Letter #14 4/3/06
WASN'T CONFERECE GREAT!!!!!!!
I just love going to conferece and hearing the Prophet and apostles speak. President Hinckley's talk reminded me of Ammon's glorying in the Lord. When Aaron rebuked him, Ammon said that he wasn't boasting but glorying in his Lord and His God. President Hinckley has an amazing testimony and it was awesome to be able to hear it.
I'm almost out of time but I'll try and get more time so I can finish typing so there'll be two emails.
The important thing i've learned thus far is how truly important members are to missionary work. Members are so important to this work. It's painstakingly hard to do this work without them. If the members would only share the gospel with their friends this work would go by so much faster. That's what President Middleton has implimented here. Since he's been here he's almost completely removed tracting. We're to tract when there's nothing else to do. I haven't been tracting in two months. We're to work with the members to help them do work. The result has been increased baptisms since Pres. Middleton has been here. This is truly the way to do work. We also do tours of the church, that's the big thing right now. We don't simply show the building, it's more than that. At each room we talk about the auxilary in that room. We explain Relief Society in the RS room, Young Womens in the YM room, Primary in the Primary room. We also open up the baptismal font and teach about baptism, we show the picture of the first vision and powerfully give the account of the first vision. When that is said the spirit is undeniable. We end in the chapel where we teach about sacrament and tell people about the service. It works so well because not only do they get to see our wonderful building and learn about our programs, but they are also taught the first lesson at the same time. We're taking members on tours right now, and then at the end committing the members to bring a friend on a tour. What a wonderful and non-threatning way to introduce somebody to the church
I'm doing very wonderfull. Each day I strive to grow closer and closer to my Heavenly Father. I have never been so exausted in all my life. Every morning I feel as if I have completely drained my supply of energy and there is no way to continue. But each day I am able to make it through. Honestly, there is no way I could be doing this if it were not for the strengh I recieve from the Lord. Ask Elder Price about it, he'll know what I'm talking about. There is no more exausting work in the world than this. It wears you out physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Now for Sandra. Quite the experience. The spirit was strong Wednesday as we taught her at the Van-Horn's (he's the stake pres). She was still upset because she's going through so much. Moved upon by the spirit, I told her of a man I revere named Joseph Smith. Near the point of tears I described everything he went through for his God. Before I could finish, however, Pres. Van-Horn went on to something and I couldn't finish my thought. Later I was moved to read Moroni 10:4-5 and commit her to pray about the BoM. She's had all the lessons but refused to pray in the past. After I extended the commitment she accepted. Then Sis. Van-Horn told her that it was possible to recieve a testimony of the BoM without prayer. Sandra then said she probably wouldn't pray about it. I don't know what happened, it seemed like every time I was moved by the spirit to say something I was interupted.
I'd love to talk more but I really should go
Let Candy know I got her package about 2 months ago and LOVE the sweater.
Let Leah know I love her lots
Tell Elder Price I said hi
Tell Elder companion I said hi (sorry Elder, can't remember name...you're still cool )
Tell Dad that he's been on my mind
Tell Mamaw there's few gems as precious as she is
Tell Candy to keep it up
Tell Papaw how proud I am of him of the hard work he's been doing at the Y
Send my love to all
Your Elder in Canada
Bryan
Letter #13 3/27/06
Hey guys
Site was down for a while and now I only have 5 minutes to type a letter...ack!
So, really quick I'll let you know what's up
We're working with two people. One of them, Sandra, is having a hard time. She just had a divorce and she only gets her kids every other week. It's hard on her and she's angry with God a little because of all that's happened. She's hesitant to pray and that's something we're working on. She only get to meet with us every other week because she doesn't want to meet when she has the kids, doesn't want them to feel presured to go. When the kids are gone she has nobody to talk to and is very lonely. Her mother is coming next week and staying for a month so that'll be very good for her and she's going to come to church with her. I think that'll be the link to help her out.
2:30 left...!!!!!!!!!
