June 9: Big Deal!

So you're probably wondering what the big deal is, but I'll get to that at the end of the email(: it's a pretty big deal.

So this week was better! The beginning of the week was still slow moving.. But by yesterday I was all amped up and ready to go!! What happened was.. Was my companion was sneaky.. But doing the best thing and called Sister Craig and Elder Andrew while I was asleep... Hahaha. But! So after a bunch of stuff what I ended up doing was stop the medication I was taking and started drinking 120 OUNCES! Of fluid a day! So Thursday, Friday and Saturday a drank a collective 360 ounces of fluid (half Gatorade, half water mixed together). And it helped! They wanted to flush out my system. So I'm not dizzy! But my vision is still wacky. So now I'll probably go to the optometrist. But my ward is so cute! Everyone has been so concerned and asking how I'm doing. Everyone's been like "I've been praying for you!" Nona put my name in the temple.. The whole bit. So I've had a lot of unseen help working in my favor(: The Lord is good!

The elders gave us a super solid referral that they tracted into! It's a mom and a daughter and the mom really wants her daughter to get involved in youth groups and wants her to gain a relationship with Jesus Christ... Um.. Young women's is perfect!!! We teach them tonight and I am SO excited!!! I haven't had very many lessons lately.. Or found anyone new... So The Lord had definitely been blessing us! Prayers and fasting really does work(:

So on Thursday we had zone meeting, and it was wonderful! I was pretty out of it... But the teachings were really good! And we found out about the "big deal" at the end. But I'm still not telling you. 

I had a trade off with Sister Pettingill on Friday and Saturday.. Oh goodness I just love her a bunch hahah. We're basically besties and have 2 transfers to become companions before she heads back to Ideeho. She's pretty swell haha. I really did learn a lot from her. STL's always have he greatest advice.

I finished the Book of Mormon again yesterday!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! If you haven't read it for awhile, read it. Right now. I know without a doubt that anyone can draw closer to Jesus Christ if they read it. I love this book with all my heart and I just want to share it with the whole wide world!

Which leads me to...

The BIG DEAL! 

So president has really been trying to figure out a way to get the Book of Mormon out there using social media. So him and the AP's have been thinking of something for the past few months and the came up with "Discover the book" so basically they want every member ever on Tuesday the 10th at 11:00 AM Mountain time to post a picture.. Which you'll see what to mimic in the event page on Facebook.. And post a brief testimony on how you've discovered the Book of Mormon. We want every single person on Facebook to at least have seen what the Book of Mormon is! We've contacted many a famous person to post on their Facebook. People include:

Mitt Romney

Alex Boye 

Mindy Gledhill 

Jimmer Fredette 

Jabari Parker

Stephanie Nielsen

Steve Young

Noelle Pikus Pace

Gladys Knight 

And the list goes on!.. So family... Friends. Please please do this!!!! Mother.. Please do this on your page! We want to make a big difference! We want to flood the Facebook world with the Book of Mormon.

This something the FJM (Florida Jacksonville Mission) came up with, took to Salt Lake and now every single Facebook mission In the world is doing it and inviting their friends!

There's two different pages. The first is "Discover the book" look it up in the search bar on Facebook. The second is "Called to share" and here's the like to that https://www.facebook.com/groups/774654132574908/

The Lord is truly hastening His work! So let's all participate!! I love being a missionary. I love you all. And I love The Lord.

Love,

Sister Bradford 

Trade off with Sister Pettingill!

Nona makes the best pound cake!

June 2: Doterra cured my cancer, Brain parasites and spider slaying

Soooo this week... Tthiiisss week. Haha

I have had a rough week haha. I've spent most of it sleeping haha. So you know my funny vision that happened on Sunday? Well it kept happening.. And got worse.. Like continual never ending. I've been dizzy and my vision has been CRAZY and so I would get tired super
duper after working for a couple hours... So I would come home and sleep for 2-4 hours and then still sleep like a rock at night.. Sooo I was going to go to the optometrist because that's what elder Andrew (he's a senior missionary over medical stuff) told me to do. But then I was like... This not just my eyes. So we went to a walk in clinic. And they were doing the normal check up stuff blah blah blah. The doctor leaves. Another guy comes in and says "I have to draw some blood and then you're going to go get a ct scan." ..... WHAT?! First of all.. I hate needles and second.. CT scan? So he goes to draw blood and misses my vein so he goes through my hand! My hand is bruised... And then they left me in the room by myself for several minutes... Needless to say I started crying and all I could think was "I just want my mom... I just want my moooommmm"

Kids. I don't care how old you are, where you live, our what you're doing. You will always want your mom haha.

