Week 21 - January 27, 2020 Brent the Awkward Turtle

Hello folks! 

Sorry I didn't write last week, my pday got switched to Wednesday, and then our pday was so so busy. But not to worry because here is an email this week!

First things first, transfer calls happened last night and... I'm staying in Saratoga Springs!!! What?? But Sister Davis is leaving :( she is going to UVU YSA (young single adult)!!! She is going to love it there:) and my new companion is Sister Vincil! I've heard good things about her and I'm excited! 

Let me think about what happened these past two weeks... we have been teaching a ton which is awesome. AND, we put a few people on date for baptism which is really exciting! February should be a promising month for this area!

I'm a little scared to be in charge of an area for sure, but the Lord will provide a way! He always does! I'm just so so SO grateful I am not training... ahhhh! 

Something crazy that happened this week is that Sister Davis messed up her back SUPER BAD. (Like really really bad). She was weightlifting and her form was off and it her back did not like that. We have had to stay in a lot because it's hard for her to do anything. Let me tell you, sick/injured days as missionaries ARE NOT FUN. So please keep her in your prayers that she will have a speedy recovery! 

Things overall though are well! I was preparing for a talk that I was supposed to give yesterday at church, (but I ended up getting super sick) and I was reading based on the scripture: "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36). I LOVE this scripture because so often it is so easy to get wrapped up in doubts, especially when we dont know everything. I was reading a talk from one of our apostles, Elder Ucthdorf, and he said that it was important to doubt our doubts before we doubt our faith. I wanna make something really clear though... it is okay to have questions!! It is okay to not know everything!! But we need to make sure we are relying on God and not on man. We are not going to get answers if we are not actively searching for it. Don't give up on God! He will never get up on you! I can promise that! 

I love you all so so so much! You are all amazing and thank you so much for your support! You have a special place in my heart forever! 

Love, 

Sister Brady

Week 19 - January 13, 2020 - The back of your head is RUDIKULOUS

So first things first, I got bit by a tiny dog yesterday (which by the way, is one of my biggest fears) and now my hand hurts. But my hand shall heal so no worries! 

But this week was so busy, I can't believe its Monday again! We shared so many messages , which rocks, and then we had a ton of meetings this week. All of our wards are trying to get everything situated for this year and so we get to go to all of those meetings which has been exhausting but also awesome because members are really starting to trust us! I love it! 

The coolest thing that happened this week was that Brixton got baptized! And it was amazing! He was so excited and so happy! I even played the piano which was super scary because I never play the piano at anything! It didnt go as horribly as I thought it was going to go! And everything went so smoothly! I feel so lucky to know that kid and to have taught him! OH and me and Sister Davis got to witness the baptism which was honestly the most incredible thing! 

I'm not gonna lie, lately I have been feeling a little bit of FOMO (fear of missing out), but while I was at the baptism, i was so happy to be on a mission! I realized that this is truly the best decision I made because I get to help people come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ! I know that God will make my sacrifices worth it because He already has. If anyone has thought about serving but is scared because they will miss out on stuff back home, I just want to say that you will never regret serving. The Lord's got your back! He loves you and wants you to be happy. I have never been happier than when I am serving a mission! 

I love you all so much! Thank you for your support! Also, there is so much snow here... RIP me.... 

Love, 

Sister Brady

Pictures! 

1&2: Brixton's baptism!!!!

Week 18 - January 6, 2020 - You Ever Just?

Welcome back to my channel y'all! This week has been slow but busy all at the same time!

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It is 2020! What the actual heck. I turn 20 in a month so that's weird! But so happy to start my new year on a mission!

This week we had some amazing lessons! We even got to put someone on date for baptism for the end of the month! Please pray that all goes as planned! But seriously,  we're teaching some amazing people right now! 

We also did a ton of karaoke this week. Ok we have someone that we are teaching who got a karaoke machine and we helped them set it up. And we may have gotten distracted with it a little bit... but dont worry! We taught them a lesson too! And it went well! Something that I have learned though is that it's so so so important and possible to have fun when doing missionary work! Because it's the best! 

We had to be in early on new years eve and me and Sister Davis were TIRED so we passed out super early that night. Totally worth it though because extra sleep>>>> 

Me and my companion have been working so hard on getting the stakenleaders involved more and having coordination meetings and it is finally happening and we are so excited. This is seriously a miracle, so thank you for your prayers! We really think that this going to improve the work in the area and I can't wait! Miracles are gonna start happening! I can FEEL IT! 

