September 21, 2015: Busy week

Sorry for the late weekly email.... We did some service today   that made it so we couldn't     email first thing! I guess if I just do it period it doesn't    matter when does it?!

Well this week was cool,         definitely getting more used toworking in a small town, getting more used to the people and    their...... I'm going to say    idioms. Don't be disappointed in me family.... But the local,   musical entertainment is slowly becoming more and more     appealing to me. I guess with guitar & banjo in my musical capabilities it would eventually happen whether I want it                             to or not right? >.<



To answer some of the questions that have been asked:
We're usually in Ennis two or three days during the week, and in Three Forks the rest of the time. We spend Monday's in Ennis doing laundry, shopping, and other fun stuff, even though every few weeks the zone leaders put together like a hike or game day or something for all the elders in the zone which usually takes place in Bozeman.... About 90 minutes away from Three Forks, 45 minutes from Ennis. I think I'm going to send you guys a map of Montana eventually where I will circle my current area and then as my mission continues we can circle all my areas and get my full mission map going on! 

The baptism was cool, but I didn't get to do too   much with him before. I taught him once, & I don't even know if it counts because I just went to his  interview!!, >.< Talon is the oldest kid in his    family, only of 4 kids baptized. Mom is a member,  and we think that mom's boyfriend is a member.
We weren't in a parade..... Idk where you heard    that. We went to the homecoming parade and were    able to talk to some people, but we weren't in the parade!

Like I said, this week has been pretty cool, some fun stuff going on
in our area! Lots of service being done, and I think I'm starting to see
some rewards from our efforts, so it's good to know that I'm not
fruitlessly digging for people to teach. The Lord has definitely
blessed me in my work and continues to show me where I need to be and
what I should be doing.


Monday was a little different. We still hadn't quite figured out yet
that tracking in Ennis was pointless, so we tracked for like 6
hours....... And we found one less active that said we MIGHT be able
to come by. Well... We found the one and I hope this week we can
strengthen his testimony in whatever needs to be strengthened!
Tuesday was a big travel day, we traveled out to the farthest part of
Ennis, where the houses are sometimes literally 5 miles apart. We had
a couple people to visit out there and we saw an awesome amount of
deer and antelope and whatnot that seemed to just like to chill in
town. We almost hit a few a couple of times... But I mean live and
learn right?! XD
Wednesday also started as a travel day, traveling from Ennis back to
Three Forks for the rest of the week. We tried to visit a lot of the
less actives in the wards and in the area to find out if there is
something that we could do better as missionaries to keep people
active. A lot of people that we had on our list were actually
excommunicated and that actually scared us a bit, but not enough to
stop tracking right?


Thursday.... Oh Thursday...... So SUPPOSEDLY we had a Mission
Conference on Thursday in Helena. Our zone leaders called us on Sunday
to let us know, so we were super ready. They came and met us Thursday
morning at like 6:40 at this AMAZING breakfast place called Wheat
Montana. I had a cinnamon roll the size of my head for $2. So that was
great. Then six of us hopped inside a 5 person truck and began to
make the 2 hour trip to Helena. We listened to a cool LDS country band
that does hymns and such for the "folks out in these parts" and
actually sound pretty good (this is where I realized its growing on
me). So nice, cramped, tired car ride to Helena. Once we got to the
building in Helena...... NO ONE WAS THERE. Our zone leaders, being
confused, called both the zone leaders in Helena and two of the four
assistants to the president. Not one of them had any idea what they
were talking about with a mission conference. So, at about 9:30 they
gathered everyone together and said, "well, it was a nice trip to
Helena! Now it's time to go back!" So.... Two hours back to Three
Forks. We had planned to be in Helena until 5pm that night, so we had
nothing planned for that day, let me tell you, I learned why we plan
every day. We were so lost and confused until, like 7pm.
Friday, we got to go to the homecoming parade (lasted about 15
minutes, and they went down the street and back) which was cool, and
Elder Potter caught enough candy for the two of us! Filled his
pockets, mine, and my bag! Fun times, reminded me of being at home...
Made me miss having a good band program, and a good ROTC program. I
guess with a small town comes a small school right? We got to go to
the homecoming game that night, and just as the parade we handed out a
couple Book Of Mormons and a few restoration pamphlets. It all worked
out I guess, maybe one of those will actually go somewhere!






