Last week of the MTC and off to the Idaho, Pocatello Mission

(Editor's note from the mom! We were able to speak to Bryan briefly on the phone at the airport before he left for Pocatello. He got there and was waiting for his flight but the phones were all busy and being used by other missionaries calling home. It was a big day for missionaries leaving that day. A kind man had mercy on Bryan and noticing he hadn't made his call yet and his time was short, came up to him and offered him his cell phone to call us. His flight was boarding just as we were able to speak to him. I knew I didn't have time to ask him my long barage of questions so we simply asked him to bear his testimony in Spanish. Wow! His dad and I were amazed and humbled at his in-depth testimony where we didn't understand the words but felt the Spirit so very strongly. After our conversation and we told him good-bye, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for those who had taught him by the Spirit at the MTC. I knelt down and offered fervent prayer for the many blessings of having a missionary out and for our boy who was embarking on one the of most incredible experiences of his life! What a blessing this Gospel is in our lives!)

Family, how is everyone? I'm doing super well! So we're making progress! I'm actually going somewhere! I haven't heard about the place, the only time I have seen part of Idaho is when dad and I drove through it at Idaho Falls and it was pretty. So far I have heard Pocatello is cold and of course lots of potatoes. A lady who lives there said plain and simple I won't miss it when I leave. I thought that was kinda funny. I really am stoked to go there though. Mainly because I'm going for some reason because I'm the only one who got called there. My other friend in my district is heading to St. George tomorrow. Everyone else left Saturday morning. It was hard to see them go, I love them all.

For my journal entry-

01/08/11: The quick judgement of things highly lack thought. I had the attitude of being here [MTC] and into the field for so long. But didn't really think of how much I love it here. One of my favorite quotes, "You don't know what you have until it's gone." So very true. I love it here! I just packed out of my room to move in my new room with my new companion. It was hard to shut the door and leave those incredible memories behind. But it's all about looking forward. Because the memories and experiences I am about to make will forever and without a doubt be unforgettable.

Wish me luck! I love you all!

New Years Eve and the last few days at the MTC

Warner Family- Hey! How are you doing? No travel plans. I should be on a plane right now. Oh, well. We'll find out this week! There is one holiday after the next here. How was New Years? Mine was legit (as you will see!) They say if you aren't having fun, you are doing something wrong. I have had so much fun in the MTC! This last week cruised, I learned a ton. I can understand mostly everything people say. I will take advantage of that here because I know when I get to Mexico, I won't understand a thing. Anyway, I thought of a writing technique where I'm going to pick a day out of my journal (I haven't missed a day) and write to you about it. First off, I finished the Book of Mormon for the second time. Good way to start off the New Year! It took about six weeks. I'm going to write about 12/20/10: Every Wed. we have a T.R.C. where we teach full lessons in Spanish to an "investigator" (LDS volunteers). This last one had such a real feeling to it. We taught lesson 2 about the Law of Tithing. His situation was that his wife was in the hospital. Something had happened to her the day before Christmas. He was really struggling for money. The situation felt very realistic and the spirit was definitely present. (He stopped going to church and then was re-activated). I was led by the spirit as I told him and promised him blessings from Heavenly Father if he obeyed the commandment of Tithing. The faith he had that the Lord would help him touched my heart and I developed a love for "Brady" because of his faith. We got him to commit to tithing. This had never happened but after the lesson he asked how we felt. I told him of the spirit I had with me and felt such a great love for him. He said he felt the spirit strongly as well, which is awesome! I know this is how it will be in the field. I know I will be finding myself with the same love for the real investigators in Mexico. I hope everyone is doing well and hope I will be calling again sometime this week of next. Love you all. Elder Warner

New Years Eve celebration at the MTC!

Great friendships made -

Phone call home telling us he is being transferred to Pocatello, Idaho to await his Visa! His other district missionaries stayed in the SL and Provo, South missions while awaiting theirs.

Christmas at the MTC

Dear Warner Family,

How was everyone's Christmas? What better than to watch those two sweet children open presents. Well, besides being in the MTC. What a blessing it was to be here at this time of year. It was such an experience to find out what the true meaning of Christmas really is. Thanks for the gifts but my whole heart of appreciation goes to the simple Christmas stocking you gave to my companion. Seeing his face light up when he received that finalized to me the true meaning of Christmas. I can't thank you enough for your Christ-like attributes of thinking and giving to others. That meant everything to me and him. Now it is time to prepare for the New Year. I really can't wait for this one! I am supposed to leave in one week from today but I know my luck. I am more than ready to get out there! So for Christmas, Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke to us. It was really a gift. I thought about how these thousands of missionaries wait out in the cold for an hour to see a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, and how we walk up the street and are fed by the words of the Prophet, like it's no big deal! I beg you to take advantage of the blessing to be in the presence of that man. Anyway, I need your prayers to get me out in the field. I am so excited to start helping the people in Mexico. I love you all and hope all is well at home. Hopefully, talk to you again this week. Cross your fingers! Elder Warner

Reflections....

