Priesthood = POWER!

Hey Ya'll.....
This week was not as successful as last week, but we met so many new people this week while knocking on doors!
I'm pretty upset, I lost my camera case which contained another camera memory card.   I've looked everywhere, asked the library staff, prayed - everything!
We haven't taught the "Law of Chastity" lesson to Mark & Civi yet, but Uncle Scott's email was such a big help - and I took notes on what he said.
Apparently, all the women out here just watch the General Women's Conference at home.
I also took part in my first priesthood blessing last night (Sunday).  I anointed Bro. Snuffer, who is in bad condition after having what seems to be his 3rd stroke. :(

Sept. 22, Mon:  P-Day - the usual.

 

{Here is a picture of us at the library - Elders Johnson, me, Morse)

 

I got to mow the lawn for our house today!  It was my first ever experience with a [manual] push-mower!  That was fun and hard.  We had dinner tonight with two of the best members in the ward, Brother and Sister McGrady.  They are how I picture my mom and dad will be when they are 70.  Sister McGrady talks and talks and Brother McGrady barely says anything, but when he does, it's usually pretty witty.  They have been going to church for 43 years, but only in July did Brother McGrady finally get baptized - by the missionary who originally taught him 43 years ago!  Cool story, huh?  We also checked up on Darrel and Jennifer to get their thoughts on church yesterday and answer some questions.

Sept. 23, Tues:  We talked to some former investigators today so we could get their interest level.  We also went out tracting and approached two ladies sitting on a porch; only for one lady to run inside the house and get her husband.  He came out and basically gave us a Baptist sermon.  It was interesting, and he wouldn't let us defend our religion as he sat there and bashed it.  Ah Well!  The Church is True!  We basically used the whole day to set up appointments with our investigators. One of our investigator's chihuahua bit me on the ankle.  Gee, Thanks!  I just have a cool battle scar now!

Sept. 24, Wednesday:  We went to a place called "Ryan's" for lunch.  It's a buffet and it rocks for a lot of different reasons!  ;) 

But, while we were there, one of the area managers for Ryan's Restaurants came up to us and gave all four of us missionaries 2 free meal cards EACH!  Turns out he was a Mormon, and he understands our meal plan and budget and was trying to help us out!  Thank YOU!  After appointments falling through, we went to help clean the church building for service.

Sept. 25, Thurs:  We had a busy day planned, but it certainly didn't turn out that way!  We visited Brother Snuffer today to play pool and so I could write down his cool conversion story and send it home. We then went tracting and met tons of awesome people, including some teenagers making a float for Shady Springs High School Homecoming parade.  I challenged one of the kids who was playing basketball (I guess he wasn't helping with the float too much) to a game of ONE on ONE.  But, we made the wager; if he won, we would buy them some staples for their float.  If I won (in my white shirt, slacks, and tie), he had to check out Mormon.org and tell us what he thought.  

So, who did you think won? 

You know me, I always get buckets!  He really enjoyed Mormon.org, and said he would check it out some more!  More appointments fell through!  Ugh!

Sept. 26, Fri:  Today all us elders from the ward met with the new ward missionaries, Bro. and Sis. Brooks.  We told them about our investigators and how they could help.  We had 4 scheduled appointment today and 3 of them fell through!  But, the one that we did have was with a guy named, Bill, who we'd met outside last Friday.  We listened to his life story (as he sat there and smoked two Cuban cigars (:), and he asked us about what we believe about after we die.  So, we were able to teach a great lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  It went great and he totally wanted us to come back!

