission or their number of missionaries is down to 100. We in the Colorado Denver South Mission just got our last upgrade of missionaries to put us at just under 200. I think we are 198. . . So basically this is the best mission in the world . . .just saying. stats prove it hahahaha

So when Elder Perry came (with Elder Hallstrom) President Christison gave the first talk. This was basically a review of our mission. The reason Elder Perry is going around visiting missions is to implement the new ward mission process. Part of that is teaching 20 lessons a week. Well, the month before he came, our mission as an average were teaching just over 20 lessons a week ha-ha. So instead he just spent an hour on the priesthood!! It was so great. We all learned a lot. He is one of the funniest guys ever. He shook all of our hands and was cracking jokes left and right. It was great. He told lots of stories about Elder McConckie. ha-ha They were way funny. And if you didn’t know, Elder Perry is huge! He was probably one of the tallest ones in the whole room. I was a midget to him, both physically and spiritually! ha-ha

Then on Sunday we had the usual meeting with the stake presidency . They are the best. I love working with them. They are so focused on missionary work and because of it everything else falls in place as well.

Then yesterday we had a zone meeting which went very well. We kinda have a handpicked prime missionary zone. All our companionships are so solid! It’s wonderful, because we don’t have to worry about too much! We just help them with interviews for baptism or encourage them! I love it.

We also found a sweet new investigator yesterday. So we are excited about that.

So that’s pretty much a normal week for us in this mission, except the Elder Perry thing. So now you can just copy and paste that email and put it for the last 6 months that I have been bad at writing ha-ha.

Well I’ve got to split, but thanks for the letter mom. It was nice to learn a little more about what was going on with Baylee.

Put a plug in for priesthood blessing or something next time you all get on TV! Eh?!! ha-ha.

Thank you all for the support and prayers for us missionaries as we are out serving. We definitely need them. And so you know, most missionaries pray for the members, that they will be good missionaries as well ha-ha. Fulfill our prayers!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Elder Bragg

Elder Bragg

2010-02-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Hi Kay!

Hey, I ALMOST got to do a discussion with your son today....we all showed up and evidently, Sandy (our long-term investigator) had called while I was in the shower and cancelled, so we "didn't get the memo." I stood in the beautiful sun with them for a while and talked (it was nice to have an excuse to "catch a few rays" after such a long stretch of snowy, overcast weather). You have a great boy there! I have really seen him grow in his abilities, confidence and maturity over the last almost 6 months he has been here. He is so focused and engaged in the work and it is a joy to watch these good boys become great men . He is like family to us since he's been here so long. He and his comp (he's been through quite a few in 6 months) stop by often to practice their newest object lessons on our family. When he had the last companion on crutches, they were pretty limited with what they could do, so they did a lot of visits and really tried to keep busy in very creative ways.

He speaks so fondly of you and your family. I told him that I believe we would be pretty good friends if we lived closer....you sound like a great lady! Thanks for lending Colorado your son for a while....he's making a difference here!

Sincerely,

Linda Hill

No title

2010-02-22T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hey!

This week has been crazy too. We have been instructed to go on team ups with every companionship in the zone before Saturday . . . so we’ve been doing that, our last companionship is tonight to tomorrow night. Should be fun. But the reason is cause we are doing a mission audit . . . because Elder Perry is coming!!! I’m so excited. so on Friday all the zone leaders and district leader from out west will come over and well have another zone leader council and then Saturday morning everyone on the metro side will get to hear Elder Perry. He is probably going to teach us mostly about how to work with the ward and stake but the cool thing is. is that every place he’s visited in the last 2 years, 3 months after he’s left, the baptisms have gone up 30%. . . and ours have already gone up probably 20% the last couple months cause of some things we’ve been doing. So that would be awesome! We consistently get over 50 baptisms a month now and are one of the top baptizing missions in the area. We are the best basically, that’s what I’m saying hahaha.

President Christison has really worked wonders for this mission. It’s been amazing to be able to be a part of that and to be able to get to know the organization of the wards and stakes better. We get to work with the stake presidency on a weekly basis and it has been such a blessing for the work and us.

Katie is doing great. She’s a little nervous, but we are working with her. She’s so solid though that I’m not worried. She’ll be baptized soon. So pray for her. . .

Also we are working with a couple others. And we got a bunch of dinners set up at member’s homes with less actives and non members. The members in this ward are really working hard to do missionary work. It’s great to see and helps the work go so much smoother.

Anyways my time is up. I’ll let you know how Elder Perry is! Love you all!! Remember to share the blessings you have by doing missionary work!

Love

Elder Bragg

No worries

2010-02-22T07:42:00.001-08:00

Hey mom. No worries. This will be short. We have loads of stuff to do. Apparently we have to go on team-ups with everyone in our zone by the time Elder Perry comes to visit our mission! So we are super busy and my time is up! Sorry my email will be super long next time. Anyways. Katie is doing great. We taught seminary, had zone leader council in Frisco, did some other stuff, tracted a bit. Good week! Love ya! Have a good week! Don’t get trunky! I’m not!

Love ya!

Elder Bragg

Not a lot of time...

2010-02-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

Hey, really sorry but this will be really short. They are making us do all this registering thing and I have to go get things done for zone leader council tomorrow. I have a new missionary in the zone that needs a hand and the phone has rung like a billion times.

My new companion is awesome his name in elder Arius, he’s from Canada. ha-ha. That’s right; I’ll never be with an American. He’s awesome though. We are working hard and doing what’s right. I’m training him as a zone leader and man our last couple of days has been crazy, with reports to the stake, fixing the sister’s car, running back and forth to the mission office. ha-ha It’s been fun though.

We working with another lady, she’s on date for baptism. Her name is Sandy. She’s been through some rough stuff. But we set a date to work toward and we are going to help her make it. Anyways, I’ve got to run.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Elder Bragg

The gospel is great

2010-01-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

Anyways,

This week has been crazy. We have been working really hard. Elder McComb has a bunch of things wrong with his knee so we are not allowed to tract. And he will be going home for surgery too. So we wanted to finish him off strong. Well all we did was teach, members, investigators, anyone we saw. We would teach them a lesson. We wound up with 38 for the week. So we were happy about that. The zone did really well. Our average sit down lessons were 24 (which is awesome) and hours tracting were 19.8 (and that was with our 0) ha-ha. I’m way proud of everybody. They finished the transfer very strong. I also found out that I’m staying, still a zone leader, Ha-ha, long run, I guess. But I hear my new comp is great. I don’t know who it is yet, but I’ll let you know. The work is going well and we are trying our best.

Thanks for updating me on all the blessings our family is getting. When we are baptized we covenant with God that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Christ. Do as he does. Act as he acts. Give as he gives and he gave us everything. Thanks for being a great example of that. It sounds like everyone is helping our family grow closer through the eternities.

Also as you could tell, the more we are willing to give up the more the Lord is going to bless us. Most of the time it’s not with physical things, but like those matter in the end anyways. Like the lord did to the young rich man in the New Testament, he invites us all to give up everything we have and follow him. Harder said than done right, but the closer we are to God the farther we are from those things of the world and the better off we will be in the life to come.

The gospel is great; it’s good to know the Lord is really looking after the family as I’m gone. I know he answers prayers. Thanks for letting me know how he’s answering mine. I love hearing how everyone is doing. Keep me updated and let everyone know I love and miss them.

Have a good week!

Love Elder Bragg

Katie, she is doing awesome!

2010-01-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

hey hey!

so yeah sorry for not telling you. i thought i did when we talked on the phone. we were moving but there was a huge ordeal and a bunch of confusion and we wound up staying in the chatfield ward. and since we were living there i still live in the same place! so yeah i got it all. it was great! those are the fuzziest slippers I've ever seen. i need to wear them in though. my feet get really sweaty when i wear them haha. anyways.

this week was good. we are both feeling better and finished the week strong.

sad news though, got call from president on Sunday and found out elder brunton is getting emergency transferred or ET'ed. so he is gone now. my new companion is coming from out west. he went to go fix some stuff with a companionship/area. he's not a zone leader anymore though so he was way excited about that haha. maybe one day that will come for me too. . . haha. but for now i'm a single zone leader again and on team ups with elder rassmusen and elder da silva. there good elders. and then on Thursday ill get a new compy. haha.

as for Katie. she is doing awesome. she is reading the bom still and just finished huge b browns, profile of the prophet. pretty sweet. her man friend gave it to her. i say man friend cause no one knows if they are dating haha. his name is Dave. hes an awesome fella. but yeah Katie is still set for the 23rd so pray for her that it will go through. she is ready. we just need to help her find that out haha.

also john smith. the old one dropped us the other day. it was a sad day. i like john. but hes "just so old!" as elder brunton would say. he tried to figure things out from a scientific standpoint without relying on faith and god answering prayers. . . i had this crazy feeling when i was talking to him that he knew it was true. he just denied it. . . sad day.

but an a good note. . . i got some waffle crisp!!! oh it was so good. i love that junk! haha thanks for sending it.

but anyways we have to go. we are gonna go play disc golf with a Frisbee i found in a tree. should be fun haha.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

remember elder bednar said, "the way to measure your own conversion is by your willingness to share it with others."

DO MISSIONARY WORK!!!

haha LOVE YOU

elder bragg

Best story ever...

2010-01-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

Hey dad, thanks for writing me for mom haha! It's always nice to get an email.

So we are doing great, except for the whole being way sick thing. We are working through it.

It's freezing over here!! It's 3 degrees today. But said we would get 20 hours tracting again this week so that's what we are shooting for. We got 6 yesterday so that was a good start.

So let me tell you the best story ever. . .

We were on team ups the other day and we got a text message. It was a referral. But it was from the person who we were being referred to. . . doesn't happen much. and the text said. . . "I have read many LDS books. I have many LDS students and friends. I basically need the discussions asap". . . yeah. So we went over there and met Katie Clifford!
She's the coolest lady ever. She is a school teacher at Highlands Ranch and also the cross country coach. She has a good friend who is a member and they have been talking a lot about the church. She's getting baptized on the 23rd! She's awesome and I know she's ready.

We also had interviews with President and Zone Conference. It was way fun. We played a Jeopardy game. I'm smarter than I thought! haha. We still lost though, so I'm not that smart. We also received Zone Leader training, it was good fun.

Anyways. I've got to go now, but I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well/better, especially Baylee and HD and Britany. I've been praying for them.

The Lord blesses those who stand in need of blessing and are willing to receive.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Elder Bragg

getting transferred

2009-12-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'm actually getting transferred to the Columbine Ward. They are splitting in 2 and we are moving to the other place. But it's cool cause it's just down the way. So you can still send stuff there for now.

Elder Bednar was the best. I'll have to to you about it on the phone, cause there was a lot of good stuff. But I have to go. Things are going great here and all is well.

Elder Brunton and I are staying together.

Love you all!!
Elder Bragg

Breanna she's the best

2009-12-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey!

Tell Breanna she's the best!! Missionary work is hard work. And it always takes a lot of courage to do it. But when you do, it's never a bad thing. The Lord is always happy that you did. So way to go Bre. I know I'mproud of you, so the Lord is too!!

I don't have much time this week. I'm on a 15 min computer so that's all the time I get. There is exciting news, the best news ever even. . . . . .

So there are almost 200 missionaries in this mission. And out of those 200 there are only 10 in this zone, and us 10, and only us 10, get to go to the Columbine Stake Conference. And there, Elder David A Bednar of the 12 and Joseph Sitati who also spoke in conference, will be talking to us! hahaha! I'm so excited its not even funny!! This whole transfer we have been telling everyone an apostle is coming. I swear, it's every missionaries dream to have their investigators talk with an apostle. And now.... we get that chance!!!! Holy Cow! Yes, I'm stoked out of my mind! I mean, excited. . . haha. I'll let you know how it goes. And in the coming year I'll let you all shake my hand, cause it will have shaken the hand of an Apostle, a special witness of Christ!!!! Oh man I get shivers thinking about it. We also have a Christmas Devotional with the whole metro side of the mission tomorrow. Totally cool, but come on.... not as cool! haha But it will still be fun, anyways.

LOVE YA!
Elder Bragg

The Lord protects us even when we don't know we need it!

2009-12-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

Hi! Yeah Sister Hill is way sweet. She helps us out a lot. I didn't even think about how they would be there. Sorry about that. You could have saved some postage. Anyways.

So there has been some pretty nuts things going on lately.

First, we had a baptism for a guy named Chet Hersch. . . how cool is that name. He's a stud. The baptism went really well. He's 6'8" so we had to fill the fount for 3 hours to get it high enough and had to find some way long white pants for him. It was pretty sweet. I love baptisms.

Also funny thing happened this week. (This mom is not so sure it's as "funny" as Elder Bragg, but grateful the Lord protects his missionaries too)

So we were going to this place called Dear Creek Canyon. Before we went up we called Bishop Shcoville to ask him who up there we should see. He said that there was no one that he could think of at the time. But told us not to see someone, (last name with held). We asked why and he just said to trust him. Elder Brunton asked if it was a like "yell at you" do not contact or a "pointing the shotgun at you" do not contact. The Bishop just said in a very serious way to just trust him. We didn't think too much about it and figured we would stay far away from his house. We had plenty of other past investigators and part member family's to follow up with anyways. It's a huge area so we figured no big deal. Well, we went a couple places and then the last part member family up there was a couple named the ( first name with held).So we went up and visited them. At first he was kinda sneaky, but he warmed up quick. He showed us around the house up there and showed us all his way sweet old cars, snowboards, and other stuff. He was a way niceguy and he said we could come back anytime. After we finished our visits we thought, hey lets see where that one "Do not contact" lives just so we know in the future. We typed his address in the gps and it took us right back to the other nice guys house. We were confused. We went down the mountain trying to figure out if we had accidentally seen the mean "Do Not Contact guy" and he was just way nice. We asked Bro. Hall about it. He just started laughing. . . he then proceeded to tell us how a month or so ago there was an insurance agent sneaking around on this guy's property to see if he was just faking about his back problems so he could still be on disability. . . (which I guess he was) so when the guy saw him he shot him in the back! Crazy. So he's awaiting trial right now for attempted murder. . . we didn't believe Brother Hall at first but then he pulled up his face on the computer and it was totally the same guy! Needless to say we probably wont be sneaking around his bushes or stopping by for a drink for a while. Just funny, crazy mission story.

The Lord protects us even when we don't know we need it!

Well, I've got to get heading out. We just got done with an early session at the temple (THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!) Now were going bowling hahaha. Oh and I totally went on Thanksgiving as well. Keeping the tradition alive!!!haha

LOVE YA ALL!!
Thanks for the letters and stuff...Sister Bezzant if your reading this "HEY!" haha

LOVE
Elder Bragg

HOLA EVERYBODY!!

