April 25, 2012

Hey family! How is everyone? I'm doing great out here. I've got some pretty exciting news. The other day I got a call from President Matsumori and he asked if I would lead the music for a three mission meeting where a general authority would be present. When I asked who it was he told me I'd be very excited to hear it. He said Elder David A. Bednar will be here. And I'll be sitting on the stand with him. AHHHHHHHHHH! How crazy is that!? It's super exciting, right? I'm more nervous about that than any teaching experience I've had so far! He's asked that we study two of his talks so that we can be "better prepared fro when he arrives." I think it's going to be one of those Q and A's he did with our stake. I think he likes those. That's really awesome. So, today marks the end of my first transfer! Holy cow! I feel like I've only been out for like four days. It's super crazy! Super chevere Yes, I got Ashley's, dad's, and your dear elder letter. Was that all of them? Everything really is fine. I'm enjoying everyday. I've already made some very good friends in the Elders and Sisters and members. They all want to take me to their home country. One brother always tells me how much I'd love the playas del salvador. He's such a chambon. That's so great about the McLaughlin's! Tell them I give my congratulations! And tell Mark that "nature calls." (little bit of game humor from a fun evening)  That's so amazing about Tatum! Tell her I say Happy Birthday. I don't need anything except for more pictures. Send some that I can put in my room. Keep sending letters. Tell others to send letters. What's Jordan's address so that I can send him something when he gets out. I haven't spoken to him since the MTC. Could you do that? So, I hope everyone is doing well. I hope you can feel how hard I pray for each of you every day. I can definitely feel your prayers for me. I haven't had a single day of sadness or yearning for home. Nothing gets me down. It really is impossible for something to upset me. I don't know why... I hope everyone is staying very happy... We'll be able to talk on the phone next month. Are you excited? I know I am! Anyway, duty calls. Love you all very much, Elder Branning P.S. Sorry, no pictures! I forgot to bring my chord for my camera... and my camera... Bye bye.

April 18, 2012

Hola!  Another big week! On Sunday I got to confirm O. (edited by mom) into the church on Sunday in front of the whole ward in Spanish! It was super neat! I loved the experience! So cool! We had a surprise baptism on Sunday that also counts as ours! We've been teaching this little eight year old girl whose abuela wanted that we teach her all of the lessons before she got baptized. We didn't know why. Her dad is a member and her mom is investigating. We thought she could just do it... Whatever. On the Saturday before her baptism obispo M (mom again) called us and told us we need to set up speakers and prayers for the baptismal service. We were like "Umm, Obispo, she's eight years old, this is the wards responsibility. Not the missionaries." He then tells us that her mom is not a member, which we knew, and that her dad was baptized but he is not on record, which we did not know. "E (edit) es su bautismo," he says to me. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEET! Since she wasn't a child on record she counts as the missions baptism! How cool! I've got three baptisms in my first transfer! The work is going forward! So cool! That was great. We have a few new investigators and they're all really sweet. We have this one guy named E (same)  who went to the Visitors Center a while ago and received a Book  of Mormon. Nobody heard from him for about two weeks. Out of nowhere he calls us up and informs us that he is all the way in Helaman. WHAT!? We asked him how he likes it. He says he loves it. We asked him if he's asked God if it is true. He says he hasn't. "But the more I read, the more I NEED to know that it is!" WHAT WHAT?! He tells us that he feels so amazing when he reads it and that he knows these feelings are from God. He's an amazing guy and we haven't even taught him a lesson yet! Haha! Really cool miracles happen out here everyday! I could use a calendar. Could you guys send me one? Is it possible? Make it a good one if you can. Also, I was told that you shouldn't send mail to the address I'm at. I shouldn't have given it to you all in the first place. So, just send it to the mission home still. And I don't know what's up with the mail being sent back... That's weird. Call the mission office and ask. Or I can talk to them. Weird. I did get Ashley's letter, though... Thanks! How is everyone? How is health? Is everyone trying to get in shape? I hope so! How is scripture reading? How is family home evening? Make sure you're doing all that you should! That way I can be blessed. Haha. I hope everyone is doing well. Keep sending mail.  I love you all so much! I'm grateful for each one of you!  Your friend, brother, and son, -Elder Branning P.S. The name of this email comes from when I got spit on by a Mormon hater. She screamed at me while I was talking to these guys on the side of the road and spit at me and it went all the way down my tie. It was pretty funny. "America, America..."

