If You Want the Rainbow, You Gotta Put Up with the Rain

Hey Everyone!

I'll start this weekly email off with this quote we discussed in this past Zone Conference:

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....but learning to dance in the rain!" 

And, boy, did we learn how to dance in the rain.  It did not stop raining this week.  To our knowledge, we think it rained every single day this past week!  We enjoyed it, though!

We did have a rough end of the week, where everyone cancelled appointments or people weren't interested.  But, we learn from Alma 8:14-16 that, Obedience is what is praised and is the key to God’s blessings.  The outcomes are the Lord’s." - President Salisbury

Well, I'll get to the week!

Mon. May 16: P-Day.

We played basketball at the church, where Elder Shirley rolled his ankle, so we proceeded to do everything in our power to make it feel better; ice, brace, walking it off.

Tues. May 17:  We were able to teach Peyton for the first time.  He said he wasn't sure about Baptism and wanted to stick to the KJV, but the Spirit and we helped him give this message a shot.
We had dinner with Bishop Williams, his wife, and all the missionaries from the ward.
Brother Winkler drove us around for the rest of the evening.
We went and saw Angie Rogers - she accepted Baptism, and we were able to teach her the first half of the Plan of Salvation.
Also, we saw Wayne Murrell and were also able to teach his son, D'Wayne!  They seemed a little hesitant to read anything we asked them to, but they had really good questions.
We contacted a referral from the Morse family; the man was really nice and listened as we taught The Restoration, but in the end, he was just fine with his Church of the Brethren.  So close!

Wed. May 18: We found two potentials for the YSA Elders in like 5 minutes!
The Kymball family (Priscilla and Michelle) dropped us over text and said we would not need to reschedule an appointment. :(
We found a wonderful family, the Wise family.  They said they have their own church, but were over the top friendly and we couldn't believe how welcoming they were!
We also had Missionary Coordination meeting today.

Thur. May 19: We had a member visit with the Allred family.
Then we were able to meet two really awesome women, just by knocking on doors, but they weren't interested, mainly because they were already heavily invested in their faith. (Baptist and Seventh Day Adventist).  Most of the people out here in Botetourt County are Baptist, though.
We had dinner with the Scroggins family, which is always the best!  We taught them the power of a simple testimony, and showed them the video, "A Man without Eloquence" https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-048-a-man-without-eloquence?lang=eng.  The kids really enjoyed it, and "A," the 10 yr old, remarked, "I never a knew a testimony could do so much!"  Oh, I love this family; they have quickly become one of my favorite families on my mission.
"M" had to cancel our appointment tonight. 

Fri. May 20: It was District meeting.
We tried formers and potentials, and knocked plenty of doors (while it rained) and not too many people were home, or just not interested.
Brother Turner was going to come with us to see Angie, but as he was picking us up, she cancelled very last minute!  Darn it!  Brother Turner still drove us around while we tried other people.
We picked up dinner from the "Diviney's."

Sat. May 21:  We spent most of the day in Fincastle, and we walked and met some real nice people - with some to little interest. 

We also checked out an apartment for rent.  It was so small, though - we don't think we could fit our two beds into one room.
Misty cancelled on us yet again.
We found and met a wonderful part-member family, the "Kotval's.  Sister Kotval is a member and her husband, Josh, was raised Mormon, but was never baptized.  They have an adorable, little, 2 year old daughter.
We met this older couple who had been married for 55 years - they told us everything we need to know about Fincastle.
We tracted these two streets, Brough's Mill and Plantation Road...And guess what we found?!?  Some Utah Utes fans!!!! 

I found some Utes fans clear out here in Virginia!

However, when we went to knock on their door, they yelled, "Not interested!"  And I tried to explain I was from Utah, and a huge Ute Fan, but they wouldn't let me get any words out.  Elder Shirley said after, "They probably think we're from BYU."
Well, we got poured on in the rain as we walked back to the car for about a mile.

Sun. May 22: As a Choir, we sang, "Be thou My Vision" in Sacrament Meeting.
Angie cancelled yet again.
The Humphries family cancelled.
We had a good visit with the Gwynn couple.  They are pretty cool, and are both lifetime members.  They are an assignment from the ward, since sometimes they are active and sometimes semi-active. 

Well, that's the week in review! 

I wanted to share this scripture that will be my ponderizing scripture this week.  Is "ponderizing" still a thing?

