Dear Everybody:                                                                           10/28/06

     I’m doing well.  I had a sore throat Tuesday night when I was set apart, it has decreased to just a stuffy nose and a bit of a cough.  Finally it’s p-day and I get to write letters.

   The first few days are nuts.  Jam-packed with study time, adjusting to a new schedule…it’s like college with classes all day.  My first night, I kept having dreams that slept in.  In one, my companion woke me up at 3:45 p.m.  In another one, I slept for three days.

   After about 4 days, you get used to the schedule.  Oh and about my companion, his name is Elder Lefranc and his is from Sandy.  Once again God’s humor shows.  The one place I didn’t want to be called to is France and my first companion is part French.  He’s half Mexican though. I find it interesting that the oldest missionary with the most education had been paired with the youngest missionary, who also has some difficulty reading.  He’s both friend and a learning experience.

     Apparently the MTC programs really changed in the past couple of years.  We have the TEC where you can teach lessons, watch demos of lessons being taught etc.  We have the TRC where you give lessons to volunteers.  There’s a ton of rooms made to look like living rooms, with cameras & microphones so that our teacher can watch & provide feedback.  We also have a Referral center, where people call in to order some of the free DVD’s the church puts out, & books (BM-Bible) and we also call to confirm that they have received their packages.  I had the most interesting call yesterday.  A woman by the name of Martha Dobbins called in and asked for a Finding Faith in Christ DVD.  When I asked her why she was interested in the movie, she said, that years ago, a young lady gave her a pass-along card on the bus. She said that she had moved several times since then, but had always kept that card, because she knew it was precious.  She spoke of her daughter, who left three children behind, and she was taking care of them, trying to do her best to be a good person.

     I testified to Martha that it was precious and suggested that as she watched the movie, that she pay attention to her feelings, and I promised her that it would change her life.  I also told her that she would be in my prayers, so that she may receive the gospel & obtain the happiness it brings.

   It has not always been smooth sailing.  The third day I was here, I was very tired and just couldn’t feel the spirit.  We are continually told that we teach by the spirit, so I began to be discouraged and wonder if I could actually do this.  I knew where these thoughts came from, and I knew what they would lead to, so I told myself, ”no, I have been called by a prophet of God and set apart by my Stake President, and neither of them was inspired to tell me that I couldn’t do it.”   I had an impression later that night, that if I did everything I could to obey the mission rules, the Lord would meet me the rest of the way.

     The next day we taught companionships on another district, and when one of the Elders quoted the account of the first vision, I felt the spirit like I had never felt it before.  I felt a peace and an excitement about what I was hearing, and I had the desire to hear more.  I used to wonder how an investigator would know the truth of this Church when I taught them.  Now I know what they feel when they are taught.

   While it had been suggested that families aren’t to write about what’s going on at home, as it might make the missionaries homesick, but I’ll be all right.   A weekly letter is about like a weekly phone call, so I won’t be getting too homesick.  I’m only worried about Thanksgiving.  You be sure and send me a video of the family dinner and talent show.  So write me about what’s going on in your lives.  I wan to know.

    As an answer to Betsy’s Question, yes, missionary couples to come to the MTC.  David, I’m sure you will have the best senior project display, who else requires a Vox Al-15, a Gibson ES-335 satin, a bunch of guitar pedals, and lots of distortion and volume for their project?  I’m sure you will have the most popular display, when everyone asks themselves, “Is that an electric guitar I hear?”  

     I am so glad to be in this place.  There is nowhere else I’d rather be.  In the past week-& a half, I have grown more that I could in a year and a half in school.  Two years seems like a long time, but when I compare it to the three I spent at USU, It doesn’t seem that long.

    People:  Write Me!!!  By the way I leave the MTC on November 8!    Well about time for laundry.  I get to go to the temple after!  See you all next week! 

                                                            Elder Bradshaw