Erica's Missionary Adventures

Erica's Missionary Adventures
Merry Christmas from Mesa!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

September 22, 2014

Sister Batman
I love how they still wear their name tags!



Dear mom and dad!!!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! I am so happy!!!!! Life is beautiful!!!!

Okay we've been working on a lot of family history recently with a recent convert, and I looked at my family tree and noticed that half of it is missing! All of moms side (except her own name, and Grandma Ferre and her step-dad number 2) is completely not there! What's up with that?

Also, dad, did you know that my great grandpa (your grandpa) on your dad's side had been in trouble with the law? When grandpa was about 9. I read the excerpt and it explained that he and his three brothers had stolen food so that their families could eat :( it made me cry a little cause they were all starving in the Great Depression. I guess it's not something grandpa would probably talk about typically, and maybe this isn't a good time to bring it up, but I wonder if he remembers that at all...

And just to clarify, it said Great Grandpa Brady had two wives [not at the same time]. Did he get a divorce? I feel like I vaguely remember Grandma saying something about that a few years ago...

Okay. What is happening to the theater department at BYUH??????!!! Someone posted on Facebook that there will be no more theater minor in 2015!!? That means I can't continue in my musical theater major! They also said that the plays might be done through the English department starting fall 2015? What?? Have you heard anything or talked to Grandpa Ferre about this??

I keep getting friend requests from missionaries serving in your area... Haha... What was the Elders name who was serving in your ward while I was there in April? The one from Mesa Arizona?

Our ward mission leader is going to plan and throw a block party so that he can get to know his neighbors better (and possibly lead to missionary work)!! What things can you do to get to know your neighbors better?

Every area and general authority (and elder Nelson) who has come to this area has cracked down on us missionaries and told us we are to be ward builders!! They've said that the ward council should not be saying "what can we do for you?" But we should be asking the ward council "what can we do for you?" They've also told us to make sure our members understand that the success comes when they "invite" not whether or not the friend accepts the invitation.

And so I invite you, my family, to invite someone to watch the Woman's general broadcast, general conference (at least one session), or priesthood session! Watching general conference in your home is a perfect place so that they can feel more comfort. But try to watch the Woman's broadcast at the church building with the stake. (And I don't think priesthood session can be viewed online live... I think? If it can, go watch it with the stake!) Keep in mind that the success comes when you try! So I beg of you to pray to know who The Lord wants you to invite!

Could you please send my rain jacket maybe? (Along with my candy cane nightgown and my Rudolph sweater) The black one I wore on tour. the one that I saw Emily wearing on FB a few weeks ago...... :)

My mind keeps thinking it's Christmas almost....  I think it's because it's been so rainy lately...

We haven't gotten any cards yet, but sister Taylor's birthday went pretty well I think! I wrote her a note, and I bought her m&ms. But the mail hasn't come today, so it will probably be here today :) when did you send the card?

I AM SO EXCITED TO HEAR HOW EMILY DID ON AUDITIONS!!! I better hear EVERY detail!! I want more info about this than I got about your EFY cows!! I'm emailing earlier today, so I will probably not get the email about the cast list. But I am SO PROUD of my kid sister auditioning for high school plays!!! Remember Emma, just like missionary work, the success does not come if you get the part, it comes when you audition :) and keep in mind that the more you audition, the better chance you will have of getting in and getting the part you want :) 

What plays are Susan doing?
Sister Vanhossmer the 3rd!!! I loved Millie. And sound of music!! But the best thing I've ever done is what I'm doing now. Serving a mission :)

I love to hear about grandpa. Ugh I would be mad too if I were in a care center :( Do they have an idea of when he might get to go home? I sure loved that picture on Facebook of him and grandma.  I loved your spiritual thought!! The sons of Mosiah are the greatest missionaries ever!!!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!

