The 9th Chronicle
Hello Family & Friends!
We got to serve Brother Brooks this week! Brother Brooks is the oldest active member of the Logan Iowa Ward and is still going strong. Recently he has been remodeling a rental home that he owns (to put up for sale). They've been redoing the siding, ripping out floors, and repainting the whole place! You may have noticed a picture I shared in the last chronicle of Elder Durocher and I with a paddle fan. We installed that for Brother Brooks last week. This week we had to dive head first into a dumpster FULL of rusty rusty nails to retrieve two TV's that had gotten thrown in accidentally! We came back alive and victorious! Brother Brooks shared with us that he had been losing sleep over those TV's and was very grateful. I love that we as missionaires are "Called to SERVE”!
So we got to attend the Ward Social and Fundraiser (for Girl's Camp) last week. It was really good to be there with members and "people being taught" alike. During the festivities one of the Smith boys (they are all red heads from the South) got up as part of the talent show, and with confidence suprising of such a little guy yelled, "Did y'all get your tickets??" We replied, "To what?" And as he rolled up his sleeve shouted, "The Gun Show!" and then he flexed his little bicep with a cocky strut. I love our ward =)
This last week I've thought about what a HOME is. To really give context to my thoughts, I have to share that before I left for the MTC I told myself I would not "come home early." No matter how hard it got, no matter what I went though, I wouldn't go home. I decided to totally dedicate myself and stick it out. Plus, I wanted to just have a blast serving the Lord! Even from DAY 1 in the MTC I haven't missed "home" (in the way of wanting to return). Sure, I miss home (and everyone) but not to a paralyzing degree. I think it's been a huge blessing! I've really felt a sense of belonging here. The missionaries I serve with have become apart of my family. This area has become apart of my home. I believe that home is not a place. Home is the people. Home is chances to give service. Home is a purpose. Home is charity and love. Home is the gospel. Home is where you are supposed to be.
There are so many people out here that are "nice people, but not interested". We've met quite a few couples and families that LOVE to feed the missionaries, but don't want to talk religion. There are people that LOVE to talk to us, but don't want a "sermon". One lady said, "We can be friends, but no preaching!" After she shared that, I had a difficult time trying to explain to her that that would be hard for me, not cause it was my "job" to "preach" but because I can't help but share a scripture or something because I love the gospel so much!
Lee got baptized! So proud of him. There was a lot of support from the ward and a bunch of people came to be there for him. The program went perfect with no hiccups! Not to mention that the spirit was so strong! It was also super cool cause Elder Koster, Elder Lee, and Elder Hansen (our Zone Leaders) were able to come up too. Elder Koster was especially glad to be there cause he was Elder Durocher's companion before me and had worked with Lee and his family in the past. Funny side note: right before the baptism we found a bat in the hallway. Like a Bat-Man kinda bat. This is the THIRD one that has been found in the church building. Must be a party of bats in the attic or something. After the baptism we had to bring out the "Bucket Brigade" (i.e. Elder Durocher and I, with buckets) to empty the font of water just like we had to do after Kathy's baptism. The drain is having issues and only drained half the water in the font. So we spent 45 minutes hauling bucket after bucket out. Great times!
Went over to the Dechaine's and had dinner on Independence Day! I love those guys so much. They talk like long-time members and Brother Dechaine is on fire! They just got back from their home town in Arizona and got to do proxy baptisms while they were there! Sister Dechaine brought back a whole load of Mexican Candy. I'd have to say a lot of it was really good. Except!! She gave me a chili sucker. I felt like Mater in Cars 2... "Do not eat the free [chilli suckers]!!! It has ...turned!"
Elder Durocher and I are regular early morning runners now! We do about 2-3 miles every morning to start the day off right. I've been pushing through cramps and blisters. Electrolytes and breathing techniques sure do help! I will say I love getting to end every run with a full blown sprint. It shows me that even if I want to give up, I still have more in me. It also reminds me that I ought to pick up the pace and BEASTMODE it to the finish line instead of slowing down. "Endure to the End"comes to mind. How do we pick up the pace when it comes to living the Gospel?
So I have to share a semi-quick thing here. I have a huge appreciation for all the parents out there! Before my mission I had the opportunity to work full-time as an Electrician. When I started, I quickly found myself with a lot less "free-time" than I had before. While finishing up my senior year of high school, preparing for my mission, and trying to spend time with family or friends I gained new perspective on what it is like to be a busy adult. I am in awe of those that work all day and then come home to clean the house, run the kids places, attempt to cook a decent meal, and get the kiddos through the bath before throwing everyone in bed just to get up the next day... and do it all again. Do you ever get a spare second? I know I sure felt like I had no time after trying to accomplish everything on my plate. How do you guys do it? Now that I'm out on my mission I find myself in a similar scenario. Wake up at 6:30am and work until 9:00pm then "hit the hay" at 10:30pm. Not to mention the grocery bill! How come no one ever told me how much food cost?!? Actually, my Mom did tell me. She said something everytime I wasted food or threw away unwanted leftovers or neglected the vegetables in the back corner of the fridge. Wowsa! I feel bad for all the money I know I wasted. Now that I've had to carefully budget and watch what I spend on food (or end up starving), my eyes have truly been opened. Thank you for being our parents. We might not tell you now in the thick of it, but know we will eventually come around and realize we didn't "know it all" afterall. That's all I had, and thank you for what y'all do, I love you very much =).
And last but not least... "He That Shall Endure unto the End, the Same Shall Be Saved," by Elder Claudio D. Zivic. This talk is incredible!!! Watch for his "List of 5 Things" that if we do them faithfully... will guarantee our success in this life and the life to come.
Kia Kaha!
Elder Brady
From Christine: Here is the link to the talk...
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/he-that-shall-endure-unto-the-end-the-same-shall-be-saved?lang=eng
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