Hey Jer, of coarse I remember you.

Sorry its been so long, Mom keeps me up to date with you and Ames. I hope things keep going well for you and I pray for you each night. I really hope you can come to Ireland with Amy in October. I should be here in Dublin. I really like Dublin. Its a nice big city but not overly huge. It has a lot of character and you can't really get lost in it.

Sorry this is short. I am getting screwed at this internet shop, and I am out of time. Also, I have to hurry cuz I'm going to the zoo. Next week I will send you a good email. Tell Cody "Hi" also.

Much love,
Brady

Hello

So, it sounds like you have had a good week this past one, a lot slower than the last few. For me, it has been crazier than the normal every day stuff you deal with.

Let me start from the beginning, we have been teaching a guy named Paul Byrnes. He was super good at accepting everything we taught. We were positive he would be baptized until his wife moved back in with him after being separated for three years. Well, after his wife moved back, he only had us over three times. It was really tough going over there with the wife because she was very negative towards us, and so things were hard going. We wanted to still teach him, so, we called his brother who is a member down in Limerick…its kind a close to Tralle. He told us a few ideas he has to help out but that was it. We then went to bed and woke up the next day, and both Elder Sheppard and I had food poisoning. Bad! We both just took turns throwing up into the toilet all night and the next day. I had to cancel appointments, because I have the Hafen gut, which apparently is stronger than a Shepperd gut. He threw up 6 times while I only threw up twice. However, he also had diarrhea too go with it where I didn’t. Then a 12 o’clock we get a phone call, its Noel, Paul’s brother. Well, he called to tell us that Paul had just died last night, and the police wanted to know when the last time we had talked with Paul was. So, we said 5 weeks ago, because he had been avoiding us (this is on Saturday). This basically ruined our spirits, and for the rest of the day we got to mope around the house sick and depressed because Paul just died. Then Sunday comes and we get picked up by our ward mission leader, Joe, and he starts talking about Paul. Well, Paul didn't just die he was murdered, and the police has been questioning his wife. They are pretty sure it was her and haven’t been looking for anyone else to question. That shocked us even more. Then we talked to another member, Tom Cochran, he says he was at the police station on Saturday and talked to them and gave statements. He then said we knew him better and gave the police our number. So, Monday we get a call from the police and they asked us to come give statements. On Monday at 4 I was being interviewed by a policeman. Later that day, Tanya, Paul’s wife, was accused of murdering Paul and I don’t know the sentencing yet. So, that is the main thing this week I have had to deal with and it was super crazy.

But now I will talk about the missionary things of life. We have been doing really well teaching again. We got a new investigator who lives in the same apartments as we do. On Sunday, on our way home we talked to him and he let us in. He is raciest against English men, which makes things hard for us because of Sheppard. But we still can teach him. He says he can talk to dead people and calls himself a prophet. We think he is crazy, and he is also an alcoholic. So, that will be another hard thing to get over. I don’t know if this guy will go anywhere.

Des is quitting smoking and making great progress. He really enjoys church and the members are fantastic with him. He is super; we will be teaching him on Thursday.

Andre and Cicilia and doing well. Also, Cicilia is getting a new job, so, she will be able to come to church from now on, hopefully. She has put in to get it, so pray she does. Andre is still looking like it might take him longer.

I’m happy and doing well. I’m rushed because of computer problems. You are the only ones I got a really email, because of a dumb computer. I love you all and hope you are doing well. Mom, I'm proud of the missionary work your doing. Tell the Elders about the less actives you’re working with and that when Carlie is ready, you will have them over to teach her. Keep going!

Much love,
Brady

Hello family!

Dusty is now a married man. Cool, I have been thinking about that all week long. It’s great. Well, Dusty sent me a text saying he wanted to use my sword, but I got it today a bit late. I wrote him back saying, “Yes, only if he wants to”. He should be getting it at about 3 am, where ever he is…ha ha. Thank you very much for all the photos they are great. The table with the pictures looked great with the rose pedals and all. Jule’s dress was super pretty, absolute gorgeous.

I'm glad to hear that you have so many memories from it. I think memories are the most important thing about these big ceremonies, and all of the weather problems will just prove to make them funnier down the line. The barbeque balloon situation will just add to it all. Dad’s short cut, that made me laugh. Good as missionaries are, we are always looking for short cuts to use. Sometimes in the end we find a few good ones, but lose lots of time finding them out. Sometimes we just end up finding longer ways. All you can do is just laugh. In each area we try and find the short cuts, and the good ones get passed down to each missionary. But as for the long ones, well, they keep getting explored…oh well.

