Talk in Church

Hey all!!!

This week has been really cool. So I gave a talk yesterday and I really only had a few things to say but I knew the Lord would help me say some more things. I was supposed to give a 10 minute talk and I gave a 13 minute talk. My topic was "Seeking and Recognizing the Promptings of the Holy Ghost" I had a blast while I was up there. I shared with them a time when I felt the spirit so much. March 12th 2014, the day I got my mission call. I believe my mother truly knows the experience I had with her up at the temple that day.

So it's Lovers Feast TIME!!!! I wish so badly that I could come watch Bretton perform. I wish I knew the story line. I hope Bretton has a cool part to play! 

I am glad to hear the Logan is on his way. Can I have his Mission Email please.

This week I feel as if the Lord is preparing me for something special. I don't know what it is but I have been under a lot of stress with a talk. Organizing a family home evening and then having a 15 minute conversation tomorrow for DDM. I am just doing things one right after the other. All I know is that the Lord is helping me and I have already seen his blessings. 

I want to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all those that are single still. Happy Singles Awareness Day!!! hehe :)

So I have been makings lots of new friends in my new area and I just hope that they all will help move the work along. I think I just have gotten a lot of friends because of how well my talk went. Member Trust!!! 

I want you all to know that I have the best companion in the world and I wouldn't trade him for anyone right now!!! :) hehe I am having so much fun out here!! Today we went shopping at Good Will and some other places. I hope that everything is going well for you. I am praying for you and I can't wait to see you all again. 

Tell Amelia that I give her a hug. She needs not to worry. She will see her sons again, and that time is going to come fast. I can't believe I have already been out 6 and a half months. I already wish I had more time to serve but I already understand that I will eventually have to go home and start over. I love all of you!!!

Logan you Rock!!!

Braden, Take pics of Bretton for me. :)

Save me some Soup!!!!! hehe jk.

I love you again. I can't tell you how much I love being out here on my mission and I know that I am doing the Lords work and I am happy.

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

New Area

Hey Y'all!!!

This past week has been really cool. I miss all of you. I hope that life is good. Teach everybody and give missionaries referrals please. Good luck on Bretton's mission papers. I am praying for Y'all. I don't have much to say this week, I just don't know what to say. I helped out a guy around his house and helped him with his laundry.

I will be giving a talk this Sunday about the Holy Ghost and Recognizing Prompting's of the Spirit. I have been trying really hard to find people to teach. It just doesn't seem like it is going well so far. The people don't like missionaries here very much. No one will let us in once it gets dark. I am trying to smile all day long while riding my bike to get everyone that sees me to wonder why I am smiling so much. This way people will be happier in the area and maybe will let us in. :) It's interesting I know, but it's something for now.

We are also trying to get more trust with the members. They are more than happy to come out with us to teach and see people but none of them except one family has any referrals to have us teach. I hope that we find someone soon to teach.

Mark is having a hard time but we are helping him out. Saturday I was going to say a prayer. I started and then he stopped me and then told me that he didn't want me to pray for him. He just want to have a prayer of Thanksgiving. After the prayer it just made me stop and think on how much I pray for only Thanksgiving.

I know that this is a short letter but we have been updating the area book a ton right now. Still no iPad and I hope that school and work is going well. I love you all and I can't wait to see you all for a hug.

Love Y'all!

~Elder Bryson Steiner

P.S. Good Night!!!!

New Area!

Hey Family!

I am now in a new area and I'm farther up North. I am in the Simpsonville 1st Ward in the Greenville East Stake. My companion is Elder Herr and he is so amazing!!! He is from Southern California. He has 2 transfers left so most likely I will be killing him (sending him home in missionary speak). I hope I get some of his ties before he gets to go home. 

I am doing great! I am feeling great and I love being out here. I was at first freaking out cause I got a call on Saturday to teach the High Priest's the next day. I basically let the Spirit take over and it worked out better than I planned. I shared with them the talk by President Uchtdorf "Lord, is it I?" I think it was a great start with the ward. I have a new friend named Mark Harmond and he is such a hard worker. He was baptized about 5 months ago and he is trying to find work. He was in a car accident and his back is causing him some trouble. He tries to hide the pain so much but often it will be hurting him no matter where he is. I feel really bad for him.