Russel M. Nelson was amazing!!! And it was soooo cool to get to sing for him!! Because I'm so short it looked awkward so they put me on a stool..... The one that the primary kids use to bare their testimonies.... Yeah....

He talked a lot about marriage...

He said to the sisters "when Prince Charming gets down on one knee with the perfect smile and perfect hair and perfect ring and says 'marry me' you tell him... NO!!" *cue laughter with elder Nelson laughing at himself and then suddenly becoming very serious which immediately stopped the laughter* "Unless! You KNOW that he loves The Lord more than he loves you." It was very powerful. And it's what you've been teaching me my whole life! Marry someone who "loves The Lord, loves you, and loves to work" in that order! :) you're awesome parents :)

Elder Nelson also said that a mission president is not successful until his missionaries GRANDCHILDREN have been sealed in the temple! Not only do we have to be sealed in the temple. Not only do we have to raise our kids to make it to the temple, but we have to raise our kids well enough so that they know how to raise THEIR kids to make it to the temple!! That's a lot of pressure for a mission president!

He also said that the Mesa (and Scottsdale) mission is THE BEST place to serve a mission. We think so too :)

And then I saw Elder Linn and Sister Tippery!! So fun!! 






Okay I love you mom and dad!!!!!

Love,
Sister Brady 

Letter #2 (to her dad)

I haven't gotten any letters in the mail yet... But I read the email today :) haha I had wondered why you hadn't sent anything! [John accidentally sent his email to the wrong email address.] But that's okay cause I only had a short time to email last week.

I love hearing updates about Grandpa :) ever since I got to meet Uncle Keith, I've felt more at terms with Grandpa being near the end of his life. I mean, I would be very happy if he lived another ten years, but I am more at peace with him passing away before I return home.

I'm glad work is going well!!

And I love that you went to a CHS game with Emma! And they won yay!!!! How is Trevor's knee doing?? A few weeks ago I had a dream that he had lost both legs just above his knees, and then a week after that he got a knee injury!!! It was weird!!

AND THEN! I had a dream that brother Williams in my ward here was crying because he lost his job. But when I woke up and told Sister T******* that, we both laughed cause he's a dentist who owns his own clinic.... But then that Sunday he got released from his calling in the bishopric!!!!!

CRAZY!!!

Haha, we thought it was pretty funny.... Except it scared me a little cause I had that dream about Chris becoming a serial killer......

Okay I love you daddy!!

Love,
Sister Brady




September 15, 2014

Dear mom and dad,

Yay!!! I'm so happy dad got a job!!!! That is so awesome!!! Trufflehunter sounds really good right now :) I'm hungry. That would be super cool if dad gets to to go to Thailand!!!

I'm doing the speaking thing where I speak the words into my ipad and it writes out what I say and sister T**** thought I was speaking to her at first.... Technology.... Ha ha...

To change the subject: how did Emma's auditions go?? What the heck is "back chills" or "bone cold" or whatever it's called? Is it a comedy or a drama? Did Emma get in? Also, Annie Get Your Gun sounds super fun!!!! McCarty thought about doing that for when Tali was a senior. Who is going to be the lead this year? And I am so excited that Emma is gonna sing in that Christmas thing!!!

I played a ton of sports today. It was super fun!!! I have never had more fun playing sports than on my mission. Dad, when I get back in 10 years we will play all kinds of missionary sports! Like KBall and Chicago fire, and chair soccer! And you can teach me how to play other sports (like full court basketball ;))

We taught some really great people this week! The O******** family is the one with a daughter serving a mission. We taught the first two points of the restoration (in chapter 3 in PMG (perhaps you've read it? :)) and we are trying to commit them to come to church... We are also trying to get the ward to be better fellowshippers, but I think they are just so hesitant since there haven't been any baptisms in the ward for so many months.

