7/30/2014

Well that whole internet thing was a mess and now we are really behind with some payments and things like that, but at least we have it now. Last week wasn't any different than the other ones besides the trip we got to take to El Seibo  to bring a companionship here to the capital. It was a very cool area to drive through I just wish it could have been day time to actually see everything. I had a really cool interview with my mission president. I enjoyed it alot. I am pretty sure that I will be finishing here in Gazcue helping with finances and helping prepare for the 28 missionaries that come in the day that I leave. I am wondering when school starts for me when I get back and when I can start to work. I don't think about that much, but it just came to mind. Transfers are the twelfth of August which I think is going to be absolutely insane because even without having an actual transfer almost more missionaries have been moved in the past few weeks than I have seen get moved in most of the transfers of my entire time serving here. I play soccer every once and a while, but I wouldn't say that I am very good at it.  I mostly just defend well and if anyone uses body to fight it out for the ball I do that alright ha ha some of the Elders get pretty fired up. Especially the ones from Mexico and Argentina. Then a few Columbians and a Panamanian that just play so agressively. So Anthony is almost home.... wow.. and Stihl is long long gone haha Riggs has  eight months or so left Cole is going to have a child Josh has around ten months left I think and Justin might get married ( or he could decide to serve a mission)  I mean he is pretty young I know missionaries that are 28 years old in my mission.more that a few of them are that old. I don't know what to think about Baylin going into college before I go...... weird. that is really cool about Sierra. Wish I could go to the Luau good food will be there. I know it. right now we have afamily and two individuals that are investigating  the gospel and progressing. Everyone here works alot so it is hard to meet with them very often. But when they are alone they at least take time to read and ponder a little bit. The thing is that they seem to be afraid or too doubtful to pray about it directly. Which is hearkening unto the evil spirit it and just reminds me of second Nephi chapter 32 verses 8 and 9. If we don't pray we really just value our own opinions more than God's truths.Love ou! Have a great night. Eat well enjoy your warm showers in the morning ;) haha

7/22/2014

We have had an interesting weekend with a missionary getting sick Saturday night and we were with him in the hospital until three in the morning. Those missionaries are in a trio so that made things complicated with moving them around and everything. We have had problems with the cars and have been doing everything with one car and President and the senior couples from the office haven't come in because he is in the ABC islands meeting the missionaries and branches that are there. Elldery and Nurgia got their temple recommends and their patriarchal blessings on Saturday which I am very happy about. I am super excited for them. Today we are getting cars fixed which takes much more time than you would think and we are getting two Elders from their areas so that they can leave tomorrow on their plane home they are going home early for studies. Right now we are in the house of the Senior couple that stay in a really nice apartment and they told us to take advantage of the time they are going to be gone and use their washer and eat their food :) can't complain about that haha. I feel good, but also feel stressed at times. I want to preach more, but with having a new companion and everything and teaching him everythhing so he will be ready for when I leave it has required more time and letting him do things which teaches to me be patient and I am grateful for that.

 

 I am so happy to hear that Baylin has someone that is treating here like she should be treated. I hope that she is excited for college that shoud be very fun. While I have been reading in second Nephi I love the Isaiah chapters and how those prophecies are being fulfiled in our days. I know that Jesus Christ came as he testified and will come again. I feel that the attribute which at times I thought I had alot of I lack in certain areas. Being truly patient means we are at peace not just that we are waiting if we feel frustrated or fearful it isn't true hope and patience. I am glad that I can still feel worthy and good about myself even if I am not perfect. Sometimes I am too hard on myself. I like that I can evaluate myself and if I know I have done my best that I will be able to feel satisfied with my decisions and actions. I feel like alot of what determines if we are happy in this life and the next will be if we can accept ourselves and our decisions and recognize that there will many more to make and take so we must always look forward with faith. We cannot plan out how everything in our life will go, but we can know that obeying the commandments will prevent us from feeling remorse and service will build us and help us become more than we have been.

 

 I miss you and love you. I also miss grass and carpet and mountains and going to church with my family, family prayer, I miss when Dad would take me outside in front of our house and play catch with me on Sundays because he wanted to be with me. I appreciate that. I know he loves me. I want to do the same in my family. I know that we can have gratitude in our hearts even though everything isn't perfect.