2009-11-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

HOLA EVERYBODY!!
There's no one who speaks Spanish in our area. So that was me practicing my Spanish. . . This is a crazy rich area too, mostly Caucasian families with duel incomes. But I love it here! (Editor's note-He seems to love it everywhere!)

So this week has been nuts. It dumped snow all day Saturday and Sunday. Needless to say my arms are dead tired from shoveling for people. The Hill family called us and asked if we wanted to help them shovel all their neighbors walks. We shoveled about 25 driveways. It was nuts. So much fun though. I miss working hard like that. It's always nice to do some nice hard physical labor. We also had Zone Conference again. We were in charge, that's always fun. We had a great lunch. We always singto the people who feed us too, this time it was only 2 of them. And it was probably the best lunch we've had yet. We learned a lot during our Conference as well. Last time we learned about the Book of Mormon and focused a lot on that. This time it was all about baptisms. I loved it. It is weird being one of the older missionaries though. There are so many that have just left that I looked up to so much my whole mission, kinda weird. But it's all good. Our mission is pretty much the best too. I look at where it's come from and where it is now, its amazing. President Christianson is truly inspired. It's great to be able to see a lot of how the revelatory process works for our mission.

Either way I've got to roll out. . .
Love you all,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Elder Bragg

More snow for CO

2009-11-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

On of the lady's in Colton's ward took these pictures for my mom...

It was dumping down snow on Sunday. Colton and his comp spent a large chunk of the day shoveling drive ways. They even canceled church. Crazy!

America is the best, isn't it!

2009-11-12T20:06:00.000-08:00

America is the best, isn't it! I love it! During the 4th I studied pretty much all of Ezra Taft Benson's talks and all the others on the Constitution and the foundation of the country and even the bicentennial year issue of the Ensign. Sweet stuff. Glad you got to hear learn more about it too. It testifies to me the church is true.

So things are going well. Elder Brunton and I are making a lot of progress with the wards. We are working really hard on getting the 20 lessons a week program going in our wards. If you don't know what that is, you should ask about it. The bishop should know about it. It came from Elder Perry. So we are really trying to get that going.

I'm pretty excited, because the Columbine Stake Conference is coming up and we have an Apostle and a Seventy coming!! How sweet is that!! We are going to bring all our investigators!

Other than that we are just working really hard, slaving away, you know haha! It's the best. We have to get a missionary some where so I've got to go. Just know I love you all. Have a good week! Be thankful and Happy Thanksgiving!

LOVE
Elder Bragg

Mike got baptized

2009-11-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

Hey,
Sorry, yeah Mike Doyle got baptized, I thought I told you. It was way sweet. But now we've turned him over to the Singles Ward and he is doing great.

I don't have much time, transfers are tomorrow and Elder Wanket is heading out. It's been fun.

There are all these reorganizations going on in the mission, it's nuts. I'll have to tell you about them once there all official, but our Zone is splitting so we'll see how it turns out.

Elder Burton is going home, so that's lame. He's awesome. He is killing it, so I'm happy he's leaving on such a high.

Yeah, I've got to write a president's letter, so I'll chit chat with y'all later! Love ya!!!

LOVE ELDER BRAGG

Tell everyone I said Happy Halloween!

2009-10-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hey, Hey!
It was funny I told Elder Wanket that we were going to Tahoe and he just went off for a while about how boring it is, haha. No worries, it will be a blast. We should rent a boat and a wake board though. That would be way fun. Maybe take some Mt bikes down there too. I'm sure there are some way good places to ride.

Things are going really well. It's dumping snow over here right now. I love it. Elder Burton and I had the most intense snow ball fight ever with our 2 companions! It was way fun. I'm glad I get to serve so close to him for his last transfer/ week! dang! haha.

Thanks for being the best mom ever and feeding those Elders in Oregon! I love talking to the ladies that feed us. They always take such good care of us.

Also you should send Elder Wanket a package....that would be way cool. He doesn't care about healthy stuff but maybe just tell him your happy he's serving! If you want. If not that's cool too. He's and awesome Elder.(Side Note~ I/Kay sent him a package the day before! Phew, glad I was listening to the spirit that day!)

Tell everyone I said Happy Halloween! I'm gonna be an Elder! It's the best!!! I have a great costume all picked out! And I'll have to show you a picture of my pumpkin after I do it. I got a good one in mind!

Anyways. I've got to go. Sister Hill from our ward is driving us cause the cars are parked due to the snow. Lame! She's the best though, so it's cool!

Night love ya see ya in the morning!!!!
Elder Bragg

I got 28 emails

2009-10-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow, I got 28 emails! I have no time left!! haha That was awesome! Thanks for everyone!! So uh, this will be short. LOVE YA ALL!!!

Things are going well. It's snowing a bunch here. I know, whats the deal, right!?

I got Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration book.

We taught seminary this morning. We had to wake up at 4:00 am. It was more intense then camping! haha Still funny!!!

Yeah, I got to go,
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Elder Bragg

Lot's of Loves...

2009-10-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hey! Sorry about being on late, we went disc golfing over in Conifer/Evergreen area. Tell Will if he wants to go somewhere, go there. It's so technical. It was way fun. It reminded me of the GP course. . .

Elder Dunn is doing well, same area.

I think we are going to go bowling right now. . . yeah I got to practice cause i remember killing dad before i left and i got to keep up the streak haha. you can rub that all in his face if you want! tell him i love him when you do it too haha.

the baptism was awesome!!! i love those things! i haven't had one in a while so it was good. i got to do the missionary moment while they were changing. i love those. i got to share a basic first lesson and invite everyone to be baptized. . . or take the sacrament, whatever haha. it was way good though. you'll see pictures soon i'm sure.

also for the vacation i'm thinking we need to go to the church historical sites. i'm all about that. in fact I've been wanting to do that for a while. . . and if that doesn't work lets climb mt. Kilimanjaro! DO IT! you know you want to!! that's right i'm peer pressuring you into it. . . haha. either way ill be happy though. first one is my top choice.

also tell all those rm's they are the best and that i'll invite someone to be baptized for them! haha its way scary to think that stu is home. give him a big hug for me. and i also heard elder broud was coming home soon. let me know his address. i wrote him a letter like 6 months ago and then they want and changed the stamp prices so i was all lost and still haven't sent it haha.

well tell kristin thanks for the update, my package is still in gj haha, tell hd steroids are bad and i love him, tell zannie to preview all the new cd's coming out for me and tell me how they are, and tell mick that she should "take another drink and drive yourself home. i hope there's ice on all the roads. . ." she'll know the rest haha and you tell her i love her to.

oh fancy info of the week. . .. battle mountin does have a foot ball team! I've wondered about that since i was a little kid and i finally met someone from there. she said they were pretty good too haha. have fun doing your undercover missionary work!!!

LOVE YA!!
Elder Bragg

I got transferred

2009-10-06T07:42:00.000-07:00

Yup Yup Yup. I got transferred, kinda glad kinda sad. Transfers are always the weirdest things in the world. I'm happy for change but hate to leave all at the same time. I loved the area and work as hard as I could. We had success and enjoyed it all. So now I get to start over again! . . . ha-ha

My address is:

Elder Bragg
C/O The Walton Family
7737 W. Chestnut Pl.
Littleton, Co 80128

I'm serving in the Chatfield and Columbine Wards,they are the greatest ever! I love it already ha-ha. Elder Penrod served here, Elder Burton served here, and Elder White served here. Now I'm in the club, way fun. I'm excited about this transfer and the progress we will be able to make! My companion is Elder Wanket ha-ha. He is the one I met in Dennys before I went to the MTC. It was pretty funny hearing I would serve with him for a while.

Oh and hey, if for a random mid mission present any one wants to give me a fist load of money so I can buy a couple books from Deseret Book that would be sweet. ha-ha Like Answers to Gospel Questions by Joseph F. Smith or Joseph Smith, A Rough Stone Rolling or mostly, I forget the name, but it's a book that 2 guys put together in dictionary form of a bunch of gospel topics answered by Joseph Smith in church history. So yeah, if you see any of those at a DI or something that would be sweet! ha-ha. . .

But yeah, things are going well. We are shooting for 4 baptisms by the end of the transfer, so it should be sweet. We are going to go hike so I'm gonna make like the early saints and head west! ha-ha. Love you all! I really appreciate all the support and love!

LOVE!!!
ELder Bragg

sick as a dog

2009-10-02T12:14:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm killing everyone in reading the Book of Mormon. Because I've been sick as a dog lately, so all I do is read and sleep. It's way lame. But I like the reading part. I just got to Mosiah 6, not too bad. I'm highlighting a lot. The work is going very slow. . . it does that usually when you can't work. So that's pretty much it. Pray that I get better! I have the faith!! I need it quicktoo so I can go serve the Lord!

Love you,

Elder Bragg

Hey this is of a little girl in the ward who is the cutest little girl ever haha. just hold on to the picture till i get home.

BOM challenge

2009-09-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

I have noticed Colton's emails are getting shorter the longer he has been out. That's probably a good thing; means he's probably not thinking about home much! I decided to include Dad's email so you would know what he was talking about in his email.

Elder Bragg, Mom read me your last e-mail. Sounds like some missionaries are calling you a missionary nerd?

If that is so, invite them to come down out of the large and spacious building, to get back on the straight and narrow path, get a hold on the iron rod and go tracking with you. The only reason they would call someone a missionary nerd is because their hearts have been pricked because they know they haven't decided to serve with all their heart , might, mind and strength. Many are called but few are chosen and why are they not chosen?....

Keep smiling and keep up the good work Elder Bragg! I'm sure Heavenly Father is well pleased with you and for what it's worth so am I! Your the best!

Love,
Dad

Hey Hey!! So tell dad his email was the best ever, haha. I was laughing way hard. It was better too cause I'm reading that part in the Book of Mormon right now. Oh and just so everyone knows we are reading the Book of Mormon again as a mission before Christmas as a present to the Lord! I'm excited. I loved it last year and I learned a lot. So if anyone else wants to join in again this year, you can! I remember some started and fell off. But let's do this together, because it's totally worth it. Plus, its the Book of Mormon. It's the most correct book in the world and a man can grow closer to God by abiding by its precepts then any other book! Can't get mush better then that!!

Anyways, I'm pooped, we tracted 50 hours last week. The mission's Standard of Excellence or what everyone's goal is for a week is 20 hours. The average is around 17 usually. . . well we like to try a little harder then that over in GJ! haha It was awesome. The Lord has definitely blessed us for our dedication

I've got to run. busy busy busy haha

LOVE YOU ALL!!
Elder Bragg

and the Lord said; go to work

2009-08-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hey! Sounds like your having a great time serving. Pear Harvest, I can't wait to be able to go a pick some pears. I actually miss it. especially where I'm serving and its all just orchards, mostly peaches, but there are a lot of pears too. Fun place, though.
So we are tracting a lot this week. In fact, that is all we are doing. By the end of the week we should have about 44 hours. Usually we only get in about 17 or 18. The standard of excellence is 20 for our mission. So we are doing our best to exceed that. But I'm thinking all the other stuff we are supposed to do, like sit down lessons will suffer. haha. That's okay though, this is what this area needs, some good old fashioned work.

Oh and I found the coolest scripture ever the other day. It's the first line of Ether 2 :16 and the Lord said; go to work. haha I love it. It applies to everything we do. If we are going to get blessings in any way, it just takes some work.

Anyways. We need to go eat, then I think we might skip a little bit of p-day and go tract! haha I know I'm a loser even for a missionary. But hey, the only person you look cool for on a mission, is God. That's all that matters, right?! haha Love you all!!!

Have a great week and remember to do missionary WORK!!! haha

LOVE YOU
Elder Bragg Elder Bragg

c/o the Jarvis family
2872 Bear Canyon ct.
Grand Junction, Co 81503

all I want for my wedding is a back yard full of trampolines

2009-08-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a while. We have been pretty busy with Suzannes wedding...

Hey!

Tell dad he can take me golfing as much as he wants in a year or so. . . and mom don't worry all I want for my wedding is a back yard full of trampolines. . .I tried to do it once, but you smashed all my hopes and dreams remember?! haha.

So for this last week I have really had a little glimpse into being a parent of a 11 year old. . . I know right, learning and growing every day. I'm with Elder Jones (name changed to protect the innocent) right now. He is a great Elder and ready to do the work. I love it. He also likes touching everything he sees, haha. It's been way fun to try and help him out, though. He's heading back home to re-submit his papers to go back to the California, Santa Rosa mission. This transfer was a testing ground for him to see if he could handle the mission life again. I'm sure things will all work out the way the Lord has them planned.

Also transfers are tomorrow. . . I'm staying! I pretty much knew that 2 weeks ago. It should be fun. I'll get a new comp and I'm thinking this transfer we are going to just tract a lot. I'm on my second time through this area.

There's some lady next to me giving me advice on how to type on the key board! haha I have noticed that she kinda types the same way mom does. . . not using all the fingers. . .just the most important 2, haha!! I'll take all the help I can get. I ask the Lord for help every day! Just never thought it would come in the library lady for typing, haha.

Anyways, things are going well. We are working hard and doing our best to serve the Lord. Whelp. I've got to go help my comp do some packing for transfers, he's got lots of stuff. haha

Here is my new address. . .

Elder Bragg
c/o the jarvis family
2872 Bear Canyon ct.
Grand Junction, Co 81503

Feel free to write or send pictures or nice healthy treats! haha I'm grateful I get to help the Lord in this great work. There is no work that can bring greater satisfaction and happiness then this! Remember that!

LOVE YOU ALL
Elder Bragg

I'm a single Zone Leader

2009-07-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

I did hear it was getting to like 110 back home. . . have fun with that! haha. It's been all thunderstorms and heat all week here.

Interesting news... Elder White is getting an emergency transfer back to Denver tomorrow. So I guess I am staying here and getting a missionary from the office for 2 weeks, haha, should be fun. And now I'm a single Zone Leader till next transfer. Let's hope I don't mess things up to bad! haha. Anyways, I'll miss Elder White. We got along really well, maybe too well sometimes.

I'm loving it out here. We have had great success lately and are finding a lot more people to teach. The ward is getting a new Ward Mission Leader! I'm way stoked on that!

I hope all will go well with the wedding and all that jazz. Let me know how everything goes!! And anyone can write me! haha LOVE YOU ALL!!

(ps. do the Lord's work . . . its always a good idea, trust me)

Elder Bragg

We just got off Mt Garfield

2009-07-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry this will be short. We just got off Mt Garfield and we have a dinner appointment soon.

Things are going well here. But our zone for some reason decided to not work toO hard last week, so that was lame. Elder White and I had about 3 days total to work and we still got just as good of numbers as the rest of them. So after the Zone Conference (which was way awesome!!!) They were all pumped so we challenged them all to see who could have the best week. haha. They are all killing it. We are too. I think we'll still win. The Lord has been blessing us a lot. We are excited about that.

