Week 3 in Anahuac, Monterrey

Good Afternoon, All!!

I'm starting to hear that the weather over there is starting to turn into the beautiful Utah summer weather. What could be Monterey's winter!

We are doing awesome over here on this side! The work is going, and we're busier than ever.

This past week mainly focused on preparing our Zone conference in the mornings, and a few divisions with the Elders in the zones throughout the week.

I couldn't describe how fast time is going by right now. Help!

Last week I received an email from our convert Betty. Right now, she has had the calling for a few months as the teacher of the Gospel Principals class. Here is the latest news:

Elder como esta hace mucho q no se de usted  me habian dicho q estaba en acuña pero despues me dijieron q lo habian cambiado pero no se donde esta  bueno  le tengo una buena noticia q creeee  me estoy preparando para ir a la mision bueno estoy muy contenta porq ya falta menos tiempo ya tengo 10 meses como miembro de la Iglesia y estoy muy contenta porque en estos meses e crecido mucho espiritualmente y ya tengo mi testimonio de q esta es la unica Iglesia verdadera y estoy muy agradecida de permancer en ella y te doy gracias por haberme inssistido en conocer la :)   (translated):

"Elder how are you? It's been a while since I haven't heard from you.  They have told me that you were in Acuña, but after they told me that they changed you.  Well, I have some good news… I am preparing to go on a mission! I am very happy because I only have a little time left to wait.   I have now been a member of the church for 10 months and I am very thankful because in these months, I have spiritually grown a lot and now I have a testimony that this is the only true church and I am very thankful to be a part of this church. I thank you for having insisted me to become part of it."

These letters always reassure me that I am exactly where I need to be, doing exactly what I should be doing.

I as well, know it is the only true church. And I am ever so grateful to be a representative of it.

Elder Warner

Elder Warner at Betty's baptism and confirmation in June 2011!

Week Two!

Good Morning All!  We are back again to catch up on a few of the details.  We had another great week!  Things are going very well, my cheeks are kinda sore from smiling so much.  About changes, my area is about half an hour away from the last. (I miss my last area like crazy) but it's basically the same.  I would say we're in more of a wealthier part of town so it's calmer over here.  What I really liked about my last area was asking for references of someone who has experienced a change in their life such as a birth, change of home, or a death in the contacts, and the majority pointed out that many of the neighbors who recently experinced a tragedy with the problems going on.  Here, there is not a lot of that.  The people are kind, still a little insecure, but that's why we're here right?  My companion's name is Elder Foreman. I met him about a year ago and we've been good friends since. Like I said, I'm always smiling with the kid.  We connect on a lot of hobbies. He is my first American companion, from Huntington Beach, California, but right now his family is living in Cedar City, Utah!  He is on his last two changes on the mission but we've made a vow since the beginning that we don't talk about it.

The ward is really cool! We have a member who is the only member of the church in his family, who will be leaving in two weeks on his mission, to Panama. Yesterday, he gave a talk saying that when he opened his call, his mom was worried because she wouldn't be able to visit him because she doesn't have a visa.  He gave us the reference to visit his mom. She is really sad and doesn't understand it all, but knows what he is doing is right.  The zone is doing well and we have a lot of work to do! I'm learning more and more each day on how to forget myself and personal needs. I love helping other missionaries out. I think that would be my favorite part about it all.  This is about all of the short news as from last Wednesday. These pictures are from last Wednesday. We spent a few hours helping the Mission President's wife, Sister Romney, make hundreds and hundreds of cookies for the Zone Confrences that are coming up. Ha, one of the greatest things I have learned on the mission might just be the cookies!  We also made a goal that we will talk to every single person in our sight about the Gospel.  They are all children of God.  Until next week. 

Love you all!

Elder Warner

HEY GIRL!!! How are you mom!!??

I feel like we didn't talk too long ago but I still want to shout out and tell you how much I love you.  How was your week? Mine was amazing.  Things are going so well right now.  Love it!  To answer a few of your questions:  The latest news on Martha is that she moved a few months ago! :( I couldn't tell you exactly where she is, but it has made it difficult for her to make plans for the temple. I will keep trying to get more details so we finish what we started with her!  Well, you already know about transfers.  And you know that I am happy.  The best thing that happened to me: was applying what I recently learned with Elder Bednar.  Right now, we are working with a returned missionary mother who is completely inactive.  We have had very powerful lessons with her. Last week on an occasion we were able to teach her family with her about the Restoration.  The Spirit was incredible. At the end, the mother looked down at her 14 year-old daughter and asked what was wrong. Her daughter looked up and said "I don't have a doubt that what they just said is true".  I'll answer the other questions next week.  I hope you are doing amazing.  I still continue to brag of what an incredible mother I have.  Thank you for everything.  You are the best!  I love you, Elder Warner

Transfers, Elder Bednar, and Zone Leader!

