The 21st Chronicle

Hello Family & Friends!

Jasmine got baptized on Saturday!! She Lyn's daughter. She is rocking it! I don't know how many kids that have such a knowledge and understanding of the gospel. She is amazing (4/1). She even invited a couple friends to come support her and then they came to church the next day!

Went to the Omaha Zoo again! It was Elder Foran's first time so he really liked it. We met up with a couple missionaries in our district which was fun. Then we ran into another three groups of missionaries as well! One group of Elders and two groups of Sisters. So fun! We got a quick picture and went our separate ways. We're not supposed to gather in large groups of missionaries in public or to "hang out" with Sisters, but... we still waved when passing by them at different exhibits ;P

Elder Andersen visited last week! He is a General Authority Seventy. He visited last year with President Nelson as well. He gave a couple wonderful trainings. Such a good man. You can just feel his love and his dedication to the Lord. I personally loved making the connection that he is the one who gave "The Music of the Gospel" talk a few conferences ago. I also love the video produced by the church that he narrated... "The Music of the Gospel".

"What should I do to be prepared for my mission?" To start you will never be prepared for your mission. You CAN'T be. The changes you will experience are unique to you and no amount of prep will do it. With that said, you CAN be READY for your mission. I give you...

"Elder Brady's All-Encompassing Totally Proven 100% Guaranteed No Money Back Thoughtfully Considered Time-Tested RM Veteran Worthy Mother Approved 10-Page Mission Prep List":

#1 - Book of Mormon

#2 - Preach My Gospel

#3 - Testimony (figure it out NOW)

#4 - Holy Spirit

#5 - Why?

To break it down simply... the Book of Mormon is key to everything. Read it, EVERYDAY. Study it, EVERDAY. Ponder it, EVERDAY. Make your time in the Book of Mormon intense. Preach My Gospel is also very key. Basically EVERYTHING we do as missionaries is found in PMG. Read it all the way through. Really consider what each chapter talks about. Do the suggested studies and know it cover to cover! Psst, also don't use the paper version because it has been updated and the newest version is found in the Gospel Library app. Use that one! Testimony is on the list cause you gotta figure out if this is true or not. Do you really know? If not, do what it takes until you do. Reason is…. if you don't know, then the mission will be a very hard place to figure that out. Not a bad place, but a hard place. If you come out knowing first then you can strengthen it instead of finding it. Very helpful. The Holy Spirit makes or breaks you as a missionary. The scriptures tell us that we cannot teach without the Spirit. It is also impossible to do anything without Him. So understand how He works, invite Him into your life, and learn how He guides and inspires you. Crucial. Last of all... Why? You gotta figure out WHY you are going on a mission and you have to figure that out NOW. Why? Because the only thing that will sustain you in the hard times is Heavenly Father and your WHY. For me, this is my why...

Why the badge? Why sacrifice hobbies, shows, and music? Why leave friends and family? Why travel across the country?Why serve others for two years? Why work 80+ hours a week for no pay? Why get doors slammed in your face? Why let haters yell insults? Why do you put that badge on day after day? Because I know that I get to meet amazing people everyday. Because I know that there are people who are waiting to hear the message that we share. Because I know that the Book of Mormon can change lives for the better. Because I know that there are literal miracles all around us. Because I know that a prophet of God speaks his words again on the earth today. Because I know that through modern revelation our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. Because I know that families can be forever. That, for me, is... #whythebadge.

Kia Kaha!

Elder Brady