The 13th Chronicle

Hello Family & Friends!

Jesse's baptism was on Saturday! So proud of him. We literally just love their family!! It wasn't a convert baptism since he is eight (and now a child of record since his Dad got baptized) but still super exciting! It was beautiful to watch Ryan (his Dad) get to perform the ordinance and then see his mom with tears streaming down her face during the ordinance. What a touching moment! That is really what missionary work is all about. Committing people to change, bringing people closer to Christ, striving to help them become worthy and make covenants so they can have forever families.

Speaking of forever families we had another wonderful experience with Sister Hember (Mary) and Sister Dickinson (Kathy). We went down to the temple with them and some members to perform proxy baptisms. I got to be a witness for Mary and then later got to confirm Kathy. Kathy shared with us after that she saw flutters of visions during the ordinances. "Like angels," she said. It is incredible to see someone go from where they started to now in the temple being able to help their own family members on the other side.

We had exchanges, again, and this time with the Glenwood Elders: Elder Brandon and Elder Castell. It was a great time! Turns out the Glenwood area just changed apartments THAT transfer. They live in an older farm house that has a barn, grain silo, a full kitchen, a basement, walk in closet, and a living room so basically ...they got spoiled. Lucky ducky for sure! I had a blast on exchanges with Elder Castell. It was weird being in a sort of "training position" since he is only a transfer younger then I. Usually exchanges don't happen like that, but with how driving the vehicles worked out we ended up together! We made some good contacts and discussed  how we could improve. Met a guy that LOVED our "professional" appearance. Also, walked up to a lady who shouted at us, "You should be ashamed of yourselves for being out this late. I can't believe it. People around here are all in bed asleep. You should be ashamed, GO AWAY!" Welp, it was only 8 o'clock at night and still light outside...*shrug*.

Can you love an area too much? What about a companion? Seriously though, I have absolutely loved this area and having Elder Durocher as my trainer. Everyday is filled with good times and hard times, sad moments and hilarious ones, slammed doors and miracles. Talk about the emotional roller coaster of the century. It's crazy how in such a short time you can meet SO many people, find such joy in where you are, and really find just a love of serving those around you. Hard to really explain. Just know that the Logan Iowa Area is where it's at.

We stopped by Brother Ashmore’s (Ward Mission Leader) the other day and he invited us to have dinner with him.  Super yummy!  He really appreciated it ‘cause he is an older guy and lives alone. After dinner we asked (like usual) if there was anything we could do for him. He said, "Yes! There is one thing..." A moment later I was hoisting myself into the attic with Elder Durocher on my heal and a white laced curtain in hand. We half crawled, half walked, while ducking our heads with the small head clearance over to the nearest window. There we beheld a hideous looking curtain covering the window. Brother Ashmore had asked us to change them out for him because he thought they looked like something from a horror movie. He couldn't do it because of his large stature (the attic access is super small) and he had recently had a shoulder injury. He had meant to do it months before, but had only been up there once since he moved in. As we started to change the curtain, we realized he had meant the front window WHICH was on the completely other side of the attic. So... we then crawled the other direction to get to the front one and finished the job there. Sometimes service opportunities come in a variety of ways!

Had a very exciting weekend which included playing soccer with some kids we are teaching, witnessing a miracle and change of heart in a parent who almost didn't give their consent to let their child get baptized, and also got the cops called on us... for talking to a member.

Kia Kaha!

Elder Brady