Hello! Hello Hello! How are you all?!  Feels like it's been a while since I've written. There is too much to tell.  I would like to start with the experience we had yesterday: We got together as two missions (Monterrey East and West) in fast, to hear the words of Elder Bednar.  A few weeks before he arrived, they informed us to study two talks he previously gave on asking in faith and studying in faith. When we all arrived, we stood up as he walked in.  He felt very comfortable with the missionaries. We were all able to shake his hand before it started and followed with a few words from his wife.  She is a really sweet lady who knows a whole lot!  Following, Elder Bednar stood up and began to tell us what we were going to talk about. It wasn't really a talk, but rather a conversation between him, and us.  He allowed us as missionaries to reverently ask inspired questions and would afterwards explain profoundly these common questions.  It lasted about two hours with a pattern that gave off the same feeling of how you would feel when you are in a suspense movie and you figure everything out at the very end.  His whole discussion was based on Revelation, the Holy Ghost, and praying in faith.  I have never felt like God has talked to me in such a direct way than had I yesterday.  At the end, he asked those who had previously had a question if it had been answered in this short time together.  We looked around and saw the majority of the hands raised. I could never summarize everything of my feelings what I learned and felt of yesterday. But it quite literally did change a large factor of my life.  Other than that we just recently returned from the Temple. What a great experience it was after learning what I had yesterday.

This past week has been a quick one.  There have been a few changes.  The American you see in the picture with me at the Temple, well yes, is my companion!!!  He actually has been one of my good friends I have met here.  On  Monday night, they gave us the transfer and called and told me I will be going with him as a Zone Leader!  We are in a part of Monterrey called Anahuac. I am loving it.  We were able to have a Leadership meeting last week which was incredible.  It was mainly to plan for the next Zone Conference we will be directing in a few weeks. When we got there in the afternoon, the President talked to us alot, of the characteristics of a hero, found in Alma 48. Later, we followed with playing Mexico fut bol till midnight.  Those are the main things of this last week. I would word it as an incredible, life changing week.

I look forward to the next, Elder Warner

Hey dear Mom! Buenos Dias! How are you today!?!  

Man things are picking up, I feel like I have been running. I always finish my mass emails and feel like I am missing so much to write. There are so many experiences that happen each week that I can never fit it all in. I can't tell you how much I am loving every day of this mission. I could never put it into words. I'm loving the responsibility. I feel like I have reached a point where the Lord sees fit to help me learn some of the most profound life lessons. I will have to explain it all when I get back.  About the previous baptisms, wow! They have been incredible. They have applied to what I learned recently.  It was very special baptizing with the whole district. As for M. that we recently found, my last companion told me that she just got confirmed on Sunday and they are still working on her family.   I am loving hearing the news of the family. Jodi getting sealed and so on! What a special event. I want you to know I am loving everything. This is going to be one of my best memorable changes. I look forward talking to you very soon!  I love you mom!  Bryan

Elder Warner and new companion, Elder Foreman, outside of the Monterrey, Mexico Temple

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Midnight Mexican  Futbol after a Zone Leader's planning meeting

Week 6 - BAPTISM - and last week of transfers!

HEY ALL! Wow, how did we already get to the last week of the change? Had to have been the fastest. Well, again, where do I start?   I'm sure you've noticed the photo with the lady in white. This is M. I feel very fortunate to say that she is the woman we found at night with the experience I shared last week.  The whole experience still blows me away, how it all just happened so perfectly. It has been such a special opportunity working with this family.  We are now working with her husband and son.  We also had the opportunity this week to have interviews with the President. The interviews went well. When I walked in the room, the President sat me down and asked what we have done differently in this transfer.  I was able to respond that really, none of it had to do with my companion or I, rather, constantly seeking and following the sacred gift of the Holy Ghost.   My companion shared the experience we had with finding this family in his interview and the next day the President called and asked if he could come to our next appointment with them. We taught a lot on the Restoration of the Gospel with the Mission President by our side. At first they had many doubts and misunderstandings, but because of prayer and the Spirit, they were able to overcome those doubts. 