Alma 34: 31-32

31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

Just wanted to close with that.  We can partake of salvation now!  However, being Saved is not an event, but a process!  The Lord is always there with his hand outstretched, ready to continually save us from our fallen state, day after day.  It is our decision to "harden not your hearts" and to reach out and grab hold! 

I love the Savior.  I love His Gospel.  I love the family that raised me with a belief in Him and the Gospel, and I love everyone else who played a role in helping become who I am today!

Love, Elder Brenchley

You'll Never Guess Who I Met [and got a referral from] This Week!!

Hey Y'all!
This is a Marvelous Work and a Wonder I and WE are a part of and I testify of that!  

We had a wonderful week this past week.  Even though I spent most of P-Day sick, it was an awesome week!  The week included: a wonderful Zone Conference, finding 7 new investigators! (THANK YOU for all the prayers in helping us build up the new Botetourt area!), and a wonderful fireside we had with a great attendance!

{May in Botetourt County!}

Mon. May 9th:  Elder Shirley got a haircut and we emailed.

We made a trip to Wal-mart - and that's where it hit me; lots of stomach pain...and just like that, I was sick for the rest of P-Day.

Tues. May 10th:  We were able to have our first lesson with Sister Joanne Poindexter.  She wrote an article on Mormon missionaries for the Roanoke Times several years ago, and that's how we found her name!  She is a very strong Baptist, and has been going to the same Baptist Church since birth.  She was intrigued with the idea of a Prophet being here on the earth; she would want to hear from him first, to see if he was good.  She was also a little hesitant about Baptism, as we invited her at the end of The Restoration lesson.  But she is so nice and very willing to learn more.

Angie cancelled, so we went and visited Sister Lafon, one of the oldest members in the ward.  What a sweet, old lady. 

We met a guy named, Chuck - he was very open let us right in.  He's a "My-door-is-always-open" kind of guy.  He likes the missionaries, but seemed to have some walls up against the message, but I will keep you posted with him.

Wed. May 11th:  We had a wonderful zone conference!  I received wonderful insights and things to improve on.  We took what we learned from zone conference and went right to work, and started reaping the fruit of those efforts! 

We taught Priscilla and her daughter, Michelle; both are very open and welcoming.  She had talked to missionaries before, but nothing ever came of it until we came by [years later] to follow-up!  They accepted the invite to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. 

Then we contacted a less-active member.......to be short in writing, he didn't want to be contacted. 😛 But he did give us a referral to a family who just moved in on that street! 

We also, in the same neighborhood, found and taught Wayne.  He's a really solid guy (literally he works out and stays in shape).  He's a Sunday School teacher at his church, so he knows the Bible well, but he wasn't boastful about it.  He played college and semi-pro football.  We were really excited to find him.  He also, too, was over the top hospitable and very eager to have us back for more discussions.

Thur. May 12th:  After we did our weekly planning, Brother Chris Winkler came with us for the whole day. 

We had a lesson with Brother and Sister Clark.  We need to help her recognize the Spirit and hopefully help her connect-the-dots to other times in her life when she has felt the Spirit. 

We found Judi and Glen Overby.  Judi was a media referral from January, who never got her Bible. We were able to go by and deliver that, as well as teach The Restoration.  Her husband joined the lesson near the end, and he was really excited to read the Book of Mormon.  It was awesome to find these two! 

Then we were able to make it to our appointment with Misty.  She's wonderful!  She's such a sincere seeker of the truth. We were sure to teach The Restoration simply.  She accepted a Baptismal date for July 2nd, and then she asked us, "What time?"  We'd never been asked that question when we've first extended the Baptismal date invitation, so we responded, "What time works good for you?"

(Elder Shirley said I could put this one on here - since I snapped the picture)

 

Fri. May 13th:  We had District meeting, and then we went on exchanges afterwards; Elder Hepworth came with me to Botetourt County. We were working this one area, and it was interesting.....we interacted with some really annoyed people.  We also came up to this one old guy smoking on the his porch (long, gnarly hair and a beard), and we started talking to him.  Elder Hepworth asked him, "What role has Jesus Christ played in your life?"  He responded, "That's the thing...I am Jesus Christ."  I didn't know how to respond!  He gave us a referral, though!  So, we can say we got a referral from Jesus!

We had a good visit the Yates couple.  She's been a member for her whole life and he's a convert, but went inactive soon after he was baptized.  We invited them to the devotional, and it felt like the question hung in the air for an eternity before he said, "I'll see."

