Bonjour!

May 24, 2013

 

 Hello Everyone!

 

I arrived safely to the MTC. Things are going really well. My companion is Elder Dayton from Kaysville, UT. I really like him. He is going to the West Indies, French speaking, which is really good because we get to talk to each other in French and practice. Our zone is so awesome. We have people from all over the world 

because we are in the advanced English zone. My companion and I are the only Caucasian Americans in our group. There are elders and sisters from Tonga, China, Croatia, South America, the Philippines, Japan, and more. So far I've heard prayers in French, Spanish, Croation, Tongan, German, Cantonese. I am loving it here!!!!

 

Good news, I am a district leader. I was asked that last night. I am supposed to interview the senior companions and see how things are going with their companionship. The only awkward thing is the senior companion in my companionship is Elder Dayton. Ha, so having and interview with him and asking about Elder Squires is kind of funny.

 

Well family, things are going really well. The food is great, I am sitting next to someone who is typing in Korean ( I did not know that was possible.) Yes, they still do the dork dot which is an orange dot they put on your name tag to let everyone know that you are new. I can't tell you how many times I heard "Bienvenidos Elders!" Being at the MTC is a lot like being at high school for me. I see people that I know all over the place. I have probably seen a good twenty or more people from high school, or Macey's, or USU. It is so cool! Every time I see one of my friends I look up and smile because I know that Heavenly Father knows how much I need my friends and how happy they make me.

 

I love you family. I love this work. I am grateful that I am here and I love all of you. I know that this is the true Church. Everyday I feel the Spirit so strongly and it makes me so happy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is wonderful. I have found what I love, and that is serving those around me. I know that Christ lives and loves us. He is just looking for opportunities to bless us. Stay strong family! I'll talk to you next week!

 

Love Elder Squires.

And So It Begins . . .

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Hi! This is Brandon's Mom. He asked me to keep up his blog while he serves his mission to the Tahitian people.

Last night at 9 pm Brandon was set apart as a Missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The setting apart took place at the home of his "adopted" family. 

Before he was set apart, the Stake President asked each of us in the room to take one minute to share why we thought Brandon would be a great missionary.  Some of the reasons included:

• He is a hard worker
• He has a gregarious personality
• He is friendly and isn't afraid to visit with strangers
• He has always been "just happy to be here".  It never took much to make him happy.
• He has studied hard and prepared well.

During the setting apart, the Stake President  gave him a wonderful blessing that was full of important things for Brandon to know and do while he is serving for the next two years. The spirit was very strong and there were many tears shed.

The following pictures were taken after.

Brandon and his Mom

Brandon with Grandma and Grandpa

Brandon with Steve and Aunt Mischelle

Brandon, Jarod & Jen - former neighbors

Brandon and the Stake President

Brandon his adopted "Grandpa"

Brandon's adopted family for the past 4 months

Today at 2 pm Brandon reported to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah.  He and a "Host" Missionary unloaded his luggage and boxed-up bicycle. We hugged and said goodbye and in less than 2 minutes he was off with a smile!  

Finally, he is doing what he has waited for years to do.  He has "grown a foot or two" and is now "ready to teach, and preach, and work as missionaries do."


We love you Elder!

Saying Goodbye (for now) It's Time To Go

Well, we have come to this time. The time to say that word that has seven letters. Four of them are not so bad, but the last three are the hardest to swallow. I am not leaving permanently, but I am leaving. I believe that it's best to say goodbye, and leave it until it gets picked up again. I believe in meaning what I say, so when I say "see you in two years," I would love to mean just that. But the truth is goodbye's don't last. I have told many people goodbye not  knowing when I would see them again. Then not even a year later I would be in contact with that friend almost like nothing happened.

About a week ago I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen in almost three years, I still feel way too young to have an experience like this. We talked and talked for a couple hours and it was like we had never said goodbye. That is what I have learned to expect. Not too long ago my best friend and I spent hours chatting about life and about every thing in between. Two years ago (an ironic number) he and I were inseparable. When people asked about what one of us would be doing for the weekend we had to check with each other. We knew where the food was in each other's house. We knew who the other one liked and We hadn't talked for a long time and it was like things were the same. I loved it.

So, in two years when I get back I would love to talk to each of you for hours and catch up on the past 24 months. It's only two years, I know. I'll miss you guys. I'm sure it won't be easy for me or for many of the people around me. But missionaries sacrifice a lot so that they can bring happiness to the world. I'm so excited and I can't wait to help the people of Tahiti. I can't wait to serve the Lord. I've waited many years for this. And here we go.