Sept. 27, Sat:  Today marked my one month, as missionary!  We went to Shady Springs High School Homecoming parade in the morning.  We were able to get some candy and meet a lot of new people. The funny thing was, all of our investigators who live in Shady were at the parade.  Everyone was at the parade!  This was bigger than most 4th of July parades I've been to!  The whole town pretty much shut down for Homecoming.  We even saw a lot of people, who'd slammed the door in our face, at the parade!  We waved at them and they awkwardly turned their heads away!  Haha.  I so, so, so badly wanted to go to the Homecoming game - you could just feel the spirit and the excitement of the whole town!  Instead, we did some service (yard work) for Sister "S".  We had a lesson scheduled to teach  Darrel and Jennifer with Bro. Snuffer sitting in with us, but Bro. Snuffer didn't answer his phone, which was weird.  So, we taught Darrel, without Bro. Snuffer, (Jennifer was sick) about the Law of Tithing.  He was totally all for it and completely understood it.  Easiest lesson I've ever taught.  Darrel said he and Jennifer were excited to go to church tomorrow.  All we need for him is to quite smoking.  The Jones' took us out to dinner which was great after a tough week.  We then visited the wonderful Ms.W (African-American woman with a lot of soul).  She's such a riot!  We explained to her the Plan of Salvation.  The only question we had a hard time answering is, "Why hasn't God sent me a rich, wealthy man?"  Haha.  She's great!  I then spent the rest of the night preparing my talk for tomorrow's Sacrament meeting.  My talk is on missionary work.

Sept. 28, Sun:  The talk went well!  Church was great, the only low note was Darrel and Jennifer were not there and neither was Bro. Snuffer.  This is when I began to worry.  After church, we visited with the twins and gave a quick message on being a good example.  Then, we had a dinner appointment with the Heller family (YM &YW presidents).  They are awesome people.  On the way to our dinner appointment, we got a call telling us that Bro. Snuffer was found passed out in his home.  My worst fears had come true.  We'd called him several times on Saturday to see if he was coming to Darrel & Jennifer's lesson, and if he was going to give them a ride to church on Sunday, but couldn't ever get a hold of him.  After dinner, we and the Heller's rushed over to the hospital to check on him.  Bro. Snuffer was suspected to have fallen out of bed and been on the ground since 5 am Saturday morning.  When we entered the room, he was awake.  When he saw us, the first thing he said was, "Did they come to play pool?"  Haha.  His son, Bryan and his wife & daughter were there.  They were the ones who'd found him.  Bro. Snuffer's wife, Lynn was down in South Carolina, so he was alone besides his dog, Cody, who was on top of Bro. Snuffer keeping him warm.  When we started talking with Bro. Snuffer, he could barely move and you could barely understand him.  He asked how Darrel was doing and told us to tell Darrel to give up the cigarettes.  He also told us to tell him he wanted to baptize him before he died.  He then turned to Bro. Heller (his home teacher) and said, "I need a blessing."  He chose Bro. Heller to give him a blessing and I got to anoint him!  It was my first time participating in a Priesthood Blessing, and I could feel the power SO STRONG!  I knew it was the same power that Jesus used to heal the sick, and raise the dead.  The same power that brings tears to my dad's eyes whenever he gives a Priesthood blessing.  The feeling through my whole body was indescribable. Bro. Snuffer then thanked us, and told us what great boys we were, and to never lose faith in Christ.  His family (who are not members) thanked us so much, and you could tell their hearts were touched by the Spirit.  After leaving, I immediately called Darrel and told him what Bro. Snuffer had told me to tell him.  We both could feel the Spirit, and I could tell Darrel was crying on the other line, and he said, "I know."  This was such an amazing experience!  I wrote 8 pages in my journal about it!  I will continue to keep Bro. Snuffer and his family in my prayers.

So, that's the week for ya!  It was very life-changing and humbling!

I pray for all of you back home and love you all!

Love,  Elder Brenchley

Random Questions #5

Note: Mom makes a list of questions in her letters and Elder Brenchley answers them:

1.  Did you have to buy bedding/pillow for your place?  Yes

2.  What are your [specific to your mission] rules?  Pretty basic rules.Trading card games, in any form, are not allowed in the mission.  I have not heard about caffeine rules like mom had in her mission.

