December 7, 2015

18 MONTHS!

Celebrating our 18 month mark with Lunch at Barros!

Such Pretty Missionaries!!

 Dear Mom,

I'm really emotional, so when you said that you cry randomly about Katrina and Gordon leaving, I burst into tears. Or when you cry because all of your children have moved so far away, I burst into tears again. When you cry, I cry. I just love you so much.

We had MLC this week and Sister Jenkins got up at the end to say something and she stood next to President and then she started getting choked up and then President started getting choked up and he said "I've learned in my marriage that when she cries, I cry. If she is happy or sad or upset, I just cry with her." And now I have a new level of sensitivity that I want in my future husband. I want him to
make me laugh and the moment that I start crying about something, I want him to cry with me.

Where are Kevin and Kara going to live? What about Emma? Where does she want to live? Will anyone live by you and Dad?

Wow, I am such a good aunt to have gotten Estela and Sebastian iPads. ;) [She got them talking books – Estela calls them Ipads . . . NOT really Ipads!!] hahaha. Thank you mom!!! And I am glad Tessa likes the book!

I will put the music in the mail today!!! Sorry!! I forgot!

Congrats to Emma getting the lead!!! What is the one act called? Finally, after 4 other siblings, a Brady gets a lead again... Way to go Emma! Wow!! I never kissed a boy until I had to kiss Erik [in a play!]!

I am just going to share a bedroom with Emily when I get home. I don't need the spare bedroom (I don't know if that's why you were cleaning out the spare bedroom, I just wanted to let you know :))

I love the movie Elf!!!!! I hope dad is okay with watching it again!! Also, will he buy me a giant bag of peanut butter m&m's?

I loved that article on the first sister missionaries :)

I will totally help you with your Aunt Martha lines! I don't even know what this play is about!! I've never seen it!!! [Arsenic and Old Lace – BYU-Hawaii 2016].

Alright, here are some highlights from my week:

We had the temple excursion!! It was wonderful! We had a chapel session with President and Sister Jenkins and it was wonderful. At the end of President's devotional, he paused and got all choked up and said "There are a few missionaries here.... Who... In a few weeks... Will be finishing up their mission..." And then he talked about how grateful he is for us and how we should always remember this day as the last time we attend a session in the temple as a full time missionary. He had me crying pretty good. There was a river coming from my eyeballs. And consequently I was weepy during the whole temple session and in the celestial room. And then we all had lunch together and we practiced singing (for the Christmas Night Christmas Lights at the Mesa Temple). After that, President spoke to us again and then he had me and two elders share our testimonies. It was a good day. 

Last Hike!

Pointing!

Pointing to our Heavenly Home!

Mesa Arizona Missionaries!

We had a ward breakfast Christmas party, and 4 of our investigators came! And one of them came to church the next morning after being invited by a member!! Miracles! Member missionary work!!

I saw quite a few members from my last area at Christmas Lights this week, so that was a tender mercy to be able to say goodbye to some of them!

Also, we were finally invited into the home of a potential investigator after weeks of only talking to them on her front porch. We were fed dinner by an investigator after she found out that our dinner canceled. Another non member called us and said she had a Christmas treat for us and asked us to stop by. Another investigator called us and asked us to come over and pray with her. We have had so
many little miracles this week, and I know that there are going to be many more this week :)

I love you Mom!

Love,
Sister Brady

Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College

I love Mesa!! Hearts!!

Dear Dad,

Yeah, it was really cold at the beginning of last week. It's gotten a bit warmer now :)

Yes, just remind me if I'm talking too much and with too much detail. I don't want to be a chatty cathy :)

Uncle Keith and Aunt Shirley always ask about Uncle Steve and Uncle Rick. And Grandma :) We are supposed to see him tomorrow :)

Wow! So many family gatherings! At first I thought they were for me, then I realized that they are for Christmas...

Football!!! We are going to have some real fun... in August!! [Not August . . .

Are you going to watch Elf with me again? It is my favorite Christmas movie... But if you don't want to watch it again, we can watch another one! It's okay!!

I love you too Dad!

Love,
Sister Brady :)

Christmas Lights

I love it here!

Arizona Beauties! (Sister Tippery's former MTC Companion!)!