Yesterday was a really good day. Let me tell you about it cuz it was the most “missionary stuff” that has happened this week. We started by visiting Paul and Robby, they are some guys we found. Nice guys, but very mixed up in life (been in and out of prison). They seem to have taken a liking to me and Shep, so, we go and chat with them, answer questions, and teach them a few things. While we were doing some finding one of our members called and wanted to change a dinner appointment from tomorrow to tonight. So we said it will be hard but possible, however, we couldn’t give them a definite time when we stop by their place. They said that’s fine. So we then rushed off to teach Dez, a great investigator who is making loads of progress. We are teaching him the smoker’s clinic, because he wants to quit. He is really liking it and is starting that on Thursday. We will be there for him again on Thursday. Then we rushed off for dinner to eat and gave a lesson in 30 min, super fast. It was a lot of food to eat so fast. We then went and taught Andre and Cicilia; who, by the way, we still get to teach thanks to President Creer and his heart of gold. It was a wonderful lesson about the Sabbath day. They also decided to feed us a dessert; I was already stuffed full, but forced down this as well. It was an apple cherry strudel, which was really good, but I felt sick after it all but that’s what I do as a missionary. You know that feeling where the food is still in your throat just cuz your stomach is to full. Well I had that feeling and it hurt. We then came home and where very tired. We only had time to play one game of Rummikub cuz we wanted to sleep. By the way, you talking about Lake Powell inspired me to buy Rummikub so I can keep my skill sharp for my return on April 9th.

So with Carlie, my only suggestions I have for you is to invite her to the house of a member’s home which has a special spirit. Not only will she feel very good in our home, she will get to see the way it’s supposed to be. The other thing is to invite her to our church and have her sit with you. If things continue to do well, then you can invite the Elders over to our house to teach her. Less-actives are scared of Elders because they know their purpose is to bring them back to church, and they are afraid it will be at a pace they do not feel comfortable. This is true, we want them to go faster but it’s more important to let them do it the best way. Some Elders try to rush things too fast. If she wants, she can write to me if she wants. I will write her back and answer her questions. Mom, I'm super proud of you for doing some good member missionary work. You are awesome. So, what you can do is invites her to church and then dinner at the home after to answer her questions. Keep me updated on Carlie, that’s really cool of you to be working with her.

Well, I love you all so very much, and miss you. I’m sad I missed the wedding.

Much love,
Brady

Thanks for the really good email. I needed it. Life has been kind a rough here, but mother if you start worrying about me, Ii will kick your butt when I get home. So, Andre and Cecilia might have to be handed off to the other ward due to border lines, which means they will be taught be another set of Elders and then shortly thereafter, they will be baptized. They already know the other elders, so, it won’t be too bad of a transition. However, I want to be the ones to teach them. But all of this is still uncertain; President is getting the boarders checked. In the mean time, we will still teach and not tell. The other really annoying thing is that Elder Tom Perry has made a new rule that we can only listen to Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The only good thing is that President does not like that rule, so, he will approve certain cd's. So, that’s really the big news for this week.

Last night I was spending the night in the Clondalkin Flatt for an exchange, which was an out of district exchange. It was fun cuz that was in my old district, and I have spent many of night in that flatt back in the Ballyfermot days. The elder I was with is from PG and named Elder Barney. He is brand new and this is his second move and second area. It was a good thing I was with him. He could not remember where to get off the bus and those things, so, I was able to since I spent so long in the district. It was a really fun exchange. One, cuz of old times, but also being with someone new. Things are still all magical for them… it’s like a kid at Christmas and I got to watch it all. I miss being able to train and things. I hope I get a chance to be with a new Elder again. Elder Barney has also been on exchanges with Elder Headington and Johnson. I was the only one left in my mission family he needed to be with, so, it was funny how he got the chance.

Well Mom, I have not forgotten it is your birthday tomorrow. Once I receive all my money, I then can by some cards for you and Ames. Then I will send them home. Ha Ha, I get to save on stamps and money…sweet, more stuff for me.

Sorry the dogs are being naughty. That really is too bad. I'm sure its super gross. I have to admit, it sounds funny here on the mission. I laughed a bit, but I hope things get figured out with the dogs. I know Charlie does not like Ozzy too much, but he will come around to it, I'm sure.

Mom, I have faith that you can set a table and have it look good. I mean take a look at our house, its really nice. If you can set up a house, you can make a table look good…much smaller scale. I know you stress, but in the end it always turns out wonderful. Trust me, you will do fine.

Well, I love you all tons. Much loves and many kisses. I have to go now, tell everyone “Sorry” I ran out of time, and will try to email them all next week…but mom; I wrote you a good one.

I love you all
Brady

Hey dude good to hear from you. Tell Amy, Happy Birthday! and that I will send her a card and candy, soonish...you know me.

Well sorry to hear all about the bad news. Mom did not tell me about you moving in with Mom and Dad, but I did know about it not working out in New Mexico. Sorry about that, I pray each night for you that something would work out.

I also did not know about Hawaii. I'm jealous dude! I would like to go scuba diving there, but I hear its not as cool as Mexico. So, I kinda hit one of the top areas, and don't have as much to look up to. Thats okay, I still really enjoyed it.