I went to my first Mission Leadership Council meeting this week and it was terrifying, BUT all went well and I survived! We set a baptism goal this year for our mission and it is... 851!!! We love this goal because it's a 25% increase AND it shows that every person matters! We are a numbers mission because Jesus numbers His sheep! And I love it! 

We got a new message to share with the members here as well, and it focuses a ton on the First Vision that Joseph Smith had in the Sacres Grove. The prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has invited us to read the First Vision account in Joseph Smith History in the Pearl of Great Price as preparation for this next general conference! So me and my companion did it together! And it is amazing! 

President Nelson has also asked the question, How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones? I've been thinking a lot about my answer to this question and the answer is so simple. It's made everything different! I have been given the knowledge that my family can be together forever because Joseph Smith restored the true gospel to the earth! I know my Savior and the peace and joy he can bring into my life because of the restoration of the gospel. The events that followed the First Vision are the reason I am serving a mission and I feel so much gratitude for the prophet Joseph Smith for what he endured and what he did for this church. I am so blessed to have the Book Of Mormon and the knowledge it has brought into my life! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL! 

I love each and everyone of you! Thank you for being an amazing support system! And shout out to the people who read my emails, y'all are why I write them! 

Happy New Year!!!! (and happy 4 months to me!!) 

Love,

Sister Brady

Pictures: 

1. Peep the Elders in the car behind us with the funky glasses

2. Snow!

3. My companion and Milly

4. JESUS SAVES!

5. Some real cute polaroids 

Week 17 - December 30, 2019 - I Don't Listen to Nerds!

Merry Christmas you wonderful people!!! I can't believe it actually happened! It came and went so quickly. Wowza.

My Christmas was amazing though! Thank you to everyone who sent letters or packages! It helped me have a little bit of home with me. So again, thank you! I appreciate you all so much! 

We spent our Christmas Eve and Christmas with a few different families! It was awesome to get a chance to spend it with people who love us. I have to say that the members out here are amazing. 

Me and my companion got to work the giving machines again and it was so fun! I love meeting people and getting to be a part of something that is so beautiful. Give, give, give!! Its the best feeling ever! 

This week was hard, appointment wise. A lot of people were out of town or with family, so we texted a billion people with only little success! But this next week should be better! 

This Christmas season was hard, but also one of the best I have ever had. Being a missionary brings the best reminder of what Christmas is really about! Christ! I am so so so grateful for the knowledge that I have of my Savior. He has saved me from some of the darkest moments in my life. I have never been happier when I am following Christ and putting Him first in my life. I am so grateful to be in Utah and serving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If any of you guys are thinking of serving a mission, DO IT! ITS THE BEST! 

I love you all! Have an amazing week! Send emails and pictures!!! 

Love,

Sister Brady

Pictures

1. Merry Christmas Eve!

2.we  Rosie the doggo 

3. BB8!!!!

Week 16 - December 23, 2019 Why Did It Have to Be Snakes!?

Wowza, it's been a bit of a slow week, but last Monday was insane! No joke! So I am so sorry for not responding to emails! 

Last Monday we had a Christmas activity with our whole mission and watched the movie, "the fighting preacher"! It was so cute, a little cheesy of course, but the story was beautiful! Then me and my companion worked the giving machines at the mall in Orem! It was a blast! A little draining, but a ton of fun. I feel so blessed to be apart of a church that gives so much to so many people in need! 

I got sick again this week (it was not fun at all)! But the good news is, I am feeling better! 

We had more ward parties and lessons this week and it was awesome! Lots of people were gone though because Christmas is approaching! I cant believe it is only 2 days away!!! Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!

Overall, it was a good week and I just got to thinking about how grateful I am to be spending this Christmas season focusing on Christ and sharing the message of His birth with people. So often, the true meaning of Christmas is drowned in presents, Santa, decorations, etc. But we have to remember Christ. He performed miracles and did the unimaginable for us. He suffered for us. He died for us. He did this for me. And for you! For all of us. As hard as it is to be away from family, there is no place I would rather be than here serving the Lord. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior. He has changed my life. And I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to give me His Son.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! I hope your holiday season is wonderful and full of many blessings. Thank you all for being a part of my life! I am so blessed! 

Emails and pictures appreciated:)

Love, 

Sister Brady

Pictures:

1. Awkward family photo

2. I HELD A SNAKE

3. Light the World: Giving Machines!!!