Ummmm...The ward is very disfunctional. BIshop has filled us in with alot...it was a three hour meeting. then he said that's not even a portion of it. wow....lots of things he's dealing with. Little by little we're working with the ward. Keep Port Alberni ward in your prayers. Bishop Housholder is great though. He's originally from Utah. He's our main help in this effort
Well, I'm out of time. Sorry about this....
You guys take care alright
love you lots
Bryan
Letter #12 3/20/06
Hey Mom
Wow...the movie sounds amazing. Say hi to everyone for me. Tell me how the conference went. I forgot to send you my new address last week so I asked Bishop Housholder to send it. If you didn't get it here it is
Bsmt-3754 Anderson Ave.
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 5A8
Sorry for the late email...we did a little travel Monday so we got permision to do email later in the week.
Monday we went to...TOFFINO!!!
Spent the afternoon on the beach. It's a cool feeling to look out at the ocean and know that the next place you'll see land is Japan. I felt like I was at the edge of the map. We did some skim-boarding. It's a small board that you throw on about 2 inches of water and then jump on it and skim along. It's the closest thing to swimming we're allowed to do...hehehe That was pretty fun
Elder Young and I did our best to build a sand castle but the tide didn't like that one bit. One sweep of the sea and there went our work
Wow...there's nothing like the feeling of sand between your toes. Oh...I learned I don't like crows. While we were enjoying the ocean and tossing around a frisbee those darn crows opened our bag of chips and spilled them everywhere, opened up one of our subway sandwiches and started eating it, and ate about 8 muffins. I'm not kidding...the muffins were completely gone.
In order to get to the beach you have to go through the mountains. Oh, they are so beautiful, you would not believe. I wish I didn't have to drive so I could've enjoyed the view more. We did get out once on the way to look around and take pictures. I can't wait to send them to you...it's wonderful.
I wish I could tell you more, there's so much to tell, but I don't have much time and need to send out a few more emails. I'll be sure to fill you in on the rest monday
Take care guys. Love ya
Bryan
Letter #11 3/13/06
How am I doing spiritually??? I'm on cloud 9 HEHE
Being on a mission it seems like I'm on a different level. I feel like I've come closer with my Heavenly Father and can feel the spirit stronger throughout the day. It's something that I will never regret doing. There are times when I do feel something concerning Joseph and Emma. It's whenever I think of them or when people talk about them. I feel a deep love for them. The other day a less-active said something against Joseph and I thought my heart would break. Doing this work I've connected with Joseph in a way that's alot stronger than what it was before my mission. It's hard to put to words but I know that you know exactly what I mean. I know you've felt it too. I understand why Gracia is bothered every time someone puts down Emma. I've felt that love before, but not nearly as strong as now.
Well...I've been transferred...TO THE ISLAND!!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!! I wanted to go to the island soo bad!!
I'm in the town of Port Alberni...and there's mountains...OHH...THERE'S MOUNTAINS...AND THEY'RE GEORGOUS!!!!!
I love it here. It was a little sad to leave all that work in Vancouver, but this is so nice. The people are wonderful. Yesterday was stake conference and there were two wonderful talks given. One was by President Middleton, the mission president, on member-missionary work. Right after that President Van-Horn, the stake president, talked about the very same thing, adding a very powerferful testimony. We're going to really work with the members here to spread the gospel. Once the members catch the dream that we all have the work will be enormous.
My new bishop is Bishop Housholder. He's also our best friend..hehe
The Housholders are wonderful and have worked with the missionaries long before he became bishop. They drove us to conference yesterday and we talked the hole way. It was wonderful. He is behind us 100% on getting the members onboard and is helping us immensly.
My new companion is Elder Drayson. He has a hunchback and walks with a slight limp but that in now way slows him down as far as work in concerned. He is a wonderful missionary and we will work very well together. I'm very excited for this change and look forword to the next few months.
I love all you guys sooo much
take care
Bryan
Letter #10 3/06/06
!!!TRANSFER WEEK!!!
