Letter to Buzz

Ashley & Buzz!
Sorry such a short letter, but I only have like 2 minutes. Thanks so much for the letters, packages, and support. It means a lot. I love you guys so much! I have Austyn & Dallin's drawings hanging up. I hope you guys are doing well. What are you guys up to? Dal learn any new words? Is he allergic to Darla? Fill me in! What are you guys doing for Halloween? I will be in class ALL day. Fun stuff! No really though, some days are fun. Today was rough, but I am having a good time and laughing a lot so that's good. My $180 pair of Ecco shoes gave me blisters. No bueno! Oh well, maybe I will grow some callouses, ha ha. Anyways, I have like 5 min to get ready for bed. I love you all and miss you very much! Give Buzz a hug and kiss. Talk about me to him so he doesn't forget me!
Love you!
Elder Davie

Long Days and Pepto Bismol

Letter from Brendan, dated October 26, 2009

"Yo!
I got a package and 3 letters today! So that was awesome. I'll try to answer some of your questions. The food is awful. I find myself going to the bathroom a lot. I saw Dennis a couple of times on Sunday. P-days are on Thursdays. I'm running out of clean clothes so it will be good to do laundry. Saturday was the longest day of my life. Here was my schedule: 7-8 AM: Study. 8-12: Classroom instruction. Lunch at 12. 12:30-5: Classroom instruction. Dinner at 5. 5:30-8: More class. 8-9 PM-Study. 9-9:30 PM Plan. 9:30-10 study. 10:15 is quiet time! Longest day ever! I am actually doing really good though! I'm comfortable around everyone and I have had some very spiritual experiences. In class tonight we practiced teaching the 1st lesson. The spirit was so strong! Tomorrow at 8 AM we go and practice teaching a volunteer acting as an investigator. It will be awesome!! My teachers are Bro Weist (he's hilarious) and Sister Adams. Things are really going well here so don't worry about me. There's an elder in our district named Elder Holderman and he is hilarious! I laugh just looking at him. I have taken some pics so before I leave I will send some to you. It's 10:00 so I gotta go. Love you all. Thank you Austyn and Dallin for the pictures. Thanks for the package. The church is true!

Love, Elder Davie

P.S. "True Christianity is love in action". - David O. McKay

P.P.S. My companion's been hitting the pepto bismol pretty hard haha"

Missionary Life Feels Normal

"We had a devotional tonight and L Tom Perry was the speaker. It was really good! Thanks for all of the letters and packages. It's much appreciated! I wish I could write everyone individual letters but I'm short on time, so dispense the letters! I miss Dallin and "Austy" like crazy!!! I feel like I haven't seen them for a year and it's only been a week! What else is new with me? I can't wait until I can do my laundry on Thursday! I'm almost out of clothes! It will be nice to get new missionaries tomorrow so we can stop being the "new" guys. Thanks for the Tim Tams! It's weird here because missionary life just feels like normal life and hoem life just seems like it's been gone forever. It's weird but cool I guess. It really feels like I've been gone forever. We taught in the TRC which went ok, then taught a teacher later in the TEC and went horribly, so that was frustrating. I'm having a hard time keeping investigators interested in the message and applying the doctrine to their needs. BRT is easier said than done. Anyways I gotta go. Love you all very much!

Elder Davie"

P-Day #1

Brendan's first email on his first P-Day:

"How are you guys? I am doing good. I'm actually starting to like the MTC! It's pday today which is awesome. It has been a very long week so it is nice to have some "down" time. We do laundry at 1:45 so that will be really nice since I am completely out of clothes. Then we have class tonight at 5:45 till 9 but besides that we will just be doing study and stuff. We went to the referral center last night for the first time....You make calls and receive calls as well as talk on a live chat. People call to request church movies and then we can call people to confirm their delivery. It was scary at first but now its cool. I had a chance last night to talk to a guy from oakland. It was a short conversation but the church sent him a book of mormon like 6 months ago. He lost his job and had to move in with relatives so now its still packed away. I had the chance to testify of the book or mormon and share my testimony and he was very receptive of that so it was a good experience for me. Then I called some dude in Oregon at like 9 pm...... He tore my head off for the stupidest reason.....it was hilarious.... the phone was ringing, his wife picks up and so I ask for him. Then he gets on the phone and says "Phillies or Yankees". I was taken back for a second then turned my mind into real life mode and said "Phillies !". Then he said is this Don? I was like uh no this is brendan from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. And he proceeded with these exact words ( I will add caps to help you feel exactly how mad he was) "HOW DARE YOU CALL ME DURING THE WORLD SERIES? I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE CALL DURING THE WORLD SERIES?!" I told him the spill and asked if he received his bible he requested. He said " No I didn't ! " So I was like sweet do you still want one or....? and he was like " Yes! But not during the world series....and you guys can send one or call me back but it better be after the world series !!! It was hilarious but I was scared at the same time. Thanks for all the letters and packages that you guys have been sending....I get way more mail then the other elders and it means a lot to me! We had the chance to go to the temple this morning. It was really cool since I have never been to that one before. Our session started at 7:40 so I was dead tired but its all good. It was a great experience. It is hard waking up so early and I am dead tired all day...but I will get used to it...or just deal with it. We have 10 people in our district.... 4 of us going to dc south and then 6 are going to Rapid City , South Dakota. We all getting along pretty well. I hope you guys are all doing good ! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you !! I love you !!! Church is true !!!!"

Learning to Teach

Letter from Brendan, dated 10/24/2009

"I'm writing as often as I can and will try to answer some of your questions! My Branch Presidency is cool. They're a little intimidating, but that's to be expected. Things are going well. I am comfortable for the most part. Some of my fears have become extinct because of the spirit that is here. Tonight we went to the teacher evaluation center to teach the first lesson to a teacher who posed as an investigator. Ya we bombed it. Never have I felt so dumb. I wasn't nervous but we just didn't connect with her and have the spirit with us. It was very frustrating but I guess life goegs on. Not sure if I told you but one of the elders in our dorm got swine flu. He is now in quarantine and our district was given tamiflu. Who won the BYU game? I could hear it but don't know the outcome. Tomorrow is Sunday which should be interesting since there are a lot of meetings. Hopefully I can see Dennis and Kim. I think that is all the new info. We found out that 6 other elders are also going to the Washington DC South mission, but they're in another district. I need to get going and prepare a talk about patience. They pick on random missionaries to give a talk during sacrament. Hopefully they don't choose me! Pray for me, on Tuesday we teach again to a visitor who acts as an investigator, and they tape you then critique you. That should be a blast. I love you all! I'm still waiting to wake up from a very weird dream :)

Elder Davie"

MTC Food and Harry Potter

Letter from Brendan, Dated 10/23/09

"Thanks for all of the letters! My comp and the other guys in my room haven't had mail yet. A guy in our dorm got swine flu so he is now in "quarantine". So now I'm in a threesome. It's cool. We have been working hard on trying to teach the first lesson. Easier said than done. We have spent a lot of time at the TEC. For breakfast I had eggs and a ham and cheese sandwich (GROSS!!!). For lunch I had a hamburger. Worst burger EVER!!! And for dinner I had pizza and pumpkin pie which was delicious. Overall the MTC food is horrible! I spend a lot of time dropping the kids off if you know what I mean :) So it is day 3 and it's getting a tad better. I am adjusting and doing fine. One day feels like 3. I can't believe tomorrow is only Saturday. One guy who lives in our hall dressed up in a cape and was running around casting Harry Potter spells in spanish. Very intersting. I can't wait until P-Day next Thursday! It will be much needed. Well this elder needs to plan, study, change, brush my teeth, get a drink, and study some more and it's already 9:56 so I better go. Love and miss you all!"

Brendan & Companion

Here is a picture of Brendan and his companion taken last night at the MTC!!

Aren't they cute??

Letter to Ashley & Dallin

Ash & Buzz!
You were indeed the first to write! Thanks! So it's 9:22 on Day 2. Are things getting easier? I would have to say No! Ha Ha, but really I am doing fine. Besides the fact that my classroom is sooooo hot. It's rediculous. Oh well. And the MTC food .... not diggin it. Tastes like someone made it a week ago and left it under a heat lamp. I saw Dave's boyfriend (Andrew) but didn't say anything. My roommates are pretty cool. My comp is from South Ogden. I need more pics of you and Dal! I need them to post on my desk! I hope everything is going well. I'm trying not to think about Dal & Austy because it breaks my heart when I do. Give him hugs and kisses from Woody!! I love you!