April 11, 2012

Okay, big news! We got our baptisms! O (edited by mom) and E (ditto)were finally baptized! It was so great! I was so happy! I don't think I've ever felt that much excitement/gladness before! It was so amazing! Now, they just have to stay active! That will be no problem for E... Perhaps for O... We'll see. I hope all of them feel that way. That was just fantastic. Yes, it was a big surprise to see Jazz and her family. I was nervous because I had to call President Matsumori and tell him that my cousin was on her way. He said "Well, if she's on her way, so be it. It's a tender mercy of the Lord. " It was very nice of them!  Tell them I said thank you! I'm obsessed with those pecans. They're super good! On that same Easter we went to the visitor's center because one of our recent converts said she was inviting a friend to it. We showed up and taught a lesson to her about the Book of Mormon and extended a baptismal date and she accepted! That was so cool! I love having a visitor's center in my mission! It's such an amazing tool! The spirit is so strong there! We also, on Tuesday, sang for the Spanish night of Music and inspiration. Really super neat! Look for pictures from Sister Matsumori of the event on her blog. She was taking a ton of them! Yeah, I don't get to go to Arlington Cemetery until I'm going home. They take all of the "dying" missionaries to the cemetery. Really cool. Thanks for the package! We really appreciate it! The bars are going to really help! I weigh (for mom's eyes only)  right now. Things are going well. The hills in my area are a great blessing. There are these members who live at the top of this giant hill and we have to go up it like five times a week. It's great! It really kills you. That's so great about Riley! I hope all works out! I pray for each of you individually every night. My prayers are very specific. I pray for Dad's job every single day. Almost every prayer. But more than that, I pray for his health. I pray for everyone's health. I know from my own experience that if you start treating your body right things start going your way. The spirit is more able to guide and blesses you in everything that you do. Please, I hope everyone is getting healthy! Do everything you can! Is it heating up there? Start swimming! I have so much joy in being healthy. Because it brings the Spirit. Amazing! Well, I suppose I can try sending just one picture at a time. That might work better. If not, I don't know what to do... Well, I love all of you and am so grateful to have you supporting your missionary. Pray for me. Pray for the work. Pray for my companion. Pray to find missionary opportunities! It's hard to get members here to be missionaries so I ask that you help out our elders in our ward. Find people. I keep dreaming about our neighbors... Have they been talked to yet? Anyway, I love you. I hope that you all know that. I can't wait to hear from you next week! Con mi amor, Elder Branning

April 4, 2012

Whew! What a conference weekend! This has to be my most favorite conference ever! I learned so much! It was really cool though because we got to go watch conference in the visitor's center! How neat is that! It was on this huge screen! It was so cool! I took many notes! I feel like I received some pretty heavy personal revelation.It was so spiritual.
All of our investigators made it to conference so that was really sweet! Unfortunately, our baptisms fell through AGAIN! ____________,(name edited by mom) keeps saying that he doesn't feel ready but we can tell something is up. His wife, _______, is amazing and she's been ready for six months. He keeps holding her back. So, we have it set for this Sunday and hopefully all goes well.

My companion got bit by a spider and it infected his leg and gave him a staff infection. He had to go the hospital and get some medication and take some bed rest for awhile. That was fun. I was the reason he went to the hospital because I'm the only one whose been bit by a spider before. I knew what it was right when he showed it to me. Really interesting.