So anyway. The ct scan and blood work came back good. They just said I have fluid in my ear and to take the prescription they gave me and if I'm still not getting better in a week they're going to do an MRI on my noggin. Ssooooo. Yeah hahaha.

But on a brighter note! We had our social! Which is where most of my title ties in.

So I'm sitting there rehearsing to the elders what happened, because it was noticeable to everyone that I wasn't with it haha, and Elder Stallard was like "maybe you have one of those brain parasites like that one elder that was here. He had to go home and everything.. Well Sis Bradford, you're probably going to be seeing mountains a lot sooner than you thought." (We had been talking earlier about how we miss mountains) SHUT UP! That's what I wanted to say haha. I don't have brain parasites haha.

Dottteeerrrraaaa. A couple ladies in the ward hooked me up with doterra and gave me a diffuser thing to sleep with at night. They gave me peppermint oil in the diffuser... All my dreams that first night were Christmas themed. And I felt fantastic that morning!... But then it wore off.. So it's not all it's cracked up to be hahaha.

But the social was really good! 9! Non members came!!! That's a lot!! And we fished and everyone loved the JDawgs sauce! Everyone kept asking me about it hahaha. Thanks for sending me that(: but it was great to have that many non members! Twas exciting.

As for the spider slaying... We had to giant spiders on our door this morning! So I valiantly sprayed them with shout and hairspray.. They died. Also, I've been killing spiders with my bear hands! Just baby ones.. But still! Tell Kass she'd never make it here. Haha

Well I love The Lord and this work! I know He has reasoning in all things. Hopefully this week I'll get better! I wish I had more spiritual things to share! I love you all!!

Love,
Sister Bradford

Fishing at the S's.

This is a legit gator RT caught. Gator hunting is some crraaazzyyy stuff.

The spiders I slayed.

May 26: 90% humidity and continual bug bites.. Plus spiders.

So... This week.. Has been HOT and mmuuuugggyyy. I definitely need some cotton skirts haha. But I just think how grateful I am that I've been blessed with a car and don't have to walk or ride bikes. Don't even want to think about that.. Hahah

The yellow flies are still horrendous and I loathe them entirely.

Aragog's nephew lives under our bathroom sink. He makes an appearance every once in awhile... But disappears once I go to kill him... That sly, disgusting, not so little thing..

Also.. I saw an armadillo!... But it was dead on the road.. But saw one nonetheless!

So some things that have happened this week:

ZONE CONFERENCE!!! Holy moly. 'Twas wonderful. We were heavily rebuked on iPad usage.. Lots of disobedience going on throughout the mission and some verrryy brave elders got up and bore their testimonies on how they got theirs taken away and how much of a privilege they are. It was great! I don't think I would ever have the guts to do that haha. We talked a lot about a talk the president gave us called "A Consecrated Missionary" which.. was a rebuking.. But a loving one. For all those preparing to go on a mission or are on one right now... READ IT! This instance. It really opens your eyes.. And really humbles you. Haha but in the best way possible. But we arrived at 8 am and left at 5:30... That's a long time for a missionary to be sitting in one place haha. But it was still good (: we also talked a lot about using family history in our missionary work. Family history is the second most researched thing on google right now.. So it's pretty popular! People have seen many mighty miracles for using family history in their work so I'm trying to so it too now!

Staying on that subject, we were in a lesson with a sister who's been recently reactivated and she loves family history. We've been trying to get her to get her temple recommend, but she's been dragging her feet. So I tied the two together and was able to bear my testimony
about doing your family's work in the temple and what a blessing the temple is. I haven't gotten that emotional in a lesson in a long time. I am SO grateful for the temple and that I have the knowledge that God loves all of His children so much the he keeps providing ways for all of His children to return to Him. And that life and marriages don't end here. HOORAY FOR ETERNAL FAMILIES!!!(:

So Saturday we went on a power trade off with the sister training coordinators (basically sister AP's). They've been going on trade offs with sisters all around the mission so they can get a feel for each area so they know how to help us in our work better and it was wonderful! I went with Sis Ashcraft and she is so sweet! She gave such good advice on working with the ward, which is something we struggle with haha. But we were able to go contacting at the Blue Crab Festival that's happening right now. (It's a big deal. People all over Florida
come to little ol Palatka for this thing.) and it was great! I've never really had the opportunity to do that because we definitely don't have neighborhoods in abundance or any large public places haha. But it's so much less intimidating than door approaches! We handed out a BUNCH of pass along cards. It was great.