November 30. 2015

"My Gift to Christ"

Dear Mom,

Oh man! I can't believe Katrina and Gordon are going to DC in January!! How exciting!! How long will they be there? I wish they were going to be there in the summer so that I could go and visit them and also go to New York. But they will probably be in their country by then, right? I want to go to New York so bad!! Well, congratulations Gordon!! I am just happy I will get to see them before they leave :)

Here's what my week was:

Tuesday – We had a lesson with N*** and T! It was their anniversary last Sunday so they pulled out their cake from the freezer and we ate some of it! It was really good!! I love them :)

Wednesday – We did some service trying to help one of the Laurels learn how to ride a bike so that she can get a job. It was fun! And I finished MyPlan!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday – Happy Thanksgiving!! We played Football, volleyball, apples to apples, had thanksgiving lunch and dinner, brought thanksgiving lunch to a foster home for teenage mothers and their babies, and we had a thanksgiving devotional. They asked me to give a thought and so I talked about how grateful I am for the atonement. I cried. It was a lot of fun playing volleyball!

Friday – Early Friday morning, I got up and registered for classes!! It all worked! :D and we had a great lesson with N**** and T. We watched the Hope of God's lights. One of my favorite Mormon Messages, based on one of my favorite Uchtdorf talks.

Saturday – Our first night of Christmas Lights!! I was tired and cold, and my back was aching, but it was beautiful and I felt the spirit. I love being on temple grounds and I love serving the Lord. I'll embrace the cold and the standing around for 2 hours if it means I get to serve the Lord for a few more nights. ...er... Months..... You know... Cause I don't get home till JUNE!!!

Sunday – Church! All of the talks were inspired! Each speaker said so something that I needed to hear. The Lord is SO aware.

I am so glad you had a great Thanksgiving! How fun that you got to be with Tess and Dan!! I am glad they liked my gifts.

Josh's work place sounds like Disneyland. Can I go? I still love my mission more than Disneyland. .... But I also definitely miss Disneyland. It's been 2 years. But seriously, I want to work at Epic. What exactly does he do there besides make $$ and have fun?

Poor Estela!! That sounds like a really cool clock. Too bad her dad broke it :/ hahahaha and poor Dan!! [Sidenote – I told Erica that Estela kept telling everyone that her dad broke her clock . . . he only unplugged it!! And also I told her that the pumpkin pie fell the day after thanksgiving – landed upside down on the saran wrap but looked very unappetizing after that :(.] That actually makes me really sad that he couldn't eat his favorite, ridiculously good looking, pumpkin pie anymore. Hahaha... :(

Okay, I might not need to send a package home. We'll see. When should I send it by? If I don't need to send a full package home, I will just send a large envelope thing. Whatever is cheapest.

The 3 part would be really fun!!!! Let's do it!! I will send it home!! (I will send both versions home :))

I will take a picture with Uncle Keith when I see him!!!! Cross fit is a blast. We should find someone who does it and just do a weeks worth of it so that you can try it. It is AMAZING!!!

I wanted to take an exercise class!! But they conflicted with my other class schedules. Except for the Life Saving one. So maybe I will get some exercise in for that. I need to buy a super modest swimsuit for that class... Where am I going to get a swimsuit in January and February....?

Oh! Being in the right place would have been great to put down on MyPlan!! But, I already turned it in. Eek!! That means I will have my interview with President soon ?

I love how you and Dad met. I love you guys. You guys are perfect.

Wow, thank you for praying for me and Emma to find a temple worthy spouse. I think it would be beautiful to have all of my siblings in temple with me at my wedding. So, Emma needs to get married first. Hahahahah!! The good news is that if she does get married before me, all of her siblings can still be there for her!!! :D Or I can just get married after she gets home from her mission (or in the window where she has been endowed but hasn't left on her mission yet). Cause then she could come to my wedding without needing to be married. #myplan #winning

Oh, yeah, did Dad tell you I got extended? It's definitely June now.

No, only the Mesa temple has an Easter pageant. And only Mesa has Christmas lights. Gilbert might have put a few lights on some trees, but it's got nothing on Mesa's Christmas Lights.

Alaska is nice. I like Hawaiian air too. But the last couple times I went on Hawaiian I got motion sickness because we hit so much turbulence :/

What?!?? Tess and Dan couldn't come see me in Hawaii for Millie, but now they can go to Hawaii?? What's up with that?? I just want to sing with my sister Tess!!!

I know Michelle can't travel because of her pregnancy, but if I can't make it to them in January or February, hopefully I can see them soon!! They should come to Hawaii. :)

Wow, I am just so full of love right now for my family. I love you all so much. I remember really missing you last year on Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving was harder than Christmas last year), but this year I just have this feeling of love. You do so much for me mom and I just wish I could repay you somehow. I wish I could take back every hurtful thing I've ever done to you or to dad or to my siblings. I wish that I could have shown more gratitude and that I could be better at expressing it right now. I am so grateful for your unwavering example in following the gospel. I hope that I can be a mom like you someday. I really, really love you.

