Monday, 31 December 2018 ~ Week #75

Weekly Letter 75

Hey everybody!!! It's Elder Dredge. How are you guys doing? I've got a little bit of pain in my sciatic nerve, but don't worry about me, I'm doing stretches.

Well, it looks like this year has come to an end. I think we ought to think about who we were last December and ask ourselves, "Did I keep up with my New Years' resolutions?" or even more important, "Did I change for good in the aspects I wanted to this last year?" However your experience was, I invite you all to improve with me.

Why are we here? To learn, and to change. According to God's plan, that is why we are here. (Alma 34)

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many ^awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not ^bprocrastinate the day of your ^crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the ^dnight of ^edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.  

Every year we need to change, or as the scriptures say, "repent." We need to change in a way that we are living more in accordance with the Lord's commandments. Why? Because that's how we will be the happiest. We are all children of God with the potential to be more like Him. And so what does that have to do with New Years Resolutions? What does that have to do with every day of our life? The Lord cannot change us until we are willing to change ourselves. That is how we experience the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ - by our personal efforts to follow Him, combined with the Spirit which causes the gradual change of heart. Every year we can decide to be a little bit more like God in as many aspects as we desire. But how do we accomplish this, whatever it is? We make specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and time limited goals, and we make the plans... for every month, every week, and every day. It can end up being small things we have to do each day. Nevertheless, we must follow up with our own plans to improve. And if there are things that are coming up in the following months, determine how these things can be opportunities for you to improve in the aspects which you desire. What a grand opportunity we have each day to be a little bit more like our Heavenly Father, and thus a little bit happier!

Let's compare these scriptures. Which one do we want to be a reflection of this next year? Doctrine and Covenants 50:24, or Helaman 13:38?

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.  

  38 But behold, your ^adays of probation are past; ye have ^bprocrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for ^chappiness in doing iniquity, which thing is ^dcontrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.  

That is my message to you all this day. I hope you have an awesome New Years Eve, and that you start off this next year with excitement. I know that the Gospel is true, and that the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I have seen it in my life, and I have experienced the change, and the forgiveness of my sins. I know that Christ lives and continues to teach us and invite us to do good continually. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Dredge

Monday, 24 December 2018 ~ Week #74

Weekly Letter #74

Hey everyone! Merry Christmas, and merry Christmas Eve!!!

I hope you all have felt the Spirit these past weeks. This week was just awesome. We shared the message of the birth of Christ with lots of folks, and the Spirit has touched many of their hearts. I am just so grateful for the wonderful message of His birth. It has blessed me so much, and has blessed me more in this month than it ever has in my whole life. I am thankful for the wonderful gift of repentance, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of eternal life. Jesus Christ truly is the Savior.

The most special experience that we had this week was meeting with a family we met on the bus this last Saturday. They were listening intently as I was preaching and sharing my experience and my testimony of the Gospel. We taught them again and they were able to feel the Spirit again. It was a miracle that we were able to find them, because they live in a residential part of our area. They were so humble. They even offered to drive us back to the main street, because it gets super dark where they live. It was a Christmas miracle.

Remember to have faith, hope, and charity in your hearts, and pray for these things with all the energy of your heart. These are the things that will help us to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore, have the Spirit with us. That is the Spirit we cherish all month long, and that is the Spirit that we can have all year long. Have a merry Christmas. I love you all.

Your friend,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 17 December 2018 ~ Week #73

Editor's Note:  Braden did not write anything to post for week #72 as this was immediately following the passing of his mother.  Instead, we got to talk on the phone a couple of times before her funeral.  Enjoy this post.

Weekly Letter 73

My beloved friends and family,

This week has been a bit wild too! Quite a roller coaster of emotions, frankly. Leaving Elder Schauperl was hard, he was like a brother to me, but I am happy to say that I helped him learn how to be a committed missionary. I was very excited to come back to Zacapa, now in a region called Las Flores where it is also very beautiful as it is in Gualan. Getting to know my new companion was quite an experience - this elder, Elder Bonett, already knows quite a lot about how to sing and play the piano, as well as some other instruments. He discovered some gifts during the mission. And he is a great leader, so he will help me out a lot as I take on the assignment with him as zone leaders in Zacapa. There is also a lot of talent in the zone, which I will have to explain another week to show you all. It is truly a group of missionaries already set since the premortal world.

