....and we stay in Monterrey! Week 1 of new change

Hey y'all, sorry about the delay. I didn't have time to write yesterday from a zone activity we had.  Our week was great! I think a lot of it prepared us for this next change.  In our area, we didn't see many results from our work. I would not say I'm discouraged, but I am disappointed. We worked very, very hard.  But I'm always compelled to the promise that the blessings come after the trials. I look forward to this next change!!!

Other than that the zone did awesome this change! President Romney offered to all the zones in the mission to pay for a zone activity if we reached a certain percentage of results of baptism and confirmation. Us, and one other zone in Coahuila reached the goal and we were able to go to the incredible pizza place again. The missionaries had a great time and are ready to start another change.  Well, it's early Tuesday morning and we're just about to head out to the bus station for transfers. As for my companion and I, the Lord needs us to stay here another change! We're extremely excited for this change!!  Talk to you next week,  Elder Warner 

HEY MY SWEET MOTHER!!! HOW ARE YOU DEAR?!

Excuse my delay, I hate having you anxiously wait to hear if I'm alive or not.

Here I am! Well, as you have heard the news, we had changes. There are only a few changes in the zone.  One of my best friends from the MTC, Elder Nelson, is coming to my zone!  It is nothing short of inspiration that we are going to be in the same zone that he has already been in once. I love the kid as one of my best friends.  Right now, we're about to head out to the transfer site. I'm really hoping I see Elder Hemsley!!! That might just be one of the reasons I'm so excited to go over there.

Well, I'm really happy right now. Things are going well and I know of a surety that everything that is right now, is what it's supposed to be.  I'm really happy with the zone results!  I don't want to brag at all, don't take it like that, but we nearly  tripled our zone percentage of outcome!  They say this is one of the more "difficult" zones.  I don't believe that word exists or differs one from another.  Things are going awesome.  I'm really excited to tear this change up!

Love you dearly, sweet mother!

Bryan

Two hard working missionaries taking a break for lunch!

Week 6 of Transfers, and Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers day to all!!!

I hope you all had an awesome weekend with one of the most incredible days of the year.  This week was packed.  Well, let's start off with our Mexico Mothers day (the 10th).  To explain from the beginning, we haven't had many results this change. But I think we have worked definitely as hard as we could and tried to be as creative as possible.  On Mothers day we strapped on the old "worldly" jeans and shoes. We had a member sew us some aprons and in place of a Book of Mormon, we walked around with a broom and a mop.  We dedicated the whole day to serving the mothers here on their special day. We didn't have many results as far as investigators, but we don't doubt we made a lot of mothers days by sweeping, mopping, and even washing their cats.  Also, we had a good birthday party Friday night. We decided on teriyaki burgers. It was a looong process but when we finally had them done, they were awesome. The cake as well, as you see from the pan in the fire, took a little while also. But it turned out amazing!  Today we just got back from the temple, and driving back home on the bus was a dramatic contrast of what we had just experienced, and what a sample of heaven is like.  Other than that things are going very well.  We are on the last week of the change and will be looking forward to what these next days bring.

Love you all!

Elder Warner

HEY AGAIN MY SWEET MOTHER!!!  How are you doing, love!!!  Well, we have basically said it all, but I just want to let you know how much I loooved Sunday!!!  I really wish we would have done Skype before, but either way it was incredible  Well to be honest, I don't feel home sick at all. I feel very comfortable where I am and where we are. I will never forget these phone calls and am sad to know that we had our last one. I am so glad to know all you are fine, healthy, happy, and normal. Especially my old man. Love that guy!  I might have mentioned this last time but one of the greatest experiences with the home phone calls is feeling like our family has something extremely special. There is such a mature emotional bond between all of us that makes us very unique. We are able to see the small blessings and enjoy it. We have such a humble, down to earth family that I would never change for any thing in this whole world. I love my parents. My mom and dad. I love my sisters. And I love my cat.  We are an elect group of people put in each others lives for an incredible and precise reason.  You guys rock and I love you to death.  Thank you for giving me such a family as this.  Bry

Happy 21st Birthday, Elder Warner!

Happy May!! Good Morning! How are we doing??

I can hardly believe we've snuck into May. Nearly half way through the year!

This week was sa-weeet. We got done with Zone Conferences, had some rain throughout the week, and burned a shirt for the 18 month mark.

