Led by the Spirit

I shared this with Elder Lester in the letter I sent him today:

While I was reading last night I read this great scripture in 1st Nephi 9:6 - Nephi testifies, "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen."  I thought about you and the great work you are doing as a Missionary and learning the Spanish language. The Lord will help you accomplish what is needed in this great work!

This morning for scripture study we were reading about how Nephi was led by the Spirit to Laban so he could get the brass plates. It was a new insight into how exactly Nephi was so successful at following the Spirit.  Nephi was willing to try time and again, using his best efforts. He expressed faith that he would be helped. He refused to be discouraged. But because he acted, had confidence in the Lord, was obedient, and properly used his agency, he received guidance. He was inspired step after step to success, and in his mother's words was "given...power to accomplish the things which the Lord hath commanded." (1 Nephi 5:8)

Nephi knew he was required to confide in God, to exercise faith, and to act so that he could receive help, step by step. He did not murmur nor ask for full explanation. He did not wait passively for help. He acted! By following spiritual law, he was inspired and given power to act.

I believe that lesson is perfect for Missionary work and would be a great lesson to share with your District and throughout your Mission. Let me know what you think about it. :)

I just love learning and I believe that the Lord is Blessing our Family. I saw President Peterson last week and I told him that I feel a deep reverence and gratitude for your service. I'm sure I already told you that, but it is truly felt throughout our home and within us individually.

MTC Week 2: The Temple, Service and Thanksgiving with Elder Holland

Hey there guys!!

First off I just wanted to say thank you for all the letters, treats, and prayers! I love you all :) Second, if possible if you could use just Dear Elder and not email me back because I only have 30 minutes to read and type and I know mom likes to type alot ;) So unless it's short and sweet, please use Dear Elder so I can use my time telling you everything.

Well the week has been great! Elder Walker and I have been working hard hard hard!! We have been trying as much as we can teaching the first lesson to investigators, teachers, and other missionaries here at the MTC. It's amazing to see how much we learn and grow by just teaching. It's also amazing to see how much we learn in one day here during study times. We have also tried contacting people in Spanish and testifying to them in Spanish as well. It's way fun.

Today I just got back from a session at the Provo Temple. The spirit was great there as my district was all in the same session together. I couldn't help but cry when they prayed for us missionaries, and also when I stood in the Celestial Room watching each member of my district walk in. It was amazing and I can't wait to go next week.

Yesterday, Thanksgiving, was AWESOME!!!! The food in not as good as Mom's Thanksgiving meal but it was good. During the day we had service projects going on. The whole MTC made over 33,000 kits and backpacks for kids around the world who don't have anything of their own. In the morning, Elder Holland and his family came to the MTC and spoke at the devotional. It was so amazing. I learned a ton! Sister Holland spoke of Luke 12:8 which I'll leave you to read :) Then the Holland grandchildren sang a beautiful primary song. Then Elder Holland gave an amazing sermon! I've never heard a more powerful testimony from an Apostle before. He spoke of how if there was a symbol for our church, it would be two elders and two sisters. He also gave an account of the Savior's ministry and the Atonement. He said that the only reason we should think we are on missions is that so the Savior doesn't have to do it alone like He did on the cross and in the garden. It is our duty as Elders to confess His name to the world. He also spake of giving to the poor and how it's our obligation as man to give to the needy. He also yelled at us and said that we must not turn down using the opportunity in our lives to use the Atonement. If so he declared, "good luck to you and to me in our mission who crucify Christ afresh!!" The devotional was amazing and I can't wait till the next one :)

Anyways, yes, the Elders in my room are going to my same mission and report the same day as me. I am not allowed to wear braclets or chew gum so don't send me any of that. I will have to give that to all the children in Mexico says my Branch President :) This week I taught the district on the power of our calling. I will later teach them on the doctrine of conversion. I also have been preparing a talk in Spanish on the Atonement for this Sunday. Each Sunday they randomly select an Elder to give a talk in Spanish haha. Scary!

My schedule is similar and yet different everyday. I will have to explain this to you in my next email.

