Tuesday, February 24, 2015

18 MONTHS of PURE BLISS AND JOY!

I can't believe that I have been a set apart missionary for 18 months!! SO CRAZY! This will be my last e-mail as a full time missionary and it is definitely bitter sweet. This last week was amazing, cold, and many other things! I am not going to tell you all about my past week, but share my testimony with you!
 
I can't really put into words everything that my mission has done for me, so I will bear testimony of a few things.
 
This has truly been the best year and a half of my life!! I know that it was the best decision I have ever made! I have never experienced so much pure joy in my life until these last 18 months! I have learned far beyond what I ever believed I would be able too. I know that God's timing is truly perfect! He is always aware of us and all that we do. I know that God's hand is in every aspect of our lives. He really does know each of us perfectly. I know that we are all divine Sons and Daughters of God. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who does love us and is always showing us His love! I know that I am so undeserving of the Love and blessings that Heavenly Father has given me. I am so grateful for the pure Christ like love of Charity! I know that it is through God's LOVE that lives are changed everyday. I love and know that prayer is powerful! I love prayer! I have seen countless prayers answered, and have received so much peace through prayer! I truly know that God listens even when we might not think he does. I know he listens even to the little things that we pray for. I love prayer and don't know if I could ever live without it! I know that the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ is real. I know that he didn't just sacrifice for our sins, weaknesses, and mistakes. He suffered and knows perfectly what we all go through. I know that the atonement can carry us and strengthen us. I have seen so many times on my mission where I didn't think I could go any farther, but the enabling power of the atonement carried me and strengthened me. His grace is truly sufficient for all! I am beyond Grateful to my Savior for his love and sacrifice, so that he could know perfectly how to help me. I am grateful to  a loving Heavenly Father who loved us enough to send His Only Begotten Son. I am so grateful for the Savior's Perfect example and teachings. I know that He lives and has been resurrected. I know that through him we can all receive peace and joy in this life. The Atonement has truly changed me and molded me into the person that Heavenly Father wanted me to be. I know that the Atonement can change all lives through the redeeming and enabling power!  I know that through him all things truly are possible! I am also so grateful for Family History! I am grateful for the spirit of Elijah that truly does touch hearts. I know that Family History is so important and is just as much apart of hastening the work of Salvation. I know MIRACLES are real! I have seen too many Miracles on my mission to ever deny this Gospel! They happen everyday, and I know that God provides Miracles as we are faithful and obedient. I know that Obedience truly is the first law of Heaven, and is what will bring us Happiness! I know that Fasting is something that truly helps us, strengthens us, and answers our questions. I know that fasting works, and works miracles! I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is  the word of God. It is truly the keystone of our religion, and helps us to truly know the Savior and His teachings. I know that it teaches us the things that we must do in this life to return and live with God! I know that the Book of Mormon  changes lives everyday. I know that the Book of Mormon hand in hand with the Bible is the fullness of the Gospel! I know that it contains everything we need to know about the Savior, and how we can find Happiness in this life! I know that Joseph Smith truly translated it and restored this Gospel to the earth! I love the Book of Mormon! I know that the Book of Mormon answers questions, brings peace, and brings the spirit into our lives! I know that the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead! I know that he leads, guides, comforts, brings peace, love, and helps us to gain knowledge! I know that the Spirit  teaches and testifies of truth! I know that it is how we feel God's love! I know that we can fully access  the Atonement in our lives when we are baptized and have the Gift of the Holy Ghost! I know that the priesthood power has been restored! I know that the priesthood is what truly binds things here on earth as well as in Heaven! I know that it is God's power here on the Earth! I have seen the priesthood work miracles on my mission! I know that it is through the priesthood that we can be with our Families forever! I know that the temple is the truly the place we need to always be going and working towards in our life! I know that it is the place where we can Feel closest to God and receive the highest Gifts from God while here in this life! I know that Thomas S. Monson is truly a prophet of God and is a great example to us all! I know I needed to be in the Kentucky Louisville Mission for the last 18 months! I know that this is where God needed me. I know that I came out here to change lives, but I know that my life has been changed! I love this Gospel with all my heart! I know that simply we are here in this life to prepare to live with God again! I will always be homesick for my Heavenly Home until I reach it and Get to live with my Father in Heaven again! I know that God's plan of Happiness is REAL! We can all live with Him again as brothers and sisters! I know all these things and I hope and pray that each of you know them as well. Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers for me and those that I have taught. Thank you! I love you all and am beyond Grateful to you and to my Father in Heaven for these last 18 months!  I didn't even scratch the surface of all the things I wish I could express from my Heart, but I hope that each of you can continue to come closer to your Father in Heaven and to your Savior Jesus Christ. Remember," that when all is said and done the greatest and most important duty is to Preach the Gospel!"
 