3.  Do you use church videos to show potential/current investigators?   I, personally, have not.  We have had plans to, and then the lesson fell through, but we hope and plan to!  We also will get to see a pre-showing of the new movie coming out, "Meet The Mormons."

4.  Did you just decide to take your basketball shoes with you from the MTC into the mission field?   Yes, I did.  They didn't put my bags overweight, so I decided to bring them - good thing, too!  We got invited by one of the less-active members in the ward to play basketball with him and his co-workers.  This will be a great opportunity to play some ball, and meet some new potential investigators!

5.  Have you had to get a hair cut yet?  Going to get a haircut today.  Where do you go for that?  I think we are going to Beaver barber shop.

6.  Did you have Fast Sunday today (9/28) due to General Conference next week?  No.  Fast Sunday will be the week after G.C.  How is the Testimony meeting in the Beckley ward?  We will see.....

7.  What are you going to do for General Conference?  Where do you go to see it?  Will you see all 5 sessions?  On the internet?  Broadcast at a Stake Center?  At a member’s home?
All 5 sessions will be at the church.  If "D" and "J" come, we will have to be at the church with them. If not, Elder Johnson wants to go the Young family's house (they are the family whose son is serving in Tokyo South Mission. They thought it was cool that you and dad served in that same country.)

8.  How large is your area (in miles)?   Very big - I couldn't tell you.

9.  Have you seen Justin Maxwell? (the son of Matt's best childhood friend, who is serving in the same mission)  Are you ever going to have contact with him?  Have not seen Elder Maxwell yet, we will see.Will your zone conferences ever involve your zone and his zone?  What about Christmas – does the whole mission get together for a special conference?  I don't know! Fun Fact: My current companion, Elder Johnson, who's been out 8 months, had Justin as his second companion in Lexington, Virginia!

10.  Are there only you 4 Elders (you, Johnson, Morse, Carter) in your district?  Two other elders are in our district; they serve in Oak Hill, about 20 miles outta our area. They are Elder Kamaau (Hawaii) and Elder Jacklin (Payson, Utah).  Any Sisters in your district/zone?  Nope.  Editor's/Mom's Note:  That's too bad, Beckley District, Sisters always make it a good district/zone!

They Love Their Football out Here in West Virginia!

Hey Y'all!  How's it going and how y'all doing?  Hope everything is all right!  Give me a shout out!

ryan.brenchley@myldsmail.net

I will be trained here in Beckley for 12 weeks and then likely stay here for another transfer or two!

{My trainer, Elder Johnson}

I'm trying to learn from my companion as best as I can. He's very good with rules, but he thinks I have a lot of knowledge and says I don't even need to be trained.  Yeah, right!

It's real nice out here. It's got a good mix of both city style and up in the "boonies", as well!  Most of the people are real nice and easy to talk to.  (Especially Football!)  I am finding my way around and learning the ropes, so I haven't completely lost my mind yet!

It was such a GOOD, BUSY week!  Notice how the two go together? :)

Monday, Sep. 15:  P-day - library in the morning for email, then Wal-Mart for groceries.  As a district, we went to the church for lunch and ping-pong!  Fun Fun!  They have a mall out here (we're not completely in the middle of nowhere) so we walked around that.  Then met one of the members, Brother Snuffer.  We talked with him and played pool.  What a interesting, old fella with plenty of interesting stories; including a great conversion story.

