The 20th Chronicle

Hello Family & Friends!

I can't believe Elder Foran's first transfer is almost up! We've made some good memories and I'm excited to see what the next transfer brings. To sum up the last month or so, we've been soaked in thunder storms, tried to learn another language, got to be apart of Lyn's baptism, sang along with Elder Koster at Sister DeWitt's funeral, met a bunch of cool people, went to the Zoo, and laughed a whole lot.

The subject of change has been on my mind recently (which is crazy 'cause my wonderful Mother sent me a talk from Sister Wendy Watson Nelson on that exact topic just last week). I've been curious... Why does it hurt? Does it have to? Why do some resist it while others accept it? We must have it to progress. Change is the reason we feel warm or cold. Change is the reason that we grow old. Change is why we fail or we succeed. Anyhow, just some of my recent ponderings.

Elder Foran and I had a hilarious experience last night. We were in our Rouge (parked at the church) so we could borrow some WiFi for training. I was in the driver's seat and Elder Foran was in the passenger seat. Just as we opened up Preach My Gospel on our phones (to read a couple sections), I rolled  down the windows so I could feel the warm evening breeze. Elder Foran immediately dropped his phone and used both hands to pull 'up' on the window 'buttons' in both the front passenger seat and back seat on his side. I refused to let go of the window 'button' on my side and so did he. Now in a window stand still, where none of the windows could move either up or down, we continued training. I told Elder Foran to continue reading, hoping he would have to let go of one of the buttons to grab his phone (which would ensure my victory). He kept his hands where they were and tried to squirm into position, where the phone on his lap could be visible for him to read. In the process, his phone fell under his seat. Now with no phone, and just as much determination to not give in, he asked if I would hold MY phone for him to read. Still holding my hand down on the 'buttons' I used the other to hold my phone so that he could read. By this point we are dying with laughter. To make the situation better, Elder Foran next used his foot to swing behind my chair, and to my surprise, raised the window behind me which I had forgotten about. So now he is spread across the car and we can't stop laughing long enough to continue our training. Sure made for a hilarious experience. So the moral of the story y'all is to love your companion whoever it is, and just know that sometimes we gotta take a brief moment from the stress of mission life and break out in a little silliness.

Kia Kaha!

Elder Brady

Note from Christine (Austin’s Mom):  We have a tradition in our family. Whenever I find an article, story, talk, poem, (virtually anything) that I really like and want to share with my kids... I list everyone’s names and a check box. It usually migrates in a relatively short period of time from desk to desk and each person using ‘their color’ pen, underlines, circles, and writes notes and commentary in the margins.  Essentially, we have a 'family conversation' about it (on paper).  So when I discovered this amazing talk, I couldn’t resist.  Once everyone at home had a chance to read and 'chime in' on their 2 cents, I sent it on to Nebraska so that Austin could not only read this inspired talk, but get everyone’s thoughts, insights, and comments.  In his recent letter to me, Elder Brady shared this first picture and had this to say…

"This made my day with the check marks Mom. Also sweet talk!”

…it sure made this 'Mother heart' happy. 😉