The picture is of my FAVORITE THINGS!
1. THE SAVIOR
2. BOOK OF MORMON
3. MISSIONARY
4. PREACH MY GOSPEL
 
I love you all!!
 
Love,
Sister Bradley

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

A weekend with an Apostle....BLISS

It was another fabulous week here in the GKLM!
 
Professional Jockey's
 
We went with a recent convert to Churchill Downs last P-day! Super fun, and I will come to the Kentucky Derby one day!
 
Spiritual things of the week:
 
We had this amazing lesson with Sister Elliott this last week and an active member came with us. They are life long friends, so she was able to be super bold with Sister Elliot! It was amazing! Sister Elliott will definitely make it to the temple soon enough! She is reading, praying, coming to church, doing family History, got her patriarchal blessing. She is doing all the right things! So cool! It is so amazing because even though She was less-active and knew the Gospel, it is cool to see her grasp it again after 40 plus years of being less-active and seeing how much happier she is!
 
It was cool because one morning I felt like I should study patience during personal study, so I did. I thought olay Heavenly Father must be telling me that I need to work on patience, which I always do need to.  Well, that night we went on an exchange and the sister I was with says, " I am really trying to work on patience, do you have any suggestions." Wow Heavenly Father is so amazing!!
 
So, Something that I have been asking at the end of the exchanges  to sisters is
What did the spirit teach you today? Now, what are you inspired to do or change?
It is so cool to hear their responses and see what the Holy Ghost taught them! As I thought about these questions I realized these are questions that we should ask ourselves all the time! So you all should do that! What did the spirit teach you today?
 
a qoute that I liked this week:
" The difference between God and the devil is God gives us all of our needs and the Devil tells us that our wants are more important."
 
We had the coolest weekend with Elder Christofferson! We had a mission conference with him Saturday morning with him and Elder Soares of the seventy. It was simply amazing to be able to just sit on the front row and have a spiritual feast from one of the 12! I went to the conference with a few questions in mind for investigators and myself and they all got answered! It was ana a,azing experience! It was sad because the closing song was " God be with you til we meet again." I was sitting between my MTC companion and Sister Briggs, my last companion. The spirit was so strong and it sort of hit me that I was going home soon. I just started to cry because I was overwhelmed by how much I love my mission and how great the last 18 months have been! Don't worry though never fear I still get 2 full weeks of being out here! SO EXCITED! I love the work of the LORD!
 our lunch table at zone conference
 
Marie was able to Shake Elder Christofferson's hand and it was so cool because he told her " God See's you." That is exactly what she needed to hear because she is looking for her answert right now! SO GREAT! MIRACLE!
 
FUNNIES:
Someone asking Elder Christofferson what his definition of Heaven is and his response was, " my marriage." haha!
 
When a creepy albanian man lets us into hi apartment while we are looking for a referral, and the woman leaves the room and he keeps telling us how " beautiful we are" so creepy! He told us he was going to take us to Albania and have us be his wives their and spread the Gospel! so weird... haha!
 
When our investigator and recent convert show us the dance moves they learned at the Valentines dinner dance they had at the church! haha!
 
Life is amazing and I love being a missionary and serving everyone around me! Have a great week!
 another awkward family photo!
 
 
Pray: That Marie can recognize her answer!
 
I love you all!
 