Tuesday, Sep. 16:  Today we went to work!  It was such a busy day!  We met with a new investigator named, Joyce.  Just like about everyone else out here, she has a strong belief in God and loves Jesus Christ.  We committed her to read the Book of Mormon; in which she seems very excited!  Then came Darrel & Jennifer (the two we thought would be at church on Sunday, but they didn't show up. :( )  This lesson, however, was great!  We had Bro. "S" there with us; he and "D" went to college together, so it was great to have a friend there!  We taught the "Gospel of Jesus Christ."  The lesson was good.  The spirit was strong, even though Bro. Snuffer and Darrel talked about their college days way back when. Jennifer really, really wants to go to church.  They both committed to come!  Then immediately after we had to run down the street to another appointment!  This one was with Civi ( a 26-year old mother of 2).  We had Sister Young there to help teach and fellowship, as well!  Civi is very faithful and very strong!  She's been through so much!  The lesson was on the Plan of Salvation and we taught about Baptism, and set her on date for Baptism, which she agreed!  WooHoo!  We look forward to helping her prepare for Baptism!  Then Sister Young had us over for dinner.  They are a solid family (4 Kids, 2 at home, one in Japan on his mission, and one in Wyoming for school).  They are a great family!

Wednesday, Sep. 17:  Started the day with district meeting.  The meeting was about using faith when setting daily and weekly goals, and then working for those goals!  Today we walked!  We only get 1,400 miles a month to drive, so in order to save miles we parked our car in Beaver, and then walked 2 miles into uptown Beaver.  We visited Sister Charla Cline and had a hard time explaining the Godhead to her.  She was kinda understanding and said she was going to try her best to make it to church this week!  After walking, we came back to Beckley to teach Sister Blackburn (less-active member) and her granddaughter twins, Mackenzie and Lindsay (both 10).  We had Sister Nicholas there, the Primary President, to tell them about Primary!  They seemed real excited about church, and they really want to be baptized. Then we visited a new investigator named, Jason.  We got to know him and answered a lot of questions about what sets our church apart from other churches.  It was really good and we really established a good relationship, and helped him get a good understanding of our church.

Thursday, Sep. 18:  Today was zone conference and specialized training.  The whole Charleston zone and Parkersburg zone (where Elder Numbers is serving) met in Charleston with President and Sister Salisbury and the AP's.  The number one thing from specialized training was "Ponder the Possibilities" and being prepared to learn.  Don't think of the constraints and the bad outcomes, but the good outcomes, when talking to someone or teaching a lesson.  For the rest of the day it was mainly just appointments getting cancelled left and right, so that meant "hitting the pavement" and tracting.  The funny thing was, no one was interested, but one of the men we'd talked to earlier, actually stopped us on our way back and offered us water, and then we had a 20 minute discussion about the church and his ties to Utah.  It was great!  So much for him "not being interested."  :)

Friday, Sep. 19:  Today we walked, and walked, and walked (like Pioneer children).  Today we walked into Shady Springs and spent the whole day there.  We taught Heather & Almeida - not sure they are interested in the church right now, but they like to have us over to talk about God.  Then right next door was another lesson with Civi.  This time her mother, Kay was there and her boyfriend, Mark, who lives with her, was also there.  Mark seemed really confused about why God would let babies die.  So, we tied that into the Plan of Salvation, and he officially became a new investigator!
**This is where I need some advice and prayers; sooner or later, we will have to teach them the Law of Chastity lesson.  I'm so nervous, so everyone back home, give me some input on how we should go about this lesson.**
Then after that lesson was over, we walked by Shady Springs High School and noticed they were having a football game that night.  Elder Johnson and I wanted to go so bad, not only to watch football, but there would be so many people there that we could talk to.  We didn't know if we could or not, so we will find out, and maybe next time!  The thing was, there were so many cars driving to the game; there had to be 3-4 miles long of cars driving to the game.  Let me tell you, they love their football out here in West Virginia.  So, we started waving at all the cars as they drove by!  We had to wave at over a thousand cars!  The great part is most of them waved back or honked!  And only one lady gave us the bird!  I'd say that's pretty good! :)  Then the Laxton's treated us to some very good Mexican food at one of the restaurants out here.  (Yeah, who knew?  Mexican food in WV?)

