October 22, 2012

Life goes by oober fast!! another transfer come and gone. We got the call this morning from the AP's. That's one of the perks of being ZL, is that we get to know where everybody is going, and then we get to call them! It's always a blast! but anyways, it turns out for the first time on my mission, I''m staying with my companion. Elder Bergeron and I are staying together for at least one more and I'm SUPER excited! I really love Elder Bergeron a lot. I'm learning a lot from him. And we've got a baptism marked for this weekend and it's so amazing!!! But random fact, besides Elder Bergeron, I've had 4 other comps right? 2 of them are already at home, they ended their missions. So there are just Elder Bond, and Elder Faias left in the mission. Well I found out this morning that both of them are coming into my Zone here in Porto!!! I was SO  pumped I did a little dance for joy in the house :) hahaha really made my day :) I miss those guys! It's gonna be so fun to get to see them!

But yeah, so we're working with a guy named Isaías, or Isaiah in english. He's this AMAZING guy from Cape Verde. He's so incredible! He loves learning about the Savior and about God. He said he would always go with anybody who invited him to go to church, but he never really stayed with any church. Then was we started talking to him, he just soaked everything up! He's been to church twice and LOVES it! And this last week in church was basically an answer to prayers. We had a special sacrament meeting about the Priesthood and was super super cool. And in Gospel Principles Class, we talked about obedience and why we are obedient and its hard to explain exactly what else, but the teacher is AMAZING and Isaías asked for a Gospel Principles book! And we taught the plan of Salvation, and he just soaked everything up. The only struggle that we're really having right now, is that he's not married to his girlfriend and he didn't really have plans to get married (They live together and have a 3 year old son, Leonardo). But we invited him to pray about it and see if that was what he needed to do, and then we called him, and his girlfriend was also thinking about getting married!! MIRACLE!!! the Lord has really just prepared everything and answered all of our prayers, and his. It's been so incredible! and tonight we're gonna be having an FHE with our Stake President and his family! And Isaías is bringing his girlfriend too! This will be the first time we've taught Raquel (His girlfriend) Please  pray that everything goes well! We're super super excited!

And as far as Clara, the amazing sister in the apartment building. Unfortunately, we still haven't been able to help her get to church. She was all planned to come this week, but then she called us a little nervous. She had to go to the hospital but we couldn't understand why but she said she wasn't coming this week. we were confused but then called her Saturday afternoon, and her daughter who was having a rough and dangerous pregnancy (which was causing a lot of stress for Clara) had her baby and everyone is safe and healthy!! the Lord has just been taking such good care of Clara! I'm SO grateful! The Lord has just been working miracles all over our area. I'm so grateful! And I'm so grateful for one more transfer here to keep improving and serving the Lord more sincerely. And the people here are incredible! I love them SO much! I can't even tell you all the miracles that have been happening here, I don't have enough time to tell you them all!! I LOVE GAIA!! :)

And the ward is improving SO much!! We were finally able to have an activity once, just with a couple members and investigators, and the loved it so much, they asked us to do it again, and then there were more, and then even more!!! Now it's a weekly activity and the relief society is starting to get involved in helping with food! It's super fun!!! but I need some help mom, and dad, and ash and everyone who is reading this email. I just need Ideas for fun activities! we usually try to have a spiritual part for 10 or so minutes and then like a related game or activity that helps apply what we learned. We've done and Iron Rod activity, we've done a restoration/apostasy activity (which was fun) and we've done a culture night with American little games like stomp the balloon, flour game and don't eat Pete. All ideas are welcome! we're trying to think about mutual activities we've done in the past, but man, its harder than i thought!! haha :) But it's been really cool! our ward is just working really hard right now. the Lord has blessed the reactivation work here so much! we're working on getting 5 more people reactivated! and we've been receiving references that are progressing very well! If you could all pray and thank Heavenly Father for the miracles that have been happening here, and pray that our ward may continue to improve that would we marvelous :) thanks!!

OK so the miracle with João! the Dad. He's been pretty closed as far as the gospel is concerned, but the Lord has been doing so much work with him! It turns out he's read the book of Mormon 2 times and is almost done with it for the 3rd!!! WHAT?!?! He loves the book of Mormon! and he loves the bishop! He's invited us and the bishop and his wife to come to dinner this weekend! Man it's so cool!! He's opening up little by little. 

Maria Albertina, the lady whose daughters were taken away. She has been having a really hard time, and we haven't been able to get in touch with her very much, because she went to her older daughters house, who lives a ways away. We want to call her this week. It's been kinda hard that way, but the ward has been SO good to help with her. If you could pray and thank Heavenly Father for our stake president, that would be amazing! He and his wife, are LIFE SAVERS!! :) They've helped with Isaías, and Maria Albertina and are just fabulous! 