Love,
Sister Bradley


 

Monday, February 9, 2015

ONLY THE BEST LIFE

The title of my e-mail is ONLY THE BEST LIFE, because missionary life simply is  THE BEST LIFE!
 
ALSO, I am so excited that I am an AUNT Again!!! CONGRATULATIONS Tyson and Morgan!!!! I am glad that I have another redhead in the family!
 
Also, SHOUT OUT TO HAILEY, my niece, who turned 13 this past weekend!!!! LOVE YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
 
1. Glasgow sisters
 
This week had been pretty hectic and awesome!
 
Monday and Tuesday we were at the Brough's fro MLC! Super fun, spiritual, and revelatory! It was great! We learned more about how we need to
 
1st. Seek to understand before we can be understood.
 
2nd. Teach correct principles
 
3rd Let them govern themselves by setting goals and seeing a vision of area, themselves, others.
 
4th. Let the Govern themselves
 
That is how we can truly build the desire in others and see them change. If we can really understand their desires and the root of their problem, then we can know how to help them change by teaching correct principles. IT IS AMAZING! We can't just expect people to act. A lot of times we teach to get people to act instead of teaching to build their desire and belief and letting them choose to act for themselves.  I have seen this work SO WELL as I have done it with sisters on exchanges and with investigators! SO COOL! I invite you to use it because it works miracles!
 
I met a guy named Bradley, so I was able to talk about Family history with him! It was pretty much awesome and hilarious!
 
Sister Vikari came to visit!!! She was one of my former companions and her and her mom took us out to lunch! SO NICE! It was so great!
 
2. braided our hair together with Hermana Graham!
 
We have this sweet investigator named Greg that we met at the tire place while getting a new tire! Even getting a  flat tire is inspired of God, because now he has a baptismal date and is doing great! MIRACLES! Another proof that God's hand is in every aspect of our life!
 
We had another meeting on Wednesday and then we exchanged with the wonderful Sister Ward and Sister France. I was with Sister Ward in their area. Let me tell you how much I love Sister Ward! SHE IS AMAZING! I seriously learned so much from her in a short amount of time! It was cool too because I got to meet the sister of Papa John, the pizza guy Papa John. She is a recent convert in their area. She is awesome! We helped her set up for a party she was throwing, and I had to open wine bottles. I never thought I would open wine bottles, let alone on my mission! It was hilarious! I got to meet some other amazing people while I was there!
 
We had a great lesson with my Brother Moore! We brought a family over and we had a powerful lesson with all of them and him!
 
Jessica got a blessing and then quit smoking the next day! MIRACLE!
 
1. KFC YUM CENTER
 
Saturday we had to do a unplanned BLITZ to Glasgow. We went down Friday night and then were there Saturday and I was there some of Sunday too. A sister down there is having feet problems and the doctors haven't been able to figure out what is wrong, so I was with her, and she has to stay off of it as much as possible. We didn't get to do much missionary work. Then I went to their church on Sunday while sister Briggs and her companion came up to Louisville Saturday night, so they could be in our area for church. It was crazy and complicated, so I am not going to explain haha! I had a ton of fun with the sister though and was able to build her up and hopefully help her due to this long week! She is super strong and not letting the medical issues bring her down!
 
It was simply a great week! I learned a lot this week, and I love my companion!
 
All I know it that I am so undeserving of the Love that Heavenly Father shows me constantly and for all that he does for me! I absolutely love this Gospel with all my heart and being able to serve others everyday! THIS IS THE LIFE!
 
prayer: pray for Jessica to continue to not smoke.
 
challenge: express your love and Gratitude to those you love this week! HAPPY VALENTINES!
 
 
Have a HAPPY VALENTINES!! We get to be with Elder Christofferson on Valentines day! SWEET!
 
the pictures
!3. Deer and moose, and elk heads! creepy....
2. squirrel! museum of animals at a members house...
 
Love,
Sister Bradley

 Sister Brough and I! Checking out the missionaries that engraved their name into the wood on the beds in the mission home. NOT cool! We had to go around and check the softness of the beds to see which ones should be replaced. haha!