It sounds like all is well at home.

Three weddings for the Whitney's?? hahaha! Tell them congrats for me! (still weird though haha)

Whelp. I gotta go!

LOVE YOU!!
Elder Bragg

Prayers answered

2009-06-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Mom, I swear at least once a month I look like a weirdie and start crying in the middle of the library, ha-ha. While I was reading your e-mail I was filled with the joy and love that I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for all of us. It's great to hear how God answers prayers. I have been praying for those two things also. The power of prayer is great, because of it I have a new little nephew who will be running around kickin' all sorts of shins in a few years, ha-ha. Matt and Mickie will be great parents.

I'm so happy for Seth also! I'm grateful that prayer was answered too! It really wasn't hard for me to go on a mission, it was always just something that I knew I was going to do. I know Seth will love it. I know he'll enjoy every minute of it, the good and the bad. As Elder Holland said, the dearly beloved companions are the ones that pushed him to the 10th degree. It's the greatest thing I've ever done in my life. I know he'll feel the same. Tell him to work hard and be happy. If I were to give any advice to some one about to go on a mission, it would be to first work hard. Don't slack off, don't waste your time and more importantly don't waste the Lord's time. Represent the Savior, don't disrespect him. And the other is be happy, every one who is disobedient does it because they think it will make them happy. Well, it wont, you just wind up more depressed. Enjoy the work. It's fun if you make it fun. . .

Anyways sorry about the ramblings.... Tell Seth I love and miss him and to have fun.

Well I've got a go. We had a good week. We are working hard and building up the ward here. Love you all!!! (God does too!! ooooohhhhh) ha-ha.

LOVE!!!
Elder Bragg

thunder cats are go

2009-06-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

mickies not dead so thats good. (Gave Birth)

tys not dead so thats good. (Healthy and Happy)

matts a father.

im an uncle even more now.

mom and dad are now super grandparents. . . (all you have are 2 kids left to get grand kids out of and your stuck with the title of oldies) haha

and i got bit by a cat this week. . .

there you go. a bunch of useless statements. . .

anyways. this week was a little crazy again. we've been working hard but a lot has been going on. getting the baptism ready. trying to get 20 lessons a week. trying to track all the hours we can to find new investigator. . . and we came outside Friday morning and someone had taken a baseball bat to our back window about a bazillion times haha. so we were on bikes for a while. but it was pretty funny coming out and there was no back window at all. we maybe had a 4 inch line of glass around still on but the rest was in the back seat haha. and it happened to no other cars on the street either and there were other cars that would have been better to break anyways. the cops said they probably knew who we were and did it on purpose hahaha. total chumpkins. oh how great it is to be persecuted for the lord! so yeah that was fun. we took a bunch of pictures and stuff so you'll see those soon enough.

but other then that things are going pretty well. we are finding lots of new investigators and things seem to be moving in an upward trend. not to bad at all!

but we've got to go deal with some jazz so im gonna have to sign off.

Let me know how things turn out with mickie!

Love you all
Elder Bragg

ps. mickie your the coolest for saying thunder cats are go!!!!

Zone Conference

2009-06-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

This has been one of the craziest weeks of my mission by far. Last Monday we went to Denver, had a great meeting with President. We got a lot accomplished in the car with the district leaders on the drive over. Then we had doctors appointments all week. Elder White got in a car wreck so we've been going to a physical therapist. We have been running every other morning, good enough for me. So I had to get some new shoes with the money Zannie gave me cause my ankles both are bleeding, hahaha. Then we went to Denver again with President Atkinson ( second councilor in the presidency) and the whole way there we talked about leadership and how we can be better. When we got there, we had a 3 hour meeting with Elder Shumway of the 70. He was way funny and super up beat the whole time. I learned a lot and he gave us a lot of promises for the mission and for life. It was incredible. Then after a short lunch we drove the 4 hours back over the Vail Pass and over the Rocky's. . . I'm pretty thankful now for all those long/short trips to Utah and Portland and California. The Lord prepares us for different things in different ways. It's funny to see them all come into play. The whole way back President Atkinson told us how we can all grow and good plan for life and how to listen to the spirit better. Lets just say I'm gonna need to get some more note paper. . . ha-ha. The next morning we had to go set up for a Zone Conference with Elder Shumway and the Mission Presidency, 2 area 70's and 2 Stake Presidents. . . and all their wives, hahaha. Elder White was conducting, so I got all the Zone duties and he got to just sit on the stand, hahaha. We started at 9 30 and ended at 3, no breaks either. It was awesome though, everyone just sat and listened. I've had a lot of prayers answered the last couple days and my hand is super cramped from all the writing, haha. One thing I really liked was Elder Brimhall the area 70 said, "God the Father and his son Jesus Christ were the first companionship of this dispensation. . . and Joseph Smith was the first investigator." I loved that. It was just one of the many good quotes. That night at 8 we had interviews with President. It was sweet. Next week we are setting up a Zone Meeting and having an etiquette lesson, hahaha. Don't worry mom I'm doing well with it, ust some other missionaries really really aren't, haha. In between all of that we set Andrew Mathis with a date for baptism next Sunday! I know right, like I said, crazy week!

I hit a year out. . . WEIRD!!!! haha It doesn't seem like its been that long. But thanks everyone for your support!

If anyone wants to write me a letter. . .not that you have to. . . God gives us all agency! haha

Elder Bragg
C/O The Landes family167 29 1/2 rd.
Grand Junction, Co 81503

LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Love Elder Bragg

Nutrition

2009-05-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

This week has been way crazy. P-day was on Monday, but I didn't get to email, we totally drove to denver for a meeting! It was awesome! We went for a Zone Leader council that I always get a lot out of. We plan and get training and talk about things that could help the mission. It's way sweet.

Elder White and I started running. I'm now down to 160! oh yeah. I'm working on getting in better shape. We have been studying about nutrition and how it makes you feel. I'm learning a lot about the bad stuff we put in our bodies. It's not just about all the drugs, alchohol, smoke. It's cool, I've seen a big difference for me. Maybe in the next package you could send some home made granola for the morning! That would be sweet. Maybe Kristin could find a good recipe and learn to make it or something! ha-ha So yeah that would be cool, that's all I'm trying to say!

Elder White is way awesome. He was my Zone Leader when I came into the mission. So needless to say I'm learning a lot and we get along very well.

This next week is super packed too. We are going to Denver again for a meeting with Elder Shumway of the 70 and then he is going to hold a Zone Conference out here the next day, so that will be great being able to get to know him and hear all the great things I can learn from a General Authority.

I guess President Wynne, (Stake Pesident in the aera and we go to their house every Sunday night for a dinner and a lesson) is going to be the bad guy in a movie on the history channel. I'll figure out more about that. But you should watch it. He's an amazing guy and I learn a lot from that family. I'm even sure if you looked up Lee and Camarie Wynne online there would be a bunch on them. She's a great painter/ writer too and is writing a book for the Young Woman traits, like virtue, faith, knowledge. Pretty sweet.

Other than that, things are pretty normal. I'm way happy to be out serving God and doing my best. In fact I dont think I've ever been happier. ha-ha But, I do love and miss you all! Thanks for your support. Pray for the work to move forward!!!

LOVE!!!!!
Elder Bragg

Elder Holland's last conference talk

2009-05-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

The new bike is perfect. It's just what I needed so I'm looking for a way to get my other one home.

Anyways, it was the last week of the transfer so we have been working pretty hard as usual. Everything seemed to just come together for us. Mike, Mikey and Julie were all baptized on Sunday. It was a great experience and they are way excited. The spirit was so strong there and this Sunday we will confirm them.

I found out i'm staying, but Elder Burton was called to be the Assistant to the President! hahaha I thought it was pretty great. Also Elder Pond is now a Zone Leader! haha That will be pretty Good too. I'm excited to see the changes in the mission and the new leadership that is coming in. It truly is incredible, the Lord is preparing missionaries left and right! It's great.

I think one of the best things that happened this week was a lesson we had with an older lady named Peggy. The spirit was so strong as we testified of the Savior and watched Elder Holland's talk from this last conference. its was great. After, we testified of the Savior. It was so great to be able the see that light that came into her eyes as we shared it with her. She has been struggling lately. As we shared and testified of how the Savior can help lift our burdens, we saw her become more and more attentive. Then she started to cry, then we started to cry. haha. It was great. I know the Savior can help us in times of need, or in times when we might not think we need it. But he is always there for us, always there to help us out. Listen to the talk by Elder Holland, I'm sure it can help everyone else too. Mom or Kristin, if you could attach that to the blog, that would be great. It's on lds.org

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-27,00.html

LOVE YOU ALL!!
Elder Bragg

Patio

2009-05-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Sounds like all is well on the western front.

Maybe you should try to get some non- members to help you with that patio extention and then accidently have the missionaries help as well. Then invite them to dinner with the missionaries ( you know since they are already there) and then have them share a spiritual thought aka - - - the restoration! haha I know I'm a genius. You can let me know how that goes!

LOVE YOU!! Sorry next week will be longer. . . oh and it was awesome talking to you!!!

Elder Bragg

Dang, you all made my birthday a VERY happy day!!

2009-05-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

What's up?!

Thanks so much everyone for all the letters and packages!!!! I was so excited to get them all!!! Just one day I got 10 cards and a package! Dang, you all made my birthday a VERY happy day!!

What has been going on? So my bike has been being lame. The disc brakes take forever to fix and it takes up a lot of our time if they get messed up. And I want to just go work. I found an old road bike on the side of a house and the guy said I could have it. I'm going to put a little bit of $ into that and just send my other one home. Shouldn't cost too much either and it will save a lot of hassle. Then I could use the GT when I get home!! So that will be sweet.

Thanks for the picture mom. YOU MADE ME CRY, DANG IT!! haha I read the letter first and I hadn't seen the pictures yet. I figured I knew what it was, but I wasn't excepting MY tree!!! I loved it! It means a whole lot to me, so thank you.

One last thing. . . THE WINN FAMILY IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!! I know right! I'm so excited. They are a great family and I can't wait. I'm sure you'll hear more later but I got to go. I love you all!! Thanks for everything!!

Love Elder Bragg

Blog Stalker

2009-04-30T15:05:00.001-07:00

To the Blog Stalker out there that brought all the wonderful ties over for Colton's Birthday....Thank you again!! You are an angel!!

Yawl

2009-04-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey! Yeah, this has been a crazy week, it always is now.

We just went hiking on Mt. Garfield! It was way fun. I'll send you pictures soon hopefully. so sorry about that.

We are working with a of family of 4, sharing the gospel! They aren't quite ready yet, the wife needs a bit more time. But its been great getting to know them, they are awesome. We are working hard and doing our best.

We have been riding our bikes a lot lately as well, trying to cut down on the miles for the car. We also had to give some trainings at some District Meetings and have one more tomorrow.

It's funny, last Mother's Day was my Farwell talk and now this Mother's Day I was asked to talk about mothers again! I love it. . . mostly cause of how much I love my mom!!!!!! See all those !'s I know right! Hey you should give me a time and a number to call in your next email. I get to talk to yawl. . . wow been out in grand junction only 3 weeks and look what happens. I start using yawls. . . not just using it TYPING IT!! Lameo for sure.

I'm way excited for my birthday too. Elder Burton and I have planned out 9 hours tracting that day, all day really! haha I'm way excited about it. I love tracting. And if any missionary tells you tracting is lame or ineffective you can punch him right in the nose for me! hahaha. I guess that wouldn't be Christ like.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Elder Bragg

Getting ready for Zone confrence

2009-04-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Last week, its been crazy. We are getting stuff ready for a Zone meeting tomorrow, just had a meeting w/ the Stake Prez who we live with and the 2nd Counselor in the Mission Presidency. We had Zone Conference where we had to give a couple of trainings. Yep, just nuts. ha-ha But now I think this week's a normal week, except a district meeting. Elder Pond is the District Leader so it's pretty sweet. Shoot dang, we've gots lots to do. We've got an appointment here in a bit and we're hoping to baptize 4 this transfer. That would be sweet! but hey i've got to get running. Tell everyone I love them and thanks for their support. Love you! Maybe send some sweet ties for the B-day!!!ha-ha!

LOVE YA!

Elder Bragg!!!!!!!

Grand Junction

2009-04-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Oh man! Easter was so awesome. A guy give a talk in Sacrament meeting that was so good. It was all about the Savior. He compared fully understanding the sacrifice of the atonement to looking at Lake Michigan to looking at the Pacific. He talked about how we can't see the other side of Lake Michigan, but we could still comprehend how big it is through a plane or other ways. Then he compared it to the pacific and how we can't really even comprehend it's size. Then he talked about how its was eternal and dang, just take my word for it, it was just way great. Now I cant wait to hear/read Elder Holland's talk again and review a couple of the other ones from conference. They all seemed to be so good. anyways. . .

I am now in GRAND JUNCTION COLORADO!! So picture it like this. . . . White City, but a bigger area. . . not as green and more dirt. ha-ha It's sweet! The people are so humble out here, it's great. We have been teaching so much! We have some great families I hope will accept the gospel.It's it great to be a missionary! Well, I think so! Elder Dunn got moved back into Metro! Yeah, I was bummed. But it's cool I guess. Maybe I'll serve with him sometime. My new companion in Elder Burton. He's so awesome! I love serving with him. He's a way funny guy and we get along very well. Oh man, we get free Sonic and Subway out here! I love that to. I'm in a car now, so we are going to start running in the morning so we don't get fat! But hey, my new address is . . .

Elder Bragg
C/O the Landes family
167 29 1/2 rd.
Grand Junction, Co 81503

That's right that one hundred and sixty seven on 29 and a half road. . . it's crazy how they do addresses out here. We live with the Stake President too which is cool. I love you all!!! Have a good week. Hand out a BOM this week!!

Love,
Elder Bragg!!!!

I’m getting transferred

2009-04-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Hey, Hey, Hey!!

How’s it going everybody? Sounds good about everything back home.
So boy, oh boy, was that conference awesome!!! I was so excited to watch it. There were so many great talks. Elder Holland’s was defiantly one of my favorites. Another one that hit home for me was . . . I’m not sure who it was, right before L. Tom Perry . . . Dang I forgot. Anyway, it talked about the hope of the gospel, how we will be with our family again.And did you hear the second to last talk!? DO MISSIONARY WORK!!!!!! jeez! haha. I liked that one a lot to. The best thing I learned from conference is that we need not fear. We have the gospel. Jesus is the Christ, and as long as we do our part we will be with our families and Father in Heaven again!This week has been great.