Saturday we got to go out to Clarkston... A small  town in population, but definitely not in size. The city itself consists of 4,200,000 acre ranches    (that's 800,000 acres for those of you following at home!) and each ranch has maybe 6 families living on it. Each house is at the smallest 7 miles apart, and everyone seems to have built their own place. We think we got shot at once while we were leaving, and we know that we heard a shotgun behind a door once. Well... Montana I guess! All the roads are run-down dirt roads and we were      traveling with a member in his minivan. That was a...... Humbling experience!
Sunday we had one of the assistants to the president come and visit with us and go in exchanges with us. He gave us some great advice & even traded one of his ties with me! Taught like 4 member lessons on missionary work, and through out the day we got like 15 or so referrals. Keep giving those to the missionaries, you have no idea how much  it helps!
Today we went to Ennis and helped this older widow clean her garage out and move some furniture. (Hence the late email) She fed us tacos for lunch...and gave us some stakes and lamb to take home. Neither of us have ever tasted lamb or know how to cook lamb  but I guess we'll find out!
And then I'm here in the present! :D

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So we,volunteer at a food bank once a week, and they always have us go into the basement, which is a retired nuclear bomb shelter. We had some fun.

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I got a little picture happy win the scenery this week... So I have a lot of sky         pictures >.<

September 20, 2015: Surprise Visit!

Mom received a text from a good friend in our Taylorsville, UT Ward saying she was in Montana for a reunion and ran into Elder Wallgren! How exciting. She sent several pictures and stories. I won't include host family and apartment, for privacy reasons.

From Sister Manwill:

Grandma Wallgren told me he was there. Brother Manwill looked online and thought maybe he'd be in Ennis, but when I saw the Elders at the parade, I was pretty sure it was Braden! The Elders both got to talk for a minute at church yesterday since the youth speaker didn't work out. I probably shouldn't have grabbed their arms, but I'm Grandma. They could have been my grandboys!

Three Forks is a town of tree-lined streets 

This is part of Main Street.

The Golf Course.

On the side of a home in Three Forks. Sacajawea and birds. Lewis and Clark came through this area.

I was the only LDS person in my class of 30 students, in Jr. High. There are lots of denominations in my class, but with a common Christian denominator. As I visited with classmates at the reunion, I loved the faith and gratitude they freely expressed in conversation. As they told about their lives, difficult and happy times, they told how blessed they were and how grateful for Jesus. They were kind, so warm, so friendly, which was amazing, especially since I only attended their school 6, 7, 8 grades, so they didn't know me well. Back then, they even were kind to the kid who got the worst grades, who was poor. They have taken care of this guy as a brother. Even the most popular kids were always kind...still are. During the parade, as we rolled down the street, a classmate pointed out to the the Mormon Bishop with 10 kids. (He knew the Bishop's name!) He pointed out the missionaries and one or two other Mormon people. I asked about his church too. I had a hard time driving away from Three Fork yesterday! I don't know if other classes and the younger people are so filled with faith and positive attitude, but I'd love to be a missionary in Three forks, and figure out how to add to the fantastic faith in the Lord that they already have. I think an important attitude for us LDS members to have is to know, to acknowledge in conversation with these people, that they are incredible, that we are fellow Christians.

Thanks, Sister Manwill! Your pictures and words have brought this Mamma Bear so much joy today!

(Take 2) September 14: Ennis

This is a cool thing that a lot of the elders are doing on fb that I
think if you guys did would be cool! It's the 5 BOM "Benchmarks"
1)obtain a copy
2)open it
3)read it
4)ponder on it
5)pray about it
You find a new park bench everyday for 5-6 days, and then you take a
picture of you doing what've it is the benchmark is and you post it n
FB!!! This picture is of my benchmark #1!


