Elder LaMunyon - Wellington, NZ: June 2016

So, sorry there has been such a lack of group emails! I finally told Bryson yesterday that I would compile parts of his last few emails and create one to send out to share. I made comments in italics to kind of explain some backstory. Anyway, here it is...
(Keep Bryson in your prayers. We appreciate it, and I know they help him!)

6-12-16
I felt like I should include this in the group email, because only sharing the good isn't the whole story and what a mission REALLY is sometimes. Sometimes it's just HARD!! He hasn't yet had a companion (other than very brief periods) who has been enthusiastic about mission life and following the rules and all that comes with being a valiant missionary. And that has been really tough on our boy. We prayed and prayed for him and his mission president to help get him through this hard time.

I'm still kind of struggling. Lately I have felt 0 confidence. I just feel like ever since I've left I haven't been myself. Confident, goofy, energetic. I just lack all of it. And I'm really struggling not having anyone to talk to. That's why I called Hayden. Yes it did help because I actually felt like I was talking to a friend. Something I've been missing for a long time. I know that Heavenly Father is here for me but I am not sure why it's been so hard to feel comfort and peace. With my companion and things I just haven't felt like anyone is here for me. I'm sorry for being really down. I just don't know how else to put it. I'm trying. I really am. And I love being around Haynze and teaching him. Especially excited for the baptism saturday! And he has chosen me to baptize. So i'm really honored about that. But I really miss family. I just wish I felt normal. There is so much pressure and so much stress with everyone watching you and giving you things to do and expectations and lots of thoughts that go through my head every day.

I want to lead and I want to be a great missionary. But right now I'm feeling held back. A lot. But I know that if I wait it out and stay tough. I'll experience more happiness. It's just feeling like forever since I've been confident and stuff

6-19-16
I had asked Bryson some questions. He was using a member's ipad at breakfast with a wonky keyboard, so he copied them and added responses, that is why this format on this particular email. and joy!!! He was feeling happier, and his president had responded to Bryson's concerns.

How are you this week? I'm good (: Haynze has boosted my spirits and president did talk to me and Elder Walsh

Did haynze get baptized?? How was that? yes he did!!! twice.. lol. It was amazing. He is honestly the coolest kid ever. just kinda hyper hahha

What counsel did your mission president offer? Did he respond? He said that the mission is a time for Heavenly Father to teach us. And the only reason I have been with Elder Walsh is because he needs me to be his companion because i'm a missionary he can trust with such a big load. He also has been calling Elder Walsh nightly so he can talk and try to help Walsh find his purpose.

Love you mom! I'm doing better!

later that same conversation:

But mom I'm really doing a lot better. I feel like I'm a part of the family now here in Wainuiomata and I've realized how much I love these people! And president gave some uplifting thoughts. People change and so do transfers haha. But I'm okay. 2 weeks until transfers and plus I have exchanges today until Wednesday! So that'll be fun (:

6-26-16
excerpt from this week's email. They were spending p-day helping people move, so his emails yesterday were very brief.

We were woken up today by a member banging on our window saying "Elders! Elders! I need your help out front! There is an emergency!!!"
when I ran out I thought someone was dying or something!!! But his van was just slipping out front in the muddy rain and nearly tipping over into the neighbors house!!!! So we had to push it and tow it out of the yard without it rolling into the house hahaha. Soooo that was fun.. .Only took like 2 hours in the pouring wet rain. I slipped a few times in the mud hahaha. Then when we went back to the flat the package was there and warmed me up (:

So just found out i'll be staying in Wainuiomata for another 6 weeks which i'm pretty happy about (: I'll probably be here for quite a bit. But the mission transfers have proven to be quite unpredictable. We had a lot of time spent with auntie kell and helping her set up the ward conference activities which was a ball! It was pretty fun. We spent all night friday and all day saturday setting it up! it turned out quite nice! Then we had the actual conference on sunday. It was really good. Bishop gave a pretty good talk about turning and committing. How we have to turn in the direction we want to go and give it all we got.. I think I could definitely do that much more.

Then that night we had yet ANOTHER fireside.. His love part 2(: It turned out really good. I made videos featuring Sister Sagote, Nanna Marilyn, and uncle and auntie Wilson (Sonny and Keli-ann) (: It was a great night and the best part about it was auntie Kim came!!!(: She is less active but the nicest person in the world. She always cooks us delicious kai like Fry bread burgers and Huge Roast dinners and really wants to make my dads Crepe recipe with me (: one of the main reasons she is less active is because she has a smoking problem.. But she came to the fireside and one of the videos really touched her and she loved the whole night so much, she has decided to come back to church sunday. And she is one that you can actually believe and take her word for. She said she realized she doesn't have to be perfect to go to church and enjoy the gospel. She knows that to enjoy the FULL blessings and even more happiness she would need to stop smoking, but small steps are big ones in this case (: I'm so glad she has felt the spirit and support from our savior to come back after many many years of not even stepping foot in the chapel. That is definitely a huge miracle (:

I'm grateful for the chance I have to serve these people. They have definitely served me more than I have them.. But I really do love these people now. I see them as whanau and that is how they treat me (: I'm not sure if any missionaries have ever gotten more calls than me and my companion asking if we were moving or staying.. they were all so worried that we could be moving!! They were wanting to throw a farewell if either of us left haha. I'm glad we have been able to connect so well with the members here. I feel like this is the best missionary work we could do. Strengthening what we have, finding those who need to be rescued and teaching in everything we do.

I've been through a lot on my mission mentally and emotionally. But i'm working on using the gospel and Christ's atonement to have Joy in my life. Pure joy. There is nothing I need to worry about, or stress about when I am living the gospel and helping others. Life will be good. And like President Monson has said! "Everything will work out"

Love you all (:

Elder LaMunyon