The work has been amazing here. Our district is having loads of success and we will have some good stuff ourselves at the end of the moves hopefully. Elder Sheppard is a really good guy and we have loads of fun and laughs. I have not smiled so much on my mission since I have been with him. We are always doing stupid things, like, I broke his clock cuz I kicked it out of his hand. He said he wanted it to move forward. Also, I had to take care of him cuz he almost fainted at the sight of his blood. That was so funny, I think I told that story already, but if not, tell me and I will type it up next week for you. I wont repeat all the mish stuff cuz moms has it all but its great. Thanks for being such a great example for me. I would not be here if it was not for you. Remember in all the hard times the family has you and God is shaping you for the best and making you what He knows is best for you.

I love you, Jer, take care. I love you tons
Brady boo boo

Oh my funny mommy.

Well it has been a great week. So yes I emailed them first last week but I also was having comp issues in the city so that’s one of the reasons it was so short so I’m sorry again. Well this week especially has been really good. Des, our investigator who has an autistic girl, came to church on Sunday and had a really good time. His daughter was able to stay really calm for the most part and only got up a couple of times to walk around. It was great. He would really like to come again next week. Also at the end of our lesson last week he told us thanks a lot for visiting him, and he says before we started teaching him he had no thoughts of God and now it’s more in the front of his mind than before. He says he still has his doubts, but it makes more sense and he thinks more 50/50 it could be true and work the way we say. He knows that what we know we know, but he does not quite think he will ever be able to get there. We told him it does not come all at once but he will get there someday.

Andre and Cecilia, things really could not get too much better with them. They know it’s true and want to be baptized and come to church. All they need is the new job to allow it. I taught them yesterday as well, and we taught tithing a thing that would be the most hard for them and they already know about it and are very willing to do it. They know it’s a true principal of the church. Andre and Cecilia are so great they are the high light of my week each week and last week cuz I could not teach them I noticed the difference so I’m so happy I was there this week. I love those two to death.

Other really good news about the mission, all of our African investigators are now back home from Africa. We are so happy about that, so we will now be able to teach them more. I taught Walter on Monday which I always love to do. Walter has the heart of a saint he just has so much love. When he went to Nigeria where he is from he brought loads of stuff just to give to the needy people there. And his kids are so well behaved. This guy has every reason to curse God but has just grown strong. He lost his wife awhile back and it has been really hard but he is so good and has been a really good dad to his kids.

We also work with a less active family called the Wilsons, and had the dad and two of the three kids at church. Mom has to work Sundays and dad has been out of work for a long time we told him if he comes to church God will be more willing to help him find a job. And we have become super good friends with the kids. The youngest really likes it when we come over cuz we play card games with him and bring treats for the family so he loves us. I love to work with them it’s so fun.

Well it’s so good to hear that everything is going super well for Dusty and Julie I’m very happy for them and can't wait to meet Julie it’s been really fun to email Julie and get to know her that way, but it’s still not the same as seeing it all myself. By the way, one of those people mom your jealous of, is Julie. I thought it would be a good idea to get to meet the newest member of the family.

Well my flat I have here is really nice, it’s clean and nice and would be better than that motel or whatever it is you stayed in. We have had some really gross flats in the mission, but we have been getting rid of them cuz of the serious mold sicknesses a few elders have had in the past, so now if they’re in copious amounts of mold then we get rid of those flats. So mine have been nice.

Anyway, I love you all you have a great email that tells about the week and how I am. I am super happy and really enjoying the area and all the people we work with. I love you all and miss you take care all.

Brady

Hi mommy and daddy!

It’s so very good to hear from you. So we just had moves call last night. I totally forgot about moves till yesterday this moves really went fast which is really good for me cuz I won’t lie I’m a bit “Trunkey” for home, all my friend are home except the few younger ones. But for moves call nothing is changed, we get a new sister in the district but that’s all.

As far as the mission work, things are doing really well. We might be getting a new investigator which would be our ward mission leader’s brother. His brother name is Richard and he is way cool. He knows a lot about the church cuz of Brother Shannon, but he has not had a witness and has never been taught. Andréa a Cecilia was taught last night but I had to do an exchange because we need a German speaker and our normal member was unable so Elder Clark went with Sheppard. Elder Clark is from Germany so he speaks really good German. They taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ lesson I’m sure it went really well. And they love the church so it’s only just some time till they get baptized.

It’s cool that you got called to be pioneer trek leaders; I hope you include something in it for me to do cuz I would love to go. I know I’m getting a bit old but maybe I can be a pa you know it would be realistic sometimes brothers did take care of the family on the trip. Anyway if you can I would love it but if you can’t, I know the rules.

We have found three new investigators this past week it’s a drunken group of friend that all live together. One of them met us on the street and asked us for a book, we gave it to them and he invited us over. He has had a rough upbringing but I hope we can change them. There is a member in the Cloncila Ward that joined a few years back who used to be a bi time drug dealer and is now a very solid member of the church, so I know the spirit really can change people.

Sorry about the dog’s-stupid Charlie will learn one day. Once I get married-and don't worry dad not anytime too soon-but once I do, I’m going to get a dog so Charlie will have my puppy to play with too, so he better chill out. I’m glad dad caught him in the act.

I know this is kind of a short letter but I’m low on time and have hit a brain fart, I don’t know what else to write. But I love you all and will write you first next week that way you get the best email.

Love you all, Brady