I love what Jeffrey R. Holland said in his talk "Behold thy Mother" in the last General Conference. He said, "To all mothers in every circumstance... I say, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion, and like the Master you follow, your love ‘never faileth.’ ” I can pay no higher tribute to anyone."

I also like this quote from his talk: "How is it that a human being can love a child so deeply that you willingly give up a major portion of your freedom for it? How can mortal love be so strong that you
voluntarily subject yourself to responsibility, vulnerability, anxiety, and heartache and just keep coming back for more of the same? What kind of mortal love can make you feel, once you have a child, that your life is never, ever your own again? Maternal love has to be divine. There is no other explanation for it."

I love you Mom. I love you for loving me.

Love,
Sister Brady

Dear Dad,

Oh wow, you met my future husband! Can you tell me his name? How old is he? You said he returned from his mission "some time ago" but that could mean it was 20 or 30 years ago! That's wonderful that he loves the temple! I am looking for someone who loves the temple.

What's the difference between a heat pump and a gas furnace?

Brrrrr.... 30 degrees. It was 33 degrees this morning when we went to play zone sports. (We play inside, but we have to walk from our car to the building). So cold. The high is supposed to be 60 today. But it is going to get in the 70s again on Thursday and Friday!!!! SO GRATEFUL!!

You do two letters because you love me!! It's exciting for me to open more than 4 emails every week. (2 from mom, 1 from Cherisse, and now 2 from you :)) Oh! And Sister Taylor has written me every week since she left the mission :) i love her!!!!

(Mom, do you remember when Grandpa Brown surprised us at Costco!!)

I love talking all night. And all day. Bahahahahaha!!! Are you excited to hear all the details of all my mission stories!!!?? Hahahahahaha!! (In August.)

So Emily only had school on Tuesday? Lucky duck.

Bahahahahahaha dad!! "I took Emily to the Howerton Smith's for a party, went home, and sat around looking dumb for the rest of the evening" .... That made me laugh out loud!! Dad, you're funny!! I have this mental image of you sitting in a blue chair in the living room , wearing your blue plaid pajama bottoms and your long sleeved pajama top, just staring at nothing with your mouth open a little bit.

I love you Dad :) you make me laugh!

Love,

Sister Brady

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights!

November 23, 2015

Dear Mom,

So... Do you want me to send you the sheet music of Mary's Lullaby? Like in a package? I might need to send a small package home anyway of clothes and books.... Will you pay for it? Haha... But really.

Actually, no. I have decided on what I really want for Christmas. What I REALLY want for Christmas.... Is dance lessons in the month of January. I know it's just one month but I really want to take tap, jazz, and ballet classes for one month. So.... that is what I really want for Christmas.  But if it doesn't work out for Christmas, that is okay. Seriously. I just wanted to throw the idea out there. I have no idea how much something like that would even cost. Can you look into it for me? It would be really cool if it was four or five times a week and if it was private lessons so that I could get more attention. But I would be so grateful for anything. What do you even think of my crazy idea?

Tuesday – I went on the greatest exchange of my life. It was with Sister R** and Sister R** and oh my goodness they are so funny. And of course it was so fun to be with Sister R** again! (She was one of my past companions). Also, they are serving in Uncle Keith's ward. We weren't able to stop because they had back to back appointments all day. But we are going to go on a short miniature exchange again sometime this transfer so that we can all go see Uncle Keith!! I want them to meet him, since they are the sisters who are working in his ward! It's so exciting :) oh also, I went to cross fit and on Tuesday morning and I loved it. LOVED IT!!

Wednesday – Crazy busy day. I had interviews with President and Sister Jenkins. I love them. I talked with President about what things I want to say on my last day of the mission (mind you, this was not my exit interview, President asked ALL of the missionaries this same question for interviews this transfer). I told him that I want to continue become a disciple of Jesus Christ. He told me that was something I can put on my "to be" list. Unlike a "to do" list, you don't check things off of your "to be" list. He said I should always strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Also we had a Christmas Lights training today!!

CHRISTMAS!! And we practiced our song for the Christmas Member Missionary Fireside. So excited. Three of us our singing "Mary's Lullaby". You, me, and Emma could do that if you want, instead of Me singing a solo! I forgot that I had an arrangement of it (the SSA version)! So if you guys wanna do that! Yeah! But I also know that it will be a crazy week and there might not be enough time for you guys to learn it. So don't feel like you have to do it, but if you want to I'd be totally down for it!