My new area is a little bigger than my last area. We have a car and we can bike!!!! I am so glad we get to bike. I really missed it. My apartment is with only me and my companion. :) It's a little more quiet but I like it. I think I will have more time to write letters now but I'm not sure. It's up to what the missionaries do on P-day here.

This week has been a long week. I love it out here but I am trying so hard to get to know the new area. It's a different kind of challenge now. 

Something I have been thinking a lot about this week is the internet. A question came to my mind and it was... "When did people start believing what the internet says rather than asking God themselves?" I think that Satan is trying to get people to look for "All" answers on the internet. A testimony of Jesus Christ comes from faith. You first have a belief and then you have works to create faith. Through the experiences I have been through I can say that I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I Know that he lives and that he loves me.

Sorry this letter is short but I haven't written much in my journal this past week. Just leaving Blythewood and then coming to Simpsonville 1st Ward. I hope that everything goes well you all. I miss you. and I can't wait to see all of you again. I love you and my friends. Don't forget to read that Book of Mormon and to pray about it. Ask God to know the truth.

I love you!!! Good Night!!!!

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

Transfers!!!

Hey Family!!!

It 's so crazy that Logan has already done his farewell talk (He is leaving in a week and a half headed to the Washington, Vancouver Mission) . I feel weird when it comes to others going on missions. To be honest at the first of my mission I had a problem comparing myself to other missionaries. I then gave myself a challenge, I would only focus on the area I am serving and I wouldn't read any other missionaries letters they send home. So, I honestly have no idea what Colton or Rey are doing out there. All I know it that they are my buddies and that I miss them, but that I will see them soon.

As the subheading says. Transferrs!!! I am finally getting transferred out of Blythewood. I really don't want to leave. This is all I know in the South. I remember Elder Wright telling me that the leaving the first area is the hardest. I can testify that that is true!!! When I left home I knew I was going to be back in two years. Now that I am leaving Blythewood I don't know if I will ever come back and if I do it won't be the same... But hey life changes all the time and we need to prepare for the future.

On Sunday I felt like I have a boss moment. (Where I felt like a boss). I was passing the sacrament and we were walking back to put the bread down so we could bless the water. I don't know why but I felt that I should look to my left out into the audience as I was passing by the pulpit. I saw Sister Ferona and she was looking at me. She then mouthed the words that she never got the bread because she was on the very first row in the middle section. My tray was empty so I went up and I asked that I needed a different tray. I then went to Sister Ferona and gave her the bread. She was really happy that I did that. I then mad sure she got to have a chance for the water.

T. and Jackie are sad that I am leaving. Last night, (Monday) They gave me a T-shirt. It has a picture of their family on it and they made it into a missionary/ Gamecocks shirt. I love it and I can't wait to wear it!!! It totally would make any missionary jealous!!!

Last week Monday when mom emailed me about Becca, I laughed so much and I was in the library and others just looked at me like I was crazy. (Becca announced, out of the clear blue, that "It's official, I think I like...") But hey it's not like I get that every day. :) hehe I am glad Becca likes a guy. I could just picture her saying something like that. I love you Becca!!!!

Yesterday, we had a fun time. We went to 5 Guys!!! I love their food. We also went to play gator-ball and volleyball. I have lost weight now, and I am now sitting at about 133.4 lb. I think it's because I am forgetting to eat breakfast at times. We came to the library to email yesterday and well nope. It's closed because it's a holiday. So that is why we are emailing today.

I will tell you next week where I am and who my companion is. I hope that everything works out. I love you all and I can't wait to see you! Bretton!!! Happy Birthday!!!! Well, early birthday. You all have fun now. Love you! Good Night.

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

P.S. Save me some Cake??? :) hehe

Baptism and Integrity

Hey Family!

This week has been a stressful one. I hope that you have been all doing well. 

Mya was baptized on Saturday and I confirmed her yesterday. What was really stressful was that the baptismal font water wasn't clear. It was a green color. I almost felt bad for her but I soon realized that it was okay because it was an ordinance of salvation. 

