Drop The Hammer!
Hey Everyone! *Sarcastic comment about my updates*. (I'm running out of 'em, I've had to do so many!) Not much else to say other than read the update if you wanna know what's poppin' in UG!
January 4, 2021 Mon
Today was kinda P-Day? We had quite a few errands to do today so it was not a normal p-Day. Two of the sisters in my District needed to see the Doctor and take care of some things in Kampala which took FOR-E-VER (email me if you got that reference), but in that time I was able to write/send my weekly email and text my family a bit. By the time all was done in Kampala it was about 3:00 in the afternoon. We were then able to leave and go to Masaka.
My new companion's name is Elder Bukasa from Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has been out for 21 months (again my companion is older than me on mission, the Lord really knows how to humble me).
Our apartment is honestly pretty nice (compared to my Njeru apartment). It is a decent size, working shower with HOT WATER!, and enough closet space (that was an issue in the Trio in UT).
I have a better feeling about life here now. It's not perfect or even good, but ok. I can live with that for a bit. Also I had roleggs for the first time in 9 months!
***Reminder: roleggs (can also be spelled rolex) are basically an egg omelet with veggies wrapped in a chapati (flat bread)***
January 5, 2021 Tues
Today was my first day back in the field! It was a solid morning and very chill. At lunch time I chilled out a little too hard...I accidentally fell asleep. I guess jet lag caught up with me after all.
We stopped by the store and the church before a lesson with an investigator named Junior. We taught him The Gospel of Jesus Christ and he accepted the invitation to be Baptized! We also made 2 contacts and have 6 potentials! Already the work is more productive numbers wise. I also felt much more adjusted. Everything has started to feel more familiar. Thanks for the Prayers<3. I also received quite a few emails which I loved.
January 6, 2021 Weds
Today was cool...and hot...and tiring...but good. We had our District Council Meeting today (my first one as a District Leader) and I think it went well. We have a fun District. There is Elder Bukasa & myself, Sisters Katono & Aloyo, and Sisters Osikal & Madlingozi. A lot of them are reassigned from other missions in Africa and are leaving soon to go to their original assignments. I now know how all the OG St. George Missionaries must've felt! lol.
After DCM Elder Bukasa and I did some shopping for District lunch tomorrow. Children were yelling at me in high voices "A MZUNGU! A MZUNGU!" When I was away, if you asked me if I missed it, and I said yes, I lied straight to your face.
In reference to the first line of today, in the morning it was pretty cool so I wore my one jacket. By the time we were home in the afternoon I looked like I jumped in a pond. I was so sweaty and tired!
January 7, 2021 Thurs
Today we had like nothing going on. We had our District lunch, which was more of a District Dinner because we started cooking around 2:30 and by the time we started eating it was 5:15. In that time our District seemed to enjoy being together, including myself. We had Chips (Africans are like those Europeans, they're FRIES) and we had pork. It was very good. Other than that, Elder Bukasa and I called 3 Refferals and a Potenial. One responded and was interested. It was a very slow day, but that's ok.
January 8, 2021 Fri
Today we made some calls and confirmed our lesson. Our lesson was with Junior, our friend we put on date, we taught the Plan of Salvation and it went pretty well. We've been teaching him at his work office, but tomorrow we will go to his house and meet his family!
After our lesson I conducted my first Baptismal Interview! It was for the Sister's friend they'd been teaching. They did a good job with him, he's so solid.
On the way back to the apartment I was again called Mzungu by children, but this time I responded "Sili Mzungu! Li Muhindi!" which roughly translates to "I'm not white! I'm Indian!" That'll show those dumb kids. J/K. The ZL's also stopped by to refill our Gas and they keep saying I will become a Zone Leader soon...Sakala!! (I don't want)
January 9, 2021 Sat
Today I conducted a Baptismal Service for the first time, and it went...ok. I'm just so new and clueless, and what's the word...WHITE! The name of our Branch President is Akatwijaka and he was presiding and speaking. So when I tried to say his name in a room full of Africans...you do the math, the product of this equation is easy to find.