 
 
 




Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Fairytale Fairdale!

The details of the week here in Fairytale Fairdale!!!!
 
It is fairytale land because I feel like everyone we talk to or teach is prepared and ready right now for the Gospel! UNREAL! It is awesome!!
 
Monday- Downtown Louisville where we were all Good in the Hood! We had dinner and Family Home Evening at the Wilkerson's because they want us to teach their 8 year old daughter the lessons!
 
Tuesday- W had some Jehovah Witnesses knock on our door during study! That was interesting. We tried trading with them pamphlet for pamphlet, but they wouldn't. They were sweet ladies though. We saw my Brother Phillip Moore! He is so awesome! He is a single father of 3 and changing his life one day at a time through the Gospel! We saw my girl Jamie too! We helped her clean and organize, have I mentioned how much I love cleaning and organizing! Had dinner with Dawn Renee and we helped her get started with her family History! Then we saw my sister Jessica! She is doing wonderful and I love her!
 
Wednesday- We had an exchange with Shepherdsville sisters! I was with Sister Jensen in Shepherdsville! That was super fun and we had a day full of miracles and some great people! I love when you pray and your prayers are answered like 5 minutes later! SAWEET! It was really cool because during the exchange I realized how much I have grown spiritually in the last year and a half. Sister Jensen is a lot like how I was at the beginning of my mission. I am really Grateful to Heavenly Father for knowing my weaknesses and helping me make some of them my strengths.
 
Thursday- WEEKLY PLANNING! We did family history with Sister Elliot and I found out that I am related to the missionary that Baptized her back in 1942! SO COOL!!! I love Family history! Had another amazing lesson with Brother Moore, Jamie, and the cutest family ever Ladicia and Abraham!
 
Friday- We got a flat tire and so we had to change it before district meeting! That was fun and definitely the first time I had changed a tire! We called the Elder Rodericks who takes care of our cars on what car place we should take it etc. He told us to call the elders and have them put the spare on for us. We called the elders and they go " well, do you know how?" We told them w could figure it out and, so they just didn't come! haha! We got it and it was super easy...sort of! Once we got the lugnuts off! We had a great dinner that night with Brother Weston, Katie and a nonmember friend of Brother Weston's! It was super cool! The friend's name is firas and he worked for the embassy in Baghdad! It was sweet talking to him!
 
family photo! hahaha Brother Weston, Katie, and Firas
 
Saturday- We had an amazing lesson with Aranya Bella! She is a new investigator and understands everything so well! IT is crazy! I got a migraine for like the 2nd time in my life, it was awful! I couldn't see and was super nautious and had a headache, so I unfortunately had to rest for a few hours! LAME SAUCE! We saw this member Brother Gary that shared his testimony with us! It was amazing!
 
Sunday- We had a ward fast fro missionary work and then broke it together with a taco bar after church! IT was awesome! I love Sundays! They really are the best day of the week! We did family History with Marie and Emanie that night! And during testimonies Dawn Renee said that she was going to quit smoking because she "caught the spirit of Elijah" while doing family History work! SO COOL! MIRACLE!
 
IT was an amazing week!!!
 
A quote: "Happiness must be earned today."
 
funny quote by Jamie our investigator. " My baptism was on HBO I did it like a cool kid."
 
Prayer: Pray that Jessica can quit smoking and that Marie can recognize her answer!
 
Scripture: Mosiah 15! Our bodies are SUBJECT to our Spirits!
 
I love you all!
 
Love,
Sister Bradley 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Cuttin up is the best medicine!

It has been an AMAZING week here in Louisville Kentucky! Where we say Ya'll, and love to cut up!  many of you probably have no idea what cut up means, so I will explain. It just means joking around, laughing, or having a good time! I love the great Kentucky lingo!
 
Funnies:
 
A recent convert is speaking in sacrament about following Christ and says, " I am in love." slight pause. "I am in love with Jesus Christ and my wife." It was so funny!! He also said this another time." One time I was walking and I was like hey whose with me, oh wait it is the Holy Ghost that is with me, Hey Holy  Ghost."
 