Hey Everyone!
Wow...I can't believe it's transfers again. Things could sway either way for me. Elder Beachley goes home next transfer so it makes sense that I would leave and someone else would come in to get used to the area before Beachley leaves. On the other hand, I've only been here for three months...so I could stay another three months. At any rate, If I don't leave now I won't leave for another three months.
This week wasn't too exciting. The Crawfords ended up cancelling their appointment with us this week, something happened. They didn't come to church yesterday, said it was soccer finals. I'm a little worried but those kids truly wanted to come to church. I think eventually things will turn out alright.
You know, when I first got to Vancouver I felt like I just wanted to go. The ward was very cold towards the missionaries and we were getting no support. Now my attitude is way different. Elder Beachley and I have worked to turn the ward around. We've done everything we could to make ourselves known to the members of the ward. Now people are getting to know us and soon they will be bringing their friends to us. Little by little this area is turning around. Now the thought of leaving is hard. I'd like to stick around and see this thing through. I have enjoyed the challenge. I am very grateful to not only serve, but start out in Vancouver. I have learned how to take a horrible area and make it good. Now I can take that and make a good area even better. But, as in all things, I will go where the Lord wants me to go.
Until next week
Elder Davis
Letter # 9 2/27/06
This week was pretty exciting. We started teaching the Crawford family. The parents have been members all of their lives and they have four children, three of which are 8 or older. When their first two children were little they went in-active. We spoke with Bruce (Brother Crawford) and he wants to come back to church but needs help. He said it's like "The fat man standing outside the gym". He feels intimidated. We taught his family the first and the kids really paid attention. When Johna (sister Crawford) said they couldn't come to church this week because their daughter has her last soccer game sunday morning the two youngest said "but I want to go to church". They're a really sweet family. Now that soccer is over they are going to come to church next Sunday. We teach them again tomorrow. The Crawfords have taught their children about Christ and raised them well, they just haven't gone to church. They are a really nice family and I can't wait to see what happens. Chances are I'll be out of here before the children get baptized. It's a small disapointment, but you have to look at what's getting done, and that is pleasing enough to me.
You guys take care. Love you lots.
Bryan
Letter # 8 2/20/06
Wow...I say one little thing about missing my home ward and next thing you know I have 15 emails waiting for me on P-Day. And now that I know my emails are being publicised I can talk to you all here. Thank you Brother Himes for the word from Ben. It's good to hear how he's doing on the other side of the world. Tell him that I said hi. Ben means alot to me and he is a very true friend. It's neat that we get to serve our missions at the same time. Thanks for your emails everyone, it truly made my day. Yes, Vancouver is a very hard area but it's really starting to pick up. I have learned alot about how to build up an area. Many exciting things are happening and prayers are being answered. There are things I have learned here that I could not learn in any other area and it will help me immensly on the rest of my mission. The sad thing is that I will most likely be transfered in 2 weeks. I thought I would be excited to leave this place but I'm starting to hope that I'll have a little more time here. I've really enjoyed the challenges and now that I see where all of our hard work is going it's hard to just leave it behind. Oh well...welcome to the mission...HA!!
Well, I had a very interesting experience the other day. We set up shop (set up a table with copies of the Book of Mormon, videos, and pamplets on it while standing beside it passing out pass-along cards) on Robson square, it's a very busy square in the middle of downtown right in front of the art museum. The drunk guy came up and started telling us how awesome he thinks we are. He said that we're the closest thing there is to the chinese christains (who in the world are they?????). He then went on to talk about certain things that happened in his life, including telling God to end the Gulf war, and then it ended. Wow...this guy actually stopped the Gulf war. Seriously, he was out of it. Talked for half an hour, and then tried to follow us to the car. We got to the elevator of the parking garage and managed to get rid of him. Fortunately, while I kept the drunk guy busy, Elder Beachley made three contacts, two of which are very promising. That was very exciting.
