Since this has really effected Brady and his flight home, we decided we better cut and paste a BBC report on the volcano :)



The National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) said earlier forecasts showed the ash cloud progressively covering the whole of the UK.

British Airways has cancelled all long and short-haul flights in and out of the UK on Sunday.

Officials warn that European airspace could be disrupted for several days.

Flight restrictions on flights in and out of the UK were extended from 1300 BST to at least 1900 BST in the early hours.


Lorna Gordon: "There's also a problem of this ash clogging the filters of cars"
Nats head of safety Paul Haskins said: "It's a very dynamic situation at the moment."

The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month.

British wedding guests had to watch a bride and groom stranded in Dubai take their vows over an internet connection.

Sean Murtagh, 24, who is originally from west London, and his new wife Natalie, a 30-year-old Australian, were due to host a humanist ceremony for family and friends in London on Saturday but got stuck on their way back from Brisbane.

Mr Murtagh said the staff at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Dubai had become their unofficial wedding planners: "They decorated the lobby of the hotel. They made us a three tier wedding cake, set up a laptop with Skype and a projector...It's been an incredible day."

Meanwhile, one of the UK's biggest fresh fruit importers said business had ground to a halt because of the disruption.

Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud
Anthony Pile, chairman of Blue Skies, said the company was losing £100,000 a day as produce was rotting in Brazil and Africa.

"Losing a day is a disaster, losing three days is unbelievable and I don't know what we're going to do if we go into the middle of next week," he said.

A plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high was visible in Iceland on Saturday.

Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office, said it was likely the volcanic cloud would remain over the UK for several days.

Runway inspections took place during daylight for the first time at Heathrow
Royal Mail air mail deliveries to the US are being taken over land to be flown from a Spanish airport.

British Airways said it had no insurance against suspending flights and refunding customers as a result of the ash cloud, and would have to absorb the costs itself.

The Ministry of Defence said it was under the same restrictions as for commercial aircraft, except for essential helicopter operations, such as search and rescue, below 3,000ft.

In other developments:

• Eurostar added eight extra services on Saturday, but passengers are advised not to turn up without a booking

• P&O ferry crossings between Portsmouth and Bilbao are fully booked until Wednesday, as are those from Hull to Zeebrugge and Rotterdam over the weekend

• Thomson Airways, the airline for Thomson and First Choice holidays, said all outbound flights over the weekend had been cancelled

• Flights between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been halted after reports of ash on an aircraft. They had been operating earlier on Saturday

• Ryanair cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe until 1300 BST on Monday. It will keep running in southern and central Europe, although flight restrictions are being imposed in Hungary and Romania

Unable to catch flights, many travellers across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, which has seen people filling trains, buses and ferries.

British glaciologist Dr Matthew Roberts, working at Iceland's Met Office, said the volcano was now producing less ash.

"There haven't been any further significant outbursts of volcanic ash from the eruption site," he said.

"However, there is still volcanic ash in the atmosphere and there's a lag effect between material being emitted from the volcano and the ash plume drifting into European airspace."

HEY hey mom

It’s so good to hear from you both. Well I guess mostly mom. But it’s great that you had such a good time in Mexico. That zip line sounds really cool, I have seen things like that before on animal planet and the discovery channel. They always sounded really cool. So when it comes to booking things for the executions I would like to do some scuba diving if that is manageable. I’m sure Cody or Jerame would go with me; it just would be really sweet to do that again. When you go to get me released could you try for Friday night to get me released. I really want to wake up and go swimming I really can’t wait to get into a pool. If you can do that I will stain the deck all by myself; and yes I will stain the deck I’m more than happy to help out and get things together for my party. I know that's why you’re doing it. Aaron is a real good lad I’m sure he told you that he was just talking to me before he called you right? If not I got a call that morning at about 10 and he was asking me about all the home coming stuff, I’ll be honest I could not remember at all. The address or what time it’s at.

Well mom if you could get a few things for me when I get home. The main thing is I will be needing some new "G's". I only plan to bring home about 3-4 home with me just so I have some in case I need them; the rest I plan to destroy. Also just that you can get me released Friday if possible if not Saturday. I would also like to get my teeth cleaned really soon they need a good cleaning; also I need doctor Jerame to help me out. I chipped my front tooth again but just on the back side not bad at all. You can’t tell just looking at it, but Jer can fix that up for me.

Well this past week I have been working on saying good bye. I hate good bye and this has been the worst one too. I have really been close to this ward; more then I have the past ones. I have really loved this ward and all the people in it. They all want to feed me before I go. And cuz they can’t, they are going to feed the new guy which I don't know who that is; I find out tomorrow I hope he is a good one. The ward had a very long list of guys without much personality. The youth girls were surprised when Grone went up and talked to them; they had forgotten Elders could talk or something, so since I have been here I have tried to talk to them as much as I would any other member. The youth here are class and I would like to stay in touch with them all; I just know I can’t, but Facebook will help. I’m excited to Facebook again. I’m going to have so many to add; 5 wards and branch's of people. Plus all the Elders.

Well we had zone conference this past week. It was good, we really talked a lot about conference. President Uchtdorf and President Eyring’s talks. In the priesthood session the sisters where a bit out of it but us elders where sharp since those tend to be everyone's favorite talks. The sisters are going to get a chance to watch the priesthood session. President is getting it together for them; they were very excited for that. There is one sister I have gotten really close with, her name is Sister Peterson. We have become great friends, we talk together pretty often. It’s really funny the sisters in the mission now have become really cool; they all talk with the elders. In the past for some reason they would not, so the new ones are class. We only have a problem with one sister she thinks of it all as some business and must not be friends with anyone. I don’t know it’s not cool with any of the elders. I also got to give my farewell testimony at zone conference. Those tend to be advice for the elders coming from experience. I had planned a few things in my mind and gave it. It went really well and president even used some of it in his training. He referred back to it a couple of times, and then also thanked me for it personally later. It was really good to hear it was enjoyed. After zone conference, we went on exchanges with the zone leaders in the area. I have been there before when I first came out. I was with Elder O'Toole again. He is really cool, he came out with the group after me; so we both have experience and it was fun to talk about the old mission compared to the new one. We talked about the old elders only we would know, and all that stuff. It was real nice. It was fun to be with him again and in a different light now that we have been out for some time now, I really enjoyed it. I have really enjoyed getting to know all the elders I will be sad not to be around a lot of them again.

Well like you said I do have mixed feelings about going home; mostly I’m excited for it but I am sad to leave all my friends and the members in this ward. Sunday dinner was a weird one for me; each week I always looked forward to that one and I realized I would never get the chance to have the same banter with them all. I am really going to miss that one. And then I had to say good bye to two of my most favorite people, the Douglas’ they are about in their 80's and they are so good. Oh I will miss them, but I am so excited to come home to the family, friends, the warm country and to see the mountains; I can’t wait for home.

Well sorry if this seems like a negative email I’m just letting you know my feelings.

I love you all so very much and can’t wait to see you all on Friday its crazy the time has come.