This transfer has been a marvelous transfer.  We have been richly blessed and I have learned some of the most vital, important things.  As I just got done writing the weekly email to the President, I informed him, how more than anything, this change has helped me realize the importance of prayer.  I have realized so powerfully that praying for something, being the will of the Lord, is heard and answered.  Praying for the simple things.  Asking for the necessary things constantly.  Praying for those we love name by name, for what they need in their life.  I have seen this change, that constant prayer has changed everything.  That really, with "small and simple things, comes great things to pass". 

Tonight is the night of changes. This last change I have grown to love my companion. He has been one of the best. We don't know who will go but it will be hard either way. I look forward to this next change. I know it will just keep getting better. I love you all....

Elder Warner

Week 5 - BAPTISM!

Hello everyone!  How was your wonderful conference week?!?! Man I loved it! I miss that neighbor so much! (referring to President Monsen, who lives in Elder Warner's home ward!)

Conference was awesome, I really enjoyed the talk from President Uchdorf. I thought a lot about how we have Prophets in these days and how they help us. They help us reach perfection. In each of their words they demonstrate that nothing is impossible. Thats what I love about Conference. I always receive an answer to my whys and hows.  I hope you enjoyed it all!   Well, as you can see things are going awesome. This change has FLOWN by! We are already on the last week.  Well, to be honest I have been working out extra hard just so we could lift our investigator out of the water. 


It was a huge week this week. It will take a few week emails to cover it all but I want to share a few experiences with our investigators from this last week.  Well, here is another photo of Hermano E., just in white this time. I want to share a little of his conversion.  A few weeks ago we had just gotten out of the food with a member and felt like we needed to start a fast so we pulled over on the side and sat down on the curb between 2 cars. We pulled out our planners and made it look like we were writing things down with our eyes closed while saying a prayer. We started a fast for the people we were teaching in the time, but also added in, if it be His will that we may be brought to find more. Five minutes later we saw E. sweeping in front of his house. We went and talked him and asked if we could help.  We didn't know at the time he was blind.  At the initial contact, he didn't want to let us pass by with our message but we stayed there and insisted that the Lord needs him to listen to what we say.  On the third intent, he gave in and let us pass by.  We stepped in to a small room he has and noticed a lot of old family photos.  He shared with us how the majority of his family has passed away.  We sang him a song and shared a message and invited him to be baptized.  He accepted.  We taught him how to pray and he offered the final prayer.  We asked him afterwards how he felt and he expressed he felt as if there is a new meaning in life.  We have brought many members with us to teach him so that when we take off he will have the support to persevere until the end.


This week was a very special week for missionaries.  Conference is a vacation for us.  But in this last week we didn't have anyone fully committed to join us in church.  Friday came and we got home at 9:15 with out any new investigators. I thought of how special it would be for someone who doesn't know, to listen to the revelation from God to His chosen Prophet.  As we sat down at home almost ready to plan for the next day we felt the impression to leave the house again and contact for another 15 minutes.  We went straight to a street near the house and started knocking all the doors on a specific side of the street.  The first 2 contacts were drunk and rather crude but we went to the 3rd door.  It was a lady this time that wanted nothing to do with us.  We insisted once again that we were there for a reason, but she didn't care much. We talked to her about four minutes insisting to give us the provided time to share a prayer inside her doors.  Within that timing, her husband showed up, who is nearly paralyzed on half of his body.  He explained his illness to us and we told him the same, that we are here for a reason, can we pass by in your home?  He let us in and we invited his family to join us.  We explained a little about the Priesthood and the church and offered to give him a blessing for his health.  He accepted and we left him with tears in his eyes after the blessing.  Right after we took off to go home. Sunday came and we passed by his home for church.  They were all ready to go and ended up taking us and E. in their car.  They loved Conference, and we look forward to working with them this week. The picture with various Elders and Sisters, are Elders in my district.  We all baptized this week!  It was an awesome experience!  I as well, LOVED conference. I will explain a little more next week. Until now I love you all and wish you a great week!

Elder Warner

Picture right before E.'s baptism, outside of the Mormon chapel 

(look at the beautiful Monterrey, Mexico temple in the background!)

Elder Warner's entire district was able to baptize this week!