The other guy we are teaching is super super golden with only one thing that could stop him from being baptized. He was super cool and said that if any Christian church were true, it would be our church because of the Book of Mormon (he's read it 3 times). He had an amazing friend who was a super pro member missionary. This guy has also read all of the Work and the Glory books (not doctrine...) but because of it he believes Joseph Smith was a prophet, and because of that, he's pretty sure the Book of Mormon is true..... We've committed him to pray and ask God to know these things are true. :). He's seriously awesome! But when we taught him the first lesson this week, we brought a laurel [16 or 17 year old girl] with us (cause we needed a third female)...... And we realize now that we should not have..... Hahaa..... remind me of this story and I'll tell you more in the future.....

P.s. Don't worry, your daughter is safe :).

I love sharing the gospel!!!!! Being a missionary is THE BEST!!!! I am so happy to be here serving the people of Mesa!! I know the gospel is the only way back to our Heavenly Father and I know that it is the only way to everlasting happiness!!! I love you all so much family!!! Make the right choices so that we can all be in the celestial kingdom together!! Because I think I would cry every day if we weren't all together!!!

I love you mom and dad. You are such a blessing to me. I just love you both so much!!!! You have raised us well in the gospel. You are an example to me of how I want to raise my kids.

I love you!!!


Love,
Sister Brady



Erica says she is Sister Mermaid!


Thursday, September 11, 2014

September 8, 2014

Letter(s) from Erica:

#1
Dear mom and dad,

I am feeling much better this week :) I love you both so much. I could feel the immediate prayers, and I am grateful for the miracles that fasting brings. I am still tired, but I am happy.

Love,
Erica

#2
Dear mom and dad, 

I have some crazy news!!!! I am companions with the district leader!!!!!!!! 

.......Because we are making mission history, and sister T****** (who is remaining my companion), along with six other sisters in the mission, are now going to be district leaders over six all female districts!! This is a big deal! For those who will be reading this email who have not served missions, the only other mission that has female district leaders is the temple square mission (at least as far as I know). And that's because there are no elders in that mission at all!! Just watch, my companion is well on her way to being the first female assistant to the president. :) hashtag coolest companion ever...

I am feeling much better this week. I got a blessing from President Jenkins last Monday but proceeded to have a tough Tuesday, and an emotional breakdown on Wednesday, but then the craziest thing happened on Thursday:

Sister H****** (a sister who has completed her mission and is going home tomorrow morning), got up and gave a talk in district meeting. I honestly can't remember every word she said, but the Spirit was so overwhelming for me and I was reminded of what president Linn said in my interview the Sunday before I was set apart. He told me I needed to
be exactly obedient, and even though I may want to question every thing that I am asked to do, it will not be until I am doing those things that I will understand why I must do them.

I have been called by a Prophet of God to the Arizona Mesa mission. I have been called, and I accepted the call, to preach the gospel. I knew in that moment, that I needed to throw myself completely back into the work. To work even harder than I was before! And when I do that, I will understand more fully why I have been sent here to this place, at this time. I have not felt any overwhelming stress since that moment. 

I have also felt more urgency and sincerity in my own prayers, and I am feeling more in tune with the Spirit. I love the gospel, and I am so grateful for the atonement. It truly does bring comfort. 

I got the letter that you sent about Montana!! How fun!! But I haven't gotten any other letter. Sister T****** loved the letter you sent, and refuses to tell me what you wrote about me...... Also she thinks you're hilarious for sending a "not Easter" card...

And I got Katrina's letter. Thank you for the picture! Hahaha, it kills me. Also, I am super flattered that you used my email in your lesson!

My visit with Uncle Keith and Aunt Shirley was great!!! [Erica got special permission from her mission President to visit John's Uncle and Aunt.] I loved getting to talk with him! He showed me a picture of him, Bernice, grandpa, and their three sisters. He also told me some stories. A few of them were about Uncle Rob. He told me about how he met his wife, and then he showed me a picture of aunt Shirley when she was 18, and holy moly she is gorgeous! He asked how grandpa was doing, and then he said he predicts grandpa lives till he is 100. :) he also told me he was about to turn 40. Oh and sister T*******just had them laughing sooo hard!! It was a hoot! After lunch, (we had lunch at thier house on Friday), we shared with them the Mormon message, "till we meet again". I bore my testimony to them, and sister T******* shared a scripture that kind of called them to repentance...

