A Christmas Lunch of Macaroni & Cheese and Frozen Pizza! :)

Hey, Merry Christmas to all!

I hope you have a great Happy New Year!

This was wonderful Christmas and, of course, I was very blessed to see the family on Skype.

Some good things happened this week.

Mon. Dec. 21:  For P-Day we played 2 X 2 football; the field was muddy, so we were slipping and sliding everywhere.
Brian & Shivell had to reschedule.  Then Brother Henegar had to reschedule.

Tues. Dec. 22:  Cowling’s had us over for lunch.  They are a great, older couple in the ward.
We had our computer time, and I saw this Mormon Message: http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/collection/christmas/infant-holy-infant-lowly-music-video-mormon-tabernacle-choir .  It made me get SO emotional!
As we were out walking today, we started talking to this guy who lived in Buena Vista, so I was able to connect really well with him, and got to call Elder Johnson in BV and give him the referral.
We were able to have dinner with the Blevins' - they are converts to the Church, and so supportive of the missionaries.  Brother Blevins come with us to see Brian.  Brother Blevins has been through a lot of the same life experiences as Brian, and he was able to really connect with Brian, and be a little bold with him as well.

Wed. Dec. 23: Christmas Adam.

The river is flooding!

 

I conducted my first District Meeting in a while.  It was good, though - others complimented me on it - if it was just to boost my morale, then I’ll take it!
We went on exchanges with the Salem 2 Elders.  Elder Kelly (he was just in Rockbridge) went with Elder Maxfield to Roanoke Walk, and I went with Elder Crouch to Salem.

Elder Crouch

Elder Crouch is from Preston, ID and does Rodeo!  He's a really awesome Elder!  We were able to teach one of their investigators named, Gary, as well as have dinner with some members.  A cool story from that is: the members had to go pick up the pizza, so we had two options; a) hang around for an additional 30 minutes for the pizza, or b) go work for that time.  We decided to show extra diligence and go find some people.  We were able to go to this one apartment complex, and a lady came right up to us!  It was awesome; she’s so nice and ready to hear the Gospel.  We were blessed for this extra diligence.

Thur. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve.  After exchanging back, Bishop Williams took us out to lunch at Frank’s Pizza.
While we were out walking, we found a man named, Clarence.  Apparently we caught him while he was out walking, trying to clear his head and feel some peace.  We stopped and talked to him and we were able to teach him immediately - he wanted us to come to his house on Saturday.
While out trying to get in touch with some of our people, we were able to wish so many people a "Merry Christmas!"  We had a smile on our faces the whole time!
Sister Gaubatz (pronounced "Gobbits")  and Brother Janney took all three sets of missionaries out to Red Palace, a really nice Chinese Buffet, for Christmas Eve dinner.
We were also able to go to Hotel Ronaoke, where they were having the Festival of Trees, and there were so many people there!

Star Wars Tree

 

Lego Tree

Minion Tree

The Griswold's Tree

We saw lots of good people, who let us talk to them and teach them the Restoration, but no one was interested.  So, we were planting good seeds!

Fri. Dec. 25: Christmas Day!  We were able to open presents in the morning - all of us except Elder Kropushek, he couldn’t wait until Christmas, and opened all of his packages as soon as he got them.

I love my new shoes - I really needed them!

My other shoes were all faded, wearing out, and had bleach drops on them....

{A Utah Man am I}

 

We had an impromptu lunch at Brother Winkler’s because he'd offered his house to us so we could do our Christmas Skype with our families - then we were there when it happened to be lunchtime - he hadn't planned on feeding us, so he just fed us what he had on hand (Mac & Cheese and frozen pizza!  How's that for an awesome lunch at the bachelor's house!?!)
We got to Skype our families while there!  WooHoo!
We had a good lesson with Brother Neal Webb.  He really wants to come back to church.
The "H’s" invited us over last minute for Christmas dinner, which we were very appreciative of!
We also met and shared a Christmas message with the Bell family.  Sister Bell is a member, but her boyfriend, Tim, and her two teenage daughters are not members.  They were meeting with the Sister missionaries before us.

Sat. Dec. 26:  We did weekly planning.
We taught Clarence today, and his fiancee, Melissa, joined us for the lesson.  She really enjoyed the lesson on The Restoration.  She is 9 months pregnant, and ready to have Clarence Jr.  They are really awesome.  They even wanted to come to church in the morning.
We had another good lesson with Brian, with Brother Blevins accompanying us.  This lesson was on Baptism and Confirmation.  He is excited to be baptized, but realizes he has to live the Word of Wisdom and live the Law of Chastity first.
We met Brother Nilsson, a great man, who is married in the temple, just inactive - he’s eager to have us back any time.