Thursday – I did the "Dating and Temple Marriage" section of MyPlan. It asked me to write down my goals for dating when I am home. I sat there with nothing coming to my mind, and eventually one of the senior couples said "Sister Brady... you look a little concerned...." So then I asked for advice from the senior couples in the mission office and they all gave me some pretty good advice! They pretty much saved my day :)

Friday – One of the Bishops wives tried to set me up with her younger brother.

Saturday – We gave out a lot of invitations for people to come see the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights! We should go this year...... ;)

Sunday – I love these wards that I am serving in. :) <3
Oh my goodness mom!!!! Stahp!! It will be a long time before I even have a spouse to give me a blessing!!

You got new United airline credit cards? What did you have before? I remember when you had Alaska. But what was that one airline that you had that isn't very good?

I love Joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat!! How did Alec Anderson do!!?

I love you Mom :) enjoy being at Tessa's!!

Love,
Sister Brady

Dear Dad,

What is the United Club!? I've never even heard of that... All I can picture in my mind is Clifford waiting on the couch in the airport playing his recorder waiting for his Uncle to pick him up and take him to Dinosaur World... [From the Movie Clifford – NO, not Clifford the Big Red Dog.]

I don't miss snow. Half of me hopes it does snow, and the other half hopes it doesn't snow. It's beautiful, but oh so inconvenient.

Singing and speaking!! Wow!! That's a lot of Sister Brady!

Hey do you think it would be appropriate to invite people to that talk via a Facebook event?

Okay, April is coming way to soon. I'm extending to June.

I love you Dad! See you in June!

Love,
Sister Brady

November 16, 2015

Me and Sister B :)

 Dear Mom,

Oh my goodness!!! Emily!! That is so scary and it made me feel sick reading about what happened! Wow, I am so grateful that she is okay and that her eye is going to be okay. I wish I could hug her and I wish I could have been with her! I probably would have been a mess though! How did you handle it mom?

I did find the video!! It's called "This Grand Opportunity: Elizabeth McCune and the first Sister Missionaries". Look it up! It's awesome!!

Me, Sister S****, and Sister E**** starting our exchanges :)

Haha I love Henry! Wow I can't believe how old my nieces and nephews are getting! That's going to be a real shock! Are they going to be at the airport in April?[Erica's word for December]

Yes! Can we seriously go to Washington! That would be so fun!!

I do have sheet music for Mary's Lullaby!! :D I love that song so much!!

So I live with members for the first time ever on my mission. It's nice. I miss having roommates but I love getting to see the kids every now and then. They love to tell us about their day and one of them
thinks I am super funny and laughs at all my jokes. He's awesome.

Here's what my week was like:

Monday:
I was able to get a blessing from Bishop. It was really sweet and I really needed it. I am so grateful for priesthood blessings! I'm not gonna lie, on Saturday night last week when I was feeling like I needed a blessing I really wanted one from Dad, but it is so nice to have people here who have become like family to me. Bishop is one of the most incredible people I've met here. But still I'm really excited to be able to get Father's blessings again :)

Tuesday:
I don't remember what happened on Tuesday...


Wednesday:
We had zone training meeting. They asked me to bare my testimony (which is weird, because I don't get home till April, but of course I graciously agreed to share it). And so I got up to share my testimony
and I started speaking... And I burst into tears. I really didn't even share much. Just that I know that our Savior lives and that he truly did sacrifice for us. I love our Savior. That is probably the most
important thing I've acquired on my mission. A deep testimony of Jesus Christ.

Thursday:
I went on an exchange with Sister S***and Sister E***! They are good, hardworking sisters. It was great to be with them.

Me holding the tsum tsums!! :)

Friday:
I GOT A PACKAGE!!! We also went to visit K*** (a potential investigator) at the dry cleaners and he said that he would do any of our dry cleaning for free! Wow!! I don't even own any clothes that need to be dry cleaned! Haha, actually I think I have a coat that can only be dry cleaned. He said he expected us to come back with clothing. He is so kind! Everyone here is kind! Mesa is amazing!

Saturday:
A**** GOT BAPTIZED!! Yaaaayyy!! She is so sweet and her testimony was so sweet and simple. She is incredible and such a good example to her parents. I just know that her mom will get baptized soon. And the whole baptismal service was awesome and it was a "Preach My Gospel" baptism!! Also, our whole zone sang at a funeral and the spirit was really strong. It felt like angels were singing with us. I love getting to be a part of the army of Helaman. I really feel a great since of gratitude to be serving a mission at this time with these missionaries. And we had Stake Conference. President and Sister Jenkins spoke. I love them. So much.