Saturday, Sep. 20:  Another "Service Saturday!"  This time we built the roof we took down last week!  It took from 9 to 3!  What also made this day special is we were fasting for our investigators to come to Church, but mainly Darrel and Jennifer who we missed last week.  We also had the privilege of teaching them today.  Jennifer was so determined that the only thing that would keep her from coming to church is if she was in the hospital!  Great!  Then we ran into a group of teenagers driving around and had a really good conversation with one of them named, Kasey.  He was surprised I was only a year older than him and we had a great talk about the church, but also about the Barclays Premier League.  It was so awesome to talk about soccer with someone and we connected so well!  I hope we run into him again.

Sunday, Sep. 21:  Guess what?  Darrel and Jennifer came to church!!!!!  They came and they seemed to enjoy it a lot!  I was so happy!  Fasting and praying worked!  It was so sweet!  WooHOO!  After church we taught the twins about the Word of Wisdom and committed them to keep that.  The rest of the day was just walking - to no avail with talking with anyone.  Ah well!

This was such a great week!  I'm going to do all that I can to make every week like this one!

Here’s our house – we park the car on the front lawn!  Just trying to be “hillbilly.” Haha

303 Mankin Avenue

Beckley, WV  25801

 

{Elders Morse & Carter from Beckley 1 area, who live upstairs}

 

Hope to hear from all ya!

Love, Elder Brenchley

Random Questions #4

Note: Mom makes a list of questions in her letters and Elder Brenchley answers them:

1. Where is the computer that you use on P-day?  We go to the

library in Beckley for computer time. How many times do you have a chance to check email on P-day? We are here from 10 am-12pm, so send emails by then!   

2. How did you get to Beckley?  (WV probably doesn’t have a big train system like my mission did!?)  I got to Beckley in this huge 15 passenger van - with all the other missionaries going south of Charleston.

3. Does your house have two separate entrances (upstairs & downstairs) or do all 4 of you elders use the same entrance?  No, same entrance.

  Do you interact with/see the other companionship at home ever?  We sometimes talk at night and we carpool to church and the library.

4. What’s the weather like there?  Still hot & humid?  It's pretty cool out here - sometimes cloud cover, sometimes sunny days. It only rained once this last week (Sunday).

Or has Fall started?  The leaves are starting to change colors.

5. Are you going through any culture shock?  Not a complete culture shock, but some of the folks out here are pretty interesting! 

6. What kinds of meals are the people feeding you?  Good Meals! I've only had 3 meals with members (Chicken, Pot Roast, and a very good Mexican Restaurant)

7. What kind of car do you drive?  2013 Chevy Cruze.  This week the car went over 20,000 miles. Apparently at 50,000 miles the church sells the car and buys a new one.

8. What restaurants are in your town?  (It seems like all the towns you’re serving in have small populations!)  All kinds of fast-food joints!  Carl's Jr. is called, "Hardee's" out here!  On Thursday we went to Olive Garden for $6.99 unlimited soup/salad/breadsticks after zone conference.

9. What do the people out there do for a living?  Are they “living off the land” like Pres. Pitt described?  Coal miners, Truck Drivers, Repair shop owners, retired/non-employed.

10. Do the [non-LDS] people you meet have a different religion or NO religion in their lives?  Usually they have a religion they were raised in, which we ask about.

  If so, what religion?  A LOT of Baptist, Pentecostal, & Methodist.  There is a church on every block it seems like - so many different churches, including some that look like a garage.  Whatever works!

West Virginia, The Mountain State

Hey everyone!  I made it to West Virginia!  I'm in my first area called Beckley.  It's in the Charleston zone (about 60 miles south of Charleston).

My trainer/new companion is Elder Johnson.  About the only thing we have in common is that we both come from families of 7.  And he is a band nerd (french horn), I used to be a band jock (percussion).  He's been serving since January, so he was able to see the movie, "Frozen", so we have fun quoting that movie.  He's been out here in Beckley for 12 weeks (2 Transfers), so he luckily knows his way around.  

We live in Beckley, but our area doesn't include Beckley.  We cover towns such as Shady Springs, Beaver, and Daniels.