My birthday was on Monday and what a day it was... We had a district meeting that morning and President Matsumori showed up with some birthday treats. Super nice of him. Afterwards we went to a member family's house and they gave us lunch and some yummy treats. They sang happy birthday to me and it was really sweet. This family is amazing. The Del-Orbes. They're from the dominican republic. Hermano Del-Orbe is very high up in the government there. He's super nice. He made me draw him before the priesthood session. After that we went back to the apartment because of Elder Benke's spider bite. And I got to study for a while and then out of nowhere a HUGE migrane hit me. I had to hit the bed for a little bit. Not fun. After that we went out teaching and then had a noche de hogar at the church and none of our members or investigators showed up! That was horrible. So that was my birthday. All in all... Pretty fun.


Sorry, I don't have my address with me! I did just send a letter to Mackey with my apartment address on it so you can take it from there. Just don't give it out too publicly. Don't put it on the internet.

My clothes are doing fine. My companion gave me a smaller belt and that solved some pants falling issues. so that's good.

Anyway, things are great here. I'm still enjoying everything. The members are great. I'm speaking a lot more. I'm still so amazed at how much I've progressed in spanish. I used to not know a single thing. I didn't know what people were saying at all. And now, even though I can't understand perfectly, I can understand enough. And that is a blessing.

I love you all so very much and want to hear from you! It was even said in conference. I paraphrase "Write missionaries actual letters. Not only quick emails." Tell everyone to get on that wagon!

Con todo mi amor,
Elder Branning

March 28, 2012

Hola Familia! Wowee! So much has happened!  This last week was full of business! We've recieved eight new investigators! We have three baptisms set up for this Sunday  (I hope) I got my bike and then both tires went flat. That was hilarious! We knew it was going to happen because my companion has the same bike and the same exact thing happened to him. Both tires popped. Really funny. We've eaten some amazing food. Dominican style.  A majority of the people here are from El Salvador and Guatemala. But I have met people from Bolivia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Argentina.  It's amazing. So much diversity. Every day I am challenged to do something new. I am challenged to be a missionary, in essence. Yesterday I did all of the street contacting which was super fun. People are hilarious. We went and talked to a few guys from El Salvador about the gospel and after a few minutes we realized that they were part  of MS13 which is a very dangerous gang... If you're not a messenger from God. They reassured us that they don't mess with the missionaries. Super funny but a little tense at the same time. They thought I was funny. We went and visited a a new member named Elvis one day but he wasn't  home. Instead, we got his brother. We talked to him for a few minutes and BOOM! He accepts baptism. We are so THRILLED! He's going to be baptized on Easter. It's super great. That's so cool about Jordan M. My goodness! Tell him to write me about it! I want to hear! It makes me sad at the same time but it's so great for them! AH! SO COOL! Mac! That is so great about trek! I am so happy to hear that you had a wonderful fun spiritual experience! I am so grateful to have a brother who is such a great example to me! I love you very much and hope you continually search for more spiritual experiences! I dare you to start doing missionary work! It will bring so much happiness into your life. Talk to the missionaries about what you can do. You'll love it! As for the box, send nutrigrain bars. Anything like that. Something healthy that can pick me up while I'm out and about. I would greatly appreciate it! I've finally got some pictures for you! One is the cherry blossoms. Another is the wedding of Emily and Orlando; Some drawings that I did of people who actually exist. I'll send more in another Email. Anyway, things are great. It's so hard. The hardest thing I've ever done. But I am not here to be a mediocre missionary. I'm here to do ALL that the Lord asks of me. I will work till my feet bleed if I have to. It's so amazing out here! I wish you could all experience what I'm experiencing! I love you all so much! So grateful to have been raised in a home with all of you. Keep writing! Encourage people to write! I love hearing from people! With all of my love, Elder Branning. P.S. I've already eaten at some amazing places that I'll have to take you to when we all come here after my mission. Jajaja- I mean hahaha

March 21,2012 One week in the field!