 

                                                                   Love, Elder Bell

 

07/14/2014

Ok so we had an awesome baptism. He is an amazing person I am trying to send the pictures with this E-mail , but the memory is being weird so it may not work. Yeah I can't send the pictures I will have to use my other memory if I want to send them. But anyways, the baptism went well he got confirmed on Sunday.  I wouldn't say that the most spiritual experiences have been baptisms though usually my favorite part is the beginning when the person really feel something that they need it it is as if something is awakened and they act because they want to and almost nothing is required on our part except honesty and support and being worthy by being obedient. However the hardest times are after some has had a moment like that and they get distracted or stop trying to seek guidance from Heavenly Father and begin to look for answers from the world and ask everyon else's opinion and decide that with all the opinions and points of view that there are that the truth will only come out when Christ is hear again. I know that it is here now. At least the parts we need to be ready to receive the fulness of the instruction and priesthood keys of the kingdom of our father. We have what we need , but just like it says in the scriptures we are not yet ready to support all things. The time comes bit by bit and that knowledge which is of true value as stated by Boyd K. Packer is only obtained through fasting and prayer and a meditation upon the scriptures. I believe there is much more in the scriptures than we can imagine. But we have to be careful not to force our own interpretations out of them. I feel very blessed and at the same time I feel that I haven't been grateful enough for having a prophet and apostles. We can get a lot of encouragement and comfort from their words. I read an article in the July Ensign today and I received a recomendation from one of the other elders to read a part that talks about perfectionism.... wow that article had me figured out right on the spot many of those things I have done and felt in my life....let me look up the link real quick if you get time to read it I think it can help anyone:

www.lds.org/liahona/2014/07/young-adults/becoming-perfect-in-christ?lang=eng&query=perfectionism

I like it I should probably read it some more. it isn't too long either.

 Any ways I have been getting weird calls from missionaries today and even in the last few minutes they have been calling and asking how to fix their toilets or when the chain in the part above breaks what they should do.... I didn't know that is is my job to help with that onehaha we learn something new everyday I guess. My companion is doing very well learning fast. He needs to because I don't know how long I will be here with all of the changes that are going on. I used to feel like I have changed alot, but now I kind of have a hard time seeing the changes that have happened. I have a hard time studying because we often leave the house very early in the morning and we often spend alot of time talking to missionaries on the phone and planning our day. My companion and I just got done teaching a really good lesson with a family that is related to our ward's Bishop. We were super far from the office and then a huge rainstorm came out of nowhere and I got completely soaked. I took a picture, but like I said this memory isn't working so I will have to wait to show it in a couple of months. Sounds like California was fun I love you all so much. 

Love , Elder Bell

07/07/14

Today was a long... not really P- Day we cleaned the house and my companion got called to another area in the middle of the transfer with lots of things going on so I am going to be a little over loaded.

 It was crazy to see the pictures that Bay sent me... My little siblings are not little anymore. I am sure you all are having a blast in California it sounds like a lot of fun. You can't be missing me that terribly. What you are all doing is just too much  fun to be missing someone :) I can't wait until we get to party when I get home. Even though I might extend my mission ;) just kidding it is just that I really would have liked to have gone to the temple on the 6th of OCT to see the converts I taught in Bonaire get sealed in the temple. All of the Branches from the ABC islands are going that day. I am really happy that they are getting sealed and I even think Kade Thornock is coming down here with his mom to see them :) they will be really happy about that.

 We will have Be having a baptism this weekend and are very excited about that Elder Tirado is going to Baptize Maximo before he goes to his new Zone. This transfer will be the hardest for me for sure. Love you Mom

6/14/2014 Elder Nelsens inspired conference talk

Here is Russel M. Nelson's talk from conference there are many statements that are much needed for our days please take the time to read it. If you find a quite place for fifteen minutes, which isn't that long, should should have time to read the whole thing and then share your favorite parts with each other. Love you all have a great weekend.