But it was okay because the Spirit was really strong, and Uncle Keith opened up to us about some of the doubts he had, some of the reasons he had left the church in the first place. We prayed with them, and Aunt Shirley had tears in her eyes. They invited us over again (we
don't know when yet), and said they would really like me to meet my second cousin (their only grandson)! Haha I'm really glad I got to go over there!!!

So okay, has dad been offered a job for LA? And now they're thinking about NYC? What? Also, if he has been offered a job, how long does he have to accept it? And what is the job anyway? And what are the jobs in the other places? Details?

Wait. Kevin and Kara kiss??!!!! They have the cutest engagement pictures ever...

Also!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my nieces Charlotte and Jenna! And to my nephew Nick!!!! Let's see, Char is 4 now?? And Nick is 2?? And Jenna is 5?! Just stop growing everyone!!

Love,
Sister Brady

P.s. I hope you liked the pictures. I want the mole one to be on the
family Christmas card.

#3 to Emily

HOW IS SCHOOL!?? AND SEMINARY!??

Read "To Young women" by Jefferey R. Holland. It was either given in 2007 or 2005 at general conference. I can't remember which month.

You are awesome!! Everything is awesome!!!

I love you emma!


Love, Erica


[Shelly here - Erica sent a bunch of pictures and I will post more later . . . but the one below and the note she wrote with it . . . REALLY MAKES ME LAUGH!! - I miss this funny girl!!]

I forced Sister T******** to take a selfie with me, and after we took it,
I glanced down to see my face in the picture, saw a MOLE on my upper
lip, took a double take at the picture, then looked at my face and
took another double take when I realized there was no mole on my real
face. Sister T******* discovered there was a speck of dirt on the mirror
that had aligned itself perfectly with my upper lip when we took the
picture. It caused much laughter.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

September 1, 2014

Dear dear dear Mom and dad,

I have not gotten any letters this past week :) but that's okay, it
will be a wonderful treat for this week!

That is crazy that a year has already gone by since Emily sang at the
fair last year! Remember how Dennis [PTI producer} staged it so that it looked like it
was unplanned for me to sing too!! Haha so fun! Also Emily is so
awesome and I love telling everyone that my little sister was Portland
Teen Idol.

The weather has gotten a little bit warmer again. ?

My stomach was still crazy sick all last week (without the lactose) so
I talked to president Jenkins on Friday and he thinks that I may not
actually be lactose intolerant, but rather it is my body's way if
dealing with the stress that I have been feeling since being in the
mission field. He gave me a blessing this afternoon, and he gave me
some words of encouragement and comfort. He also encouraged me to
re-read 1 Nephi 3-4 and ask myself "why Nephi was asked to go back to
Jerusalem 3 times and what things did he learn in going to and from?"
He also said no more sugar and I need to exercise more.

That is awesome that Kevin got that job!!! And I can't believe Kara is
almost done with school!! And they're gonna get married!!! :D I'm so
excited!!!

So what is the job offer dad got in la? Who would he be working for?
What would he be doing? Would you apply for Disneyland if he got the
job there?

I cannot wait to watch that video of grandpa!!!! That will be so cool to watch!!

That is just really amazing that grandpa is still alive after having
such a big stroke. Everything that I read about grandpa seems so
surreal because I'm only reading about it. I do appreciate the updates
and I love to know that he still has his awesome sense of humor. Tell
grandma and grandpa that I am going to get to go see uncle Keith and
aunt Shirley this week!! I told president Jenkins about how grandpa is
not doing well, and that I was feeling prompted to ask for permission
to call uncle Keith sooner rather than later, and president Jenkins
told me I should of course go visit him, and that I could make
multiple visits! He also told me to keep him updated on everything
that's going on.

