The 1st Chronicle
Hello Family & Friends!
So like WOW!!! The Provo Missionary Training Center is absolutely incredible! I've been learning so much about how to teach simply, plan effectively, schedule my day, work with my companion, and serve the Lord. First day I got here I was made senior companion until the next day, when I was made junior companion because I was assigned as the District Leader! It was pretty overwhelming at first to add that responsibility on top of trying to keep up with all the new awesome things I was learning (and trying to remember), but the Lord helped me and it's been so amazing to get to serve my district. One cool thing is as a District Leader I get to pick up the mail for everyone in my district, and it's such a joy to see their eyes light up and the excitement on their faces. There are 6 Elders and 3 Sisters in our district.
About my companion!! He is also going to the NOM with me (Nebraska Omaha Mission). We've had such a blast working together and he's an absolute stud. It's been amazing to learn, grow, and teach with him. We've been trying to get a daily step count of over 10K and have beat it every day this week :D We've also been working hard on helping one another with homesickness and just stress/nerves of the first week. He is exactly what I needed in a first comp and is such a blessing to me. We have such good times. Very chill and wants to work hard, which I love.
Random comment. Some past Elder put a little single glow star on the ceiling in our residence hall (they are like apartments). It's right above my head because I sleep on the top bunk. I get to sleep under the stars every night. Oh wait, not "stars" just star XD.
So my district is amazing!! I'd love to share all about them if you want to know so email me for the specifics. I will share one thing though for all my “burger" (Williamsburg) friends... Elder Daniel Spencer is in my district and is so so so cool! So big shout out to him. Also, note for my Grandparents, he served in the Bakersfield, California Mission for 3-months before coming here, so that's awesome to have all those connections!
For those that are obsessed as I am with Iceland, I am happy to report that I met an Elder Jensen, who is going to the Denmark Copenhagen Mission (which we all know includes Iceland in it's mission boundries) and he told me that there are 8 missionaries there right now!! How cool is that? I dream of the day when we can have a temple in Iceland.
Oh and I met a Sister Brady, who happens to be my 5th cousin twice removed through Lindsey Anderson Brady! Loving the Family Search History App.
I'll briefly mention that I threw up in class (with my tie being the only direct hit and casualty). Must've been a bad food combo, cause I felt better after and have had no problems since!
I got to teach my first two investigators over the last week with Elder Sharp!! So cool, so scary, so helpful, and learned a bunch. Getting to teach really helps give me a greater look into our purpose and the joy that comes from it. As a fast overview, if you wanna know what I'm doing out here ...it all boils down to my purpose as a missionary, which I've memorized and love. It is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through, faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."
I wanted to save this for the end as it was the most recent... but my companion was sent home this morning. It broke my heart because I cared about him so much. Even in under a week, I was able to feel of God's love for him and like wow. Just as background, we watched an incredible talk on Sunday by Elder Bednar (It was just a recording. I know, I know, I wish it was live too. ;P) But after that talk, he was up all night trying to go to sleep but couldn't. The words of Elder Bednar went though his head again and again. He realized that he had to clear up some things. So the next morning, he talked to me, and by his own choice decided to ask for help to get things taken care of. He was so scared, and I can totally understand why… yet, I'm so proud of him to be courageous enough to want what is right and to turn back to God to accept the help of Christ and become clean through his atoning sacrifice. Even if he never got to teach and convert a real investigator, he still brought one soul unto Christ... himself. Great will his joy be as he is able to start and go through this journey to the end. I will keep him in my prayers.
Last but not least, the Provo Temple was amazing!! The blessings of the temple are truly incredible. I love that I get to help bring others to Christ and start them on the path leading to the Lord's house.
If you want a hand-written letter from me, please send your mailing address and when I have time I'd love to send you one! And! If you want to ...please write me as well!!! :D
My mailing address is:
Elder Austin K Brady
MAY 28 NE-OMA
2005 N 900 E Unit 108
Provo UT 84602
Or if you want to use email, it works great as well.
Kia Kaha (Forever Strong),
Elder Brady
Comments
Post a Comment