Love, Elder Brennan Bell

Dear brothers and sisters, we express our deepest feelings of love and gratitude for you. We are grateful for our assignments among you.

On a recent flight, our pilot announced that we would encounter turbulence during our descent and that all passengers must fasten their seat belts securely. Sure enough, turbulence came. It was really rough. Across the aisle and a couple of rows behind me, a terrified woman panicked. With each frightening drop and jarring bump, she screamed loudly. Her husband tried to comfort her but to no avail. Her hysterical shouts persisted until we passed through that zone of turbulence to a safe landing. During her period of anxiety, I felt sorry for her. Because faith is the antidote for fear, I silently wished that I could have strengthened her faith.

Later, as passengers were leaving the aircraft, this woman’s husband spoke to me. He said, “I’m sorry my wife was so terrified. The only way I could comfort her was to tell her that ‘Elder Nelson is on this flight, so you don’t need to worry.’”

I’m not sure that my presence on that flight should have given her any comfort, but I will say that one of the realities of mortal life is that our faith will be tested and challenged. Sometimes those tests come as we face what appear to be life-and-death encounters. For this frightened woman, a violently rocking plane presented one of those moments when we come face-to-face with the strength of our faith.

When we speak of faith—the faith that can move mountains—we are not speaking of faith in general but of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can be bolstered as we learn about Him and live our religion. The doctrine of Jesus Christ was designed by the Lord to help us increase our faith. In today’s vernacular, however, the word religion can mean different things to different people.

The word religion literally means “to ligate again” or “to tie back” to God.¹The question we might ask ourselves is, are we securely tied to God so that our faith shows, or are we actually tied to something else? For example, I have overheard conversations on Monday mornings about professional athletic games that took place on the preceding Sunday. For some of these avid fans, I have wondered if their “religion” would “tie them back” only to some kind of a bouncing ball.

We might each ask ourselves, where is our faith? Is it in a team? Is it in a brand? Is it in a celebrity? Even the best teams can fail. Celebrities can fade. There is only One in whom your faith is always safe, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. And you need to let your faith show!

God declared in the first of His Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”² He also said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”³ Yet so many people look only to their bank balance for peace or to fellow human beings for models to follow.

Clinicians, academicians, and politicians are often put to a test of faith. In pursuit of their goals, will their religion show or will it be hidden? Are they tied back to God or to man?

I had such a test decades ago when one of my medical faculty colleagues chastised me for failing to separate my professional knowledge from my religious convictions. He demanded that I not combine the two. How could I do that? Truth is truth! It is not divisible, and any part of it cannot be set aside.

Whether truth emerges from a scientific laboratory or through revelation, all truth emanates from God. All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.⁴ Yet I was being asked to hide my faith. I did not comply with my colleague’s request. I let my faith show!

In all professional endeavors, rigorous standards of accuracy are required. Scholars cherish their freedom of expression. But full freedom cannot be experienced if part of one’s knowledge is ruled “out-of-bounds” by edicts of men.

Spiritual truth cannot be ignored—especially divine commandments. Keeping divine commandments brings blessings, every time! Breaking divine commandments brings a loss of blessings, every time!⁵

Problems abound in this world because it is populated by imperfect people. Their objectives and desires are heavily influenced by their faith or lack of it. Many put other priorities ahead of God. Some challenge the relevance of religion in modern life. As in every age, so today there are those who mock or decry the free exercise of religion. Some even blame religion for any number of the world’s ills. Admittedly, there have been times when atrocities have been committed in the name of religion. But living the Lord’s pure religion, which means striving to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, is a way of life and a daily commitment that will provide divine guidance. As you practice your religion, you are exercising your faith. You are letting your faith show.

The Lord knew that His children would need to learn how to find Him. “For strait is the gate,” He said, “and narrow the way that leadeth unto … exaltation … , and few there be that find it.”⁶

The scriptures provide one of the best ways to find our course and stay on it. Scriptural knowledge also provides precious protection. For example, throughout history, infections like “childbirth fever” claimed the lives of many innocent mothers and babies. Yet the Old Testament had the correct principles for the handling of infected patients, written more than 3,000 years ago!⁷ Many people perished because man’s quest for knowledge had failed to heed the word of the Lord!