Not yesterday but last Sunday I got up and I bore my testimony in front of the ward and some words kinda slipped out. I told everyone that I knew that Mya was going to get baptized this Saturday and well she did. There was a lot of things we had to go through in order for her to get the building time for the baptism. 

Yesterday I confirmed her and all of it went well. I just hope that she will remember everything about her baptism. Her mother is a less-active and she really wants to come back to church. Mya has been the key for her to do that. Now that she is baptized I just hope that they continue to come to church and renew that covenant with the Lord.

Saturday after the baptism we went to Blue Ginger and we ate some Chinese food. As we were about to leave I saw a $50 bill on the ground. I picked it up and all the other missionaries were looking at me. Someone said that I was lucky and another asked if I was going to keep it. I shook my head and then told them no. I found the money right next to the paying counter. I turned around and I asked for a waitress for assistance. I told her the story and I gave her the money. She then went and told the owner and he caught us just as we were about to leave. He then started talking to us and then he asked us which one gave the money back. I hesitated but razed my hand. He then told me that I could eat the next 2 times for free. 

The Lord really does give you blessings for doing the right thing. :)

On the other hand some sad news is that Amberley has a crush on me. I am now almost positive that I will be leaving the area the up coming transfer. I am sad because I think she is only taking the lessons because she likes me. I hope that isn't true but now i just don't know what to do. 

Today Elder Webb and I are just going to sit around in our apartment. Every P-day we are up and about doing random things. We hardly get time to write any letters. But today will be different. I just hope i don't sleep through the day. 

I want you all to know that I love being out here. I love the wonderful people i get to meet every day. I love being a missionary. I love you all. Have a wonderful week and I hope that everything turns out well with y'all.

I love you again! I can't think of any other experiences right now. 

Love, 

~Elder Bryson Steiner

Kickboxing

(We didn't get this until Tuesday so here it is)

Oops, I think I forgot to send this to you...

Hey Everybody!!!

This week has been really fun! Last Monday we got permission to go to a members gym. It was a 9 Round gym and we learned to kick box. I loved the workout. I got really dizzy and wanted to throw up. They said I was going to hard. I really miss that feeling of giving it my all physically for a competition. T. drove us there and he was so kind and got pictures of us kickboxing. That was pretty cool. I am going to ask to get those pictures from him soon.

On the 31st we went to Blue Ginger and Amberley was our server. After we ate I left her the envelope I made for her. I didn't find out until Friday the 2nd that, that it made her entire day. She was interested in hearing our message before hand and had scheduled a meeting that Friday. On exchanges, Elder Franco and I taught her the Restoration and put her on date for baptism on the 24th of January. That was a really cool moment. After the lesson I asked her if she got the envelope and she said yes. 

Later as we were about to leave she stopped all the missionaries and asked me if she could speak to me in private. I then asked Elder Franco to come with me and we went around the corner. She then expressed gratitude for the envelope I gave her. That was a really cool experience. I hope that she decides to get baptized. 

At church yesterday I got up and bore my testimony and talked about the power of forgiveness. I read Doctrine and Covenants 82:1 and then talked about the Atonement and how it makes everything new. That was pretty cool. Later in Priesthood I was asked to sing "When I was Baptized" I couldn't get the notes right and was so shocked... I was so embarrassed because I was at first singing off key. My companion and I were singing together and well he wanted me to carry it cause he couldn't sing, but I ended up messing up. Still, it wasn't the end of the world. I now can laugh at it cause no one will really remember it in 2 weeks. 

Mya our 10 year old investigator will be getting baptized this Saturday. Elder Webb will be Baptizing her and I will Confirm her in Sacrament Meeting. She is so ready for this important step in her life.

Yesterday was Elder and Sister Ferguson's last Sunday in the ward. They leave tomorrow to go back to North Ogden, Utah. We had a lot of Less-Actives at church yesterday cause everyone wanted to say goodbye to them. I just hope they continue coming to church. 