October 15, 2012

Well as far as the work is going here, It's going great! The Lord has really blessed us so so much! The Lord has blessed us to find some people who are progressing at an incredible rate! We're teaching a sister whose name is Maria Albertina. She has had a very very hard time. We contacted her in the street about 3 weeks ago. She was just walking in the road and we decided to stop and talk to her. She had been operated on her thyroid about a month or 2 ago, and her daughters were taken by the Social Services about 3 years ago, and she has just been struggling with this for a long time. We left her a pamphlet and got her number, but then nothing really happened. Then one day, we were just trying to figure out what we should do. We had a lesson fall through, and we didn't have anything planned. So we prayed, and we had a couple people that we decided to call, and Maria was one of them. She answered and she said she remembered us and we were able to set up a guided visit of the chapel! it was really amazing. She said that she just felt light and relieved. She has been just walking through town for about 3 years. She has just been depressed since her daughters were taken from her. She loved being in the church. She said she could just feel calm. She is a super simple lady. She hasn't had much schooling and she doesn't understand really well the first time, because her mind is always occupied on her daughters, but last night she asked us how it is that she can know if the things we are reading in the Book of Mormon are really really true. She finally is understanding now. And we had a really amazing lesson with our stake president and his family and she really loved it there too. She loves feeling the Spirit. She came to church and really liked it. She was SUPER sad because a sister in our ward is a lawyer and as they were talking she said there's not much chance of her getting her daughters back. I'm not sure why, cuz I don’t know the Portuguese laws very well, but that crushed her. But then after church, we ate lunch and were walking to another appointment, and she was actually sitting with a less active recent convert....just talking in the street! And this less active is starting to reactive and is super cool! Also super simple and humble, but really has a powerful testimony. We had a quick little, almost lesson, and it really was an incredible miracle. She was smiling and laughing and it is such blessings that she has this little old man recent convert to be her friend. I'm still learning patience with her. I'm really grateful for this experience with her. She complains a lot, and cries a lot, because of her daughters. And I'm just trying to learn Christ-like love and patience, because she needs it so badly. Please pray for her and for me.

There are other amazing miralces and people that we're starting to work with, but unfortunately, I'm out of time, I love you so very much mom! thanks for everything!!! Give a hug to Shauna and Kim for me and tell them congrats!!!

Love ya!

Love,

Elder Brady

PS....Can you get on my facebook and talk to Sydney Christensen?? I SAW HER AT CONFERENCE!!!! :)

October 8, 2012

No email this week. Just a re-do from last week. I'm guessing he didn't get my email from last week, so he didn't write, just re-sent last week's in case it didn't go through. However, we know that he is alive and well. :)

October 1, 2012

ok, first things first, I just about PASSED OUT!!! Ashleigh is looking SO good! I can't believe this!! man I can't believe she's a senior already....man mom, you are old.:)
so as far as the strikes or revolts go, the only thing that is really affecting us right now is travel. Like tomorrow, we have to go to Lisbon for Mission council, and there is a train strike. There is only one train that goes to lisbon tomorrow and it doens't get us there in time, so we're taking a bus. Which will just take about hour more, but turns out it is a little bit cheaper, so it works out ok :) we just have to leave porto at 6 to get to lisbon at 9:30 and then leave lisbon at 5:30 to get home at 9ish at night. Its a lot of busriding, but it's all good :) More time to read the scriptures eh? :) So quick question, how are things going in terms of the election race between obama and romney? We here things here and there but I don't really know how much to rely on some of the information iget, because theother day we had a guy tell us that obama had died. It was wierd. but that's a story to tell.

Ok, so we were knocking doors one night about 8:00 ish, and there weknocked a couple and nobody let us in, so then we knocked on this door, and a guy came to the door and was like, "oh hey! good night! how are you? come on in" He shook our hands and like pulled us into his house. So we're like...ok cool, yeah this is great! but then he was like sit down here at this table I'll be right there.So we sat down, and then we just started feeling a little uncomfortable. We looked at each other, and we kinda just knew something sketchy was going on. So this guy, named Manuel, was like, by the way Elder Brady. You look just like me when Iwas little. Look theres a picture. and I didn't look like him.Just saying. ok, so what's new in the world of "evangelização" or in english.....gospelization.....maybe. IDK, but we were just like, um....well we're disciples of Jesus Christ and......then he was like I know I knowI know, but who is the man in the united states that's in charge of the Extra terrestrial exploration? we just sat there. then he was like so who is the leader of the United Kingdom? we didn't know. Then he was like so who is the leader of war in America. We said, obama. Then he said no. he died. I show you in the encyclopedia. Then we were like um....then he was like ok, so heres the deal elders, because you don't know, I'll tell you.... AC, and DC, (being the years before and after the birth of Christ) were egyptian. So therefore, Christ's religion was egyptian. And therefore, we must all be mumified. then he looked over my shoulder (i was sitting across from him) and then started nodding, and saying "uh huh, uh huh, ok" and then started asking us again who was it that had explored space from the United States, and who was the Leader of the war and whatever. really wierd. and everything he said he related back to egyptian religion. and how e should all be egyptian and mummified.