Elder Braden R Wallgren
Montana Billings Mission
2015-2017
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

We received another update, the same day about Ennis:

Well... My first time week in Ennis. Not too bad, but super small. Too small. We've been here for three days and we've already tracted all of everything. EVERYTHING. Being in a small town is, well different. Everyone knows who we are, I don't know anyone, and we ran out of work, fast. I have recently realized that all of the towns in the mission are small towns... So I feel like maybe the lord is trying to tell me something. Maybe, I dunno. If so I hope that I can learn the lesson that I need to quickly and be able to learn to work with it. If anyone has any ideas on how I might be able to more quickly spread the work around this small town, Elder Potter and I are open. We have just kind of been walking around looking for service as of late, and I mean we think it might be doing something for us, but who has any way of knowing?!

Elder Potter and I get along a little too well if you ask me. There seems to be often times that we find ourselves lost in having fun in the work and we feel like we need to bring ourselves back to reality and get back working. I mean.... We flipping caught a bee, named it Phil, then proceeded to catch a spider, name it Steve, and then put them in a bowl and provoke them with knives into fighting each other.... we think the spider won but neither of us are quite sure. Both are dead, but the bee is all wrapped up in a web cocoon thing. I'll let you be the judge. XD We do feel like we work well enough with each other to be able to build off of one another's weaknesses and strengths throughout the week.

A couple cool experiences this week:

While tracting, we ran into a LONG inactive member. Didn't even have his records in our ward, but he invited us in and we had a short chat with him. His name is J, and apparently he loves the missionaries!!! He had just gotten back form a surgery when we got there, so we were able to give him a priesthood blessing to help him feel better. He seemed to love having us there, and he set an appointment for us to come over and teach him and his non-member family. Lots to do in Three Forks!

The stake over here had dark(area? regional?) conference this weekend, and we had Elder Pino of the first presidency of the 70 come and speak with us. He gave a really cool message, especially considering he fact that he spake in Spanish for everything but his testimony. He had a really cool translator, a really funny guy that I think made the talk a little more entertaining than it actually was. Elder Pino's testimony was super powerful at the end of all of his addresses and I could definitely tell that he is a man of God!

I sent most of the pictures I had already to you guys, but what I have here is just some pics of me and my companion having some fun!

Ether 12:6

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Remember, you don't get better at the piano unless you mess up once or twice!

Elder Braden R Wallgren

Montana Billings Mission

2015-2017

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

September 14, 2015: Lost & Found Puns

The lost letters from the MTC arrived...postage due. It made me laugh that in this technical day and age, we don't teach our kids about postage and how the post office works.
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Dear Family,
I hope you guys are coming along just fine without me! (even though I doubt it.) 5 days into the MTC and I've learned more than I ever thought I would be able to in this amount of time. The spirit that I have felt here is something that I hope to never forget, and something that I would wish for every soul on the earth. I know that missionary work is ordained of God, and that he will support anyone willing to open their mouth. I hope all of you will strive to spread the word to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.
Inside this envelope are letters for each of you in which I hope I will be able to touch your hearts and help each of you grow closer to Christ. I know that the love he feels for all of us cannot be quantified and is ever increasing.
With these letters and my simp testimony I invite you to read section 100 of D&C and remember what the Lord promises you if you will remain faithful as I am gone.
Remember that I am always just a prayer away.
With love,
Elder Braden R. Wallgren
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Today, updates and pictures!

Found this in our apartment in Ennis.... He's about as big as the palm of my hand (we measured him.... From front to back he's about 1.5 inches o.o)

I walked out of our apartment in Ennis just     after lunch today and saw both a jackrabbit and some deer... So I thought I'd take a picture!

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I learned a new pun! :D

A teacher one day asked one of her students what the symbol for the chemical makeup of water was. 

He then answered- "h-i-j-k-l-m-n-o"
confused, she asked to clarify- what did you say?
H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O!
Well what makes you say that?!-the teacher asked
The student said- that's what you told us it was! H to O!