This is for my siblings!!
 
    A member told us this about kids yesterday:
oldest child - I make the rules
middle child- I am the reason for the rules
youngest child- I am the exception to the rules!
 
 
 
Story time/spiritual:
 
Phillip- He is a new investigator that we taught a couple lessons to this week. He is so prepared for the Gospel! He has had a rough life and the Gospel is helping him already so much! He is a single father of 3 children, and is great at it! While we were teaching him the other night. We were laughing about something at the beginning, and he looks at me and says, " I bet you have brought  a lot a of people to Christ with your personality and sense of humor."
 
Ladicia and Abraham- They are amazing and came to church for the first time this Sunday! They enjoyed it too! They apply everything to themselves and blow me away every time we go!
 
Katie- She is a member that has come out with us a lot the last week! She is in her 20's and is Hilarious! She came out with us and rode her bike with us to an appointment on the day that it snowed. What a trooper. It was a ton of fun! She also drove us to a funeral on Saturday up in Indiana that we went to for a recent convert that Sister Briggs taught.
 
Jessica- She is my soul sista! Literally, She is the reason I am serving in this area! I love her to death and she quit smoking this last week! She has two adorable little girls and a wonderful husband who is a member. They will definitely be in the temple next year being sealed as a family! She at first was so against learning and her heart is changing a ton! We go over now and she throws all these questions at us. We answer them with the Bible and Book of Mormon, and she literally just sits there and goes," these Mormons are right..." It is quite funny!
 
It was a great week! My e-mails are going to be shorter in the next weeks because we are going to be busy doing fun things around Louisville!
 
Prayer: pray for Jessica and John to continue to not smoke.
 
Challenge: Remember to be yourself and be the person that God wants you to be!
 
I love being a missionary, it really is the best thing of my life! There is no greater joy than sharing the Gospel! I hope ya'll have a great week!
 
 
 
Love,
Sister Bradley

 

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

6 WEEKS!!!!

I cannot believe that I am starting my last transfer of my mission....NOT OKAY. I think I could literally be a missionary for the rest of my life! I tell people that if I could be a missionary while being able to see my family, I could definitely do it for the rest of my life! It truly is "THE LIFE!"
 
Let me tell you about this crazy week....
 
To start off I should let you know that today was transfers and I am now companion's with Sister Briggs! She is amazing I am so excited to be with her!!! We are going to have so much fun together! She is from Orem, Utah too, so I already know that you are going to love her mom!
 
Monday- We were having the usual p-day when an investigator of ours called us and told us that she just lost her baby due to a miscarriage. It was so sad! We spent the rest of our p-day with her talking to her and bringing her ice cream! We then had what we call DLC the rest of the night! I love those meetings! Super enlightening!
 
Tuesday- We drove down south to Columbia Kentucky. We spent all day Tuesday there with Sister Parker and Sister Bunker. They are both wonderful! We walked into their apartment an were hit with the spirit! So cool!  I got to spend the day with Sister Parker! She is so AMAZING!!! I love her so much! She is a spiritual powerhouse! I met some amazing people in Columbia that day and saw a lot of miracles! Funny story for you: We knocked on this house and this couple from a European country answered. The woman goes we will pray with you because we love the Lord not because we love your church. I say the prayer and as I am saying it she ends it and says thanks for bringing these girls now by by...it was so weird....
I think she didn't understand English very well, so she thought I was finished or something and she added her two cents to the prayer! HILARIOUS!
 
Wednesday- We left Columbia that morning and drove to Glasgow Kentucky where we spent the day there with Sister Webster and Sister Nesser. They are both awesome sisters! It was cool because I got to be with Sister Webster who goes home tomorrow. I love  her and learned a ton from her that day! We had a great time doing service, and teaching some fabulous people! It has been cool to see the miracles that are happening from focusing on SHEPHERDING GOD'S CHILDREN TO THE TEMPLE! It has been the focus of almost every lesson and it has been soo cool!!! We had dinner with this amazing member who has every talent and ability that I wish I had! I just sat and learned all that I could from her!
 