yeah. So you are all probably really confused by this paragraph. but just imagine how confused we were sitting in his house!! haha. so we left a pamphlet of the plan of salvation. He looked at it and said "oh great. Thanks for coming!have a good night" opened the door, and we left real quick. super crazy huh! haha :)

ANyways, random misison story :)

So ash is rocking at volleyball huh? way to go butch! you're rocking it! and you're beautiful. just saying. And way tall. And Britt is killing it! basketball starts already??it's onlyOctober! oh man I'm super jealous britt! rock it out there for me ok? work hard, keep me updated! :) and sarahs working on the euphonium huh? that's super cool! that's what I played i think. Cuz the valves were on the top. Way to go sarah! that things bigger than you are! I really liked playing it. It was a lot of fun! But mom you are absolutely right, my sisters are incredible. I love every single one of them so much. 

Oh yeah, that Idaho Lead thing would be really cool! You did it last year too right? That would be super sweet. It's really cool to have those kinds of discussions. I really like them a lot. How is the student council doing mom? Are you having anymore cool dances or activities? ANd your kindle is super sweet! I forgot you got that. Jesus the Christ is a way cool book. It«'s super hard to read though, not gonna lie. I need a dictionary. Literally. haha :) But the spirit that's there, and the testimony of Christ is incredible. 

AS far as your letters go mom, you're doing great! I love hearing about all of this stuff! You can write whatever you want and I'll love it. Thank you so much for the talk by the way. It was exactly what I needed at the right time. It really helped a lot.Thanks for that. 

So this week the Lord has really blessed us. We've been finding a lot of people! Using the members here has been a little bit hard, but there are a couple families that are super willing to work, and recent converts are just always on fire with the spirit, so we've been working with Diogos dad a little bit. We'rehaving an FHE tonight with Bishop and João. it's gonna be great! if you could pray that everything runs well that would be great! :) He works a lot and is always tired and hard to get a hold of, but the Lord has really blessed us already, because he didn't really want to come to the family night, but now he's coming, so it's gonna be great! 

We've also found this amazing lady named Clara. She was a MIRACLE. we were knockin this apartment building, and then somebody down in the basement was ringing all the doorbells from outside. like all of them. So Clara came out to see what was going on, right as we were coming down the stairs to her door.She just kinda looked at us and we smiled, and there was that little pause, then we just said....olá, we the elders! and  we just started talking to her and then it turns out her husband had died just a little while ago, and she just cried and cried and said she's been praying that she could know if her husband was ok. and then we started talking about the plan of salvation, and we said a prayer with her to help her calm down, and she said we could come back. Such a miracle! but then the second lesson, we just talked a little about the plan of salvaton. She had already read the pamphlet,and was super excited! she cried a little bit as we talked about her husband. but not near as much as thefirst time. We still didn't get all the way through the lesson, and the spirit was just like, just talk to her for a minute. Sowe did, and then we left a book of mormon and the pamphlet for the restoration. Then we came back and she was waiting for us and super happy!she had already read the 1st chapter of teh book of mormon and the pamphlet and was working on reading the plan of salvation again! so this time we taught the first lesson, and she didn't cry at all! she was so excited and happy and she said she just felt so good! and she said her co-workers asked her why she was so happy!! haha! and she said it was because of us! and she wants us to talk to her friend too! it has been such an amazing thing to see the spirit already starting to make a difference in her life. It's been night and day! from the first to the 3rd time we talked to her, she's already a different person! She's going to pray about the book of mormon and she's already said she'll come to general conference this weekend!!! Heavenly Father has blessed us SO much! and whoever was ringing the doorbells was probalby an angel :) :) if you could just keep praying forClara and that she'll be able to make friends with the members taht would be great :)

Well mom, I gotta run, but Iove you so much!! Please let me know if I can do anything for you. I miss you and think you«re fabulous! Love you tons!

Love,

Elder Brady

PS, my ipod wierded out, and I lost my music.I have some that theyhad at them ission office, but If youcould send me the Work CD that would be sweet! thanks :)

PPS....scripture of the week, Mosiah 4:6 I love this one! :)

On Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 6:08 AM, Jeri Kay Brady <jake1of7@dcdi.net> wrote:

September 24, 2012

Brigham City has a temple now!! That’s great!! I think it was George Q. Cannon that said that every temple built and dedicated lessens the power of Satan on the earth. That is such a miraculous thing! I'm so grateful for the fact the Portugal is preparing for a temple. Apparently tithing is a hard thing here. The economy here in Portugal is terrible. It's horrible. And there is no work. A lot of people are living on the government income, and there are a lot of people who aren't even living off of that. It really takes a lot of faith to pay tithing here. The leaders are really stressing that so that we can have a temple here. My testimony of tithing has really been strengthened here. The people who pay tithing with a pure and clean heart and attitude are SO blessed. I'm so grateful for the gospel. The Lord has blessed us with commandments to guide our lives, and to help us to make the right choices. What are the 3 most common concerns in the world today? Health, Family relationships, and Finances. What has the Lord given us to provide us security and peace of mind? He's given us the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and the Law of Tithing. These laws are just ways for the Lord to provide us the blessings and peace of mind and comfort for the 3 most common concerns in this life. It’s amazing how that goes. All of the commandments the Lord has given us are only for our good. We just have to trust in the love the Lord has that he will NEVER ask us to do something that is going to hurt us. The things He asks us to do are only for our good. I know that that is true.

