Week 2 - I got stabbed at the MTC (click bait)
Hey Everybody, this last week was great. Let's get to it!!
Dec 24, 2019 Tues
Today was P-Day but it started out like any other day at the MTC; breakfast, studies and classes, but after lunch was our time. I wrote my email but ended running a bit out of time to talk because circumstances didn't align, but it's fine. We got to talk on Christmas. After that I worked out, did chores, had dinner followed by relaxing. We had a very unorthodox talent show, which was super fun but spur of the moment. We had singing, strength, and dances. Afterwards I assisted in a blessing for an elder who wanted to go home and that was really powerful.
Dec 25, 2019 Wed
Today was Christmas! I got up, showered, got dressed, and went to a morning Christmas devotional which was cool. After that I got to talk to family for an hour. It was so great. We caught up, I opened presents they packed in my bag, and just enjoyed talking to them. After that I sketched, got into normal clothes, sketched some more, took a nap, and relaxed. Didn't do a whole lot today. We had a BBQ then watched the worldwide devotional, but other than that, nada. But none the less a great day.
Dec 26, 2019 Thurs
Today was pretty solid. Got up, dressed, had breakfast, then had morning classes until lunch. After lunch was another P-Day because we originally planned to go to the Johannesburg Temple, but it's closed this week. So instead I played football with the Elders, showered, napped, played games, and went to dinner. We watched a devotional with Elder Holland and proceeded to talk about it.
Dec 27, 2019 Fri
Today was a lot of the same. Got up, breakfast, classes, workshop, lunch, exercise, classes, end The days are going faster but are less eventful. We played ping pong during exercise time and not much else that is notable. Elder Mcleve has been really home sick today and he's not the only one. Elder Toilolo is as well and a few others too. I'm praying for them hoping they'll remember why they are here. I've been able to deal with my homesickness and I'm so grateful for that.
Dec 28, 2019 Sat
Today was a by the schedule day, class by class, not bad just not very interesting. I will say Elder Magill and I are killing it in role play teaching. And I'm getting to know him and the rest of the missionaries, Elders and Sisters. Also we had a role pay with Bro Wilson that reminded me of a friend back home. He played an inactive member that grew up in the church but fell away. I could see how it could be a sad future for a friend of mine. So I tried to help him as I would help my friend, I nearly started crying, it was crazy.
Dec 29, 2019 Sun
Today was a solid Sunday. Sacrament meeting was good, priesthood was on blessing with consecrated oil, then we had a district meeting where we discussed our needs. Turns out Elder Mcleve will be going home on Monday, he's got to deal with stuff. I love him and wish him luck. After our meeting we had a lesson on doctrine, then music appreciation, a devotional with Elder Bednar. I recorded some thoughts and enjoyed it. We had a hilarious Family Home Evening and also a nice Testimony meeting.
Dec 30, 2019 Mon
Today was good. Classes were good, had opportunities to practice teaching. Exercise time was a blast because we played football (My name tag fell off and stabbed my leg but I was fine LOL, easy clickbait) and volleyball (I was beasting in Volleyball). Elder Mcleve left which was bittersweet, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do. So now I'm in a trio w/ Elders Magill and Memmott, Elder Memmott is really cool and reminds me of my Cousin Ryan, which is nice. We had a teaching role play with the three of us which went well and was great. BTW, I've been sketching some sick designs.
Anyway I miss everyone, love you all. Sorry I can't send pictures right now because the MTC's computers don't have enough memory to do it, I'll send them when I can. I bare my testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, Christ died for us and understands all our pains, He loves us, I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I love you all and I share this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, Elder Bradford.
Notes from the parents: Sean is doing awesome. We are so proud of him. We were able to video chat with him on Christmas Eve morning for only a few minutes, which was hard, but also for a full hour on Christmas morning which was great. Then this week we were able to speak to him on Tuesday morning at 3am our time. The girls got up to say hi to him which was awesome. Overall, we have been struck by just how well he looks and how happy he is. It is truly inspiring. Words cannot express our gratitude.
We have experienced some very tender mercies since he left and we truly appreciate them. We had many visitors come by in the few days after he left which helped a lot. Also having someone in South Africa (Elder Wills, who served in our ward for 6 months) whom we know is great. We also received a text from one of the kitchen staff with a pic of Sean and his companion, Elder Magill. The person's name is Gianfranco and he apparently served his mission in Utah where he met Elder Magill. As Disney says, "It's a small world after all!"