P.S. I'm not district leader ... yeeeaaahhh!!
Elder Davie

First Letter from Elder Davie!

We received our first letter from Brendan today! Here it is:

Dated October 21

"Familia!

I'm sure you're all wondering what the skinny is on everything? It's almost 10:00 and I haven't died yet! But it is going to be a very long few weeks. My companion is Elder Pomerey from South Ogden. I live with 3 other elders who are all going to DC. They are all nice. It's really weird being here. I'm still waiting to wake up and be back at home. It is definitely an adjustment. Dinner was at 4:30 so I'm starving. Here are a few things I need: Hangers, push pins to hang pics. I think that's it. Let me know how grandma is. Give Dal (Buzz) and Austy hugs and kisses for me. Keep me in your prayers. It is going to be rough the next few days. The other guys in my room are from Layton and Cleveland. They don't care for sports which sucks. My companion really didn't want the top bunk so I offered to sleep up top. You should watch me try and climb up! It aint pretty. There's no ladder so I just pray and try to hoist myself up. Not fun. I'm also not looking forward to the shower situation tomorrow. Should be interesting! Also can you send me some wintergreen life saver mints? The sisters are muy bonita! This was my day: Put luggage in room, go to class forever, go to big devotinoal meeting, go to dinner, go to this teaching exercise type thing where people practiced teaching to fake investigators. AWKWARD. Then we had a meeting with our zone leaders. Then we came and unpacked and here I am. I'm trying not to think about the 600 + days that I have left, but it's hard not to. Anyways, hopefully 2morrow will be better. It's 10:15 so I gotta go. I love you guys and miss you very much!

---Elder Davie the Second"

It's Official

It's official! Brendan entered the MTC today @ 12:45pm. Here are some pictures of our "send off"...

Walking into the MTC after leaving the family:Good Luck Brendan! We look forward to hearing from you soon!!

Farewell Talk

Brothers and sisters, Aloha! I have never been to Hawaii nor am I serving there on my mission but I have always wanted to do that. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Brendan Davie. I have lived in Daybreak for about 3 years. While living in the same house I have been in 3 different words and 2 different stakes. Needless to say I don’t know a lot of people from the ward. I have been called to serve in the Washington DC South Mission. I will be reporting to the MTC on October 21^st. While opening my mission call and finding out where I would be serving the next thing I immediately looked at was what language I would be speaking. The lord must have known about my attendance of summer school and knew learning a second language might not be a great idea. Thankfully I will be teaching the gospel in English. I am scared and feel inadequate to accomplish the things that come with serving a full time mission, but I know that if I do the things the lord would have me do, then he will bless me and help strengthen me in times of need.

Today is a very emotional day for me. For the past couple years I have been facing some difficult trials in my life. They were trials that came because of my own decisions. In September of 2006 I had received a mission call to serve in Columbus Ohio. I was scheduled to leave December 13^th. I got all my stuff ready, bought my suits, bought my bike, and was all ready for my farewell talk. The only problem is I hadn’t been true with my leaders and with the lord. I had things I needed to work out and had I left without doing so, I wouldn’t have had the spirit with me. I can still remember December 13^th as if it were yesterday. I was supposed to be entering the MTC but instead I was starting a long process and aiming for the goal of leaving in a few months. Little did I know this would be a much longer process than I had originally anticipated. Months went by and I still wasn’t ready to serve. I was struggling to keep my testimony and constantly falling into Satan’s will. I remember times of having no desire to wake up for church, no desire to read the scriptures or to pray. I was lost and I hadn’t realized it. I was focusing on other things to try and make me happy but I quickly learned that it didn’t work that way. Every time someone would talk to me about serving a mission I would get a pit in my stomach. It seemed as though I would think about it from the second I woke up until the last minute before I went to bed. The problem is that I didn’t make the necessary changes in my life to overcome the obstacles that stood between me and a mission. It seemed so easy but I couldn’t do it and felt like it was an impossible goal.

