Hey famiwy :)

Glad you guys were finally able to go out and have some fun now that I'm gone. Rollercoasters and all that mustve been sweet! Im really sad I missed it.HA....NOT. But wouldve at least like to hang with the princesses. I doubt anyone was able to drive the boat on that one ride like I did last time we went. All becaause of my sweet sleeveless yankee shirt. lol Yes I remember everything. haha

But all is going okay. Dennis fell off date. He's been out scalping and tracking buffalo so wasn't able to make it to church, so he's been pushed back to the 25th. But the work really isnt going too well because of my freaking knees. I feel like a bum. I can't do this physical therapy and be a missionary at the same time. It sucks. Im not really able to give the Lord my all. But I'm doing my best. Just sent an email to President Winn about everything. So we'll see what he says. But as of right now im pretty set on coming home and dealing with my knees because I AM NOT going to halfway serve my mission. I want to be able to serve with all me heart, might, mind and strength and that isn't happening We have too many golden and elect people to teach and find for me to be slowing it down. But I'm going do whatever President wants me to do and keep praying and trying my hardest to do what I need to. I just want to enjoy my mission and not endure it.

Love you all and miss ya
Brando

Update: Brandon's Knees

Brandon visited the orthopedic doctor and both knee caps are higher than they are supposed to be and one is slightly turned. They are going to do physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 weeks to try to build muscle around the kneecap which will hopefully move it into the right place. After 3 weeks he will then have another appointment to see if it has helped any. So far, we are grateful that it doesn't seem too serious. So, we will continue praying that the physical therapy works!

Whatup fam.

Uhm been a pretty stressful week. Thw whole waiting to see doctors and working and hating my knees. But for the most part weve been getting quite a bit done. Been getting a lot of rediculous referrals from leadership in the wards. Hopefully should get a lot of people baptized in the near future.

Thanks for all of the knee stuff in a package. Was much needed yesterday. I was dying. Its gettin rediculous. I spent the afternoon icing and putting that icy hot stuff on it. But whatever. Still have to go out and work. But I go and see an orthopaedic doctor tomorrow at 2 oclock. So ill probably just get checked out and have an MRI set up. But who knows. I'll let ya know as soon as i can what the details of everything are. But honestly I gotta get this fixed.

But as far as the work goes. There's this family that we go and see every Monday night. They're the Taylors. They have 4 kids and they're all members. But the parents are going through the repentance process and getting back to church. Usually we just teach the kids some dumbed down lesson. But this week we just told Michelle and Seth how much we loved em and how we want to do everything we can to get there family to the temple. It was pretty awesome. We gave them a temple marriage lesson and talked about exaltation and really kinda shocked their system. So hopefully they'll get their stuff together and be in the temple in the year. Kids are the coolest. They keep asking me if i can stay my whole mission in one area or if I can take them out and do missioanry work with me. Oh and Remley (he's 5) wants to ride the train and ponies at my house in "two birfdays" But that family has been awesome. Love em so much. It's like they're family. We just joke and make fun of each other the whole time. Its soo funny.

Tell grandma thanks for the scriptures. And im sorry I gave em away. I know could of worked something else out but he's my convert gotta hook him up.

But yeah that Bishop thing was crazy. I can't believe someone would do that..Elder Burns from my district said that was in his hometown but not his bishop. Elder Holland is a amazing!!. Missionaries love him. Apparently he always gives good really good talks. I heard that talk [Oct 2009] though its pretty legit. He's so straight forward, I love it. Im so excited for general conference. Whether its at home or here. Im gonna listen to every word. Im sooo stoked. Like all i want right now is to learn. Its crazy. Read my patriarchal blessing the other day and it was way cool how much of it is right on point with me now. BUt I love ya fam. Read your scriptures.

Austin do your Duty to God and Happy Birthday, Priesthood holder now bub, respect it, and serve. We only have it so we can help others. Like dad always says "Remember who you are" your a deacon now and "you have more authority than the kings of the earth" Better look sharp when your passing and I'm sorry I couldn't be in the circle. I missed not being there for ya bubba. But you got a lot more important things that i wont miss. Reallly looking forward to sitting in Priesthood with you, Dad , and grandpa. Gotta a lot to teach you. Keep ya head up and drop some bombs on em this season. Love ya Little Man.

Meggie glad i got something from you. You, Shelbz and Syd are all my best friends. Love you guys like crazy. Keep up the riding. Just diont get bucked off! Your story was crazy. Need to take it easy sis. Specially since your half the size you used to be. Hardlt will take anything to buck you off now. You looked great when i saw you sis. Keep up the good work!

Shelbz. Please just keep killin it in basketball. You can be the best player on the court if you just let yourself. Relax and be confident.

Sydney!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your letter was awesome ya big goober! I love gettin stuff from you. Miss you so much. Hey...was that you? Did you stink up my package? You BIG stinker!!! haha Love you Sydney and hope you dont kiss any boys at school. lol

Love you guys!!

Brandon's Knees

We can't find the letter.. but Brandon has been having some problems with his knees. He had surgery on one knee about a year a go, but now both have been hurting pretty severely. It's hard for him to walk around a lot. We sent out a package to hopefully help him while he's in his apartment. He'll be seeing a doctor soon and we will just have to go from there. Right now we are just praying hard that it's not anything too severe!

Hey sis just got your package. I had to get my phone fixed at the office so i got it early. Thank you soooo much. Your the best.

But thanks you a lot for everything you've been sending me. Been a big help sis. I'll get you guys some pictures and stuff soon. Sorry ive been procrastinating.

But things have been really good this week. Had a really rough one last week was really discouarged and didnt want to work. But I was behind in my BOM reading one night and just didnt stop reading like finished Alma and Helaman real quick and was just so motivated to keep working and basically recharged my missionary batteries.lol Its just amazing how when even when we are having a bad week or really hating life. That as long as we are centered on Christ and his teachings and keeping his commandments that our Heavenly Father will never turn his back on us and will bless us with that which we are in need of. Whether its spiritual or temporal. Just continue to get blown away by the truthfulness of the gospel and the blessing that wer can recieve from it. I've caught myself a few times telling Horner after we argue with some Anti, how good it feels to be right.lol I know its a lil prideful but its true. The work I'm a part of is the work of Christ and I know I'm representing him out here. As I keep working the thing that keeps coming back to me is "MY Missionary Commission" that we learned in priesthood when i was like 14 but its been basically what i always fall back on when im struggling.

"I am called of God. My authority is above that of the Kings of the Earth. By revelation I have been selected as a representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my master and he has chose me to represent him, to stand in his place, to say and do the things he would say and do if he were personally administering to the very people whom he has sent me. My voice is his voice. My actions are his actions. My words are his words. My doctrine is his doctrine. My commission is to do what he wants done, say what he wants said and to be a living, modern witness in word and deed of the divintity of this great and marvelous work. How great is my calling!"

But just want everyone to know that I'm doing fine and that the work is progressing in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and that he lives. That we have a prophet of God on the earth and that he has the priesthood authority of God. And that its through that authority that I'm able to do this work. Because I know that if it wasnt for the priesthood, the Holy Ghost, and the Book of Mormon that we could not do this work. But I know this church is true and I know that because if it wasn't the 50,000 19-25 year olds out on missions right now would have messed it up by now if it wasn't. lol But we can do all things through Christ and if we trust in him and keep his commandments we will be blessed greater than we can even begin to understand. Love ya fam and friends. And a shout out to Shelby for being basically my best friend while I've been out. Miss yall but its going way too fast. Crazy its already August.

Elder Orr

Oh and read your scriptures. Its kind of important. :)

Hey

Quick update on everything out here. We just climbed Mt Olympus. It was terrible, but we got some cool pics and videos. My knee is a lil swollen BUT ILL BE OKAY! Probably just some fluid or something no biggie. Gary was baptized! Really exciting. But, 2 people on date got evicted. Dont know what happened to them. Have no idea if theyll ever get baptized. Its kind of killing me... Transfers are next Wednesday. Probably staying with Horner. President Winn thinks I'm one of the few that could keep him from being trunky his last transfer.lol All is going well. Im working my butt off. Hopefully get a car in a week. Send a letter to you guys soon. Sorry this is short. I'm really tired and in quite a bit of pain from climbing a 4 mile trail up and then down. lol

Love you guys. :)

Elder Orr

Shelby and Megan Visit!

Shelby and Megan were in Provo for EFY. Brandon called Shelby and said that President Winn gave him permission to see them! So Tammy Engebretson was kind enough to take them by Brandon before they went to the airport. He looked great (other than needing a hair cut) and was pretty excited to see Gary baptized later that afternoon.


Papa Horner and Elder Orr (the house behind them is where they are staying.. in the basement)