Well, we're not allowed to go to movie theatres, but watching a documentary at an imax theatre is allowed. It was in science world. That's what we did today. The sisters and us went and saw a documentary called "Wired to Win". It's about Le Tour de France. It talks about how your brain plays a big role in everything you do and links it to the tour de France. It was very enjoyable.
Wow...you guys have been getting snow...LUCKY! Actually, the weather here has been alot nicer. Hasn't rained for at least a week. Winter is the rainy season, and I think the rainy season just passed. It's been nice and sunny. It's still pretty cold, but a few days it was a little warmer.
I'm so glad to hear about the house. I'm sure that's a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. Thanks for letting me know about Rosa's video. I'm glad you found it and got it to her. And I'm very glad to know that she enjoyed it.
One thing that I've always wanted to do is go up on a mountain top and pray vocally to the Lord. In the scriptures prophets often go to the mountains to pray. But no matter where you are, there is something about nature that is a little closer to heaven. I bet you've had some neat experiences praying like that Mom.
I saved EVERYTHING from my computer to DVD and put it away. I anticipated this might happen and prepared for the worst. Clean it out if you must. Sorry to hear it's such a pain. When I get home I'm going to upgrade it a little and make it better.
We visited with some members earlier this week. Sister Sorenson is a photographer and does weddings. I thought you might like to look at her stuff so I asked her for her website. www.lucida-photography.com
Wow...there is never enough time in the hour. There were some things bothering me this last week about things at home but now I know that all is well. I got word from Mamaw about how much more peacefull things are and that had weighed heavy on my heart this last week. It was good to hear from her today.
AUGH....so little to type and so much time, wait...stop that...reverse it.
Elder Beachly has a guitar and I've been learning. I can play the Old, Old Path. YAY!!!
I had better go. I love all you guys. Take care.
Bryan
Letter# 7 2/13/06
Well...we were driving down the busy road in noon-day traffic and wouldn't you know it...the car dies. And in the middle of a busy intersection too. I had to get out and push it into the gas station-right in front of a bus. AUGH! We had to cancel most of our appointments while the car was at the dealership getting worked on. We got it back the next day, so it was only a minor set-back. The sisters did give us rides when they could that day, but they had a busy day already. It was just one of those days.
We had a really neat experience with our Elders Quorum President, Brother Brooks. He's really neat. Someone had told Elder Beachly about him and how he gave away a Book of Mormon every week last year. He heard that if we get him on our side that he would be a big help. We asked some missionaries about him and they told us how cold he treated the missionaries. So we went over to his house to get to know him ourselves and share a spiritual thought with him. He asked us how the work was going and we told him what we were doing with the less-actives. He then told us how he's chastised some lazy missionaries in the past and that we already had good marks in his books. We then shared a message about "acting or reacting". It went very well and the spirit was strong. Brother Brooks was near tears as he spoke to us after the short lesson. He said that if we would covanent with him that we would pray for his family everyday this month that he would have someone for us to teach by the end of the month. That experience showed us why Vancouver has been such a hard area. In the past this area has had lazy missionaries. When missionaries loose the trust of the members the work slows down dramatically. We are working hard to gain the trust of the members back.
Yesterday we had a really great P-Day. The Zone went ice skating. Wow...what an experience. I only fell once...HA! After a while I started to get the hang of it...what fun! I'd like to go again sometime.
I don't have much time today so I'll have to end it here. Oh...I got a package slip in the mail today...so I can pick it up tomorrow. Yes, I got the Wilbers package a week or two ago...It was a nice journal. Thank them for me. Send my love to everyone. Keep me updated about Papaw...he's on my mind alot lately. I hope something I said in my last email to Mamaw caught his attention. I love you guys very much. Til next week!
Bryan
Letter #6 2/06/06
Hey
I probably spent about $40 of my personal funds on gas. City driving is ridiculous. Once funds came in I put the debit card away. The only thing I've used it for since the turn of the month was a pair of jeans earlier today. $8 at Old Navy...who could resist that???
oh...and a heads up...I'm buying some contacts this week....the ones I'm wearing now are just about ready to be thrown out and they're my last pair.