Sat. May 14th:  We started the day out by contacting a less-active member, who was surprised to see us because he thought he had taken his name off the rolls.  He let us in, though, and gave us some water.  His girlfriend was there, as well; they are both returned missionaries.  It was sad to see, though, how they are completely atheist now and don't have really anything to hope for in life.  They mentioned they had a strong testimony in the Church at one time, but bit by bit, things just began to shake their Faith. 

We had a visit with the Morse couple.  They told us to go check up on their neighbor, Dennis, who has met with the missionaries before.  We stopped by on him and he had us in, but said he will never go to church (of any kind).  He hasn't ever gone since he was 12 yr. old.  He is a nice enough older man, and he said he will take us out to dinner sometime.

Sun. May 15th:  Brother Keeton and Sister Smith came to church today.  It was good to see them there.  Elder Shirley and I taught the Gospel Principles class: The Church of Jesus Christ in modern times. 

The fireside this evening was great!  It was probably doubled in attendance from the last one.  We weren't able to get any investigators there, but we'd asked Brother Keeton to give the opening prayer, so you bet he was there!

Well, to add some thoughts and testimony to the end of this email: it is remarkable the great Work and the Wonder that has come about because of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There has been so many truths restored that were once lost.  The power of God, the ministering of angels, Forever families!  It is truly remarkable!  In less than 200 years, the Church has grown to over 15 million strong!  And for the year of 2015, the number of converts was more than double the number of children of record joining the Church.  However, there is still work to be done!  We must continue to hasten the work, by strengthening our testimonies so that our faith can not be shaken (see Jacob 7:5)  

5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.

We can also take the gospel to our family members, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, co-workers, and the rest of God's children.  Life is better lived, with something to live for!  So, let's give them the Gospel! 

I Love You all!

Love, Elder Brenchley

Last Skype Call

Well, first off... Happy Mother's Day to everyone!  I hope everyone was able to spend time with or think about our mothers, grandmothers, and the mother-like figures in our life!

I was blessed to be with my mother and family yesterday for my last Skype call home!  WOW!  I truly did cherish it, though! 

I have been very blessed by my studies recently this week and this past zone meeting.  I feel like I have gotten re-juiced and inspired to go and do better.

Mon. May 2: P-Day.  We did the regular stuff. We played ultimate frisbee at the YSA building. I got a free haircut from Elder Young, also.
We went and had dinner at the Moore's, and we made it there just in time before a huge thunder storm hit!  The Moore's are a really good couple and an excellent example of faithful saints.  They fully committed to bring someone to the devotional next Sunday night.

{Botetourt County is SO green!}

Tues. May 3: We worked mostly in Cloverdale today and were able to set up some return appointments with former investigators named, Joanne and the Snider's.

Wed. May 4: We packed a lunch and worked this one area for the whole morning and afternoon - some fruit came from it. We met a hippy who made glass smoking pipes. We met some nice people, but everyone wasn't interested.  They were over the top friendly. 
We got dinner from the Huffman's, which we ate at the church before Missionary Coordination. 

Thur. May 5: We had our weekly planning session.  Brother Chris Winkler came with us for basically the whole day, however Connie cancelled.
We had a lesson with Marshal and Carol Clark; they are a part-member family.  The Sisters had been teaching them, so they came to the lesson, as well, to make a smooth pass off.  We taught about keeping commandments and following Jesus Christ.
We found a miracle investigator while looking for someone completely different.  We only realized that it was Angie, and not "Jennifer" we were looking for.  It was half way through the lesson, so we kept rolling with it, and she seems pretty interested because she doesn't have a church she goes to yet.
We had a lesson with the Smith's and Brother Keeton; all are less active, but Brother Keeton has come four Sundays in a row!  We had a lesson on the Priesthood and are excited to help Brother Keeton receive the Priesthood. 

Fri. May 6: We had zone meeting today which was really awesome and uplifting.  We had the best zone brunch that was put on by the members.  Good as always!
So, while in Daleville, I parked about 40 yards away from a house which had a For Sale sign + a Sold sign.  The place I parked did not look like their yard, and it looked more like a jungle, so I totally thought I'd be fine.  WRONG!  Someone called the cops on us!  While we were out tracting in the neighborhood, a undercover cop car rolled up, and asked us to move.  Geez....
We had a lesson with the Harris couple.  We were able to hear a lot of Sister Harris' concerns about the Church.  Andy (her husband) said whenever she's ready to come back to church, he will come with her and join the Church (please keep them in your prayers).

