Homecoming Celebration

Our little brother Kolton was asked to speak in our church - given a weeks notice - but it wasn't specified this would be his homecoming so I hadn't thought twice about it. Thankfully Ashley had. 

I think I've lost my mind because until she called me and told me point-blank this was his homecoming I wasn't even aware and wouldn't have done a thing to make it the celebration it deserved to be. 

We quickly started planning our last minute homecoming celebration for our little brother. 

After talking things over with Kolton and getting his go-ahead Ashley sent out facebook invites Saturday morning to those we wanted to include in this special experience. Ashley and I decided we would invite everyone over for a Sunday brunch - German pancakes, fruit, yogurt and juice (we kept it simple since it was so last minute) - and then to our first hour of church to listen to and support Kolton in his sharing his experiences in the mission field and testimony. Though last minute, we're so glad we went ahead and did this. We know many weren't able to attend and they were missed. We are grateful for those who did. 

It meant a lot to Kolton and our immediate family.

Papa and Scarlet 

The wonderful brains behind the celebration, Ashley

Cute hair cut, huh?! 

The man of the hour Kolton and Grandma 

Auriel and her boyfriend Braxton 

 Grandma takin' charge!

Nic - love the expression. :) 

 Kolton, Grandpa, Grandma Judi, Mom

Doesn't all that fruit look delicious? 

Trust me, it was!

Grandma trying her first German pancake.

She loved it so much she came back for seconds! Ha! 

My cute Grandpa and beautiful Grandma Judi 

Yummmmmmmmmmy!!!!! 

Beautiful friend/sister, Angel, lovin' on our little bug Scarlet. 

Stephen, Ashley, David, Amy and Emma

Kolton gave a sincere, humble talk about the importance of faith. It was incredibly powerful and his testimony was from the heart. Anyone listening couldn't help but admire him and his faith as he has faced health problems with his chin up. 

Way to go, Kolt!!!

Elder Gourley

My little brother has been sent home from his mission in Torreon, Mexico. He'll arrive back home tonight. He hasn't been released from his mission, just allowed to come home on medical leave. His headaches have been getting worse each week. He is still a missionary until he's released (his mission president said they would extend and honorable release to him if he couldn't get feeling better). Because all of Kolton's tests have come back normal we've been at a loss as to what could be causing these debilitating headaches. Kolton had testing done on his brain, had a CAT SCAN, was put on 14 different medications, multiple anti-depressants...yet nothing seemed to help (some of us were asking why the heck he was put on anti-depressants for a headache...but whatever).

So what the heck is going on?! Why is my little brother suffering so much, to the point where he can't have a conversation because his head is throbbing so hard?!

Well since hearing Elder Gourley (Kolton) was being sent home my dad decided to do some research on Torreon, Mexico. Guess what he found?! Um, yeah, there's a pretty darn good reason why Kolton may be suffering from severe headaches and it's NOT psychological.

CLICK HERE TO READ SOME OF OUR FINDINGS

*You will need to scroll down to "BACKGROUND" and read from there.*

Please pray for Kolton. He's struggling with the fact that he has to come home, but if his headaches are from what we found, he needs to get out of there. There's still a chance he may be sent back out into the mission field if he gets to feeling better but we're thinking it may be state-side at that point. Who knows...we'll keep you posted.

From the mouth of a missionary

I thought it'd be cool to post a portion of Kolton's first letter from Mexico. It sounds like he's staying busy and doing all he can to learn the language! I'm so proud of him!!


-----------------------------------------





The city of Torreón is pretty cool, but it is REALLY dirty here. It is fun though. I am going to include some pictures in this e-mail (hopefully it works). My first week here has been really interesting to tell the truth. The first day that we got here, we landed and went to the Mission Home where we were introduced to the Mission President's wife and family. Then we had what they call La Comida. It is the one and only big meal you eat the entire day (like that is going to happen with me ha!). After that, we talked for a bit, and then a bunch of the Elders that have been here for awhile came to the Mission Home as well. At about 6 pm we were told to go with one of the Elders that have been here for a while to start our first day of contacting! Yay! I was about to shoot myself. Ha I don't even understand why we go to the MTC to learn a language. I seriously didn't really understand anything that anyone was saying to me.

The next morning, a few of us went to the store with our Mission President for the supplies for breakfast. We had eggs with ham (I think) and beans to the side. Also, we had some yogurt drink that is called LaLa. It is actually really good. I have one every morning. Then we cleaned everything up and went to the Church for some kind of training. That lasted pretty much all day. I didn't understand anything of what they were saying to us though, so I don't know what to tell you about that. Anywho, we were assigned to our companion at this meeting thing, and my companion's name is Elder Rasmussen.

He is a pretty cool guy, and he has been here for 16 months now. He is from Oregon, and that is about as much about him that I know because he only talks in Spanish to me unless I absolutely can't understand what is being said.

The third day (Wednesday), we only contacted about 20 people that day (of which I had to initiate the last 19 and continue until I didn't know what to say anymore), and we visited some of the members.

