Remember The Parma Policy?

Ogamba ki mukwanos ne makka!
(What's up friends and family!)
Time for another update for my pretty lacking missionary adventures. Most of my success honestly is not seen in my recounting of events, but in my knowledge and testimony which I'm strengthening, which is pretty wizard not gonna lie. But before my head gets too big let me remind myself of what my weaknesses are; my arms, my singing voice, my math skills, my temper, etc. Well...I'm back!
Togende! (Let's go!)

May 17, 2021 Mon
Today was P-Day! I talked to Makka, who had already arrived at the Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland about 4-5 Hours prior to my call. It was a fun talk as always. Morgan's making a Vlog for me in my absence. I wish I could be there to enjoy it with my family.
Other than that I sent emails, ate, cleaned, and relaxed. We took our trip to FoodHub, I got an 8/10 Waffle that was covered in Ice cream and a 7/10 Burger (I was hungry). After FoodHub we got groceries at Shoprite then came back to Makindye and I passed out for an hour and enjoyed the rest of my P-Day.

 

May 18, 2021 Tues
Today Elder Langi received some of the worst news a missionary out during COVID can receive. Tonga's borders, which have been closed to all Tongan Missionaries serving in Africa, will be closed until reopening in March of 2022. Langi took it really hard (he's supposed to go home in the next couple of months). I saw him pray, study, sleep on repeat a couple times. I cannot imagine that feeling, I would be sobbing if that was America.
But we still did stuff today, granted it wasn't a lot, but its something! Most of the Tongans (who have passed their 2 year mark and are waiting to go home but can't) have essentially given up being missionaries and working so I got lucky, Langi is still motivated. We made calls, messaged some people, and scheduled some lessons. After that my stomach started to hurt so I lied down and it got worse. I thought I was gonna throw up, but I didn't and after about an hour I felt better. Crisis averted!

May 19, 2021 Weds
Today I Hit 17 Months! Didn't really celebrate, but still pretty cool. We had District Council Meeting today which was pretty good as per usual and we went and got Pizza afterwards which was fun! I feel like our District has done a good job in getting along and having fun together.
After Pizza, Elder Langi and I had a lesson (which required us to walk about a mile and a half which was sweet) with this guy Langi and Maughan had taught previously, Philimon. He has a lot of questions, good questions too. We essentially clarified things about the Plan of Salvation and explained the differences between Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists (Patriarchs), Pastors (Bishops), and ministers (missionaries). Also he had a pet cat!
Other than that, I found out there's still hope for the Tongans to get back to Tonga this year (they will be allowing only a certain amount each month), called people, set up a lesson, made burgers for the District and Hachijika made fries to go with em!

May 20, 2021 Thurs
Today we had another lesson with David and reviewed the lessons he didn't remember and went over the importance of a witness of the Holy Ghost.
Afterwards, Langi and I were supposed to meet with Vivian, but she flaked. We also were supposed to have a lesson with an online Referral over video chat and that fell through too.
I'm not complaining though, it's whatever, I'm just exhausted, which is a normal occurrence on my mission.

May 21, 2021 Fri
Today we had a lesson scheduled with Raykil and it fell through and that was the only lessons we had planned. So for a while it was eating lunch, listening to Devotionals, and trying to be spiritually uplifted.
Eventually I got antsy and tired of being in all day when I didn't have to. So Langi and I did some Street Contacting. While out, I bought a cool necklace souvenir and talked with the girl selling it and invited her to church. We also had some positive contacts with some of the friends we have made that aren't members that we see a lot, like at Coffee Plus (the pizza place) or near the chapel.
Then at the end of the day we watched the Missionary Devotional which was really good and I definitely needed it.

May 22, 2021 Sat
Today was another slower day. We were going to go out and visit members with Amos (The Elders Quorum counselor over missionary work), but Amos told us he wouldn't be available until around 5. ...*sigh* fine.
So I studied, listened to a Devotional, and tried to stay awake haha. We walked with Amos to a couple member's places and neither were there. One wasn't home, the other had moved, BUT at the one that moved we shared part of the Restoration with the mother living there.
Also I finished a drawing I'd been working on all week. May have been inspired by some peep's recent trip to Disneyland...or it may not. You don't know. You don't have proof.