Sat. May 7: We worked up in Fincastle today (it is the oldest town in our mission, dating back to the 1760-1770's). 

There are buildings there erected before the Declaration of Independence was signed!  We were able to talk to the Fincastle librarians, and they are so wonderful; they were trying to help us out, give us service opportunities, gave us the contact info on how to get in touch with the Genealogy specialist of Botetourt County.  It should be great!

{A Shout-Out to my Bro!}

Brian cancelled (he's a potential investigator), so we went and visited Mary Silcox and her husband, Richard; a part-member family.
We went to the ward Cinco de Mayo party!  The Roanoke 1st Ward has some families from Mexico and RM's who speak Spanish.  It was plenty of fun, and there were plenty of less-actives and non-members who came. The food was amazing; most of it made by the Crosse family!

"Back Street Boys" (do you get it?  Haha)

Sun. May 8: Happy Mother's Day!

We had a really good Sacrament meeting today! We had Brother Keeton, in our area, come (so that was his 4th Sunday in a row). The Downtown Elders had five investigators come to church, all who I started teaching when I was there and love!  1. Roxanne, 2. Myra, 3. Garrett, 4. Susan, 5. Jim Flemming.  I was really stoked for them.  It's such a blessing to be able to keep close tabs on a past area. 

We had dinner and our Skype call at the Scroggins'.  I love this family.

And it was really awesome to be with my family for an hour.

{My view of our Skype call}

{My family's view}

Well, I'll wrap things up this week by saying: Personal revelation comes when we seek for it; when we dedicate time to pray and study, and when we have questions in mind.  The Lord knows those questions (especially if you ask them in prayer), and he can guide you to the answers as you seek for them. 

Doctrine and Covenants 88:118

118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

I love you all!

Love, Elder Brenchley

Two Priesthood Blessings in Two Days

Hey Everyone!

It's me in a NEW area (new to me and new to the mission!), and with a new companion.  We actually have to spend the first couple of days/1st week looking for an apartment...for now, we will stay in the Salem Elders' apartment (which is a little bit far from our area), as that area just downsized to one set of missionaries in it and there's room for us.  With us taking over this new area, there will now be four sets of missionaries (3 Elders and 1 Sister companionship) in the Roanoke 1st Ward.   Botetourt County is really beautiful, and there are plenty of wealthy houses up towards this area.

Elder Shirley is my new companion - my former companion, Elder Caldwell, once served with him, too!  Elder Shirley is pretty great - we get a long really well.  He's from Burley, Idaho. He's 19 yrs. old and graduated from High School in 2015.  He's been out since July 2015.  He's the oldest of 6 kids in his family. 

Earlier this week, along with me saying good-byes to people in the downtown Roanoke area (only to see most of them at church on Sunday again), I spent time getting packed. The latter part of this week included Elder Shirley and I getting to know each other, as well as our new area.  We don't have much to go off of; there is only one current investigator when we entered the area, and the Sisters want to do a "pass-off" lesson because the investigator has had bad experiences with Elders in the past, so I haven't even met her.  I do know all the active members already, so we had that advantage, as we were visiting them over these couple of days.

Here's the week:

April 26, Tuesday:  P-day.  We mostly spent time emailing and then getting packed. 

The Roanoke Star

 Brother Winkler did take us up to the Roanoke Star!

Views of Roanoke from The Star

 

We had dinner with the Miller's and then they came with us to see Jim Flemming.

Jim Flemming

They invited him to church and he seemed a little more keen this time around (it's the power of members doing the inviting!)

Then we went and taught Kim with Brother Winkler, however he was hung up on this one scripture in Genesis, and we were barely able to really teach the Restoration. 

We saw Sister Bell and Tim.  They thought it was hilarious I got transferred, but I wasn't leaving the ward. 

Sister Bell & Tim

Once Sister Bell heard we were looking for an apartment in our area, she jumped on the computer and started looking for us. 

We went and saw Brother Ostrander.

April 27, Wednesday: 20 months a missionary! 2-0 WOW! 

Since neither I nor Elder Jolley's companion (Elder Larson) were coming down until the afternoon, we were able to go see more people and do some street contacting.  We were able to set up a lesson with Chase Lester (a less-active) and his girlfriend/baby mamma, Erica.