I find myself at time looking at my desk and wondering why it is so messy. I feel like I clean it every day but no matter what I do it always gets messy from running around. Hehe. Missionary life is so fun and easy. If you can handle stress and rely on the spirit it will be easy. 

So I was at T. and Jackie's on New Year's Eve and he didn't want us to go until we got to see him light one firework. It was cool but we had to go. That night he told us that we were his 2 best friends. That meant a lot to me. 

I sometimes think of home but to be honest the things I miss at home are the moments I shared with my family. I often think of moments where I learned something from my parents and I will share them when we start talking about Families. 

I still don't have an iPad and no word on it yet but transfers will be on the 21st I think. I hope I stay in the area but I know the Lord will place me where I need to be.

I want you all to know that I love you and that I miss you. I know what I need to be doing out here. I love being a missionary and I am understanding more and realizing how much Satan will try to distract you from the single most important thing. Missionary work, (The Salvation of Others).

Love you again! Good Night!!!

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

Understanding

Hey Family!!!

I hope that Christmas Eve was fun for you all. I can't wait to see you all again. 

I want you to know that as I ended the call the spirit helped me out. I started to cry and suddenly a hand touched my shoulder from behind. It was sister Solonao and she asked me if I was ok. I told her I was and she then asked me that if there is anything she could do for me. I told her I would be ok. We then went in the kitchen and it seemed as if everyone there was trying to cheer me up. I felt so loved and then realized that the ward is my family right now. 

Sunday was interesting. We tried for about a half hour to get into the the sacrament room to prepare the sacrament but we couldn't. We ended up using paper plates and some extra paper cups. I have a question. Is it ok to not cover the sacrament if we know the cups would spill all over? I liked the experience and it was pretty cool to see the Elders and Deacons in keep it cool mode.

Since I got $140 dollars for Christmas from home, I have planned on giving away $120 and the other $20 I used to buy a sword. :0

I know that when you serve others you serve God. ;) hehe

Elder Devon Webb and Elder Bryson Steiner got to teach a lesson on Eternal Families yesterday. We prepared some but I asked Heavenly Father to help me to be lead by the Spirit. I didn't have to write anything down and we ended up giving one of the best lessons we have ever shared. 

Elder and Sister Ferguson are going home Jan. 6th. I hope that the other Senior Missionaries are going to have a wonderful time here. I might be getting transfered out of my first area in the coming three weeks. I'm kinda sad but I know that I have to go, just the time, I don't know. I'm afraid to leave my friends here. 

I want you all to know that i love you all. 

The roads here are a lot smaller. They can only fit 3 cars. 

I hope that you have a wonderful week and I am praying for you. I want you to know that life is good to those that keep the commandments of God. I hope that you all will be able to make it through the trials that are happening in your life. I know that through Christ and his Atonement that all things can become new.

I love you guys so much. I hope that you have fun. Be good! Good Night!

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

Christmas? Wait!! What???

Hey Everybody!

This last week has been really fun. We got to go to a Christmas Zone Conference where we performed the skits we prepared. It was so funny! One of the skits was about Moses and the 40 years in the wilderness. This is how it went:

Long ago in the South Carolina Mission, there was a man named President Holmes. He got word that the people (Missionaries) would receive iPads soon. The missionaries were so excited that they began to stop updating the area book because they would just have to do it all over again on the iPads. 
Let's just say the Lord didn't see fit to give us iPads at that time. As time went on there became a new leader in the land. His name was President Turner. He found that it was expedient for the missionaries to have iPads. Once all the original missionaries died then was the mission ready for iPads. 

They ended the skit by having the acting President Turner Handing the missionaries iPads, just as the curtain closed. That was on Thursday.

Yesterday, Sunday, Brother T. Got the Melchizedek Priesthood. That was a really special moment for me. 

We recently got 2 new people on date for baptism but one has fallen off date and the other one Mya is 10 years old and she really wants to be baptized still. Her mom is a less-active and they both came to church last week. Yesterday they couldn't cause of work. They both told us how fun it was to be at church with everyone. Mya made a new friend and Sister Barber felt really welcomed. That was really cool.