Thursday- We drove up to Louisville to go to zone meeting and got stuck in traffic for about 2 hours! There were a ton of accidents because it snowed like half an inch....RIDICULOUS! People here do not know how to drive in snow. haha! It is okay though because we made it safely to our meeting, but just ended up getting there late! haha. The rest of the week was really warm! We have been in the 50's! SO NICE! We went and did service for a less-active member that day and helped her organize and clean! I love organizing and cleaning! SO MUCH FUN! It is so cool how when you have a clean organized home the spirit can be felt so much more! We then had dinner at our investigator Jamie's house! She made some good food and we taught her the Word of wisdom! She loved it and was like this is what God needed me to hear! It was amazing! We then saw Ladicia and Abraham! The young marvelous super prepared couple! They are so great! We literally go there and the spirit is so strong! We taught them part of the Plan of Salvation and they loved it! they just soaked it up. They also told us all the things they were reading in the Book of Mormon and explained everything they read and how it applied to them! I can totally see them in the temple in about a year! LOVE THEM!
 
Friday- We had an exchange with the Radcliff Sisters! I was with Sister Rammel in Fairdale that day! It was tons of fun! We did service for our investigator/ part member family the Madrids. I love them so much! Jessica, who is the mom and the investigator, is HILARIOUS! We just sit and throw witty comments back at each other all the time! She is like my sister! Her husband is a less-active member coming back into activity! So cool! They have two adorable little girls Shelby and Kasey. Jessica set her own Baptism date and it is for February 28th! So excited! It has been so cool to watch because she has made a complete 180 in the last few weeks since we met her! She at first didn't really want to take the lessons. Definitely didn't want to come to church, and really didn't want to quit smoking. Since she is married to a member she knows a lot about the church and why we come over. Well, I am happy to say that we are teaching her to quit smoking today. She is coming to church, and she is planning on getting baptized now! SO GREAT! MIRACLES!  We saw this less-active Sister Elliot and she is working towards the temple! I love her and am excited for her! We also saw Emanie, who is a recent convert. We helped him prepare his talk because he was asked to speak in sacrament meeting. We saw a few other people too! Sister Rammel is hilarious and we had a great time together!
 
All of the missionaries in our ward.
 
Saturday- We had some meetings, then we saw a recent convert Sister Moon! She is an older lady that is so cute! She gave me a brand new pair of running shoes because they didn't fit her! so NICE! TENDER MERCIES! We then had lunch with our district at a place called Tumbleweed. I have never heard of it until I came out here. It was good! We tried this referral and let me tell you how interesting this was....We met two guys. One named Andrew, who is gay, and the other named Joseph who was definitely not. We had a great conversation with Andrew and he just kept telling us how much he loved us! Then Joseph kept sort of trying to flirt/ ask us creepy weird questions. Andrew was legitimately interested in our message, while Joseph just kept making random hilarious comments about the preachers on Tv and how good they are. It was such an awkward/hilarious situation! Then as we walked away there was a man sitting on the steps that heard us and asked us to say a prayer with him. We did and then he just got up and left. That was the weirdest 20 minutes of my life! We saw Ladicia and Abraham again and had a great lesson with them! We also saw a less-active member Sister Hilquist! I love learning from her and teaching her! Also, we found out that Sister Goodrich was leaving...
 
Sunday- We had an amazing CHURCH TIME!! I love CHURCH! I love partaking of the sacrament! It is amazing! After church we saw a recent convert named Paula! I love Paula so much! She read's and read's and read's, and I am pretty sure she knows more about the Gospel than I do! She has only been a member fro 6 months! We then had an amazing lesson outside with Derek! He is really searching for peace in his life and told us that he knows that we can lead him to it! We went and saw a new investigator Phillip. We didn't share much with him because he was high and so he was a little defensive and can't really feel the spirit. We go back this week though. He really is so awesome!  We saw some other investigators and members too! It was a great Sabbath day!
 
