The 19th Chronicle

Hello Family & Friends!

Elder Foran is pretty great! We've had a blast over the last four-ish weeks so far and it's been awesome! You could say that we're "two greenies going ham". Nothing like both of us having an Irish last name, or like both loving sandwiches and mac n’ cheese, or like both of us just laughing all the time at the hilarious things that happen everyday. Sure love my boy!

So this week was a week of miracles. We had a couple of really solid lessons this last week with Brook, Ron, and Lonnie. Brook shared with us that she really feels the spirit when she reads the Book of Mormon and comes to church. She even said specifically that she FEELS the difference from our church compared the the one she has been attending. It's been two weeks and she's already in 2 Nephi. She connects to the Book of Mormon and loves reading it! So cool! 

Ron is working on getting work off to come to church. We've tried to help him read the Book of Mormon over the past couple months and one night out of the blue he texted us this, "I just finished 1 Nephi 2 and I can't believe Laman and Lemuel would betray their father like that!" As soon as Elder Foran and I read that we did a happy dance ... so pumped!

Sometimes you just gotta be rebuked. My Zone Leaders took me aside this week to see how I was doing. They had seen a change in my behavior over the last few weeks and wanted to let me know that they were concerned and wanted to help me out. They noticed I was a little stressed and had not been as relaxed. It was hard to take that correction. I'm not one to be very humble when criticized, even if someone is right… well, probably especially, if someone is right. I really appreciated that they cared enough to call me out and help me recognize it. I have been doing better since and have learned a valuable lesson of humility. Am I going to resist? or change and become better?

What are we waiting for? This week the youth of the church have been on my mind. I'm seeing my teen years now from a perspective of mostly "looking back". I sure wasted a lot of time. I also used time wisely. I spent a lot of time with friends and yet also spent quite a bit of time with my family. I did sports and drama. I took photos and hurdled down white-covered slopes. I tried to help others, yet at times was too focused on myself. I spent a lot of stressful days working on my to-do lists. I did what I could to study the scriptures and offer my prayers, but really it was a pathetic effort most of the time. Seeing my life then from where I am now is eye-opening. I have regrets, but I also have some fond memories. To put it simply, for those youth reading.... You. Are. Not. Prepared. Nor, will you ever be. Don’t lose heart. There is still time to take it to the next level. We know that a casual reading of the scriptures WILL NOT BE ENOUGH. We know that depending on our parent’s testimonies WILL NOT BE ENOUGH. You gotta figure this out now! Do you believe the church is true? Or, do you not? And if we want to know, are we doing anything about it?  I can't go back and change those decisions I made... good or bad. I sure can make changes now though and because of that... I choose to study with a purpose. I choose to pray mightily before the Lord. I choose to spend my time in a way that would benefit those around me. I choose to not let silly things get in the way of important things. I choose to let distractions fade away so I have a clear focus on my path. Everyday passes finding our lives either more chaotic and unproductive or with more clarity and purpose. Really, that all depends on what we Do. Right. Now.  

Kia Kaha!

Elder Brady