Week 74: This end is just a new beginning

HEY YALL! 

WOW! I have no words I cannot believe this will be the last email of my mission I could not be more grateful for this absolute amazing experience I've had here in California for the past 18 months I'm not gonna lie, this has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through in so many ways. Mentally, spiritually, emotionally, you name it. 

I don't know how much y'all know, but in my second transfer I had the opportunity to go home. I was not happy in any way and was not enjoying the work. I was depressed and was loosing weight. The morning we got transfer news, my mission president called me and asked if I wanted to go home. I, for some reason, said no and that I wanted to keep going. I was mad at myself cause I DID want to go home but I said I didn't. In so many ways I wanted to be done. 

Two days later I went into the area and met my companion, Sister Wilson, who changed my mission. I could not imagine what it would have been like if I had left before I went there. Our work was so so successful and I met lifelong friends there who I am still in contact with. 

My mission has changed me. It has helped me trust more in Heavenly Father and His divine plan for each of His wonderful children. My mission scripture is Mosiah 7:33 and it says: 

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage." 

As we serve Him with our whole heart, we can be changed. Our diligence, not just as missionaries, but as lifelong disciples, will help us so much as we are striving to endure to the end. I am still shocked that this time of my life is coming to an end. Many many tears have been shed but I know this end of a chapter my life is just another start

I've truly learned out here to love as the Savior loves to minister to all and show them that they are children of loving Heavenly Father who is constantly watching over them. 

I've grown an amazing love for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what it means specifically to me in my life. And because of it, I've been able to show others what it can mean to them. I know for a fact that He truly suffered, died, and did rise again. For YOU. I know this because of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I've read that book so much and I continue to learn more from it every time I open it up. I hope you all don't go a day without reading in The Book of Mormon. I know that we have it here at this time for a reason. Read it.

Peace out!! 

LOVE YALL

(Last time)

- Sister Brady:)

PS...Also here's a quote a member sent me that explains missionary work haha! 

A mission is a strange experience

It is a trial and a test.

A mission throws at you the worst

Yet, teaches you the best.

I’ve never been so happy,

I’ve never been so depressed.

I’ve never felt so forsaken,

I’ve never felt so blessed.

I’ve never been so confused,

Things have never been so clear.

I’ve never felt my Heavenly Father so distant,

He’s never been so near.

I’ve never been so discouraged,

I’ve never been so full of hope.

I feel I could go on for forever,

I think I’ve come to the end of my rope.

I’ve never had it quite so easy,

I’ve never had it quite so tough.

Things have never been so smooth,

Things have never been so rough.

I’ve never traveled through more valleys,

I’ve never ascended more peaks.

I’ve never met so many nice people.

I’ve never met so many freaks!

I’ve never had so many ups,

I’ve never had so many downs.

I’ve never worn so many smiles,

I’ve never had so many frowns.

I’ve never been so lonely,

I’ve never had so many friends.

BOY, I hope this is over soon,

GOSH, I hope this never ends.

Week 73: Homecoming info!! (...What?)

 HEY YALL!

so I'm actually shocked that it's time!! Like what??? 

 

My homecoming will be March 23rd at 1:30pm at 1320 W 3540 N St, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 (with food at my house after Duhhh!) So pull up!!

Today we gotta go to the temple so it's my p day! Oh how I love the temple I saw like 4 people I knew too so that was fun!

This last week I got to see a friend I taught like 6 months ago!! I've talked about Him before too but his name is Temo and he was soooo close to getting baptized He was and is actually so prepared He was getting a ride to his baptismal interview by his mom and she told him he couldn't get baptized or else he wouldn't be able to live at home He is very much an adult so it was hard for him to accept that Since I left the area, he wasn't being taught anymore but as I met with him this past week, he said for a while, he was still going to chuch and reading the book of mormon every night!! He knows everything is true and said he wants to get baptized so only time will tell!

Alsoooo we had an epic baptism this week for this boy who has been going to church for 4 years!!! 

He was at school when one of the members in our ward gave him a Book of Mormon! And since then he's been going to church with the members family and finally set a baptism date! He bore his testimony and it was absolutely amazing! His brother also was baptized last November because of him! So he was a missionary before he became a member haha! Basically God is so good!! 

Have a wonderful week!! LOVE YALL

- Sister Brady:)

Weeks 70-72: Lil bro is serving a mission!!

 HEY YALL!

Absolute huge shoutout to my little brother Dylan for getting his mission call to Santiago Chile!!!

Ahhhh I cried so incredibly hard when he opened it and I could not be more proud of him for deciding to serve the Lord 

This last week, for fast and testimony meeting, I had the opportunity to share my testimony twice Both in my family ward, and ysa ward Both times I just testified of the gift of being a missionary It has been the most life changing thing I have ever done

We had zone conference this week and each missionary gives their outgoing testimony at the end to all the missionaries I was able to share mine and in no way was I planning on getting emotional but I ended up coming down from the stand and absolutely bawling my eyes out for a good 15 min until the end of the meeting

 

 The spirit was so strong and I can't believe how far I've gotten I'm stoked to see what these last few weeks have in store for me!

 

I was kinda sick this week which wasn't the funnest  but I've gotten to go on many exchanges with all these sisters I'm working with! 

 

I've almost been on exchanges more than I've been with my comp which isn't the funnest sometimes but it's so fun to see the difference areas! 

I hope you all have the most amazing week and find the Savior in aspect of your life!! LOVE YALL

-Sister Brady:)