My dear brothers and sisters, what are we missing in our lives if we are “ever learning, [but] never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”?⁸We can gain great knowledge from the scriptures and obtain inspiration through prayers of faith.

Doing so will help us as we make daily decisions. Especially when the laws of man are created and enforced, God’s laws must ever be our standard. In dealing with controversial issues, we should first search for God’s guidance.

We should “liken all scriptures unto us … for our profit and learning.”⁹Danger lurks when we try to divide ourselves with expressions such as “my private life” or even “my best behavior.” If one tries to segment his or her life into such separate compartments, one will never rise to the full stature of one’s personal integrity—never to become all that his or hertrue self could be.

The temptation to be popular may prioritize public opinion above the word of God. Political campaigns and marketing strategies widely employ public opinion polls to shape their plans. Results of those polls are informative.But they could hardly be used as grounds to justify disobedience to God’s commandments! Even if “everyone is doing it,” wrong is never right. Evil, error, and darkness will never be truth, even if popular. A scriptural warning so declares: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.”¹⁰

After World War I, a rather risqué song became popular. In promoting immorality, it vowed that 50 million people cannot be wrong. But in fact, 50 million people can be wrong—totally wrong. Immorality is still immorality in the eyes of God, who one day will judge all of our deeds and desires.¹¹

Contrast the fear and faithlessness so prevalent in the world today with the faith and courage of my dearly beloved daughter Emily, who now lives on the other side of the veil. As mortal life was leaving her cancer-ridden body, she could barely speak. But with a smile on her face, she said to me, “Daddy, don’t worry about me. I know I will be all right!” Emily’s faith was showing—showing brightly—in that tender moment, right when we needed it most.

This beautiful young mother of five had full faith in her Heavenly Father, in His plan, and in the eternal welfare of her family. She was securely tied back to God. She was totally faithful to covenants made with the Lord and with her husband. She loved her children but was at peace, despite her impending separation from them. She had faith in her future, and theirs too, because she had faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son.

In 1986, President Thomas S. Monson said: “Of course we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. … Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with [faith] have courage as well.”¹²

President Monson’s counsel is timeless! So I plead with you, my dear brothers and sisters: Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!¹³

I pray that you will be securely tied back to God, that His eternal truths will be etched on your heart forever. And I pray that, throughout your life, you will let your faith show! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

06/16/2014

The office is the office lots of people are sick today and go figures it is the day of transfers. we have been all over and even had to drive to the Zone out on the east coast today because a sister has kidney stones. I get to teach.. kind of we are in a rich place and as far as the members know there have only been sister missionaries in their ward for almost two years so when we meet with them everything goes well and then at the end they usually say something like. Thanks for helping us think of ideas for references to give to  the sister missionaries! haha We have to take a lot of initiative to teach and we have had miracles honestly the contacts we have made have been inspired contacts and found people waiting for us. But it is hard to give follow up to people who work so much and then we do too. My schedule is completely random and I have free time at absolutely horrible moments that aren't very useful to proselite. The thing with the older couples is... kind of messy right now I am learning patience with quite a few things. Being a missionary doesn't ever gets easier we just get used to the load and my load is working out different muscles right not and stressing out my companion and making him grumpy.  I am happy I sometimes feel unsatisfied, but I think that is a good thing it gives me motives to improve and I have a bunch of room for that. I love you Happy Father's day Love you  Dad and Mom

Awkwardest haircut in my life:)

Jun 16 at 5:13 PM

Here are some pictures I thought for Dad's father's day gift that he should receive the pictures of my officially awkwardest haircut in my life, you know that one that a missionary dreads and hopes doesn't happen the whole time. and the pictures of my zone from this transfer and the pictures of my hair after it got fixed. Happy Father's day Dad! hope you enjoy the pics! :)

Ocean Drive to the Airport

Bad Hair Day!