While it is difficult adjusting to not having that sweet boy in our home, we know he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing and is being watched over and protected. Prayer is real and is powerful! Love you all!
Dec 24, 2019 Tues
Today was P-Day but it started out like any other day at the MTC; breakfast, studies and classes, but after lunch was our time. I wrote my email but ended running a bit out of time to talk because circumstances didn't align, but it's fine. We got to talk on Christmas. After that I worked out, did chores, had dinner followed by relaxing. We had a very unorthodox talent show, which was super fun but spur of the moment. We had singing, strength, and dances. Afterwards I assisted in a blessing for an elder who wanted to go home and that was really powerful.
Dec 25, 2019 Wed
Today was Christmas! I got up, showered, got dressed, and went to a morning Christmas devotional which was cool. After that I got to talk to family for an hour. It was so great. We caught up, I opened presents they packed in my bag, and just enjoyed talking to them. After that I sketched, got into normal clothes, sketched some more, took a nap, and relaxed. Didn't do a whole lot today. We had a BBQ then watched the worldwide devotional, but other than that, nada. But none the less a great day.
Dec 26, 2019 Thurs
Today was pretty solid. Got up, dressed, had breakfast, then had morning classes until lunch. After lunch was another P-Day because we originally planned to go to the Johannesburg Temple, but it's closed this week. So instead I played football with the Elders, showered, napped, played games, and went to dinner. We watched a devotional with Elder Holland and proceeded to talk about it.
Dec 27, 2019 Fri
Today was a lot of the same. Got up, breakfast, classes, workshop, lunch, exercise, classes, end The days are going faster but are less eventful. We played ping pong during exercise time and not much else that is notable. Elder Mcleve has been really home sick today and he's not the only one. Elder Toilolo is as well and a few others too. I'm praying for them hoping they'll remember why they are here. I've been able to deal with my homesickness and I'm so grateful for that.
Dec 28, 2019 Sat
Today was a by the schedule day, class by class, not bad just not very interesting. I will say Elder Magill and I are killing it in role play teaching. And I'm getting to know him and the rest of the missionaries, Elders and Sisters. Also we had a role pay with Bro Wilson that reminded me of a friend back home. He played an inactive member that grew up in the church but fell away. I could see how it could be a sad future for a friend of mine. So I tried to help him as I would help my friend, I nearly started crying, it was crazy.
Dec 29, 2019 Sun
Today was a solid Sunday. Sacrament meeting was good, priesthood was on blessing with consecrated oil, then we had a district meeting where we discussed our needs. Turns out Elder Mcleve will be going home on Monday, he's got to deal with stuff. I love him and wish him luck. After our meeting we had a lesson on doctrine, then music appreciation, a devotional with Elder Bednar. I recorded some thoughts and enjoyed it. We had a hilarious Family Home Evening and also a nice Testimony meeting.
Dec 30, 2019 Mon
Today was good. Classes were good, had opportunities to practice teaching. Exercise time was a blast because we played football (My name tag fell off and stabbed my leg but I was fine LOL, easy clickbait) and volleyball (I was beasting in Volleyball). Elder Mcleve left which was bittersweet, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do. So now I'm in a trio w/ Elders Magill and Memmott, Elder Memmott is really cool and reminds me of my Cousin Ryan, which is nice. We had a teaching role play with the three of us which went well and was great. BTW, I've been sketching some sick designs.
Anyway I miss everyone, love you all. Sorry I can't send pictures right now because the MTC's computers don't have enough memory to do it, I'll send them when I can. I bare my testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, Christ died for us and understands all our pains, He loves us, I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I love you all and I share this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, Elder Bradford.
 |
| From our 12/31/19 video chat |
We have experienced some very tender mercies since he left and we truly appreciate them. We had many visitors come by in the few days after he left which helped a lot. Also having someone in South Africa (Elder Wills, who served in our ward for 6 months) whom we know is great. We also received a text from one of the kitchen staff with a pic of Sean and his companion, Elder Magill. The person's name is Gianfranco and he apparently served his mission in Utah where he met Elder Magill. As Disney says, "It's a small world after all!"
 |
| Elder Bradford, Gianfranco (works in the MTC kitchen) and Elder Magill |
While it is difficult adjusting to not having that sweet boy in our home, we know he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing and is being watched over and protected. Prayer is real and is powerful! Love you all!
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