So we had an AMAZING baptism this week!! A young man named Diogo. He's 13 years old, and incredible! His mom is a recent convert who is the definition of the Gospel changes lives. Her life was in rough shape. She was living with a really not good guy, and her son (diogo) had been taken from her, and she was just really really sad and depressed and then one day the elders found her. And then Christ entered into her life. She kicked the really not good guy out. Her ex husband came back and they are going to get married again (we're still working with the husband. He's coming around :)) And she just loves the gospel so much. She bears her testimony to us every single time we're in her house :) It's incredible!! I love her to death. She's named Carla. She's amazing! And so we've been teaching her son on the weekends cuz he still lives with his grandparents during the week. But just for a little while longer. But anyways, this kid is so cool! just a simple humble kid. But at the baptism, his dad came, João. who likes the elders a lot, but he's been a little closed to the church. He reads the Book of Mormon, and likes it; he just won't come to church. At all. haha :) but he came to the baptism of his son. And oh my goodness. The Lord knew that João was there and the spirit was SO strong. It was one of the most amazing things ever!! João was just beaming when he was helping Diogo change into the dry clothes. I know he was touched by the spirit. And our bishop is INCREDIBLE and invited them to an FHE next week (Bishops at the temple this whole week. JEALOUS!) and we're going to start really working to help João. Please pray that he will open up and the spirit can keep working with him. I can just see this family going to the temple here in a year and a bit to become an eternal family. Please pray that we can be guided to help João!

September 17, 2012

So I am here in Porto! Almost. I'm just on the other side of the river in Porto but I am the zone leader of the Porto zone. THAT has been an experience. There in Madeira I was the zone leader of 5 areas, here there are 10. It’s CRAZY! We never get to bed on time because we're always on the phone after daily planning! It’s been super fun though. I'm serving with Elder Bergeron from Tennessee. He's an awesome kid who really wants to get lost in the work. We've been having a lot of fun. This area has been a little bit slow that last couple transfers, but the Lord has really helped us out. The members here unfortunately don’t have trust in the Elders....so we’re working to change that. When we got to church, you could tell right off that they didn't trust us, but then as we just talked to them and offered our help in everything, and you could almost see them change. Not a lot, but just a little bit, but I’m SUPER excited! We have a "Noite de Resgate" or a "Rescue Night" this Saturday. The ward (yes it’s a real ward here!! :) ) goes and visits some less active members to help them come back and reactivate. We offered to be there and they were super excited. When president Fluckiger called me to tell me I was being transferred he told me it was a great opportunity to work with the members up here and the minute I got off the train, I felt that very same thing. I'm super excited. I have NO idea how to do this, but I'm super excited to learn. I know that this is an area that I'm going to learn. The stake president and his first counselor are in our ward, so we're going to start with them, because they are incredible! And they trust us a little bit more and they are just super ready to go. I'm super excited to learn.

Gaia is super cool! It’s a TON different than Madeira! haha But I love it a lot. It’s super pretty up here. This is what they say "classic Portugal" is. It's older and super green and pretty. I love it a lot. It’s a full blown city though. Super huge. And there are people EVERYWHERE! I love it! And there are families. We're praying all the time that we can find families to teach and to help. One thing that has been really cool is seeing how the Lord gives us what we ask for, we then just have to take the next step and do our part. Sometimes in Funchal, I would pray to find a family, but then I would get nervous and not talk to the families, because.....I don't know why. I was just nervous. But as I've been praying here, I've realized that that doesn't work. Brilliant I know. So here we've been making an effort to talk with the families, and it's been amazing to see the people the Lord has prepared, in families. Last night, it was late and we were walking home after a really cool lesson with a cool kid named João, and we saw this family of 3 kids and the parents walking towards us. We had just been talking and what not and then we just kinda looked at each other and knew we needed to talk to them. It was like 9:30 and we were headed home and so were they so we didn't talk long, but it was amazing how when we said we were Disciples of Jesus Christ and we were there to help bless their family, they looked at each other and it was one of those looks, like "is this really happening right now?" they said that about 4 years ago they had met some missionaries, and they said they would like to have missionaries again. They live in Porto so we’re going to pass their info to the Elders over there. It was AMAZING! They gave us their address, and their phone number and everything! It was super cool! It’s been amazing to see that the Lord is SO willing to help us. He gives us EVERYTHING that we ask for, we just need to do our part, and look for it. As we pray and pray and pray, the Lord prepares the way, we just then have to take the step of faith, and enter in to it. We're SO excited to help the families here! Right now we have the son of a recent convert marked for baptism this weekend. His name is Diogo and he's 13 and AMAZINGLY humble. Such a cool kid. He just keeps asking Heavenly Father for help in school. It's incredible! He’s a little bit slower. Not really handicapped, just a little bit slower than the others but he's super cool! Just please pray that we'll be able to get in touch with him. He goes to his grandparent’s house during the week and we're not sure if we’re going to be able to talk to him until Friday. Please pray for diogo.

