Safe and Sound in Beautiful Portugal

Hey mom!!!~Sorry I couldn't call you from paris. The calling cards only work if you're callin from the us out of the states. (That's what I get for buying calling cards at Alco!!) sorry about that. I tried really hard. But yes, I am here in Portugal at the mission home and oh my word mom it is SO beautiful!! way better than any of the pictures we saw!! :) but I'm not gonna lie....this Portuguese keyboard is giving me a little bit of problem!! hahah :) I love that quote by president monson!! (Yard by yard, life is hard; inch by inch, it's a cinch)I can't wait to hear from him this weekend! (hopefully in english so I can understand it eh? :) ) all of the elders here say that we speak better than they did when they got here, so that's encouraging, but they must have been TERRIBLE because I couldn't understand ANYONE at the airport!! hahaha :) so I got to talk to a couple of sisters from Finland on the plan from Paris. It was super cool. They were agnostic?? idk they didn't have a specific religion, and they said they were closest to Budhism, but even then not really. they were really fun to talk to. I just talked to them, and got to know them, and then shared my purpose and my testimony here and there. I feel like I probably should have tried something maybe a little more bold, but it took me like 2 hours of the 2.5 to get up the courage to even talk to them! especially cuz I didn't know if they knew English or not. HA :) but it was fun. they were really nice, they wanted to hear about what missionaries do a little more cuz they met some in finland, but they didn't really care a ton about the gospel, but it was really fun to talk to them. Anyways, I have to go have an interview (my president is out of town....so it's just the office couple) but I love you so much!! thank you for everything! I'll let you know how everything else goes here pretty soon. Just know that I'm here, safe, and it's super warm! :) Love you so much! give my love to everyone else.

Love,Elder Jordan Brady

March 13, 2012

MAE!!!!! Eu amo voce!!! mas do que palavras podem expressar!! :)
So I'm pretty disappointed in the Google translator, not gonna lie. IT's a little bit goofy, but kinda close :) Hahaha its actually pretty accurate, just for brazilian portuguese rather than continental (Portugal) portuguese, mas.....tudo bem :)
Oh my word mom.....it sounds like it's been another rough season in Grace. Man alive. I can't believe JD Haslam was only 30! How's his family doing? Did he have 2 or 3 kids? I can't remember. Doesn't his mom live around here too? Bishop has definitely had a LOT to go through. I bet that's super hard. And Heather is dying?? Oh my word how sad!! How's dad doing? How's Shauna doing? Is she gonna be able to come out and see her? Have you heard from Nancy at all about this? Man I wish I could have met her and known her a little more. The Lord will be merciful. That's what the Atonement is for. It's infinite, all encompassing, and it fulfills the demand for justice so the Lord can be merciful. And Our Heavenly Father loves her and wants to do everything He can.
I'm SO glad Al has had so many people watching out for him and taking care of him. He's a strong man, and he's got faith and the Lord will bless him. It will be hard for a while, I'm sure of that....but I've been praying for him.
How are Barbi and Justin? I put their names in the temple this week. What's going on there?
Oh mom I'm so sorry about your aunt Julie! I'm so sad that she's struggling!! I'll pray her for too! Man I'm so sad!!! This week has been so hard! How's grandma? Mom you are just like her. You are one of the most amazing women in history and I mean that with all of my heart! You are so Christ-like in everything you do. You are the perfect example of trying to be better every day. You don't need to worry about that mom. Promise! I have been telling EVERYONE in my zone about you and they all want to meet you!
Yeah for Britt!!! That’s why I chose her! I knew she'd get it taken care of! I've got your letter so I'll respond more there. I'm a little short on time today because I was showing the pictures of Steph and Matt to the Irma's and so I don't have as much time as I would like but I’ll write you a letter in just a little bit. No worries mom! :) Congrats on making through Alma!! That always makes you feel good right? And 3rd Nephi is fast becoming one of my favorite books of scripture of all time!!! :) It's so incredible what the Savior did for us. Every day I need to utilize His sacrifice. He always makes me stronger....every day. I love the song; I think I told you this...but "Abide with Me, Tis Eventide". When I sing it, I can feel the love of the Savior with me...It's such an amazing song. Anyways....I love you so much mom! Be strong...I pray for you every day!! I love you tons and I can't wait to hear from you again! (And pics are great too :) ) Love you all!!!
Love,
Jordan (Elder Brady)