Much love

Hugs and kisses

Brady

Hey you two sun bathers,

Well I’m very jealous of you two in the sun; I wish the sun knew how to get out into our sky. I have not seen the sun in a few days. The weather has been very wet and very cold. On Tuesday it was so wet we got soaked through; we had to come in and hang our suits up and let them try to dry out and then get re-dressed in other clothes. By the way, we were on exchanges in Colerain. All the locals make fun and call it cold rain and it was very cold rain. It was more sleet then rain. We also were not using the car because we where tracting which made it not needed. It started to get better but the sun has not showed its face yet. At least the rain/snow stopped.

Well Easter has proved to also be a great time just like my birthday, I have gotten so many treats and candy and all the works. One of the real popular things is to buy big chocolate eggs and you give them away to people you like, we got 4. It was cool to once again see how well liked we are here. General Conference was awesome, we got to see it all but the last session, I will wait till I get home for that one and read it. President Uchtdorf was my favorite on patience; it was way good. I would consider myself a patient person but I must not have been as a child cuz school was never my thing. But I can socialize with the best of them.

Well we have been working with a new guy this week named Michael. He is a class guy; he really wants to know about the church and what we believe. So far he believes the same things, which really has been helpful. Like prayers, even though he grew up catholic; and the spirit world was another. He struggles reading due to he has dyslexia a real issue so he had his wife get online and download The Book of Mormon so he can listen to it; he is loving it- he can’t wait to find out what happens to Nephi next and really shows signs of progress. He came to conference and liked that; so he is doing very well. He has a pretty large family by what we have been told; but so far he has only refereed to 4 sisters. They have wee ones also, but I have not seen them. His wife has not been interested, at least she says, but we have caught her listening to The Book of Mormon also. She also said she wanted to come to conference to see what it was all about. She didn’t but we will get her. As they say; curiosity kills the cat, or in her case gets converted.

Well I’m going to cut this short because Jake has to use this computer also and I will be home soon enough. Janice is well also, we have had to push back her baptism date so I will not be here but that's okay.

I love you all very much, enjoy the cruise!

Much love,

Brady

Hey what's up mom? It’s sooooo good to hear from you this week!

I forgive you for forgetting and in fact I had to come to the library during the week to make a calendar and I thought hum maybe I will see if my mom wrote to me. I got to read it, so thanks for the early email, it really helped during the week to know what was going on.

Well for taking things home; it will be very little for what I'm taking home. I told them both; very small stuff. I'm sure the church will pay for my luggage home like they paid for it out. I really don't think the church would force me to have to abandon loads of stuff even though I plan to do just that. I will only be coming back with a few church things, some of my books, suits, and all my good tie's. I have some really sweet tie's, Jake is really lucky because he gets to take all my stuff that he wants because I will be leaving it here. His only problem is I'm so skinny and he is so tall so most of the clothing is out of the picture.

So you have been getting a lot of calls as of recently about me. Jakes mom has been trying to get a hold of you also. She had to talk to Bruce C Hafen's wife to try and get a little information about me. If you have not talked to them yet give them a call @ (801)691-0707. Then you had Stephen Smyth and Aaron Reeder. Reeder is a class kid. I like him a lot and you all would too. He was my district leader while I was in Tralee and my zone leader while I was in Ballyfermot. I look forward to hanging out with all those guys. If there are a few people at the airport or at my church welcome home it would probably be Shane Williams and Milo Myerhopher. They were all good friends who were very good to me here.

So the members seem to have made it some kind of goal to fatten me up before I go. They are trying to get me over to their homes and feed me before I go. It’s great I eat like a king. Jake is also a good cook; we have a real proper meal almost every day sometimes twice a day. It’s so good and yet even though I eat all of it I still am only 140 pounds and cannot put on any more weight. Is that crazy or what? Jake is looking at me as if something is wrong with me. A member once said I must have worms because all the members say I eat a lot for such a little guy, it’s funny.

Well for the bulk of the email now. Janice has been doing good and bad. She has continued to be strong through all of this hard stuff with Bob. But one of her sons is not making life any easier. She has a son named Hayden who is about 14-15 years old and he got caught smoking and possibly doing pot and a legal drug named Methadrom. Basically they take an illegal drug change a few chemicals, add some grass or herb of some sort and it has the same effect but is sellable in stores. I think it’s super messed up but the police can’t do anything about it right now. Well Hayden has not been caught doing pot or this Methadrom but his friends have. His name was mentioned by one of his friends who was caught doing both. So of course Janice has been worried sick about him and as a result he is on a short leash. She asked us what we think she should do. I said interview him in a very serious way and ask him straight. I said that’s what you both did to me and I couldn’t lie to you when you did that to me. So she did; he says he is not doing pot or Methadrom so I said just trust him but be watchful also. Flo is good but he is crazy as ever. We called him on Monday last week and he was in the mountains; no warning to anyone just got up with a friend and left. He spent two nights out there and came back so we got to see him later in the week. We made him a scripture reading calendar as I said before. He really likes it so hopefully this will get him more excited to read from the Book of Mormon. He says he prays sometimes but I don't know how serious he takes it and how he does it. We have shown him before how to pray, but I think this needs to be the next lesson. He should get a positive result due to reading and now praying more.

Janice came to church yesterday; it was really good fast Sunday all the testimonies where different. You know how on average one person gets up and they talk about one subject and then following everyone will talk on the same subject. Well I decided to throw a wrench in that system. I think everyone should talk about whatever they want. So it started about fasting and then I got up and talked about facing trials and getting help from God. Afterwards nobody could get back on to one subject so those who got up talked about what they felt like and it was very good. Everybody’s testimony came to them as the spirit directed them and talked about what they felt inspired about. We only had one weirdo get up and talk. She is not all there in the head; she got up and talked about her visions and other weird things. But she ended on a very good note and I took some good stuff out of it. Janice afterwards ended up talking to Robert Smyth, Stephen’s father. Robert and Janice talked together about Bob and what is going on in her life. He gave her some council and things and it really helped Janice a lot. Robert likes Janice a lot and said she is a great girl. They actually talked all through our lesson so Jake and I actually never ended up teaching gospel principals class-she was the only investigator so we just talked in the hall and left Robert to it. We will be teaching Janice again tonight, I look forward to it.

Mom I don't have a frequent fliers card, and if I do I don't know about it and must not have used it to get over to Ireland and England. So if I have it, tell me what it looks like, and if I don't have one get me one. I really don't know anything about it. Also I have gotten my birthday package and thank you very much for it all. I loved the Hot Tamales, they were gone the very next day, I ate them all and we are out of sugar to make Kool-aid so we are going to restock on that today.

Well I love you very much and miss you all. Can’t wait to see you-it’s soon. Conference is going to be fun; we have some people who have said they will be their which is exciting. Janice is really looking forward to it.

Talk to you soon, much love!

Brady

Hey mom

Well I’m still okay as you heard from yesterday. I told everybody thanks from you, and thanks for the birthday wishes. Um I have not gotten my package yet and probably won’t be getting it until April during zone conference, because that's when they will bring up all the parcels so I guess I will be getting two then. But that's okay, it’s just before I go home and then I will have to share it with Jake. I still kinda find it hard calling him Elder or Robison just cuz I did know him first as Jake. Even though we really did not know each other super well. So you know how Stephen took something home for you guys I’m going to do the very same thing for Jake. I’m going to take a thing home and hand deliver it to his house and let them all know how he is doing. I’m excited to do it for him and then I will try and do the same for Grone; if I’m not careful I might end up taking everybody else's crap home and none of my own, now that I think about it. My whole district is from Utah and I’m sure they would all love me to run by all their parents. Maybe I will just stick with Jake and maybe Grone cuz I kind of already told him I would go by his house sometime after I got home and meet his parents. So I might as well take something but we will see.