And it has also been a lot of traveling. We went to a meeting of leaders in the mission, and that was fun, but also really important that we have somewhat earlier in the month.

There have also been some tears. Many of you may know that this last weekend was the funeral for my beloved mother. That was pretty rough for me. The reality of her passing is hitting me in waves... as in, I look at something, or I hear a song, or I read a scripture, or I smell food, and it reminds me of my mom in a different way, and it hurts for a moment. That is how it's been, and that is how it will be for a long time. Participating in the funeral was a huge wave for me.

But all of this has encouraged me to work harder, to be obedient, and to repent, especially the death of my beloved mother. There have been moments where I would sit to think if I were in a taxi, or to sleep or read if I were in a bus, but something really hit me on the way back from the funeral in the bus to Zacapa. I was reading the Ricciardi letter, which is a letter that a returned missionary wrote about his experience being trained by an elder from Italy called Elder Ricciardi, while serving in England in 1994. This is an incredibly amazing and inspiring narrative for a missionary. There were some phrases in there which really hit me.

"You want to kick Satan right in the mouth? You open your mouth and preach."

"We don't get better at playing golf if we don't swing. The same applies to missionary work. So as missionaries, we have to just swing as much as we can."

As I ended reading it, I almost felt like crying. I felt the Spirit. I looked behind me and looked at all the people who would benefit so much from hearing the wonderful message of the Gospel. I wanted to take a swing. I had something to share with them, and I knew it. I wanted to instruct them to know how to have peace in the midst of conflict, even such as I had been facing. I wanted to bless them so that at least one person would listen and feel inspired to make the changes necessary to feel that peace. I said a prayer for courage and inspiration, and then, already feeling committed to the assignment I had given myself by expressing it to the Lord, I went over to the bus driver.

"Excuse me, I have two questions," I began. "First, how much time do we have until Zacapa?"

"One hour, just about an hour," he politely replied.

"Okay, thank you. My second question, are you in charge of the music?" I asked because there was some Mexican band music that may interfere with the message I wanted to share.

"Yes."

"Can you turn it off for just five minutes?"

"Sure!" And he turned it right off.

And then I looked at the people behind me. I had a Book of Mormon in my hand. Quite a few folks were already looking at me. Not annoyed because I turned off the music, but curious as to the anxiousness in my demeanor. And then I began.

"Hermanos y hermanas, buenas noches. Yo pedi a nuestro busero que apagara la musica solo algunos cinco minutos para que yo pueda hablar con ustedes un momento. Esta es una maravillosa epoca, una epoca en la cual podemos celebrar el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador. Pero pensemos en eso, y recordemos porque es tan importante."

I talked about the Christmas spirit and how to keep it. And I gave them an account of my story, as brief as I could. And I invited them to learn more, holding up the Book of Mormon as the source to know. I ended my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. And as I passed out the cards, and the one Book of Mormon I had, I realized that that was just what I needed to do. I realized the power that a testimony has. Not everyone stayed, neither listened. But there were the few that were watching and listening intently.

If you have felt the Savior's love, and if you know that He is there, share that with others. You can do it. It comes naturally when you have felt it. Strive to share that with others every day. We have the greatest message in the world, and we ought to share it, so that our brothers and sisters also know the way by which that can receive salvation, and how to follow it. I know that this Gospel is true. I know that Jesus is the Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Braden K. Dredge

Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission

Monday, 3 December 2018 ~ Week #71

Weekly Letter #71

Hey everybody! Happy December!!!! Does anyone know how hyped I am for this month? I'm psyched. There's a lot of work for missionaries to do this next 22 days. How great it will be to see so many people feeling the Christmas spirit.

Allow me to remind you all that the Christmas spirit is a kind of spirit that can last all year long. Let us strive to have that Spirit with us as we follow the example of the Savior and serve one another. What a great time of year it is, to celebrate the birth of our Redeemer.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlastingFather, The Prince of Peace.  

I would write more, but I think the instruction is simple. Who gave us life? Who made it possible for us to repent and be forgiven of our sins? Who is the one who blesses us every day? And how can we not be thankful? Let's show our gratitude to our loving Savior and our heavenly Father for these great gifts by serving our brothers and sisters.

