Week Two!

HEY YA'LL, how are we doing?

We had a great week over here! Things are going really well over here —  one thing I love about this area are the converts. 

I don't know how I could explain it, but they just make me happy! They are all doing very well and progressing quickly. 

Jasmine has been going on her own to 5:30 am Seminary. 

Bertha is finishing up 1st Nephi.

Bibiano is going tie and belt shopping this week because the bishop interviewed him to bless the Sacrament next week.  Not to mention his wife goes with him every week and has signed up on the missionary lunch calendar (she's awesome but we're still waiting for her time to come)

And the others are doing well also.  These people have made me realize what absolute happiness is. When I see their progression it makes me want to cry (I don't really cry but I feel so happy)  It's something that I could never fully explain, but I can easily compare myself to Alma and Ammulek as they felt the joy of bringing their brothers unto Christ.

It all animates me to keep doing all I can to search for more of these people who are waiting for this happiness.  We have talked with virtually everyone in our path. We try to have fun with it - for example getting our shoes shined (he gave us a face when I asked him to shine these unthreaded, torn shoes) that way he is obligated to listen. Although this man doesn't live in our area, when we passed by a few days later, his pamphlet we gave him was all highlighted with things he liked and questions he had.

Here we go for another awesome week!

Elder Warner

Week One! We stay in Las Puentas!

Hey Fam and Friends!

Here we are at changes again. Drum roll? Still here in the ol' area, Las Puentes! 

I am sure I mentioned a while ago when I was in Buenos Aires about one of the zone leaders named Elder Fuentes.  He is my new companion, and I will be sending him off, as well. My third companion in a row to send off. He's a great guy and an awesome leader. He's my third companion from Peru, he's 24 years old and a convert at age 14. At his home, his mom and two sisters are members of the church but his dad and older brother are still waiting for their time.   We had a good week working here. He said he's loving it a lot more than his last area in Monclova from the heat (my area a year ago).  The first door we knocked on was a less active woman who isn't on our member list.  She was very kind and has many intentions to become closer to God.  Her husband passed away 3 years ago and she currently lives with her son, daughter and grand daughter. About two weeks ago, her son started searching for a church to go to to fix a few of his life problems.  We were able to bring them to church yesterday. I ask if you can pray for them, - Alberto and Xomara.

One cool missionary moment we had this week was watching our convert, Bibiano (mustache) fill out his first tithing slip. Something simple but big steps of conversion.  We look forward to another week of incredible experiences.  I love you all tons and wish the best week for all of you.....

Elder Warner

P.S. My "son" Elder Canul got his first "son" meaning I am now a grandpa!

My new companion is the one with juice in his hands....

Elder Warner with new companion, Elder Fuentes (pink tie)

Elder Warner and Elder Canul (R), who he trained, and Elder Canul's new companion who he is training (L).

Elder Warner and Elder Hemsley enjoying a little Mexican food on Transfer day.....

Baptism and last week before changes!

BUENOS DIAS! How is everyone!

We're doing awesome over here. We had another incredible week as you can see.  We were able to end this change as we hoped. Well, this is our investigator B., that I mentioned a little about last week.  Her baptismal service went really well, and we had many of her family members accompany us to support her. A few members were able to share their testimonies in the service and give a short message.  We asked a member to sing a hymn but she never showed up, so my comp and I ended up singing solos which wasn't too planned but it turned out fine.  She is really animated and nearly every time we pass by her house or go to our appointments, she is sitting there with the Book of Mormon open.  As for today, until 6:00 p.m., we will be traveling to visit my companion's previous converts in other areas. Being the reason I'm writing so early.  Tonight we get changes to see where everyone goes.  The Assistants told us that there will be many who will white wash their areas so we are expecting a few changes in the zone. As you know, I love calling for changes.  We have a big week ahead, you'll hear more from me next week when I have a few minutes more.

Love you all!

Elder Warner

Week 5 in Las Puentas!