We have been working hard. But the bad news. . . . . . . . I’m getting transferred! I really wanted to stay another one, but oh well. The Lord knows best. We are going around saying good bye to a lot of the families and people I’ve gotten close to. It’s hard for me to say goodbye. But I know as I move to a new area I’ll meet great people and be blessed with a great relationship with them as well. I’ve got to go pack and do a bunch of stuff still! I love you and I’ll let you know where my new address is as soon as I get there! 6 months in the ranch! Not many can say they have done it!! It used to be considered the armpit of the mission! We are changed that way of thinking!! hahaha I’m outta here and off to the next place the lord wants me to be!!

Love You All!
Elder Bragg

Mount Kilimanjaro

2009-04-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey!

I've decided that when I get home we all are going to go on a trip to Africa and climb Mount Kilimanjaro. . . or however you spell it. But yeah, I'm dead serious. I really really want to. So we should. I keep on running into people who have and talking about it with them some how and it sounds way to cool. So yeah, get ready for that.

So things have been going really well over here. The district is doing really well. I had another baptismal interview to do yesterday. I love those things. I totally got the lady to cry at the end too. . . . not that that is the objective but she was definitely ready to be baptized, so it was a pretty neat experience. The funny thing is though, I'm district leader over the Highlands Ranch district. . . which is the entire Highlands Ranch Stake! haha So that interview was on the other side of the stake. It took like an hour and a half to bike there haha. No not really, but like an hour and 5 mins. It was nuts. But definitely good.

Also we are teaching a kid named Cody tonight. He's the biggest stud ever basically. We are going to challenge him to be baptized tonight unless the spirit says otherwise. It's going to be sweet. So I'm just praying everything will go well, haha.

Transfers are coming up real soon. So next email I'll find out what's going on. I figure I'm probably out of here. I've been here for 6 months now. Yeah i could see it, but you never know with President! Watch I'll stay here for the rest of my mission! haha Really I love it here, so I wouldn't mind to stay a while longer. Because, I will go, I will doo, right!?

Anyways we are working hard and doing our best! It has snowed really really hard a couple of times this week and of course we are still out working. Makes you feel like a better missionary haha.

I love you! Tell the fam I love them and miss them!! The 2 shirts in that package I sent home with the scriptures written on the back in sharpie were for Britany and HD for christmas!! haha A little late but what can you do! Tell Kristin I love her and miss her and her family as well. I really appreciate all the letters she sends, always makes the week better hearing about the family!

Anyways. . . love you!!

Night love ya, see you in the morning!!!!

Elder Bragg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!??

BIG FAT U LOCKS ROCK!

2009-03-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Howdy Dowdy!

Sounds like everyone had a super week!. . .actually, sounded pretty boring, I'm not gonna lie.

We've had a pretty intense week. Not too much happened at the start but it picked up. It all started with Friday when we found out that a guy that we've had on our radar for a bit, wanting to teach. His brother (who was taking the lessons in the Arapaho Stake) had cancer and his kidneys failed. They didn't think he would make it through the night. They gave him a blessing and he somehow pulled out of it for a bit. . . he was doing better and we just found out he's going a little down hill again. Kinda way lame. Hopefully once he gets better he is going to move in with his brother. . . who is in our ward boundaries. . . aka. we get to teach him. On Sunday we went to the hospital to see him, it was a good visit. . . oh and tell brother Schmidt that he is the greatest guy ever, just walking into that hospital was the most depressing thing in the world! The critical care unit is such a downer! That's why the gospel really does bless families!

Sunday night we went and stopped by a less active families house and they let us in. We wound up talking to them and their Columbian maid for a while. It was awesome! We are going to start teaching the maid. She wants to take the lessons, watch Finding Faith in Christ, cook us columbian food, read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and have her baby blessed in Sacrament meeting! haha So totally out of the blue. I love the doors that God opens when you work hard!

We went to Wendy's today with some other Elders and they both got their bikes stolen straight up out of the middle of the parking lot. This guy just came up clipped their lock off, put it in his van and drove off. . .like it was nothing. He didn't get ours cause we have a BIG FAT U LOCK. We pretty much got to talk to cops all of our preparation day! Nuts right?!

On Monday we were tracting and our goal for the mission is to get 10 baptismal invitations every week per companionship. . . we totally got 10 in one day! haha We were asking everyone if they wanted to be baptized. It was awesome. And surprise, we got some good return appointments too!!! I love being a missionary! . . . not District Leader though.I don't seem to get as muchsleep! Well, its not that bad. I get to serve a lot so it's cool, I guess.

Love you all!! Good to know that LAN akaLaycee Ann is doing well. And you tell the little Shmuck inside Mickie to start those Kindely going better. haha. Shmuck. . . such a funny word. LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a great week. Share the gospel with your friends!!!

Love Elder Bragg

Bike problems

2009-03-05T09:20:00.000-08:00

The district leader gets a lot of phone calls about problems and questions. . . what the junk! haha. but a new elder didn't have a bike so i let him borrow mine. . . turns out he is a little heavier and my bake tire was so out of true it was hitting the side of the frame when i got it back. and i'm pretty sure he put a lot of pressure on the peddles when he was shifting cause the chain was stretched out farther then the bike mechanic had ever seen. . . it was pretty intense. . . more intense then camping!!! ooohhh bet you missed that one! haha. but anyways. so i had to replace the chain and the front and back tires, true both of them and i might have to completely replace the back crank. . . and those alone are about 100 bones. . . but i might not so well keep it on the bright side. plus i think in the doctrine and covenants it talks about how the harder you work the better your back crank will be. . .yeah must be in there. but other then that it have been an awesome week. working hard. tracting. trying to find people to teach. . . the lord will bless us. i know he will. a little patience is all it takes. but hey i've got to run. Love You, remember that if joseph smith really did see what he said. . . we need to share it with everyone. there is a great talk about it in one of the recent ensighns. . . or however you spell it.
Love Elder Bragg

6 straight months

2009-02-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hey!

Tell Jordan and Michaela I said congrats and that they should name it Gideon or Colton if its a boy, hahaha, either one is good.

Crazy week over here. First off, thanks for the camera, way studly! It came just in time too. Ryan was baptized on Sunday night. Over 100 people were there and if you couldn't feel the spirit, you didn't have a pulse. I was extremely blessed with the opportunity to confirm him. and share a brief testimony of the Savior while they were changing. I read Romans 5:8 (learned that in seminary, Thanks Bro Hassell!) and then talked about the importance of it. It was a great meeting. I'll send pictures and stuff soon.

Oh yeah, we found out Elder McMurray and I are staying together, should be fun. I'm one of the few who can say they spent 6 straight months in the ranch! haha. I'm a district leader. . . yeah don't know why either, I think I'd rather just teach. haha But hey, I will go I will do, right?

Love you all and do more missionary work!!!

Love Elder Bragg

Sharing is caring

2009-02-18T16:25:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey!! Sorry this will be short.

I'm feeling a lot better! Still sick, but I can get to work so it's cool.

This week we were dedicated to doing our best, to get 70 Quality Gospel Conversations. Always a hard goal, but that's what the Mission President has asked us to do, so we will. Anyways, by Sunday we had to get 23 in one day to finish with 70. So we had a prayer before we left and went to town. It was really neat to see how the Lord just provided for us when we needed it. He put everyone and their dog in our path, all we had to do was talk to them. Elder Pond and I had our record of 32 in one day, that was pretty tough. It turns out on Sunday we got 57 making our total 104 for the week (that's right 104... for life!) 57 is now the new mission record. I love how the Lord will bless us, even more than we know, when we are willing to do what he asks. We just need to trust him.

ALSO... Ryan has decided to get baptized and I get to be the one to confirm him. I'm so excited for his choice. Oh, and I gave him a tie to wear to his baptism. Sharing is caring, right!

I love being a missionary! It's the greatest thing in the world! I love you all and remember to share the gospel with people!

Love
Elder Bragg

Sister Gillespie

2009-02-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Sister Bragg,

My name is Lauren Gillespie and I am in the Daniel's Park Ward here in Highlands Ranch, CO. My husband, Jeremy, is the Ward Mission Leader in the ward and through his calling we have had the privilege to spend quite a bit of time with your son.

This morning for Valentines Day we had Elder Bragg and Elder McMurray over for breakfast and we made scones. Elder Bragg was so excited about the scones and told us all about the scones that you make for your family. When I told him that I would like to email you today he asked me to tell you that he loves his Valentines tie (he was wearing it proudly) and he would like it if you would please add my maple frosting to your scone repetoire. In our family we combine butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, milk and maple flavoring to make a "frosting" that we smear on the scones. Apparently it was a hit with Elder Bragg and he wanted me to pass the recipe on to you. There aren't exact measurements, just a little of each ingredient until it tastes good! I hope your family enjoys it.

I am mother to three girls and although they are all under the age of five, I can appreciate what a sacrifice it is for you to give your child up for two years and send him to do the Lord's work. If I were in your position I would wonder what my child was like as a missionary, and how he spoke of his family back home. This thought is what prompted me to email you today.

I think you should know that Elder Bragg is ALWAYS cheerful. Yesterday afternoon he and his companion were tracting in my neighborhood and showed up on my doorstep to use the bathroom. The temperature had dropped and it was freezing cold outside and their lips were looking pretty blue. So while they used the restroom I made them a cup of cocoa and chatted with them for a few minutes and sure enough, there were no complaints about their hard lot, they were both just as postive and cheerful as any other day!

Your son's other distinguishing characteristic is that he talks about his family all the time. He adores you guys. I have never, ever heard him make one negative comment or insinuation about his childhood or homelife, in fact to talk to him you'd think that he absolutely had the best childhood and the best life ever. I've heard detailed descriptions about your family traditions, holiday memories, things Elder Bragg likes to do with his dad...I was particularly impressed that you play football in the TurkeyBowl and managed to break an Elder Coffman's ribs:). He just loves you so much. As a mother I'm constantly touched by his devotion and felt like you should hear from a third party what a terrific job you have done in raising such a happy, righteous son of God.

Elder Bragg is a hard worker and he is just so happy and sincere all the time. It has been our pleasure to know him and have him in our home and we hope that your family is blessed in his absence until he is safely returned to you.

Yours Sincerely,
Lauren Gillespie

unedited

2009-02-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, my mom didn't have time to edit. I thought that this would give you the opertunity to see how Colton truly writes...

dang excited to see all the hefty e mails im getting this week! haha got a whole 3 and one was from the mission haha. its cool.

anyways this week has been a real test of patience for me. its been insane. so i emailed you and everything was awesome. then that night whail sharing a spiritual message i had to split in the middle for a bathroom break. it was at the stake patriarchs house too. she said i turned white as a goast is like 3 seconds. so we went home and called the mission presidents wife and she told me to sleep it off. i then woke up the next morning threw up some more and then went out to work. asfter not making it very far we came back and sister christison told me to stay home and sleep. i hate staying home on a mission. there are never any people to talk to in our room. its frustrating haha. then the next day we had to stay in again cause the same thing happened. then i didnt feel better till monday so we went out that morning. i took us about an hour to bike to the place we were gonna tract cause i kept almost passing out haha. then we got pulled over by a cop hahaha. then we were knocking on doors and out of about 30 , 1 person came to the doorthen i almost passed out again so elder mcmurray made me go home and take a nap. . . and im still at about 50%. so the bike riding isnt going very fast but its cool. we are getting there. haha so yeah its been a fun week. but the reason im telling you is because as everyone knows. when things get rough and tough and you put your trust in the lord he will bless you. now no we dont have any baptizms yet or anyone like that. we are working really hard to find them. but not yet. infact we are goign to get about 32 hours of tracting in this week. haha. the mission standard is 20 haha. but it has all been worth it. when ryan ( the investigator in willow creek that we had) called and said he got excepted to byu idaho! i was so excited. we became really close as we were teaching him and he is a great guy. so i was way excited. . . then the next day he called and told me he has just set a date for his baptizm!!! i was so excited for him. ive been praying for that for a long time and now was the right time for the lord to make it happen. so needless to say i am pretty excited. i mean sure. he dosent count as a baptizm for us but hes a good friend and i was able to partisipate in his salvation. and im very thankful for that opertunity.

eather way. with trials. come blessings! im excited to see we happens next!. . .

( i need to write a sweet action novel on this or something.)

but ive got to go. im hackin up a lung in the library and everyone is looking at me funny haha

LOVE YA!!
Elder Bragg

Analogies

2009-02-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hey, Hey, Hey

Elder McMurray and I were thinking of analogies this week. I was thinking how not accepting the gospel is like having some one tell you they had a bazillion dollars for you. . . and they want to give it to you. All you have to do is give them one dollar. . . but they really want a Choco Taco with that dollar. So they buy one of those instead. . . they could have bought the whole Chocó Taco company, but nope, they wanted just one, I guess. It always makes me sad.

Which brings me to the Viviers, they dropped us this week. I love that family. I know that the gospel would bless their lives so much more then they even know. But they don't want to give up that one dollar for a bazillion dollars/blessings). They will eventually join the church, then will kick themselves for not doing it sooner.

Also Elder McMurray and I have been working really hard, trying to be the best we can. . . and it turns out last week we had the worst numbers I have ever had in Highlands Ranch. . . so as I fasted and prayed about it. I realized that the Lord would bless us only after ALL that we can do. . . so I thought about that (Am I doing all that I can do?) How much more I can do. . . THERE'S TONS!!! So we started with our lunch hour, that's the max we can take. You know, for those people who eat food and stuff. I decided, with the support of Elder McMurray that going home for lunch and taking a full hour is a waste of time, eating and quick naps are for chumps. hahaha We are just gonna bring the food with us in the morning and eat for 15-30 minutes, then keep tracting. We are trying to find 20 new investigators in the next week. We are pretty much tracting 6 hours a day and working with members and less active/pmf's in the afternoon for referrals. haha It seems to be working out. But next Sunday is the real test, when we turn in the numbers. But my faith is strong and I know we can do it. The Lord will provide! Brother of Jared style, hahaha!!

Anyways, I love you all and have a great week. Be great missionaries! I'm trying my best too!

Love,
ELDER BRAGG!!!!

Happy Missionary Hahaha

2009-01-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

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)

I got my greeny

2009-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

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

Trainer/ Transfers

2009-01-15T07:33:00.000-08:00

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

I love being an instrument...

2009-01-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

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

Christmas

2008-12-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

I guess he did have something to say...

HEY HEY!! How's it going everybody!