P.s. Say your prayers, read your scriptures, and walk safely.

Consistent Inconsistency

Once upon a time there was a young man who had no home. No, he did not live on the streets or in a cardboard box; he did not live in his little black truck or his big blue truck. He lived everywhere and no where all at once. When people asked where he was from, he had to tell them his life story so they could understand his usual answer of "no where."

Now, this young man was not unhappy about this, in fact he rather enjoyed his life. He lived upon the mercies of his friends and family. He found no consistency in where he would lay his head. He had no bedroom and relied upon others to help him on a daily basis. He traveled the state of Utah several times; in one month he put one thousand miles on his truck (that's almost 33 miles a day). He never stayed in a ward for more than a few months. He lived out of his suitcase and could pack his bags perfectly. This inconsistency taught him the basics of life: clothes, food, a bed, memories, and the gospel.

No matter where you go in life you always have yourself. Your experiences in the past cannot be taken away from you. That time you were so happy months or even years ago can still make you happy. The sunset you will never forget can still take your breathe away today. Truth is that true happiness is lasting happiness. The gospel is always true. There is consistency in life.

Through the last year I have been in 5 wards (not counting the wards I attended once or twice) and I have found these things to be consistent. Happiness is consistent. No matter where you are in the world you can still find something to make you smile. Find that thing that always makes you happy. Not something that can be ruined by time or others. But something that will never change, like a pen properly placed behind your ear.

Enjoy life. Adam fell that man might be, men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25).

The Simple Truth

We all know this be to true: life is not easy.
How did we expect it to be? How did we want it to be?

We knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park. We knew from the very beginning that this life was to be a challenge. And so how do we look at the challenges that we all must face? We take them one at a time. We pray; we listen; and we walk with faith in Christ.

We know we are here for a reason. There is a point to all this suffering. To make us better and to give us experience. We feel that refiner's fire as it finds the impurities of our hearts. We feel the pain; we feel the clean; we are changed.

He is there for us in our times of need. But remember, the Teacher is always quiet during the test. So keep on walking. Don't let things bring you down. You know who you are. You know there is someone great that you are destined to become. So take each challenge "by the horns" as some would say. Let the challenge go through you and cleanse you as it may.

I expected it to be hard. I wanted it to be hard. I wanted the challenge. So that when all was said and done I could be proud of myself for continuing on.

Life is to be enjoyed. Do not let it pass you by while you live in the depths of your problems. We all face challenges. Let us strengthen one another and heed the Savior's call to love one another.

"ouhhh que le temps passe vite, je trouve enfin quelques minutes pour t'écrire"

To quote a French acquaintance of mine (translated), "Oh how the time passes quickly, I am finally finding some time to write you." That is how I feel. My mission date of May 1st seemed so far away on the 20 of December. I'm only half way there now but looking back it seems like December 20th was forever ago. Time is a funny thing. It seems like the more you look back the faster it travels, the more you look forward the slower it passes. I look back on 18 years of life and think that it was so short. But I think the 8 weeks until my mission will last forever.

Nothing too incredible is going on in my life. Except that I'm living a dream. When I was a kid I always dreamed of working in a grocery store, being able to walk on those cool ladders, and being the man that put the milk on the shelves. I always wanted to get on the intercom and say, "Clean-up on aisle 4." Not only is my job a dream but everything else is great. I have no homework, let me repeat that, I have no homework, no bills, no worries. I am focused on serving a mission and working hard. This is the life. I feel so blessed to be able to be living my dream, a dream that has been given to me by the mercy and goodness of God. I am so excited to serve a mission. I think there are few things more wonderful than that. I hope that all is well for you guys, and if it's not, is it because you're looking at life through broken glasses? I've worn my fair share of broken glasses, happiness is all about perspective. Keep smiling! I know I will.

My Life in 3 Paragraphs

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted anything. An update of my life: I am living in Highland with the family of Josh Savage, they are so great! I am working full-time at Macey's and trying to get ready for my mission.

I am loving life. The gospel, a great job and great blessings are what I get to enjoy everyday. I think a good life consists of a few basics. Daily prayer, scripture study, repentance, remembering/looking for blessings and an overall desire to be happy.

Keep smiling, it can brighten someone's day.