(Jordan’s trusty truck, Rusty…)

RUSTY DIED???? oh man. is he for real dead, or just sleeping? Because I think he might just be a little bit lazy. Cuz remember that one time we thought he was dead, but then he totally resurrected? yeah....maybe he's just faking it until I get home? hahah :) just kidding, no worries. He deserves to wait for me on the other side.

Well mom, this week has been a little strange. Not a lot more to say, because I was in Funchal half of the week, but I didn't get to work in my area. I was on divisions with everyone else. Then we had to travel here, then the 2nd day i had to do a baptismal interview in an area 2 hours away which was crazy. But I’ve really only been in my area about 2 solid days, and even then they weren't real normal. I'm super excited to calm down and just work this week.

Eu te amo mais do que consigo expressar. Eu sei que realmente este trabalho é o trabalho do Senhor. Eu sei que este evangelho fui restaurado por um profeta de Deus. Eu sei, sem sombra de duvida, que Jesus Cristo é meu Salvador, e eu sei que Ele ama-nos, e está aqui para consolá-nos em qualquer momento. Eu sei que o poder de oração é real e eu sou tão grato por ele. Eu amo meu Salvador e meu Pai Celstial, e eu amo vocês. Em nome de Jesus Cristo, amém.

(Translation by Google J)

I love you more than I can express. I know that this job is really the work of the Lord. I know that this gospel was restored by a prophet of God. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and I know He loves us and is here to console us anytime. I know the power of prayer is real and I am so thankful for him. I love my Savior and my Father Celstial, and I love you. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

September 10, 2012

There is a fire burning in Jackson Hole right where the girls have worked, and it's affecting the Bar T 5, so that is what he's referring to.

Hey Mom!!!

Man that fire in Jackson looks like bad news! That's a really rough spot to have a fire. I'll definitely include them in my prayers! Fires are nasty business. Fogos fazem mal! eu não gosto!

Ok well this week was a lot of fun! I learned  a ton! I'm so grateful for the way that the Lord teaches. I've been learning a lot from Elder Wolman, who left this morning. Wierd. He's going home. Creeped me out. But anyways, last night we had a really cool "what have you learned on your mission" discussion. It was really an awesome thing. And as Elder Wolman was talking about his experiences, the spirit just kind of told me somethings that I really needed to improve. I was really kind of embarrassed that these were the things that I needed to work on, but as I started to think about it, I just felt peaceful. I felt like I wasn't alone. yes, these things are essential. And I aboslutely have to fix them. Right now. but the Lord will NEVER ask us to do something, and then leave us alone to do it. He's always right there alongside us, working in His vineyard. I'm so grateful for the Atonement of my Savior. I'm so grateful for all that He has given me. I'm so grateful that even though we don't do everything perfect, His love for us never changes. And I've felt that so strongly in my quest to change. I can also testify, that Satan will do anything to stop us from feeling the Savior's love. He doesn't want us to feel happy. He wants us to think we can't change. But I know that the power of the Atonement, and the love the the Savior is more powerful. It's beautiful.

These last couple weeks have been a little bit hard. It's been a test of our diligence. Everything that we had fell through this week. everything. we had a total of 4 lessons. It was really kinda hard. I was getting frustrated, but as we just kept going, the Spirit kept lifting us up. One of the things that I love so much, is when I'm frustrated cuz something fell, I have to go make a street contact right now. Right now. Because as I testify of  the restored gospel, the spirit is so strong, and as Paul says to the Galatians, the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. I know that's true. When we're down, the best thing to do, is testify. Let the spirit testify to us, and to the people, that the gospel is true. And it makes me feel SO much better! So we have had a hard time finding new investigators, but the Lord has really put amazing people in our path, and always right at the end of the day. It's been amazing! I love it so much! We get kinda frustrated and sad, cuz nobody was home, or a lesson fell, but as we kept talking to people. Talking to everyone in the street, the Lord blessed us with some amazing people!! We've got a lot of really good references and some really great lessons set up for this week! and the Lord blessed us to find a family!! I've been praying all week that we would be able to find a family to teach, and the Lord blessed us to find one of the most humble families in the world! Jorge and Maria and João. They are super humble. We taught them the lesson 0 and then we went back and taught the first lesson, and it went really really smoothly! I'm so thankful that Lord led us to them. We didn't find very many people this week, but the people we found, were very much prepared by the Lord. It's been so great! As we've been trying to keep talking to everyone, and trying to work hard until the end of every day, the Lord put about 15 people in our way right at the end of the night throughout the week. And these people have a TON of potential! And this next week is going to be great! The only thing is, I'm actually getting transferred. I'm heading up to Porto. I'm a little bit sad, because of these awesome people that we found, but i feel like it’s time. I've been here a long time, and I was feeling comfortable a little bit. So it's time to move I guess. :)

I'm super sorry this letter is oober short and not really what you wanted to hear, but I didn't have a ton of time because I had to pack and such. But I love you mom. So very much! I'm so grateful for the updates and everything. I'm glad we got some food from the obedience garden! the Lord blesses obedience! :) And I'm SO glad Alyssa is safe and sound and doing well.

