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.

I Made it Through my First Week!

Since my last email, A LOT has happened!

Saturday:  Got locked out of our room because all of us took a shower after gym and we all left our keys in the room. So, there we were (Me, Elder Williams/Number/Jarman) all outside our door in the hall, in nothing but our towels.  :(  

The WV Mission Brothers

L to R:  ME, Elder Williams, Elder Jarman, Elder Numbers - when we are dressed!  ;)

Luckily Elder Jarman left his key up at the sports field, so I borrowed some clothes from another elder in the district, and ran up there with our district leader, Elder Gonzalez, to grab the key.  We were late to the rest of our classes, but it turned out alright.
Today was also the last lesson with our progressive investigator, Victor (Bro. Kimball role playing).  We followed up on his commitment to be baptized, gave a lesson on the Restoration and the importance of the Book of Mormon, and committed him to read it. 

Sunday:  Sundays are the best day by far in the MTC.  I participated in a lot of meeting today; including Branch Presidency Meeting, Branch Council, Priesthood Meeting, Leadership Lesson, Sacrament Meeting, and New Leader Training Meeting.  Wheww!  This Zone leader thing should be fun.  Today, we got the list of missionaries coming into our zone.  They will be arriving Sept. 3rd.  We will be in charge of introducing them to the MTC and orientation.  We will be working with the Sister Training Leaders from our Zone/Branch (Sister Barker and Sister Gropp).  Our main focus is to make them feel comfortable and loved.
 Then, as a zone, we took a lovely walk around the Provo Temple - the sun was shining and was just the perfect day. 

My District!  Look at these 10 Handsome Elders

L To R: Elder Tempest, Elder Moore, ME, Elder Williams, Elder Gonzalez, Elder Kartchner, Elder Jarman, Elder Numbers, Elder Howell, Elder Austin.

Elders from Branch 67

 

Our whole Branch

 

The Sunday night devotional had to be the best part of the day.  Richard N. Holzapfel, a former mission president, spoke to us on the importance of keeping a study journal.
After the devotional, I was able to see some High School friends who came up from the west campus for the devotional - we got a Viking picture.

Viking Pride!
Elder (Brett) Hess, ME, Elder (Porter) May, Elder (Mitchell) Gale, & Elder (Lincoln) Numbers

 

I also saw Elder (Jesus) Otteson from my acting days.  I would have never expected him to go on a mission from when I last saw him.  But the joy that overcame me when I saw him here!  A young man, who'd had a shaky relationship with his family and the church and I hadn't heard from in so long - THAT was the miracle I saw today.  It's just so inspiring to me to see so many Elders & Sisters, who come from a ton of different backgrounds, come to serve the Lord!  I was filled with such happiness.
Then we watched a video on David A. Bednar's MTC address, "Character of Christ."  I encourage all of you to try to find this talk.

Monday:  Today we had to bid farewell to the missionaries from District B from our branch, as they head off to Colorado and Oklahoma.
We got our first TRC (Progressing Investigator) today.  So, these investigators could be real, former investigators, or recent converts, we don't know!  Our Investigator is Chad.  Elder Williams and I sat down and got to know him.  We really got in his comfort zone.  We are looking forward to teaching him.
We also got new teachers this week; Brother White and Sister Cole.  Brother White gave us the "how to stay stress-free" lesson!
We met with our new progressing investigator today, Josh (Really our Teacher Brother White).  We found he LOVES Jesus - it's looking pretty optimistic.
Elder Williams and I also got in trouble for leaving our Scriptures and Preach My Gospel on the floor by the cafeteria. We were told that was a fire hazard and the office would be contacting our Branch President. To this day, he hasn't even talked to us! :)  I'm guessing we're good!

Tuesday:  Just wanted to let you all know back home, that I have still have my mean jump serve in volleyball! ;)
Today was by far me and Elder Williams' worst day.  Our TRC Investigator, Chad, called in sick, so we didn't get to teach him today.  Then our other Investigator, Josh (Really Just Brother White), who we taught the lesson of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to, really wants to do everything possible to come closer to Jesus.  So, we invited him to follow Jesus' example and be baptized.  I felt the spirit so strong when I said that. However, he felt he didn't need to be baptized because he was already baptized, through another church. Then we proceeded to teach him about proper Priesthood authority and the restoration.  It probably would've been better to teach The Gospel of Jesus Christ after the Restoration lesson.  Elder Williams and I were really down and out.
Then we had the Tuesday evening devotional that helped turn my day around so fast!  Elder Don R. Clark (Of the Seventy) and his wife spoke to us.  The main focus was being better missionaries, caring more about the people, and making sure the converts stay in the church.
Referring back to President Hinckley's talk on what every convert needs in the Church:

1. A friend (someone who will have them over for FHE or Dinner or Dessert)

2. An assignment (Get them a Calling! Take A Chance on them!)

3. Nourishment of the word of the Lord. (Check up on their scripture study, church attendance, if they know the Book of Mormon stories, and the story of the Restoration.)

Also Elder Clark added to get the converts to the temple to do temple work for ancestors within A MONTH of baptism.  I was inspired by this message.  As good missionaries, if we can truly love our converts and be involved with their lives, I will play a huge role. Making sure they are still reading the Book of Mormon, they receive a calling and are attending church, and they make it to the temple.  And always offer/write letters of encouragement.  If I don't do this, they will just become another "STAT" instead of a convert.  The goal is to not have them fall away.
Then after the devotional, we discussed as a district with Brother Russon and his wife (Branch Presidency).   When Elder Williams shared his thoughts that when we serve his people, Christ will send angels to bear us up even on the hardest days, me and him both started tearing up.  Then Brother Russon gave us each a hug and said we could use one.  We Sure did.  Brother Russon also talked about the relationship you will have with your Mission President and how it will be like no other relationship you will ever have!  I am so excited to experience that relationship with President Salisbury!
We get to meet the new missionaries tomorrow coming into our Branch!  Elder Williams and I are so excited to serve them as Zone Leaders.