Alright, here's my day by day update.  I haven't had a P-day since last Thursday.

Friday (September 5th): Today was In-Field Orientation!  We learned and got a real good taste of what it will be like out there in the field.  Working with the members is SO important!  Also learned how to keep documentation and use our planners.  Today was a very bittersweet day; very happy, but also very sad.  Today we found out that Sister Barker, from our zone and one of the sister training leaders I had an opportunity to serve with, had to go home for health complications with her blood disease, which requires treatment.  I was also way sad for her companion, Sister Gropp.  They were both crying a lot when she left.  It was the saddest thing ever.  What turned the day around is we taught Josh (Brother White) today and followed up his commitments.  He pulled me aside after the lesson, and told me how POWERFUL he felt when I said the opening prayer and opened the lesson. The thing was, I couldn't remember what I'd said.  It was the spirit!  WOW!

Saturday (Sep. 6th): Our final gym and service time today.  We also had to say goodbye to our TRC investigator, Chad.  We still didn't know if he was a real investigator or not, but we could feel of his good spirit, and he had a testimony of the gospel when we left him.  He plans to continue to read the Book of Mormon and JSH.  If he is a real investigator, hopefully the next set of Elders will commit him to be baptized!

Sunday (Sep. 7th): Today was Fast Sunday.  As a Zone we had a special fast for Sister Barker & for the Neilsen Family (Brother Neilsen of our Branch Presidency).  His granddaughter was born 3 months early, with a tumor.  It brought the zone closer together this week, always keeping them in our prayers, and fasting together for them.  Today was Elder Williams and my last day as zone leaders; we handed over our duties/binders to the new ones and wished them the best.  Went to so many devotionals today!  To recap the whole day is; the best way out of challenge is not around it, over it, or under it, but THROUGH IT!  Very spiritual day, including another walk to the temple and fast and testimony meeting.  We broke our fast with some delicious BYU Creamery Ice Cream.

{Sister Cole (MTC teacher) and our MTC district!}

 

Monday (Sep. 8th): Last day of the MTC -for tomorrow we travel!  It was filled with packing all day long, last minute purchases, and saying "Good-Byes."  Today would be our final lesson with Josh.  It went sooooo well.  The spirit was strong.  Josh was feeling it and was able to understand everything! And with a simple and powerful invitation, he committed to be baptized!  It was great to leave the MTC on such a high note!

Tuesday (Sep. 9th): Travel Day!  Woke around 3:00 to finish packing and to checkout at 4:30a.m. I boarded the bus for SLC airport and off we were!  I got to call Mom and Dad from the airport -  (Happy Anniversary!)  I guess the phone call was their present.  There were 14 missionaries heading to West Virginia; 12 elders, 2 sisters!  We Flew to Atlanta and had to briskly walk to our next terminal with only five minutes to spare before our flight to Charleston left. 

On both flights I was hoping to sit next to someone I could give a Book of Mormon to, however, both times I sat next to Sister Charlesworth (a very nice name for the mission).  I got to know her, so that was fun.  President and Sister Salisbury and the AP's (Elder Hewlett - another Viewmont Viking! - and Elder Collignan) were there to greet us.  Then they took us to the mission home.  It's very nice!  We got to interview with President.  Our first one!

{My Mission President & "Mission Mom", President & Sister Salisbury}

 

Wednesday (Sep. 10th): We went to the mission office and got all our "stuff."  The AP's and the Salisbury's took us to the state capitol and the West Virginia State Museum.  

It was loads of fun and we got to learn so much about West Virginia! 

{All the missionaries who came out in my group with President & Sister Salisbury}

 

Mission Home

888 Oakwood Road

Charleston, WV 25314

 

Then, back at the mission home, we had some devotionals, got to know the Salisbury's better, and also learned about the mission by watching the same slideshow [the recently returned] President Pitt showed me and my parents before I left.  Then we were given a Book of Mormon with our names on them (Elder Brenchley) and the Salisbury's challenged us to highlight every single reference to Christ!  WOW!  Tomorrow is transfer day.