I love your new calling!!! It would be awesome if I was transferred to
a ysa ward and then we would both be working with the YSA!!! We will
find out transfer news on Saturday.

That's really cool insight on Alma the younger mom. I also love he
point you made about Alma being Abinidi's only convert. That's crazy
considering how many people were thereafter saved!

Question: can you send me Michelle's mission emails each week? Also,
my blog is so slow moving (I think we went online once this week) so I
probably don't need any pictures right now :) I will email you when I
can think of specific picture I need though. Thank you so much mom!!!

Other question: you know my candy cane Christmas nightgown? And my
Rudolph sweater? If you decide to send me my Christmas package like
maybe at the end of November, I would greatly appreciate if those two
items were also in there. And then I promise I wouldn't open what else
was in there until Christmas morning, I know it's a looonnngg ways
away, but I wanted to remind you now. Maybe you can write it down
somewhere? Or even better you could grab the two clothing items now,
and set them where you won't forget to send them. And I was hoping to
get those two specific items before Christmas just cause they would be
fun to wear in December :)

There is a lady in our ward who writes books! You should look for them
at Deseret. Her name is Jean Mathews. One of the books is set in
Mesa!! I think the title of that book has the word "run" in it or
something... Tell me if they are good!!

I get to sing for elder Nelson in a quartet this September!! It was
going to be a choir, but elder Nelson requested a quartet, and so I am
singing soprano!! Yay :D I can't wait!!

Also, I don't know if he is already on the email list for my letters
(if you do that), but can you add brother Belnap to the list? His
email is belnapm@byuh.edu

Spiritual thought:

Okay, so this comes from the January 2007 new era:
The quest for spiritual knowledge (Boyd k packer)

"Oh, if I could teach you this one principle: a testimony is to be
found in the bearing of it!

"Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that “leap
of faith,” as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have
gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to
discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.
The spirit of man is,” as the scripture says, indeed “the candle of
the Lord” (Proverbs 20:27).

"It is one thing to receive a witness from what you have read or what
another has said; and that is a necessary beginning. It is quite
another to have the Spirit confirm to you in your bosom that what you
have testified is true. Can you not see that it will be supplied as
you share it? As you give that which you have, there is a replacement,
with increase!

"To speak out is the test of your faith.

"Bear testimony of the things that you hope are true, as an act of
faith. It is something of an experiment, like the experiment that the
prophet Alma proposed to his followers. We begin with faith--not with
a perfect knowledge of things. That sermon in the 32nd chapter of Alma
is one of the greatest messages in holy writ, for it is addressed to
the beginner, to the humble seeker. And it holds a key to a witness of
the truth."

I know I've shared some of this with you before, but then I found the
whole article and I wanted to share more with you. Sometimes it can be
scary to share your testimony because you might be afraid of someone
mocking it or treating it like garbage. But I know now that it is when
we share our testimony, that the Holy Ghost can bare testimony that we
are saying is true.

I love you so much!

Love,
Sister Brady


Sunday, September 7, 2014

August 25, 2014

Dear mom and dad,

Which wall did you hit? (Ba dum tish) [I told her I had “hit the wall” because I was so tired!]

This week was a ton cooler than it's been before. It was crazy! And really windy.

Oh my goodness, my ward is sooooo sweet. Since I am possibly lactose intolerant, we make the members who are feeding us aware of it. And now everyone in the ward knows about my issue... But they are all super sweet and they are all taking care of me and suggesting different things I can try to eat instead and someone gave me these "lactose intolerant" pills so that I could eat some ice cream every once in a while if I really needed to :) haha.

I got the package and the letters!!! Thank you sooo much!! I love the pictures haha!!!! And the Swedish Fish lasted a whole hour!!!! (I inhaled them).