Merry Christmas!Boy oh boy, I'm so excited for it. We totally get to celebrate the birth of the Savior! How exciting is that. Forget all those presents and junk. God has already given up the greatest gift, his son!! Oh man, I get to talk to you all!!!! Maybe not you all but some of you! Totally way stoked for that. But I'm still way weirded out about it though, haha. This week has bee a pretty SPECTACULAR week! (I like that word lately). We have had a lot going on. The craziest has been the weather. We were over at a part member family's house and went out to go tracting. .. it was freezing! So we got all bundled up went out, it was -5. So much fun! It's funny when you get to the point on your mission where you get excited for horrible weather. It makes you feel good knowing that the weather doesn't even have a chance to stop the work. Maybe those lameo misisonaries wouldn't tract, but not us! It was a lot of fun. We would spit and by the time we walked over to it it was frozen, haha. Good fun. The crazy part about it was when we were tracting we found this awesome Australian guy working on his motorcycle with just jeans and a coat on! We talked to him and he came out side and we taught an entire 1st lesson in -5 degrees!! Yeah, like 30 minutes, I swear, so sweet! He is awesome so we will definitely stop by there later in the week.

We had Zone Conference on Tuesday. It was so good. The whole thing was all about the Savior. The spirit there was so strong. I loved it. At the end we always have a testimony meeting and that is always the best. . . .

By far the best thing that has happened this week. . .
I'm a little behind in the reading so I'm trying to catch up for Christmas. I was reading the story of the army of Helaman. Right before I started reading, I had a good long chat with God about stuff. I felt like I needed to be searching for something, but I didn't know what. It was weird, I finished and started to read. When I came to that story I just couldn't help but cry. I had read it so many times before, but this time it was different. I had found what I was looking for. The Lord was helping me have more faith then I had. He was helping me grow that much more. Helaman's sons were asked what they should do about the Lamanites, they didn't even doubt for a second. They just said how they knew that God would protect them. That because they were doing the things they knew were right, the things their mom's had taught them, that the Lord would be with them. How great was Helaman's joy to find that not one of them was killed. I was so excited when I read that. It's like I didn't know the ending to a story, even though I'd already read it many times. I realized that that's the faith that we all need to have. If we would just put ALL our trust in him everything will be fine, everything will work out perfectly. We just have to have the faith. I love that. So yes. . . persacutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may asemble, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobaly, and independant. Until the purposes of God shall be acomplished. And the Great Jehova shall say "the work is done!" Nothing can stop this work from progressing and I'm glad I have a chance to be a part of that! I love you all!!

Thanks for your letters and cards!!
Love,
Elder Bragg

Turtle

2008-12-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

Colton didn't have much to say this week. He sent this video to us a while ago and now I finally am posting it... Enjoy!

HEY MOM! I LOVE YOU!!

Thanks for the package. Elder Pond is already eating his Christmas cereal. I told him he was lame and that next Christmas he can't even have any. haha It was pretty funny. But thanks again! Anyways.

I'm not sure when we will be able to call you. I'm thinking it will be in the morning some time. So yeah. . . . sorry about not being more specific. It's hard when I don't even know myself. It will definitely be before 2:00 Hope that's enough of a heads up.

Also, we get to sleep in on that day. We'll see how long that lasts, maybe till 8 or something crazy like that. We'll open stuff then probably call, so shouldn't be too late.

LOVE YOU! Cant wait to talk to you!

Elder Bragg

MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON EVERYONE

2008-12-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey Hey! How's it going?!

So MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON EVERYONE! I love Christ. . . and Christmas. they're both good. . . they're both good.

Anyways. Things have been going awesome over here. We have been working really hard as usual and trying to find new people to teach like always. We are teaching a couple people now so hopefully we will be able to have a baptism this transfer.

Yes, we did move out of the Gibbs. It was a sad day and they will be missed for sure. But our new house is way cool too. We live with a family named the Burrands, they have 6 kids. . . all older. One just got back from a mission and one is coming home in a couple of months. I'll probably be gone by then, but hey it's pretty cool.

Now we have to buy our own butter too!! haha I know random but I just thought of it.

Anyways, on the tie note!!. . . I would love lots of ties for Christmas! That would be the best! Just make sure they are not paisley. Those are a bit crazy. The brands I like the most are Jones New York, Geoffrey Beene, Countess Mara, and Donald Trump. They tie the best. Yeah, its funny the things you start to get obsessed with on a mission. . . for me it's ties. I had to stop going to Ross because of pure temptation. Although, I did buy a pair of really shiny shoes today so I can look my best at meetings and things. They were only 17 bucks too! I know right. What a bargain! Packages are sweet and when they have ties in them, they are the best! haha. Just thought I'd let you know.

Oh yeah, and I totally knew about that whole baby thing from Mickie. She told me a while ago. It's way cool. I'm gonna have like 17 nieces and nephews when I get back. It's gonna be nuts. And everyone will be married. Be sure to tell Adam and Savannah congrats and Sunni and Lance too. Adam's kid will probably have to start playing Super Smash Bros pretty young if he's gonna compete with me and Adam haha. Although I will be 2 years rusty and all.

Anyways, thanks again everyone for all your support! I seriously love all of you more then I can say. Thanks for being good examples, helping me when I need it, and just being there to enjoy time with. I really have been blessed. But the most important blessing that we all have in our lives is Jesus Christ. I learned this week that agency sometimes hurts. Sometimes it hurts us and sometimes it hurts others, but the atonement of Jesus Christ can heal all of the pain and discomfort that a wrong choice can bring. It's Gods greatest gift to us. We just have to use it. I really do have to write President now. So I love you all! Have a good Christmas season.

LOVE!
Elder Bragg

Advent Calender

2008-12-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

We loved the Gibbs! The boys were freaking out when they saw that an elder's mom sent them something! (Chocolate Advent calendar) It was cool. I told them they had to eat one everyday too, not just that eat it all quick junk. The Gibbs had signed up to have the missionaries live there for 6 months and they were going on 7 and a half. They were really sad to see us go and we were sad to leave. They are an incredible family, but luckily we will be eating Christmas Eve with them, awesome.

I'm now living with the Burrands in their basement. It's pretty legit.

Tidal Wave

2008-12-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Howdy Howdy Howdy!

How's it going? Well it sounds like everyone is doing pretty well back home. I'm thinking that whole home theater thing is gonna be way sweet when I get home. Oh man, but guess what's crazy. I have been on my mission for over 6 months! I know right! That is so long!!! I was kinda weirded out.

It has been a big week, we have been working hard of course. But I'll run through our Thanksgiving day. . . woke up, played some football, played some basket ball (which I won,) then some foosball (Elder Pond won,) then some Risk (we quit early haha,) played 2 games of clue (I won one and Mitchell won one,) had Thanksgiving dinner with a family called the Parkers, then played Risk again (which was the most insane game ever!!!) I totally won, it was so sweet. At the end I was about to wipe everyone out and their son moved all his 7 guys right in front of me. So I asked him what he was doing. Then Brother Parker said, "he sees the tidal wave coming and he wants to go down to the beach!" Oh man, we laughed for a good 10 minutes. But yes, it was a great day.

Also transfer calls were last night. We found out that we are staying together, definitely awesome! It's gonna be another awesome six weeks. But there is sad news; we are moving out of the Gibbs in about a week or so. It's kinda lame. I love that family. I'm sure the new place will be awesome too. I will email you the new address. I think we move on Monday. But yeah, that's pretty much what's going on over here. It's pretty awesome.

But I love you all. Thank you for your support and prayers! Merry Christmas!!. . . soon. . .

Love Elder Bragg

ITS ELDER BRAGG!!!

2008-11-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

HEY EVERYBODY!!!!

ITS ELDER BRAGG!!!

I'm sure you already new that though. How are things back in Meddy? I find myself talking about Medford and how great it is there then here. haha I can't help it. I'm pretty bias.

I didn't know so many people were getting married? you should let me know their addresses so I can write a couple of them and tell them congrats! Or better yet, send me the wedding announcements.

Anyways, we had a great week. Elder Pond and I are pretty much official brothers now. We get along way to well and are even to the point where we get into arguments about stupid little things cause its fun. Yeah, its been a pretty awesome transfer. Unfortunately it ends next Thursday, so we will see what happens. I'm kinda hoping nothing changes though, that would be sweet. I'll have to let you know.

We had a really good week of work. We taught over 18 lessons this week! It was so good. Our tracting hours were down cause we were teaching so much, awesome. We also had 4 baptisms! An awesome muslim family, I love them! I had the opportunity to baptize the 2 kids, Zack and Edrise (Ed). I'll have to send home some pictures. They are a way cool family. They are going to grow up to be the greatest missionaries ever, I swear. The mom already has so much faith and the kids are so good. I can't wait to hear from them later.

And on another note Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I'm pretty excited. We do get to play football in the morning and then eat. Luckily, we still get to go out and work (aka work off all the fat I will eat). But it's going to be any awesome day! There is so much that we have to be thankful for. I will have been on my mission for 6 months and one of the biggest things I've learned is to be thankful for EVERYTHING!! Heck, we don't even have the right not to be! It says in Mosiah that God gives us every breath! Just being alive is a gift! Let's be happy about it! I know I am. Because not everyone gets that chance like we do. Too many abortions of God's children; they couldn't be on this earth, but we are here and the scriptures tell us we are here to be happy! So be happy and be thankful! There is plenty to be thankful for. Maybe we can slow down for a bit and think about it. I promise you'll look at everything a whole lot different if you haven't before.

With that said. haha. What I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving is the Savior Jesus Christ. He has given me every blessing that I have and that I love so much! Family- with out him, I wouldn't be able to be with them for time and all eternity. Health- with out him, we would all just die and be dead in the grave forever, there would be no resurrection and no perfect glorified bodies, which is one of the reasons why we are down here as well. Oh, there are many more things that he gave us. In fact, he gave up everything so that we could have it all. He suffered every pain and affliction, every scraped knee and skinned elbow, he felt. So that when we are down and feel pain or sorrow, he can be there to raise us up, to help us back on our feet. When we can't walk, he'll carry us. How is that not something to be thankful for?? I love the Savior Jesus Christ with all my heart and I will never be able to express in words how much I am thankful for what he has done for the world. . . . for me. . . Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love,
Elder Bragg

All the Cool Missionaries are Doing it!

2008-11-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

HOWDY DOODY EVERY BODY!!

How goes it on the western front? It's going way too awesome over here. We have been having a lot of success with the work. In fact, yesterday we didn't even tract! We just taught! I loved it.

Oh man, we are going to have 4 baptisms on Saturday. Yeah, I know right!! I get to perform 2 of them and Elder Pond is doing one and then a ward member is doing the other! They are the greatest family EVER. I'll definitely have to send you some pictures so you can see how awesome they are!

Oh man, another pretty cool thing. The Zone Leaders called us Monday morning after they got out of their meeting with President and all the other ZL's and the assistants. I guess Elder Pond and I had the best numbers out of the whole mission that week and they had a training on us....hahaha.

I thought it was pretty funny. It got us way fired up for the work, so its sweet. I love being as obedient as I possibly can! It's so cool. You know, all the cool missionaries are doing it. haha. We are working on peer pressuring every missionary into doing it to... haha. Anyways sorry this is such a short email. I gots to go do some work. Oh and just remember while you guys are eating turkey, that Elder Pond and I will be working all that night, it's gonna be sweet. I guess Thanksgiving is our P-day, but then after 5 we are going to keep working. So yeah, pretty sweet. And no... no movies or football, only missionary work! Just like I like it!! haha Have a good week and I'm trying make the next one better, I promise!

I love you!!!!!
Elder Bragg

Strongest Companionship

2008-11-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

HEY EVERYONE!!! WHAT UPP!!???!?!?

I totally got this awesome thing I'm gonna send home and its sweet so ask my mom about it and she'll tell you once she gets it haha. Cool cool.

So today is a happy day. I'm way excited to be a missionary and happy to be able to serve the lord. I'm sorry if my email is a little short, but I'm just in a rush I guess.

So this week has been a very trying but awesome week. A lot has happened. We have been working harder then ever and it has been awesome. Its actually kinda funny though. On Saturday we were dropped by 6 of our investigators and one of them had a date at one point. . . Yeah it was a hard day, but as we kept working hard the lord has definitely blessed us in ways I can't even describe and we got 2 new people to teach!!! I know right!! haha. I'm excited. But yeah Elder Dunn has reason to be jealous. Elder Pond is a stud haha. Infact in interviews the other day president said we were among the strongest companionship's in the mission. He talked about how well we got along and how we need to keep that going toward the work, which we definitely are. So it has been great.

Yes I have a bennie, coat ( thanks to bro, and sis, Anderson who got me one for a present... I love them haha), sweaters, and I just need some good boots. . . I wish my snowboard ones were approved haha. But I should be fine for a while. I've got some good stuff and it hasn't even snowed yet. . . Oh and I got a new tie. . . cause its sweet. ( Thanks for the packages mom and Kristin! They were wicked cool. . . oh yeah and I can't really wear zipper ties either. . .they unzip all the time and I don't really look like a missionary when that happens. . . Those oreos were delish! And there all gone. haha) Anyone can feel free to send me a letter or some ties or something, but dang. . . I'm late.. . . I love you all. The gospel is true isn't it? THEN SHARE IT!! I mean . . . Wait no that is what I meant! Help it bless others lives and share it with them!! Haha

LOVE YOU ALL!!
Elder Bragg

Be prepared

2008-11-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

WHATS UP!!

I hope you have all just been sitting around your computers to get this haha. . . I'm just kindling. Its cool and yeah I don't really know who all this is going to but hey its cool.

That's cool to here you are doing missionary work. One thing that everyone can do to make missionary work a little better and easier is to pray for missionary experiences. Ask the lord to put those people in your path who have been prepared to hear the message of the gospel. It makes a huge difference. Also what comes along with that is being ready when the moment comes. Don't be ashamed of the gospel, make it a part of who you are. We always say that probably the only person that we as missionary's look cool to is god. . . and that's all that matters. You need to keep your self worthy and ready to share what you have come to love so much and hold so close to your heart. I always think of how much this church has helped me. . . and how much it can help every person I meet. Remember, the field is white all ready to harvest and lo he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not and bringeth salvation to his soul. . . salvation to the soul is never a bad thing haha.

This last week has been awesome. We are working with a Muslim lady named Sadiqa. She's way cool, and we totally committed her for baptism. So next week will be awesome. We are working with a lot of other people too, so it has been good. . . Yeah this is a very stubborn area but the work is progressing none the less. As we work hard and do what the lord asks of us, we receive blessings! It is just that easy. Like that talk that was given in conference. (it was one of my favorites) where he talked about how we need to follow Jesus Christ. . . it is the only intelligent thing to do. . . a different way, any other way, every other way is just madness. I love that. But yeah we are working hard and have a lot of good times too. Elder Pond is great to serve with. We have a lot of fun but still work really hard. It makes the day go by way to fast haha.

I love you all!
LOVE!
Elder Colton Bragg

New Address

2008-10-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

WHATS UP?!