I love you all and can't wait to hear from you!!

Love,

MTC Week 1: Elder Lester's 1st Letter from the MTC

Hey there everyone!!


This letter is going to be short because I had trouble getting into my account so I only have 18 minutes haha! Anyways what a week I have had so far! It has been a blast! I am in a district of 12 Elders. Four of us, who are all in my room, are going to the Mexico Puebla Mission. Elder Hammond and Elder Cummeck are comps and Elder Walker is my companion. I am the senior companion for the first four weeks. We are getting along great! Elder Walker is from Pleasent Grove, UT. The other Elders in my district are Elder Christoferson, Elder Justenson, Elder Palleta, and Elder Nielson, who are going to the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission, Elder Framton and Elder Shefield, who are going to the Tempe Arizona Mission, and Elder Bell and Elder Clarke, who are going to the Spocan Washinton Mission. They are all so cool!

The other day we met with our Branch Presidency and met President Lloyd, our Branch President. They talked to us and interviewed each of us Elders. After...I got called to be the District Leader. Hahaha imagine that! I am very grateful and humbled for this calling. I am ready to serve my distict and hope to set the example for them.

My teachers are Hermana (sister) Truman and Hermano (brother) Cleek. They are wonderful! They help out so much and am looking forward to learning from them. In the first few days here I can bear my testimony, meet people, and pray...fluently in Spanish. It is so amazing!! The Lord's hand is definately in this work. We have also started to outline lesson 1 in Preach My Gospel and on Monday we get to teach it to people!! I am so excited!

So I have seen everyone here!! Elder Alston and I have the same P-day, gym, and pretty much same schedule which is awesome. I have seen Elder Dustin Johnson, Elder John Sumpter, Elder Jacob Palfreyman here too! It was way cool to see them!! :)

The food here in the MTC is pretty good but is not good for the bowels haha. It makes us smell and make funny noises in class. The past few days we have had alot of workshops on our purpose as missionaries and other great tools as missionaries. The schedule starting next week will be our normal schedule so look forward to my emails on Fridays which is my normal P-day. I am excited to serve the Lord and can't wait to get to Mexico Puebla!!

I gotta go know since my time is running out but I will write more next week! Thank you for all the letters and goodies everyone and your prayers. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you!

Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es verdad y es el otro testamento de Jesucristo. Soy Elder Lester y soy un misionero y reprensentate de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santo de los Ultimos Dias.

Love,

Farewell Gathering in Utah

Brady and I flew to Utah on Tuesday, November 16th to spend the last night, and next morning together before he entered the MTC. When we arrived at the Salt Lake Airport, our good friends, Russ and Pam Alston, met us as the airport to offer us their car to drive as we had plans to go to Temple Square. The Alston's are Brady's second family in UT, as their son Travis, is one Brady's best friends. They both attended Bingham High School as new students together and were in the band. They had many great times together.  I enjoyed getting to know the Alston family when we lived in UT and feel so blessed to be able to maintain that relationship even after we've moved. Bishop Alston and his wife Pam have been a blessing in our lives. (Travis and Brady have been able to spend one month together in the MTC. Elder Alston leaves Dec. 20th for Portugal).

Brady and I went to Temple Square and we met Brad for dinner at the Garden Restaurant inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

 Afterwards, we walked around Temple Square and went inside the Visitor's Center.

After we left Temple Square we went to the Alston's home, who offered to let us stay at their home and hosted a Farewell Gathering for Brady.  I am so grateful to them and their sweet family for inviting us into their home, taking care of us, and for providing Brady with the time to say goodbye to dear friends.

I had invited Brady's friends who are mostly attending BYU, and others from our ward.

From top left:  Sanford Family, Megan, Becky, Cody and Rachel, (this is some of our Bishop's family, Bishop Sanford was out of town for work, Emily, Natalie and Sydney were home), Kyle Sanford, Jeppson Family - Melissa and Alma with their four darling boys, Mark Scanlon and Ashlee, Alston family, Hill Cumorah Work Crew friends (Trevor Lott, and the second is Elder Alder, I don't know the other's names :( ), Trevor Uptain, Blair Janis, Trevor and Josh, Day family - Tanner, Sister's Day and Corrinn, Troy Jolley, and Richard and Karla Parkinson.

