Finding Joy in this Life
(What's up friends and family!)
I'm back in black! Jk I'm just back and am missing AC/DC. I love pretty much all genres of music and I'm partial to Hip Hop, but my Heart N' Soul definitely belongs to Rock N' Roll! Anyways I had a solid week this week so...
Togende! (Let's go!)
May 24, 2021 Mon
Today was P-Day! Talked to makka about their Disneyland trip and talked a little about a future one. After that I didn't do much of anything. It started raining so we got rain water to for flushing ye old porcelain thrones and for washing stuff, cause we still gots no water.
Eventually I got bored out of my mind, and most of my District did as well so...FoodHub. Crazyville was extra crazy today. Way too much of everything; Taxis, bodas and people. We were in grid lock traffic, looking like LA at 5:30pm on a Friday. So we ended up getting out of the Taxi and walking like half of the way. Along the way a Lady Preacher yelled, "Aye Muzungu you need Jesus in your life!" Idk why, but that was so funny to me, maybe it's because of the irony of who she's saying to haha!
At FoodHub I got a chili dog which was solid, 6 or 7/10, but I was MEGA hungry so I didn't care if it was a 3 or a 9 I was gonna kill it and my free ice ream.
After our journey back, we didn't do much, still no water, so...yeah!
Today was something. Langi and Hachijika went to fetch water in the morning for us to flush, wash, and cook. I wasn't being the most positive person about this situation, not gonna lie. I did my Studies and prepared my training for tomorrow, which made me feel better. The Zone Leaders came by, gave us some drinking water and refilled our gas tank. I think they could notice I wasn't very Happy-Happy-Happy because they kept asking me how I was doing.
Eventually I got to talking to God about it, trying to figure out what I am to learn from this. I said to Him, "I know you're trying to teach me patience-" then a thought, clear as day and as plain as how Africans cook chicken "No." ...ok then. So I figured out I am to learn to be positive.
So I started working with what I was grateful for, then my sense of humor (which is one of my saving graces and won't EVER fade away), and my attitude.
Water ended up coming back! We found out because we noticed water on the floor and apparently someone left a sink on and it over flowed when the water turned back on. Talk about irony!
The rest of the day was studies, called/messaged people and worked out to work off some frustration. I shower with a cup and a small amount of water coming from the shower because the water pressure was tiny. After my shower the water completely turned off again! Great! I still have more to learn!
May 26, 2021 Weds
Today water came back...eventually. It was also the Last District Council Meeting of the Transfer today, and I'd say we had a good time. I gave a training on teaching Simply and did an exercise that we did in the MTC, which was to say and explain all the Headings in the First Lesson in a minute, fun stuff.
After DCM we got Pizza and other stuff from Coffee Plus. We all pitched in for the Pizza then got a little food for ourselves. I just sent it and got a meal for myself, a PHAT Taco that slapped HARD. 8/10 Easy. So freaking GOOD! Maybe its because I haven't had an actual Taco in like 6 or 7 months so anything even remotely close is bound to be bacon.
Other than that, I grabbed a couple of things from the super market, then headed back, called/messaged people (tewali/nothing from that), listened to a devotional, and did some studying. Also Elder Langi got news that he and all of the other Tongans will be going back to Tonga in July!
Today was actually pretty busy. The water came back! Well it came back last night, but it's still here! I made some calls and messaged some people and the Referral that we met forever ago, Aaron, responded and said he could meet today. So we met up at Freedom City and he took us to where he lives. It's FAR. Very FAR. It's in an Area called Ndejje, and we couldn't get a taxi to take us so we walked for probably over 30 minutes.
Langi and I can walk fast if we know where we are going, but we didn't...and Aaron wasn't exactly walking at a fast pace, but I did use a good chunk of that time to talk with him and share some quick truths of the Church with him.
When we finally arrived we had little to no time to share something with him, but we had enough to appreciate his hospitality. He gave us both a muffin and a glass of water. This act made me think of all the treats and food I received in St. George. The members there would give big grand feasts for the missionaries because they could, but here it's different. Here they give small, but in my opinion, it's much better. Because it's not how much we're GETTING it's how much they're GIVING that's really the beautiful thing. Just thought I throw that in there.
He introduced us to his neighbors and friends, then we had to bounce. We got back to the apartment 10 mins to 7:00 (that's curfew) and we had left the apartment at around 3:10. Yup...long day.
The Zone Leaders came by to get a signature from Langi for visa/going home stuff and they also had something for me. MY PACKAGE! Logan Sheppard had brought with him when he came in April, but I didn't grab it from him cause I'm dumb. But I've got it now! My family loves me; 4 Packs of Beef Jerky, 400 Index cards (I'm about to get a PHAT stack of Luganda Flash Cards), a 64 GB Flash Drive, a fun pic from Claire, and a nice note from Mom. Merry Christmas to me!