Me and A**** at her baptism!! So wonderful!

Sunday:
Stake conference again! It was very good! I received the prompting that I need to marry someone who will take me to the temple. Not just for our sealing, but someone who will go with me frequently to the temple. Someone who really loves the temple and wants to take me there with him!

Okay I love you mom! I really really love you!!

Love,
Sister Brady

Me and Sister P*** fitting into a giant trench
coat that we found at the clothing exchange!

Dear Dad,

Bummer that BYU lost :( I hope they win the next two!! Go BYU Provo!! And Go Ducks! I love my ducks :)

I can't even remember the last time I went to Seattle. It was SO long ago!! I remember going to the space needle and wanting to go to the spinning room so bad, but it is a restaurant so we didn't go in :/

Oh wow! Singing and speaking! Wow. Well, let me know for sure if I will be speaking on that Sunday or the next because my topic may differ depending on when I speak. I mean, I know they will assign me a topic, but the emphasis of my talk my differ depending on the week. But I am so happy that I might get to sing!!! I love Mary's Lullaby!!

How wonderful that you felt the spirit so strongly. I am so grateful for my patriarchal blessing. I am so grateful that I can turn to it and be guided by God as I make major plans in my life.

I am so sorry for Steve Dimick. That would be so hard. I will keep him in my prayers.

I just can't believe what happened to Emma! How did it even fly off? Did someone shake it at the party? Wow, I am so glad she isn't hurt more than she is.

I love you too Dad :)

Love,
Sister Brady  

November 9, 2015

Saying goodbye to B*****!

The beautiful Arizona sky!

 Dear Momma,

Well. This week has started out great. We found 4 new investigators and we taught so many lessons! Sister B***** is an AMAZING missionary!! She follows the spirit (she's the reason we found so many investigators) and she loves everyone! And A***** (from my last area) passed her baptism interview and is going to be baptized on the 14th!

But this has been the hardest week of my mission!!! I called a bishop from my last area and asked him to give me a blessing. So he is giving me a blessing tonight. It's been a hard weekend :/

But I appreciate yours and Dad's testimonies. They always come at just the right time.

And I just want to add that I have a testimony!! Sister C made a post on Facebook that I really loved! She said:

"Though it was not instantaneous for me, I have come to peace with this announcement and change.  Along with Nephi when asked by an angel if he understood the condescension of God, I reply, 'I know that He loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.'"

I have faith in God and I know that He has called his prophet and apostles. I know that this change was from God. And I don't see everything that God sees! But I know that He is God and knows everything!! No matter how smart we think we are, we have to trust God. He is so much smarter than us. So I loved what Sister C wrote.

Here's what my week looked like:

I said lots of goodbyes to members, recent converts, and investigators on Monday and Tuesday.

Saying goodbye to the M******s!

Goodbye to M****!

Wednesday:

Transfer meeting!! Sister B*** is awesome!! She has so much Christlike love and she is a Preach My Gospel Missionary!!

Thursday:

I had Mission Leadership Council. Sister B**** was with another sister during the meeting and she found a new investigator. She is incredible. At MLC Sister J**** showed us a great video that I need to find because I want Emma to see it!

Friday:

I sang with a quartet of missionaries at a homeless shelter for Veterans day coming up.  It was fun! We also met this guy who has a lot of concerns with the church. We wrote down his concerns and bore testimony when we could. He wasn't going to let us come back, but we (the Spirit) convinced him to let us bring him "what is the blueprint of Christ's church" by Tad R. Callister. Awesome!

Saturday:

We did service for an elderly man in our ward. We hung up vintage Disney albums that he had just framed. I was in heaven. And then he bought us sonic. #5ktraining 

Sunday:

We had the must amazing regional broadcast. It was incredible!! Lynn G. Robbins talked all about simplifying our life and he talked about not hoarding but decluttering instead and it reminded me of you!!

Oh and I've started coming down with a cold..... :p

Wait... What?!? You asked dad out on 9 dates?!??!? I didn't know that!! But I thought you didn't like it when the girls asked the guys out on dates!!!!

I love Sister L*** :) I am glad she found her earring!!

I know, the AZ sun is intense!!

Bahahahahah mom you make me laugh!! "Half of the students at my middleschool are named Israel. The other half go by Shawnquella."

