Week 38 - Temple Trip

This week was fine, nothing special, neither bad! No new investigators worth noting this week, we didn't contact a whole lot. But this Wednesday we are going to the temple as a zone, which should be awesome! When I get home I would like to do the first morning session once a week or every two weeks, something like that.

Katherine asked Brad the following questions:
1- Best memory this past week?
2- How are the investigators coming along?
3- Favorite scripture for the week and why?
4- How is your health?
5- Reasons you love your mom?

1. My best memory this past week, last Monday night a great guy in the ward took us out to eat mexican food like home style, so that was awesome. First time in 8 months, I went again today too!
2. The investigators aren't coming along too well at the moment. We are going to be working more the less-active members this transfer. They are progressing, just working over their fears to get back into the church,
3. 2 Nephi 4:16-35 (Nephi's Psalm) because it talks about why the things of the world bring us down, if only we trust in the Lord, we will be okay. Just because we are human doesn't mean that we have to give way to temptations and worldly things, we just hold to the rod and we will be just fine.
4. Edited for this audience :) He is fine; just typical health issues related to being a missionary in Bolivia
5. Because she is the most Christ like person I know, I do miss her little cheek kisses, and the mission has made me realize more than ever how much I do love you!
My companion is fine, I did pull the taser out on a dog though, my comp almost peed laughing. I yelled at the dog and he just thought it was so funny to hear me shout at a dog with a taser in my hand. 

Oh well! I love you!

Week 37 - No Transfer

This week was good. We talked with Williams and Deysi a few times, which was neat, they are doing great. For transfers, President Hansen sent Elder Rummler and Elder Pasten out to Potosi and Sucre, which sucks. And I didn't have a transfer. 

(I asked Brad if he liked cooking because he's mentioned it several times and a member sent me the picture below) I am not that big a fan of cooking, everybody just wants French Toast! (His French Toast is awesome) So I do it, we get the lesson as well, and it is all groovy.  

(I had an incident in Primary on Sunday with a folding chair - my kids have their mother's reaction to other people's pain and suffering!) Your chair collapsed?!? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard! But I am so sorry at the same time! That sucks. I hope T (my little brother) isn't too cruel with the jokes... Did the numbing shot hurt before they gave the stitches? That is the worst part! 

Week 36 - Williams and Deysi were Baptized!

I baptized Williams and my comp baptized Deysi!! It was pretty special. I didn't even mess up the words! It was great, we started almost on time (really, quite a miracle in this society), we had 4 investigators come, the room was full, it was great! (I asked Brad what he thought his greatest area of personal progress has been regarding the gospel) The biggest area of progress so far is seeing how there is literally an area of the Gospel to apply to every part of life, not important how or where. I am pleased with my ability to understand the needs of the people and help them understand how Christ can help and how he already has been helping them.

(Katherine asked Brad the following questions):

First question: Most valuable lesson you have learned thus far?

Second: What have you learned about yourself?

Third: What have you learned about service?

Fourth: How do you know God is with you and helping you?

Fifth: Please share your testimony with me.

Brad's Answers:

1. Nothing can replace charity. Moroni 7:47(ish) and 1 Corinthians 13.

2. After harvesting 6 days a week for the entire day, every day, I can do a lot more than I thought I could.

3. Service is the way Christ lived and died, and by losing ourselves in the service of others, we will find ourselves.

4. Because I couldn't do this work if he wasn't with me, I am not strong enough without him.

5. I don't know how to express my testimony, at least certainly not all of it. Ha, especially in this language. As our Father in Heaven sent us here to this earth, before we passed through the veil, I am sure he pulled each of aside and told us to be obedient and we will be just fine. As we came here, we did not remember this. Our purpose as His children is to help others remember their divine nature as children of a King. My testimony of the missionary work is this: As we lose ourselves in the Lord's vineyard, we fulfill the Savior's words, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  As we donate our lives (temporarily) to the Lord, we shall find it. As we deny ourselves, our wants and desires, we understand His plan, we experience the joy He offers us, we become more like Him.  Charity is the key and with the pure love of Christ, and as we try look at our Father in Heaven's children through a parent's eye, through his eyes, we can see miracles take place and lives change. I love this work!

Have a great week!

Week 35 - Baptism on Saturday

This week was really good! The most exciting thing is that Williams and Daisy are going to be baptized this Saturday at 11:00 a.m., so I am absolutely thrilled for them. That is going to be awesome. They haven't decided who is going to baptize them, but that doesn't even matter. And their kids who are 7 and 4 just love me and like playing on my back every time I sit down. 

Miguel is a great guy (Miguel sent the pictures below... nice guy), returned missionary, he is the nephew of my pensionista (she and her family is who Brad lives with, she cooks them meals each day) and he lives in my area as well, we see him often and we got to teach with him as well. 

At times the mission is crappy, these people are all Catholics or J-Dubs (Jehovah Witness) or self pronounced pastors, and as Joseph Smith said, they all interpret the Bible differently. Lol. But I love the mish all at the same time. The good far outweighs the bad. Far.  (Catholicism is very prevalent in South America in general) 

(I asked Brad what his mission was like, as far as, baptisms/missionary/2years, the number of lessons taught in a week, etc.) The average missionary probably has about 10 baptisms, more or less given on luck, if they were ever in Quiriza (Brad's first area... It was a service area not a proselyting area, which made it difficult to teach) (lol), stuff like that. We were the lowest in South America last November, but we have stepped it up quite a bit. 10 full lessons a week I would say is about average, at least for my zone. Maybe a 12 lesson average mission wide. But come what may and love it, I love the mission.

Week 34 - Progressing Investigators

How are you doing?? I am doing really well, this week has been great! Daisy and Williams both came to church and both have a baptismal date for June 11th.  I am feeling much better this week, not perfect, but better.  My investigators are doing much better, not having problems with the W.o.W., (Word of Wisdom) which is perfect, and both came church yesterday, I am so happy with them.

My weekly story is I was walking to my house at night I didn't see that one of my wolves was hiding and he came out of nowhere when it was pitch black, and I think I said a bad word, I don't remember, but it scared me!  

(I asked Brad if he had a feel for the upcoming transfers, also his companion was having some issues that may cause a change for him this week.  His issues are unrelated to Brad, in fact they have been getting along really well) Transfers.... I dont know. From where I stand now,  I will be in a trio with our DL and his comp Elder Rummler for the next three weeks until transfer day. But I would like to train, I am not picky though.

I hope you all have a great week.  I will talk to you soon!  Love you guys!