Christmas Message From Brock!

We enjoyed our phone call from Brock on Christmas day.  He loves the work and the people in Bend.  He and Elder Lyon will start the new year off with a baptism on January 1st!  It's amazing to see how much he's grown as a man and as a missionary.


Elder Bird and the Bend District pose for a Christmas card photo
taken in the mountains near Bend.

Here's another view from their "photo shoot."  Notice the nice
"ride."  Elder Lyon and Brock drive this truck as zone leaders to
get them around in the higher elevations.  You can see the beautiful
landscape which Brock gets to wake up to every morning!

     Brock sent us a Christmas card with a challenge for our family.  It could really be a goal for all us a members of the church this holiday season:
     I hope all is well!  I love you all and wish you the best of the holiday season.  You guys are a blessing and I am so grateful for all that each of you do!
     My challenge this Christmas season comes from 3Nephi 12:14-16, the first thing that Christ taught to the Nephites when he appeared in America.
     Our testimony is a gift.  It comes from the Spirit.  My challenge to you all is to bare your testimony to a non-member this holiday season.  That is the greatest gift you can give.  If you have faith, then you have no fear.  Faith and fear cannot co-exist!  :)  There will be blessings that come from this challenge.  So pray and be led by the Spirit to that person who will hear your testimony. 
     I love you and I'm so grateful for you all.
     Merry Christmas,
    Love, Brock

Meet The New Members!

     Back on Thanksgiving weekend, Elder Bird and Elder Lyon had the wonderful experience of taking part in the baptisms of several people they've been teaching.  Brock says he has a deep love for these families who have embraced the Gospel.  Here they are:



The Baker family.  Thomas and Romey were baptized on Saturday
November 26th.

Elder Lyon and Elder Bird with Branson Wiley, who was
also baptized on Saturday.

And Jodi Bohons was baptized the next day, on Sunday November
26th  right after church. 

       Brock described the incredible weekend:
    After lunch we filled the font and got everything ready.  Typed up the programs and printed them and set everything up.  We had the baptism for Thomas and Romey Baker at 4pm and then we had Branson Wiley's an hour later.  It was crazy, but the kind of crazy you would want to have everyday!    
     Sunday we had church and another baptism! Jodi Bohon's and it was awesome!