Hoo
Well I spent most of this last week sitting. Sitting on Trains, sitting in meetings, and sitting on other trains. Or at least that is how it feels.
Sunday
I really did sit on trains almost all day, I had to get up really early to catch a train to another city, because we were having a District conference. Which is pretty much like a Stake Conference, but it is just with the branches that are run by the mission, and form a district. The conference was awesome. The talks given were really good, and I feel that they will help the members out here really focus on living by the gospel. Especially where topics such as ministering are concerned.
After the conference there was a big lunch and it was really yummy. Then we helped clean up afterwards and left. That was pretty much the whole day because I had another really long train ride after that and got back late.
Saturday
We had a long day of finding. We tried to use the Book of Mormon Challenge as a finding tool, but we didn't find anyone who was interested in learning about the gospel. There were plenty of people who kind of looked into it, but for the most part they were not all that interested.
Friday
We met with our most progressing investigator Ádám. He is doing so well that we have decided that we are going to ask him again if he will be baptized. We then had district meeting, and...Weekly planning actually, because we didn't have time to do it at all the previous day. We met with a member named C—, he is pretty gone in the head. C— had a nasty car accident, and ever since then he has believed some really strange things. So we visit him to help keep him active in the church. Though I honestly question how accountable he is for most of the things that he does. He is a strange man and can often surprise you with incredible wisdom and insight, but most of the time he is just really weird, and very incorrect about the gospel.
Thursday
We had Zone Conference. It was pretty good. I didn't learn about anything that was taught, but I did learn. I have found that it is much more important to listen to the spirit that what is being said by the speaker. More often than not those things will line up, but sometimes you will hear something different and more specific to you, and this is what happened for me.
Wednesday
I was on Splits with my Zone leaders. It was really good and we found two new investigators. Actually four, because we found 2 for each companionship here in Debrecen. That is really all that happened.
Tuesday
We Started Splits with the Zone Leaders, and we went to do a lot of finding.
The most memorable thing that has happened on my mission. *1
Hmm... I will never forget the time when one of my investigators commit suicide. It was the hardest point of my mission. And I don't think that I ever told you. But I wanted to go home so bad that I couldn't stand it. But that is also a point of time when I grew the most. I cannot say that I loved the experience, but I am thankful for it because I now know more about myself than I knew previously. *2
Aside from this experience, the most memorable thing that I have experienced is the Spirit testifying with me as I have testified to others.
Which reminds me, and I would like Ryan especially to read this. But there have been many many times when I have testified and the spirit was really strong, and then the person who I was talking to still did not understand, or didn't want to change. I want to advise you to never be discouraged by this. It is OK. It is hard, But everyone has their agency. On the bright side, your words will likely have more impact on that person than you will ever realize. So please just prepare yourself. Your mission will be the best thing in your life. I don't know how I can better say it. And please don't be too worried because of my words. It will all be awesome, and it will always turn out well in the end. *3
Now I was asked a very interesting thing. What have I learned on my mission. I honestly can't say that I have learned it because I am learning it still. But there is a scripture that goes. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him; and He shall direct thy paths." I have tried to do this my whole mission, and I have seen that the most important thing that you can do, no matter what walk of life you are taking. You need to make sure that you are 100% converted to the Lord. You need to make sure that you follow that scripture's instruction. And when you do this you will be more Christlike, more loving and Charitable. You will be strictly obedient to the commandments, and most importantly as a missionary. You will shine forth the light that God has given you, and be the most perfect example you are capable of being, so that others too can come unto Christ.
This is all for now.
Love you!
Brandon.
These aren't pictures of me, but I have been drawing in what little free time I have and I wanted to show you. *4
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| This Dragon took a long time to draw, but I finally finished it. |
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| I have been having a lot of fun drawing this wolf, and I am still working on it. |
Mom's Notes:
1. I asked him the most memorable thing that happened on his mission. If I had thought about it, I would have guessed that the story he told was the thing.
2. This happened in his first area. The man committed suicide, and the man's brother accused the missionaries of driving people to their death. There was a police investigation—Brandon and his companion were interrogated twice, and then transferred immediately. I could tell he wasn't happy at all, and I was afraid that he would want to come home, but he stuck it out. I'm proud of my son.
3. Ryan got his mission call last Saturday (day before yesterday). He will be serving in Gilbert, AZ, entering the Provo MTC on November 28—two weeks after Brandon gets home. I love that Brandon gives him this insight and advice.
4. Pictures from a second email. I would like to see pictures of him, his companion, people they work with, Hungary... But this is all right too.
'Til next time...
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