Zone Conference was awesome. I would say I was a tad nervous before hand, but when we got up to capacitate it all, it all felt natural.  We had two, 2-hour capacitations, one talking on the Vineyard of the Lord - how He has prepared many people to receive us in each of our areas, and how we can find, recognize and teach them.  The other one was about how we, as missionaries, obtain the keys to eternal life — and the importance of inviting everyone possible to share these keys with us through invitation.  We put an example to start off, by having a janitor's set of keys (20-30 keys) with only one that opened a chapel door.  We showed all the missionaries which was the key to open the door and gave Sister Romney, our Mission President's wife, 20 seconds to open the door not knowing which was the key ( she failed ).  It helped us understand that the people we love most are searching for this key but can only find it through us.  As we all watched poor Sister Romney struggle to find it on the other side of the door, no one offered to help her.  They understood the importance of inviting and helping others with what we have and know.   The other one we started by placing 6 pears on a table. Asking which one is ripe (Unnoticeable in a pear without feeling it ). Although we can visibly see those who are ready to accept, we have to talk with everyone to feel if they are truly prepared.   We had fun, ate lasagna (amazing) and got out to work after.   Perhaps my favorite part of it was listening to Sister Romney's words.   She expressed how when Elder Bednar came, they had a meeting with him afterwards. Elder Bednar expressed how the biggest concern of the Prophet and Quorum of the Twelve is that the members aren't converted.  She mentioned a little about the political news with Mitt Romney, how Elder Bednar mentioned that in these future times, "All Hell is going to break loose".  That Satan in these latter days is going to release "his wrath" and that if these members aren't converted, we will fall.  It made me think of how many of us are REALLY converted into the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  In this email I looked forward to making an invitation to those who read it.   Ask yourself if you are truly converted.  What does it mean to be truly converted?  How am I acting upon it? What can I do better? etc..  Search the Book of Mormon, write down personal experiences, personal explanations on a piece of paper. And apply it.  The council from our leaders is that we need to start preparing.   I love you all, and I'd love to hear comments about this invitation from a few. It could help some of the members here.

Elder W

HEY MOM!!! HOW ARE YOU DOING!!! 

Can you believe Mothers day has come up so soon?!? It brings me back to last year how incredible it was being able to talk to you for the first time in forever. Makes me really sad, knowing this is the last calling experience we have. But it will be amazing!!!  I'm trying to set up everything.  I would like to do Skype.  Worst case I give you guys a call on Saturday or Sunday.  It just will be difficult cause we have a few meetings with the Stake President and Mission President on Sunday.  I wish I could give you a sure date.  But we all know it works out in the end.  My companion's family won't be able to on Sunday he thinks, so we're leaning for more of Saturday. 

So how was your week?  I got your amazing package safe and sound!! That was awesome timing and very convenient. Loved the jump day gifts! You're a sweetie. I'm waiting to open the others on Friday for my birthday. Thank you so much for these gifts!! They are more than I can ask for.  As you can see, my companion won the wish bone. He wished that we will have a baptism next week haha. We will see what happens.  Well, things are going incredible. I look very forward to this week,  I'm so excited!!!  Keep being the mom you are!  You're the best!!  Bryan

Week 3 in Anahuac, Monterrey

Good Afternoon, All!!

I'm starting to hear that the weather over there is starting to turn into the beautiful Utah summer weather. What could be Monterey's winter!

We are doing awesome over here on this side! The work is going, and we're busier than ever.

This past week mainly focused on preparing our Zone conference in the mornings, and a few divisions with the Elders in the zones throughout the week.

I couldn't describe how fast time is going by right now. Help!

Last week I received an email from our convert Betty. Right now, she has had the calling for a few months as the teacher of the Gospel Principals class. Here is the latest news:

Elder como esta hace mucho q no se de usted  me habian dicho q estaba en acuña pero despues me dijieron q lo habian cambiado pero no se donde esta  bueno  le tengo una buena noticia q creeee  me estoy preparando para ir a la mision bueno estoy muy contenta porq ya falta menos tiempo ya tengo 10 meses como miembro de la Iglesia y estoy muy contenta porque en estos meses e crecido mucho espiritualmente y ya tengo mi testimonio de q esta es la unica Iglesia verdadera y estoy muy agradecida de permancer en ella y te doy gracias por haberme inssistido en conocer la :)   (translated):

"Elder how are you? It's been a while since I haven't heard from you.  They have told me that you were in Acuña, but after they told me that they changed you.  Well, I have some good news… I am preparing to go on a mission! I am very happy because I only have a little time left to wait.   I have now been a member of the church for 10 months and I am very thankful because in these months, I have spiritually grown a lot and now I have a testimony that this is the only true church and I am very thankful to be a part of this church. I thank you for having insisted me to become part of it."

These letters always reassure me that I am exactly where I need to be, doing exactly what I should be doing.

I as well, know it is the only true church. And I am ever so grateful to be a representative of it.

Elder Warner

Elder Warner at Betty's baptism and confirmation in June 2011!

Week Two!

Good Morning All!  We are back again to catch up on a few of the details.  We had another great week!  Things are going very well, my cheeks are kinda sore from smiling so much.  About changes, my area is about half an hour away from the last. (I miss my last area like crazy) but it's basically the same.  I would say we're in more of a wealthier part of town so it's calmer over here.  What I really liked about my last area was asking for references of someone who has experienced a change in their life such as a birth, change of home, or a death in the contacts, and the majority pointed out that many of the neighbors who recently experinced a tragedy with the problems going on.  Here, there is not a lot of that.  The people are kind, still a little insecure, but that's why we're here right?  My companion's name is Elder Foreman. I met him about a year ago and we've been good friends since. Like I said, I'm always smiling with the kid.  We connect on a lot of hobbies. He is my first American companion, from Huntington Beach, California, but right now his family is living in Cedar City, Utah!  He is on his last two changes on the mission but we've made a vow since the beginning that we don't talk about it.