September 3, 2012

Wow you guys went to town on the whole getting Steph and Matt moved in and working huh? That’s great! I bet it is kinda nice for them to just chill and be calm and not stress about anything but school eh? haha :) man everyone and their dog was there. DJ is super cool. I miss that kid a lot! When can he put his papers in do you know? He really does just have that spirit of everything’s good! Just a super suave kid and he is ALWAYS laughing! I miss his goofy laugh! haha what a stud! It's so weird to think that he's at BYU now. That's crazy! I forgot the Brigham City Temple was opening! That's SO cool! That'll be such a beautiful experience to be there. What's the temple like? is it a big one or is it smaller? Our branch president is actually gone this week because he and his family are going through the temple for the first time! His wife has been cuz she served a mission, but president has been a member for 9 years and has been saving to get to take his wife and 2 children to be sealed for time and all eternity. I'm SO happy for him! He's such an amazing man and I can't even wait! haha it's super cool! He's this awesome Angolan man, and his wife is a Brazilian and their 2 little kids are Moroni and Eliz! oh man what an amazing family! they are always willing to help us with the work, and they do so much for the church here. What an amazing family to be sealed! Anyway....back on track.

That's SO amazing that Shauna went through the temple!! Oh man I bet that was an amazing session. And I'm so excited that she and Kim are going to be sealed. That makes my heart really happy.

 You wouldn't believe the difference EFY has made to the young men here in our branch. They are all just rocking it now. 2 of them advanced in the priesthood to the office of priest yesterday and one of them has started wearing his suit to church again and wants to go on a mission! it's AMAZING! AND!! Yesterday there was a baptism in the other branch here in funchal of a girl who has been coming to church solidly for about 6 months. She is a friend of a couple of the young women and she has really loved the church and everything but the elders scared her! (she's oober shy and timid) but then she went to efy with them and came back and was like, elders, i want to be baptized!! OH MAN and the baptism was amazing! her family was all there and the spirit was strong and it was great! so funny story about that.....Elder Pickup and I were the witnesses, and we were all watching and everything....and Elder Rhodes was baptizing her, and he was saying the prayer and I was like "ok, her hair is long, I gotta make sure all of that goes under. All of it" So I was super focused, I wasn't gonna make a mistake. Super ready. So he says amen, and she goes under the water and all of her hair went under. Every strand. I was super focused. And I looked at Elder Pickup and he was like. yup. It was good. So we were super excited and were shutting the doors of the font and then ALL of the members were like "WAIT!!" wait? wait for what?? apparently her arm didn't go all the way under, but it turns out both of the witnesses were focused on her long hair, that we didn't even notice her long arm!! hahaha! so we had to open the doors and they had to do it again, and everything was good! But let's just say, I'm super glad that they're supposed to "witness before the church" and not just the 2 elders worried about her hair! haha :) but it's all good :)

So this week, I've had some really cool experiences. One of them was just a huge blessing from the Lord. So the other day we talked to a guy and his wife in the park. They were super cool. His name is Habeboolay which in one of the african languages means, Friend of God. That was cool. But anyways so we talked to them and they were really cool. we had a lesson a couple days later and we taught the restoration and the spirit was super strong! Habeboolay is muslim, and he understood the concept of prophets really really well, and he was doing really well with accepting Jesus Christ. We're still helping him little by little with that, but long story short, they really liked it and he was like "I'm going to that church, Elders. I'm going there for sure!" haha! Love him! but so then we had another appointment with them at that same park on saturday. I was on a division with Elder Lee, (a greeny from POCATELLO, IDAHO!!! saya WHAT??? haha) but we were on this division, and we walked into this park, and Habeboolay is sitting there with his wife and 4other guys playing cards. So we were like, hey habeboolay, can we still talk to you today? and he was like, yeah go ahead. we'll all listen. I was super nervous about that because these guys were all driking and smoking and stuff and I was just like, man, I've never taught 6 random people before. But Elder Lee looked at me, and the spirit was like, Go for it! So we took a deep breath, knelt down on the ground next to this table, said a prayer with them and went for it. Mom, this lesson was SO incredible. The spirit just took over and did everything! We had such an awesome time! these men were so humble and were asking such great questions and the all felt the spirit and we had an aweosme opportunity to bear testimony of the Savior and the cleansing power of the Atonement. and even though we were in the middle of a park with cars going by, and there was alcohol and cigarettes, the spirit was there, and every single one of those men felt the spirit. And they all marked appointments with us except for 2, but we could see them thinking about it, and now when they are in that same park when we pass by, they all say hi to us and talk to us, and the one guy named Rui wants us to help him stop drinking! IT was such a miracle! I was SO grateful for the spirit, because I've never done that before and we were kneeling in the middle of a park talking to 6 random guys who were kinda big scary looking guys. 2 of whom didn't have their shirts on, just saying. but the spirit took over and when we said the closing prayer, all of them just breathed deep and said, "that felt good". Yes, yes it did. It was amazing! the spirit is such an amazing tool, and can touch all people, and everyone loves feeling the spirit. It was SO cool! I'm so grateful for that. Highlight of my week! :)

