Monday, November 21, 2016

I have a feeling that this is one of those weeks when it is going to be really hard to come up with what to write home about haha.  Daniel is always my go to for miracles and he has been gone in Korea... but guess what?!!  He is still racking in the miracles!!!  Just to refresh everyone on whom Daniel is…he is our 25 year old investigator who is married to a less active member Alofa.  Daniel and Alofa have two kids, one named Aden and he is 5 and one named Felicity and she is 2.  They are the cutest kids ever!  Felicity was being so funny at church yesterday.  I think Alofa was losing patience with her, but she was being so cute I couldn't help but laugh.  Anyway, Daniel is wrestling is Korea so he has been gone for the last week!  It has been really hard not to be able to visit them for almost 3 weeks.  Two weeks when we were sick and one since he has been in Korea.  Guess what Daniel did while he was in Korea!  He drove an hour to go to church on Sunday and then he went to the temple!!!  He was with Alofa's brother and Daniel had taken his church clothes to Korea because he knew he wanted to be able to go to church on Sunday.  He sent Alofa pictures of them at the Korean temple.  Alofa said that Daniel is so excited for his baptism, but that he is even more excited to be sealed in the temple with his family.  She said that he really loved the temple and had a great experience!  Elder Taito and I are so excited for their wedding and baptism!!!!!!!!  We just can't stop talking about it!  It is going to be on December 3rd and we are so pumped!  Daniel is the most converted man ever haha!  Not because of me and Elder Taito, but because of Heavenly Father and his great wisdom to have The Book of Mormon as convincing evidence that Jesus is the Christ and that his Church has been restored to the earth through a prophet of God.  I know without a doubt that if Daniel had not made the commitment he did to reading The Book of Mormon he would not have progressed as fast as he did.  I know I talk about this over and over and over again, but it is true.  If you want to have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, and want to know what you need to do to be with your family forever, or if you just want to have purpose in your life, read The Book of Mormon.  It will change your life!

Since it is Thanksgiving I thought I would just end by sharing some things I'm thankful for.  

1) My family- I'm sorry for everyone else but it is a fact that I have the best family on the earth.  I'm so thankful for the many great examples in my immediate family, but also in my extended family.  I have the best parents on earth.  I know I would not be on my mission if it wasn't for them.  They didn't force me to do anything in my life, but I never had to question what was right and what was wrong.  I always knew that if I followed their example I would be doing what was right.  

2) My mission- I have learned so much on my mission.  I have strengthened my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I have really come to understand what is important to me in my life and what I need to do to keep those important things with me.  I have been able to feel the great love Heavenly Father has for his children.  It's hard to explain, but when you are a missionary you feel love for people that you know just can't be the love that you yourself are coming up with.  It is Heavenly Father’s love that flows through you to bless the lives of others.  I know that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us and that we are his children.  I have also had the amazing opportunity to see people change and experience more happiness.  It is amazing what the gospel of Jesus Christ can do for people and especially what Christ can do for people.

3) Donald Trump...jokes haha I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to live in America.  I have loved growing up in America.  I'm thankful for the traditions, education, heating and cooling systems, food, but most importantly for religious freedom. I also love New Zealand with all of my heart.  The people here are truly amazing.  They are humble and they love the gospel, and they are not afraid to share it.  We had a youth named gups who is 18 come out with us this week.  I remember how scared I was to go out with the missionaries in my own neighborhood because I was afraid of running into someone I knew.  Well guess what…Gups is not afraid of that.  He is bold and is not afraid to share the gospel with anyone.  New Zealand is such a beautiful country and I'm thankful I’ve been called here to serve.

I could go own but I’ve run out of time.  I love each and every one of you and I'm THANKFUL to be able to have a relationship with you.

Love,

Elder Brunson

P.S Feel free to add these to the Thanksgiving chain mom 

P.S.S Everyone who has not heard of the Thanksgiving chain should ask my mom what it is and should make it a tradition in their family.  It is the best!