Mother, how are you doing? Are you ready for the holidays? I am so excited for Christmas night. I hear we are going to have a great speaker! We are officially the oldest district in the zone! Which brought me to the thought that I am down to two weeks! Hopefully. If there is anything that I need you to pray for is to get my Visa. The past week was really good. We moved on to teaching Lesson 2 just as I got really good at Spanish with teaching Lesson 1. Then we moved on! I am often assured that I know more than I think I do. The teachers don't speak English in class anymore and to my surprise, I was able to understand about 80% of the lesson, which is pretty legit. I am so blessed to be in the MTC at this time of year. What a blessing to serve the one we celebrate. I'm so grateful for a family who is so humble and appreciative for all that we have. Let us all take the time to remember what this holiday season is really about. I send my love from the MTC and Merry Christmas.... Elder Warner

Dad, how are you doing? How things at home and work? I give myself a hard time quite often because I am one of the slowest learners. But a teacher said, "It's not about you, it's about the Lord and the people you will be serving". I know I will learn it. The Lord is teaching me tons of patience. I saw Elder Stevens (Bobby) this past week and loaded mounds of questions about the mission field. I am so excited to get out there! He said time is about ten times faster in the field. It's already cruising right now, I can't imagine how it will be. Anyway, I wanted to give you an update that everything here is perfect. I am loving it more and more every day. I hope you have a good Christmas. My favorite part about our family is that we recognize what we have, which makes this holiday focused on the true meaning. I send my love and Merry Christmas. Elder Warner

Winter in the MTC

Madre y Padre, I want to share this past week's experience. I have always had a hard time keeping my mind focused, but since it has been affecting my progression in the Gospel and language, I figured I could use a blessing. I want to testify of the power of blessings! I had had numerous Elders comment on my rapid progression in Spanish the past few days. They did not know I had received the blessing. Whenever I ask of something from the Lord, I have patience because I know He works on His own time table and answers prayers when the time is right. To my surprise, it was but the next morning that I was able to concentrate and comprehend what was being taught. The Elder that gave me the blessing asked for one two days later due to problems he was facing. What a blessing it is to worthily hold the Melchezidek Priesthood and have the power the power to ordain a blessing. As I blessed him with these needs, I literally felt the Spirit stronger than I even had. It was a literal feeling that entered my chest and sunk down to my arms and on my hands which rested upon his head. I was filled with words that spoke to him about things I did not know about him. I testify of the Holy Ghost and the power it has. I know that as I enter the mission field, I will personally not convert the people, but they will be converted by the Spirit. This work fills my heart with peace, comfort and happiness. Every day strive to be the best you can. I love you all! Thank you for growing me up in the Gospel. It has been such a blessing in my life. I am so blessed with parents and a family that is active in the true, simple church. Thank you. I send my love. Elder Warner

Emails from the Elder:

Dear Dad,

Amazing week! I hope all is well. I love it here, ah I can't even tell you. I hope work is coming and las familias de pocos es muchismo bien. The Lord is raining blessings. I hope you are experiencing them as well.

Dear Mother,

Hey dear! How are you?! I miss you, my sweetheart. I have a letting coming for you and dad this week. I hope all is well. I am doing amazing! I love you my sweet mother. Have a good day!

In front of Provo Temple, December 2010

Elder Warner and Elder Vaughn, his MTC companion, in front of Provo temple

Bryan and good friend, Bobby Stevens, at the MTC. Elder Stevens arrived back at the MTC after his Visa finally arrived. He had been serving in Las Vegas, NV, for the past four months while waiting. He was finally on his way to Puebla, Mexico!

Dear Dad, I can't believe it has been a month already! How is the family? The MTC is going well. This past week I did about 10 complete lessons - all Spanish. I basically have learned what I need to say and how to say it. So I could probably get by in a lesson but probably not a conversation. It is a lot more than just learning a language, it's learning doctrine and how to be an effective teacher. It's very hard. I'm so excited to get out in the field! I'm over the hill, I have three weeks as of Wed. Hopefully, if you have any advice, let me know. I hope to hear from you soon!

Much love, Elder Warner