August 27,2012

oh buddy....I'm gonna have to say this in English to start off.....google translator doesn't speak Idaho-an because that message in portuguese did NOT make sense....it took me like 5 minutes to figure out what it was that you were saying! haha :) but don't stress, i'm still an Idaho kid at heart and I figured it out :)

   So I love you so much mom! just thought I'd say that ;)

   But you know I can totally see you saying all that cool spanglish stuff in Costa Vida! it would be great! but what's even funnier, is when I picture you coming to portugal and totally speaking portlish (portugese english) which would be SO fun!! just saying :) but in all seriousness, you do have the gift of tongues! haha love ya mom! But you know speaking of mixed languages, theres an amazingly humble man that came to church this week who is from romania. Nobody here in portugal can pronounce his romanian name, so he made up the name Jorge. haha. but he doesn't speak much portuguese, but spekas pretty decent spanish, so he speaks what we call, portanhol. haha he's such a cool guy! we just met him this week, he was a reference from a less active member who is starting to reactivate, and he's super cool! we met him on saturday, he came to church on sunday, and we're planning to meet with him on thursday to really start the lessons. If you could just pray that we'll be able to understand him, and he can understand us, but most importantly, that we can teach with the Spirit, because that's the most important thing. :)

It's so wierd to think that everyone is in school! It blows my mind! It just wierds me out to think that ash is a senior....that is super crazy. I don't like thinking about that very much. but PARABÉNS ASHLEIGH!!! you beat SODA!! right on butch! that's so fun! that's great that the coach is good! that really makes a huge difference.

   Everyone is starting up again! when does school start for Steph? and alyssa will be home for just a couple weeks before going to Ukraine right? wow....that's so wierd that everyone is going to be home! party at the brady house right? right.

   Ok, I know I've only been gone 6 months, but i feel like everyone is so much older now that i've left. Sarah is babysitting and Brittany is working in the spuds? since when?? I don't even know what's going on mom....but I'm wierded out! haha :)

   Sounds like your doing what's right on the Library job. Its amazing where the answers to our questions can come from. I've really been noticing the increidble importance of Church attendance. Not just for investigators, but for the members. Whatever question or doubt or situation that you are going through, the Lord answers us through the talks, the lessons, or just the fact that we're in His house, the Spirit can teach us exactly what we need to know. I've been thinking a lot about faith, and enduring to the end. Susana, our recent convert was telling us the other day, that her life hasn't really changed. That in some situations, it's been harder for her since her baptism. She's still trying to get divorced, and there are just lots of health problems with her family. Her parents are both in bed sick, and she takes care of them and it's just got a little worse. She was like what is going on here? and I was thinking the exact same thing. One of the thoughts that came to my head was Joseph Smith. He saw Heavenly Father and the Savior. They told him exactly what to do, and he did it. But what happened? He was persecuted beyond all belief. His family was persecuted. All of the saints who believed in him as their prophet and followed him faithfully were persecuted until they were ran out of the state. But one thing that was incredible, he never once doubted what he had seen. He never once denied it. He questioned. but he kept going, with faith.

   So we talked about that, and she was like yeah, that's true. And it helped a little bit, but she was still kinda wavering a bit. And I was pondering about that too. Why is it that when we are doing everything we think we can, the Lord doesn't just take away the trials. but then our district president gave a talk in sacrament meeting, that was AMAZING! He talked about the 2 best examples of enduring to the end. 2 that have honestly been inspirations in my life, the pioneers, and the savior. The pioneers, after the martyrdom of Joseph, were chased all the way across the country. They pulled their belongings in handcarts. They suffered hunger, frostbite, heat stroke, death. Everything. but they kept going. They knew that it was true. And they knew that Heavenly Father keeps his promises. They kept going to the end because of that witness they had received. that's the same with us. Sometimes, things are hard. Sometimes we don't understand. sometimes, we're trying to do what's right, and things just aren't going our way, and in those times, we just have to trust in the witnesses we've received.

