Don’t Get Casual
This was one heck of a Week! Some changes and some pretty cool happenings!
Togende! (Let's go!)
April 19, 2021 Mon
Today I reached 16 months and it was P-Day! Talked to makka (found out they are going to Disneyland in May, so BIG SAD cause I can't go), relaxed, emailed the few who emailed me (thank you to the select few!), Pulu gave me a haircut (it ended up being pretty short, sort of looks like I just got to Boot Camp, but I like it. Its better than looking like 80s Billy Joel as a missionary!)
I played pool today and had a rough go of it, W/L ratio was 2/7. I had a bad day, but I will improve to the point where bad days don't exist and beat everyone when I get home. Bet on it!
April 20, 2021 Tues
Today I mainly prepared for transfers. I packed, did laundry, cleaned, and tried to enjoy myself amongst all of this.
We went to the church to meet a member who wanted to see me before I left. She ended up not being there, but I was able to say goodbye to Junior and other members who were there. I'll miss Junior and his Makka a lot.
After that we finally met that Sister and she gave me a Balenciaga white T-shirt...off brand of course. I really appreciated it and was glad she enjoyed having me around enough to buy me that.
Afterwards, I finished the bulk of my packing, talked to Woods, made a small dinner, and passed out.
April 21, 2021 Weds
Today began with the final bit of packing and a departure at around 8ish with Godfrey.
So long Masaka! I'll miss you Zone!
The car ride was long and bumpy, and I was feeling carsick, but before it escalated we pulled over to take pictures on The Equator, which is pretty cool. I've been to the Source of the Nile on my mission and now The Equator!
I was able to sleep most of the rest of the drive, but eventually my body caught up to the car. I felt something coming and I pushed back down what was trying to escape. I told Godfrey to pull over. I then proceeded to vomit, BUT I kept it in my mouth. I know, gross, but I wasn't going to cause a need for a clean up on aisle Van. I got the van door open and turned on the faucet. Pretty visceral description, but for the initial burst it was accurate. All over the grass, 5 mins from our destination the Kololo Chapel. Oh well, at least I felt better!
I was able to see Maughan, Oberhansley, Perkins and a few others which was nice. Then I drove off with Elder Tyantsi (one of my New Zone Leaders) and Elder Max (a member of my new District). It took a while to get to the apartment, but eventually we did and, unfortunately, its not as nice as Masaka's. Lets just say I'll be doing a bit of cleaning this next week lol.
My new companion is Elder Langi and he showed me my room and I have an actual mattress that isn't just straight foam which is dope! Well, this is life. Better get used to it haha.
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| Elder Bradford and Godfrey |
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| The new apartment in Makindye |
April 22, 2021 Thurs
Today we didn't do a lot. We did some planning, tried setting up some appointments, went to the chapel (grabbed a rolegs near there) and listened to a Missionary Devotional. Then headed back to the apartment and did a little exercising.
I found out a couple things today. 1st; Zone Conference is this weekend and interviews tomorrow. 2nd; Elder Langi is older on the mission than I thought. He's in his Last 12 Weeks! Thus the streak continues of my companions being older than me on the mission haha! The Lord is essentially yelling, "BE THOU HUMBLE!" at me at this point.
April 23, 2021 Fri
Today we had our interviews in the morning over video chat. At the end of mine I may have totally asked him to pray and ask the Lord if I could go to Rwanda next transfer hehe. He said sure, but he also said that I should try to strengthen my relationship with My Savior this transfer. So that'll be the focus of a lot of my studies!
After that we went and visited some members, walked around Makindye, ate more Rolegs, and had a meeting with the Ward Mission Leader fall through. It was a solid day!
April 24, 2021 Sat
Today was Zone Conference! All 3 Zones in the Kampala area have Zone Conference together. Kampala South (My Zone), Kampala North, and Entebbe.
Langi and I left in the morning and arrived about an hour early (we got lucky because traffic gets BAD). I got to see some familiar faces and see some new ones. BUT the biggest surprise and best face I got to see was one fresh out the States, fresh out of California, fresh out of Sacramento. President and Sister Chatora arrived and carrying President's bags was none other than LOGAN SHEPPARD.
I was so excited to see him, I yelled and gave him a big hug. It was great to see him. For those who don't know I went to Seminary with Logan and his older brother, Luke. Luke is a year older than me and Logan is a year younger. I have had some good times with this kid.
The rest of Zone Conference was awesome as well, plus we got KFC for lunch and I was able to catch up with Maughan, Jensen, Fort, and of course Loga-I mean Elder Sheppard Haha.
After that Langi and I made our way back to Makindye through the INSANITY that is Kampala Town. It's as if NY and LA had a kid that was a Crack addict. IT. IS. NUTS. It took nearly 3 hours to get back to Makindye and we got TO Conference in an hour. That's how crazy it is.
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| Elders Bradford and Sheppard |
April 25, 2021 Sun
Today was a pretty slow Sunday. Church was good, it was raining which in Uganda means most members won't come to church, but it was still good. The Makindye ward is powerful.
We didn't have anyone come to church so we went back to the apartment and ended up being locked out because the other Elders had the key. After about 30-40 minutes Langi some how got the back door open. All I know is it involved an open window, multiple brooms, and a key on the floor.
I did some studies and began drawing a picture. When I get home my book is going to be filled with pictures that show you what my dreams have been about throughout the mission haha!
So I was talking with Elder Langi and he told me about how he was planning to stay focused and not do anything stupid at the end of the mission. He also told me how his Dad taught him the principle of enduring to the end and staying focused.
His Dad worked construction and every time a construction job began everyone involved would be super careful and super focused. As the job progressed the workers would get a little less so. Until towards the very end of the project the workers would be casual, which makes sense right? By the end of a project its all second nature now. But when the workers got casual accidents would happen. They would cut themselves with the power-saws, step on nails, or fall from the structures. All because they got Casual
Does this not happen to us?
Do we become casual with what we were once diligent about?
I know it happens to me, and while the "accidents" may not be as severe they can still be a big stumbling block.
What must we do to avoid this?
Its simple really, be diligent always.
Diligence in your daily scripture study.
Diligence in your frequent prayers.
Diligence in fulfilling your calling.
Diligence in loving your family.
Diligence in letting God prevail.
Now I said simple, NOT EASY.
Remember, the path to Salvation may be straight and narrow, but its a hard one, full of bumps and hills, forks and twists, and many people tempting us to take a break.
We must not take a break. We must rely on our Savior for the strength to Endure with Diligence and to avoid getting casual.
Only through diligence are we really able to fully understand our Savior's love for us and to truly have love for him. Mbyogedde mulinya lya Yesu Kristo, amiina.
Thank you to the few who emailed me. I always love it! Don't care who you are or how well I know you, I want to hear how you are doing. So tell me, How are you?
Qwagala mukwanos era makka gwange!
(I love you my friends and family!)
Elder Bradford
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| A screenshot of our last video call |
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