I think the best thing that happened to me this week happened on Tuesday. Sorry I'm skipping around. This is what happened. I'm going to explain it the best I can.

This is From my journal:

7:17 I woke up and was shocked cause the alarm didn't go off cause the phone ran out of battery last night. Everything still worked out and I got everything done just my morning was a little rushed.

We went to see Oliver and Anna and we had a good talk. Afterwards I gave him a blessing with my companion. I felt so good. For some reason I just knew that I was going to give the blessing even before I asked him on who he wanted to give him the blessing. I know that I felt the spirit prompt me to say some things in the blessing. It was really cool. I felt confident in the words that came out of my mouth.

We then went to Blue Ginger for lunch. Two things happened:

1 We ate and then Mike (A guy we saw at Blue Ginger a while ago) came in and everyone else left so my companion and i stayed to talk to him. We went really deep into Joseph Smith and his life. It was my first time talking to a person that believed in the Trinity. He is a really nice guy and he wants to learn more and he wants to exercise with us to get fit.

2 This is what made my entire day a happy one. So we got to Blue Ginger and we were supposed to be served by a girl named Amberley but she was already doing a few other tables. Amberley seated us and she was the one that we ordered water from. When it was my turn I asked her if a lemon slice cost anything more if I had it put in my water. She then joked and told me that it would cost $12 more. 

I told her ok. We all laughed and were smiling.

At that point I felt surprised by how she reacted to my question. I felt happy that she could be her happy self around me. I noticed since she didn't come back that she was busy working at other tables so another came to take care of out orders. 

As I was eating I would see her walk in and out of view. She moved quickly and was light on her feet. I wondered if she was a dancer. Well we were about to leave but then Mike came and we talked for a while. The other Elders left and Amberley told us all to have a nice day on our way out.

I asked Amberley for her name and she asked me for mine. I replied Elder Steiner. She got confused and had a cute facial expression. I then told her my first name, Bryson. 

She was happy and then asked if I would giver the $12. I told her I would.

We then talked to Mike some more. While doing so I saw Amberley a while later sweeping and she was I thought crying. I didn't think of it much at that point cause I was focused mostly on Mike. I remember as we were about to leave I knew that I need to see her for some reason. I looked but couldn't find her.

We then had Mike walk with us to his car. Mike spotted her first and he told me to go over there. I said, Don't worry I will in a moment. Suddenly I found myself the next sentence later saying goodbye to Mike. I shook his hand and then  walked off. I walked right to Amberley and I thought my companion was right behind me. 

Danger went to my mind but for some reason I knew it would be alright. My companion could see me cause we were in the parking lot. I then started to talk to her but I started to get really nervous. I asked, "Mike said that you looked down and sad, Are you ok?" I kinda felt insecure cause my companion was still talking to Mike. I felt socially awkward. 

She then told me that she was going through a hard time, her dad had cancer and it was all over so I felt that her dad would pass away soon. She also told me about her boy friend might be going to jail and just some other things.

I then told her that I was sorry and I then complimented her on how hard she worked. I asked if she danced because of how light she was on her feet. That made her smile.

I told her about God and Jesus Christ and how he loves all of his children. Me and you. (I then pointed to her). I then told her my experience of sorrow and I told her that I found happiness through service towards others around me. i told her that she wasn't happy but sad. That she could find happiness through service. 

She then got up and hugged me and I explained as she was about to hug me that I don't do hugs out on my mission. At this point her arms were already around me and I took a step back. She of course was confused and I explained. She understood and was alright about it.

She then asked some questions. I started talking about church and God with her. She told me that she didn't really go to church but that she prayed. She said she doesn't know if she believes in a God.

I told her that I believed in God and that He knows what you are going through. I got a little more information about her and my companion finally came over. I let him talk with her cause I kinda knew a lot that he didn't know yet but at the end we got her Name and Number down. 

We shook hands and I told her that "If you remember anything about this conversation remember that you are a beautiful daughter of our Heavenly Father. I'll still get you that $12." She smiled and said goodbye. 

(End of journal entry)

I forgot to write down that I told her that she had made my day by the joke she made about the lemon being $12.