I am studying the Old Testament right now, and holy cow, it is a soap opera. Have you ever read it? Cause seriously, it is filled with family drama. 

A sister in the ward dyed my hair :) and yes I love it :) I'm sending more pictures of my hair his week.

I LOVE KEVIN AND KARA!!!! They could have a baby by the time I get back. Oh my goodness and then I could spoil it all the time while we are all in Hawaii :)

I promise you I have not been praying for you to move closer to Disneyland (honestly, I didn't even think about praying for that :)). But I might cry tears of joy/excitement if that is the job dad ends up taking. I would die. No, my prayers have been sincere and open minded to anything and anywhere. I just want dad to get a job again :) but seriously, Disneyland/LA would be the coolest place. (aside from the housing prices. That kind of stinks). I. Would. Die.

Utah would be cool if I ever decided I wanted to go to BYU. Or if Emma wants to go there :) but seriously, Disneyland. 

I want to hear more about Montana!!!! I can't wait for the letter!! I want to go see Grandpa and Nana Brown!! Tell them I love them soooo much!!!!!

Also, tell Grandma and Grandpa happy anniversary!! :D [It was the anniversary of their first date 67 years ago!]

Whoa I cannot believe Emily is going to be a freshman!!! I remember freshman orientation! I'm pretty sure Brianna Larsen was one of my group leaders who gave us the tour :) I am so excited for Emily! Her classes sound so fun! (Well, drama and choir do) :)

We met with a lot of members in our ward this week. While visiting with one family, somehow the topic of Kevin Bacon came up, and someone mentioned the "seven steps from Kevin Bacon" theory. And I told them "well, now you're one step from him, cause I've met him!" And they responded, "oh no, we're already one step from him cause we know someone else who knows him...... We know Emma stone!" My jaw dropped!! They said that she had been in plays with their daughter!! But then they asked where I had met Kevin Bacon and I started to explain how they made a movie about Bill Porter, etc. and while I was explaining the story, they said, "wait, we've totally seen this movie!!! The one with William H. Macy??!"  Isn’t that just so crazy!!!!

Also, they have a nightmare before Christmas village and they are going to invite us over to help them set it up for Halloween. :D
 I found bacon flavored ritz!!!! And they are my favorite thing!! I brought them to a district meeting (cause we have a 5 minute break) and I fed my district the whole roll. It was a hit. I was popular!
Okay I love you both sooo much!!!

Love sister Brady!


#2
Dear mom,
I was wondering if I could request a few pictures for next week (thank you again so much for sending them!! We don't have a lot of time for online, so I am slowly writing my blog post).

- a picture of the entire family (one with me still young, and maybe a more recent one?)

-remember when we painted the house on Franklin street inside? Like the doors and the walls? Do you have any pictures from that? It doesn't even have to have me in it. If not, it's okay.

- a picture of me taking swim lessons when I was young (yes, I might be telling he story of how I attempted to walk home on my own at age 4....)

Okay, also, can you somehow get for me the email addresses of all the parents do the vontrapp kids? I want to email all of them a hello!! 

I love you so much!
Love, sister Brady


Erica's letter to Emily
August 25, 2014 

Dearest sister Emma,

I got your letter!! Sorry you had such a rough time finding a cow! The first time I went to EFY, my roommate was dating who would have been my cow. And then they broke up at EFY. It was all really awkward. And the second time I went to EFY, up the boy I had a crush on kind of sort of had a crush on me, but had an even bigger crush on one of the girls in my group. But it's cool, our day will come ;) we are still young and beautiful, and you have at least 5 years ahead of you before you can even consider marriage, and I have at least 10 years ahead of me! Haha jk I have 13 years ahead of me. Just kidding again. I don't want to think about it so let's not.