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Here's a few missed experiences I think would be cool for  you guys toknow and to share with everyone! (I might have  said some of these, butI thought I'll say all of them just in case) On the ride from Provo to Billings, the travel    leader of our group gave us a challenge: every one of the  30 of us had to hand out a Book of Mormon either in the    Salt Lake airport, on the plane, or in the airport in      Billings! He gave each of us a Book of Mormon, & basically set us free to go spread! I found a man sitting near the   smoking area and could tell that he was debating on whether ornot he wanted to go in and smoke. I took the opportunity to talk with him about how God could help him quit, & gave him the Book of Mormon for help! It was quite easy to     place, and I'm super happy that I was able to have the     spirit with me and be able to teach, even with no in-field experience!

Then, while in the plane, I was able to sit next to a heart surgeon,

who actually specializes in pacemakers and congenital heart defects!!
I was able to strike up a great conversation with him about you guys at
home! He seemed super surprised when I told him that all four of us
boys were born with heart defects and asked in awe how my parents were
able to get through it without depression..... If that's not the lord
screaming at me with a missionary opportunity I don't know what is. I
told him that even though we were scared as Carson has gone in for his
surgeries and as each new boy was born with something, having the
church in our life has helped us know that even if they didn't make it
we would be with them again and be eternally happy with each other! He
then began to ask some questions about the plan of salvation, why I
was going to billings, (which lead to A short conversation about the
restoration of the gospel), and a little bit about commandments and
obedience. I got off that plane and felt like a million bucks! I gave
him a pass along card and then invited him to go to Mormon.org and
search up any other questions he had and maybe even have missionaries
come over! I felt absolutely amazing.... But then as I left, I swear I
saw garments under his shirt. -_- well.... He was a great role player
then... At least I got a little bit of practice right? Lol whether or
not he was a member doesn't matter, I know that the lord put him in my
path so I could gain confidence in my ability to talk to others and in
my ability to spread the word of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

My first day in the field was kinda nuts.... Sept 3 and everyone had
to restrain from calling me a greenie (according to the mission
president, no one is a greenie here in The MBM). I had a baptism on my
first Saturday, a set of two brothers that were 9 and 11, but because
they were taught everything before I was there didn't feel much of a
connection with them. funny thing is, we showed up to the Baptism in
the morning, and I found out I had to give a talk about the Holy
Ghost..... Hit the ground running I guess >.< So I gave a small talk
about the Holy Ghost being a map, and then moved into talking about
something that I don't remember what I said, but apparently it was
awesome and great and meant a lot to the people in the room. The
spirit works real strong in missionaries I guess!!!!!!!!

This past week I've had a couple really cool ones, but I think I'll
save those for my normal mass weekly email!


Elder Braden R Wallgren

Montana Billings Mission
2015-2017
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

*My first baptism! (Second really but this one  was a bit more    meaningful)

His name is Talon, and he's a    GIANT. He's only 13, in eighth   grade, & he can bench like 250lbs... And he's bigger than I am.

September 7, 2015: PDay change?

We thought his P-Days were on Thursdays, still. Guess not. That is good for us. Our family can email him on Sunday nights! Yay! I think he still is wanting to hear from home more often. I can do that. I just keep thinking that I should wait until I hear from him, so that I don't interrupt his work.

9.5.15 3:30pm Temps

So in the supposed "lost letters home" I gave each person a scripture
to read, one that I felt each needed, some I don't know why... But the
gifts of the spirit I guess XD I invite each of you to study these
selections and ponder and pray about them as much as you can
Wallgren family- D&C 101, find out what will happen to you while I am gone
Mills family- D&C 33, work hard as member missionaries
Alex- Moroni 10, idk why I has prompted, but apparently you need it
Chuck- alma 32, see above
Carson- 2 Nephi 31, one of the most important sections to know as a missionary
Ethan- Ephesians 6, stand strong
Jonah- ether 12, weaknesses v. Strengths
Mom and dad- D&C 76, remember what we are working towards as a family!!!!

Elder Braden R Wallgren
Montana Billings Mission
2015-2017
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

9.5.15 New Training Companion: Elder Potter

I'm glad he told us. We've all been kinda waiting around for this. I hope it comes via snail-mail, still. Maybe he added the wrong address. He also sent another note of just stuff he needs: non-logoed tshirts (per Pres Wadsworth) for service days, emergency money and MORE LETTERS! He says,"I love you so much and can't wait to hear from you again!"

