Someone Pushed Pause

The strangest part of my mission so far was having the doctor tell me I can't go to Florida. As many of you know, I have been struggling with my health for a little while now. I have good days and bad days. The good definitely outweigh the bad, but it is still a problem when trying to do missionary work. They told me I will be on a medical leave and as soon as I figure everything out, I will be on a plane to Florida. Let's hope we figure everything out quickly!

I finished my last week in Mexico and instead of flying to Florida, I took a plane home. It has not been easy. If you see me and think it's strange, its even more strange for me. I want with all my heart to be in the field right now, but I also know that everything has a reason. 

In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read,

"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." 

Trust in the Lord, including his timing. Although this is not what I want at this point in my life, I know that through this trial, the Lord is preparing me to help others in ways I don't understand. I will learn from this and I will grow from this. It is not easy now, but life was not meant to be easy. 

I bear testimony that God has a plan for each and every one of his children, including me. His plan will help us become the best people we can be and achieve our full potential. His plan will make me strong. I know that as I continue trusting in the Lord I will see the blessings down the road. I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity to have been in Mexico these last 6 weeks. I have met so many amazing people and have grown so much closer to God. I love this gospel with all my heart and cannot wait to get back in the field.

Thank you all for your prayers in my behalf. I appreciate all the support. Don't worry, I won't let you down. I'm headed out back as soon as the doctor says its okay! Love you all. 

Keep smiling,

Hermana Jessica Bryan

Exact Obedience

Yet another week has come and gone here at the CCM. It's incredible how we can be doing the same things every day yet have so many different things happen.

This week was full of excitement. I have learned my lesson when it comes to withholding information from my parents to prevent worry. So I'm just going to say it: OUCH! My joints were killing me this week. Please keep praying! I am really doing my best to tough it out, but when I get stiff it takes me a year and a day just to cross the street. Doc knows I'm trying though. Ice packs seem to help with the pain. I had another blessing (I think our Elders are just blessing happy- they asked every half an hour for a day or 2 before I agreed.) I know I am going to get better, I just wish it would happen sooner than later. Well, enough about that.

As missionaries, it is very important to have the spirit with us always. Here at the CCM it isn't hard to do. We often watch devotionals and uplifting videos. This week we had the opportunity to watch an excellent address from Elder Holland. I don't know what was so different about this talk- and maybe it wasn't the talk, maybe I was just ready to hear it- but man, I just want to be so much better! I am a missionary of the Lord!! Each day I wear His name on my chest. I have no reason to complain or do anything wrong! I should be happy 24/7 because I have the gospel in my life. I need to try harder to be EXACTLY obedient so I can be in tune with the spirit. I've been pretty good, but I just want to be so much better! And I can be better each day! I am so grateful for the atonement and the opportunity I have to improve and be forgiven of every little mistake.

Sorry it's short but it will have to do!

Keep smiling.

Hermana Bryan

My District

Hermana Perez. My best friend here!

Service project of white washing walls. It rained the next day.

Hermana Perez left this for me.

One Month In

Hola,

Well it's been another productive week. Nothing too exciting happened. Our investigator Miguel started reading and praying. His testimony is growing and it's great! We had an awesome lesson with Daniel this week too. We were talking about families. He has a rough family life so it is a touchy subject. We had a completely different lesson planned, but I know we were prompted to talk about families. The spirit was so strong! Daniel started crying and we knew he could feel the spirit. It doesn't help that I'm somewhat of a sympathetic crier. It's crazy how much you can learn to love someone in such a short amount of time. I love all our investigators!

Speaking about loving people...my companion. I've always been able to get along with everyone pretty well, but spending 24/7 with someone isn't as easy as one may think. We have days that we get on each others nerves, but we get along really well. She is so sassy all the time and she loves to talk to everyone. We balance each other out quite nicely. I've been applying what I learned in conference to help me with my companion. They said things like, always talk nicely to and about them, so that is what I am doing.