High school is going to be so awesome for you!!!!! Words of advice:

1. Be friends with everyone. Everyone. Even the people you think are "too cool" to hang out with you, be there friend. If you think about it, they are probably a "cool" kid because they have  figured out that to be "popular" means that you are friends with everyone, and they too will love to be your friend. Also be friends with those who you think aren't cool enough to be in your group. Most likely any "cool" friend won't reject you because just like I said before, they already
understand that to be "popular" means that you know everyone. And remember, there shouldn't be any boy drama because you have (hopefully) set high standards and won't be dating anyone, which means you won't be a threat to any girl (and they will therefore love hanging out with you at all times), and you can be friends with all the guys.

2. Go to all the sporting events (school pride, eh?) And take dad with you. Even more important that being friends with everyone at school, is building important relationships with your family, Because it is your family that you will have for all eternity. It will show dad that you love him and want to be with him if you ask him to go with you to the football games.

3. Try at least one sport. (Might I recommend cross country so you don't have to miss a musical? Sister t***** recommends soccer. Also a fall sport) :) I would suggest doing it your freshman year cause ******* will be able to adjust to it (if you decide you love it and do
it all four years) or she will be able to forgive you (if you hate it and never do sports again). But at least give it a try. it will give you an opportunity to meet more people, and you will get in super good shape!! (Plus it looks good on college applications if you've done more things than just plays and choir)

4. Read, nay, study your scriptures. Every. Single. day. Have someone smack your head so you can stay awake in early morning seminary. Take notes. Pack a "to-go" breakfast so you can munch on it while in class (to help you stay awake). We have student manuals for a reason. Go on LDS tools and with the student seminary manual, study for your personal scripture study what you will study the next day in class. It will help prepare you for a possible mission, and most certainly for being a mother!

5. Stick to the high standards that have been set for you by our prophets. Stick it to the man if anyone, teachers included, try to crush your beliefs or standards. But stick it to the man kindly :)
never ever think you are better than anyone. Rather, invite others to know more. Keep a spare Book of Mormon in your locker. Carry pass along cards with you in your backpack pocket. Carry mini "for the strength of youth" pamphlets in your binder. Your unique countenance and high standards while cause others to be curious. When others ask you questions, answer their question if you can, but always make sure you invite them to do something (read the Book of Mormon, go to church with you, go to the visitors center with you, come to FHE [family home evening] with you, etc...)

6. Pray frequently. Yes, you should begin and end your day with a prayer. But might I suggest that you also say prayers throughout the school day? It doesn't have to be out loud, and you don't even have to make a show of it by bowing your head and folding your arms in the middle of your class. Simply, take a moment to show your Heavenly Father gratitude, and ask him for what help you might need in that class on that day. Maybe every time you go to the bathroom, you pause and say a prayer in the stall. No, I never did this in high school, but the world is growing crazier. Satan's army is growing stronger, and it is through prayer (and reading the scriptures), that we can find peace and strength.

Well, i have to go now! I will send you more advice as I think of it throughout the next few weeks :) I love you Emma.

Love,
Sister Brady


Erica's letter to Dad
August 25, 2014
Dear dad,
Oh I just love you so much! I did get your letter! And I really laughed hard!! Thank you so much for sending it! I think I can get the pictures electronically... Can you send them through email? I am so very happy serving The Lord!!
Love,
Sister Brady 

August 18, 2014

Dear mom and dad,

The weather prediction for this entire week is low 90s!!!! I'm gonna
freeze!!!!!!!

I bring my pea coat to church each Sunday, and it's nice for the cool
mornings (which are usually around 90 degrees). I don't know what I'm
gonna do this week, or especially what I'm gonna do in the winter!
Did I tell you hat sister T****s family sent her a "happy nine
months!!" Email.... When she had only just made it to 8 months...
Hahaha, she's convinced her family is going to forget to pick her up
at the airport when she goes home...