Well life has been good. Johnson, my son, AJ, his comp Elder Procter (who you know also), and I ended up just sitting in the house playing card games and just talking and chatting; it was good fun as always. We all get on really well its fun to just relax with the other elders you really get to see the way they were back home. There are a lot of chill guys that I would not mind hanging with. Johnson wants me to go to Snow College with him. Its tempting cuz it’s a state college, which means it’s still cheap and easy to get in. But I would have to move on campus and there is nothing to do in the town. But I would be with AJ which would be fun. He wants to recruit me on to his water polo team; they have lost a few of the players and since I’m a swimmer and have a bit of experience it would really help them out. But we will see what happens.

Well mom I love you much I don't have much else to say; I wrote the bulk of it yesterday. But I love you all; tell Cody and dad hi and I miss them too.

Much love hugs and kisses
Brady

Hey, hey mum cakes

So well this will not be as long of an en email because I’m mailing this to you from the Smyth’s computer, and thus, I don’t want to be on it for hours at a time. The good news is I will be emailing again tomorrow, and will try to send another email your way. It probably will not be that great but it’s better than nothing.
To explain, first, President changed the pday to Wednesday this week due to St. Patrick's Day, nothing I was expecting but he said to email on pday not Monday unless you could not email then. Well my new comp said we will email Wednesday I told him that it would be closed so he said Thursday cuz thats what President said, but all the smart elders emailed on Monday to not worry our mothers.

My new moves call is I’m still in Derry, Groneman has moved to Dublin city center. He likes it there; I still keep in contact with him well because we are so close. My new companion is the district leader and is Elder Jake Robison from Orem, Utah. Cody knows him and Kindy and everyone else; he is 6'6" and everyone comments on his height. It’s really funny. We get along great even if he screwed up the whole email thing; sorry about that I really tried. But life is great here we have gotten our car back it’s the same type of car only new color- silver. It’s really neat.

My birthday has been great because all the members love me; I have gotten 3 cakes and some birthday presents. It actually feels like I had a birthday this time compared to the last one in Tralee. But 21 feels the same as 20 but I guess once I get back home I can now drink. Like I will ever need that.

The investigators have been coming around. Janice is still as great as ever although Bob is an idiot and has walked out on her again. I believe I told you about the first time; this makes two times since I have been here. When he leaves he goes to another house he owns and will not talk to her for weeks at a time. So I will try this time really hard to talk to him and beat some sense into his head. At the same time it’s really good I would like them apart because they are not married but he needs to at least talk to her. They have been going out or living together for 6+ years and have a 5 year old daughter who he is neglecting also.

Some better news, we got one of Janice’s sons that smoked to try and stop; he has been off for one week and is still strong. He says he does not even really want them; his name is Jason. The younger son Chris messed up on day one, and seems a bit down at the moment to re-try; but he is not getting off that easy. Right now I want to help out Janice so much. It would make her so happy if they would all just quit smoking.

Well like I said I’m going to end this and try to send another one real quick tomorrow. I will tell the Smyth’s thanks from you and hopefully get a quick note from you tomorrow. Thanks for everything; I love and miss you all. I have less than one month now it’s going to be a good one. Love you all!

Much love
Brady

Hey family

It’s been great reading the email this week; mom you are always very good at keeping me up to date. And dad it’s always very good to hear from you. I’m very happy to hear that your knees are doing better. I hope your ankle improves soon with the stuff. But that's very gross that it’s a big shot; I really don't like them. I seem to have become a bigger woos with shots because I have not gotten my flu shots while being here. So is the serum or stuff they shoot you up with thick?

That’s so cool to hear Cody was voted to be team captain for soccer; that means most of us boys have been voted as captains. I bet his team does better because they are all older, you always seem to do better with each year and other teams will have lost their big players because they are graduated; where Cody’s team has not, just like with my Jr to Sr years swimming.

Well this week has been a good one in some ways and not so good in others. This week has been fun cuz we had zone conference and it’s always really nice to see the other elders mainly friends. The training was about finding which is always very boring because all they say is you don't always have to tract and street contact to find investigators; try the ideas in preach my gospel they work that's why they are in there. In the end we resort right back into tracting, because when the weather is bad those are the only ones that seem to work. Some elders are so robotic in the way they work they will do nothing but tract and use the same door approach over and over which does no good.

Well Janice is doing so great we had a lesson this week with just her and it was on prayer and how to receive an answer. It was so very good and then at the end we asked if she would pray and it was so good. A very heartfelt prayer and she was so thankful for us coming and helping her out. She asked to know the truth about the Book of Mormon and what we teach her. The prayer was perfect. I felt so proud of her, it was so good. Then the rest of the week really has been about the smoker’s clinic. They are all starting it today. So it is Bob and Jason age 24 and Chris age 16 and they all want off so it’s going to be great. Jason his main concern is he can’t drink tea during the week. He says he would drink up to 7-10 cups of tea a day. That right there is the reason we don't drink tea. Can you imagine drinking 7-10cups of Postum or Pero? That’s so much.

We talked to president about the car he is shifting cars around the mission and is planning to send us a car soon. He realizes the hardship we are having and what we are going through. I’m guessing we get it when moves happen, he will just send a missionary up with it. I hope it’s a stick shift car then I can get back into the mode of using a stick. I actually would feel safer using it too. By the way moves will be happening this week on Tuesday we find out and on Thursday it will be happening. So today president and the assistants are to be finalizing who we will be with. They started yesterday with all the new leadership, and trainers. Today all the rest of the grunts.

So tell me if you have gotten my package yet? I have it sent off you should be getting it soon. I think you will be really excited it’s got a lot of good stuff in it.

Sunday was a weird day it was good I should say. Our investigators did not show up which is never good so that's why it was bad but the talks and lessons where real good. Then we went to the McKenna’s. This is always great. The food on Sundays is always way good. And the girls at the McKenna’s are always good crack. Then we went to the Neilson's for a lesson they are a member family who are cool. After the lesson they had a lesson with us about what to expect when we get home with some help and advice for the beginning of life with a spouse and all that stuff; they really told us not to worry about what I want to do because the Lord will provide and you will fall into what you are supposed to do. They told us about their start and how hard it was and how they are now. It was really good advice and was very helpful. Because I’ll be honest I was a bit worried and I had no clue as to what I want to do. We finished off the evening at Janice's and Bob's to see why they were not at church and starting the smoker’s clinic. They did not go to church cuz Bob was struggling with gall stones and she got sick; so valid excuses we gave Bob a blessing, Janice was not too sick just a sore throat.

Well that's all I have got to say this week; I hope it’s good. I look forward to Carrie Underwood she is pretty. Well I love you and miss you see you soon.
Hugs and kisses
Brady

Hey family

Well it’s good to hear everyone is okay and good. That’s was very scary to hear about Cody I’m glad to hear he is okay. You said he was acting weird how so? I’m healthy now just the old cough now. As I said I’m healthy, which I’m very happy about.