Last March I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I got to the point where I had to decide what direction I would go in my life. I could continue in the things that I was doing or I could make some changes and invite the spirit to dwell with me once again. It had been about 2 years since I had partaken of the sacrament. I just remember feeling lost and not sure where to get the strength to press forward. I was trying to fight through these times on my own which was a huge mistake. Why would the lord want to spend time helping me when I had forgotten him? Do I really want to make these changes and is it going to be worth it in the end? Or rather is it even possible to reach my goal? These are just a few of the questions that were in my mind at that point. It had been a while since I had met with the bishop. It seemed as if it was at that exact moment that my phone rang. When I realized who was calling I knew immediately what he wanted. We proceeded to set up a time to meet with bishop. I still remember how loving and compassionate bishop was when I told him of my thoughts and problems. He motivated me to start fresh and to help get me to where I had long wanted to be. That was to serve a mission.

That night I remember kneeling on my knees, pleading with the lord to help me. I knew I couldn’t do this on my own as I had selfishly thought before. I pleaded with him to give me the strength to talk with my mom. I was scared to talk to her. I remember initiating that conversation with her. I remember my mom embracing me as we cried together. She was the strength and motivation that I didn’t have. It was that night that I promised to give every effort to become the person I once was.

I tell you of these times in my life because I was asked to speak on experiences I have had that led me to want to serve a mission. Crazy enough this major trial in my life has helped me grow more than I could ever imagine.

My family has played a huge role in helping me get here today. We learn that families are central to the Creators plan for the eternal destiny of His children. We were put into families so that we could learn the gospel together, So that we could mourn together and enjoy happiness together. My family has helped me so much in my life. Through them I have been able to be made whole again.

When I was 18 my brother was serving a mission in California. Through the approval of his president, I was able to go down to where he was and spend a day with him. I got there that night around 9. They did their nightly duties as I ate and unpacked my stuff. The next morning we were wide awake at 6:30 and were ready to start off the day. I don’t remember everything that happened that day, but I will never forget what happened when they had me knock on my first door. I was prepared to face whatever came my way, well at least at the time I thought I was. As an elderly lady cracked open the door my brother proceeded to talk to her about the Restoration. It was at that moment that I began to experience my first door rejection. I remember walking swiftly down the street as she was still screaming at us. My brother and his companion held their composure until we turned the corner after which they started laughing hysterically at me. That was enough to scare me. This is an experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life. It was a wonderful opportunity to see my brother teach the gospel first hand. He has always been an example to me in my life and has taught me how to honor my priesthood.

One person in my family I would like to talk about for a second is my mom. She has been the greatest example to me. I am proud to admit that I have been labeled in the past as a mommas boy. I have always believed that we grow and learn best from the examples of those around us. She never lost faith in me, even when I lost all faith in myself. She has continued to hold strong to the rod and continually lead our family to eternal happiness. Being a single mom is not an easy task, especially when you have to put up with me. She has always shown unconditional love. I am forever grateful for her strength that she has exemplified. Me and my mom have had the opportunity of attending the new Oquiirh Mountain Temple every week for the past couple months. This has strengthened not only our bond as mother and son, but has strengthened my testimony.

The second thing that has helped me to prepare for a mission is immersing myself in the scriptures. We are told that if we have faith and keep the commandments of god, that he will unveil the mysteries of his kingdom. What a remarkable promise. I have seen an added measure of the spirit in my life as I had made a greater effort to get to know our Savior through the scriptures. My ability to overcome temptation and to keep the commandments of God has been strengthened. 1 Nephi 9: 5 is a great example of faith and diligence. “Wherefore, the lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.” Nephi had no idea the impact the records would have on us today but he followed the commandments of the lord and kept the records anyway. What an amazing day it is going to be when we will have the opportunity to thank these ancient prophets for the things they did for us. I am so grateful for the scriptures and the effect they have had in my life. We can learn so much from the experiences of those who lived before us. I know that we can not only learn from the adversity of the prophets of old, but we also learn from our own adversity. Some of us sometimes wonder, Why me? I know this was a common thought in my mind the last couple years. Helaman 12:3 says “And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.” We are given these trials so that we will constantly remember him and come unto him. It took me a while to grasp this concept.

As I mentioned before, the biggest impact on my life has been the examples of the people around me. I have been blessed with amazing friends. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work where I have the last 2 and a half years. The people there have encouraged me and uplifted me every single day. They have become my 2^nd family. I have been strengthened by learning of the examples of those taught in the scriptures.