Sun. Dec. 27:  Church.  Brian’s son got sick, so they couldn’t come.  Clarence and Melissa didn’t show either - maybe they had the baby!  The Bishop asked me to introduce myself in Sacrament meeting, since I did not get the privilege last Sunday.

{Ye Elder of Roanoke}

 

We were able to take the Sacrament to Brother Lawerance with Brother Cain.  Denice (Brother Lawerance’s step-daughter is an investigator) was there and we were able to teach her about the Sacrament.
We did some good walking the rest of the night, and found a nice lady named, Mary, on a scooter.  She was eager to give us her phone number and address.  We will see her on New Year’s Eve.

It was such a wonderful week!  I loved this Christmas week!  It was such a great time, and I had plenty of heart-warming moments! 

Happy New Year! 

Love, Elder Brenchley

     

They Weren't Kidding When They Told me I'd Be in a WALK Area

Merry Christmas Ya’ll! 

Well, everything is setting up to be a very Merry Christmas this week!  We are getting to know the area; we have a great week set up – we’re getting taken care of for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Plus the Utes beat the Cougars!  Woo!  The streak goes on!  Hope to hear about all your game watching experiences!  Also, big PLUS that the Utes beat the defending National Champions, Duke, in NYC in basketball.  So, with Christmas coming up, the Utes winning, I’m having the time of my life...what more could I ask for!?

A little background story about the Roanoke Walk area.  The three missionary sets from the Roanoke 1^st Ward got reorganized.  The Botetourt County area (where Elder Maxfield was previously serving) and Roanoke North area (previously the zone leaders’ area) became the Sisters’ area.  The Roanoke South (previously the Sisters’) was split, and is now half the zone leaders’ area, and half ours.  The downtown portion is our Walk Area.  We live with the zone leaders - Elder Kropushek (he replaced me in Floyd) and Elder Bingham.  

Elder Kropushek, Elder Maxfield, & Elder Bingham

It’s a blast.

As for my short week....Here we go!

Wed. Dec. 16:  It was Preparation Day; spent some time emailing, and made Christmas cards.  Those who I have a mailing address for, hopefully you get them soon.  If I don’t have your address, and you want a Christmas card, make sure to let me know your address!  I also packed.
I was able to say goodbye to George, and apparently JB.   JB & McKayla didn’t end up coming to dinner with the Jacobsen’s, 

The Jacobsen's

but the Hand’s came, so I thought we had said goodbye to them, but apparently not.  It was a fun dinner!
We had a visit with Brother Fitzgerald; after realizing he’s got a bad heart and will need a heart transplant, he wanted to get right with God and religion.
I had my final lesson with Betty and Debbie. 

Debbie & Betty

Debbie has been in a care home for the past several weeks, and has really had it rough.  It’s really humbled her, and she wants to be baptized as soon as possible, but also recognizes that will take time. 

Brother Turman

It was a wonderful lesson (with Brother Turman joining us) on repentance and forgiveness because #asaviorisborn.  

The Ramirez' really wanted to feed us a big Mexican Christmas dinner - Mucho Bueno!

The Ramirez family and the Flores'

 We went over with the Flores’.

The Ramirez'

Thurs. Dec. 17: Transfer Day.   So, we woke up at 3:30 in the morning so we could go to Lexington and put our luggage on the van there, then head to Roanoke.

{Transfer Lei}

 

Well, the driver accidentally locked the keys in the 15 passenger van, so Elder Johnson and I drove back to BV, and got the additional key.
The trailer we put our luggage on didn’t have a tarp, and it was raining, so all our luggage got wet.  I had to dry a lot of my clothes in the dryer. I got to Roanoke in the morning and went to the apartment with Elder Maxfield and the zone leaders.   We were able to shop, and then just try to figure things out in the area, as well as go through and sort all these former investigators to see whose area they were in (out of the three sets). 
As we were leaving the library, the zone leaders gave us a call; a less-active member wanted to reconnect with the missionaries and the Church.  So, we were like a block away from his house - we got to go over there, and his name is Neil Webb.  He’s a super cool guy who has a burning testimony of The Restoration of the Gospel.  He also invited his friend, Chuck, and his roommate, Jessica, to sit in on the lesson.  It went great!  Jessica was interested and committed to read the book of Mormon; Chuck just did it for the education standpoint.
The whole day we had a car, but we had to take it to Roanoke, and give it to…. Guess Who?  The Buena Vista zone leaders.  Can you believe it?  Elder Wasden (the new BV ZL) and another missionary drove it down there.  #whatluck
We had dinner with Brother Chris Winkler - he’s one of the Ward Missionaries who goes out with the missionaries like every day!   Then we had Ward Mission Coordination meeting.
 

