Pics with outgoing mission president

Just some pics this week.

Braden Update for June 17, 2013

Well This past week has been super busy and way insane how quick it has gone, I got sleep in my bed 2 nights this past week because we had tons of meetings and exchanges. But it is super fun and we are doing great. I decided to send some pictures this week so hear you go.

Hey just thought I would do some advertising for this, you all should attend, it is going to be sweet.
http://www.lds.org/church/events/the-work-of-salvation-missionary-broadcast?cid=HPL2P05W01025

So just a quick email letting everyone know where I am at, my address is:

1226 Elmwood Ave

Fort Wayne, IN 46805

So that means that I am going to the new Cincinnati Ohio mission. Should be a lot of fun and interesting things going on here, I also found out that instead of going home on February 11th like they had told us back in January, I will be heading home at my original date of February 18th. So there is also a quick update on my life. Also for all of you who heard me swear that I would never drive a mini van. Guess what the zone leader car is here. A Dodge Grand caravan or a mini van. Great right? Now it is not going to be me yelling at the mini van, some one else is going to be yelling at  me in the mini van.

So there is a quick update just letting you know where I am at and stuff.

Love Elder Elquist

Wow what a week, it has been amazing how quick time has flown over the past little bit, I can not believe it was transfer calls again last night. The big news is that I am getting transferred, So I have to say good bye to Winchester Indiana. It will be sad to say good bye but oh well. Also I got called as a zone leader and I am super nervous about that, so it should be good to learn and to grow over a couple of transfers. I wonder what will happen. Chances are now that I am going back to the boundaries of the Indianapolis Indiana mission. So that will be nice to stay in the same mission my whole mission. Also the mission president is changing and President Cleveland will be here in less than a month. I have to pack and stuff and So I don't have tons of time, but I want to spend a little time talking about the best thing about missionary work. Miracles.

One thing I have truly been able to realize is that miracles happen all around us everyday and all we have to do is notice them, it has been a testimony builder to me, to notice each day the little miracles the Lord does for us. I would challenge each of you to try to notice the small miracles that happen every day around you, and if you think about it, no miracles is a small miracle.
Love you all and hope everything is going well for you. 

Love

Elder Elquist

Here are a couple of pictures

The first one is a robin egg we found on the street.

The next one is a drunk guy that passed out right outside his house. 

The next one is some interesting plumping done in a stair way up to an apt.

The final one is us waiting for transfer calls.

So how is everyone doing this lovely Tuesday afternoon, I guess morning for you guys but hey, it's afternoon for me, so that is all that matters. The work is going great out here, things have really started to pick up, it is always fun to look back and see just how much an area can improve in 3 short months and it is amazing to see how much the Lord has blessed you and helps you out from Day to day.

With recent things going on back home it has caused me to really contemplate on the Plan Of Salvation and what it does for us. I believe it is much more than just letting us know that we can be with are family again. There is a key thing in that we forget, We will be together with them again in Paradise. If you think about it we should be jealous of them in a way. They are in Paradise with God,  how awesome is that, they longer have to suffer or go through pain and sorrow but are free from all temptations and trials. They are in paradise. 

Now yes it is a very sad thing that we don't get to see them again but the cure for that is Given to us which is the Comforter which is sent forth to help comfort us in these times. So it all will be taken care of. God has a rhyme and a reason for everything that he allows or causes to happen. I hope this helps you all. I love each and everyone of you. 

Love 

Elder Elquist

Braden's update for May 13th, 2013

It was good to get to talk with a lot of you yesterday, it is always good to get to hear your voices so that I don't forget them, I am betting that is why God put it as a missionary rule to call you parents 2 a year. So that you don't forget them. I don't think I could ever forget any of you. You have all made a huge impact in my life and I appreciate all of you.

The work this past week has gone pretty well, we were able to go on exchanges with the Stake President of the stake we are in, it was awesome, we got to see an investigator and teach her which was awesome, The area seems to be doing well, things are definitely picking up. It has just taken time and we have to be patient in all that we do. 

I want to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon, if any of you are struggling with your testimonies I am guessing it is because you have forgotten to read and pray as of lately, I can not tell you how big of a difference it would make in your life if you read and pray. This book has changed my life. I would not be here to day if it wasn't for that book. It is the word of God and tell us clearly what is needed in order to make it back to Our Heavenly Father. I would challenge all of you to read it and ponder what you are reading, Study it, and then Ask God if it is true. I love all of you and wish the best for all of you.

Love

Elder Elquist

It seems like time flies from Monday to Monday and it seems like so much has happened in that amount of time to all of you as well as me. The work is going great here in the huge ton of Winchester, that was a joke there are about 5,000 people here but it is a great town and I love the people here. I don't have much time But I hope you all know that I am doing well and the work is really progressing well. We have started to find investigators which is awesome it just shows have the right attitude and it will get better in time you just have to put your good foot forward and do the work and it get's better. Love you all and keep strong.