All of my teachers here are so helpful. I just love Mexicans (:

We have a teacher who sings all the time. It makes me feel really comfortable because there's alwaaaaays a song being sung at home.

God really does know each of us and our individual needs. He is always there for us and wants us to be happy. All we need to do is reach out. We never have to do anything alone. I'm so grateful for all the blessings in my life. There really are too many to count. Whoever is reading this, please just take a second to think about all He has given you. Now take another to thank Him. 

Sorry for the short email but I'll hopefully make up for it next week!

Love you all! Thanks for your prayers!

Hermana Bryan

The Mexico Temple

 

General Conference and a Wheelchair

Hola Hola Everybody,

I'm beginning to realize how difficult it is to write emails every week. With every hour of every day planned, it's tricky to select just a few things to share. I suppose I will start with the best things and make my way down the list of priorities.

First of all, I'm still eating the frijoles every meal and my Spanish is progressing daily.

Just kidding! That is not my top priority, pero I love the Mexican food here. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE! As I listened to conference, the thought was on my mind, "be prepared." Before leaving home the family was really getting into preparation. We talked a lot about food storage and important documents etc. However, this time as I thought of being prepared, it was in another way. Being spiritually prepared. Have I developed the Christ-like attributes necessary to succeed? Do I "have root" enough to withstand the attacks this world has to throw at me? Are my actions indicators of my beliefs? Am I ready to stand with confidence at that last day to be judged before my creator? Obviously I would like to answer yes, but there are still many things I need to work on.

Also, there was a strong theme of family throughout conference. I cannot express enough gratitude for my amazing family. Mom and Dad: Thank you for teaching me the importance of families through word and example. You both love each other so much and it shows. I can tell through your actions that family is top priority for you. Dad, I think you are a super example of a "real man". One who recognizes and fulfills your God-given role. Mom, I thought of you when I heard Quintin L. Cook's talk on Saturday afternoon. You always say, "Don't worry about us at home because we do the same things every day. Nothing changes for us. We are boring." But it is perfect. It is so comforting to know that my family is up, reading the words of the profetas together every day at 7:00. To know that each day starts and ends with a prayer. I know this is strengthening the family and I can feel your love all the way down in Mexico. Also, don't worry Mom, I can hear the music. I also cannot wait to dance with you to the music (:

I guess the next exciting thing would be last Tuesday and Wednesday. In an attempt to not freak out my mom, I did not mention, or at least go into detail about my health concerns. However, with my joints getting extremely stiff and painful once again, I was worried. Later that day I went to the doctor. He was worried. He mentioned sending me home, but I will have none of that nonsense! He sent me back to my apartment with some meds and said is should slowly get better.

My companion is the sweetest person on the planet earth! The next day I woke up with the stiffest joints ever, but still wanted to go to class and learn. I mean, this is the Lord's time, not mine. So I jumped into the shower (okay, not really jumping- I could not really walk). After the shower I dressed and started putting on makeup. That didn't go very well. I passed out. It really scared my companion. After a while I got up to brush my teeth because I was feeling fine, but passed out again. Although this time I mostly sat down before I was out. My sweet companion called the doctor for me. Of course he thought we were crazy. I had just been to visit him yesterday!! He told me I had really low blood pressure and then he gave me a wheelchair. 

Seriously, A WHEELCHAIR. I did not want it at all. But he said I had to have it just in case I passed out and also because it was taking me too long to get from place to place. I understand that I am slow, but I don't want to be the wimp in a wheelchair. Plus my companion has rheumatoid arthritis and her hands hurt. Doc said we should go to the casa and just rest. So we went to get some food (docs orders, although I wasn't mad) and I had the Elders give me a blessing. I didn't think that I needed a blessing because my Bishop gave me one before I left and I already know I'm going to get better, but the doc said a blessing was a good idea, so we did it. It really did help. I was a lot more calm after and I knew again that everything was going to be okay.

It was super embarrassing to have everyone look at me. I wanted to cry. 