 Brady talking with one of his best buddies - Mark

The sweetest moment was when four of Brady's buddies from the Hill Cumorah Work Crew drove from BYU to see Brady off. You could instantly see the love these young men have for each other. That's what serving a mission does. These young men served together on a mini mission as part of the work crew for the Hill Cumorah Pageant. They have remained close. 

Trevor Lott, Preston Alder, Mike Heath and Jody Hirschi

It was nice visiting with friends from the ward, but even better, was seeing Brady light up from visits from these special friends. Thank you all for being in Brady's life.

Saying Goodbye

One more day before Brady will be entering the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah. Puebla Mexico will be is final destination in a few weeks, and for two years he will offer himself in Service. He will learn to love people he doesn't even know, eat food he has never tasted, and walk the streets of cities he has never even heard of.  He is willing to do all of this because he believes in something greater than himself. His family has the courage to let him go because, they too believe that the Lord will do more with him in 2 years, than they have done with him in the last 18 years.

This was probably the hardest part about sending Brady off on his mission...watching him say goodbye to Brinkley, Kasey, Kolby and Braxley. It broke my heart watching them each say goodbye. Two years is such a long time when you are thinking ahead. Looking back it seems fast, but right here faced with the beginning of it, seems like forever. I can't imagine everyone not being together. I can't imagine how much everyone will change in two years. Kasey will be a Junior in high school when Brady returns. Brinkley will be Brady's age of 19 and in college. Kolby will be a Freshman in high school, and Braxley will be in 7th grade, and will have just received the Priesthood a couple months prior to Brady returning home. 

Kasey's goodbye was by far the hardest. They hugged for over a minute and just cried. Brady and Kasey have shared a room together. Kasey's the next oldest brother and a perfect basketball team mate when they play on Thursday nights during Elder's ball. He loves Brady so much and they are great friends. I believe Brady has helped Kasey through some things this year and it has bonded them even more. Kasey told Brady last month when we took our little family vacation together to CA in October, and we each took turns expressing our feelings to Brady, about him, and about him going on a mission, that he didn't want Brady to go on his mission because he loved him so much and was going to miss him, but he knew that he had to go. He then said, "this is deep for me, while choking back the tears...I want to serve a mission because you are." That was such a great thing to hear and a very special moment for Kasey, Brady and our family. I love how much Kasey loves. He's always had the most loving and generous heart.

Brinkley's goodbye wasn't as emotional as Kasey's, even though she did cry too. I think I was still worried about Kasey.  Brinkley and Brady became much closer when we moved to UT and they had to attend a new high school together. They hung out together and were in the marching band. That was such a fun time! They drew strength from each other and became the best of friends. She's wearing her Mexico shirt to school today to honor Brady.

See...Kasey is still crying as he and Brinkley leave for school. I even ran outside crying just to look after him as he walked down the street to go to the bus stop. And that's when I lost it. I bawled like a baby outside watching him and Brinkley walk off wondering what Kasey's tender heart is feeling like and worrying about him. I hated that he had to leave for school so emotional.

Kolby is tender hearted as well, and just kept hugging Brady for a very long time. I remember when Brady went back to UT earlier this year to work and was gone for 3 1/2 months. It was during the baseball season and Kolby was starting to play on a team and became one of the pitchers. He asked Brady if he could show him all his baseball pitches before he left. That was so awesome. I know it meant a lot to Kolby when Brady would come home to visit and watch him play in one of his games. Kolby is a great pitcher like Brady! He has always looked up to Brady.

 When Braxley and Brady hugged good-bye, at first it was funny because Brady was laughing at how much shorter Braxley is from everyone else, so he ended up sitting down for their hug together. Afterwards, Braxley just sat down and cried. His little teary eyes were so sad and Brady was crying too,

 

He was also smiling a bit at both of them just sitting there with their sad faces crying. Is there anything more sad than these two boys sitting there just crying.

