7/31/16

I'm focused. Completely. I love this work. I'm just getting to scratch the surface of what my mission is about. We are working hard. This week we have set goals to stretch and push ourselves.

Something cool that happened this week.... We had zone training with president and me and Elder Hassell impressed him a lot!! like tons.. We were the companionship that came up with the most creative and new ways to work with leaders and members for everyone to try.. So that was awesome. They gave us a bag of lollies for it!!

I studied Alma like 22 through 30 I think.. The story of King Lamoni, Ammon, Aaron and Lamonis father and all the ways they taught the lamanites and the service they provided!!!! So amazing.. I love the mission stories.

We taught nearly all 5 lessons yesterday!!!! hahahaha. We taught 2 or 3 lessons during church and then some after church. Which is crazy. A goal for the mission is to teach all 5 lessons in 2 weeks. (that is how slow the mission is. That's a goal that really pushes us hard) but we are working on achieving it (:

Something new.. I am actually really into rugby now haha. We were at Uncle K's and they had us watch the last half of the super rugby semi final and Wellington won! So we will be playing the South African Sharks this week and might go with them!! That would be so cool!!!!


Love you mom. So much!!

--
Elder LaMunyon

A member "shouted" them this share meal from McD's.

Hiking adventures:

They really DO work:

Excerpts of Emails from the Past 3 Weeks

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 (:

Email from Mission President's Wife, Sister Hudson

It's such a relief to hear from Sister Hudson!  And we had a small miracle before receiving this email:  John had done a bid for a lady earlier in the day who mentioned that they had just picked up her son from HIS mission, and when John asked where, she responded "Wellington, NZ"!  Literally, within the past couple of weeks, they had gotten home from there. Her son was at work at the time, but later in the evening, she sent a text to us which included where Bryson would be serving, who his companion was, and what he was like, and a little bit about the area and people there.  What a blessing to know that Bryson will be with a great polynesian elder who is a good missionary and who will teach him the ropes in his fairly isolated area in the southern part of the south island...  Tender mercies for this missionary mom and dad!!  We are so grateful that John had that encounter with just the right person!

Hello! We wanted to let you know that your son has arrived safely to our mission! He has had orientation, been interviewed by President Hudson, and has enjoyed supper and a testimony meeting at the mission home. Tomorrow he will leave for his assigned area. I have attached a picture of him with us, taken this afternoon. All is well! Love, Sister Hudson

PS his new mailing address is

3D Williams St.

Gore 9710

New Zealand:

our blog is    newzealandwellingtonmission.blogspot.com

we will post pictures each week