Ammon taught others the gospel simply by being an example to his peers and by performing acts of service. It was because of the selfless things of Ammon that King Lamoni and many of his people received the gospel in their lives.

Joseph Smith was also a huge example in the way he lived his life. Very few could endure the persecution that he went through. Without his courage and determination we wouldn’t have the gospel on this earth again.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate example to us. In 3 Nephi 27:21 Jesus tells us “Verily verily I say unto you this is my gospel and ye know the things that ye must do in my church for the works which ye have seen me do…. “ He has laid down the footprints for how we should live our lives. Our goal is to become like him so that eventually we can live with him. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine trying to become like our Savior because he was perfect. Our perception of perfect is to have no flaws. I think a better definition is to be constantly improving. If we are constantly improving in our lives, then we will one day become like our savior. Marvin J. Ashton said “the speed with which we head along the straight and narrow path isn’t as important as the direction were heading.” We should be constantly striving to keep our lives in line with the gospel so what we are always heading the right direction.

When brother McCoy asked me to speak on experiences I’ve had that had led me to have a desire to serve a full time mission I had multiple thoughts come into mind. I wasn’t sure exactly what I would speak on. I thought about scripture study and how I have grown both spiritually and mentally. I thought about the examples of my family and friends who encouraged me every day to become a better person and achieve my goals. The thing that ultimately led me to stand here today as I prepare to leave is the power of the Atonement. To a degree I felt that awful feeling of guilt and remorse as Alma did. We are promised that if we will repent of our sins and come unto Him, he will remember our sins no more. Although it would be nice if we could also erase them from our memory, through the atonement we can forget them emotionally and spiritually. We can be stripped of the guilt and pain that we once felt.

Not only did the savior suffer for our sins, but he suffered through every temptation and every struggle. He knows exactly what we are going through. In order to receive the blessings that come from the atonement, we must first repent of our sins. Godly sorrow is what leads to repentance. Paul teaches of godly sorrow in 2 Corinthians. He says “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. Alma also talked of his sorrow he felt as he was harrowed up in the memory of his sins. What a remarkable story of his conversion which led to the baptizing of many people into the kingdom of god. We see time and time again in the book of Mormon the devastating effects our agency can have on our families. We have also seen the mercy and grace of god as these brethren were converted unto the lord. President Benson stated that “the Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. . . . The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment.” It is so important that we become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ so that we can live with Him again.. D&C 19 16-19 reads “For behold, I god have suffered these things for all that they might not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I. Which suffering caused myself, even god, the greatest of all to tremble because of pain and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink.”

It pains me to know of the things I have put our savior through. The spiritual and physical pain I have felt in my life is but a grain of sand compared to the things the savior experienced. It is an amazing and selfless act for him to ultimately sacrifice his life so that we could live with him again. I am so grateful for this sacrifice and have seen the affects of it in my own life.

It is so important that we live our lives in a way that will let the spirit into our hearts. The Preach My Gospel book that is used by all the missionaries talks a lot about have the spirit with you. It is not us that penetrates the hearts of those we are teaching, but it is the holy ghost who will testify to them. Elder Russel M. Ballard said “True conversion comes through the power of the spirit. When the spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed. When individuals feel the spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in him increases. These experiences with the Spirit follow naturally when a person is willing to experiment upon the word. This is how we come to feel the gospel is true.” As I was thinking about experiences I might have as I teach the gospel, I was comforted as I read the scripture in D&C 84:85 “ Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” This is why its so important to be living worthy and doing the things the lord would want us doing. This is why missionaries focus so much on prayer so they can invite the spirit to be with them in all things and in all places.

I would like to conclude with a quote from President Hinckley “Every morning missionaries should get on their knees and plead with the lord to loosen their tongues and speak through them to the blessing of those they will be teaching. If they will do this, a new light will come into their lives. There will be greater enthusiasm for the work. They will come to know that in a very real sense, they are servants of the lord speaking in His behalf. They will find a different response from those they teach. As they do so by the spirit, their investigators will respond under the influence of the same spirit. “

It is my goal that as I serve the people of Washington DC that I can share with them the same happiness that I have felt in my life as I have strived to come closer to god and to feel of his overwhelming spirit.