Elder Brayden Knowlden

Ugly bug

With other Missionaries

The Ocean in Connecticut

Lunch Time 

The beach at sunrise

Having some fun

Week 8.docx
Brayden Knowlden


Last P-day went great, we hung out with the Weaver family in their new house. They were also our dinner appointment, we all had a little time, and because I haven't been to the ocean in Connecticut we had a short 5 min walk to the beach. It was cold but so beautiful! For the Christmas party last week we had a portable service center (little information displays), another set of Elders last minute we had to take it all the way to Springfield Massachusetts. Lots of history in that city, even the Basketball Hall of Fame, I saw it as we passed by on the freeway.   

I hit day 50 this past week, it's so crazy to think I've been gone that long! That day we helped Kelly and Domingo (the couple we are teaching) deep clean and organize their basement. It looks so much better now, but still has a long way to go. I had interviews for the first time with President Mavromatis and I set some goals to work on for this next little bit to be a better missionary and to better fulfill my purpose. The Waterford elders and us went to Pops and Sweeties house for some wholesome fun while we waiting to go to dinner with others in our Zone. We all went to "99" an east coast restaurant. We celebrated Elder Pulus 99 days left in his mission on his actual 99.

Friday night we had planned to have dinner with a couple in the ward and with Kelly and Domingo so they could get to know them more, unfortunately Kelly broke a toe and wasn't able to make it. It was a wonderful bonding time with an amazing home cooked meal. Our short message was on “every member a missionary, how we take upon the name of Christ we should be ministers to all and Light the World. “

Saturday came and we helped finish up moving the Weavers out of their old house and officially in the new one. Elder Pulu and I along with brother Weaver took many things to the dump, we had a good conversation with one of the workers. He is a born again Christian, and he asked us if we were members of "The Church of Joseph Smith" it was funny! He said he really respected what we do as missionaries.

Sunday was wonderful, it was the primary program, and there are like 50 kids it's crazy! Even though they are young they still brought the spirit so much. That night was a Christmas musical fireside, all the songs were so wonderful! We ended up coming down to Waterford to spend P-day with 2 other companionships in our Zone to be with the Elder who leaves this week.

Finally
This weeks scripture is Alma 2:30 "And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people."

This made me think as missionary how can I better be an instrument in thy hand. With the new home centered church supported program starting in January, this made me realize it's starting to be about self revelation, and as missionaries we are able to better understand how we personally receive answers to our questions we have for our Lord. One thing I can do, is to be an introvert  (I think he meant to say extrovert) In thy hand is to help others recognize how they can receive the answers they have. With this amazing new program coming I invite all of you to pray about how this can benefit you and listen closely to how it will help strengthen your relationship with God, and our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.