I'm glad I got a picture of Brady playing with his ears. He always does this and it's just one of those unique things that Brady does. He's been playing with his ears since he was a little boy. 

I was video taping and taking pictures at the same time because I can do that with my camera, however, the quality of the picture doesn't come out looking good and the lighting is bad, but at least we have something to show these tender moments between Brady and his siblings who love him so much. Brady did say something to everyone as he was hugging them, and he wrote them each a letter and had it waiting for them when they returned from school.  Here are the letters...

Setting Apart as a Missionary and a Letter from Mom

The setting apart for Brady was really special. President Peterson requested to be the one to set Brady apart. He and his wife came over to our home at 8:00 PM.  We also had the Handy family present. Jacob is one of Brady's best friends, and his family has been dear to our family for many years, and a second family for Brady. If he wasn't working, or at home, he was with Jacob. Brother Handy also set Brady apart in the office of an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood on his birthday, September 6th.  President Ferrell was also present. I am so grateful for these good men in our lives. The teaching that President Peterson gave before the blessing came from D&C 109. The Spirit was present and the blessing was absolutely beautiful, and of course as a mom, I was so touched at President Peterson's blessing as the Lord remembered our family as well and spoke directly about me, the Mom. There was so much more to the blessing, but Brinkley wasn't able to write everything down.

I included what we had in this letter that I gave Brady the night before he entered the MTC.

Dear Elder Lester,                                                                                                                           

                Well, here’s my first letter to you as a missionary. I can’t believe the time is here. We’ve waited so long and now the time has finally arrived.  I am so proud of you.  I want you to know that you mean more to me than words can express. You are my first born. We’ve been together for a very long time. I anticipated meeting you for the very first time when I went to the hospital to deliver you. I loved you before I ever met you and I have never stopped loving you. When I was pregnant with Brinkley I couldn’t imagine loving another child, but that love just expands and grows, and keeps growing as you get older, to almost overflowing that it’s hard to control the emotions sometimes. I am so proud and grateful to know and be a mother to the most amazing children. You and your siblings are such great people and examples to me in my life. You teach me everyday, and I look forward to learning more from you as you continue your preparations to serve the Lord and the people of Mexico. I can’t wait to go on this journey with you and experience all that you will be involved in. This will be a great time for our family and I’m so excited for you to share this with your brothers and sister. Share everything. Give us challenges. Stay close to your siblings and help instill in them the desire to serve as you are. You are loved and will be greatly missed. Our home is not the same without you. But as you can see, your picture is everywhere and there will be more pictures to come as you send them to us. Our home will be a missionary home and full of the love of the Gospel as it always has been. We have your brothers that will be prepared to follow in your footsteps and will be looking to you always as an example. Thank you for being such a great brother and example to them and to me. 

                I want you to have some of the words from your setting apart from President Peterson. Before he began, he talked about how you are now set apart from the world. You will go forth from this house armed with Thy power. Read D&C 109 and learn about this. In your blessing you were given:  

• The privileges and rights that go with this sacred calling
•  Capacity that God endows to his full time servants 
• Go forward with confidence that you are worthy 
• Special feelings of Reverence and Sacredness with this calling 
• Have Faith
•  Remember your Temple Endowments
•  Carry the Light of the Savior in your countenance 
• People’s hearts are being prepared right now to meet you 
• Be like Paul, how he always went about testifying
•  Have a special love with your companions, they will become your best friends for the rest of your life 
• Be perceptive with your companions and feel as one with your companion 
• Quickly love the people you serve 
• Want to help and lift them up and to help make families more united 
• Be diligent and obedient to the rules and laws 
• Be strict, aware of your adherence 
• Be diligent in your preparations 
• You will be called to leadership positions 
• The Lord will open your mind and your heart 
• Be at peace with your family 
• Strengthen your Mother 
• Remember her always in your letters 
• Make her a part of your mission experience 
• She has relied upon you for strength in the home 
• Know the Lord will be mindful of your family 
• Focus your mind and heart and give all you have 
• Angels will be near you 
• You will be guided 
• Have Gratitude 
• So many people have helped you get to this point and look to you 
• We send you forth on the Lord’s errand