Wednesday: Today I was gung-ho about working off a couple of the extra pounds I put on, thanks to the MTC cafeteria, so I was exercising in gym today and pretty much any other time I could.; push-ups in the classroom, sit ups in the cafeteria, squats waiting in line - you know, stuff like that.
Today was the day to teach Chad.  We taught him about the Restoration, it went so good, the spirit was so strong, and I bore testimony that if you read the Book of Mormon, not only will he able to know if the Book of Mormon is true; but also if Jesus Christ was the Savior of the world, if Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and if the restored gospel is established on the earth today as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The Spirit?  AMAZING!  We committed him to read the Book the of Mormon and to pray and ask if these things were true.
Today was the day for new missionaries to come!  It's only been a week since I was in their shoes!  I saw Elder (Jared) Whitworth from high school, but no one else yet.  We met the new missionaries of our zone today, and us Zone Leaders (Me and Elder Williams) and the STL's (Sister Barker and Sister Gropp) showed them around the MTC.  They are all full of energy and ready to serve the Lord; one Elder and four sisters are called to serve in the DC-North Mission, and the other five Elders are called to serve in the Nebraska Omaha mission.

Thursday:  Our first P-Day! I'm doing the laundry right now and they have computers in the laundry room, so we can email while we wait for our laundry load.  I can't wait to go the temple later today!  I'm also excited for the rest of the week!  We leave Tuesday morning for Atlanta, GA and then to West Virginia!

I have to run!  See Ya!  Love you all!  Please feel free to write/email me!

Love Elder Brenchley!

Random Questions of the Week

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

1. What did you do when you left us and went with Elder Tingey?  Got checked in.  How long did you stay with him?  20 minutes.
 
2. Who is your companion?  Elder Williams.  Where is he from?  Grantsville, UT.  What mission is he going to?  West Virginia.  Anything else interesting about him?  I absolutely love him!  We both love sports!

3. Where are you staying?  Reg. MTC campus vs. West campus?  Regular MTC campus.
 
4. Who's in your district?  10 Elders.  4 going to WV, 6 going to Washington Everett.  Is Lincoln Numbers?  Yes.  How many teachers do you have?  Two.  What are their names?  Brother Kimball & Sister Elsworth.  Where did they serve their missions? 

5. What is your class schedule?  Busy.
 
6. Have you seen a lot of kids you know?  Yes, a bunch.
 
7. What is the MTC president's name?  President Nally.
 
8. How was the cafeteria?  ;)  Great, I love food.
 
9. When is your P-Day?  Next Thursday.
 
10. Are you able to wake up on time in the morning? ;)  Surprisingly, Yes!  We have 3 alarms!

First Few Days in the MTC

My first few days in the MTC have hit me like a train.  I really didn't know what to expect.  But I am so grateful for everything.  The Spirit is everywhere and very strong.  Us missionaries work all day long!  But it feels good to work in the service of the Lord.  We are learning all we can, and studying hard.

I love my district of 10 Elders.  Four of us are serving in the West Virginia Charleston Mission; including myself, my companion Elder Williams (Grantsville, Ut), (Who I LOVE!) He's a three sport athlete for Grantsville High School, let's just say him & I are getting along real nice!

Elder Numbers ( My Viewmont/West Virginia Brother) 

and his companion Elder Jarman (Sandy, Ut).

The other 6 elders will be serving in the Washington, Everett Mission:

Elder Gonzalez (District Leader) ( Las Vegas, NV)

Elder Kartchner (San Diego, CA)

Elder Howell (Alpine, Ut)

Elder Austin (New Plymouth, Idaho)

Elder Tempest (Centerville, Ut) (Another Viewmont Viking)

Elder Moore (Kaysville, UT) (A rival Davis Dart) :(

We've met our two teachers (Bro. Kimball and Sis. Elsworth).  They are GOOD Teachers.  They also posed as the two investigators our district had to visit with.  Elder Williams & I taught Victor (aka Bro. Kimball).  We got to know him the first day, and then delivered a message on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and taught him about baptism.  He liked the idea of baptism and wanted to be baptized.  We committed him to be baptized!  We will be helping him over the next couple of days to prepare for the waters of baptism. 

We met with our branch on Thursday, and were introduced to our Branch Presidency; President Taylor, Brother Russon, and Brother Neilsen, and their wives.  Each of us told them where we were from, and our testimony.  We went over the MTC rules.  The two counselors then interviewed all of us, and then assigned us callings.  Elder Williams and I were assigned as Zone Leaders!  We are excited for this calling and look forward to serving our zone, and welcoming the new elders next week.

It is official we leave September 9, connect flights in Atlanta, Georgia, then we are in West Virginia!  Other missionaries are so jealous of us - some have to stay up to 8 weeks! 

I love it here at the MTC.  We have our first branch meeting tomorrow for Sunday (where hopefully Elder Williams and I will learn our responsibilities as zone leaders), and then back into the regular work schedule Monday. 

Thanks for your prayers! And I love you all!

-Elder Brenchley

MTC Drop-Off

We spent time at the Provo, UT temple across the street from the Missionary Training Center first - to take pictures & say our "Good-Byes".

Then on to the MTC drop off.....AND he's gone in 20 seconds!!