The real drama here this week has been that President pulled our car and gave it to the city center area in Belfast. This is ridiculous. We here in Derry have horrible buses and they stop running after 6 PM which means we can only work around our house at that time; the very best time to teach is after 6 so as you can tell this has been a big hit to the work here in Derry. In the city center the buses never slow down, and come every 10-15 minutes. However, our buses, the most frequent, is every 30 min. Once again you can see it was really dumb of president and has made me and Grone really angry. We have dropped lessons because we can’t get to them or investigators.

Janice is doing so well, Bob and Hannah came to church this Sunday everyone was very welcoming to Bob and those who meet Janice before welcomed her again; also the talks and lessons were very good. They both participated very well; so Sunday for them was a very positive experience.

We taught Janice and Bob the word of wisdom on Tuesday which went very well. Janice has never really had a problem with it, and Bob has accepted to re-live it again; he already wanted to give up the smoking. So we are going to be doing the smoker clinic with him to get him off. Some other really good stuff came from it. One of the sons is trying to get off smoking so we asked if he would like to try this and Janice said probably. He was not there to ask but we will ask him later. Then we asked Jason and he is going to go for it. So the word of wisdom ended up being a very good way to get the sons involved. We also got to do some service for Janice; we painted her bedroom a cream color including the ceiling; it was easy painting and it was good for them to see us outside of just the teaching situation. They both really appreciated it too. Because of the service now they want to feed us. So this week we will be getting fed by them. But Janice and Bob are really looking positive.

A really cool thing I just found out is Andre and Cicilia got baptized on Saturday. They asked Elder Sheppard to baptize them so I was very excited for Sheppard and for them both. It made me happy to know someone else I helped teach got baptized.

We had a baptism on Sunday just a member's girl, but it was a very good thing. Brother Neilson is from Utah and so his family flew out to see the baptism which was really good; so I got to talk to some Utah people again. Church was really full on Sunday for the baptism.

Well mom sorry this is short but I really don’t have much else to say; things have not been too exciting here. We have been doing a good bit of finding and nothing has come from it yet. We have gotten in touch with two of our lost investigators both were positive and said we could come back to teach them, so we will be trying that this week. We have zone conference this Wednesday I should be getting my birthday present from Sister Creer; it used to be brownies but now due to them going home soon they are changing things.

Well I love you very much; again sorry this is short but like I said not much is going on.

Love you much

Brady

Hey Mom it’s good to hear from you again,

You are so trunky for me to get home you counted up emails you’re crazy! Everyone here is trunkier for me then I am. All my friends remind me of how much time I have left. You know how I am; I just live in the moment, I’m so laid back I’m vertical. That’s what someone once said to me about Frye and I.

Well this week has not been a great one; we once again just had one of those weeks where not much right stuff happened and lots of wrong did. Christina and Charlene are dropped; they were more interested in us then what we had to offer them; and that goes for Christina, a 40 year old married woman. So, they are not going to be taught anymore. To be honest, Grone and I are relieved to not be teaching them anymore; it was a lot of stress and drama which should not have been there. As for Tim he is still not so good; we went to see him but it was not a good day for him so he politely said not today. As for Karrie, we have seen her as in drove past her, but not talked to her since. We have made many attempts to see her, called by her house several times but never have gotten an answer. Andre and Cecilia are still not baptized as far as I know; they seem to love money more than God, and won’t get their feet moving. But I still have high hopes for them.

Now for some good news; Janice is amazing! She told us the other day that she really wants to know the truth and so she’s really looking for it through us. She is reading and praying and Bob is actually helping out. Bob the other day kind of bore his testimony and said her church is not right and is unfair as to heaven and hell; where in our church he finds nothing unfair or wrong. So those really made Janice perk up. My real goal now is to have Janice baptized before I go, which is kind of tough cuz Bob is moved back in. We helped Jason move out of his house the other day and back into Janice’s. Today we’re going to take a TV to the dump for him. So we are making some progress with him; now we just need to teach him with his mom. We saw Richard and talked a bit with him; his girlfriend was over, so he was not too friendly with us cuz she was there. I think with his mom joining he will be more curious. Bob is doing well we think, it’s hard to tell with him cuz he doesn't speak his mind much and he is pretty quiet. He really likes us and enjoys listening to the lessons. I think the fact that he is will to go to church is a big thing. They will be coming this Sunday. Yesterday they were in Dublin together so they could not come but it will be good. Oh and Peter Simpson is good just the same as always.

Well I think that's everyone really big. Good to hear Cody is good and Cakes (Caitlin) is good. I have been writing her pretty good; I wrote to her not too long ago and have not gotten a reply yet. I’m planning on writing to her again real soon. I have something to send to her. I’m going to try and write her on her mission even while I’m home since she has been good to me and doing it. It’s really too bad we won’t see each other. I mean we really only miss each other by not much. So who am I going to hang out with when we go to Moab now? I guess she has been asking the same question these past two years. So, do I know Danny?

I have something to send to you I think you will just love, I just need to finish it all up. Grone has been helping me out a bit with it so it will be good. I’m not going to tell you what it is yet so it can be a surprise.

As for anything I need; I think I’m happy. I know I will need garments for when I get home and I will need clothes but that's for home. If you’re sending sweets, send me some hot tamales and Kool-Aid. I really miss those and I know you’re good; you will send me some good stuff.

Well the other thing I guess I can talk about this week is I have been sick, nothing big. I have had a cough for about two weeks so Sister Creer told me I had to go to the hospital. So I got some medicine. They said I have mucous built up in my left lung, not too bad but that's why I have been coughing. They gave me some antibiotic stuff and some nasty cough syrup stuff to break up the mucous. The members here are so funny; I called a member named Cathy Graydon, she is the mommy here in the ward for all the elders. She came rushing over with soup, oranges, cough syrup and the number for the doctors to get me seen fast. Then she told all the other members, so on Sunday I had an out pouring of sympathy and love from all the woman of the ward and they all told me to go home stay warm and sleep it over. The members love us so much here cuz Grone and I always do stuff with them and like to talk to them and do what we can for them. Also the youth like us cuz we talk with them and just get to know them maybe tease them a little bit too. But it’s been really fun here. I will be so sad when Grone leaves because he has been here so long; he’s the one who has the main relationship with them all.

Well I hope this email was good enough for you. I tried to make it long cuz I know that's the way you like it. Grone would like the address for Ali Edgington, he wants to write her. So if you can send that to me next week that would be great. Thanks for the good email mom love you so much and miss you.

Much love,
Brady

Hey mom thanks for the email and answering my questions.

Well it’s good to hear that Cody was the craziest of all the boys when it came to drugs. That's funny to see how he reacted; and he is pretty swollen. Tell him its okay he can play in the next batman with that kind of a jaw. Elder Austin Johnson told me about when he got his taken out; he kept getting angry with the nurse because he thought they had broke his jaw, and that he was then going to use it to kill a 1000 philistines like Samson from the bible, that's pretty nutty. How is he on the medicines does he need as many as me? Just keep me up to date on him.