Monday- We had a crazy busy p-day yesterday visiting people and helping Sister Goodrich pack! It was fun stuff! We didn't e-mail because the libraries were closed, so that is why I am today!
 
PRAYER this week: Pray that Jessica and John can quit smoking. Also, Pray that Ladicia and Abraham will continue to progress.
 
Challenge: read your patriarchal blessing! They are amazing and I know that they help a ton!
 
Scripture: 2 Nephi 32: 9 ENJOY!
 
 
LOVE YOU!
 
Love,
Sister Bradley 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

BROUGHS are amazing!

First off I want to tell you all how I have the best Mission President in the WORLD! President and Sister Brough are AMAZING! They are just so loving, so fun, and such great examples! I know you all are so jealous that you don't get to serve under them! haha
 
Let me tell you about the week in a summed up version:
 
1- A fun pig statue outside the bowling alley
Funny things that happened:
 
The elders came and gave one of our investigators a blessing because she was sick. Well, she has a huge pit bull that is harmless and he was all over one of the elders. Our investigator says," He is making out with the elder, that is the most action you will ever see on your mission." It was so funny and the elder was so embarrassed! HILARIOUS! I probably shouldn't have shared that, but it is hilarious!
 
When we are on an exchange and our investigator thinks that Sister Wu, who is Asian, is Hispanic and says, " You have huge eyes for being Asian. Are you sure you are Asian." Sister Wu's parents are both from China by the way.
 
When some members are talking about Joseph Smith and how so many people don't believe that he saw God and Jesus Christ. They said, "how can you not believe that, but believe that Noah put every animal on a boat and the whole earth flooded. Or that Moses talked to a burning bush...hmmm I think they should believe Joseph Smith if they believe that." It was hilarious! They were so into it!
 
We are teaching our investigator Andrea and at the end of the lesson she is talking about prayer and having faith to receive answers to prayers. She gave an example of a person praying for a refridgerator, and then the member that is with us, says " do you know someone that needs a refridgerator, just curious?" She responded and said,"I was using it as an example, and I don't know why, but we actually do." The member then precede to tell her that they have been trying to get rid of a refridgerator for a few weeks. SO FUNNY and so cool at the same time! They were both just laughing and blown away at the miracle that just happened!
 
Stories/Spiritual:
 
We had MLC this week which is missionary leadership counsel. It was so much fun, and so spiritual! I learned so much! We came up with a mission vision for the year, and it is....drumroll.... SHEPHERDING GOD'S CHILDREN TO THE TEMPLE! We decided to go along with what the stakes are focusing on and how we should not just be trying to get people to baptism, but to the temple. That is the ultimate goal!
 
We also learned from the assistants a really cool thing at MLC. They were teaching us how we can better help missionaries and they taught us these things.
1. We must first seek to understand then seek to be understood.
2. Then we must teach correct principles according to their needs. build their desire/vision
3. Then the missionary must govern themselves by setting goals according to those principles.
4. Help them govern themselves.
We talked about how we need to build desire so much that they become self-motivated and we don't have to follow up because they will do it themselves because of their desire. It might not sound very cool to you all, but it was super powerful and amazing!
 
We went Bowling with our district last Monday at the oldest bowling alley in America! So cool! A member owns it and let us go for free! Super fun!
 
2-  Emanie and Marie! Emanie- a recent convert and Marie we are teaching
 
We had an amazing lesson with a less-active and she wants to go to the temple now! When we first starting meeting with her she would cancel all the time and didn't seem to interested in talking with us. Now she wants to go to the temple and is working towards it! MIRACLE!
 
We are teaching a new adorable family! It is Ladicia, Abraham, and their 2 year old son Abrean. They are so cute! I love them! We had 2 lessons with them last week and they are soaking everything up! They are so prepared! They are already applying the Book of Mormon to their own lives! It is amazing! I can totally picture them in the temple in a year!
 
