The 34th Chronicle

Elder Austin K Brady
Mission Address: 11027 Martha St, Omaha, NE 68144  
Direct Address: 3020 Park Lane Dr #11 Hastings, Nebraska 68901

Email Address: abrady@myldsmail.net 

Blog: https://elderaustinbrady.blogspot.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinkbrady

Hello Family & Friends!

Anybody excited for 2K19?!? I know I am!  For me 2018 dealt some crazy changes and stellar experiences. I went from 'small-town' boy to even 'smaller-town' boy. I've gone from full-time electrician to full-time missionary. I went from avid photographer to occasional snapshot taker. I've gone from ballroom dancer to dancing in the rain. I've gone from snowboarding champ to tromping in the snow. I went from studying the scriptures 20-minutes a day to basically 24/7. I went from living in Utah to living in the Midwest. I went from 'stressing perfectionist' to... well, that's actually stayed the same. I've gone from believing the gospel is true to knowing it is. I’ve gone from brand new missionary to training twice in a row. God has a plan for me. Ya see, that was 2K18. Bring it 2K19!

I am pumped for our first look into a HOME-CENTERED and CHURCH-SUPPORTED way of strengthening our families. This program, if faithfully implemented, will be the driving force of true conversion for families around the world! The last days are here and the sifting of the righteous and the wicked only continues. There will be some who take advantage of this inspired manual (and emphasis), and some who will sit back in paralyzing apathy. This is not the last change either. The brethren have shared with us that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Hold on to your hats because more will be coming! That drives me to consider the question... how committed are we really?

Richard (name has been changed) is an inspiration! He was born into the church and baptized as a young kid. Later in life his family moved and lost contact with the church. It was after that, he began to make choices contrary to the commandments. As he grew up and his career progressed, Richard became very successful. Today this man has a beautiful home (that he keeps organized and expensively furnished). His wonderful wife only passed away this last year. He has very successful kids. He has gorgeous sports cars. He has traveled all over the world. He has an apartment right next to a ski lodge in Colorado. He has owned and piloted private airplanes. He had his name printed on company train cars. He obtained custom cartoons of himself and his dog done by famous artists. He has incredible bronze statues and collection items. It would seem that he has it all! He owns (or has experienced) almost everything that I've ever considered wanting. As I've gotten to know Richard better I recognize that all the stuff he has is impressive, all the experiences he has had are super cool, and the wise and generous man he has become is something to emulate. He is missing something though. Despite all he has he doesn't have a foundation in the gospel. His situation has caused me to  ponder what I want. Questions flood into my head. We may have seen the world but have we also seen inside a temple of the Lord? We may have met super stars but have we met our ancestors? We may collect treasures of the earth but have we collected treasures in Heaven? I love Richard and I'm glad I met him. His life story has made me consider my own. I hope we can help him gain back that crucial foundation, the one that will bring him lasting happiness in this life and the life to come. 

Elder Merrill is one of the Grand Island Spanish Elders and apart of our district. Love that kid. He is always light-hearted and good humored. He doesn't sit back and let life happen; he goes and seeks it out. The other day after district council he proposed we go to Coney Island Hot Dogs (the oldest "Mom & Pop" in town). That place has amazing food! As we sat there enjoying our meal, a lady named Heather approached us to say “Hello!" She is a non-member that works in town. She knows a little about the church and our "mission trips" because she is apart of scouting and has seen the influence of the church in many activities. She also knows our Bishop in Hastings. Anyway, we had a wonderful conversation. I'm glad she came and talked to us! After she left we finished our food and got up to leave. As we went to pay for our meal, the gentleman at the counter informed us that Heather had paid for all six of us. Holy cow! I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that someone would do that for me. It felt really good. Elder Merrill inspires me to live life to the fullest and Heather inspires me to look for ways to help others in unexpected ways!

Kia Kaha!

Elder Brady