Sister Bradley

Sister Bradley

Monday, October 23, 2017

So long Mishawaka! - Email from Jenny

Well folks my time here in Mishawaka is coming to a close. I am going to be transferred down to Fishers, Indiana where I will be training a new missionary!!! :) President told me the ward is HUGE and that the primary has like 80 children...pray that I can remember all these people's names!! He also said this ward has a lot of potential that he'd like us to help them start reaching...no pressure or anything :) I am excited for a new challenge though and I am excited for all that God has in store for us!

We had a really great week! Here are some highlights:

Ryan Stith received the Priesthood on Sunday and it was such a special experience. Bishop told us a few things before he was ordained that were actually more directed at Janet, his wife, and I thought I would share them because I thought they were pretty cool :) He told Janet that the man and woman are equal partners in their relationship and responsibility, and that Heavenly Father has a very special place in His heart for His daughters. He told her that after a woman is baptized (and is above the age of 12) she is complete and ready to go to the temple right then and there. However, the man, is not yet complete and has to receive the Priesthood of God in order to be ready and prepared to enter the temple. I thought that was an interesting way to think about the Priesthood :) I can't wait to see all the blessings that come into their lives because of it!

We had a really fun lesson with Reahlyn and Ethan where we went to a park and took them through the obstacle course of life on the playground while blindfolded. We compared our voices to Jesus Christ's voice and how when we live the Gospel and follow Christ, there is no need to fear! We invited them, yet again, to be baptized and talked about how we were going to achieve that goal. We talked about their schedules and potential distractions that could prevent them from getting baptized and all agreed that November 11 would be a reasonable day since there is no sports or musicals or distractions to get in the way :) pray that they can make this date!!! They are such a sweet family and the Gospel will bless their lives so much!!

Tracting Experience: We knock on a door, and could see little children walking around through the screen door and they couldn't hear us because they were on their iPads! So we waited until they were right in our sight and knocked super loud and one of them looked up confused and then looked at us. So naturally we wave, and then both little boys come running up to us and one yelled "You're here!" haha yes, little boy, we know you've been waiting for us to come and bring the Gospel to your family :) haha we asked if their mom was home and he told us yeah, and to come in...man I love little kids haha, they are just so willing to trust! We told them that we would just wait outside while they got her. She was a super cute mom that had actually moved in not too long ago! She is a radio host in Indiana which is pretty cool except we don't listen to the radio so that doesn't mean a ton haha but, she said we could come back!

This week I have been thinking a lot about the impact that positivity can have in our lives, and I think one of the most prominent examples in my life is President Hinckley :)
President Russell M. Nelson [said]: “They do not waste time pondering the past or fretting about the future. And they persevere in spite of adversity.” 
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland...commented: “‘Things will work out’ may well be President Hinckley’s most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. ‘Keep trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.’”
I have come to learn that happiness is not something you just stumble upon, it is more of a state of mind and is largely determined by our reactions to the different experiences we have in life. I have really been trying to focus on positivity and accepting reality with a smile on my face. This past week we had a TON of appointments fall through, 3 of which were with people who would have been new investigators and happened to all be in the same day...but that's alright because we had more time to spend trying to find God's elect, to find those that are truly ready for the Gospel!
I found this scripture this morning in my studies:
Alma 27:18 "Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness."
I love this scripture because it shows that happiness is something we have to seek actively, not something that we can just happen upon. Thomas Monson said "You don't find the happy life, you make it."
Let this be our motto this week:
"Those who move forward with a  h a p p y  s p i r i t  will find that things  a l w a y s  work out!"

Serving with a Smile,
Sister Bradley

Pictures!
1. I LOVE THE SPANISH HERMANAS!!!

 2. Also, I am going to miss them terribly!!! Brother and Sister Grifffey


 3. Chili Cook of Judges!


 4. Love the Stiths! Those are their legit uniforms from when they were in the military


 5. Yali's came to the trunk or treat! I guess they came, left to go to Target to get costumes, and this is what they came back with! Don't ask me how to spell their Chinese names :)

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