Temple Tuesday!

Dear Family and Friends....

So I'm like super overwhelmed and probably, kind of a lot scatterbrained, not to mention completely exhausted. So if this email makes zero sense that is why. Also I probably won't write a whole lot because I don't know what to say this week. Check that! Sister Bryans is at a loss for words and doesn't know what to share and send home. WHOA! That never happens. 

Anyways...Here are some highlights:

It decided to become Christmas Town here. So we have a lot of snow and cold. That makes life an adventure on our part because of being on bicycle. Biking in the snow - though possible - is probably not the safest experience especially after dinner when everything turns back into ice. So we've been doing a lot of walking. And we've been bundled up like Eskimos most days. PS. when I say it decided to become Christmas Town, I really do mean it. The round-a-bout near the library where I email has a giant Christmas tree decorated in the middle of it. NOT OK! 

Wednesday we had a delicious pancake lunch with President and Sister Tingey. They are in the mission presidency and are also members of the Timberline Ward where I am serving. They're cute. And the pancakes we ate were pretty delicious. I had a full plate of 8, and I proudly ate them all. INSANE! 

Thursday was Mission Tour (basically a special Zone Conference) with Elder David A. Baxter of the Seventy. He's fantastic! I wish I had my notes with me so I could type them all out and share all I learned. One of the big things I remember is this:https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-05-09-my-family-booklet?lang=eng - The My Family booklet. Elder Baxter said that this little booklet is the number 1 tool we have to use in Conversion, Activation and Retention of members and non-members alike. It's a great finding tool and a wonderful tool for bringing the Spirit into the lives of all those we come into contact with. I can't wait until we receive some and can start using them in our finding approaches. 

Elder Baxter said a lot of other great things, but my brain is frazzled and I can't remember any of them at present. 

And today, we got to go to the Temple as part of our P-day adventures. Sister Woods' college roommate, who just got back from her mission and lives in the Fort Collins area, took us down to Denver at 5:30am this morning, so we could make an early enough session to do the rest of our Preparation Day essentials. It was a great adventure! But I am thoroughly exhausted. Thankfully the Spirit works miracles and will carry me through the rest of my day. 

I love you all, and I hope you have enjoyed this simple and sweet email. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to go to be truly Happy - full of Godlike Joy. I know that Temples hold the key for lasting family relationships throughout the eternities. I am so blessed to have a temple so close by. And I am so very excited for the Fort Collins temple to be complete. The Lord is hastening his work, and we can see the evidences of this all around us. I love being a missionary! And I love serving the Lord. 

LOVE ALWAYS,

Sister Bryans