Fri. Dec. 18:  We started weekly planning; had to end up calling the Sisters to get some info from them. 

We taught a real recent convert named, Nate Henegar.  He’s just 19 yrs. old, a bit younger than I am - we got to know him, and ask him about his testimony of the Restoration.  He’s great! 

We tried to contact some other people while we had Brother Winkler driving us around, but no luck. 

We ended up walking a lot, and then going back to finish weekly planning! 

Tonight we had dinner with Bowe's family - they've been married for 54 years! 

Most of the Roanoke zone (those who cover the greater Roanoke area) participated in “The Dickens of a Christmas.

”  All of downtown Roanoke was blocked off.  We helped volunteer by helping at the snow sledding rRamp, helping kids write letters to Santa, and running the booth with #asaviorisborn video playing.  We walked around and talked to people, as well.

Sat. Dec. 19: We met another recent convert named, Clayton Lloyd.  He’s awesome!  He really wants to go out with us and feed us.  He also, too, has a burning testimony. 

We taught one of the investigators that the Sisters had left us.  His name is Brian - he's 38 and living with a member (not married) and their 10 month old baby.  He is on date for Baptism for Feb. 27.  We taught them the importance of reading the Book of Mormon daily. 

Sun. Dec. 20:  Brian and Shivell came to church!   I sang in the ward choir, "Still, Still, Still" – what a great song! 

We taught one of our investigators named, Denice"  She’s been investigating for 7 months - slowly but surely!  She is very well versed in the Bible and very intelligent. 

We walk everywhere! 

Well, what a great time of year it is to remember the Savior!  I can honestly say, it’s been one of my favorite Christmas seasons because I’ve only focused on the Savior, and nothing really else.  I really love my Savior - and my mission!

Merry Christmas to all!

Short Sleeves in December!

Hey Everyone! 

Again, Merry Christmas!  

And as you may or may not have heard...I'm getting transferred to Roanoke.  My area will be "Roanoke Walk." (Yep, without a car again). 

I'll be in the heart of downtown Roanoke (the biggest city of our mission).  My new companion will be Elder Maxfield; I've talked to him once before, and it was just small talk, but he seems really cool.  So, I was released as a zone leader, which I'm a bit sad; I think more sad because I have to leave BV a week before Christmas, but I will be all right.  I have been called as a District Leader down there. 

So, I've had the wonderful opportunity to be able to go say goodbye to tons of people I've worked with!  So, expect a lot of pictures with this email! 

The Siegels'

Bike helmet head with the Furler's

 

The Gordon's

The Flores'

 

Brother Adams (Davis County native, fellow Viking, Go Utes!)

 

Randy Redcross

It was so warm this week - most of the week we were out in short sleeve shirts.  It hit 70 degrees on Sunday.

Mon. Dec.7:  P-Day. 

It's week 6 of the transfer - where did it go?!  

We had dinner with Brother Thompson.  Then Brother Thompson came with us to see the Barrientos', and we shared with them #asaviorisborn. 

Joe & Ashley cancelled on us, so we were really sad about that.

But, we were able to find a new investigator named, Shandellia.

Tues. Dec. 8:  We were busy all day, trying to see people.  We even had Brother Hilburn come with us to our appointment with Jose. (We are blessed with many RM's here in BV.)  However, Jose wasn't there. :(   

We had dinner at the Lowry's.

We contacted a referral from the Mann's; her name was Cathy.  She is such a nice lady. We've downloaded the #asaviorisborn video on our phone, so we've been showing everyone that!  Cathy was appreciative, and commented on how good her Mormon neighbors are, but she's not ready to get up and leave her Catholic faith. 

Wed. Dec. 9:

We went on exchanges with the Clifton Forge Elders; Elder Higgins came with me to Buena Vista.

We felt inspired to stop our bikes, and talk to this great guy named Keith.  It turns out, he's in a Christian Heavy Metal Band.  I didn't know they had those.  But, we related to him; his love for his son with the love Heavenly Father has for us, and the biggest expression of that love was #asaviorisborn.  He loved it, and he wanted us to stop by.

We spent a good chunk of time today preparing for Specialized Training and Stake Correlation meeting.

We had dinner with the Edwards'. (I think I mentioned he's Lavell Edwards' grandson).