So I have been telling everyone about the cruise and the catch tied to it with me. (We are booking a family cruise for next January 2011 before Cody leaves on his mission. Brady better not have a wife or something because we are booking the dates and paying for it now) Everyone just laughs; you two are funny.

Well our church was fun this week or yesterday. We had a “linger longer” after which was a lot of fun. It was absolutely perfect for investigators; Grone and I were very excited for it. But none of our investigators showed up to church. Yaw we were very upset to say the least. We were expecting 4 all confirmed to be coming; and none showed. We had a better week then last, but not by much because we lost two investigators last week so we are trying to regain some. We have started to teach Janice’s kids Jason and Richard are her 2 and 3 oldest kids. Jason plays the piano and is very talented musically which is very good we can always use them in the church. Richard is a builder and fixer upper kind of a guy; very handy man. He is really cool, we gave him the Book of Mormon and he started to flip through the pages and stopped listening to us which was sort of cool. So hopefully he will read from it. Bob Taylor, Janice’s partner the less active is now back. Hopefully he will not bring her down. She is so great and we know she would join the church but Bob is the main problem.

Well the story with Karrie is she and Tim have broken up and she wants nothing to do with him because her mom does not like him. Her parents have a really strong hold on her life and they don't treat her very well. The doctors, Tim, and her uncle and aunt have told her she needs to be away from them. We have tried by her house just down the street from us; but no success yet. We went to Tim’s and he is not doing so well either. Apparently he struggles with depression also and took an overdoses after she broke up with him; but luckily he failed. Karrie gave Tim back the Book of Mormon we gave her and said she only took an interest in us to help Tim out; which is not true she was always wanting us to visit her in the hospital so that's her parents speaking through her.

Peter is doing really well, I think I have said before he will be baptized it’s only a matter of when. He knows what he needs to do so once he decides the time is right he will do it. He was not at church this week cuz he had some meeting he had to attend to. He lives in a very strong Protestant area and was a big hot shot during the troubles; so he works to make sure the troubles don't happen again; he attends meetings and other things. Peter is a really cool old guy; I could just sit and listen to his stories forever.

The other investigators we are working on hard are Christina and Charlene a mother daughter. Christina the mom wants to be baptized and has asked me to do it. Which is cool but she has so much work to do. She struggles with depression, panic attacks, large groups of people, and smoking. Due to all of this she does not come out to church as much as she should so she can’t get baptized. We get on her case and tell her all this but she just does not seem to be able to do it. I don't know what to do with it all so keep her in your prayers.

Well I got to get heading I love you all so very much. Thanks mom for a good email and all the updates.

Much love hugs and kisses. Happy Birthday to Dusty!

Brady

Hey Mom

It’s good to hear from you again. I love Mondays, getting to hear about home and how everything is going. It’s too bad to hear you forgot about my baby brother and now his surgery is not going to be so easy. But doctor Burton is really good so I’m sure things will go very well. I’m so glad to learn about everyone's teeth and that they are so good and clean I hope there are no cavities in any of them. I hope the same for mine too.

I’m so happy for Cody and that his swimming went well. I felt the same as him, there was a lot less pressure when I swam the relays then when I swam my individual events. The individuals you have no one else to rely on but yourself. However, with the team events you feel so much stronger. You can take on the world. Especially with my relay team mates. It’s weird that you can’t wear those longer suites even in the Olympics. What’s the reason behind it? If you would let me know?

Well it’s good to know I will be speaking so soon. That way it will still be fresh on the mind and I can still remember all my stories and mission stuff. Speaking of going home, did you get my email about all my flight plans? It tells when I will be landing in Utah and all that stuff cuz I don't remember it. It’s not important really..

Well this week has been a hard week and a not so good one sorry to say. It was so stressful and mind frying I’m glad to have it behind me. We lost contact with one of our investigators named Karie I told you about her I think she was in the hospital and is the partner of a less active named Tim. Well she is out of the hospital but we don't have a phone number for her and we don't know where she lives other then the estate name, but what number we have no clue. Also I guess Tim has now put himself in the hospital for something. Not sure how and what for but he has. Then we had an investigator named Wanda who forgot about our appointment and got herself wasted. She came to the door and apologized for herself which was good and set up for the next day, when we went by she was not in. Even more maddening. Also we had a mission conference which made us miss another appointment. The conference was good by the way I will get to that later. Also Janice missed an appointment on Saturday which she is so good with her appointments. Then we had another investigator named Sharon Nash who has investigated for a year; she knows that Joseph Smith is a prophet but does not know our church or the Catholic church is true. Well she got her answer that it’s the Catholics by playing a game of bingo. That was the worse one of them all. So as you can see we got kind of upset by all of this in the last half of the week. So this week we taught only 15 lessons and had one investigator to church when we were expecting 4-5 to church. And about 20 lessons.

This week we had some good things happen as well, Sunday was great. So we told one or two people that the week had been rough on us, and did not go so well. Well the thing about our ward is any rumor spreads like wild fire and by the end of the day everyone was feeling bad for us and wanted to feed us that night. We had three invites to dinner that night and of course to all our favorite places the Smyths, McGee’s, Nelilson's and McKenna’s so we visited as many as we could but had to turn down some of the food. Smyths act like our best friends and let us just relax at their house. He is our landlord so he is cool. The McGee feed us every other Sunday with the McKenna’s...they switch off. So we have one every Sunday. The Smyths usually feed us during the week, sometimes, but they wanted us over just for some fun and games.

The mission conference was good; they had some shocking news. The Ireland Dublin mission is going to be merging with the Scotland mission. This will be happening July 1, so it won’t affect me at all. It was still crazy to hear. So President Creer is the last Irish mission president ever, and I’m one of the last IDM missionaries to come out; its exciting news really. Kind of sad but really it’s going to make it so we will be on the same level as the rest of the British missions. I’m kinda sad I won’t ever get to serve in Scotland. Do you remember one of my dreams of serving in Scotland? Well, if I was to be here after July 1, my dream would have come true.

Well I don’t really have anything else to say; I love you much and hope next week’s letter will be more exciting for you cuz this week’s was not so much. I love you all and miss you. See you very soon!

Much love

Brady

Hey well hello family,

It’s good to hear from you all. It was a surprise to have so many writing. This time even Dusty with his so much to say. Well I’m glad to hear that as soon as I get home I have another great talk to give my first Sunday home. But hey that's okay I’m used to it. I’m just happy to know Jer can be there. But will Amy? Nobody said, I would love to have her if it's possible. Well I’m glad mom you like the new bishopric the only one I know is Bishop Mullen. But I’m sure they will do great.

This email is a bit harder to type up because I had so many different individuals write to me. So I want to talk to you all but it’s hard to. Jer it’s exciting to hear baby is coming along good. I tell everyone here that I’m going to be an uncle soon. And then Grone makes fun of me and says in a baby voice "Uncle Brady". So I look at him with a serious face, like Dusty's are you serious face and say "yup." Jer you’re lucky to be in the young mens, I would like that as a calling when I get home or a primary teacher again, either one would be a great calling. I just hope the stake just does not try to force me to a singles ward. I really don't want to go to one, I would like to just stay in the home ward and just have a cool calling. That’s what they do here in Ireland. All the RMs get called to young men’s, ward mission leader or elders quorum something.