Oh...and as far as gas...we fixed the situation. We traded cars with some other missionaries. Our car isn't near as nice now...but it uses MUCH less gas. It'll probably save us at least $50 each this month.
OK...I have to tell you what happened the other day. We had an appointment the other day in an apartment building. We knocked on the wrong door and this large man answered...wearing no pants, just an old T-shirt and a pair of silk panties. When he realized it wasn't who he thought it was he quickly hid behind the door. He was on the phone. We asked him if he knew which apartment was Rooski's and He said no. As we turned to walk away we hear him say over the phone "There's two cute guys at my door" AHHHHHH!!!
We took a few steps away from the door and died laughing. Just one of the few crazy experiences I've had in Vancouver. There's some crazy people here. At night while driving home we get to play count the hookers. Really...it's pretty bad. We always see at least one waiting on the roadside waiting to be picked up. It's terrible. And then you have the druggies...that's a sad sight. I've seen someone so high on crack it seems like they're in another world. Down the hall from our apartment you can often smell the potent odour of pot. That's something I've gotten used to already...on the street especially. Pot's everywhere. Vancouver is a very worldly city.
You asked if my ward here is anything like at home. Short answer...no. This ward is not near as close and warm as it is at home. It is oftentimes cold. There are the few exceptional people who are very wonderful, but other than that it's pretty hard. I've been here two months and I don't really know very many people in the ward. Elder Beachly and I are going to try to integrate ourselves into the ward and get the ward on our side. If we can get the ward on our side then the work will go so much better.
Well...I should write a few things to some others, so I'll end this email. I always keep you in my prayers. You guys mean so much to me and It's your love that keeps me going. Take care guys
Bryan
Letter #5
Hello to all my Ava Ward family,
Off all the small towns and places I could have been sent, The Lord saw it fit for my first area to be Downtown Vancouver. We are the only English Elders to serve here. As big as Vancouver is, there is only one ward. People are hard to teach, but that just means that I have to work that much harder. I just want each of you to know how much I love you and how grateful I am to all you have done for me. I want to leave my testimony of this work, that I know how important it is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to eveyone we know. I'm very grateful for this wonderful opportunity. Thanks for your support and your love.
Elder Davis
Letter #4 1/23/06
Hey there!!!
Yeah...the really short emails were days that I only had like 10 minutes to type one. I left the DVD in my DVD player underneath the TV. I told you it was there but you must have forgotten...we both know how stressful that last day was. I hope it's still there because there's no way to make another.
This week flew by like you would not believe. It seems like I was just here writting a few days ago. Still yet, I have no idea what to tell you...yep...forgot to write things down.
Sorry if I eat up the money this month....Vancouver is expensive. I'm out of funds already and have run into my personal account. We get a little over $200 a month and I spent $120 on gas...and the month isn't even over yet. We've both put in that much...meaning we've used $240 on gas. We can get gas for about 90 cents a liter in the evening...That's roughly $3.60 a gallon. In the daytime it's more expensive, like 98 cents a liter...more like $4 a gallon. We've also eaten out alot this transfer...but Elder Paskett's going home, let him have his fun. Next transfer however we'll be relying more on the members for our food rather than Dennys. That's another thing. The RS President has been away on vacation...and she's the one who does the meal calender for missionaries. Which means...no food. The way it works is someone signs up for a night and then we pick up the food. From 5-9 we're not allowed to eat at a members house unless it's a LA or they have an investigator with them. That way we can get more work done...and it's very effective too. So when someone signs up for food we just pick it up and eat at home. Hopefully they get that calendar up and running again.
I've got a little gift for each of you...except you Mom. I can't seem to find something for you...but I'll get it eventually. I'm also doing a little photo project I know you'll enjoy. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to send it to you.