I also gave a Sister in my District a Priesthood Blessing. Now THAT is something I don't think has ever really been something that was hard for me. Scary? YES. Hard? Not really. The first one I ever gave caught me by surprise. It was on a trip with friends. A good friend of mine asked for one. That's one of the two Most Powerful experiences I've had giving a blessing. The second was my first day in the USGM, and apparently it was powerful for those present as well. That's good to know, there's something I did right <3.
After the service, Bukasa & I went to our meeting with Junior and his family. We met his wife & kids and might be teaching them soon! Also some Elders in the Apartment next to us made Cake!
January 10, 2021 Sun
Today was my first Sunday in Masaka and I swear all the members when they greeted me thought I was a greenie. Even our Branch President thought the same when we first met. So when I was asked to share my testimony I mentioned that I was in Njeru almost a year ago, ya I'm petty, lol.
Anyway church was good. Junior and his wife came to church! His wife left after Sacrament to take care of their baby at home, but she enjoyed it! Bukasa and I taught Junior the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity after church and it went very well. It was the first time teaching either of those lessons in a LONG time. After taking some pics and getting home we had lunch, made a few calls, submitted numbers and did DL duties. Still am pretty confused and overwhelmed btw, but I can deal. It'll only last at max less than a year :)
Time for a mood change. If you're friends with me on Facebook you will have seen this.
So early last week I received some very sad news. If you knew me in Highschool you know I ran Cross Country and Track. And if you have been reading my updates you'd have noticed recently I asked for you all to pray for my Cross County Coach, Tom Laythe. Well sadly he has passed away from COVID-19. I felt impressed to say some words about my Coach.
Coach Tom was someone who wouldn't take crap from no one. He was a hard worker. And he was one of the Greatest Coaches ever on the face of the Earth. Tom would always push my teammates and myself to work harder, run faster, and "Drop the Hammer".
"Drop the Hammer" was a phrase he yelled at us when we were deep in a race and it was coming down to the wire. When he yelled that, it was a sign that it was time to RUN...HARD. I don't remember a race where I didn't hear that phrase, whether from Tom, or my teammates who had heard it as much as I did. I think of this phrase and it makes my heart pump fast. It triggers an urgency to get moving. It makes me want to keep going forward.
Life is like running in a Race, granted some people hate running I'm still gonna roll with this. When running for long distances (say a lifetime) you get tired. You lose strength or motivation to keep moving forward, especially when you face obstacles like hills, mud, wind, or whatever else the Race of Life can throw at us. It's at those moments, when you seem to not have the strength to move forward, you hear from off to the side, someone screaming your name and yelling "DROP THE HAMMER!!"
"Drop the Hammer?" You think to yourself, "Now? But I'm so tired."
You hear it again, "DROP THE HAMMER!!" "Okay...let's go."
You somehow find the strength within you to pick up your feet, swing your arms, and run with all your strength to get through the obstacle to the next checkpoint.
"Who was that?" you wonder.
You aren't sure, but are grateful for their words of encouragement that carried you through your obstacle.
So, who was the one who yelled, "DROP THE HAMMER"?
It is a different answer for many. Some may say friends or family. Some may say teammates or coaches. Some may say parents or those we aspire to be like. For me it is My Heavenly Father, my Savior, and those dear people in my life who have died. Coach Tom now stands among them, screaming at me at every giant "hill" like he did during those Cross Country years, "DROP THE HAMMER!!" For that I am forever grateful. I am even more grateful for the knowledge I will see Tom again. We all will, I promise. To end I wish to say this;
Thanks Coach Tom, for everything.
I want you all to know that I cried a lot while writing this and I have no regrets, even if my companion saw me. I love you all and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and holds blessings for those on earth and those who have gone beyond. This I know, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If any friends wanna talk, shoot me an email. And if anybody feels inclined, please Pray for the Lathe family, as well as the Bella Vista Cross Country team. I know I will.