You could say no I wasn't focusing on the right things but I know for a fact that the Lord placed me at that spot for a reason. It helped her but I think it helped me more. I finally got to bare my testimony without a companion. I was so afraid that I was relying on my companions testimony. I also know that I couldn't have said those things without the Holy Ghost. I didn't even know what I was saying until I said it and I understood what I was saying. That is a weird experience. 

If you think I was being disobedient I wasn't. I even told the Zone leaders I got a hug from Amberley that night. I think that I was suppose to notice her that day.

One more thing. We went caroling with the youth in our ward to the less-actives and we gave them some Christmas gifts. It kinda hard to carry the song.... :) hehe

South Carolina has many weird things. People don't put batteries into their fire alarms and i always remind them that they need new batteries but they still never get them. So the fire alarm just beeps all day and all night long. 

I am starting to make a list of things that I notice that is different from home. So I can tell you a little more about the heart of the south. 

It feels like October or beginning of November here. Yet Christmas is this week. That is really weird.

Well I love you! I hope everything is going well and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!!! 

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

P.S. Don't get used to empty batteries in fire alarms.

How is life?

Hey Everybody!

This week has been a really great week. We now have two people on a baptismal date. Their names are Mia, age 10 and Gabby age 16. I am really excited for them and I would like for you to pray for them to be able to come to church. That, I believe will be the biggest challenge. 

Last week we  were walking at night and a car pulled up in the middle of the street and it was a white Camaro and It was really cool. Anyway we were walking past it when we heard two knocks on the back window of the car and heard a help! We turned back and suddenly the car zoomed off. We then went to our members house where we just came from and we called the cops. Nothing really happened after that. The police believes it was a prank because there was a white Camaro farther up the street parked for a party.

So I really like Elder Ferguson out here. He will be heading home in January with his dear wife. I am wondering if he in related to brother Ferguson back at home. He lives in Ogden I believe and he is a Green Baret. He basically trained a lot of his life to be a killer, hand to hand kind of stuff. He is always telling us stories about the military and strategy on why the Book of Mormon and Bible have so much war in it.

Last Monday I got to decorate T and Jackie's yard with Christmas decorations. We still aren't done with it yet. He is trying to set it up and put it to music he plays. I got to climb a tree and put lights in it. They don't look very good but hey I got to climb a tree!!!! I really think Becca would love it down here. There are so many trees and I don't even think I would be able to make to the top. 

We ran into a less-active and they are super happy we dropped by. He is Mormon and his wife is a baptist but they often go to church in Fort Jackson. So we are just starting to work with them. 

Jackie got  a calling this week and it is to be a primary teacher for the 7 year old's. She was so warn out yesterday. 

I want the family to know that I love them and I hope that Christmas is wonderful this year. Just don't expect to much. Keep calm and be giving. Don't put your treasures into things of the earth but things of heaven. I got the Christmas box but I regret to tell you that there was no letter with it. So I don't even know if the presents are mine, but I hope they are. :)  Thank you for the Thanksgiving notes. I loved them so much!!!

I hope that you are doing well. Please be careful with the decisions you make. I love you all and have a wonderful week! 

Love,

~Elder Bryson Steiner

Thanksgiving

Hey everybody!

This past week has been a weird one. I hope everyone got full for Thanksgiving. I have to say that I really missed home because of Thanksgiving. I am very grateful for the support. I had a good time being over at T. and Jackie's for Thanksgiving. Since we weren't allowed to go out and tract we could only go over to the members houses that day. I got to watch 2 football games 'cause the families wanted to watch them and they just told us to relax. It was really weird but everything was ok. 

We had an investigator on date for baptism but he now wants to wait. I feel like we have tons of investigators just no one wants to get baptized. 

I got to play a flag football game on Saturday and I think I played too hard. I didn't get hurt or anything just I was tired afterward. I am just about to get over the sore feeling today for playing football. I hope that everything is going well with everyone. I gave a blessing to my ward mission leader Friday and I got some pictures on Saturday.

It's nice to know that I can win a stare contest. ;)

I can't wait to see all of you. I love you and miss you. Have a good one!

Love,

~Elder Steiner