Brad's Mission

My family!!

You are very trunky! hahaha Holy Cow!!

I am extremely excited to see you so soon! It will be here before you know it! Time is passing much too quickly. I feel like it was just yesterday I had 20 weeks left and I felt like time was running out! Now with 4 weeks left I'm just flat out trippin haha. I am excited to see you. I am. BUT I am not trunky. There is still much to do and my mind is still focused on this incredible work and it will be until December 17 when I am no longer authorized to proselyte anymore. That's just how it is.  Then let the trunkiness begin! My companion never ceases to remind me how much time I have left haha. We had a very good week this last week! I had some great moments that I want to share with you.

 

I went on exchanges with an Elder on Saturday named Elder Dahl. He's a great missionary serving in one of my old areas that I was zone leader in. He asked me the typical exchanges question of,"What would you say are the 3 things that you have learned on your mission that will stick with you for your life?" This is the first time I think I actually thought hard and long and gave a legit answer. So here are the 3 things I think are top on my  list.

1. True conversion.

Before the mission I had a testimony. But I became truly converted to everything detail of the gospel and the church on my mission. I have a love for everything about the ways of God that will never deminish.

2. Recognizing the Holy Ghost.

I've been able to recognize more frequently and clearer the promptings of the Spirit in my life. I feel like by doing this and following those promptings, my life is more aligned with the path that Heavenly Father would have me walk.

3. Understanding

Before my mission I loved the Savior and The Father. On my mission I have learned to understand and apply their love and the Atonement into the very details of my life. I understand the gospel. I understand who I am. I understand what my testimony means. I understand what my purpose in life is. I understand so much. Heavenly Father has allowed my vision of life to expand. Or in other words the promised is fulfilled that "...the mysteries of God [have] [been] unfolded unto [me]."

 

There are many things I have learned on my mission. There have been soooo many things I have learned. If I could chanel those things into a top 3 category. These 3 principles are it.

On the missionary work front.

The Twins are getting baptized this saturday!! We're so excited for their baptism! It's a pretty tender thing because this very well could be one of, if not my last, baptism on my mission. It's going to be such an exciting event. On sunday they will be confirmed, and so will Marcy. (who we married and baptized last week). I will be doing her confirmation. The twins will also get confirmed. Elder Hartt and I are baptizing and confirming both of the twins. It will be such a cool experience. We are filled with excitement. We have taught them everything they need to know and they are stinkin smart! Everytime we ask them about their reading, they recite perfectly the stories they have read about, quoting scriptures and everything. Then they will have awesome questions for us about the things they've learned. They are ready to be dunked! haha I've really grown to love the twins. They are the best! We'll take some good pics!

 

Yesterday we went over to Marcy's. It was a big day for her family! Her awesome husband Eduardo had a pretty big event! They both work for Usana. In Long Beach yesterday, the first ever all spanish Usana conference was held and Eduardo was the main speaker. He was rollin with the big shots! We got the scoop on it all. The company owners and everyone loved him and his speech. He got to spend nearly the whole day with them doing all the stuff "VIP" style. He's such a good guy. He's going to get baptized next! haha it's only a matter of time. Marcy is trying to convert him. You guys. Marcy is awesome. We were talking to them and Marcy told us about how she can always recognize when someone is a member of the church. She said she will see someone or hear them talk and she just knows that they are a member. She said she recognizes a specail "Light" about them and asked us if she was crazy or if there was doctrine about it. She was please to hear that she wasn't crazy! haha It's a very cool thing for a convert to notice that already. Another cool thing about them is last week Marcy and her 2 kids got into a pretty bad car accident. It totaled their car, but they were completely fine. Not a scratch or ache on them. When Eduardo came to get her she was kinda shook up, and sorry about the car (even though it wasn't their fault) and Eduardo being the great guy he is told her,"It's just a car! The miracle is that you are okay and the kids are okay! It is a miracle! A car is just something material. It does not matter! God protected our family!" Marcy went on to explain more to the story too. Camillia (their adorable little 2 year old) wasn't even wearing a seat belt. And absolutely nothing happend to any of them. It's cool for them to look at this as a blessing instead of a tragedy. Even Eduardo who is not a member yet instantly recognized it as a miracle and a blessing from God. That's a really awesome thing to hear from a convert of only a week. Their family is so amazing. You guys will get to meet them. I'm proud of them. We've been able to baptize nearly their whole family as soon as Eduardo gets dunked! He is almost there.