Today allotment came in, so my District and I took a trip to Crazyville and pulled money then bought food. All together it took a couple hours, but it was well worth it. Didn't buy a ton with Transfers just around the corner, but I did buy a 2 pack of Snickers and 3 different Donuts. All of which I ate today, an action I later regretted and tried to restitute.
I attempted to call an online referral with no answer, so I took part in some edifying and uplifting media to fill my time.
I felt pretty fat for eating all that delicious trash today so I decided to workout, which ended up being more of just a run. Ran from one side of the courtyard of our compound to the other and back, which isn't far at all, but I did it 225 times so I think I made up for it.
Today we were able to meet with Raykil and her friend Rema and share the Law of Chastity with them. It went well, we'll see how both of them progress.
We also had Ward Correlation today which also went well, but also a little off topic. Our WML (As well as many other Ugandans) Thinks that Museveni (President of Uganda) is going to put Uganda in Lockdown because COVID is here, and bad. Locking down all of Uganda, including borders. So now I'm getting a little nervous for myself and my fellow Americans. Maybe its all in my head, but one thing's for sure, I don't want to be able to say, "I got evacuated from Uganda Twice!"
Also found out Transfers are being delayed a few days so we won't get transfer news until Tuesday...*sigh* I just wanna know where I'll be next transfer.
May 30, 2021 Sun
Today Raykil and Rema came to church...kinda. They sat outside 1st hour and then joined us for 2nd hour. After church Langi and I taught them about Tithing, but by the end I could tell Langi was out of it. He was as tired as the Warden from Holes was of diggin' holes as a little girl. ("Grandpa I'm tired of diggin' holes!" "Well that's just too dang bad!" Hehe) So we came back to the apartment and he passed out, which was fine cause its hard to carry an exhausted companion to lessons.
I listened to a number of Devotionals to help fill time, reviewed the week, and tried to avoid thinking about Tuesday for 2 reasons. 1; Trying to stay focused on being here and not where I'd like to go. 2; Museveni's address determining how the remainder of my mission will go. Rumors of locked down borders came up during church. I started getting really nervous about it, but luckily when Elder Rooks called for accountability calls, he told me that its was highly unlikely the Borders would close because it would severely hurt the economy. So that's a relief!
So something I read this last week really stuck out to me. I began reading Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor a little while ago, but this week I ended up reading a chapter about finding joy in life, which (some of you may not believe me when I say this) I do have a hard time finding on the Mission.
One of the quotes I loved was;
"Is there gloom in the warbling of the birds, in the prancing of the horse, in the playfulness of the lamb, or kid; in the beauty of flowers, in any of Nature’s gifts, or rich attire, or in God, that made them, or in his service?" Pg 100 Ch 11
Why is it that even with all these things, all these beauties that God created for us, a lot of us still see the world as sad, dark, or cold. While that may be the case, each of those things bring something beautiful too.
When it's cold there can be snow to be played in, Ice to be skated on, blankets to be snuggled under, and fire places to be sat by.
When it is dark there can be stars to be gazed upon, glowing lights to be seen, guidance to be received, and faith to be gained.
When it is sad there can be family and friends to be gathered, tears of love to be shed, comforting hugs to be given, and a Savior to be there through it all.
To look at the silver lining of sad, dark, or cold situations is no easy feat, it takes a lot of work and determination to be positive, but its worth the work because no one likes to be miserable and no one likes to be around people who make themselves miserable.
Another quote from John Taylor I also enjoy;
"A single taper [or candle] will give a light, and it is pleasant to look upon, but thousands of the same kind of light make a general illumination."
When we are positive and happy TOGETHER it is a beautiful sight to behold.
Think Christmas Lights on Dovewood Ct.
For my peeps not in Sactown, think Temple Square in Salt Lake or the Tabernacle in St. George at Christmas.
That's how beautiful the sight of a gathered group of loving happy people are.
Men are that they may have joy. To follow Jesus Christ is THE way to have that joy. I know He lives, that He loves us, and, most importantly, wants us to find joy in this life, and beckons us to do so. Mbyogedde mulinya lya Yesu Kristo, amiina.
Well this week I had quite the mouth full to say. Hope y'all don't mind, cause I got a lot to think about right now. If y'all feel so inclined, SEND ME AN EMAIL! I want to hear from anyone! Thanks to the few who emailed me this last week, it was one of the things that brought me joy!
Qwagala mukwanos era makka gwange!
(I love you my friends and family!)
Elder Bradford
***A short video clip of the sudden rainfall and a glimpse of the two monkeys running across the power lines.
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