We miss him tons. Both Steve and I had different moments of missing him this weekend. We couldn't be more blessed than we are to have such an amazing kid in our lives. It's hard to believe Heavenly Father loaned him to us for this short time. I'm not done learning from him. I, too, can't wait to hear from him again!

I wish I were a fly on the wall to see and hear every detail. What's for dinner? What did you read about today? Who was the funniest character you've met this week? I know. Mom is learning patience!

September 5, 2015: New Zone/Trainer

Received a quick email from Elder Wallgren today. Just a note to tell us where he has been assigned and package mailing address. He sent a few pictures, as well. What a great anniversary gift!

Hey I got permission to send you guys a quick email from me new zone!
I'm in Bozeman, in the Three Forks and Ennis areas! My trainer is
Elder Potter from St. George Utah. We're staying in a members house
just by the church! My companion says if you want to send me any
packages/mail it would be easier to send it to me house:

P.O. Box 851
Three Forks, Montana 59752

Just off the plane from the MTC! MBM "Greenies" at the Billings Montana Temple

Elder Wallgren with President and Sister Wadsworth

Sept 1, 2015: Billings Bound!

Sweet call from Elder Wallgren today. Mostly, he talked about logistics.

There are about 30 of them headed to the Montana Billings Mission (MBM) today. There are only about 4 missionaries from his District. Everyone is busy at the payphones calling home. Our Elder Lifeguard was able to reach both Mom and Dad, seperately. Dad had to call back. When he got someone to answer the payphone, they were able to find Elder Wallgren. Dad and son had a good talk. It's not the same as talking to Mom. He feels VERY ready to get out into the mission field and work.

After a couple of details about what's going on here at home (wedding, Kacy leaving for MTC) I asked about MTC life. His companion is great about helping him stay focused when it's time to study. Braden says they have a bout 5 hours of study time each morning. It's hard to stay focused after about and hour and a half. But his companion is great to keep him motivated. We're both grateful for that blessing. He's been able to help his companion to set aside doubts and move forward. It sound like Elder Wallgren uses the "Gibbs head smack," lovingly of course (from NCIS), then reminds him why they are there.

 I told him we miss him. Church just isn't the same without him here. He received the package I sent, which he thought was fun. "But I can't wear the socks, Mom. I LOVE them. But they have to be plain, solid colors." Oh. Well...it's the thought that counts. Whoppers, sour candy, black ace wrap, RX sunglasses, Avengers band-aids, pens and blank note cards. Sounds like a Mom Package, huh?

His suitcases barely cleared the weight max at 50 lbs and 49 lbs. Whew! I think there's money in his account for that, though. He knows his keys for the locked suitcases are somewhere in his carry-on, but no idea where. (Yup. Same old Lifeguard Baby Boy.)

When he heard I was at the doctor's office, he said that my incident with the mission secretary was funny. I told him I didn't think that she would be forgetting his name any time soon. He giggled and agreed. I said we miss him. I asked what he misses most about being home. "No offense, Mom, but listening to music." He has been grateful for his MTC calling as Branch Music Coordinators with his companion. It means he and Elder P get to rotate who plays piano for meetings and who conducts. They were able to convince their MTC District to sing a special number this past Sunday. Elder Wallgren stood on a chair in the back to conduct. I'm impressed he thought to stand on a chair to make sure they could see him. He has been very grateful that he can play prelude and postlude music. It has helped him a lot. He wasn't sure, but thought that Elder P might play cello, too. Nice!

He concluded that he misses us all, but very ready to get started with the work ahead of him in Billings. I'm so proud of my little "eager beaver." Go forth with faith, son! Our prayers are with you always!
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Here's the latest email and snail-mail addresses I have for him in Billings. I think it's the mission home, so not sure about when he receives those packages and mail. Email should get there and he'll be able to read on P Days.

braden.wallgren@myldsmail.net

Elder Braden R Wallgren
1848 Rimrock Rd
Billings, MT 59102