Have a wonderful week, my friends, my brothers and my sisters. Be grateful, and may the peace of Christ be with you.

Yours truly

Elder Dredge

Monday, 26 November 2018 ~ Week #70

Weekly Letter 70

Hey everybody!!! How's everyone doing? Are you ready for Christmas!? I know I already asked last week, but man, this December is going to be awesome!

Everything's going fine among the chapines. There are a lot of families we are trying to help out over here in Llanos de Santa Maria. There is a lot of work to do. We have got to either marry or separate a couple, we have a man who needs to be divorced, we have a few families to visit just to read the Book of Mormon with them... all so that they can have the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. And I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be a missionary in this time, and in this place.

I have worked diligently to spread the word among the chapines my whole mission, and I must say that it has been hard to leave fruit, but I have planted many seeds. And I know that Christ watches over all of our Father's children and blesses them, especially through our own efforts to follow Him. In the end, it truly is Christ who is our Savior, for it is He that calls us to repent and to take upon His yoke, and it is He that inspires others to call unto us to come unto Him, and it is He that inspires us because of their words to come unto Him. And what a wonderful time of year that we have, this coming December, to spread the good news of the Gospel. This is a wonderful time to come to know Christ. Let's bring in the Christmas spirit early! We are all children of God, and we are all gifted with talents that can bless the lives of others. Let us seek to do as much good as we possibly can. We are a family, and we are all brothers and sisters in spirit. We can care for each other. Let us do the things which Christ would do, and do them with a happy heart. For it is written in the scripture:

2 Corinthians 9

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

And the way that we experience more of the love of God is loving others. Let us do that, and make that a priority. Let's think about our friends and family, and let's spend time with them. This is the essence of Gospel living after all, and the will of the Father, that we love Him the most, and that we express the love we have for Him by loving His children.

Brothers and sisters, have a wonderful week. I hope you can all feel the Christmas spirit this week!

Yours truly,

Elder Dredge, or "Elder Drech"

Monday, 19 November 2018 ~ Week #69

Weekly Letter #69

My beloved family and friends,

How are you guys? Is everyone ready for Christmas??? It's really not that far away! December might be a busy and stressful month, but don't let it be so much so. If we prepare now to have the Christmas spirit, it will feel blissful and wonderful.

This past week we just had a baptism with Agustin Lopez Chacon. He is probably one of my favorite people I have ever come to know in Guatemala. He is 81 years old, loves to read, loves to go out and walk, enjoys visiting his family and caring for his dogs, and enjoys talking about the days when he was a young lad. This old man was definitely what I would call a "stud," being a victorious and mighty kickboxer who had all of the young ladies under his arm. He was a bit of a rebel back then, but throughout his life he has become more and more prepared to receive the missionaries. He still tends to forget little things, but everything that is about the Church is planted within his heart. His baptism was spiritual, and I'll have to admit a little bit funny. We had to laugh because he forgot that there was a prayer before the submersion, so when he got in, he got on his knees and dunked himself right in. But then, Elder Schauperl, who performed the ordinance, helped him up and said the prayer and then helped him down and up again. The old man still got on his knees, but he was completely immersed, and that was the important thing.

So I just want to share something with you all that is important. Obedience is the first law of heaven, and this is an eternal truth. But in the end, what does Heavenly Father want for us? To learn to be more like Him, so that we can be happily together, forever in His presence. This requires that we not only comply, but that we learn to give up our will to that of the Lord. We may think that giving up our will to God takes time, but it isn't so. I hope that this may inspire you to do it instantly.

We all have the light of Christ within us which motivates us to do good, so we are capable of doing good. And that is a light that can grow. We are capable of doing many things because we have been given gifts which are sacred and personal which make us unique and can allow us to do good in our own way. And we all have hopes, dreams, wishes, desires, talents, fears, etc. And so here I ask, how do we become more like our Heavenly Father, and be as happy as He is? Do we just say what he says? Do we just do what he does? It's a start, but we also must think what he thinks, and want what He wants. Is it possible? Yes. We are not just stagnant people. We don't have to say, "Well that's just the way I am, I can't do that!" We can! We are changeable persons, and we can change every day. We can change in an instant. It depends on our own want to change.