Cody it’s good to hear from you too. Thanks for the update on swimming, sorry to hear you did not make it to state in your individuals, but relays are the best anyways, and you get to do all three now. But it’s good that you’re taking it well. That’s the kind of stuff that shows what a humble person is. You are great and it’s awesome to hear your scoring with the chicks that's the most important one anyways. Remember you don't get to take swim with you to heaven only a girl. Ha-ha.

Dusty Yup

Julie thanks for talking to me more. The entire missionary's thinks it’s so cool that you’re a pilot; I do to too. I hope you get your office position you want. What kind of office position do you want? And for what? Anyways talk to you later.

Mom you again as you can see I do not really want to make any big plans. I like the idea of a cruise. And just think you can use all that saved up money in our piggy bank to go towards it. Remember that was the idea. Man I’m going to love it.

Well investigators and all that jazz. This week has been the best week we have had together so far. Grone and I also just had our moves call and we are staying together. The next moves call will not be until a week before my birthday. So Grone and I have some more quality time before us. President was thinking of moving me but we told him we would go home if he did. So he said "wow better not do that." To help us out he released Grone from being the district leader because we were so busy. And that's it.

This week I spoke in church on keeping the commandments. I just got up and spoke. I had a few bullet points and some scriptures written but that's it. I was supposed to speak for 20 min., but the first speaker did not show up so they told me 30. Well I did the best I could but we still ended 5 min early which I don't think is a bad thing. To go along with that we got 5 investigators out to church. Peter, Christina, Carline, Flo, and Janice. It was an awesome day you could tell the members were well impressed which made them love us even more. I did not put them asleep with my talk so it was even better. We also taught 20 lessons this week so our leaders are all impressed with us. Like we care; Grone and I just love the people we are teaching and want this area to be the bomb that's it.

So many missionaries have talked bad about this area and it’s not even true. This area and the entire member really rock. The only thing the members could do better is their fellowshipping. If they were more outgoing in talking with them rather than us introducing them it could be one of the best wards. Also the bishopric is good they just need to have their meetings more often. But the members are so good to us. Dinner appointments every day just about and food given to us at church. They come out with us if we call them and ask. It’s so good. See elders have had this bad mind set about the area and so they come here and survive it and don't get the work done. But we have all sorts of stuff happening we are going nuts and need help with it. I just wish we had some other people to help us.

Well the weather has not been too great it snowed again, but it’s warming up now and the skies are blue today. Grone has been out just over 17 months coming up on 18. Driving is fun and I’m all used to it no problem. I don't even get butterflies anymore when I’m behind the wheel.

Well I love you all; this is a very long email and needs sending

Much love

Hugs and kisses

Brady

Hey Mom and family

Hey how is everything going? It’s been good to hear from you. I’m very sad to hear about George Roy. I loved him very much. He was the best scout leader I ever had for sure. He was so fun too. I remember one time he took us out to the church parking lot and spun doughnuts through the snow it was so funny, cuz we were playing corners in the car also. We were all getting smashed hard. I’m also sad to hear we are getting a new bishop also. That means I have had 4 bishops while being on my mission cuz I still claim the 10th ward as my ward too. They do have a plaque up of me in their ward too so I claim them. I wonder how many elders or sisters can say that.

Well sounds like swim life is going really well. I miss the pool so very much. Swimming was my life and that pool was my life and now I can’t swim its pretty gay. It’s good to hear Cody is swimming really good. He is getting quick. I just wish I could be there to see him, and cheer him on also. I could also probably get a coaches ticket and be on deck with the team too. I’m sure Chris would do that for me. At the very least timers pass. That’s so weird the new region; when did all these schools open? Just this past year? I knew of the one by Springville, cuz Grone told me about that one. But the others I had no clue about. So is the new school Orem high looking good? How much is done and how much is left to do? Maybe you can send me a picture of the new school.

Well we are still busy we did not have as good of a week this past one but it’s going to be much better this up and coming week. This past one we had two investigators on holiday and a few dodged appointments which really made us mad. But this up and coming one should be really good. This last week we only taught 17 which is still above average to the rest of the mission but this next one we hope to teach more than 20; it’s not too much more to increase. We also have planned more member present lessons which our president asked us to do on Wednesday. We had interviews so we had a good chat. He was very happy with us. We told him we want to stay together cuz we are doing so well and we really get along well. We then told the ZL’s, APE’s, president, and sister Creer. They all are very informed. Now all we have to do is pray for it. And that's the whole chain of command.

We got another really good investigator. One of the golden kinds. Her name is Karie. She is the partner to a less active member named Tim O'Sulivan. But to make it even better Karie and Tim do not live together making it easier again. Tim has been with her a good while and has mentioned the church; well, this past month or two she has been very curious about the church. So, Tim started to teach her kind of the lessons the best he can. Well, we decided to just drop by cuz we had some time and we met her. She has been reading and praying now about the Book of Mormon for a while. She was in 2 Nephi and knew a lot. She also wanted a priesthood blessing cuz she has some health problems so we did. Now we teach her twice a week, they also are looking to come to church very soon. This will be the first time for her to come; and a first for Tim in over two years! She is probably our best or second best investigator right with Janice. Teaching less active partners is awesome cuz we are teaching/fellowshipping and bringing back the fewer actives - it’s a two for one score. Karie is also very funny bubbly active kind of a person so the ward will have no problem fellowshipping her and they already know Tim so it will be sweet there. Janice is now back from her vacation and we will be teaching her again. We are very excited for that one. Hopefully the vacation did not turn her away at all; we don't think it did, but I will let you know next week anyway. Keep those ones in your prayers as well as Peter Simpson. He struggles with smoking and wants to quit but finds it very hard. He has cut down a lot and I mean a lot. But still can’t quit all the way.

Sorry to hear the trek is so stressful I hope and pray it gets a bit easier for you. Sorry about the bad weather. Ours is getting better; though it’s still pretty cold. The last few days it hit 0c again, but it’s not too bad cuz there was no snow. And we drive so it’s grand. As for the Christmas cards, I did get a few but not nearly as much as last year, so yeah, do send them I would not mind some post.

Love you much hugs and kisses,

Brady

Hey Mum and Pops,

I'm glad to have one fish again in the house, but I still need a lot more than the one. I taught a guy this week that had 100 gallon fresh water tank and he had a reef in his tank and a huge angel fish. It was a really cool aquarium. It just made me think, "Hum, maybe when I get home I will get one that size it would be real cool." Then I can put Sydney the fish in it and an angel fish and some reefs and maybe even a beta fish. All I need is a lot of mean fish and they will take care of their own.

I’m so proud of Cody and his swimming feat, that's great to hear he is doing well. I would get stuck to sometimes and it always felt so great to get a good race like that one and get a PR. It was like the time I was swimming the butterfly and you put in everything and you come out good it feels so nice. Man I miss swimming!!

This week has been crazy nuts too. We are teaching loads. We are doing very well this week and taught 19 lessons. The week before we taught 20. We come home and are so knackered (tired) that we plan, play a quick game, call people, and go to sleep. Before we know it the alarm is going off, it’s so hard to roll out of the bed we need more sleep! I sometimes take naps during our breaks for a few minutes, but it’s still not enough. Then we are off to teach more lessons. We had a few people who dropped us this week but we replaced them real quick with some more. Our teaching pool is around 10-12 people. I love it! I have never had that many people to teach ever before. And the people we are teaching are good. They all are progressing even the new people and the old ones are working towards baptism. I’m so happy with this area.