This week has been sooo awesome, maybe even a little too awesome haha. My new companion is Elder Pond. He came out with Elder Dunn, so its way fun. I guess I'm senior comp but like that even means anything. It was cool. The first night we talked till 12 about the atonement. It was great. Laughing and crying all at the same time. I'll never forget it. That's for sure. There is definitely a reason why I'm here. We are working super hard trying to talk to as many people as we can and get as many new investigators as we can. Its been pretty fun. We cover 2 wards, the Daniels Park Ward and the Summit View Ward. They are in Highlands Ranch.

My address is . . .

C/O The Gibb Family

10198 Fairgate Way

Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

So everyone and there dog can now write me a letter!!! I know right. I would too. This is super rich area though, which basically means that we talk to a lot of people and that no one is ever interested. Its kinda lame, but we are working with some people and should have a baptism by the end of the transfer. . . (that's only cause the mission president promised everyone that if they worked hard this transfer that we could all have a baptism), so we are going for 2 cause we are already going to work hard anyways. Haha.

But yeah, the family we live with is pretty cool too. They have 3 sons and the oldest is a freshman in high school. We try to always set the best example for them.

Anyways I best be off, but I love you all!! Thank you for all your support. Remember to keep the country's that haven't been open to the church in your prayers and ALWAYS remember that the worth of EVERY soul in great in the eyes of god. So that's how it should be for us as well. No one doesn't deserve a chance to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So share it with everyone. Think about the impact it has made on our lives. Think about the happiness it brings us. That's what I do. And remember the atonement is a free gift to everyone, but we are the ones who choose whether or not we are going to use it!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Elder Colton Bragg

Transfers

2008-10-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey Hey!! So this last week has been great.

There is some sad news though. . . after 4 and a half months/ 4 baptisms/ 3 transfers / and lot of work. . . I'm getting transferred. I know right! I was thinking I might be training too, because there are 28 new missionaries coming this transfer. So everyone and their dog is training. It's insane. I guess the Lord has other plans for me, and that's O.K. too. It was funny there is this kid in my district who really wanted to train. He was way disappointed when he found out he wasn't. I talked to him about it for a bit. I asked him if he has been working as hard as he could and he said yes. I asked if he trusts the Lord with everything he has and he said yes. I told him how it doesn't matter if your a trainer, district leader, zone leader, assistant, or a regular missionary. Each one is just as important as the other. I guess I realized I'm thankful I'll be just a regular missionary for now. I'll get to study the scriptures more in depth then I would if I was training, and I get to focus all of my time to the work that I am out here to do, which is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end. Anything that takes me away from that I don't really want to do, to tell you the truth haha. So I'm thinking I might not be in any leadership for a while, haha. After I talked to him about it he seemed a little better.

Since I am getting transferred I'll find out tomorrow where it is I will be serving. I'll let you know my address in a letter or something. The Anderson's said they would send all my mail to where ever I am. I'll tell you what though, this has got to be one of the hardest parts of being on a mission. I have to leave those people that I have grown to love so much. It's horrible. I feel like I'm leaving the airport all over again. There is still so much work to be done here too! It kills me. Hopefully Elder Bryson will be able to keep the work moving forward. This last transfer has really been a trial of my faith. It's crazy to see how the Lord truly raises you up, when you put all your trust in him. I love it. I was listening to a CD this morning before we left and I heard something that might seem way lame and stupid but I'll always remember what it said. "When the rain begins to fall, remember where the rain comes from." Just the day before, we were reading section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants . . . I think that's it. . .where it talks about how all these things can happen to you and they will all be for your good. Well I'll tell you I know that that is true, no matter the trial. . . it is for our good.

Anyways, I have to go but I want you all to know how much I love you and how much of a difference everyone has made in my life. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's church restored back on the earth today, Jesus is the Christ. He is the savior of the world. When we put all of our heart, might, mind and strength in him, he will raise us up. He will help us carry our burdens. It is a blessing I wish everyone knew about and knew how real it is. Again I

Love you all!!
Elder Colton Bragg

So cool story time

2008-10-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

So cool story time. . . ready. . . go

Elder Penrod and I were teaching this guy named Jim Froese. I'm sure you remember him, he basically dropped us. . . sad stuff. Anyways, we were still in contact with him and teaching little things and sharing spiritual thoughts. Then when we helped him move the Bishop was there and he. . . not the bishop, but he asked the Bishop if he could speak in Sacrament meeting. . . I know right. So after getting over the shock the Bishop said sure. We were all kinda wondering what he was going to say. The day before, Saturday, we went over and watched the Joseph Smith : Prophet of the Restoration movie. His wife watched it with us. After the movie ended we were gonna say something but we both felt like we just needed to not talk. We sat there in silence for about a minute when Olivia (Jim's wife) just started crying. Now Olivia is from Peru and doesn't say much, but is an incredible lady. She told us all these things that she had gone through, which were incredible to hear about. Her ex-husband left her when they were in Siberia and she literally escaped back to Peru fleeing for her life with a 6 and a 2 year old, and many more things. Then she told us how when ever anything happened she could tell that the Lord was helping her through every single trial. How she wished Jim could feel the love that the Lord wants to show him. . . . so it was a good visit. The next day he spoke in Sacrament meeting and when he was speaking he said "now I'm not a member of your church YET but. . ." elder bryson and I at that point just looked at each other and kinda smiled and then kept listening. He proceeded to tell us about different struggles that he's been through, drug use, and how he kinda of blamed it all on God. And how that all changed when he met his wife Olivia and how we have helped him. It was great. I think now he knows God loves him. We saw him yesterday and asked him to pray about baptism. I'll let you know how it goes. Pretty cool!

Also Summer had her interview and is going to be baptized this Sunday! We are way excited.

A bunch of other stuff happened this week, but those were the highlights.

I love you all and just remember to keep praying for those country's to open to missionary work like the prophet asked. That would be way to cool.

THANKS!!!
LoveElder Colton Bragg

New Phone

2008-10-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Its pretty cool my mission president was in the temple a couple years ago and all the sudden he got this impression that he needed to retire early. Like, the next day, early. He was in a position of great worth. . . (aka lots-o-dough) so he went home told Sister Christison and then retired the next day. A week later he was driving with his son in the car and the prophet called his son's cell phone. . . and now he is our mission president. Pretty neat hu? I just thought that was a neat story.

CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME!!!!!!
Haha Saturday was so good. There were times when I wanted to get up and cheer. In fact during one of the Saturday sessions I nearly did. Sorry I don't have my notes but the guy from the 70 who spoke on the atonement and said that Jesus Christ is the only way. . . and any other way is madness. I got so excited. H was awesome. I would just tell you everything that I loved but then I would just be writing down all my notes. Everyone who spoke was incredible and I learned a lot. I'm already looking forward to conference in 6 months, but a little more to the conference ensign that will come out. THINK OF THE HIGHLIGHTING I WILL GET TO DO!!! Dang I'm excited. I can't wait to share quotes with investigators from that. I could talk all day about that though so I'll move on haha.

This week has been good. haha funny story. . . so we got new phones yesterday because the entire mission was breaking 3 phones a week. . . I know right. So they got us 300 dollar phones that they use in the military that are never supposed to break. If they do, you pay for it. Yeah kinda sucks but none the less. We were riding to the area we were going to tract and I said to Elder Bryson "Hey now if I fall the phone will be okay!" and I have never fallen before so the next part of the story was very unexpected. No more then 5 minutes later and only having the phone for about a hour. We were going down a trail to get to this area to tract. When I turn the corner and to my surprise. . . There is no bike under me anymore. It just completely lost traction and slipped out. So I proceeded to belly-slide down the rest of the hill (about 10 feet or so) completely on my right side, more particularly my right pocket. . . Which is where I put the cell phone. . . Naturally I just jumped up real quick and thought oh no hahaha. Breaking a 300 dollar phone would be pretty bad, so I took it out of my pocket and it was completely fine!! After sliding over rocks and dirt and having a perfect outline of where it was in my pocket on my pants. The phone was fine. Not even a scratch, so we took pictures and had a good laugh about how I was just testing it out to see if it really was "indestructible." well it sure showed me haha.

We have been doing well. Did I tell you that summer wants me to confirm her! Cool I know, but yeah we are still working hard and doing our best.

I love you all! Thanks for your support and remember to do what the prophet said and pray for those areas to open that are not yet!

Love
Elder Bragg

Letters are never a bad thing

2008-10-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Howdy! How's it going? Good, cool.

Well, congrats on the job HD.

That's cool your reading the BOM with me. It's good stuff. I'm going through highlighting all the good stuff and I'm pretty sure I need to settle down on it a bit, haha, everything is a different color. It looks cool though.

This last week has been pretty sweet. We met up with this lady Elder Penrod and I found, named Mary. We call her Crazy Mary. She's pretty funny to talk to. We are trying to help her stop smoking. There is a 15 step program that we give people and it's way awesome. There are a lot of hard things to do in it though. I think the worst is the unsweetened grapefruit juice after every meal. I told her I'd do it with her, so basically I gag after every meal, haha. She needs all the support she can get.

Also Summer Power's dad just got back from Qatar(I think that's how you spell it?) But we are going to have her baptism the end of next month. It's gonna be awesome. She asked me if i could confirm her, pretty exciting as well. But there is way too much going on to put down, so you'll just have to hear about it as it comes. . .. haha, yeah sorry.

Elder Bryson and I are doing well. It's pretty funny. I'm not much of a complainer, as in I just don't on a mission cause I figure Christ didn't complain on the cross so I think I can get through a mission. It's interesting, every once in a while we're tracting, he'll just freak out over something that happened 3 weeks ago. And it doesn't help that I just start laughing, because it's so out of left field. so I'm working on that. But we are still getting along, so it's cool. There is alot going on in the area, so I like it.

Oh man, can I just tell you how excited I am for conference!! That's going to be sooooooo good! I'm way excited!! I can't wait for 2 years when I get the chance to actually be there live again. . . if that happens. Anyways, I'm sure I'll talk to you about it next week. I love you all!

Love,
Elder Bragg

ps. Letters are never a bad thing. . . What??

BOM Challenge

2008-09-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

In Colton's last email he said that he was going to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas. He was doing it as a challenge from his Mission President. It is going to be a Christmas gift to Christ and to himself. If any one would else would like to join in the challenge, the more the merrier.

In order to finish the Book Of Mormon between Christmas and the end of the year you need to read 5.7 pages a day.

Don't do Anything Stupid

2008-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm actually not fat! haha. I just never worked out before my mission. You know I must have dad's kinda figure haha. So once I started doing push ups and sit ups and riding a bike every day for like 10 or so miles, it's been working out for me. p I think maybe it helps I cant eat all the crap food I want now too. Although I still do have a box of Honey Buns a week; cant give those up.

This week has been AWESOME!! No joke haha. And way crazy too. On Saturday we had Leslie's baptism. It went really well. Her parents who were completely against it came also!! It was a great experience and we also took Ryan to it. He is getting so close to committing,we are still hoping and praying. He's gonna come with us today and play Basketball. Then go buy some ties with us at Ross. It should be fun. On Sunday we had the confirmation of Leslie and then it was the primary program as well. Such a good Sunday! It's always so cool to be able to participate in that kind of thing with someone you taught. It took a lot of work, a lot of prayer, a lot of fasting, and a lot of energy. It's awesome to finally see her taking that step that the Lord wants her to take.

We also had a Zone Conference on Monday. That was pretty sweet as well. I always love the testimony meeting at the end. It's cool to be able to hear other Elder's testimony's and then bear your own to them. The spirit is always so strong. We were also challenged to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas as a Christmas present for our selves and for the Lord. So I started over again. I read the first couple chapters again. I'm still finding things I didn't catch the other couple times. I love it!

Oh man, this week we had an interesting run in with the cops, nothing big, so don't worry mom. It just strengthened my testimony of how much love you can have for someone you just met. I swear I was about to start busting down doors taking names and maybe a couple in the chest for this lady. But being official representatives of the church we cant get involved. And that is wisdom from God for sure. It just amazed me looking back on the situation (which again, mom wasn't anything! don't go calling around about it!) that I felt that close to someone that I met only 2 months before. And before my mission I would have probably been to afraid to even talk to. The Lord definitely plays a huge part in this work. God said himself that this is his work. I am so thankful that I am a part of that. I love being that tool that God himself uses to help people come to the realization that Jesus is the Christ and that our Father in Heaven loves each and every one of us.

Anyways I've got to go, but i love you all, and don't do anything stupid!!! haha

Love,
Elder Bragg

2 lb Block of Cheese

2008-09-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

HEY!!

Yeah and I heard about the game to. . . I called someone from our ward for some info and they just happened to be there and it was just ending haha. Good timing on my part.

The typical day for me is.
6:30 -wake up, work out, and stretch. . . (and it must be working too cause I'm up to 175. . . I know right haha)
7:30 - shower and get dressed
8:00 - personal study. . . and I just finished the BOM for the first time on the mission! I'm way excited. Many more to come...
9:00 - companion study
10:00 - say a prayer before we leave and go tract till
1:00 - lunch
2:00 tract some more and go visit potential investigators/ Less Actives/ that kind of stuff
5:00 Dinner
6:00 visit the above mentioned. That's when we usually have appointments so we teach a lot at night also
9:00/9:30ish- come home plan for the next day and sit around
10:30- in bed
Yep that's the day and not just a usual day, that's every day. Other then p-day and Sunday. I love it. I feel so organized haha.

Laundry skillz (notice the Z for the extra cool spelling) are off the chain! I'm getting good. I got out a grass stain the other day. I was way proud of myself haha.

Yes I'm minding my manners at every ones house. I haven't used my fingers my whole mission haha. You'd be proud. They feed us everything. This ward is way awesome about feeding us. I think we've only not had a dinner appt twice my whole mission. It's usually really really good. . .except all that stuff I don't like to eat. But I choke it down anyways. I'm on a mission. Gotta do what you gotta do. I even ate a whole tomato the other day. So gross, but heck, I ate it.

Now this week a lot happened, but I'm sure I won't remember most of it, so here it goes. . . First off. . . We were eating dinner at a members home this Sunday and I saw they had a good cheese slicer. . . So I was like. "HEY! Where did you get that! I've got to get one!" and sister Zollinger was like "Hey! Take this one I've got an extra and I don't remember where I got it!" and that basically made my week! (for my temporal need of course). So I went and bought a 2 pound block and ate a pound that first day haha. I was in heaven. I've have the block 3 days and its almost gone. Feels like home again.

We also had a lesson with Ryan (this 18 year old investigator) this week. It went soooo well. He really wants to know if its all true and if he gets an answer he said he'd be baptized. . . all he has to do is pray!! We are way excited. He's way close.