I am sorry that K***** was being a handful :/ There are a few kids here who have a hard time listening too :( I love libraries and Librarians. You are a great person, mom.

Dec. 4th is my 18 MONTH MARK!!!! What!!!! Have fun getting your hair cut!!

Hahahahahhaha I love how you guys dance! I like to dance when we are in the mall to embarrass my companions.

I love nobakes. Those sound so good right now. For the longest time I thought "nobakes" were called "Novaks". So I had thought that the Novaks in the stake had invented those cookies!! And to this day, Even though I know they are called Nobakes and that the Novaks did not invent them, The Novaks always pop into my head whenever someone talks about Nobakes.

I am glad that dad got to give a blessing to Steve's mom. I will keep her in my prayers.

Wow! I can't believe TOFW is here already!! I have only been to TOFG one time, and I've never been to TOFW :/

I love Sister E****!! That is a great talk! Being grateful does strengthen our faith! Because when we choose to be grateful, we are actually humbling ourselves, which opens our heart and our mind to accept the spirit, who's mission is to testify of truth and who can help us strengthen our faith!!

I love you Mom :)

Have a great week! Enjoy Veteran's day!!

Love,

Sister Brady

 Another lake picture!!

Mission Leadership Council!
 (I am sitting next to President).

Dear Dad,

BYU has 7 wins?? And 2 losses? That's pretty good, right? And is it BYU who is playing in the bowl, or do we not know yet? ... I'm still trying to figure out how all that works :)

That's cool that OSU has an LDS coach! I hope they do better next year. And it's a bummer that the ducks didn't do so well this year :/ i am still a duck fan though. I liked them before they were good and I will like them when they aren't so good... :/ but I should really just prepare myself to be a cougars fan, right?? Hahaha :)

Oh yeah I did send a recording! I forgot! That was the song that me and a group of young women sang at B*****'s baptism.

Yes!!! Let's go on a road trip to Washington!! And we can visit Uncle Steve!! I've never spent much time in Washington...

We should take a district of Missionaries to OMSI. Maybe in a few years if we ever get the season passes again. I think OMSI is in the Vancouver Washington mission... Maybe. But that would be really fun.

C**** was the GOLDEN guy!!! So yes we did go back to see him :)

I should sing Mary's Lullaby from the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant for Christmas time!!

That's great that Brother M****'s got his blessing! Have I met him? I remember T****.

I love MB's mom! What was she doing there? Is Merry still in C-notes? Hahaha just kidding!! How is Merry? Did you guys talk about her at all?

Bahahahahahah with the Salmon Dip!!! Hahah did you tell her eventually??

I haven't been to Costco in 17 months...

Thank you for your testimony. That really was what I needed to hear most of all.

I love you.

Love,
Sister Brady 

 Breaking down the M*******s wall
 (we did this about 2 months ago).

November 2, 2015

Dear Mom,

I got transfer news.... And.....

I AM GOING BACK TO M********** AND C********* WARDS IN THE CH STAKE !! :D :D :D
I am so stoked!!!!

It was exactly ONE YEAR AGO that I first got transferred into M****! (At the time we were also serving in the H***** ward but then we got C**** and lost the H ward in January).

So that means I will be spending Thanksgiving/(almost) Christmas with the same families that I did last year! What a sweet tender mercy from the Lord! (Although, it also would have been wonderful to spend here in M, L, and HV) but I am just really excited to go back!! I will get to spend a few more weeks with N, F, and D! My 3 recent converts from this area!!

Sister M*** is also leaving which means Sister H*** is taking over the area! What a champ! Oh and Sister M*** got asked to be a Sister Training Leader, so we will still get to see each other at the
meetings :)

My new comp is going to be Sister B**** from the Philippines!! I really don't know that much about her but I am excited to be with her :) She gets to "kill" me! (Ha, send me home).

Hey, so a few weeks ago I sent you a list of all the things I want to do when I am home and I changed my mind on all of them. I really just want to do whatever you guys want to do and I just want to help you with everything you are doing. (But I would totally go to zoo lights if a boy asked me out on a date hahahahahaha hint hint wink wink) bahaahahah okay I promise my heart is still locked!!! I'm just TRYING TO FOLLOW GODS PLAN FOR ME AND EVERYONE KEEPS TELLING ME THAT MEANS DATING, OKAY!!?!!? [I think she might not be thrilled if I keep this part in here . . . but she is hinting, right?]