I got your candy package at zone conference a few days after Christmas...and it was very good. But there were no rice crispy treats....is there another on the way????? I got a package from Tim and Suzi. It was sent before Christmas and I got it after my birthday. It took exactly 4 weeks to get here. A box of gormet chocolates....yum! It was a $20 box of chocolate...and took $20 to mail it...yikes!
...We still don't have any solid investigators. We started meeting with an ethiopian, Abea. He's meeting with us and the JW's at the same time. He would listen to us...then prove us wrong using the Bible. He was a "polite basher". We left him a Book of Mormon and came back a week later. He "prooved" it wrong. HE then taught US the Plan of Salvation and tried to commit us to church. I think he was trying to convert us the whole time. We were also meeting with this really nice JW who just wanted to know the differences of the two churches. He has no real desire to join...it's just a curiosity. He did give us a JW bible.....interesting. A little souvenire from Vancouver. Right now our main focus is less active work. There's almost 200 less actives in the ward...and within the next 2 weeks we'll have contacted all of them. Less active work is just as important as teaching investigators...and many times you can get investigators from less actives. We don't really do any tracting....it's almost a complete waste of time...almost. Tracting is what you do when there's nothing more productive you can do. Less active work is way more productive. We've been told to work smart not hard.
Sharalyn wrote and told me about the movie....I had a fit....enough said.
I WANNA SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the recipees...I'll try them out.......eventually..HA
I love you guys.
Bryan
Letter #3 1/16/06
Hey
Elder Paskett didn't know that we were going to check email earlier today and he didn't get a chance to check his....so here I am at the computer again. Today was sooooo fun!!! The mountains are very beautiful and covered with snow. Everything is blanketed in white. You have no idea the beauty there is here. I was blown away. I can't wait for you guys to see all the pictures. Trust me...I took many.
Oh....yeah, I still have the same companion...for about a week and a half that is. Transfers is a week from Thursday, and Elder Paskett goes home. I'm very interested to see who will be coming in to replace him.
Hey mom....I've been doing something very interesting in the New Test. the past few weeks. I've begun reading it from the beginning...but before I read I go through all the footnotes, highlight the JST, and then highlight the portions of the verse that it pertains to. I've highlighted them orange so I can tell them apart from my other highlighted scriptures. Then when i read and I come upon an orange part of a verse I look down at the footnotes and read the JST. It makes things alot plainer and shows you oftentimes what was really meant.
And yes...I did try sushi. I've had it twice...kindof. The first time our zone went to the mall to eat after a combined zone meeting (our zone is very close so we see each other often). Elder Prazybane got sushi and I tried his. The second time a less-active took us out to get sushi. It's really good...especially the California Rolls. There's no fish in it, it's just avacado, crab, and rice. But I also had salmon rolls...yes, with raw salmon. Really good stuff. YUMMY!!!
Leah...I'm taking you out to eat sushi when I get home
It rains constantly here in Vancouver. We actually saw the sun the other day...but the rain came that evening. OH...that's another thing that's different. At 4:30 it starts getting dark...and by 5:30 it's pitch black out. Not much daylight here in the winter. But in the Prince George zone (way up north) I hear that It gets dark much quicker.
Well....all is going very well for me here. Everything I could imagine for me to tell you will come to me after I get home tonight, so maybe this week I'll write my thoughts down throughout the week so I'll know them. hehehehehe
well...take care. I love you guys
Bryan
Letter # 2 12/27/05
Hey Mom.
Hehe....funny thing about the crack pipe....it's not a crack pipe. Let me explain. When we moved in the Spanish speaking missionaries sent over a box of things for us, like pots, pans, dishes, extra things they had. The Spanish missionaries drink Mate, which is like a tea, except that the herbs are actually in the cup when you drink it. So in order to drink it it requires a special metal straw. at one end of the straw you sip and the other end has a special filter that allows the liquid to come up but not the herbs. I've tried it at the Spanish elders...it's pretty good. Well...the "crack pipe" was actually a mate straw with the filter broken off. I had taken a picture of it and had my camera in church that day after I called home. We showed it to the Spanish elders and they laughed and told us that they had been missing it. It must have gotten mixed up with the things they had sent over. HAHAHAHAHA.