Then also we were helping the Froese family move (Jim being the investigator that dropped Elder Penrod and I) and Bishop Pingree totally committed him to speaking in sacrament and promised him if he read and prayed about it he would get an answer by the time he talks. . . We kept our cool the rest of the time and then when we got home I like freaked out. That's so exciting. So now he is progressing again and we are working with him. He'll hopefully work out this time, but dang. Its been such a turn around with him. I love it.

Then the Powers dad gets home this month and when he does, Summer Powers should be baptized. Then of course. . . . Leslie (the one Elder Penrod and I taught) is flying back on Friday, getting baptized on Saturday, confirmed on Sunday, and flying back Monday! I'm way excited for her too. Seeing the change that she has gone through has been a huge blessing and teaching her was always a great experience. So that should be great!

We've got a lot of other things going on but I'll tell you those as they keep progressing cause I'm almost out of time haha. But the work is going really well. Elder Bryson and I are working hard and I could always use more ties. . . I mean and I love you all!! haha. The Lord has really been helping me this week dealing with things that have happened. It's a lot of work, but there is no where else I'd rather be. . .

LOVE YOU ALL!
Elder Bragg

Elder Bryson

2008-09-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

That's awesome, sounds like things are going pretty well back home. At least for the most part. Yeah, we heard about the whole BYU game. Brother Sucher in our ward keeps us up to date. I guess he made his little girl cry because he got a little too excited about the blocked kick, pretty funny. Oh, I don't know if you were watching, but we were at the Giants/Rockies game last Wednesday. It was way fun. The Giants killed them too. It was a good last p-day to spend with Elder Penrod. I miss him a lot more than I thought I would, haha. But he's at home now with his family so that's good.

My new companion's name is Elder Bryson. . . he's. . .older to say the least. I think about 25 or 6 now. He has a degree in chemical enginering. I can't even spell it and he's already earned it, haha. But yeah, he's a very interesting guy, knows his scripture like the back of his hand. It comes in handy a lot, haha. He is really good at relating to those people who are a little more intellectual. The Lord has definitely put us together for a reason. I seem to be able to relate to the more child like side of everyone, haha. I don't know. its just the way I am, haha. So it's good to have him around. He is a hard worker as well so that's really all the matters.

Oh man and the last 2 days while we were tracting he recited Aladdin word for word. . . yeah, the whole movie. Normally that might have been annoying, but since I can't watch any movies it was pretty cool, haha. Like I said, smart fella.

The lord has definitely helped me the last week with adjusting as well. I have been praying for a lot of guidance on how to address different situations and it seems to always work out just the way they should. Not always how I would like them. But definitely the way they should. It's always nice to know that the lord will help us through our struggles. Especially when serving a mission.

I have also been asked to give a training on personal revaluation this Friday to a bunch of Missionaries. So I have been thinking a lot about the steps that we need to take to receive that revelation for our selves. It's kind of cool because when they asked me I was reading the story of the Brother of Jared. And we all know what happened there, haha.

Anyways, I kinda freaked out when I heard Nicole was engaged. I definitely am expecting and announcement, haha. A lot changes when your gone for just a couple of months. I'm sure it will be a whole new world when I get back in 2 years. (see there's the Aladdin coming out now) The work is going really well over here. Like I said, with Elder Bryson we are able to reach a lot more people then we normally would and get them at least interested. It's pretty neat to see and be part of. So if all goes well, we should have 3 baptizms this transfer. Leslie, the girl Elder Penrod and I taught is flying back. Ryan is getting really close to committing to baptism and Summer Powers is just waiting for her dad to get back from the Middle East so he can baptize her. We are really excited and working with a lot more people as well, its cool,haha. I love you all! Thanks for all your support!

Love, Elder Bragg

Drop Off

2008-09-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

HEY HEY!!

Nate sorry my mom spit in your hand, she can be a little weird at times but just do it back and you'll fit right in with the fam haha.

This week was a good one. After we wrote emails last time a member took us out to the batting cages. . . They had one that pitched 85 and I hit 7 or 8 of those. It was way cool. I did way better then I ever did for FHE. I just kinda figure its the lord helping me now. haha.

We got a new investigator too. He's awesome. His name is Ryan. He's a boyfriend of some girl in a different ward, but he lives in our area so we took him haha. He's sweet. We are gonna try to set him with a date tonight. We are meeting at the bishops house so it should be really good. We are excited. We've already got 2 dates set and there pretty committed. Then we will get another tonight hopefully. So the work is defiantly progressing and we are still working really hard.

I love you all and I love being out on a mission. We get to see miraculous things happen every day and what a blessing it is. Oh man and I'm almost done with 3rd nephi. I love that book haha.

For transfers Elder Penrod is headed home, so I get a new companion. No clue who it is yet. I'll find out tomorrow morning at transfer meeting. He's coming from out west too so I'll be in a different area for about 5 hours waiting for him, then we will go back to the area and go to work. I'm way excited.

I'm sending some stuff home. All my disobedient ties, the program from the baptism for my book haha, and yeah sorry Mickie and Matt I'm sending home that freaking awesome picture. (It was a vinyl picture of a skater) I loved it too, but its not directed toward the savior so I probably shouldn't have it. Now there is a picture I saw in the mtc of Christ and the creation that was way cool. It was all these crazy colors and stuff in the background. Thanks you for it. It is going in my apartment when I go home for sure haha.

Thanks Kristin for dropping that stuff off. (Editors note: I did not see Colton. All I did was drop some stuff off while I was in CO for a baby blessing.) That blanket is sweet. I use it every night now haha. And my legs are still getting bigger. Kristin can tell you why haha. She saw the hills.

Oh man and I totally got to fat for my temple pants. . . I know right. We eat to much, but I'm working on it haha. They were small to start with anyways.

We are off to go see a Rockies game. . . they are playing the giants. I know right. I can't get away from it haha, but it will be fun. So that's whats going on. Its pretty sweet. This next transfer will be a great one again, so I'm pretty excited.

Anyways I love you all and remember to do missionary work. It's not hard and the lord promises us he will help. So who better to get help from.

LOVE,

Elder Bragg

Challenge to invite

2008-08-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

HOLY COW!!! I wish I was back picking pears at the farm. It's way weird once your away from something for so long, you realize how much you truly love it. I talk about how incredible Medford is like every day.

Anyways in other news. . . The mission is going very very well! We had 2 baptisms last Saturday and then confirmed them both on Sunday. I'm planning on sending home the program. It was a great experience to be able to see Ben be baptized by his dad (who is now worthy. . . so cool) and then to be able to baptize Francie. It reminded me of baptizing Tyler, one of those memories I'll never forget. It was a great service and you could feel the spirit there very strongly. Always good. So Elder Penrod and I have been working really hard to increase our teaching pool. We're trying to get more people ready for baptism. We are getting close with a couple of people, so I'll let you know how it turns out, haha. I'm excited. This is Elder Penrod's last week, so I'm making sure he doesn't get trunky, haha. We are working hard though.

Oh man, my new bike is so sweet! Tell Seth to tell Seth M. that I got a new GT Avalanche 2.0 blue and white. I would love for Seth M's address so I could write him. Oh, and thank you so much for that package. It was way good. I have been worshiping those Waffle Crisp, haha. But worshiping the Lord more. . . don't worry. The first and second commandments are still good, haha. But I've got to run. I love you all! Thanks for all your support and prayers! It is working, just so you know. Remember that it's not hard at all to just invite someone to church or to an activity, or to anything! You just have to do your part and ask. It makes a world of difference.

LOVE, Elder Bragg

The Graves

2008-08-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

My parents received a note in the mail from a member of Colton's ward in Colorado, it was cool to hear Colton is a good missionary!

Dear Brother and Sister Bragg,
Thank you for sharing your son as he serves in Colorado. He has been in our ward since he came out. He is doing so well. He's positive, happy, learning quickly, working hard and sharing his spirit. He's great with the members and non members of our area. He will be a good missionary. We are grateful to have him in Colorado.

Thank you-
Brother and Sister Graves

Obedient

2008-08-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

HEY! Sorry this might be short but the computers are way slow today. . . it been a way busy week. We are getting Francie and Ben ready for the baptism. Francie is basically ready and Ben just needs a couple more lessons then were good. So that's way exciting.

I'm not sure Elder Penrod is really strict. . . he's obedient. Like on the tie thing; President asked us to were conservative nice looking ties, because we represent the Lord. So that's what we do. I figure I'm not on a mission to see how much I can get away with. I'm here to give people the chance to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now if the President asks me to do something, that means I'll do it. Like i said, its not so much strict, but obedient. So that's the way I'm going to keep it haha. The best way I can relate it is like tithing. You're not gonna see the blessings from it unless you do it. Even if it sometimes seems not have anything to do with the blessings you receive.

Transfers are coming up too. Elder Penrod is about to go home. I'll get a new companion. haha That's gonna be way weird. I'm sure I'll like it. It will be nice to switch things up a bit. We are doing really well out here. I love it.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Elder Bragg

Alma 36

2008-08-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

We are working really hard. I love it. Like I said Francie is still on track for baptism on the 23rd. She met with our Mission President and we are ready to go. And I get to be the one to baptize her also!! I am excited about that. She is an incredible lady and a blessing to teach.

Also we were teaching Leslie yesterday and. . . well I'll lead into it. . . so this last week during personal study I have been reading through the BOM. Every time I do I just don't want to stop! I love it so much. I'm reading about Alma and Amulek and the Zoramites and all these incredible things. I think the next chapter is Alma 36 too. I love that chapter. Great story.

But anyways... it turns out Leslie was reading the exact same stuff. So it's been awesome to be able to relate the story's to her. She loves it and has a strong testimony of the scriptures. So last lesson we taught her about how we should pray and study the scriptures and follow the prophet. . . and she totally wants to be baptized!! So awesome! We were way excited. That will be on sep. 20th or so. She's awesome.

The scriptures are those holy places that we can stand on and build our foundation on in times of need.

But I love you! Have a good week. I know I will haha.
Love, Elder Bragg

Disc Golfing!

2008-08-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

HEY EVERYONE!!

So I'll just get this out of the way first, cause I know Will is gonna love it. . . that's right. I just went disc golfing. It was way fun. The Mission President's son is way into it so a bunch of us went. I did alright. So I might have to get some discs if I go out west because there is a good course out there. (picture was taken pre-mission)

Yeah Cooper. . .Elder Dunn, is in the mission now! He is in the Littleton 5th ward and yes, it is right next to my area. . . but it's in a totally different stake. hahaha. I know right. I still haven't seen him. He showed up after I went through the temple, so I didn't get to see him then either. So yeah, we'll see what happens.

In other news, we are still working super hard. Our teaching pool is getting bigger too. We are working on making Elder Penrod's last area his best one! haha! We are shooting for a baptism every week, it's very possible, if we work hard.

There is this awesome girl named Leslie who is going back to college soon; we are shooting for the 9th for her. Then I think the rest are all lined up. I'll let you know how it went next week. It was really funny, I guess the Mission President has gotten a lot of calls from members saying that we needed to stay in the ward and all this stuff. That made us feel good, but the funny thing is.... it's mostly the ward doing the work! I love it. The Lord is blessing us and the ward a bunch. So it's awesome!

Love you all!! Just remember... The Church is true, The book is blue, and God's a Mormon! hahaha

LOVE!,Elder Bragg

Awesome

2008-08-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

OKay, so here the scoop. . . this week was INSANE!! So much awesomeness it's crazy! haha.

But anyways, tell Mike that's awesome where he got his call and that's where the lord needs him. He'll love it. And that's way cool where Kade is going. I would have never guessed New Mexico in my life. But the impact he'll make in people's lives is incredible. So that's awesome.

Transfers are tomorrow. I'll be staying here which I am way excited about and I'll be killing Elder Penrod (that means I'll be his last comp) so that should be awesome; keep him from getting trunky haha.

Yeah we have been working super hard and the Lord has blessed us so much. The Lord sends his prepared people to his prepared servants so as we work hard we are blessed. I love it.

But just a quick story. When we went up camping (which was way awesome, by the way) we had a chance to go out by ourselves and just pray in the middle of the woods. Don't worry I could still see my comp and it was approved haha.

Here's a little of what I wrote in my journal: As I prayed the spirit bore witness to me, now more then ever of the truthfulness of this gospel. My Mission President told us to go and find a secluded area in which we could more fully feel the spirit. In doing so I knelt down and spoke to the lord of the things that I am thankful for. As I prayed the spirit came to me more then I have ever felt it before. It bore witness to me that I have been so blessed on this earth. In this life. I have been blessed with the most incredible family that one could have. With a mother and a father who truly live the gospel of Christ and follow his teachings to the best of there ability. I have been blessed with a brother and sisters who are truly examples to me of how I need to live my life. I have been blessed with my health. And Good health too. I have been blessed with the ability to share my talents with others. I have been blessed with this church and the truthfulness of it. I have been blessed with the knowledge that God the father and his only begotten son, the savior of the world, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith and through him restored Christ's perfect and true church on this earth again. I have been blessed with the knowledge that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life. A life without sin, and that he gave himself. He gave his life, so that one day we live with our father in heaven again. That we will, through the power of the priesthood, be able to live with our families for time and all eternity. And that through Jesus Christ alone we can be forgiven of our sins, even the vilest of sinners can be forgiven through Christ and his loving atonement that he took upon the sins of the world for us, personally. I am thankful for that from the depths of my heart and I will never forget to be grateful everyday for those blessings.

Love, Elder Bragg

Dear Elder.com

2008-07-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

I just nominated Colton to be the next face of DEAR ELDER.com Attached is the picture I used.

This is what I wrote about him. Dont think he'll be picked but its fun to turn him in :)

Colton had been preparing to go on a mission for quite some time and now that he is out there he is working hard and learning a whole bunch. He is from Medford Oregon and is a good, down to earth, wholesome kid with some serious spunk that others are drawn to instantly as shown by my choice in picture. It is perfect for your billboard.

In Colton's spare time before his mission he loved Skateboarding, Snowboarding, and generally having a great time with his family and friends.

Mickie Spence

Rewards

2008-07-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

Sweet! I'm emailing early today. We are heading out to our 2 day Zone Conference! I'm way stoked! Oh, and thanks for all those letters and stuff, and nice talk too. haha We had a a lesson on sacrifice in gospel essentials and I totally used part of your talk haha. I know right. But it was good.

We have been having a really good week. . . except last night haha. We went to like 20 potentials and less actives and investigators houses and not one answered. 2 appt.s fell through. it was rough haha. But we got through it and finally found someone to talk to. The Lord blesses the diligent in his work for sure.