 

Thanksgiving this week! Haha we have a funny situation for thanksgiving.

We were originally supposed to eat dinner with the -----. You guys. The ----- are the filthiest people in Anaheim. Last time we went over. JUST LAST TIME. It's been worse than this! But just a week ago when we were over there! We walked in and the odor of dog about made us gag. We walked in and there were puddles of dog pee on the floor where we were about to eat. Did they take care of that? No. In fact, with their bare feet, they walked through the puddles and tract it all over the house. Hard wood floors. We could see in reflection thier dog pee foot prints all over the house. There was all sorts of hair in our food, and in our drinks. Sister --- was constantly touching her hair and nose and dealing the food to us. It was cold spaghetti. Delicious! And if that's not enough. There was big dark, fresh, pee spots on the couch that Brother ---- went and layed on right after he was done eating. Yum!! So we were supposed to go to the ----s for dinner, but as soon as Sister Bowen found out what type of thanksgiving we were sentenced to have, she told us,"You are not eating there. You are coming with President Bowen and I." We never argue with Sister Bowen :) So we are going out to eat with the Bowens for thanksgiving! They made reservations at this rrreeallly awesome, very nice, restaurant called The Catch. It's a really nice place. We're stoked! It's going to be a great thanksgiving! We told the ----- we got called by our Mission President to be with them that day and they understood, but we are still stopping by to share a lesson with them after we're done eating. haha we reallly lucked out you guys.

 

Tonight we are actually cooking for the Sessions! I love the Sessions so much! They are one of my favorite families! I came here the week after sister sessions got baptized and got to take part in her confirmation. We love them! They are soo awesome! Elder Hartt and I are actually a great cooking tag team! Tonight we are making them one of our favorite dishes! Bow tie pasta with a creamy alfredo sauce mixed with this spicy tomato sauce by Giada, with grilled chicken. Very Tasty! Elder Hartt handles the pasta and I cook the chicken! I've become a chicken specialist on my mission! hah

 

I want to say a few words specifically about the health issues going on with Dad. I know I usually give the words of encouragement like Hang in there and stay strong, but this week I feel I should add just a little more.

I've learned on my mission that the Atonement doesn't just give us strength and comfort to overcome the pains of sin. The power that comes from the Atonement gives us power "...in all things..." According to my knowledge, here is how this works.

By accessing the Atonement, we access forgiveness and mercy from Heavenly Father. When we do this, we are "filled with his love". The promise from the sacrament, which gives us the key to access the Atonement, is that "His Spirit will always be with us". Now, the Spirit is a member of the Godhead. The Spirit directly links us to our Heavenly Father and helps us see as he sees and helps us feel what He feels. Since Heavenly Father is all powerful, the Atonement literally allows us to feel physical strength. A great illustration of this is the general authorities of the church. For this example we will use President Hinckley. He was such a frail old man, but had strength to go anywhere and do anything! Because he was filled with the Spirit that gave him strength to do it! So when we access the healing power of the Atonement, we are accessing the Godhead, and we are accessing strength that comes to our bodies which God made and gave us the capacity to have. If we could pull all these thoughts together it would be outlined as such.

The Atonement provides power to do anything. Without the Atonement, there would be no priesthood power, there would be no opportunity to feel the Spirit, there would be no hope, there would be nothing. Life itself would stand meaningless. To be born, to live, and to die. But, with the Sacrifice of the Savior of all mankind, we are empowered, physically as well as spiritually. We have hope. We have meaning. We have an opportunity in this life to receive a glimpse, a small glimpse, of the power and the life of Father in Heaven. He is willing to give us a portion of his power. With the Atonement, anything is possible. We can "do all things which are expedient unto [Him]". So Dad in those moments when you feel that things couldn't be getting worse, remember the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know you do already, but continue. Remember that the Lord is mindful of everything and everyone. I read a powerful verse this morning in 3 Nephi 18 where he says,"I know my sheep, and they are numbered." How powerful that is. I love you Dad! You are in my prayers!! You are an amazing example to me! Thank you!

 

I love you guys so much! I miss you! I pray for each of you daily!

He Lives!!

Elder Keyes