     It was a beautiful blessing and I am so grateful to have been present.  You are now set apart from the world and have that special mantle as a representative of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know you have a strong testimony and I’m so proud and grateful that you know this for yourself, before you leave. I am so thankful to have found the Gospel and have been able to be worthy to be Baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, receive my Temple Endowment, Serve a Mission and raise a family in the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it’s true. When I learned of the Gospel as a teenager, it was like all things came to my remembrance from when I was in the pre-existence. Your patriarchal blessing and my patriarchal blessing are similar in that way of how it discusses us being in the pre-existence and knowing, and coming to earth and remembering what we have been taught there. I have a great love and admiration for the Prophet Joseph and know that he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. They spoke to him. They knew him. They know us. I have seen the handiwork of God in my life so much. First because I am a mother and you are my child, and Brinkley, Kasey, Kolby and Braxley are also evidence of his love for me. He blesses me daily and has blessed our family tremendously. I am so grateful for the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and value it as my constant companion and know the importance of being worthy. Being worthy is everything. It keeps me with my children. It keeps me in the Temple. I love the scriptures and the church magazines and hearing from our Prophet and church leaders.  I know that Christ lives. I know this is His Gospel.

Go forth my son and serve. Remember you have been Called to Serve Him. Be obedient…always with exactness and you will be the most happy. Remember what President Hinckley said that his father told him during a rough patch on his mission, “forget yourself and go to work.” When we forget ourselves and focus on serving others we can see things more clearly. Rely on the Spirit. Pray. You will pray more than you ever have before and your relationship with your Heavenly Father and your Savior will grow. Be safe at all times. Take care of yourself so you will be healthy and strong, free of illness and injury. This is so important so you may do the work of the Lord. This is the most important work you will ever do in your life. Make it count…everyday. Believe in the power of D&C 4 and the Standard of Truth.

I look forward to your letters. Write, write, write and send those pictures! I am here for you always. Your family is here for you. We will be praying for you, your companions and the people you are teaching, every day and night.  Let us know what you need and we will pray, fast and go to the Temple.  Be the Leader and the Missionary that the Lord created you to be! I can’t wait to see your growth. Thank you for being my son. Thank you for being who you are. You are the love of my life.  I love you Brady.

All Packed and Ready to Serve!

Brady and I spent a couple of days working on packing all of his clothes and supplies. It took several months to gather everything that was needed. It sure was fun and a huge blessing for Brady and I to work on this together and to be able to pay for everything ourselves. From the first purchase of the passport, and the flight to the MTC, and everything in between, it has cost us $4,300. It has been a privelege and a blessing to do this.  Brady needed two suits that came with two pairs of slacks each, and an additional six pairs of slacks, 8 long sleeve white shirts and 6 short sleeve white shirts, two sweaters, a rain jacket, two pairs of shoes, along with his tennis shoes and shower shoes, P-day clothes, towels, washcloths, two sets of sheets, blanket, mattress cover, and so many supplies - flashlight, alarm cloth, toiletries, new glasses and contacts and lots of contact solution, and so many more things. It was a ton of stuff and we were very efficient at packing and he was able to fit everything into two large suitcases, weighing each at 44 pounds! Yippee! He also took one carry on suitcase and a backback, weighing about 20 pounds each. Yes, there are more than the 6-7 ties that is recommended that an Elder bring. Brady loves ties and he loved working for President Ferrell at his tie warehouse. He was able to receive some beautiful ties and went away with 14 for his mission. Since he had plenty of room to pack them, we didn't think it would be a problem. :)

I made luggage tags for him, a recipe book, and shrunk and laminated his Patriarchal Blessing, his Mission Call from President Monson, and two stories, "Marks of a Man" and "Mediocrity" by Elder Holland.