Love, Elder Bradford
January 4, 2021 Mon
Today was kinda P-Day? We had quite a few errands to do today so it was not a normal p-Day. Two of the sisters in my District needed to see the Doctor and take care of some things in Kampala which took FOR-E-VER (email me if you got that reference), but in that time I was able to write/send my weekly email and text my family a bit. By the time all was done in Kampala it was about 3:00 in the afternoon. We were then able to leave and go to Masaka.
My new companion's name is Elder Bukasa from Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has been out for 21 months (again my companion is older than me on mission, the Lord really knows how to humble me).
Our apartment is honestly pretty nice (compared to my Njeru apartment). It is a decent size, working shower with HOT WATER!, and enough closet space (that was an issue in the Trio in UT).
I have a better feeling about life here now. It's not perfect or even good, but ok. I can live with that for a bit. Also I had roleggs for the first time in 9 months!
***Reminder: roleggs (can also be spelled rolex) are basically an egg omelet with veggies wrapped in a chapati (flat bread)***
 |
| Happy to be eating his roleggs |
 |
| Checking out his mosquito bites |
Apartment Photos
January 5, 2021 Tues
Today was my first day back in the field! It was a solid morning and very chill. At lunch time I chilled out a little too hard...I accidentally fell asleep. I guess jet lag caught up with me after all.
We stopped by the store and the church before a lesson with an investigator named Junior. We taught him The Gospel of Jesus Christ and he accepted the invitation to be Baptized! We also made 2 contacts and have 6 potentials! Already the work is more productive numbers wise. I also felt much more adjusted. Everything has started to feel more familiar. Thanks for the Prayers<3. I also received quite a few emails which I loved.
Today was cool...and hot...and tiring...but good. We had our District Council Meeting today (my first one as a District Leader) and I think it went well. We have a fun District. There is Elder Bukasa & myself, Sisters Katono & Aloyo, and Sisters Osikal & Madlingozi. A lot of them are reassigned from other missions in Africa and are leaving soon to go to their original assignments. I now know how all the OG St. George Missionaries must've felt! lol.
After DCM Elder Bukasa and I did some shopping for District lunch tomorrow. Children were yelling at me in high voices "A MZUNGU! A MZUNGU!" When I was away, if you asked me if I missed it, and I said yes, I lied straight to your face.
In reference to the first line of today, in the morning it was pretty cool so I wore my one jacket. By the time we were home in the afternoon I looked like I jumped in a pond. I was so sweaty and tired!
January 7, 2021 Thurs
Today we had like nothing going on. We had our District lunch, which was more of a District Dinner because we started cooking around 2:30 and by the time we started eating it was 5:15. In that time our District seemed to enjoy being together, including myself. We had Chips (Africans are like those Europeans, they're FRIES) and we had pork. It was very good. Other than that, Elder Bukasa and I called 3 Refferals and a Potenial. One responded and was interested. It was a very slow day, but that's ok.
January 8, 2021 Fri
Today we made some calls and confirmed our lesson. Our lesson was with Junior, our friend we put on date, we taught the Plan of Salvation and it went pretty well. We've been teaching him at his work office, but tomorrow we will go to his house and meet his family!
After our lesson I conducted my first Baptismal Interview! It was for the Sister's friend they'd been teaching. They did a good job with him, he's so solid.
On the way back to the apartment I was again called Mzungu by children, but this time I responded "Sili Mzungu! Li Muhindi!" which roughly translates to "I'm not white! I'm Indian!" That'll show those dumb kids. J/K. The ZL's also stopped by to refill our Gas and they keep saying I will become a Zone Leader soon...Sakala!! (I don't want)
January 9, 2021 Sat
Today I conducted a Baptismal Service for the first time, and it went...ok. I'm just so new and clueless, and what's the word...WHITE! The name of our Branch President is Akatwijaka and he was presiding and speaking. So when I tried to say his name in a room full of Africans...you do the math, the product of this equation is easy to find.