So I will talk about some of the people I’m working with. Our main person is Janice Dixon she is a sweet heart love her to death. She is about 45 and has a good number of children. I talked about her a bit last week. Well she right now is going through some hard times. Her partner is a less active member of the church. We found her through him. Well they have been living together for about 10 years or something like that. They act like a married couple and we thought they were for ages. But Bob, her partner, walked out on her the other day because he is an idiot and gets in these moods. So when he does this, he leaves her for a few weeks and won’t talk to her at all. To make it worse, they just got engaged this December and had a vacation booked out for them so Janice had to leave the family take her friend and go on vacation this past Friday, because Bob would not talk to her. Well of all the people Janice wanted to talk to was us when Bob left. So we prayed and asked God for help what we could do to best help her out. A member's name came to our mind, Sister Cathy Grayson, we called her up for help. She came immediately and when she arrived she actually knew Janice. Their kids used to play together. So we sat and talked and listened to Janice for awhile. Then we left to find Bob and try to talk with him while Cathy stayed with Janice. Cathy helped her out so much and we were able to help Janice out and give her a blessing. We talked to Bob but he was still a butt and did nothing, and now Janice is on vacation. This Saturday when she comes home we will be able to teach her again. This experience was amazing and it was a real answer to a prayer. It really helps me have more trust in the members.

The members her in Londonderry are just something else. They love missionaries so much and feed us all the time. This past week I have had 4-5 dinner appointments here. And then if they can’t feed you they bring food for you at church. This Sunday we received 3 bags of food for our flat. Because of it we don’t even need to shop this week. In fact, we have not had a normal shopping week yet. We just buy milk and cereal because that’s basically the only food we use. We either don’t have time for a meal or we have so many dinner appointments we eat at the member’s home. It’s been great.

Tell Tyler Robinson hi from me. I know who he is, he is a really nice guy. We never hung out but we always said hi to each other in the halls. Tyler was one of those kids all the girls loved because he was such a good looking guy.

Well mom, I love you so much and family too. Miss you tons. The time is short and I will be home very soon.

Hugs and kisses from me,
Brady

I’m a pretty lucky mom, because I was asked by Bro. Sorenson to brag about my son Elder Brady Hafen, who is serving a mission in Ireland. Mothers love to talk about their children, but I’ll try to stay under control. Many of you do not know Brady because he left for his mission just a few weeks after the stake division took place almost two years ago; so yes he is on the downhill side of his mission. His release date is April 16th so he will be standing at this podium in just three months. Many of you might actually see him occasionally or at least see his picture since I do have the most well known missionary in Utah County! Somehow the Daily Herald has my son’s picture and uses it to advertise; the advertisement is to place an ad to announce or share with Utah County everything worth celebrating; so we see him in the news paper frequently.

His mission is called the Ireland Dublin Mission, and includes all of Ireland; Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He went to the Preston England MTC, and loved it. The Preston England MTC is smaller and very personable which he really enjoyed. He loved being able to attend the Preston England temple and misses the temple since there is no temple in Ireland. He has served in 5 areas of Ireland; Bangor – which is in Northern Ireland, Bellyfermont (Jeremiah Sorenson makes fun of the way I say this-good he’s not here; Jeremiah served his mission in Ireland as well) – he actually re-opened this area; it had been closed since 1992, it is very close to Dublin; Tralee which is along the South West shore of Ireland; Firhouse, which is by Dublin; and his new area as of the first of January Londonderry; which is in Northern Ireland, the most Northern part of Ireland you can get.

Ireland is not a big baptizing mission; but they contact people on the street, work in charity shops, and a big part of his mission has been reactivating and fellowshipping members. Every area he has served in he has helped to reactivate someone and he loves doing that. I know that we shared this experience with the youth in our ward, so I apologize in repeating, but this really touched us as a family as well as Brady. After Brady had left his first area in Northern Ireland, our family received a letter from a member of the Bangor ward named Sister Jacqui Richards. Jacqui joined the church in 1978 and was active for only a short time, becoming inactive for many more years. She always believed that the Church was true, but was in a rebellious stage for a long time. In June of 2007 she was diagnosed with cancer and had to have radical surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment. I would like to quote her letter now: “It was a horrible time for me and my family and it forced me to think about life and what was important; family and a relationship with Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. So one day in April I decided that I was going to go back to Church. When I walked through the doors (which in itself took a lot of strength because I had been away for so long) were the missionaries. One of the missionaries was an Elder Headington from Wales who appeared the more senior of the two. The other was a brand new missionary, just out on his mission, looking very nervous and shy. His name was Elder Hafen, from Orem, Utah.

These two young boys, neither of whom I had ever met before, were to turn out to be real friends to me. They came to my house, taught my children, fellowshipped with my husband, (who isn’t a member of the church) did some carpentry work for me, painted the outside of my house and generally made my transition of going back to church so much easier.

Thank you so much for your son, he is a fine young man and whom you can be very proud. He is no longer with our ward, but while he was here I watched him grow from a shy nervous boy into a confident spiritual young man.

Please take heart in knowing that even if he doesn’t baptize anyone on his mission he was instrumental in bringing at least one soul (mine) back to the Lord and I will always be grateful to him and you for that.” Brady didn’t realize how much the service rendered meant to Jacqui until I mailed a copy of the letter to him.

Brady has been blessed with one baptism that took place while serving in Firhouse. Johnathan Manning became a member of the church on October 24, 2009. One thing that Brady has learned while serving is that sometimes missionaries do not get the opportunity to reap the seeds that they plant, others may reap those seeds. Johnathan Manning was just that, he had been taught by previous missionaries, but because of his strong Catholic bonds with family decided that he shouldn’t be baptized. Three years later Johnathan found a pass along card and knew that he needed to be baptized. He called the number on the card and the missionaries were there; he was baptized after receiving the discussions again. Brady had just broken his wrist playing soccer with the missionaries so he was unable to do the baptism, but felt privileged to perform the confirmation. I would love to read to you a part of his letter. I need to preface this since many of you do not know Brady, but Brady loves to swim. During his High School years he swam for Orem High School, winning State. I quote: “On Sunday I confirmed Jonathan, I was so nervous. It was like being on the blocks for the 400 free relay at state and you are swimming up against the fastest swimmer on the East High Swim team. I could actually feel the adrenaline pumping into my blood, my whole body felt really hot and tingly but once I put my hand and cast on his head I calmed down. I said all the necessary parts but once I came to the blessing I couldn’t say what I wanted to well; but it all came out and went well. Bishop commented on the blessing afterwards. Jonathan afterwards looked a bit goofy cuz there was no way to wipe the smile off his face. He was just so excited. He says he can feel the spirit so strong now.”

Brady’s mission president is from Provo, the Edgemont Stake; their names are Gordon and Janice Creer. Brady loves them. President Creer knows that Brady loves to swim so every time he visits with him he asks if he is gotten in the water. Brady always responds no President that is against the rules, but it is really hard for him to not jump into the ocean. President Creer is released in July and tells him that the two of them are going swimming when he gets home-Brady thinks that might be a scary thing to see President Creer in a swimming suit.