Thursday we contacted about 25 people. We also went to a less-active member's house to say hello, and she made us some things called guarditos. I'm not sure how you actually spell that. But the first one I ate was good in a spicy way, but nasty in texture and taste. My companion later told me it was pig skin. Yum!!! My favorite...lol. Then we went to a member's home for la comida, and she made us some REALLY good food that is called Mole (pronounced mole-ay). She said that it was habenero mole or something like that. It was SO good!! So I had her give me the recipe lol.

Friday was a really good day though! We only contacted about 15 people, but we taught an actual lesson to someone. The Spirit was SO strong!! It was almost tangible. It seriously was so cool! We taught her (Veronica) lesson 1, the Restoration, and I taught the part about the apostasy and how people always reject the prophets and what not. Then Elder Rasmussen taught her the next part, and I had the privilege of teaching her about the First Vision. I recited the scriptures from memory, and it seriously brought the Spirit so strong! I knew she could feel it because she suddenly started talking like she was out of breath, it was that strong! It was absolutely amazing. We are teaching her again on Friday.

Sunday was definitely interesting. We had a Stake Conference, and their Stake is MAYBE the size of our home ward. I couldn't really understand what the people were saying, so I started to try to translate my Spanish scriptures into English. I didn't have my English ones with me though, so I just went for it. I'm happy to tell you that I can translate written words pretty dang well. Haha I just have to work on the spoken words now. That was about all for Sunday, except we had a District meeting, so I met the rest of our district (4 other elders).

Oh, I forgot to tell you that on Tuesday, it was the first day I have really been homesick. It was super hard for me because it was a full day of not knowing what the heck people were saying to me. But I'm good now :).

Today (Monday, October 31st) has been interesting. I bought a basketball because there is a basketball court about 30 seconds from where we are staying, so we are going to go play every morning.

I don't know what my address is here or the best way to send mail to me. Don't send food though. The people that do the mail will eat it if you do.

How are you all doing? I would love to hear anything and everything you'd like to tell me. I probably won't be sending any handwritten letters, so send me an email from your email address if you want me to respond.

------------------------------------------

Great, isn't it?! If any of you would like to type up a letter for him, you're welcome to! Just type it up and email it to me @ adriennebraun@hotmail.com and I'll forward it to him. :)

*I posted pictures (below) which he included with this email*

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

Happy birthday to my adorable little brother, Kolton!!! While we can't celebrate his special day with him, we will most certainly celebrate him!

Here are a few pictures of him in Mexico. He sent these this past week:


ELDER RASSMUSSEN (his first mission companion) & ELDER GOURLEY




PICTURES OF HIS APARTMENT















KOLTON WITH THE MISSION PRESIDENT (I BELIEVE), HIS COMPANION & OTHER MISSIONARIES IN MEXICO













This picture was taken of him on Monday, October 31st, 2011 - exactly one week since his arrival in Mexico


Isn't he a handsome missionary?!?!

HaPpY bIrThDaY, ElDEr GoUrLeY!!!!!

Torreon, Mexico

My little brother, who is significantly bigger than me, flew out to Mexico yesterday morning. He was able to call us before boarding the plane. It was so wonderful to hear his voice. My phone call with him lasted about 3 or 4 minutes max - but I'm grateful for those 3 or 4 minutes!! I told him how proud I was of him. I also told him that Travis and I support him in EVERY way! When I asked how he felt about heading out, his response was, "I'm a little nervous about the language. Kind of scared. And kind of excited." I think I told him I loved him 100 times! Ha!





Torreon, Mexico (apparently it's referred to as "The City of Lights")



I can't help but wonder what he's doing: how his first night in Mexico went, who his companion will be (better not be an idiot), how he'll adjust to the environment and culture, when - because it's not a matter of if - he'll get sick and how he'll overcome it. So many things running through my mind. So many emotions too. It's crazy.

I googled Torreon, Mexico and found some pictures. Click here to view them.

I know Kolton will be an effective missionary because of the person he is. He has so much compassion and a keen sensitivity towards others. Not only that, but he's a hard worker. I know he'll gain many friends during his time there. I love you, Elder Gourley!!

One month & one day!!

Kolton has been in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for one month and one day as of today!!! YAY!! Only 23 months to go! :)

Kolton has been stretched and tested already. I'm CERTAIN he is a strong individual for it too. I can only imagine the rigorous preparation he's been involved in the last few weeks. It sounds wonderful yet overwhelming. Kolton is amazing. I know he can do it.

Kolton wrote to us and was THRILLED at the idea that his time in the MTC is half over. He doesn't care for it too much. But in a little less than one month he'll be on his way to Mexico. In fact, one month from today he'll BE in Mexico serving the people, speaking the language (as best he can), and hopefully avoiding getting sick. Ha! It makes me so excited thinking about it! Wow!!!!

I love my brother. I love him so much. I am so incredibly pleased with his decision to serve an LDS mission. I'm so pleased with his determination to make a decision and follow through with it. No matter what, I support him and his righteous desires. I can't even imagine the kind of man he'll be when he returns from Mexico in two years. He'll be so different. It'll be a good different, I think.

We'll keep you posted.