We set Francie with a baptismal date! We are way excited about that too. Transfers are on the 31st so I'm really hoping I can stay in this area. We are finally seeing a lot of the rewards for all our hard work. Its way cool. We taught this girl named Leslie yesterday the first lesson. It was so good. Probably the best lesson we've ever taught. You could feel the spirit there so strongly. It was cool cause we were fasting for a couple different reasons that day to but I was also fasting for an investigator so that he could gain a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph smith being a true prophet and it worked for me too! haha It was kind of unexpected but way awesome. The spirit has born witness to me multiple times on my mission that we are teaching the truth. I mean I already knew it, but now with a better knowledge of these things I can teach it way better! It's so exciting.

We also are teaching Samnat more. He's getting there. Basically this area is awesome. That's really what I'm trying to say. haha. But yeah I love it out here. But I've got to go. We are leaving for the mountains now haha. I'm way excited for that too. so later.

Oh but i got your package, Kristin. Thank you so much! I read all of that right when I got it! It took like 2 hours haha (Editors note: The package I sent was the blog printed out for the last month. It was 40 pages long, Yikes!). And all those soft chews are already gone hahaha. I know they're addicting anyways.

I love you all and the work is progressing. The lord sends those who are prepared to his prepared servants and I have definitely seen that in just the last 2 weeks. The work is progressing and it is needed more now then ever. So we are doing our part in the lords work.

Love,
Elder Bragg

Biking is lame

2008-07-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

Colton and his Mission President

HEY!!

WHAT'S UP!? Thanks so much for all the ties. those ones are perfect. Heck I'm wearing the clip on right now. haha. But dang a lot has happened in the last week. Remember I told you about Jim dropping us and we were all down. . . well the next day we found someone and they are golden!! Haha she wants to get baptized as soon as possible. So we are teaching her again tonight and we already taught her the 1st lesson. She is loving it and already has a strong testimony. Its so great! haha. I love it. But yeah she's already quit drinking and smoking and has been to church. Its cool.

Anyways yeah we were over at a members house and I guess their daughter knew the West's. Small world for sure. It was cool though. We got to talk for a bit. . . oh and guess what else. I was in the bible park ward building today playing basketball and I saw a picture of Jaren Burt and his wife! I guess they just moved in there so maybe I'll get a chance to see him! I thought it was cool. Oh and I forgot to tell you. We are teaching this awesome Indian guy named Samnut. . . I think its pronounced Somnot, but whatever. He's cool and he came to church this sunday. Luckily there is a rm in our ward that just got back from india haha. He gave his home coming talk this week too. Samnut loved it! He said he would love to come back, but yeah all the members in our ward are awesome.

In other news Zone conference is next week. We are all really excited. We get to go camping at snow summit for a night. I guess we are the only mission in the whole world that is going to be able to do something like this. There going to video tape it and everything and there is a real good chance that a couple of the apostles are going to see it. Stinks for Coop though I guess he's gonna miss it, but that's cool. I'm sure he'll be fine. But we got to go hiking and a bunch of cool stuff. Its gonna be great and we got t-shirts haha. They say ALTER YOUR ATTITUDE! on them. I guess that's the the aim.

Anyways I'm loving it out here. Everything is going really well. Other then it being real hot. I guess its been getting pretty up there lately. Biking is lame but that's cool. Whenever we find someone to talk to we get to stop haha. But yeah. I love it out here. Its so much fun. . . I mean don't get me wrong I've never worked harder in my life. I've got some crazy blisters and things on my feet but its alright. You peddle through the pain haha. Anyways we are going shopping now, so I'm outa here. But I love you!! Tell everyone I said hi and what not!

Love, Elder Bragg

It's a small world

2008-07-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Sunni,

I'm staying with my parents right now, and today a pair of Elders came by the house to use the bathroom (they were knocking doors in our neighborhood). We chatted for awhile & right before they left I asked them where they were from. One of them was from Medford! I asked if he know you guys & his face lit up! Anyway, it's Elder Bragg. He was so happy that I knew you guys & had tons of nice things to say.

He is doing well & seemed happy. His companion seems really nice too.

Take care,
Love,
Sherry

Choices

2008-07-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Dang sounds like you've all been having fun.

Its been way awesome out here. This week we got so many more people in our teaching pool. A lot of them are way cool. . . .I don't know if I was telling you about this fella named Jim Froese. . He was doing really well and progressing. When we went over there last night he told us that he basically doesn't want to do it any more and that he's done. . . It was a pretty sad night last night as we came home. His choice to stop progressing made both Elder Penrod and I very sad, but it is his choice and unfortunately you're not allowed to tie people up and baptize them if they don't want to be. haha. But I'm sure he will come around eventually. We did all we could. . . anyways.

Its awesome in Colorado. The ward here is so cool. There is this one family named the Sanchez's. Their daughter just got off her mission, so that whole family is way stoked on missionary work. There 18 year old daughter gives us like 3 referrals each time we see them. Way cool.... so yeah its pretty cool. We are working with a bunch of people in this ward and I think about 5 RM's returned within a month. So we get to go out with them a lot. haha. Its cool. I learn a lot from them too. Anyways. I finally memorized everything we have to out here. Like D&C 4 and everything. Which is good. I'm trying to keep my "eye single to the glory of god"

Oh man and I officially hate summer. . . its hot and girls for some reason feel it necessary to not wear any clothes. But its cool cause I usually just sing a hymn or something. haha. It works pretty well. . . uh. oh yeah. Me and my companion both had on our ties on the 4th .. . it was cute. We were matching and everything, but its going really well here. I'm sorry to here about Sis. Johnson. That's a bummer, but she's so cool she gets to do missionary work in the spirit world now. Cause missions are the best so I bet she is loving it. I know I am haha. Send me Coopers address too. I want to write him. um. Yeah I really don't know what else to tell you. oh. Sad news about grandma. Hope she gets better. You'll have to update me on that one next week. But yeah I'm out. Got laundry to do. Oh man and send me a bunch of ties!!! Like good looking ones. A bunch of mine are unapproved and I want to be an obedient missionary. So ties are good. lots of ties and candy and letters hahaha. Anyways I love you all and I love it out here.

The work is progressing,
Love Elder Bragg

My Thighs are Gigantor

2008-07-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

HEY! That's so awesome about Seth's call. I'm way excited for him. Kade's gonna get hosed and is going to Tulsa Oklahoma too haha I bet.

Anyways, rules about email. . . only family basically. Or attractive young ladies. . . I think that was in there. Haha and its 30 min every Wednesday. . .I have 8 min left. Emails from anyone are cool I think.

My area is tight. Its the willow creek ward in the Denver stake. Its about 6-7 square miles and very hilly haha. My thighs are gigantor basically.

The ward is awesome too they feed us every night and it doesn't seem to be to hard to get referrals from everyone. . . which are the greatest!! Missionary work is hard without the members help, so give the missionaries names when they ask!!! Seriously haha.

We have a bunch of awesome people in our "teaching pool" I guess you could say. One just set a date thanks to the bishop (his name is Bishop Pingry. He's so awesome and I guess he knows the Folsoms so tell them he said hi for me. . .for them haha.) and pretty soon Jim Froese is gonna get baptized. He said once he knew Joseph Smith is a true prophet that he will and he's praying about it. So were good haha. He's awesome. Then there are a bunch more but I'll let you know more as we progress.

Its so awesome out here though. Once you get the chance to teach and bear testimony its insane. I love it. The spirit is so incredible that way, but yeah I've got 30 seconds to send this so I love you all and keep doing missionary work!!!

LOVE,
Elder Bragg

"I Love the Temple"

"Like a lion . . . I will pounce upon you with the fullness of the gospel."

"Pull yourself together, soldier!"

"Me and Elder Rathbone"

Shout out "Thanks"

2008-06-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone back home Hey,

I'm finally in Colorado. It's so sick here! My companion and I are in a bike area. It so hilly, it's not even funny. Haha So basically our legs are gonna be gigantor by the end of this transfer. My companion's name is Elder Penrod. He's way cool. And he's a hard worker. He's going home in a couple of months, so I'll probably be his last companion in his lat area. So we might get to be together until Sept. Which is just fine with me.

Well, I just wanted to tell Bro. Schmidt and Bro. West and everyone else in the Young Men's area that they are awesome. I am really thankful for all they taught me and made me think about and do before I got out. It is so important to have a strong YM's group for the missionaries to be raised in, Trust ME.... A mission is hard work. Heck, it's the hardest work I've ever done in my life and I've only been out here for a week. haha The Lumber mill doesn't even compare on this kinda hard. I wouldn't leave it for the world though. Bearing your testimony to a complete stranger about whatever the spirit prompts you to talk about is probably the best feeling anyone can ever have. I Love it!!! I know this is where I need to be. Oh man, the first day it took a sec to build confidence to talk, but it's easy if the spirit is there. I think the first hour of my mission we were kicked out of an apartment complex and called to repentance by a couple of people......so yeah! But once you talk to one person that actually wants to know....It makes every other second worth it. Every person that has said we were living a lie and that the church isn't true......all that goes away. There is no way that anyone can make me doubt the truth of this church and the things it teaches. Thanks again to everyone back there who helped me come to that knowledge. You know who you are! If I didn't have it this would be a lot harder Plus D&C 4 states my feelings on missionary work pretty well. hahah Anyway's I just wanted to say thanks for all the examples I've had in my life. Most of which our from ward.

So yeah, I just wanted to say the Church is true. Joseph Smith is a true prophet and Jesus Christ did atone for all of our sins. I love knowing that. And I love telling everyone about how I know it. Everyone should! Never be ashamed of it!!

Love you all,
Elder Bragg

Finally in CO

2008-06-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

HEY! What up everybody!. . .I'm finally in Colorado! Its way tight out here! And the work is going great. We are teaching a bunch of incredible people too. Oh and we are on bikes haha, but I'm using the ap's bike haha.

My comps name is Elder Penrod. He's tight. Almost going home, but we teach well together and get a lot well lol. I love it.

We got kicked out of an appt complex on my first hour out too haha. Anyways I love it and just being out here everyday my testimony grows. anyways. . .

here's me address. . .

C/O Andersons
7194 S Quebec ct
Centennial, CO 80112

Write me and stuff.

The church is true and you can't deny it haha. . .I love it.

Love,
Elder Bragg

Housing letters

2008-06-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

This is not Colton, but an email exchange from my mom and the lady who is housing Colton. My mother's email is first. And a response to the previous blog entry.

What a wonderful e-mail to wake up to this morning!!

Thank you! He is an amazing young man, and has been a joy to raise! He will be a great missionary and instrument for the Lord, I'm sure. He comes from a very long line of fantastic missionaries. His grand parents are perfect examples of service. We too are preparing to serve a mission, but we are still about 10 years off. I can't think of a better way to move into the next phase of life! I hope you will be able to serve one day, but know that even if you can't serve in another country or state, there are many mom's like me that will be eternally grateful to you for housing our precious young men!!

Thanks again, Sister Bragg

06/22/08

Good Morning Sister Bragg,

Just a note to tell you we loved your response to our e-mail. Elder Penrod, who is Elder Bragg’s senior companion has been out for 21 months and runs a tight ship. Elder Penrod is very inspired and works extremely hard. Your missionary is following his great example and is learning from one of the best. Elder Bragg loves the hard work, never complains, just the opposite he is excited to serve in any way he can. Together they make an almost perfect companionship. This is a great start to a mission! He is a wonderful young man.

All our love,
Bill & Kathy Anderson

New Home

2008-06-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Just to let you all know I do pass on Colton's comments that he gets I print them out ever week.

Colton needed some pictures!

06/19/08

Good Evening Brother and Sister Bragg,

Just a quick note to let you know that your Missionary just transferred into our Ward today and will be staying in our home. He brings such a sweet spirit into our home which we can feel even on the first day. We fed him and his companion Elder Penrod dinner tonight. Bill, my husband, took them to a baptism while I left for my evening job.

The prophet was so inspired to have missionaries come into members homes. There are such tremendous blessing that come with housing the missionaries. Thank you for preparing such a fine young man – we know you are very proud of him. We feel very blessed to have a “GREENIE” in our home I told Elder Bragg that he is living my dream. I am trying to convince my sweetie that we should go on a mission - we have at least 5 more years before we will be ready. He’ll be ready to go by then!

Love Brother and Sister Anderson

7194 South Quebec Court

Centennial CO 80112

PSYCH

2008-06-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

MOM!!!i miss home so much!!!. . . i think i might come home!. . . PSYCH!!!
i love it here so much!I'm learning more about the church then i ever thought existed! its great. the food is actually real good though. well i like it.

totally getting up on my own now. . .i know right!...
and its raining every time we have gym so its indoor volley ball for me. i own at it through lol!

i really really really love it here though. my comp loved the pillow case too. i love this church more then you can even imagine right now. after learning how to teach the first and second discussion you learn a lot of things you didn't know before. such a blessing to be able to learn by the spirit.! I'm doing great! thanks for my blessing! i love you to death and miss home but ill catch you in 2 years haha. oh and i leave on Wednesday morning at 645 so get ready for a call!! love you!!!!!!

LOVE! Elder Bragg!!!

2nd email

2008-06-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hey!!! The mission is great! Did you get either of my letters yet? I wasn't sure. I've sent 2 so yeah. Let me know. Um and write back or email i guess! LOVE YOU!!! I miss you and dad and everyone sooooo much! But this really is the greatest thing I could ever be doing right now! I'm so happy that I'm here. It's way fun too and the spirit is bouncing off the walls. Anyways. I love you guys and I'll talk to you when you write me an email back!!! Stay clean and lay off the drugs Seth.

E-mail

2008-06-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Colton is now set up with an email address. We are not sure who he will be able to email yet, but for now I think he can send to anyone.

ElderBragg@myldsmail.net

It looks like he gets 30 min a day in the MTC, which is pretty cool. So happy emailing!

1st day in the MTC

2008-06-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone!

Today has been one of the greatest days ever! I'm so happy everyone came out to the airport and dad I know you cried, it's cool, I cried too!

The MTC has been awesome so far and it's only the first day. I only fell asleep during one part. haha I know, right? Way better than I thought I do. It has just been non-stop instruction all day. They say the first week is the worst though, so I bet I'll be fine in a bit.

Oh man! I met my companion today also. He's great!! (a little weird) BUT great! His name is Elder Rathbone, I know, cool name, right! No. but he's cool. He kinda looks like he could be on a German submarine, though. haha You'll see when I send a picture. Oh, I'm also the Senior companion. Yeah, it doesn't really mean anything here, but still it's cool!

I'm also staying with two other fellas that are going to the same mission. It's elder La-something.... and Elder Roberts. The first guy is a BIG Samoan guy, with an incredible testimony as well! And Elder Roberts and i probably get along the best out of all of them. He's way cool!

But I have to go to bed now, so I will write more next week! I can't wait to GET OUT IN THE FIELD!!! It's gonna be way tight! I love you all! And listen to the spirit, it's very strong here and I love it!

Love Elder Bragg