Actually, what I really need for Christmas is a temple dress... but I kind of want to pick it out myself (since I'm going to be wearing it forever more). Can we arrange a trip with Santa to the distribution
center? That's really all I need/want for Christmas. I saw a temple dress at the temple on Halloween night that has a lace top with lace on the whole top of the dress and then a long skirt of a different
material. It was beautiful.

So my week:

Monday (last week):
We went golfing with our zone! So fun! I can't believe I am going back to my old zone now :0 And we had our first recent convert lesson with B***!!!

Tuesday:
We had a lesson with C**** and he told us the most amazing story. He said:

"You know, on the night you guys knocked on my door, I had just been saying to my dad that I felt spiritually lost. And then 20 minutes later you guys knocked on my door. You guys were an answer to my prayer!"

Wow. He was seriously a GOLDEN investigator!! I am so grateful that we followed the prompting to knock on his door. We were an answer to his prayer! It makes me cry just thinking about it!!

Wednesday:
We took C*** to the temple and the spirit was so strong!! He just kept saying how excited he is to go inside the temple. I hope that I will be able to make it back for his endowment!! Who knows where I
will be a year from now!!!?!? We also had all 3 of our ward Halloween parties on Wednesday. I went
as Elsa and my companions went as Anna and Olaf! Hahaha but really I just out my hair in a braid and wore a blue dress and Sister M**** wore a white shirt and an orange necklace and Sister H*** wore pink and navy blue and wore a white bow in her hair hahaha :)

Thursday:
We had dinner with a very entertaining five year old name Lauren...

Lauren: Will you come watch me do something in the living room?

Me: I have to stay with my companions.

Lauren (to sister M***): Will you come watch me do something in the
living room?

Sis. M: I have to stay with my companions...

Lauren: .... So... What are you saying?

Also

Lauren (to me): You have a little sister!!?? Is your sister a boy or a girl?

And

Lauren (to me): You have a boy!

Me: .... No..... I promise I do not have a boy.... (I don't know if
she was saying I have a child or if I have a boyfriend hahaha BUT I
DON'T HAVE EITHER ONE, LAUREN!!!)

Hahaha okay so that was Lauren the entertainer.

Friday:
We had another 6:30am practice. And we did service. And we watched the 20 minute restoration video with C**** and talked a lot about prayer.

Saturday:
C***** GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! YAYYYYYY!!! He is amazing and the baptism was wonderful and I pretty much cried through the whole thing... And we went to the temple on Saturday night for an endowment session (not baptisms :)) and the spirit was wonderful!

Sunday: I said goodbye to many friends from the wards I serve in :(

Monday:
This morning I went on a hike with the 12 missionaries that I go home with... In April... It was lots and lots of fun!!

Response Letter: (I like the way you format your letters!!)

I will totally give you a massage when I get home!!! In April. Oh and can Emma please give me a massage when I get home. For my Christmas present :) :) My April Christmas present.....

I didn't know Israel goes by Champ now!!! I promise I won't get mad if you call me Erica ;) that is what you have called me for the last 20 years!!

Oh bummer, I can't be in the Hawaii musical :p I NEED TO DO SOME KIND OF THEATER AFTER I GET HOME!!!! AND QUICKLY!!!!

Mom!!! You HAVE to do a Christmas letter!!! You are so good at them!! If you won't do one please have Dad do one!! He is really funny too!! Please do a letter, they are the highlight of my year!!!

I am not very funny... I don't think a letter from me would be very great, but I would be HAPPY to help out you guys by writing one!!

So... Did Emma have a costume for Halloween?

I love that quote! I love Bednar! I love the apostles and our living prophet!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Have a great week Mom :)

Love,
Sister Brady

[Note from Shelly - if you are not on a mission and on Facebook - I loaded a ton more pictures this time! ON FACEBOOK. I actually downloaded them all here and put all the cute captions from Erica's letter and then accidentally deleted the post after working on it for 45 minutes! I am tired - so here are just a few pictures from this week :/]

October 26, 2015

Trying food from Sister M******'s parents!

Happy Brady

Dear Mom and Dad

My stressful week is over!! Yay!!!

Here is my play by play. Haha is that even the right way to say it, Dad? Hahaha!

Monday: We went to the temple with B*****! She said she is going to go to the temple on Halloween late afternoon to do baptisms.... And we get to go with her because it's on Halloween!!! Yaaaayyy!!!

We took B*** to the temple and we talked about how Baptism
isn't the end. It is just the gate. Then we talked about the
importance of remaining worthy to enter the temple and how the real
goal is returning home to our Heavenly Father. We talked about how
making and keeping temple covenants can help us on our journey home.
It was a great lesson.