 

May 23, 2021 Sun
Today we went to church and so did Raykil! Yes! No one else did, but hey, one is better than none! After Sacrament Meeting we shared the Word of Wisdom with her and her friend, who came with Raykil and who Langi said hadn't really been interested, asked if she could learn as well, so that's pretty wizard.
Something I forgot to mention about last night. The water turned off again! Aaaannd it hadn't come back by the time we got back from church. So we weren't able to make lunch for 2 reasons concerning the water; we needed it for cooking and for washing dirty dishes. I was, as well as on Fast Sundays, a starving kid in Africa. I was lowkey dying and I quickly realized I am out of snacks.
Somehow we got water enough to wash and cook. We enjoyed a late lunch. We called the water utility company, they sent a guy to check it out. The guy said if we don't have water back by tomorrow morning call again. I'm in the Capital City, why am I having the same problems as Elders in the Bush? Idk. I also don't know how this apartment has gotten worse than already previous, but it has managed. By magic? No. By bad luck that follows me like a Grizzly Bear after fast Sunday? Oh most definitely.
Just tried to stay uplifted throughout the day. Studied, called Gumbato and chatted with him, watched 17 Miracles (so good, every single time), and avoided using energy to lessen my need of nutrients. This is my life, isn't it great! If y'all didn't already know Sarcasm is my coping mechanism. I'm like Chandler from friends.
Lucky for me I was able to make burgers for myself and my District. Little wins are cherished in a losing game.

So this week I wanted to do a Refresher Course on The Parma Policy. If y'all didn't know this is the Way I began to live my life starting at the end of my Junior Year of High School, named after me, Parma Sean. Even though technically right now I'm Elder Bradford, it still applies.

The Parma Policy consists of 3 principles all based on both The Gospel of Jesus Christ and life experience;
1: Keep it Real
2: Don't Care
3: Love Everyone

Parma Principle 1: Keep it Real:
To Keep it Real is pretty simple.
Be Honest, be genuine, be yourself.
Don't lie to people, you could hurt them and yourself.
Tell the truth, but DO IT NICELY.
Don't be a jerk about it.
Don't act fake and don't be fake. Be genuinely interested in the people around you.
Don't pretend to be something you're not.
Own who YOU are!
Old Testament, Exodus 20:16
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
New Testament, Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9:34;
Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell
As you Keep It Real, people will trust you and see your integrity, especially as you are NICE ABOUT IT. Can't stress that part enough.

Parma Principle 2: Don't Care:
Other people will think what they want about you. When they do, "Whatever bro". The only opinions that matter are what God's, Jesus', and who you call family's.
When bad stuff happens, "Oh well."
Walt Disney said something like this, "If you've done everything you can, why worry?"
My thoughts exactly.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught, "Come what may and love it." (Go read or listen to that talk for more info)
As you Don't Care your focus will be more on what's important. Your self confidence will go up and so will your happiness. Cause who cares if people think its weird to dance to the music in Walmart, I DON'T!

Parma Principle 3: Love Everyone:
No explanation needed. This one is easily the most Gospel Supported one.
Let's just use Scriptures from Matthew in the New Testament;
-5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
-5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
-6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
-7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged
-22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
I learned first hand how when feelings of resentment are held onto they hurt ourselves rather than the person we are angry towards.
What reason do you have NOT to love?
The more love you give the more you receive. I luckily learned this in High School and to this day I love so many of the Friends I made in High School. Whether or not that loving friendship is mutual I don't care (accidental call back) I seek to love people regardless because LOVE MAKES ONE HAPPY!

Keep in mind none of my thoughts are Official Doctrine, they're just pretty strongly based on it and meant, really, to be used along side the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which if you follow and focus on instead you'll still be inadvertently living The Parma Policy.
The teachings of the Savior bring us joy, hope, patience, and peace. I know that Jesus is The Christ. And that he is mulokozzi era mununuzi wafe (our Savior and Redeemer). Mbyogedde mulinya lya Yesu Kristo, amiina.

Thank you those who emailed me! I really needed it as I do every week, and I am not kidding about that. I love you all! And remember, Keep it Real, Don't Care, and Love Everyone!

Qwagala mukwanos era makka gwange!
(I love you my friends and family!)
Elder Bradford