The 7th Chronicle

Hello Family & Friends!

Just to avoid any heart attacks I'm gonna make sure to let y'all know that our P-Day next week is WEDNESDAY because of Independence Day! So light off some fireworks and eat lots of watermelon for me 😄.

We ran into a Jehovah's Witness this week! Let's just say it was a party XD He started off with some respectful questions and chill conversation. But! Then he moved right into just straight bashing and sharing random scripture references to try and attack our beliefs. Elder Durocher just gave him a hug and we drove off as he kept spouting 😅.

I saw a guy with a shirt that had printed on it, "Til death do we part". What a sad thought! Many people only know about THIS life and think that marriage is just for here and now. How blessed it is that we have temples and the priesthood authority to be sealed for eternity!

Speaking of Temples... the temple last week was amazing!! Oh my goodness I love the temple. The Winter Quarters Temple is so pretty and I love the layout. It was so cool to be there with my zone and with President & Sister Gardner. I got to ask President a few questions in the Celestial room and he is such a source of knowledge. Every time I go I learn something new!

Bro. Ashmore is our Ward Mission Leader and a legit stud. He is always there for us and so understanding. If we need something he is there and willing. Plus he is always down to just share a funny story and a good laugh. He is also always down to share his Wi-Fi, or his kitchen, or his printer, or even his bathroom XD

Kathy was baptized!! What a cool experience. We had quite a few people attend including non-member family members attend. Kathy is amazing! Despite being 80 years old, in a wheel chair, and deathly afraid of water ...she did it!! And I'm so proud of her. She is the most spunky old lady you'll ever meet. She has already read the Book of Mormon once and is reading it again. Spirit was there and it was awesome! (Side Note: We as missionaries have to stay at the church while there is water in the font. Which includes the 3-hours to fill it up and almost 3-hours to drain. Well, the drain was having issues so we got the job done via a bucket brigade... It was A LOT of water. So worth it!

So Pres & Sis Gardner are going home! They have finished their mission and we're all so happy for them. At the same time, its so sad. I love them so much!! It's only been a month, but oh the memories! I remember the first time I saw them as I walked off the plane. The feeling of joy and love was overwhelming. During our last Zone Conference with them I felt chills as we quoted a couple statements from Joseph Smith and John Taylor (about missionary work). As I watched President I could see tears in his eyes as he looked out over us. I almost teared up too during the closing song... "God Be With You Til We Meet Again". 

Jeremiah is a 14 yr old Christian... He has been asking his friend Zane (Bishop's Son) about what the Book of Mormon is. He is mature and respectful. After having a brief lesson with him, we asked him to pray and he was totally down for it. He said, "Lord, thank you for these two young men. For them helping lead me on this new path and helping me know your plan for me. Let the Book of Mormon answer my questions... in thy name, Lord, amen." #StudMuffin #Golden

You can't have a better day then running from your apartment to the church and back (3 miles) in the rain, then go and rip out a floor of carpet for a service project, and after that going to a baptismal interview with our investigator Kathy! Then going to eat with Elder Haire and his companion at the 4th Ave Grill to going straight to an absolutely amazing lesson with Sky, Chelsea, Katie, and Joe! Afterwards driving home in the dark, tired but happy while singing along to "Glorious". #GoodDay

When you teach a lesson to an older quiet gentleman while he is listening to good old 70's/80's music. It was a jam session and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

When you're out knocking out a neighborhood and pass by the local "Great & Spacious Building" (a.k.a. The Pool) and a teenage girl calls out and compliments your tie by saying "I like your tie!" But you don't know what to say back... so you reply with a, "I like it too!" and then keep walking down the street 😅.

Think about all the new things we've experienced in the Church with in the last couple years and even months...

NEW! Missionary Age

NEW! Quad-Edition of the Standard Works

NEW! Prophet (President Russell M. Nelson)

NEW! Ministering "Program"

NEW! "Preach My Gospel" rolling out...

NEW! Re-Organized Priesthood Quorum's

NEW! Weekly Youth Meeting Schedule

NEW! Focus on the Youth from Bishop's

NEW! Recent Devotional w/ Prophet

NEW! Mobile Devices introduced to Missionaries

NEW! (2) Apostles

NEW! Recent Temples Announced

NEW! Emphasis on sharing posts on Social Media

NEW! More resources to share on social media (i.e. Church FB Page)

NEW! "Book of Mormon" Videos rolling out in a couple months

NEW! Incredible updates on Gospel Library over last couple years

NEW! Area Book App to help organize and track investigator's progress

NEW! Hymn Book and Children's Song Book coming out soon

NEW! Youth Programs coming out soon.

Holy Cow! It is incredible to see the Lord hasten his work. As we see all these changes, updates, and reorganization it is important for us to remember that the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and His commandments will NEVER change. All these "NEW!" things are only to help progress the work and better align our will with the Father's. As we move forward into these last days under the direction of our Prophet we will see miracles as we embrace and implement the changes according to the will of God.

Last but not least... the pastor has been making some great progress! He has been keeping our commitments and has been growing in faith. He shared with us that he feels a good spirit when we are there and even for a while after we leave. I know he still has a few issues, but we are starting small and working from there. We love him and his wife and are excited for what the future brings for them!

And I have to add that I absolutely love Ryan & Ashley. They just got officially engaged and their wedding is coming up in less then a month! Ryan is so pumped to get baptized and then receive the Aaronic Priesthood, so then he can baptize their oldest kid, Jesse, who is almost 9. The excitement and joy in Ryan is contagious.

Why are investigators so on fire? I think it is because they have felt the contrast from not having the Spirit and the gospel to then having it in a more full sense. They pray everyday, they read the scriptures everyday, and they are thirsty for that knowledge. It so cool to see and is truly inspiring. Do you feel on fire in the gospel? What is keeping us from feeling that same joy and excitement?

Kia Kaha!

Elder Brady

abrady@myldsmail.net

P.s. I'd love to hear from you!