We went and saw the Ramirez', and it was one of the better lessons we've had with them  We showed them #asaviorisborn and discussed why a Savior is born - which led to the Sacrament.  Brother Flores, who was with us, invited them to the Gospel Principles class he teaches and said he would do it in Spanish.  Sister Ramirez liked the idea and said she'd come to Church when she didn't have work.  Brother Ramirez really opened up, and expressed how he didn't want to be pushed into coming to church.  He wants to get it in his heart first before he does anything.  We told him we wanted to help him get there.  Little steps.

Thur. Dec. 10:

We had Specialized Training in the morning, which we headed up setting up!  It was a special Christmas one.  So, President Salisbury & Sister Salisbury each gave us their Christmas cards and presents (golden thought journals).  We watched Meet the Mormons as part of it, and the BV Relief Society fed us lunch.  As always, we sing West Virginia "Called To Serve" for those who feed us. (see video)  

After Specialized Training, we had Stake Correlation with President Jones and President Salisbury.

{Post Mission Coordination meeting selfie with Brother Turman and the Flores'}

We were able to have a lesson with Sister McCowen, and Brother Turman took us.  Sister Hilburn was already there when we got there.  We were able to teach her the Restoration, and show her the four minute video clip of The First Vision.  It was the first time she saw it, and she was really touched by it.

We had dinner at the Hilburn's. 

The Hilburn's

I had the worst headache come on, so I had Elder Johnson and Brother Hilburn give me a blessing.  I was ordered by Elder Johnson and Sister Salisbury to get some rest. 

Fri. Dec. 11:

  We had weekly planning.

We had a discussion with Mark Tomlin; he can't really progress, and doesn't want to.  He doesn't believe that we are children of God.  He does believe in prayer, including sometimes it takes years of praying to receive your answer, so I felt inspired to ask/commit him to pray for an answer to if he was a son of God.  And he said he would.  We tried to leave on good terms, but he kept spitting out anti to us.  Here's a new one: The Book of Mormon is plagiarized!  Never heard that one before.

We had a great dinner with the Hand's.  At one point, in the prayer over the food, I said, "And please bless the hands who prepared this food."  I started cracking up after.

George

Also, had a good lesson with George on prophets, and how that is one of the reasons why this is Jesus Christ's true church.  He seemed really interested.  

Sat. Dec. 12: 

Well, we were running around out of our minds today.  Correction: biking around out of our minds today.  We've received a couple of referrals from members, asking who we can share #asaviorisborn with.  No one has been that interested yet, but some have let us at least share the video with them.

The Roberts' with Bri & Jimmy

We saw the Roberts and Bri & Jimmy. (ages 10 & 11)

We had dinner at the Bowen's - that's where we looked up the email, and saw that I was going!

Our lesson with George fell through.

JB & McKayle had to reschedule to the morning.

We also had a great lesson with Sister McGowen and explained more to her.  

Going to an appointment with Brother Monson

Brother Monson came with us. 

Sun. Dec. 13: 

We had a long lesson with JB & McKayla.  The Jacobsen's came with us, and they invited them over for dinner with us on Wednesday.  JB's not sure he can change religions or beliefs. McKayla seems fine doing whatever.

Church was really good.  Since I was leaving, I became the number one option to fill the opening prayer that day. 

Church was wonderful - it seemed like it flew by.  It was the Ward Christmas program.  They made an announcement in Relief Society that I was leaving, so I had like seven Sisters in a row tell me, "Thank You," and they were sad to see me go.  I felt like a celebrity there for a little bit.

{Ian Olerich, he's the man!}

We had dinner at the Fuentes' house.  

The Fuentes'

Me and Elder Johnson split a foot long Chilean steak sandwich - so good! 

Mon. Dec. 14:

  We had district meeting in the morning.

Then had a good visit with Severin (see picture).

Severin

He's stopped investigating for now, but it's good for us to keep contact with our former investigators - plus I had to get a picture of him!

We had dinner at Carrol's, then

visited with the Stoneman's.
 

Langford's

Howard's

I said goodbye to the Howard's and Langford's.

Tues. Dec. 15:

We were busy seeing everyone, including the Stanton's, the Lowry's, the Hand's, the Walker's, the Camden's and the Mahaffey's.

The Lowry's

 

The Walker's

The Hand's

 

The Camden's

 

The Mahaffey's

Well, you may have noticed that I mentioned #asaviorisborn a lot!  It is so powerful! 

I know that a Savior is and was born.  He loves each of us!  As I have continued to discover why a Savior was born, my appreciation has grown for the Christmas season.  I have had literally just contact with the true meaning of Christmas.  It has been wonderful!  Merry Christmas! 

Love, Elder Brenchley! 

I have to go pack....