Farewell Gathering Arizona

Here we are at the Farewell Gathering for Brady. It was a lot of fun planning this and I was really happy with how it turned out. David and Shauna Handy hosted the gathering at their beautiful home. I had a table set up with a journal..."and upon these I write the things of my soul..." (2 Nephi 4:15), for people to share some of their thoughts with Elder Lester. There was also some address cards I had printed up, as well as a sign up sheet for anyone interested in following the blog where I would be updating Brady's letters that he writes home.

I also made a poster which shows Brady when he was 18 months old at Temple Square wearing his white shirt and tie with a future missionary tag on. I put his Mission Call, Map of the Mission, and Mission President information on ther poster as well.

We had this great dessert bar featuring colors of the Mexican Flag. Dawn made a center piece for her famous cupcakes to sit on. She even painted it to resemble the Mexican Flag. She also made chocolate covered strawberries and brought all her cute bowls and jars for all the food. For the Green we served Brocolli, grapes, green m&m's, sour punch straws and sour patch kids. For the red we served grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, red m&m's, red sour patch kids, and red vines. For the white we served ranch dressing, cauliflower, powdered donuts and popcorn. Brady loves popcorn! Carla made homemade oreos with green, white and red frosting. We also had yummy salsa that Shauna made and I got some queso from Costa Vida.  It looked fantastic! So thankful for best friends!

Here are some of the special people who came to say goodbye to Brady. I am missing several pictures, like the Handy's (I can't believe we never got that picture - Brady's family!), Kathy Plowman, Pam Beaty's, Bay's, Meadow's, Renee Palfreyman and probably more.

From top left: McCains, John and Kathy Holmes, (he was our Bishop from the Crystal Shores ward and serves as our High Council Representative), Byron and Myna Rasmussen, (So close to Brady and served as Brady's escort when he went to the Temple to received his own endowments), Ruth Sullivan, (friend and Brady's Sunday School teacher for years - he still would go to her classes at age 19!), Lynn McAurthur, (dear friend, supporter and her husband Skip was Brady's Deacon's qourum leader), Reinhilde and Harold Riley, (she came to the Temple when Brady went for his own endowments), Van, Sarah and Kevin Rowse (the dearest of friends - Brother Rowse has played such a special role in Brady's life serving as his Teacher's qourum leader and also who Brady gave his Eagle Scout Mentor pin to. Brother Rowse still wears that pin next to the one from his own son. I love Brother Rowse because we both cry when we talk about Brady - so much love!), Diana LeDonne, Karen Gruninger, Bishop and Suzanne Lunt, (great Bishop and support to Brady and our family), Jeanne McAuthur (so sweet and has always been interested in Brady serving his mission. She kept asking when he turned his papers in and has been such a great supporter of Brady), Ryan Ferrell (President Ferrell's son, who got to know Brady working at the tie warehouse. Brady loves Ryan and appreicates all the mission advice he received), Joey and Cambi McCullough (such great friends and example to Brady. Joey would always call Brady and Kasey to play Elders basketball on Thurs. nights), Nancy and Dick Hansen (long time friends and home teachers to us a few years ago), David Benson and Fred Gretsch (former Bishop, and Brady would home teach Fred and Ann), Jody & Charlie Adams (Aunt and Uncle), Brother & Sister Wardrop (grandparents of the ward and love Missionary work - they have a grandson serving in Mexico City), Julie, Howard and Jonathan Taylor (Aunt, Uncle, Cousin), and Scott and Tara Turner (leader and example), and here's Grandma...

It was such a wonderful evening and I know Brady felt very special to have so many people wish him well on his mission. He has received so much good advice and support from everyone. What was even more of a surprise was him receiving financial gifts. Brady received enough to pay for one month in the mission field. So thoughtful and such a blessing! Thank you everyone for your kindness and love towards Brady and our family. Your care and example over the years has meant so much. This just shows how so many people through the years make such an impact and help to teach our children. That's what the Gospel does. I thank you all.