Hi All!!!!!
Man it's hard opening my inbox to find so many awesome emails from all of my favorite people. I just wish I could read them all and reply to them in enough time with enough awesome spiritual/missionary knowledge.
As you can all tell, I am no longer at the MTC. That time ended on Tuesday at 3:30am. My entire district and I left to the Fort Collins Colorado mission where we had a small orientation, met our new companions and parted separate ways to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen. I was really grateful when I saw that Elder Kennedy was part of my Zone. :D
My companion Sister Zvirdzdin and I were swept in to the Buffalo Ridge Ward. There were already Elders in the ward, but with so many new missionaries coming out, they had to add a few companion ships to many of the areas.
This past week, we have been meeting members, less actives and searching for investigators. It's really hard because it's Christmas, so many people are traveling or have family in the area so they are super busy and unable to listen to us for long.
Cheyenne has an Air Force base, so some of the members are military. It's been really cool getting to know everyone. I love asking them about being in the military. (I might be leaning to joining the Air Force when I get back.....who knows though.)
Anyways, Sister Z and I are living in the basement of Sister Groesbeck's house. She is the sweetest old lady ever. She is super active and really neat. Some of her family live in the area which is really nice. We call her Grandma and have family prayer with her when we get home from our days missionary adventures.
There are so many exciting things about being in Wyoming that are totally different from Wisconsin. First, It's really dry here compared to home. I feel like a powder sugar covered raisin. (hahaha) Second, instead of hand statues all over the city like in EC, there are Cowboy boots all over. I'll have to take a few pictures and send them home. Also, there are tons of members here: 2 families to every block at least. CRAZY!
Our ward mission leader is super awesome. His name is Brother Robertson. He and his wife are a major blessing to Sister Z and I. When we got here we had no idea where or what to do, so Sister Robertson, per the request of her husband, sent us tons of names via text so we could start visiting some of the single/less active sisters in the ward. I really like their family. We will be spending Christmas Eve with them and a few other families in the ward.
Speaking of Christmas - MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SKYPE TURNED ON AND READY FOR ME TO CALL IN! that is all. I have no idea when I'll be able to reach you, but I know it will be on Christmas. So stay close to the computer so we can talk okay.
Mmmmmmm..... I have a mini list of things to tell/ask you:
1) I left my black a-line skirt at home. Can you send it to me? Can you also send me my Paul Cardall piano book? THANKS!!!
2) I want you to check out the CD/Operetta Lamb of God. Oh my goodness, it is so pretty. It's by a guy named Rob Gardner. I really like it. And I think Mom and Ona will like it too.
3) I am halfway through my journal. I'll let you know when I'm a quarter of the way done.
4) Look up the song Welcome to our World by Kenneth Cope. It is also a really good song. The stake president sang that during a missionary fireside. He's in our ward.
5) The Buffalo Ridge ward reminds me a little bit of Grandma's ward.
6) I thought of another thing - On LDS.org the church is putting out a bunch of essay's regarding church policy; you should all find them and read them. Apparently there was one about Blacks and the Priesthood and one about Polygamy. I wish I had time to read them.
7) Check out JustServe.org
Anyways, I think that's about it. We get fed well here which is nice. I miss cooking though. Actually, I just don't really like having to depend on other people. That is probably one of the hardest things I have found so far about being a missionary is the need to be dependent on others for referrals and meals etc.
It's really interesting studying in the morning. My most recent studies have been in the Book of Mormon and I just decided I want to read Luke by Christmas....That probably won't happen, but I can probably finish it by Sunday.
Ok, I think that's it for now. I am going to try and read some of the many emails I have and send teeny-tiny replies to them if I can.
Sister Z and I still have shopping, cleaning and laundry to do before dinner. GYAH!!!! There is not enough time in the day.
Also, you know you are a good missionary when you are so tired at the end of the night that you hit the pillow and are out & that you are hungry. I feel like I am always hungry. But don't worry, Mom, I do eat!
I think that's all for now.
Love,
Sister Bryans
We were also able to talk to Elizabeth on Christmas day. I have to admit that she has been missed in our holiday celebrations and a few tears have been shed. As I thought of my Christmas' in the mission field I was always so grateful to the members that made being away from home a little easier. Not that we had a lot of time to think about home. Thank you to those families that have taken my sweet daughter in to share a bit of the holiday.
Missionary work is always hard during the holidays because people are always so busy. We reminded Elizabeth about a program that was used in the Lansing MI mission when we lived there. The members had an opportunity to send a living Christmas card. We gave the missionaries names, phone numbers and addresses of our friends and the missionaries would call and make an appointment to bring our living Christmas Card. They would go and sing a Christmas carol (from the Hymnal) and then share a video (Joy to the World) with the family, then sing one more carol and say goodbye. It was an excellent program because it gave the missionaries something to do during the holidays and was very "non-threatening" to the friends.
Anyways, it was great to hear her excitement for the work. She just wishes that she wasn't such an introvert. It makes it hard for her right now to share what she knows to be true. She asked that we pray that she will be able to be comfortable enough to talk more. That was her goal this first couple of weeks. I know she will do well, because she is seeking to overcome her innate weakness. We pray that the Lord will help her in her efforts!!
We did also find out that her companion is from Utica NY and has been out for a year. This is a new area for Sisters so they don't have much of a area book yet. Opening an area is always exciting and I can imagine very difficult at Christmas time.
We love you all, thank you for your thoughts and prayers in behalf of our missionaries.
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