The ward is really cool! We have a member who is the only member of the church in his family, who will be leaving in two weeks on his mission, to Panama. Yesterday, he gave a talk saying that when he opened his call, his mom was worried because she wouldn't be able to visit him because she doesn't have a visa.  He gave us the reference to visit his mom. She is really sad and doesn't understand it all, but knows what he is doing is right.  The zone is doing well and we have a lot of work to do! I'm learning more and more each day on how to forget myself and personal needs. I love helping other missionaries out. I think that would be my favorite part about it all.  This is about all of the short news as from last Wednesday. These pictures are from last Wednesday. We spent a few hours helping the Mission President's wife, Sister Romney, make hundreds and hundreds of cookies for the Zone Confrences that are coming up. Ha, one of the greatest things I have learned on the mission might just be the cookies!  We also made a goal that we will talk to every single person in our sight about the Gospel.  They are all children of God.  Until next week. 

Love you all!

Elder Warner

HEY GIRL!!! How are you mom!!??

I feel like we didn't talk too long ago but I still want to shout out and tell you how much I love you.  How was your week? Mine was amazing.  Things are going so well right now.  Love it!  To answer a few of your questions:  The latest news on Martha is that she moved a few months ago! :( I couldn't tell you exactly where she is, but it has made it difficult for her to make plans for the temple. I will keep trying to get more details so we finish what we started with her!  Well, you already know about transfers.  And you know that I am happy.  The best thing that happened to me: was applying what I recently learned with Elder Bednar.  Right now, we are working with a returned missionary mother who is completely inactive.  We have had very powerful lessons with her. Last week on an occasion we were able to teach her family with her about the Restoration.  The Spirit was incredible. At the end, the mother looked down at her 14 year-old daughter and asked what was wrong. Her daughter looked up and said "I don't have a doubt that what they just said is true".  I'll answer the other questions next week.  I hope you are doing amazing.  I still continue to brag of what an incredible mother I have.  Thank you for everything.  You are the best!  I love you, Elder Warner

Transfers, Elder Bednar, and Zone Leader!

Hello! Hello Hello! How are you all?!  Feels like it's been a while since I've written. There is too much to tell.  I would like to start with the experience we had yesterday: We got together as two missions (Monterrey East and West) in fast, to hear the words of Elder Bednar.  A few weeks before he arrived, they informed us to study two talks he previously gave on asking in faith and studying in faith. When we all arrived, we stood up as he walked in.  He felt very comfortable with the missionaries. We were all able to shake his hand before it started and followed with a few words from his wife.  She is a really sweet lady who knows a whole lot!  Following, Elder Bednar stood up and began to tell us what we were going to talk about. It wasn't really a talk, but rather a conversation between him, and us.  He allowed us as missionaries to reverently ask inspired questions and would afterwards explain profoundly these common questions.  It lasted about two hours with a pattern that gave off the same feeling of how you would feel when you are in a suspense movie and you figure everything out at the very end.  His whole discussion was based on Revelation, the Holy Ghost, and praying in faith.  I have never felt like God has talked to me in such a direct way than had I yesterday.  At the end, he asked those who had previously had a question if it had been answered in this short time together.  We looked around and saw the majority of the hands raised. I could never summarize everything of my feelings what I learned and felt of yesterday. But it quite literally did change a large factor of my life.  Other than that we just recently returned from the Temple. What a great experience it was after learning what I had yesterday.

This past week has been a quick one.  There have been a few changes.  The American you see in the picture with me at the Temple, well yes, is my companion!!!  He actually has been one of my good friends I have met here.  On  Monday night, they gave us the transfer and called and told me I will be going with him as a Zone Leader!  We are in a part of Monterrey called Anahuac. I am loving it.  We were able to have a Leadership meeting last week which was incredible.  It was mainly to plan for the next Zone Conference we will be directing in a few weeks. When we got there in the afternoon, the President talked to us alot, of the characteristics of a hero, found in Alma 48. Later, we followed with playing Mexico fut bol till midnight.  Those are the main things of this last week. I would word it as an incredible, life changing week.

I look forward to the next, Elder Warner

Hey dear Mom! Buenos Dias! How are you today!?!  

Man things are picking up, I feel like I have been running. I always finish my mass emails and feel like I am missing so much to write. There are so many experiences that happen each week that I can never fit it all in. I can't tell you how much I am loving every day of this mission. I could never put it into words. I'm loving the responsibility. I feel like I have reached a point where the Lord sees fit to help me learn some of the most profound life lessons. I will have to explain it all when I get back.  About the previous baptisms, wow! They have been incredible. They have applied to what I learned recently.  It was very special baptizing with the whole district. As for M. that we recently found, my last companion told me that she just got confirmed on Sunday and they are still working on her family.   I am loving hearing the news of the family. Jodi getting sealed and so on! What a special event. I want you to know I am loving everything. This is going to be one of my best memorable changes. I look forward talking to you very soon!  I love you mom!  Bryan

Elder Warner and new companion, Elder Foreman, outside of the Monterrey, Mexico Temple

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Midnight Mexican  Futbol after a Zone Leader's planning meeting