We only had one exchange this week and I got to be with Sister Wu here in Fairdale. She is an amazing missionary! We had such a great day together and I learned so much from her! I love getting to be with the sisters and learn from them! It is so cool because it was so inspired that she needed to be here in Fairdale that day. We saw so many miracles that wouldn't have happened if she wasn't here.
 
I learned a cool thing from a member this week. E+R=O Which is event + response = outcome. He talked about how we all have Agency and when something happens it is our response to it that makes all the difference of what the outcome will be. I thought about it a lot and am trying to pay attention to how I respond to certain situations.
 
It was so cool! Andrea, the one I talked about earlier with the refridgerator, she is amazing! We were teaching her the plan of salvation, and we were only to earth life  when she said she had a dream and she feels like there are different levels of Heaven. We just sat there with our mouths open for a minute. I love when Investigators have questions or responses that are exactly what is taught or answered in the Gospel! It was amazing! She is awesome!
 
We are teaching a part member family where the wife isn't a member. It is so cool because every time we show up at her door, she is always like, " I hate you all." We asked her why, and she says, " because every time I pray for something or ask God a question you all show up at my door." It was hilarious! It is so cool to see hearts soften on individuals. She was so adamant when we first met her on not coming to church and only going to her church. Well, last week we went over for our lesson and she said she hated us again because she doesn't feel like her church is home to her anymore. Guess who came to our church on Sunday! SHE DID! It was awesome! She is progressing quite a bit and I know that she will continue to do so!
 
I have so much to say, but don't have as much time anymore!
 
prayer: Pray that Marie can receive a clear answer.
 
quote: Act, don't be acted upon.
 
Challenge: Try to use the E+R=O this week!
 
I love you all and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIA AND MORGAN!!!! LOVE YOU!
 
 
Love,
Sister Bradley
 

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

2015...Here to soon!!

I can not believe it is 2015!! HOW CRAZY!!! The year of 2014 was definitely the best year of my life because I got to be on my mission for the whole year!!! LOVE IT!
 
Here are the highlights of the week:
 
FUNNIES:
 
This cute family from Haiti that we teach said.... The dad talking about his son said. " Emmanuel looks like a guy from a movie." Then the wife says, " who 50 cent." it was hilarious!
 
A member of the ward said this to us the other day.... " I am a confirmed Bachelor."
 
on an exchange someone said this. " My kids baby mama rebounds faster than Lebron James."
 
When we are teaching someone English and they keep swearing because they are trying to say it and can't.
 
A recent convert ... " I hate the word convert, I am not a convert I am a switcher. "
 
That moment as a missionary when  we say so many prayers that I  forget to even Address Heavenly Father and I just start saying the things we are grateful for in a group prayer with a member.
 
member- " We had teeth until we came to Kentucky."
 
 
Stories:
 
I got to go on two exchanges this week! I was able to be with Sister Ward and Sister LeFevre!! They are both super duper amazing sisters!! I love learning form other sisters!
 
It was such a cool moment to sit in Gospel Principles Sunday school yesterday and see that  everyone in the class was a convert, and 95% were in the last 2 years!!! SO COOL! There were about 20 people in the class.
 
We had interviews this week and we had a sweet training by the Assistants! Talk about spiritual overload!
 
We learned a lot about INTEGRITY!
 
I am going to share some thoughts about it.
 
Integrity is the heart of Spirituality.
 
It is our true intent, doing right regardless, who you are when no one is watching, being accountable.
 
There are 7 attributes of integrity:
 
1. Foundation of our character and virtues.
   TRUE DESIRES???
 
2. Not just what's legal but Christlike
     Are you a loophole looker?
 
 
3. Making Decisions based on eternal consequences
     Don't give up what you want most for what you want now
 
4. Disclosing whole truth and nothing but.
    
5. NO alibies/excuses
    Justification is repentance worst enemy
 
6. Keeping covenants/commitments despite inconvenience
    Miracles occur when we make  the right choice despite inconvenience.
 
   
7. Not governed by others, internally driven.
  Creator of circumstances, not a creature of circumstances.
 
I love integrity!! It is amazing!!!
 
I hope you all have a great week! I love you!
 
Love,
Sister Brradley