As soon as the doc said "wheelchair" my mind went back to the car ride home from San Diego. Dad said, "How do you expect to serve a mission if you have to be in a wheelchair?" I was so discouraged. But after the blessing I was feeling more confident and with a little time to rest and think about life, I guess now I can just say "Hey Dad, This is how (;" 

Also, I got my entire district to make a big conga line behind my wheelchair and we had a fiesta walking to dinner that night. 

The next day my companion was really sick, but I just studied a lot of Spanish and we're back on track now.

Also, I taught a real person this week. (: Her name is Lulu and she is a Jehovah Witness. We talked to her about prayer and she said she wants to learn more and even be baptized. The Elders taught her a lesson before we did. Want to know something super funny? When they taught her they didn't have an extra Book of Mormon so the Elder had to give her his nice ones. I was glad I learned that lesson already! Hahahaha!! 

Well, that's most of the exciting stuff. I love you all and hope life's going well. Keep smiling and remember you're in my prayers. 

Lots of love!

Hermana Bryan

My sweet companion pushing me.

I love you

 Sisters in my district.

Beautiful CCM!

One of the Sister's mom sent her doughnuts! She shared them with all of us. YUMMY!

Spanish Humor

Hola everybody! This week has been crazy. Time just flies by like nobody's business.

Remember my investigator, Anna? Well we had more lessons and everything was awesome. She committed to be baptized. So great. Also, she is our new teacher.. HAHA! Should have seen that one coming. Her name is actually Hermana Resendiz and she's so nice. It's nice because I can give her hugs unlike every other person here at the MTC. I thought there would be a lot more girls here but the elders run the place. They're good to us though.

We are now teaching 2 more investigators. Daniel and Miguel. They are our other teachers. But after 5 lessons with them we are going to have real people. I'm really excited for that.

Friday was a lovely morning so I took my umbrella out of my bag. (Didn't want to carry around the extra weight). Of course that night would be the biggest rain storm of my entire life. My companion and I had to walk home in the rain. It was so cold.

I learned a joke in Spanish!! 

Cual es la diferencia entre una pera y la novia de un misionero? Una es pera y la otra no espera.

I laughed for a day and a half it was so funny to me.

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. It's so spiritual! I am also now known as the district cry baby because I just bawl my face off when I bear my testimony or feel the spirit strongly. Oh well, they're all really nice about it.

We had fast Sunday because of general conference. I got up and bore my testimony in Spanish then in Ingles because I wasn't sure if I said everything the right way. At the end of the meeting our branch president stood up and said specifically that he loved my testimony and he wants his kids to hear it. He said it gives him hope for the future in this church. Of course that made me just cry even more. It was so touching.

The elders in our district have been writing nice notes and hiding them in our scriptures. They're really nice.

Not much else has happened, just a lot of learning Spanish. Thank you all for your prayers. I love you all.

Best wishes, 

Hermana Bryan

My companion, Sister Epperson

Some of the Elders in our district.

After the walk in the Rain.

The force is with me in Mexico!

P-DAY

See ya later!

Hello everyone! The first week here at the ccm has been pretty good. It's a big change from life at home or at school. We are studying 24/7 with no down time. Spanish is hard- really hard. I'll just take you through my week a day at a time.


When I first arrived, we met the president of the CCM and his wife. They're really nice.That night we had a tour and just settled in. My companera came in on another flight so she didn't arrive until later. I am staying in a house. There are 5 rooms to a house and 4 girls to a room. We have bunk beds (I got the bottom bunk-woohoo!) It's so hard to get up in the mornings and have 4 girls share a bathroom to be ready in 30 min. Everyday is crazy. 