HEY HEY!!! How are you all! Well, I'm back. I am sure you could guess today was temple day! It was so good to go again. We had another great week here in Las Puentes, maybe one of those weeks where you notice many small miracles.  From memory, I will try to share a few of my last week's journal entries.The picture with the lady reading that "blue book" is one of our investigators named B. We actually just found B. knocking a few doors, after planning the night before to contact in that area. She was a very kind lady that let us pass by on the contact to share a short message with her.  We shared a little about repentance and took off. The next day she told us she had read the pamphlet we left and really liked it.  She said it's what she has been looking for in these last few months. In that same lesson we asked her to offer the closing prayer.  She was a little hesitant but she did it.  It was an awesome, simple prayer but afterwards we just sat there for a minute and she started crying. We shared a brief testimony and left.  Next visit we gave her a Book of Mormon, on which arriving to the following visit, we caught her reading it when we showed up. (it's one of those missionary moments that just makes everything worth it.)  We had left her to read Alma 7.  What I loved was the fact that this is a lady who was born and grew up with the bible her whole life, but when we placed the Book of Mormon in her hands, she told us the next day that she felt as if "God was literally talking right to her". Well, we had her hermanador (member support) pick her up Sunday for church. She loved it and is preparing for baptism. I look forward to another week of incredible learning experiences. I love it. I know this church is true. Elder Warner

Hey sweet mother!!! How on earth are you doing!? Things are going really well over here as always. There is never a bad day. Thats what I love about the mission. Something I liked about this week was hearing a few words from the A.P. about how easy our life is right now. How in this time we don't have any thing to worry about "according to finances, school, work, mother in laws etc"..It helped me remember that we really do have it easy, even though it is the hardest work in the world. I still have alot of time left. It makes me wonder how many peoples lives can be changed in 3 months. A ton!! To answer your question I really love being at this phase of my mission. We know how the work is and what we are expected to do. Despite the experience and all, I still wake up some days with those jitters as if it's something new. I love it all. I am so excited for changes next week. It feels like Christmas! I love you tons! Hope you have an incredible week!  Your son, Elder Warner

       

Week 4 - Baptisms!

Hello everybody!!   Which event do I start with?   Huge week. Well, we'll go with the baptisms first.  This is 42 year old B. and 9 year old N. We found B. about a month ago searching for the address of a less active.  We came to a halt in the street looking at our map.  We figured it's easier to ask someone that lived near, so we turned left and saw this man with an incredible mustache sitting outside playing with his dog.  As we were asking him about the direction I figured out that what we asked wasn't even the right number, but he oddly offered to take us to the house.  We were about to say no, that we were going the wrong way, but we figured it's an awesome opportunity to share the Gospel for a few minutes.  As he was taking us to the supposed house we were looking for, we asked if he wanted to hear our message.  He said yes.  We asked when, and he told us when we are done visiting our appointment.  We went back and taught a short principal and invited him to church.  He and his wife showed up the next day. Later on, his wife told us she was extremely confused because every time preachers come to the door, he wasn't interested, and when we showed up, he told her that he was going to church and asked if she wanted to join him.  For the first few weeks, he tried working around the baptismal invitation, not feeling ready.  So we visited with him once or twice in the week.  We decided to fast on a Friday and went back to teach him Saturday and he accepted the baptismal invitation for the following week!  His wife is really excited for him, she bought him a new white shirt and pants.   For N., she is the daughter of an active mom and sister. They are recent converts of about 4 years and go to church every week. We're not sure why they never got around to planning her baptism but the mom one day at church came up to us and asked if we could start teaching N. the lessons so that she can be baptized.   Thank you for your prayers.  As you can see, they were heard. 

We also had our Zone conference this week. It went really well. The themes were helping investigators become agents rather than objects. As well as helping ourselves as missionaries become agents. What this means, is that we help people find their own reason to follow the Gospel, rather than making people follow it because they should.  Also, we had an activity with the stake where our zone and many young men got together in an area and went out and contacted the people. It was a cool experience showing these future missionaries what its like to share the truths we know.  I love the work. My testimony is strengthened every day because of it.  It's all true.

Love you all, Elder Warner

HI my sweet mom!! How are you doing!?!? How was your week? How is it going in the hospital?  

We're doing awesome over here, as you already know. To answer a few things, I love my companion. He is a great guy and super funny. We get along really well. President and sister Swapp are awesome. They talked a bit in the Zone conference. The zone is doing all right, there are a few companionships that are struggling, which makes things a lot more difficult. Tomorrow were going on splits to see if we can help any. The weather is tolerable.  I'm sweating a storm right now as I write you. I really liked the story you shared about technology last week.  Alot of it is very true.  I have seen it play a great example while being here on the mission.  There are times you would love to have your ipod, phone, computer, etc. but we are privileged to be reminded of what's important while we continue to live without these tools at our fingertips constantly. 

I loved the pictures of the parade in Bountiful and the Stripling Warriors! I look forward to going next year.  About Mexican customs and sending packages, all I need is the journal. We're almost finishing up the second book I bought. I hope you are doing well and loving every day. You're the best mom and person that exists. I love you dearly. I hope you know that!Love your son, Bryan

So busy!

Hey Everyone!! Have you ever heard me say that this was the fastest week ever? My week was great! As you heard a little busy! I can't even remember my name. Well, excuse my lack of details and explanation. I'm still here in the same area. I will be here another 2 months because I'm sending my comp home and I will have to be here to guide the next missionary that comes to this area. Then I will go to a new place for my last change.  

Well, last week we had our leadership meeting Wednesday and Thursday. Normally, it's the first week of changes but with the new President and all, it was postponed. In which we were also informed that we have Zone conference on Tuesday, which has allowed us 3 days to plan for it. Or in other words, today's preparation day is dedicated to hurry and get this thing planned.

The meeting was really awesome, and as you can guess a lot different with a new President. What I liked most about it, is that President is still new and hardly knows anything about the mission. He is expected to arrive here and base any and everything on what the Spirit guides him to do. We were able to help out with fixing and adjusting new mission rules. Basically everything is the same with just a few new ideas.  I'll inform you all next week on how it went. For this week, I ask if you can pray for Hermano Viviano, and Hermanita Naomi.

Thanks all, I love you!  Elder Warner

Mom, I am so excited for the Salt Lake mission news. I love hearing that it is picking up so quickly!!!  So exciting!! Those goals are awesome. That's really good they are challenging you all to share the Gospel. We all need to be part of it!!!  How was it with the sister missionaries?!?  I want to cook for the missionaries when I get back!!!  That's always been my dream to have dinner with them. As for now, sorry, I'm on the run. I want you to know I love you to death.  Keep smiling! Bry

Week Two in Las Puentes

Hey Fam and Friends!  What a week over here. How was yours?

I finally pulled out the camera. Here's my companion and I by a tree we always walk under. I think its funny 'cause I basically have to do the limbo and he just walks right under.

We've picked up the slack on talking with everyone in the street. It's easy to fall in to customs to focus on the appointments you have or the places you're going and forget about all the people around you.Well, there were a lot of events this last week. I'll focus on one of them that really helped me. It was good to receive a phone call from the bishop asking if we could speak in church.  As you could guess we spoke on missionary work.  Our ward has been on a slight decline for a bit so I prayed hard to know what I could talk on to help them out a little. I found a talk in the Liahona (Ensign) titled "What is worth it?"  It shares a few experiences of following spiritual impressions and sharing the Gospel. I focused a lot on how fortunate we are to have this gift and helping each of our lives to guide us to others, in whom we can change their lives.  Also, I felt the need to share one of my favorite bible stories in John 21. In this chapter, it talks about Christ's Disciples as they went out to fish.  How these men are literal fisherman that know everything about fishing, the time, location, temperature, etc. and one morning they come back from a long night of fishing.  But they all came back to shore with empty nets.  When they got to shore, they saw a man that they did not recognize.  This man (being a carpenter) told them to go back out and cast their nets to the right side and they would find fish (as if it were some random person off the street telling one of you how to manage your business you have professioned, you would think that person is crazy) but they went back out and cast their nets.  The results were that after the nets were so heavy, that they couldn't even lift them in the boat and had to drag it to shore.  When they arrived back to shore they saw this Man with some sticks and fire ready to cook for them.  They knew from the miracle that this Person was the Savior. Christ began to talk with one of the Disciples named Peter asking him a profound question, "Peter, do you love me?" He responded, "yes of course". Christ then tells him 'feed my sheep'. Christ continues to look at him and repeats the question, "Peter, do you love me?" He answers, "You know I love you Lord." "Then feed my sheep". At this point Peter feels unsure and a little puzzled. Christ then asks him one last time, "Peter, do you love me?" He responds, "Lord you know all, and you know I love you." Then the Savior profoundly states, "then feed my sheep".  I noticed in this that the Lord doesn't say, "if thou loves me, go to church or mutual". (even though they are very important) but rather that Peter shares the Gospel with all. This is so crucial and essential for the Savior that we can share what we have with our brothers and sisters.

This helped me a lot to realize that just as we have our prize possessions, ipods, laptops, who knows what, just as Peter and the other Disciples most prized possessions were fish. And Christ looked at them and asked if they loved Him more than their most prized possession.  It's the exact same with us. Do we love Him more than what He has blessed us with? But actually think about the question.  I Love this work. I know it's the most important thing I could ever be doing. And I know it's true.

I love you all, Elder Warner