   And then the example of the Savior. The ultimate example. the perfect example. Jesus Christ, in the middle of taking upon Him all of the sins, the sufferings, the pain, the confusion, the tempations, of every human being to ever exist, asked to have the cup taken away. "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42) Christ was perfect. He didn't need to suffer that. He was tired. He was hurt. This perfect man, who never even tasted the tiniest sin, was feeling all of it. All of the guilt, humility, and sorrow that comes from our mistakes. i can't even imagine the suffering He felt. He asked it to take it away, but because of His love for the Father, and His love for us, His brothers and sisters, He endured. He performed the most infinite, and perfect sacrifice for each and everyone of us. And He endured to the end. The man who never made a mistake. He did everything that Father asked, had to take on a task that was HUGE. But He did it. It was incredible. I'm so grateful for my Savior, and His love for me.

   and it was EXACTLY what Susana and I needed to hear. That happens every single week. It's amazing how Heavenly Father helps us one step at a time. every time.exactly what we need, when we need it. I'm so grateful for Him.

   So this week we've had such a hard time getting a hold of Armando and Claudia!! we think they're moving!! not good! but we've tried calling and she hasn't answered and we have tried passing by at different times to try and talk to her. It's been a little hard on us. But as we've been praying and praying the only thing that comes to my mind is that Heavenly Father loves them so much and wants to help them. He won't let them go! So I just ask for your prayers and faith that we'll be able to get in touch with them to find out where they are going that would be great!

August 20, 2012

Man the whole world's on fire! It’s definitely the signs of the times huh? It blows my mind. I have had the same thought. I'm super excited for the destination (second coming) but the journey is gonna get a little rough. This is where it all comes down to, do we trust in the Lord? That's all there is to it. If we have the faith, and believe, we don't have to fear, because the Lord protects the righteous! It's gonna get a little rough, but we just gotta keep on trucking, with faith. We watched "Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration" today. It was so good! I love it so much. One thing that really stuck out to me today was the fact that Joseph didn't know what was going to happen all the time. He didn't fully understand why there was suffering. He lost 5 of his children. He watched his friends and family suffer and he didn't even fully understand it. He was a prophet and he didn't know. His life was really hard. But he kept going. He knew in whom he had trusted. He knew who he was and what his job was. He didn't know what the end wqas gonna be but he trusted in the Lord and kept going. Sometimes our lives are hard. Sometimes we lose our job. We have a death in the family, or the car breaks down and there just isn't money to fix it. These are super hard times and our tendency is to say why? Why me? But if we can follow Joseph’s example and keep our faith in the Lord, and push forward, we will be fine. We will be blessed. Maybe not right away, but it comes. The Lord ALWAYS blesses His children who follow him. D&C 121:7. (PS....cool thing to remember....Joseph’s life was hard. But he laughed, loved, and smiled. :) Just saying )

Man Frack is married! Man that's so weird!! I don't know how to feel about that. It blows my mind. I can remember when he left on his mission! It seems like yesterday! Those 2 years with him and Scott gone were 2 of the fastest years of my life. So weird.

I'm super glad that Alyssa's doing ok with her shoulder! That’s so rough! I'm super sorry about that! I'm glad she's gonna be able to make to Ukraine and back without any problems. so what's exactly that plan with this Ukraine thing? Who is she teaching? Who is she going through? BYU right? Is she paying or getting paid? I was just talking with Elder Wolman and he was asking me a ton of questions and like a fub, I didn't know! haha :)

Man Britt's already a Dancing fool!! Right on Britt! Way to knock 'em dead! 1st out of 1 is definitely the way to go! I'm super pumped about that! I miss dancing! I miss it a lot. That's one of the things I miss most I think. So keep up the dancing Britt! What kind of dance was it? Swing? Ya know mom, I can understand the hard decision making part. But I have read several talks in the Liahona or the Ensign about stuff like that. We do learn a lot as we make our own decisions. That's one of the things Presidente Fluckiger and I talked about in my interview with him. (PS I LOVE HIM!) The Lord wants us to learn and grow and make good decisions because of our own free will. That's the purpose of life right? :) And that's the purpose of the gift of the Holy Ghost. To help us make this right decisions. But man I miss the temple! :) just sayin' britt :) (Brittany had to decide between dancing at the state fair and going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. So this reference is to letting her make her own decisions, and Jo tossing in a subliminal message J)

So real quick, I gotta wrap it up here in just a sec, but Armando is so ready to be baptized, but our branch wants to wait for Claudia to be baptized with them. It was a little complicated at first. We marked Armando for baptism, but then the branch didn't like it. At all. So they talked to president Fluckiger about it, and pres said go ahead. so we had it all planned and picked Armando up for church and then pres called and said we should probably wait. Armando was SO devastated. Super sad. But now he's all gung-ho on helping his mom stop smoking! he told us that at 7 o' clock every day, where ever we are....we should stop and say a prayer and he will too! SUPER COOL! I love him to death! So just keep praying that she'll be able to stop smoking. The Lord is blessing her every step of the way. I'm so grateful for the chacne to be working with them.

I'm a slacker!

Yes, I know. I am a slacker mom! So sorry about that! However, I am here and will attempt to get all of the last 6 weeks updated today...or soonish! :)