WOW! First full week in the field. I am dead tired. My area is full of hills. Like, no joke. We're only on bikes and it is tiring. I don't have my bike yet so that's not so great. I'm using some older bike. It's alright for now. The area is full of Hispanics and I can't understand a single one of them. My spanish is horrible. I can't speak beyond "Hola, como esta?" Everything is super difficult. Our baptisms have fallen through and we have no new investigators. Everyday is an uphill battle. Every day is a challenge to my character. And. I. Love. It. This place is amazing! Everyone is so nice! The members are so sweet to me! I already care so much for the people here in my area. I get to use what little spanish I have very often. I'm losing weight everyday. Me and my companion are already great friends. He's also lost weight on his mission. eighty pounds. We've decided to go on a diet to lose twenty five to thirty pounds during Abril. We've set so many goals and are taking all of them by storm. The very first event I had here was a wedding for two investigators so they could get baptized. It was super sweet. Everyone has already expressed their love for me even though they don't know who I am and can't understand me. I love it so much! It's not hard to stay positive at all! Today for P-day we went to the city and saw the cherry blossoms. SO BEAUTIFUL! We went to the Jefferson Monument and then to the Holocaust museum. It was super powerful. If all of my P-Days are going to be like this, I am SO in! I've been taking a bunch of pictures and have been meaning to send some to you in an email but I keep forgetting to bring my chord to the computer. Woops. Next week. So, everything is great. This place is my place. Every time we go out biking I can't help but smile as we ride through the most dangerous area in the mission because I realize... I'm a missionary. I love being a missionary. Bring on the next two years because I can handle them! I love all of you and thank you for sending me that package! The bed sheets are so comfortable. Everything is perfect. Even though it's hard. I'm on the side of the Lord so there is nothing that isn't part of the plan. Take care, Elder Branning NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

First letter from DC! March 14,'12

Hello family! I have arrived in my wonderful mission! It's so beautiful! It truly is the best mission in the world! I already know it. Yesterday was very long and very eventful. We were in the airport in Salt Lake City and we were able to talk to a ton of people. I was able to hand out some pass along cards and some folletos already! The flights were very tiresome. I was so exhausted. No sleep whatsoever. When we got to Washington D.C. we immediately met President and sister Matsumori. They are so amazing! I love them both! So sweet and loving. They helped me with my big bag, which unfortunately lost two of it's four wheels so it's a bit awkward to lug around... Not cool. But that's a small insignificant problem. Anyway, the first thing we did was go to the temple. It is really so beautiful. President Matsumori told us that we had the time to go out into the surrounding forest to go kneel in prayer to make our commitment to the Lord. To "Check in" as they called it. I found a very nice place. I knelt in prayer and poured out my hopes and desires for my mission. I asked for His help. I do that every night. But this time was different. I was so overcome with the spirit that I know I will be watched over. I know I will receive His help as long as I am doing what is right. I know it. Afterwards we had just a bunch of different activities and fun stuff. We were able to take a nap, that's when the President called you, and that nap was life saving.  Anyway, fast forward to today, we've already been assigned our companions. Mine is Elder Benke (Pronounced binky) He's great! But the best part so far was going to the temple. I actually got to enter! It's so beautiful! I was so overwhelmed! I was so excited to be walking in areas that my parents had been walking in years before this day. It was so amazing. Humbling really. The celestial room was gorgeous. I was so grateful for the time I got to spend in there.  My first area is Langley Park. It's a bike area (Yes!) It's really hilly (Yes!) And it's loaded with Hispanics (YES! YES! YES!) I cannot wait for my first real lesson! This is so amazing! I never thought I would actually make it. And here I am. I am ready to do this work. I have never been so ready in my life. I just want to share with you my testimony now: I know that this church is true and that it is from God. It is His great gift. I know that Jesus Christ lives. And that through the power of His atonement we can be healed. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have a plan for all of us. I know that they gave me my family because they love me very much. And I am so grateful that I get to live with all of you for eternity. I am grateful for my baptism. And for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I am so happy I get to deliver this beautiful message with others out here in my mission. Because I know it's true. I know it.  I love you all, Elder Branning