Thursday (Sep. 11th): Transfer Day and also 9-11 - all the flags were half-raised.  We received our new areas and companions today! 

Drum roll................ 

I have been assigned to the Beckley 2 area (about 65 miles south of Charleston) in the Charleston Zone.  My companion/trainer is Elder Johnson from Huntington Beach, California!  We share an apartment with Elder Morse (DL) and Elder Carter (also new to Beckley).  Beckley has a Wal-Mart and plenty of restaurants, so I am going to be just fine! ;)  Elder Johnson introduced me to a few investigators and a couple of ward members!  They are all so great!  Everyone is so loving here.

Friday (Sep. 12th): First full day!  First time going tracting too!  I'll remember this experience forever!  The very first door I ever knocked on was this sweet African-American woman.  I'm telling you she had SOUL!  She invited us in and we had a great conversation about God - and we talked and laughed so much!  She said she would love to have us back!  She is going to read the Restoration pamphlet!  Elder Johnson turned to me and said, that's not usually how tracting is, so don't get your hopes up!  Not much luck with the rest of the doors we knocked on, but got an invitation to come back!  Most of the men who answered the door didn't have shirts on. Haha.  Ah well.  We also did some ITLing (Invitation To Learn) at a State Park and gas station.  We invited 6 people to learn, and 3 of them took a pass along card.  Also talked to some more great investigators; especially Jennifer and her dad Darrel!  Both are committed to be baptized, but they have to come to church three times before they can.  Jennifer really does want to come, but Darrel is using every excuse in the book not to.  :(  Hopefully they come to church my first Sunday!

Saturday (Sep. 13th): You could call today, "Service Saturday!"  We helped ward members tear down a roof and also move a piano!  How's that?  It gave me a great chance to meet members and serve them.  We also had dinner with the Shrewsberry family for their son's birthday.  I met their wonderful family and talked with a potential investigator who is Sister Shrewsberry's friend, BJ.  Sister Shrewsberry is really taking the member missionary thing to heart with BJ - she already has her reading the Book of Mormon!

Sunday (Sep. 14th): Happy 35th ;) Birthday, Mom!  It was my first Sunday and I met tons of members today - just tons!  I got a ward directory to help me remember all their names.  That was great!  However, Darrel and Jennifer didn't come to church - and refused a ride from a member.  :(  I also got called to the podium to say a few words and expressed my excitement to love and serve side by side with the members to bring others unto Christ!  We also had lunch (I mean, "dinner," as they call it out here) with Sister Johnson and her sister, Sister McGrady- both wonderful old women!  Their personalities remind me of the characters from the movie, "Steel Magnolias!"

Monday (Sep. 15th): Today is P-DAY!

Love You All!

Love,  Elder Brenchley

Random Questions #3

Note:  Mom makes a list of questions in her letters and Elder Brenchley answers them:

1.  Who met you at the airport?  APs?  Mission President?  The APs (Elder Hewlett & Elder Colligan) AND President and Sister Salisbury

2.  Did Sister Salisbury make you missionaries dinner, or does the mission home have a cook? A member is the cook

3.  Did you elders all sleep downstairs in the room of bunk beds like [the former] President Pitt had described?  Yes, Elders all slept downstairs  Where did the sisters sleep?  Sisters slept upstairs

4.  What did you do for the two days you stayed at the mission home besides go to the capitol?  Went to mission office for legal stuff and instruction, visited the West Virginia Museum, devotionals at the mission home, and viewed a slideshow (the same one President Pitt showed us)

5.  Where have you been assigned for your first area – which of the 6 states?  I have been assigned to the Charleston zone, in a area called, Beckley (60 miles south of Charleston, WV)  And who is your companion?!?  Elder Johnson is my companion/trainer.  We are the "Beckley 2" elders.  Also, where did Elder Williams & Numbers go?  Elder Numbers is serving in the Parkersburg zone, in Marietta Ohio.  Elder Williams was called to the Blacksburg zone, in Radford, VA.