March 6, 2012

Yes clean sheets are wonderful, and Elder Wilson and are surviving :) The Lord has been tellingme that i need to be humble, patient, and just work through it. I'm getting better :) yes he loves trains...but i wouldhn't list that as a "good point" hahaha just kidding :)
Holy cow you guys went crazy last week huh? THat's so fun!! I love weekends like that! I'm so glad ash got a beautiful dress!! the thing is though, poor DJ woudn't know what hit him even if she was wearing sweats!! but...i do need pics. those are my favorite! ;) hey ps thanks for the package!!! I was so excited!! SWEDISH FISH!!! and donuts AND.......STRAWBERRY LEMONADE!!! oh my goodness thank you so much!!! THey dont have those in the vendingmachines here! (ps spacebar is not working very well so don't judge my typing.)
Haha that's so funny sarah put that together! i never really did. It's thanks to alyssa being brave enough to follow the spirit to go to Bar T 5 that matthew is in steph's life, and in ours. Tell sarah thank you for me would you? THat's really a cool thing. And tell Lys thanks. ANd tell lys to write me dang it!!! hahah :)
Brando's gonna have a blast taking Lacey!! How did he ask her? Haha Linda will not be happy even a little bit i garuntee you!! but she loves brando so taht'sok :)I'm so sorry you're all sick! That's never fun! what kind of sick was it? you're all in my prayers. Oh i'm so sorry!! I just got back from the temple but i hadn't checked my email! I'll put their names in the temple next week. promise! what's going on there?
So I have a whole list of things that i was going to tell you about this week. (I started getting smarter and writing a list of cool things during the week taht i want' to say. cool right? right.) but.......i left it in my room but i'm running out of time on the computer anways, but if you're gonna write me....i'll respond to it with all of the cool things.deal? deal!
One cool thing I have to tell you about is Alex Boye! He came and gave a fireside on Sunday and it waws the most amazing thing ever!!! He was SO funny! I haven't laughed that hard in a long long time! He was telling jokes and we were laughing and then he sang and ti was beautiful and then he talked about his conversion story. He told us that our missions will be what we think they are. Our attitude has 100% to do with how our mission turns out and how we are remembered. It was so amazing! It wasfun, spiritual, inspirtational, and mission changing. It really was an answer to prayers! it's hleped every aspect of my mission!
TheLord has answered my prayers about 175 times this week. Alex Boye was one, another was my rib. remember when i dislocated my rib fighting that wild boar in the backyard and saving our entire family and livelihood? yeah well the other night i was coughing pretty hard in my sleep and i'm pretty sure my rib popped out. It hurt so bad. i couldn't find a comfortable way to sleep and it was not a good night. i couldn't laugh, or breath heavily, or play ball or anyting. I was trying to do those stretches to put it back in and help the muscles relax and stuff...and that helped, but i was still not sleeping for like 2 nights because it hurt so bad. I prayed to Heavenly Father so sincerely and so desperately. and within the next 18 hours, the pain is gone...my back is fine, i can laugh breathe, play ball, sleep, twist, bend.....all of it. The Lord cares about His Children.....even if they're in pain because they can't pick up their toothbrush! ;) The lord really does love us. and He answers prayers...and He performs miracles.
And the last one I won't get as specific becasue of time, but I've been trying so hard to improve my teachingskills, but i've fellt like ii've hit a dead end. I've been praying every day since i've been here to figure it out....but it's been hard. THen last night....I was practicing with Elder Mendez during class...and as I was discussing with him how we can improve....it came to me. It was a complete accident. I wqas just talking and discussing and then I said something.Then I had to stop for a second. that was it. That was what i needed....and I learned itbecause of the situation we were in with our investigators. Oh my word the joy in my heart was undescribable!!! the Lord not only cares, but He has a plan for us and a timing that we don't understand, but it will all work out for our good. Mom it'samazing.
Anyways i gotta run. I love you so much!! thank you for everything!! I can't wait to hear fromyou!!! tell everyone I love them!!!!
Pode o Senhor fica com voces ate encontramos de novo!
Love,
ElderJordan Brady.