06/16/2014

Here are some pictures I thought for Dad's father's day gift that he should receive the pictures of my officially awkwardest haircut in my life, you know that one that a missionary dreads and hopes doesn't happen the whole time. and the pictures of my zone from this transfer and the pictures of my hair after it got fixed. Happy Father's day Dad! hope you enjoy the pics! :)

06/09/2014

Jun 9

I am super tired we just got done playing soccer and I am still horrible at it so it takes more effort on my part to compete. I have been told that I will stay here until august 12th and then I will finish my last transfer in the field. Of course it all depends on what the new mission president wants, but I am pretty sure that is how it will be.  I got to give a talk yesterday and I shared mostly from Elder Bednar's talk in general conference. I really like the wording when he talks about how his friend returned home in his truck in english I think it would be something like a " more humble and happy man." I feel that is how those who deserve the Celestial kingdom will return to Heavenly Father also. I found a chain of scriptures in fourth Nephi that I love they are about being partakers of the heavenly gift. they are verses 3,11,12, 17, 18 they had basically  a perfect understanding of how to live and be free of the temptations and traps of the adversary. and then they started living for personal gain and not teaching the gospel of Christ to their children which lead to the destruction of their people. I love the Book of Mormon it is my strength and reminds me that there is an Almighty God and Creator of all things I know we have eternal aconsequences for all of our actions. And we control if those consequences are good or bad. I am glad you are enjoying the family trip those were always really fun even though I never had a cousin my age to enjoy it with I pray for you often and thinking of all of you whom I love reminds me why I should be obedient and use my time wisely and live my life with integrity. Love you! Elder Bell

06/03/2014

I have had a difficult week, but those are great weeks to learn something new and wait for Sunday to help me spiritually pull through. I absolutely love fast Sundays they have been a great blessing for me the whole time I have been serving in the missionfield and even before when I was at home. We are preparing for a new mission president to come on the 28th of June and this transfer of four weeks ends on the 16th of June. The old finance couple has returned after a back surgery and I now find myself a little bit without a job and sometimes wondering what I am supposed to do here in the office. However, I am sure that the solution is just around the corner and that it will all be better by the beginning of next transfer.

 Some really good news that I got from the elder that is in my old area is that a family that I contacted about six weeks ago has not missed a single Sunday and have plans to get married and want to be baptized. Also, Stephanie, the investigator that  cancelled her baptism the night before she was going to get baptized has stayed strong and hasn{t missed any meetings and will be getting baptized on the 14th of June. I find alot of peace knowing that I did my part and worked hard to find those who were ready to receive the truth although they did not know where to find it. I have never been there for any of the baptisms of any families that I have taught, but I still get very excited for anyone that gets to participate in that happening because this gospel is for families that want to last and overcome the temptations and threats of the adversary that strives to make us fall short of waht we came to the world of probation for. I Have noticed that we have to remember our small moments of enlightenment if we want to progress because we are so quick to forget the eternal things. Our vision is often short sighted and doesn{t always focus on eternity. For that there shall always be moments when we are humbled for our own actions and I have felt the Atonement in those humbling moments. I feel very gratful for the mission it helps me appreciate life. I love youMom and Dad,

Elder Brennan Bell

5/27/2014

Well, that week went fast very fast, I enjoyed it very much. It was a little bit better after saturday we got some rest and today we went and played soccer for a long time with all of the missionaries. The Kind of stress here is different that just being in the missionfield all of the bills and that stuff can be very frustrating when it doesn't go smoothly. We were able to go and teach yesterday and we had some good lessons. We are now in the richest part of the mission so contacting is a little bit like being back in Aruba or Bonaire again. Most of the places are just big nice conduminiums and besides that just masnion looking houses where company owners live. It is strange being in a ward that everyone gets here in their own car and they get here late anyway. Dominican Island time is way behind.

 I have been reading the general conference talks and one of them has been very good for me lately...actually two of them if you get time to look at them and really ponder upon the words that are said I know that it can be a blessing in your lives. one is called "Bear up their burdens with ease" by Elder Bednar and "I have given you an example" By Richard G. Scott.. the other talk that I had been needing to hear and answered a few questions it was in the preisthood session titled "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood" by Dallin H. Oaks. Please dedicate a little bit of time to relax and feel the peace of mind and spirit these words of apostles bring. We all need to be a little nourished spiritually every day.

 Love you, very much I hope that this summer starts and ends great and as you are hoping it will. It is my last summer here as a full time missionary and I am grateful for it. I am content with myself. But it is not over and I can't be too content or I might stop becoming what I have the potential to become. I love the short phrase in Elder Bednar's talk "It was the load"  peace isn't having the load taken of of us. I hope I can carry my load with Him.  Love, Elder Bell

5/22/14

Mom! I have time to write I think haha :) so this week transfers were basically starting from Sunday until Tuesday in the night time and I am still feeling the effects of the loss of sleep :) big schedule change for me. at 1 in the morning on Monday we got a call that we had to take a missionary to the Hospital then we spent the night there at the Hospital. we got home at 4 in the morning and slept until seven thirty then we took the missionary back to the hospital to meet with the Doctor. We got to the office at 12 in the afternoon we did a lot of random busywork and then we left to pick up some missionaries from the airport.  we slept in the MTC that night and woke up at three in the morning to take the missionaries that are finishing home then we went back to the MTC to pick up the new missionaries and take them to meet their trainers. After that we gave presentations and helped missionaries get to their areas. The part that I loved was that the last thing wedid was we got to take some elders out to their areas that I had never visited one was in Monte Plata and the Other was in Sabana Gran de Boya. That was awesome they live in the mountains and everything is green  those Elders are so lucky to have those areas they have very nice chapels and lots of active members also.I apologize that I wasn't able to write sooner it is just the first and last weeks of transfers are a little bit difficult. Lots of times we get interrupted and have to do busy work other times. We are working hard and we had something cool happen last week. An investigator went to church with a member and in just a week read the first 20 chapters of the Book of Mormon. He is doing very well, however has a lot of questions pertaining to things that are important, but not as important as some other basic knowledge I really hope that he can focus on his prayers and understand that if the Book of Mormon is the word of God then the message this church carries is a message that brings truth and clarity to a world of confusion. I Have really grown to love the Book of Mormon and it brings me peace...I have read quite a few other books in my life and I receive joy and feel certain emotions while I have read them, but the peace that comes from the scriptures is something that I cannot compare with any other wordly thing. It is a blessing to be serving and persisting in sharing the gospel with others and seeing the tests I am passing and my weaknesses I need those weaknesses to bring me back to earth because there are so many distractions in this life that for moments, sometimes brief and sometimes long,  that we disconnect from our spiritual identity as children of God and we have to be reminded that we depend upon Him as the rock of our salvation. Love you ,

Elder Bell

5/5/2014

Alright well, good news is it will be really easy to connect for skype on mothers day because I am going to start working in the mission office starting tomorrow president called me yesterday and let me know that I am going to be taking care of finances in the office most likely until I finish the mission. It is very strange that they called me into the office with the small amount of time I have left and they made the change two weeks early so I was very very surprised. I will have a very crazy schedule from now on and have to help alot with transfers. The good part is that I should have a really easy time with finding a computer where I can skype the family I just have no idea what my schedule is like now so I cannot tell you exactly when yet I will tell you as soon as I can. I am happy, but also sad because we found the most awesome family and the mother and father went to church yeterday and the mom asked the Bishop in a class what she had to do to be baptized and how soon, then she bore an amazing testimony in relief society.. all of the sisters are asking us if they can go and visit her with us. and trust me that is not common in the mission for sisters or members in general to ask. The family loved the church and I am certain that some point in the future they will be baptized.I am happy that I left some cool investigators for the next Elders.

I have a goal for before I get home I want to read the Book of MOrmon two more times and doctine and covenants once before I get back. I am Excited because my companion will be Elder Tirado he is the elder that was in the same house with me in Los Llanos in San Pedro. He is an awesome Elder . I am super happy to hear that prom went well... However I would like to see the picture of how brittan looked with Jordan? haha how did they match?;) Fast and testimony meeting was a blessing yesterday it really is a blessing every month I love it I love being able to fast and donate to those who need more than I do. I am Very happy and I love you all and pray for you often. I will write you next week Love you! :)

4/28/2014

A little thought from Elder Bell on being careful while using social media, especially sending messages to people and not telling them it is us.  Brea was sent some messages by a good friend this week that really scared her and her sweet friend was in a lot of trouble for trying to be funny.

We don't always think clearly before we do what we do. that is a little freaky about what was going on with Brea. Satan is tricky whatever thing we do anonimously we should think it through really well because we are not ourselves when people don't know what we are doing or when we have a mask on. We have to be the same person in the dark that we are in the light.

I Love being a missionary I know that I have been ordained to preach to those who are ready to receive. I feel spiritually rejuvenated.. if that is how it is spelled, and I am going to be finishing on a tank full of gas I don't plan on coasting. I don't ever want to just coast in my life ever again. We had to leave a lot of investigators behind. they stopped doing their part. It hurts really bad, but if they can't commit themselves then there is nothing else we can do for them besides invite testify and promise blessings.

I am super excited for Bay's graduation announcement I think I do get to skype really soon I will let you know next monday when. I am going to mow lawns when I get back ! :) and I am a little tired of this heat haha it is getting hotter every day I hope I come back white and not sun burnt. Love you Mom and DAd and Baylin and Brittan! have a great week!

04/21/2014

 

This is Denise, Elder Bell's mom.  As you can see, Brennan really didn't write too much this week. Actually, Brennan, when you read this, go to your file on my email account and read what you sent me.  It was personal in nature, it was written to his dad and I and because of this I chose not to share it on this public site.    But this is what I can share publically.  He can't just come out and say when he will return home, oh no way, he has to make me do the math and figure it out.  He has 4 weeks left in this transfer.  4 weeks and 4 weeks and 8 weeks and 6 weeks!  Ugh 5 and a half months left.  I was sure we were down to less than 5.  Such a small amount of time in the whole picture really though and he is soooo happy.  I wouldn't want to rush the Lords time!

 

Are you telling me I don't get to go to Stihl's fairwell?! dang it well I am happy for him I hope he loves his experience. 

 

 The week of easter is crazy here lots of people getting drunk and filling up big inflatable pools and putting them in the street and partying. Sometimes I feel that my spirit gets exhausted here because of all of the craziness it isn't easy in moments to deal with all of the noise.

 

Our transfers are still every six weeks. However, the next transfer will be four weeks because we are getting a new mission president. Then the next transfer will be eight weeks and I will finish on one last transfer of six weeks. It really is a long time, but compared to the time I have spent here it is nothing. Love you both say hi to everyone.

 

 Also, if you get time I am getting worried that my contacts aren't going to last the rest of the mission because the last pair was broken when I opened it. If you could send me a few pairs that would be excellent. My prescription is -1.25 Love you have a good week :)

4/14/2014

We have a ton of sisters we have eight. I am still in the same area so not a lot has change we still have a nice chapel and the only missionaries that have a car in the Dominican Republic are the elders that work in the office. The zone has much more excitement now because they moved a bunch of elders that weren´t doing much to other areas.

 wow good to know she, Jessica his cousin, got married after it happened haha how old is her husband?

The new members in the zone are awesome it has only been a week so we are still trying to get to know them. I really apreciate fast sunday because I was needed some spiritual nourishment and I definately feel that I received what I needed to keep me alive and working hard and happily.

 I got a hair cut with scissors for the first time in a while today so my head doesn´t look quite as weird still though feels different.  I am doing pretty well just really trying to continue to learn at times I feel that I am not as humble as I should be so I am going to be working more on being humble and studying and praying a little about that. I read an article that I really enjoyed about having our eye single to the glory of God in this months liahonna  and I enjoyed it a whole lot.

I hope that everything goes well as you are all coming to the end of the schol year. I do have a question about something though.... what happened to the Little Rams Wrestling club? does it still exist orrr? just curious.

The mission is a great experience and a wonderful way to find out what we really care about and learn how to not be selfish.  Usually if I feel unhappy it is because I am thinking and acting selfishly.  I love you all a bunch and hope that this week treats you well. Love you mom and dad. Love, Elder Bell

Just Kidding, heres the letter 4/7/2014

Today at 3:34 PM

Well for the first time in my mission I get to stay in an area for more than three months ha I am a little bit nervous now because I am used to changing so often I hope I don´t start to just fall into a routine in the things I do.