She really is amazing and I can't tell you how
grateful I am that she is my trainer. She puts up with/helps me work
on my stubbornness (which I am reeeeaaaallllyyyy sorry to say that I
am still stubborn. I am working super hard on that... And I'm getting
better! Every small goal I set for each week I am able to accomplish),
and she is really patient when I make mistakes or forget anything. It
would have been really tough to have a trainer who would get angry
when I make mistakes. I am sooo grateful sister t******* is my trainer!!
She is also convinced that I am lactose intolerant, so she is putting
me on a lactose absent diet....


My zone is the best. They have all helped me to shoot hoops, and I
have now successfully shot 5 "three pointers" in my life!!


I had a dream (a few weeks ago) that Chris [Erica's friend from BYUH – he played her counterpart in “Blythe Spirit' and in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”] was a serial killer and I
witnessed him kill someone, and when he realized that I had seen, he
came after me!!!!!! It was scary!! At one point he tried to kill me
with a thumb tack!!!


An investigator who had previously set a baptismal date asked us to
stop coming by. But then a week later, someone who lived in that same
apartment complex stopped us and asked us some questions. He had been
hearing all of this hate on the Mormons and wanted to know what we had
done/what we believed in to make people hate us so much. We talked
with him for a while and by the end of our conversation he took a Book
of Mormon and we have a return appointment :)


I sang in church on Sunday with Sister. ****** We sang a lovely
arrangement of Beautiful Savior. After church, the lady we had dinner
with told us that she had gone through her old sheet music of choral
arrangements and gave me a whole stack of music!! Yay!!! So you don't
need to mail me any music (unless you already have :)). Ooh, unless
you can find music for "women at the well" cause I really would love
that!


I did dye my hair!! Sorry the picture wasn't so good :( it's faded a
little but since last week, but I will send another picture :) and yes
it is red :)


I really liked the big mansion at Philmont. One time while touring it,
a girl in my group threw up!! I think she had gotten dehydrated or
something... I also liked riding the horses. Last time we went, my
horse almost bucked me off. It got spooked by something.
It's so weird cause I used to get super homesick while away from home
(like when I was at girls camp and Philmont) but all of those times,
you were there with me! Haha I can't even remember if there was a year
at girls camp that you weren't there! I think I used to just miss my
own bed and familiar surroundings. Haha but don't worry, I've been
away from home for so long now, it's no big thing anymore :) yay for
graduating early!!


I remember playing hide and go seek at Nancy drive. I was the king of
that game!! Although, I think I've lost my touch, cause I remember
being really bad last year in Hawaii when we played it for an fhe
game....

I'm glad you liked my picture of Katrina's family. I am planning on
doing one for each of my siblings... Eventually :) haha... (Have Kevin
and Kara taken pictures yet?)

"IN-CASE WE MOVE TO CHINA"... WHAT?? IS THAT A POSSIBILITY??
I'm so glad dad is getting more job possibilities!! Yay!!! Yeah Oregon
is good. China would be cooler ;) haha, honestly, I just want dad to
have a job again :)

Cherisse told me that Pono sent you the Millie recording :) I love
Millie. I want to do it again. And sound of music :))

I love you mom and dad (and family:))

Love,
Sister Brady

P.s. Thank you for sending the picture of Kevin sleeping and me eating
crackers!!! That one is my favorite!!!

P.p.s. No package yet but it will probably be here this week! Thanks
sooo much mom! And thanks for burning the CDs dad!!

You may already know all of this, but if grandpa passes away at any
time while I'm on my mission, please call the Mesa mission office.
Because we are now on Facebook it would be really heartbreaking to
hear the news through Facebook. Even if it were to happen near a
Monday, I would rather hear if from someone as opposed to reading it
in an email. If you call the mission office, President Jenkins would
be the one to call me and let me know, (he called sister t****** last
week when her great-grandmother passed away).

A few transfers ago, an elder in my zone had his mother pass away. I
think it was near Mother's Day too :( I cried when sister t***** told
me that.

Anyway, I love you so much mom and dad!!

Love,
Sister Brady