Chase Lester, Erica, and kids

Sister Schwiendman, the Primary president, came with us.   She was really good for the kids.  That was my first time teaching Erica; she seemed touched by the Spirit and our desire to help their family become closer.

We also dropped by and saw Brother Nillson.

Brother Nillson

I went to the Salem apartment and moved in all my stuff and cleaned the place up. 

The transfer van came, and NO Elder Shirley......where's my new companion?  It turns out, he was bringing down our car with another group of Elders (and arrived 25 minutes later).  And he was sick!  He didn't look good at all.

Elder Shirley "getting sick" on the side of the road. ;)

He had the flu or a stomach virus. Elder Shirley was so sick, so we just went straight to the apartment while I organized the area book, and he slept.  We missed ward coordination meeting, but I listened in on the phone call. 

Elder Shirley asked me to give him a Priesthood Blessing.  I felt very blessed and humbled that after knowing me for just for four short hours (most of which was him being asleep), he would ask me to give him a blessing. 

April 28, Thursday:  Elder Shirley was still feeling down and out today, but he started feeling better in the evening, and we went to the library to search all of the members and less-actives. 

The Scroggin's had us over for dinner.  Brother Scroggins is the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric.  They are  a wonderful family.  They have 6 wonderful kids, and you could feel the Spirit in their home.  We role played with them on how they could invite their friends/co-workers to the upcoming fireside. 

Then we were asked by Sister Smith to go give her husband, Brother Smith, a blessing.  He was in the hospital in Salem, so that worked out nicely since we are currently living in Salem.  I was again touched by the Priesthood power when I saw Elder Shirley, who just about 20 hours earlier was in so much pain and looking helpless, had received his own Priesthood blessing, and then was able to give the blessing to Brother Smith (and I did the anointing). 

April 29, Friday:  We had District meeting in the morning - it was really good.

Then we went out to Botetourt County and started seeing what there was to see.  We were able to knock several doors; one man was really nice and let us sit on his porch with him, enjoy some ice water, and gave us a referral.

We were able to meet with the Harris family, Amy and Andy .  Sister Harris has been inactive for a while and has never been to the Roanoke Chapel.  Andy is not a member, but has showed interest and has been taught before. 

April 30, Saturday:  We went apartment hunting with Sister Bell & Tim.

We also did our weekly planning.

We tried going out proselyting in a place named, Troutville; no one was home or interested. 

May 1, Sunday:  In Fast and Testimony meeting, 6 out of the 8 missionaries got up and bore their testimonies - it was a Spirit-filled testimony meeting.

We sat by Brother Keaton (a returning member in Botetourt).  It was good to see Myra and Roxanne at church, as well as Garrett - all three of them from my last downtown area. 

Brother Winkler came with us for the whole day in Botetourt County.  He helped us out big by saving our car miles.  We tried this city that is 47 minutes away from Roanoke named, Buchanan. 

We met with the Hensley's.  They are members with two boys (ages 11 & 9).  They remind me so much of some of my family up in Cache Valley. 

We met with the Barnes couple - they are members, as well.  He's good at the piano, and she makes good strawberry cheesecake.

We got a return appointment with this sweet lady named, Connie (a former investigator).

{a [Roanoke] license plate I saw!}

 

And that's the week! 

My new companion, Elder Shirley

Please keep Elder Shirley and I in your prayers, as we take on this new challenge of opening up this area.  We are building from the ground up. 

Again, I just want to part with how real the Priesthood of God is here on this earth.  Jesus Christ organized His Church, He gave His apostles the Priesthood authority to teach and baptize, and to lead the Church.  After Jesus Christ and the apostles were killed, that revelation and Priesthood authority was no longer on the earth.  The world was without the Priesthood.  However, just like God always does, He called another prophet, and that Prophet's name was Joseph Smith.   Jesus Christ's disciples, as heavenly messengers, restored that Priesthood to Joseph Smith.  It is here on the earth today!  I so testify with passion, and conviction to remain faithful and worthy the rest of my life to be able to use the Priesthood to serve in anyway.  I know and and sustain Thomas S. Monson as a prophet of God, and the one who leads Jesus Christ's Church today.  Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone (see Quetin L. Cook's talk from this past Conference).  I know this Gospel to be true! 

I love you all! 

Love, Elder Brenchley