The second day here I got to know my companion a little more. Her name is Hermana Epperson. She is super nice. She is from Tucson Arizona. She is 5 foot nothing so I feel really tall compared to her. She knows basically the same amount of Spanish that I do (which is basically nothing) I thought my little Spanish apps and slight knowledge would help me but we bypassed my level within the first 5 min of being here in the CCM. This was the first day I learned how to say a prayer in Spanish. They gave us a little cheat sheet to look off of for the first couple of times- thank goodness. I am grateful God knows the intentions of our hearts because I don't know if even He would be able to understand my prayers the first few days. I made a personal goal to be able to say an entire prayer in Spanish by Sunday. Also, I received some great advice from my branch president. He told me: "If you want to learn Spanish, you need to eat frijoles." 

March 20th was a ton better than the previous day. I'm super glad we have 0 down time because it helps keep my mind off of missing home. We also taught our first investigator! Her name is Anna and she is nice. However, the lesson was the WORST! First lesson, so I had no clue what I was doing. Also, she doesn't speak any Ingles so it makes it hard- really hard. I thought it was just a practice lesson so I gave her my scriptures (which are nice) to read out of. She thought I gave them to her as a permanant gift and kept them after the lesson! I didn't know how to tell her I needed them back. So we told the elders that were going in after us and during their lesson she got up to use the restroom and they took the scriptures! The next elders who went in asked her if she had any scriptures and she said yes then started looking around rapidly. I felt really bad. But it was also super funny. I had no clue what to do! This was also the day we had an earthquake. It wasn't super bad but I did feel it. All the sirens started going off and we had to do an emergency drill until we were cleared to go back into the buildings.

Saturday was great. We had our second lesson with Anna. We prayed so much and studied our missionary bootys off! We even wrote down the entire lesson in Spanish so we could read it if neccessary. We went in and ended up reading most of it because it's the best we could do. Then she started talking super fast and asking questions and guess what? I UNDERSTOOD HER AND ANSWERED HER QUESTIONS IN SPANISH! It was so crazy. It was hard and some of the words I didn't know but it was totally the gift of tounges . When we walked out my companera looked at me wide eyed and said, "Wow!" she didn't know what even went on but the spirit was so strong. It was super awesome. Definitely the Lord-not me.

Sunday was the best day ever! Sacrament meeting is in Spanish. They don't announce any of the meetng until you are there sitting in your seats! You know what that means? We have to write a talk in Spanish every week. This week I was called on to say the prayer. What a blessing that I had already made a goal to pray by Sunday, right?! I said it and was grateful I had made it a goal and accomplished it. Relief society was in English, so that was another blessing.

Monday was definitely a Monday, but it was so close to pday that I made it through somehow!

Today we went to visit the temple in Mexico city. It is a beautiful place. I hope I can come back someday. The angel Moroni on top is holding scriptures in his hands as well as the usual horn. It's really cool. 

Mexico is super crazy. There are always fiestas going on and we hear cannons and gunshots daily. However, the CCM is so safe. The spirit here is so strong and I know nothing bad could happen. It's sacred ground for sure.

That's it for this week folks! Tune in next week for more Mexican madness. 

Te amo

Hermana Bryan

Safe and Sound

Your Missionary's mailing address is:

[Elder / Sister]

[Departure date 28-04-2015] [Branch - District 14-A]

Carretera Tenayuca-Chalmita #828

Colonia Zona Escolar, Gustavo A. Madero

07230 Mexico, Distrito Federal

Mexico

The estimated departure date for your missionary is April 28, 2015. The use of the

above address on all correspondence will greatly faciliate delivery to your missionary

at the MTC. Please don't send packages.

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Hi guys! I arrived safely along with all of my luggage. Mexico is crazy! But i know i am going to have fun. everyone here is so nice. my p-day is on tuesday so look for my emails on that day. (martes). My companions name is hermana Epperson (her first name is morgan) but i havent met her yet. i will tell you about her next tuesday when i email. we arent allowed to drink the water but there is a lot around to fill water bottles. the keyboards are super weird because they are spanish keyboards so excuse the awefulness of this all. Anyway, i sure love you guys and cant wait to hear from you!

much love, 

hermana bryan

P.S. i drank caffeine on the airplane. (: