First P-day!!!

Hola, mi madre.

     Today is our first p-day and my first time being able to write a letter so we will see how this goes. I cant believe i made past that first week;) haha jk it really wasnt even that bad at all. Just getting past that very long first day. My district is so awesome and my companion is way chill. i really think we might have the best district here. Im learning spanish so quickly it's freaking crazy. The Holy Ghost is definitely doin some work on me haha. Soo you will never believe who my zone leader is.. yep you probably guessed it. hahaha Boston Gubler, isnt that insane, everywhere i turn i see people from hurricane i love it haha. Im actually having a pretty dang good time out here in the ol MTC it is not bad at all. i think that i have matured more in a week here, than i have in my whole life haha;) a member of the 70 talked to us on tuesday, Brother Carson or somethin ha but it was a really great talk, well for the part that i was awake for anyway.. jk. We have alot of class time where we just sit in the class, that seems like all we do. For our personal studys and our language study our district usually ends up talking though haha at least for the first week anyway, its pretty funny:) well i love you alot, and just know that there is no need to worry because i am having a great time. Im glad i brought that blanket from home, its like sleeping at home i sleep just like a baby its so nice. So Everything is so good so far.

     One thing i have noticed though is I'm finally going through puberty, and my acne is breaking out. so if you could send me some stuff for that, that would be awesome:) thanks.. oh and teeth whitener stuff. Porkrines or whatever there called haha. maybe some candy. and maybe those dr shouls feet soul inserts for my shoes. hahaha well thats about it. thanks for all the support. Tell the family that i love them. i have recieved all your mail. i love recieveing the letters its great. we can recieve those everday. Tell Ethan hi and to keep his pimp hands strong. nah what i mean:) ill write seperate letters sometimes. but my time is limited.. Adios. el fin haha:)

I just thought i would send some pics. Tell everyone i said hi, and am doing good and love them.:) oh could you please send my face stuff, like the coloring awesome!!! sorry i dont get much time to e-mail. im going to try to send seperate letters to everyone:) Adios

 

 My Companion...Elder Gneiting

1st Letter from Elder Lawrence...

Hola! La Familia...
     All I have to say is wow!  Today was pretty dang intense.  I guess you probably heard that I totally puked when I first got here.  Turns out I must have ate some bad chinese food.  No haha, it was really hard saying goodbye to you guys.  But I know I'm doing the right thing.  I just need to have a lot of faith & pray often.  I love all of you guys so much, it was hard for me to spit that out back at the airport with all the built up emotions and what not.  Well anyway today was crazy and the longest day of my life. I love you & promise I will stay strong.  I still can't believe this is happening.
      CTR...Love, Elder Lawrence
PS...The next letters should come through emails I believe, on my P-day.

Day 2...Today was much better I must say.  The day still seemed long. But I think I'm starting to get into the flow of things.  Tell Ethan...I miss playing baseball with him...haha.  My companion is awesome!  Guess who it is?  Elder Gneiting...yep the guy Austin knew.  So that is really cool.  We get so much thrown at us to do it is crazy.  but it's all good because the spirit is really strong here and you can pretty much use him for everything.  I love you all.  Thanks for the letters.  I'll send pictures when I'm more in the swing of things, and know how to.
    Love, Elder Lawrence


(About Bryson's companion...when Bryson went to EFY a few years ago he had a roommate named Austin. Well, they have stayed in touch pretty good since EFY.  The day before Bryson left for the MTC Austin called him and told him that he had a friend named Carson Gneiting that was leaving for his mission the next day too and that he was also going to Tampico Mexico.  It's so exciting that he ended up Bryson's companion!!!)

The MTC drop off

Kenzee and Lacey picked Grandpa and Bryson up at the Airport.  They went to lunch and then took Bryson to the MTC.

This was taken from my sister Kenzee’s blog….

     Lacey and I picked them up at the airport and drove to Provo to have lunch.  During the drive Bryson reminded us that it was the first time he’d flown since he was a baby.  He joked that it brought back memories of our family’s trip to Montana.  The good ol’ days!  We ate at P.F. Chang and Bryson was a little quiet and didn’t have much of an appetite.  We couldn’t get him to touch the dessert.  I just wanted to hug him and tell him it’s okay to be nervous…but I knew that he just needed some space.  He really was handling it so well.  I can’t imagine knowing that you’re leaving your family for two years!  He’s so brave

     We pulled into the MTC where they have you drop off the missionaries and unload the luggage curbside.  Bryson said, “my stomach just doesn’t feel good.”  We told him that that’s normal and he’d feel better soon.  We got out, grabbed his luggage, and grandpa John started to go in for a hug.  That’s when Bryson lost his lunch.  Poor guy.  Right there behind the car.  All the emotions and anxiety is a lot to handle.  But things move quickly so he rinsed his mouth (I’m so thankful I had some water for him!) gave us each a hug, turned around for a picture, and he was off!  I think he felt better after ditching the Chinese food.  He was all smiles! I just get emotional thinking about the courage that these young missionaries have.  I love him.  I’ll miss him.  He’s going to do a great job in Tampico, Mexico!!!

Adios Elder Lawrence

These are some pictures of us and Bryson's friend Adam at the St. George Airport waiting for his flight to board.  Bryson's Grandpa Ligtermoet was able to fly with him to Salt Lake and then take him to the MTC.   It was so hard to say goodbye....two years seems like such a long time.  We wouldn't want him any other place though.  We're so proud him for making the decision to go on a mission....he's in the Lord's hands now.

 Ethan started us all crying...he was so sad to see brother go.

A Brand New Missionary

Bryson was set apart as a Missionary tonight by

President John Bramhall

Pres. Lundeen

Pres. Chandler

They all gave him some great advice and Pres. Bramhall gave him a beautiful blessing.

Afterwards we all went out to eat in St. George.

It was a very special evening.

A Successful Farewell!!!!

  Adam, Mikey, Brian, Elder Lawrence

Brenda

Kenzee and Ezra

 Grandpa & Grandma Ligtermoet

Rignell Family

Cox Family

 Mark Lawrence Family

Grandpa Sinclair & Trayvn

   Grandma & Grandpa Lawrence

Bryson's Farewell turned out really great!!!  He did such an awesome job on his talk.  Nadia Lawrence sang a beautiful song called "Send Me".  The whole meeting was really nice. We had a full house of family and friends afterwards for a yummy lunch.  We are so proud of Bryson...he is going to be an awesome missionary!!! 

                                                               
                           

Looking like a true Missionary

This is the picture that will be on Bryson's Missionary plaque in the church.
 His favorite scripture is Alma 37: 6-7...
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."