Tuesday: We had a full day of meetings/physical therapy/lessons/service/music practices/etc. but over all it was a good day.

Wednesday: 6:30am music practice. District meeting. We met with M*** (our recent convert) and talked about following the prophet. I started MYPLAN!! It is actually really wonderful. The first phase of myplan is to remember the spiritual lessons God has taught me and the Christlike attributes He has helped me to develop. I did some exchange evaluations with my sisters. And the most wonderful thing about today was that a less active/recent convert that we are working with was able to come with two of his active friends to the Joseph Sitati fireside!!! He is 12 or 13 and his whole family is less-active, but D***** even came to church last Sunday!!! We have been meeting with him every week for the last two transfers, so it is really wonderful to see the progress in him! Also Joseph Sitati is amazing! I learned a lot and I took lots of notes.

Thursday: The official big mission meeting with Elder Sitati. It was a hard day for me, but I'm much better now. I'm still feeling really sad though. I think especially because I know I am coming home soon and haven't seen home without Grandpa. :/ but Joseph Sitati was wonderful. And I took more notes. Then we sang our song. Sister Udall told me she wrote you guys! That was so sweet of her! I am glad the singing is done with. So stressful. We had a lesson with A***** and a lesson with C****. Both went great.

Friday: We went running. I ran a mile in about 9 minutes and 30 seconds. I haven't ran that fast since my 8th grade year.... Haha I actually just haven't run since my 8th grade year hahahaha. Jk. But seriously, I felt like I was going to throw up after running!! I felt sick!

And so as soon as my comps finished their lap I said "we gotta go! Now please!" And as we were walking to the car I.... Threw up... No joke. And the Elders saw. It was awkward.

Volunteering at the Triathlon!

Guys, I have only thrown up twice on the mission. The first time was after doing the Vennezia's Pizza challenge. Sick. The 2nd time was after running a mile. Something super unhealthy and something super healthy. Go figure.

Anyway...

The rest of Friday, we had Mission Leadership Council with Joseph Sitati. Another great meeting. oh and the Elders who saw me throw up were at MLC. Haha....

And on Friday C**** had his Baptism Interview!!! Baptism on Saturday!!

Saturday:
We had Service (I got to see a lot of members from my last area!!!! And I saw N**** my recent convert!! B**** got baptized and we went to a BBQ.

B*******'s Baptism!!

After the Baptism!

Sunday:

Our car wouldn't start... But have no fear!! Many members helped to drive us to our appointments and then F***** our investigator jumped our car in the evening and we drove it on the freeway for 20 minutes to charge the battery. And then we took it to the dealership this morning. So we are all good.

Dad, your email was not lame. I enjoy every email you send me no matter what the size is. I won't be nearly as busy next week (unless I'm getting transferred :/).

It's okay that I can't get a massage from a professional [no insurance for massages]! Will you give me a massage? Hahahahaha!!! ...... But really.. Hahaha jk! Kind of! Actually, if you want, I would be happy to give you guys both a massage because you probably need it more than me!! Let me serve you! I love you!

 We bought this shake from these boys who were selling it because I
thought it would be nice for them to earn a dollar for their
work/effort. And then they tried to give me my dollar back.

Wait, Emma isn't in PPS? What is she in? I thought CHS was a PPS school!!!??? What are the PPS schools then??!

Oh my goodness on Sunday we had dinner with a family whose daughter is getting married and she and her fiance (He is from El Salvador) were there. And her fiance told us the story of how he prayed for his future wife one night and just prayed that he would find the right person and then a few months later she got off her mission, and 3 weeks after that, they met in a BYUI class and he was so cute when he talked about the first time he saw her and the whole thing gave me feelings of excitement and anxiety. All at the same time. It was very conflicting. Good thing I don't have to worry about it for a few more months. But then one of my comps made the comment that at this very moment, there could be someone out there praying for me... Right now....

My new boyfriend.

My true love.

So when is the musical at BYUH happening?!??!?? Will I get to see it?!??? Is it going to be in February?!?

I love you Mom and Dad!!

Love,
Sister Brady

PS - - -

Even though I won't be there for any of the rehearsals... Will Grandpa please cast me as Havilah in Fiddler on the Roof?!??! I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE HER!!!! Haha but if not that's fine...

But he should send me the script in December in case they need an understudy or something....

Oh haha but when is the show even going to be??! Because I won't be there until February :/  

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