Brady is in a really cold place right now Londonderry, it is actually snowing. Ireland usually doesn’t get snow, they get slush, but he has snow. This area is also an area where many rebels live; they call themselves the Para Military. In 1968 civil violence broke out and continued for thirty years. Peace has returned but there are some who believe the war is still on. They deal with this more in Northern Ireland, so he lives through bomb scares, and basically terrorist activity a little more now where he is serving.

Brady loves his mission, and knows that the gospel is true. He knows that he is acting in behalf of the Lord, and feels it a great honor to wear Jesus Christ’s name everyday on his name tag. He knows that he is planting seeds, and that someday the people of Ireland will be ready to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Well this week has been crazy. We have been running from one appointment to the next. We have been stressed out. Me and Grone are best friends and get along super well everyone tells us that they can tell. They say they can tell by Groneman. Grone did not get along with his last companion so now he is smiling and laughing loads we both are hoping and praying for another moves together. And I think some of the people we are teaching are too. The weather here has been so cold the warmest day was 19.5 F; luckily we have a car, or unlucky trying to drive in it! It’s been snowing all week long and they don't plow the roads. Cuz it does not snow in Ireland so what's the point of making snow plows, that's their mentality. All the estate roads are ice 3-5 inches thick you could go ice-skating on them. It’s really bad, cars are stuck everywhere nobody has 4 wheel drive and it’s so hilly here they can’t go up them. Roads have been closed and taxis charge 2 pounds extra cuz of it. People here won’t leave their house cuz of it, not even to go to church. And all the humidity is frozen so the dryness has dried my skin out. My face flakes a bit almost as if I was on Acutane, and my lips have been splitting too.

Well for something to tell the ward about the new area. Its part of Northern Ireland and it’s in the high north. It’s the 4th largest city in the entire island. It’s very beautiful even in the winter. I’m close to the Atlantic Ocean and it’s very cold. The city has a very old feel to it like you would see in the movies. I really like it a lot. This city was hit really hard during the troubles and there are a few factions of Para Military who won’t give up. Small inconvenience for us some times. There was a bomb threat on a road a while ago but it ended up being nothing. It made us 10 minutes late to a dinner appointment which the member was not too happy about. I get fed loads here, every day we seem to have some sort of a dinner appointment, and sometimes it's twice a day. I’m sure I will gain some weight here driving and eating so much. Me and Grone cover the whole city all by ourselves and wish we had the sisters back here every day.

Karl Hamilton is a great member he feeds us every week and is way nice to us. He had just got a new blackberry phone I think for Christmas and took those pictures. He then asked who to email it to so I said my mom. I knew you would like those but what I was afraid of was that you might think it was a scam and delete it; good thing you did not. And yes mom that's my new companion Ryan Groneman. Glad you liked those.

Well like I have said we have been very busy. Our new top investigator is Janice Taylor. She is married to a less active member named Bob. Janice is a really good investigator one of those golden ones who ask all the right questions that lead into the next thing we are going to talk about. She listens very well and understands well. Her and Bob together have 9 kids but it’s a Brady bunch situation. Both of them where previously married and now they all live together. But if we can get them in the church, wow, this ward would grow. The only problem is the kids are older and can make their own choices. We have not taught the kids yet, but pray all will go well there. The ward could use another solid family. As all wards could.

Sorry this is not as personal of a letter and a bit more like a news letter. I’m just in a rush and the first one was deleted off so I’m sorry about that. I hope this was also detailed enough for you.

I love you all so much and miss you.

Hugs and kisses

Brady BOO

Here are some pictures a member (Karl Hamilton) took of Brady and Elder Groneman at a restaurant with his new blackberry phone he got for Christmas.

Hey Hey Mumzy

Well this I hope will be a good email. I will talk about the questions first; The new area is called Londonderry/Derry because it used to be called Derry but when the British came over and took it over they changed the name to Londonderry. All the British loyalists call it Londonderry; but if you’re a catholic and a republican or whatever, it’s called Derry. So on the web site put Londonderry/Derry or Londonderry I don't mind either way. My comps name is Ryan Groneman. He is from Springville and is a Devil. I told him my mom was a Don and he started to trash talk to wind me up, but I just told him in the end a tiger would eat them both and he shut up. haha!

The area is sweet. It use to be split in half where the river cuts it. On the city side of the area the sisters used to cover it and they had a few really good investigators that we inherited. When I had come in, the elders had some really good investigators also. We are teaching loads of people. Our teaching pool is around 20 people and we are going to be kept way busy. The car has been nice cuz it’s so cold up here. There has been snow outside every day so far and ice on the roads, so driving is a bit scary but not too bad. I have been driving and am not too bad at it. Well I should say driving on the other side of the road came very natural. The only kinda confusing part is big huge roundabouts but even I’m getting those. Elder Groneman and I get along way good and are having a ball out here. We both work hard and have loads of fun doing it. A lot of the elders have been asking if we where friend from back home too. We just laugh and say no just have been friends in the mission and were way stoked to serve together.

So a few of the people we teach now; We teach a guy named Peter Simpson, he is awesome! Peter is older in his late 60’s I would say. He has almost read the Book of Mormon and is in Ether. Then he is going to read the Doctrine and Covenants. He knows the church is true and knows he needs to be baptized; there is just one major thing he has to take care of which is very complicating and I don’t really want to type up and is also pretty confidential, sorry. But he is way good. He used to be in the navy, Para military, police and all that service stuff. He also takes care of a stray cat he named Tim. cool huh? The other one I have gotten to know is a woman named Christina and her daughter Charlene. Christina is the one who is the most interested in the church, she knows it’s true and thinks it’s good. She reads the parts we give her and progresses but not too quick because she has a hard time with cigarettes. She did get off drinking though she is way funny and wants to set up my comp with her daughter but that’s not going to happen. Charlene is a good girl and is interested in the church she likes what we teach but I think mostly just interested in the social and us. But we will see what happens when Grone moves. We also teach a guy named Flo, he is funny way out going like not shy at all he is 23 and is mostly atheist, he is cool his birthday is the same day as Cody’s and is a really good cook. He was born in London then moved and lived in Barcelona Spain most of his life, but he will be fun to teach.

We have loads of other people we teach but those are the main ones I have gotten to know so far maybe next week I will have some more to talk about tonight is a packed night we have three appointments right after another and they are all confirmed then tomorrow we have 6 set up still to be confirmed tonight. Wednesday we still have a lot of appointments so you can see I’m kept way busy hardly have time to think anymore.

Well I’m going to go play pool with Grone we are isolated again nearest elders are an hour away dang but I will survive.

I love you all so very much and miss you. It was really good talking to you at Christmas and Wednesday. I email now always Monday unless I tell you different.

Much love hugs and kisses
Brady


Cody dude happy birthday I did not forget your birthday and will have a present for you when I get home and I will send you a card soon I hope. I can’t believe your 18 already man that’s quick when we get home we can go drinking and clubbing together I will show you how the Irish do it. jk. Keep up the good work your awesome.

love you buddy
Brady