Anyway...I'm emailing today because the library was closed yesterday. Boxing Day is actually a national holiday...who would've guessed??? Anywho....don't be surprised when you see how much mulah i spent. I bought something I've had my eye on for a few years...a minidisk player. Elder Paskett has one and he showed me how it works. You can hook it up to a CD player and play the cd and record the songs onto the minidisk player. So I can copy songs from other missionaries cd's without a computer...how awesome. So it's $230...I don't care...It's Christmas. He rings it up and it's $260. WHAT!!! I looked at the reciept...$30 tax!! Sales tax here is 14% So Dad...any time you think tax is rediculous in the states.....remember what I'm giving to the Canadian government. I also did a little shopping for all you guys...I'll send it a little later. And tell Mamaw I don't care what she says...I still got her something.
I'm not feeling the greatest today...got a cold. Woke up feeling terrible this morning...but the shower helped a little. I got a blessing from some of the other elders yesterday before we went shopping. Don't worry about me, I'm downing the airborn, filling my gut with water, and trusting that the Lord will see me through it alright. Other than that, all is well with me.
Sounds like you guys had an awesome Christmas. Honestly...this was one of the best Christmas's I've ever had. Christmas eve we went to a retirement home-like place. This wasn't really a retirement home like you'd think...it was nice. It's for older people that can take care of themselves. Anyway...two members that live there had us and the sisters over for a small party. They had reserved the event hall for us and had a fire going and pleanty of snacks. And to top it all off...dominoes set up and ready to play. They had some of their friends in the place come and play as well. These were no grumps...but children-at-heart. Such sweet souls. We had a blast. For Christmas evening we had a wonderful time as well. A member from Elder Paskett's first area, about 30 minutes away, got permission from President Middleton to have us over for Christmas Dinner. They're American and he works for US Customs. This guy knows EVERYONE. He golfs with Kelsey Grammer! He's going to see about getting us into a hockey game within the next few weeks. They are a very sweet family.
Tell Keri that I recieved one package at the MTC and that's all...it was the one with the notepads and chocolate shells. Tell her everyone loved the chocolate shells.
You guys take care. I love ya very much
Bryan
Letter #1 12/19/05
Hey there!!!!!
DON'T SEND PARISHABLES!!!!!!!!!
It takes 2-3 weeks to mail pakages here and about one week for letters, so email will be the fastest means of communication. Anyway...I'm serving in downtown Vancouver. We're the only two elders who have that area, the only two in the mission without a car. We were whitewashed in...meaning that we're opening the area. You see...all of Vancouver only has one english ward, and that was taken care of by the sisters. But Vancouver is so large they couldn't cover it all so they split it up. So now the ward has four missionaries. They only gave the zone leaders a weeks notice to find us an apartment...so they did the best they could do. We have an apartment at the very edge of our boundry. When we arived it was totally empty. The Sisters had two spare mattresses that they gave us so we at least had that for the first night. The next day the spanish elders came by with a dresser. That's all we've got right now. Oh....except for food. The relief society gave us pleanty of food. So we're living in downtown Vancouver with nothing but two mattresses and a dresser--much fun!!!
I have an awesome trainer. This is Elder Paskett's last 6 weeks...he goes home next transfer. He was just released as a Zone Leader in order to train me. He's a district leader now. We get along real well.
Vancouver is awesome. We have to take busses everywhere. Getting to church can be a pain. We take the #7 Bus to the Naniamo skytrain station (it's like a subway above ground) and then take the skytrain to the Joyce station. Then it's on the #41 Bus to the church. it takes 40 minutes to an hour to get to church. The sisters or the Spanish elders give us rides sometimes so it's not too bad.
Sorry I didn't get to email any of you personally but I've got to go. I'll talk to you Sunday!!!!!
Bryan
