Merry Christmas!-Week 1 Done

Hey everybody! I had a great first week at the South Africa MTC. It's super small and different from anything in America. Anyway, let's get to it.

Dec 19

Today I officially met the MTC Pres., Pres Bester and he's cool but he's pretty avid about it being quiet at all times so that's fun. We have a pretty set schedule, and on our schedule we have set exercise time. I did a 3 mile treadmill run, which was fun. I was forced to get my hair cut which was wack because it was already missionary standard but Sister Bester was very picky. The lady shaved like a half an inch off, ridiculous. Classes are cool they're on a missionary’s purpose and all that stuff which is cool. It also makes me miss mission prep. We had a devotional with Pres. and Sis Bester about rules and stuff. We found out our companions. Mine is Elder Magill and he's the Zone leader. I didn't think much of it at first but it turns out I have the same amount of responsibility without the title. 

Elder Magill and Elder Bradford-courtesy of Elder Magill's mom

Dec 20

Today saw I Elder Wills! He's a teacher in the MTC. I'm not in his class but it is very nice to see a familiar face. Our classes are organized by districts and I'm in District 1 with Elders Magill, McCleve, and Memmott and in class with District 5. Everyone is super awesome and definitely makes everything much better.

With Brother Cameron Wills (former Elder)

Dec 21

Today we studied key points of each lesson in Preach my Gospel. For exercise we played volleyball which is so fun. We had our first practice role play.  Elder Magill and I did ok. But we can improve. I found a couple scriptures that are awesome and that really relate to me on my mission. They are found in Alma 26:10-12 & 27:17. 

Alma 26

10 And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron 

    rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.

11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom;

     but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast for 

     myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold 

     many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name 

     forever.     

Alma 27

17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in 

     the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.

Dec 22

Today was Sunday, and I had to give a talk which was so "fun". Priesthood was awesome all the Elders are so great. We're getting very close and it's great. I joined our very bad choir. We sound bad. It's just a fact. We also had Family Home Evening tonight which was super fun and it felt like seminary which was amazing!

From Family Home Evening (FHE)

Dec 23 

Today we covered the first part of lesson one in depth. We had a Teaching time and Elder Magill and I killed it. We totally taught our "investigator". It was so great!

All in all I've been having a great time. Loving every second, miss you all!

Love, Elder Bradford

***Notes from the parents: We got to speak to Elder Bradford for about an hour in the early hours of Christmas Morning. He is doing really well and misses everyone like crazy. He would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. He apologizes for not being able to respond to the emails he has received. He had something come up that prevented him from being on the computer during his allotted time on Tuesday. He read them all but unfortunately only had time to send out the one email above. He's hoping that next week he'll get the full hour at the computer.

He's being looked after by everyone at the MTC. They even distributed Christmas stockings to all the missionaries there. Here is a picture from today's Christmas BBQ lunch. Everyone was really excited when it was announced that they were serving A&W root beer today. He didn't know he even missed it until they found out that they were getting some. He had a good laugh about that.

These are all the missionaries that are currently at the MTC along with President Bester and Sister Bester.
Elder Bradford is in the top row near the middle.

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