6.  Are you living in a house or an apartment?  It is a house with 4 elders. The "Beckley 1" elders (Elder Morse [DL] and Elder Carter) live upstairs, then we live downstairs.  Does it have a washer/dryer in it, or do you have to go somewhere else to do your laundry?  It has a washer/dryer

7.  When is your P-Day?  P-Day is Mondays

8.  Are you serving in a ward or a branch?  Student or Family ward?  Serving in a ward; The Beckley ward.  It extends 2 hours each way.  There are 6 elders assigned to this ward; the other two live in Oak Hill, (Elder Kamauu and Elder Jackelin)  How big is it?  About 350 members - active members, about 50.

9.  Are you driving a car, walking, or riding a bike?  We have a car, but I am not allowed to drive it for 6 weeks!  New Missionary rule.

10.  What are you cooking for your meals?  I went to the store and bought ingredients for wraps! :)   All the other meals we have eaten out or had at a member's home

I Made It!

I made it to West Virginia! 

 

We had about 10 minutes, between getting off the [late arrival] plane in Atlanta, GA and boarding the connecting flight to West Virginia.

 

That 2nd flight was about an hour.  Looking out the plane window, you couldn't see the ground, it was just trees!  So many!  It's very green out here!

 

We made it safely to the Mission Home; where we ate dinner and will be staying for the next two nights.

 

We will be going to the capitol tomorrow and learning about West Virginia! 

 

President and Sister Salisbury wanted us to email and tell you we're all right!

See Ya!  Love Ya!

-Elder Brenchley

Random Questions #2

Note:  Mom makes a list of questions in her correspondances and Elder Brenchley answers them:


1.  Do you get to go to the Provo temple on your P-Day?  Yes

2.  Have you seen Nick yet? (his cousin who teaches at the MTC)  No
 
3.  [We did some internet stalking/google searches] Is your companion's first name, "Dallin"?  Yes  Was he #21 on all his sports teams?  Yes  [Based on his stats, we guessed his positions - were we right?]  What positions did he play?  Corner/WR in football, Guard in basketball, & Center Field in Baseball, in which Grantsville H.S. won the State Championship this year.   Was he recruited by any colleges?  Not yet  Does he know my cousins, the Beckett's, from Grantsville?  Yes, from school

4.  Do you prefer paper (physical) letters or email letters?  I haven't gotten any emails, yet, and I WOULD LIKE TO open my email & see something!  Paper letters are good, though, because you can open those when they are delivered any day of the week, but I can only look at email on P-day.

5.  Why did you get new teachers for your 2nd week?  BYU started this week, and since all the teachers are students, their class schedules changed and so did their teaching availability.

6.  Is there another M.T.C. district that has WV missionaries in it?  Yes, it has six Elders and three Sisters in it - all traveling with us to WV on the same day.

7.  How many times a day does your D.L. pick up the mail?  He's supposed to pick it up twice a day, once in the morning, and once at dinner - but he forgets, so sometimes we don't get our mail!...Then we all give him a hard time about that!  ;)

8.  What are your duties as an M.T.C. Zone Leader?  We welcome all the new missionaries into our zone when they came in on Wednesday, gave them a tour, and told them all the In & Outs of the M.T.C.  During all the meetings we attend on Sundays, we talk about how we can become a better zone and any concerns there are with individual missionaries & how we can help them.  When there have been issues come up with missionaries, we have to go talk to everyone involved and assist in resolving the problems.
  
9.  Do you get to call home from the airport when you are traveling to the mission field?  Yes!  Between 6:30-7:30 a.m. on Tuesday

10.  Do you wear your full suit every day?  No.  Only on Sundays, to the devotionals, & large meetings.  Otherwise, I just wear a white shirt & tie.