I also gave a Sister in my District a Priesthood Blessing. Now THAT is something I don't think has ever really been something that was hard for me. Scary? YES. Hard? Not really. The first one I ever gave caught me by surprise. It was on a trip with friends. A good friend of mine asked for one. That's one of the two Most Powerful experiences I've had giving a blessing. The second was my first day in the USGM, and apparently it was powerful for those present as well. That's good to know, there's something I did right <3.
After the service, Bukasa & I went to our meeting with Junior and his family. We met his wife & kids and might be teaching them soon! Also some Elders in the Apartment next to us made Cake!
 |
| Eating cake! |
January 10, 2021 Sun
Today was my first Sunday in Masaka and I swear all the members when they greeted me thought I was a greenie. Even our Branch President thought the same when we first met. So when I was asked to share my testimony I mentioned that I was in Njeru almost a year ago, ya I'm petty, lol.
Anyway church was good. Junior and his wife came to church! His wife left after Sacrament to take care of their baby at home, but she enjoyed it! Bukasa and I taught Junior the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity after church and it went very well. It was the first time teaching either of those lessons in a LONG time. After taking some pics and getting home we had lunch, made a few calls, submitted numbers and did DL duties. Still am pretty confused and overwhelmed btw, but I can deal. It'll only last at max less than a year :)
 |
| Elders Bukasa and Bradford |
Time for a mood change. If you're friends with me on Facebook you will have seen this.
So early last week I received some very sad news. If you knew me in Highschool you know I ran Cross Country and Track. And if you have been reading my updates you'd have noticed recently I asked for you all to pray for my Cross County Coach, Tom Laythe. Well sadly he has passed away from COVID-19. I felt impressed to say some words about my Coach.
Coach Tom was someone who wouldn't take crap from no one. He was a hard worker. And he was one of the Greatest Coaches ever on the face of the Earth. Tom would always push my teammates and myself to work harder, run faster, and "Drop the Hammer".
"Drop the Hammer" was a phrase he yelled at us when we were deep in a race and it was coming down to the wire. When he yelled that, it was a sign that it was time to RUN...HARD. I don't remember a race where I didn't hear that phrase, whether from Tom, or my teammates who had heard it as much as I did. I think of this phrase and it makes my heart pump fast. It triggers an urgency to get moving. It makes me want to keep going forward.
 |
| Coach Tom is in the front row and second from the left. |
Life is like running in a Race, granted some people hate running I'm still gonna roll with this. When running for long distances (say a lifetime) you get tired. You lose strength or motivation to keep moving forward, especially when you face obstacles like hills, mud, wind, or whatever else the Race of Life can throw at us. It's at those moments, when you seem to not have the strength to move forward, you hear from off to the side, someone screaming your name and yelling "DROP THE HAMMER!!"
"Drop the Hammer?" You think to yourself, "Now? But I'm so tired."
You hear it again, "DROP THE HAMMER!!" "Okay...let's go."
You somehow find the strength within you to pick up your feet, swing your arms, and run with all your strength to get through the obstacle to the next checkpoint.
"Who was that?" you wonder.
You aren't sure, but are grateful for their words of encouragement that carried you through your obstacle.
So, who was the one who yelled, "DROP THE HAMMER"?
It is a different answer for many. Some may say friends or family. Some may say teammates or coaches. Some may say parents or those we aspire to be like. For me it is My Heavenly Father, my Savior, and those dear people in my life who have died. Coach Tom now stands among them, screaming at me at every giant "hill" like he did during those Cross Country years, "DROP THE HAMMER!!" For that I am forever grateful. I am even more grateful for the knowledge I will see Tom again. We all will, I promise. To end I wish to say this;
Thanks Coach Tom, for everything.
I want you all to know that I cried a lot while writing this and I have no regrets, even if my companion saw me. I love you all and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and holds blessings for those on earth and those who have gone beyond. This I know, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If any friends wanna talk, shoot me an email. And if anybody feels inclined, please Pray for the Lathe family, as well as the Bella Vista Cross Country team. I know I will.
Love, Elder Bradford
A fun little video to watch:
Comments
Post a Comment