 

Conference was great, however I miss hearing the actual voices of the Prophet and the apostles sometimes instead of an interpreter. I am with my same companion Elder Martinez from mexico. We are doing well, sometimes we are pretty awkward as companions, but we both have desire to work and help each other to be obedient. In this last conference I did not have any huge moments where I was totally blown away. That is how all the other ones have felt up until this point. This time I just felt good there was one talk that spoke about a topic that I needed to hear I had been thinking about that topic for a large amount of time and everything that was said in the talk was familiar to me I had been studying it. That talk was definately a confirmation of the truthfulness of what I wanted to have a stronger testimony of.

 

 Our zone just got changed up a lot and I am a little relieved because more than half our zone were elders that were with more than eighteen months that were just dead and some of them kind of negative all thinking about going home. I don´t know what it is about that last six months, but to me that is still a very long time and I don´t get why some people think it is so little. The fact is that we still have to live day by day or we will let the time slip by and often lose time and precious moments if we are too worried thinking about the future then we might find ourselves robbed of today. Of course our goals and future desires are very important we must think of them and review them.I am grateful for the freedom to choose and make goals. When I haven´t had goals in the mission is when I have had difficulties and have felt sad or stressed out.

 

I loved the talk that talked about the joy of carrying burdens and I can´t remember who said it, but I know it is true that resistence on our back that strengthens us reallly lifts us up. I also  loved the talks about the restoration and the statement that there will always be more opposition against the truth because it is the truth.

 

 I finally am working out every day again... almost ha I have struggled with that because I feel like we are constantly moving and it is at times crazy to see how much we can do in just one day if we are determined and active and value our time. Thank you for writing me. It is uplifting for at times I feel very distant and isolated. I have been gone from my real home for a while. It seems like a dream that I was there. Love you, Elder Bell

03//31/2014

This week went well. Many of the lesson were very inspired and the baptisms at seven a clock sunday morning were so special I have pictures I want to send, but my memory card adaptor is not working in the moment. I may be buying a new one soon.

We had three baptisms sunday morning at seven a clock so we had to get up and call people at about five and it actually went really well it was a very nice experience being in the chapel early in the morning. The only thing that didn't go as planned was we didn't have the keys to the baptismal font so I got the privelege of climbing over the glass in front and opening the doors. It was pretty original. The Names of those who were baptized are Mercedez, Waldi, and Wuascar. Mercedez is sixty and Waldi is eleven his little brother is 9 years old. Waldi has been a great example for his little brother and really has a very strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. I find it very curious that the strongest spiritual moments I have had in the mission are often related to a child bearing a very small testimony. Sometimes I feel like I look all over the place trying to strengthen my testimony and just feel frustrated. Because at times I want to force myself to feel the peace the Holy Ghost brings and then in the moment I don't expect anything I have a small yet profound moment that calms me, and reminds me that I have felt what these people have felt before. There is a scripture in alma29.. I think verse 8 somewhere around there that explains what I mean and have felt.

This transfer ends next monday. If they transfer me again I will be very sad I love this area and want to stay. Although at times it is a very hard place to be because we are at the point where there are really great friends that are not really trying to push themselves or go to church and we need to move on looking for other people. The people in the country get attatched very quickly it is hard to explain to them why we will not be visiting them as often for the fear of offending them.

I Got some pictures and a card from Grandma and Grandpa Bell please thank them. I am very excited for general conference this weekend it should be a very great experience and it is my last GC for a while as a full time missionary. I will definately be looking for guidance as to what I need to be doing at this point of my life. I like the pictures of brittan's bald head ha he actually looks pretty good like that haha. I am trying to start a card to write to you all, but it has been very difficult to have time because of some of the troubles that we are having with missionaries in our zone we don't get a whole lot of personal time. I saw cole's pictures and he looks pretty happy he sent me a pretty long email this week filing me in on what's going on I appreciate that from him. We are all keeping in touch as we serve our missions it has been a cool experience. Love you have a great week :) elder Bell