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  

If we want to be happy, we must do the will and want to do the will of He who knows best. That is the key to happiness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is this, that we have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of His Holy Spirit, that we might act upon our desire to do His will. We may have weaknesses. We might not be perfect. We might need to work at it. That is totally fine. Keep yourself in constant prayer to God, and express to Him the desires of your heart. He is listening, and He wants you to succeed. And He will bless you and help you to change as you seek to do His will.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Let us remember that if we only do what's right, and what's good, and without the real desire and will to do it, we cannot profit from it. In other words, if we preach, or if we give a gift, or if we do anything that may be pleasing to God, and we don't have charity, we cannot develop more charity. We cannot develop what we don't have. But if we decide to give a gift, and do it because of love, we can develop more love, and become more like God, who is the most loving of all. That is essentially how the Gospel works. And it is glorious.

I have experienced this change on my mission, for the Spirit confirms it to me. I know that the Gospel is true, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. Joseph Smith really was a prophet, and the Church which he helped to restore is truly the Church of God. I know that these things are true, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have an awesome week!

Elder "Drech"

Monday, 12 November 2018 ~ Week #68

Editors Note:  It's taken awhile but I've figured out how to log on to this and continue what Debbie started. Thanks for your patience as I get caught up.  Enjoy Braden's updates!

General Epistle of Elder Dredge, Week 68

My beloved friends and family,

I just first want to apologize for not having written the other week. I always want to share my experiences and my testimony with you all while I am here, because truly the mission is a precious experience, and there are so many lessons in life to learn while I serve here. It all cannot go without sharing.

It has been such a cool experience being Elder Schauperl´s trainer, and it is an honor to help him start his mission with faith and excitement for the work. He is doing an awesome job getting the Spanish down and teaching in a simple, understandable way, and sharing his testimony. Tears were shed as he has shared his humble testimony of the Gospel. I am truly amazed by his faith.

The other week he had disclosed to me a bit about his life before the mission, and he definitely had a crazy, awesome life. And he told me about how there were months in which he didn´t go to Church, not feeling so much the need to do it and not liking the ward he had moved into. And he told me about the day in which he was talking with his best friend, with whom he did all the crazy stuff they had been doing. That day, they reflected on how they felt differently than from the times in which they stayed more at home with their families and went to Church with them, and in the end they both decided that they needed to go to Church again. That is the long story made short.

Now, truly, when someone stops going to Church in Germany, it is almost sure that they won´t return. Elder Schauperl has told me about all of his friends who were active in the Church before he left for his mission, and now they don´t want anything with it. But those who remain active there, stay active there, and convert themselves to Christ. That is how it is over there in Germany - personal decision. And that is why I think it is such a miracle and a wonder, and a blessing for him, that he hadn´t gone too far down the road, and that he was able to make the changes necessary to serve a mission. I am honored to help him begin his service and help him along the way to become a converted disciple of Christ.

I just would like to ask you all, for what reason or motive are you faithful in the Church, or in your belief in Christ? Or in other words, are you converted to the Church? Are you converted to seminary? Are you converted to your member friends? Are you converted to your own understanding of the Gospel? ... or are you converted to Christ? I would invite you to ask yourself why you go to Church and read the Scriptures, and offer a prayer to our Heavenly Father, asking for a change of heart. It might come instantly, but for most people it does not. But whenever you go out to do something, or whenever you know you are about to offer a service, or read the Scriptures, or go to Church, or do anything in which you are surrounded by people, offer a prayer, and express your desires to follow the example of Jesus Christ as you do it, and your desires to come closer to Him as you do it. Here are a couple of Scriptures that testify to this. 2 Nephi 32, Moroni 10.

9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. 

 

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.  

I know that this is His Gospel, and that it is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that if we are faithful to our baptismal covenant, we will have the Spirit to be with us. I know that it is the Holy Ghost that teaches us and allows us to have forgiveness, and strengthens us and purifies us. Let´s make the Holy Ghost not just a companion, but a best friend, shall we? I know that these things are true, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week, my friends, and my family. Always count your blessings!

Elder Dredge (Elder Drech)