I love being out here and getting to meet a bunch of people. Only as a missionary can you meet someone for 2 seconds and they're telling you their whole life story. It's great! I think people can really see the light of Christ in us and feel like they can trust us. I love it! I love being out here! But I was talking to Sis Whetstone the other day and said "My posterity is going to think I'm bipolar.. Sometimes my journal entries are like 'I love everything and everyone and things are so great!' And then the next day I'm like 'I hate the world nothing is happy.. Blah.' " the mission definitely has it's ups and downs. But the ups make everything worth it.

I'm so grateful for the covenants that I've made. That I'm able to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. That is SUCH a blessing. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon. So so so so so grateful! I really don't know what I'd do without it. If you haven't read it for awhile or don't read it consistently... You better change that habit... Right. Now. Haha. I know it can change anyone's life, because when you do, you're inviting the spirit in your life in even more abundance... Who doesn't want that?? I love my Savior and I love my Heavenly Father.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!!(:

Love,
Sister Bradford

Zone Conference (Jordy's on the far right, front row.)

Blue Crab Festival Sign

Only in the south....

F's new ramp.

Bug bites, babies and tornados.

Hidee-ho!

The reasoning for the title... I am COVERED!!! In FLIPPIN yellow fly bites... Just so you know, yellow flies are like deer flies but they inject stuff in you like mosquitoes... And I'm miserable haha. I have 7 bites on the back of my right ankle alone... Just one little part of my ankle... And anti itch cream has no power over them. It's great. And I used bug spray!!... Welcome to Florida!

The reasoning for the babies.. That is the HARDEST rule to keep. No holding babies. I hate it. Because there are a plenteous amount around... And I just get to stare. Haha

Tornados!!! We had a TORNADO WARNING! It was crraaazzyyy! There was thunder and lightening and crazy wind and we were all at Taco Bell after district meeting and the power went out and it was awesome! The tornado touched down in Interlachen. So close. But if it was by us Taco Bell is all windows.. So that would've been bad. But The Lord protected us!

Well.. The reason why I didn't say anything about my comp is because I hadn't met her yet... Haha. We switched on Wednesday. She's nice! She's from "California.. A place called Modesto." (Insert hard core valley girl accent here). She's 23 and has already graduated from BYU. She's fun!

We got Florence's ramp built!!! She was ssooooo happy!!!!! It was so great! They built it in like... 5 seconds. That's an exaggeration... But you know what I mean. It was wonderful!

This week has been rather slow. Just taking sis whetstone around to meet everyone. Getting used to being in charge. It'll be ok. Haha this week will be a lot better haha

This week is zone conference! We have to drive all the way up to Jacksonville. But I'm excited!! I love zone conferences.

Funny story, guess who Sis Merchant is training? Sis Sorensen! Fun right?

Well.. I hope you all know that I love The Lord and the Book of Mormon! The Lord is hastening His work! I love you all!

Love,
Sister Bradford

The F's backyard. Magical.

Yep, my ankle really is just one big bite. ha ha

May 13: Surprise!

Surprise!!! President Monson just called President Craig yesterday and told me I'm getting transferred!... To England!!!!!! .... Just kidding.. I'm staying in Palatka.

Haha but Sis Hurst is getting transferred to Georgia! Crazy right?? Which means... I'm in charge of my area!.... I can't do that!!! I'm freaking out!! But I know with the Lord that I can do this! Just have to pray..... A lot haha. I seriously can't express how nervous I am.. But I know it'll be really good. I just have to keep praying and fasting. That's all I can do haha. And my new companion's name is Sis Wetstone and she was in Gainesville before. That's all I know. But I'm excited!! But scared.. Gggaaaahhhhh! It'll be ok. The Lord obviously know I can handle it, so I can. I can do this. I'm like the little engine that could, but more sure of myself hahaha because I have God on my side! Right? Haha I just have to have exceedingly great faith like everyone I'm the Book of Mormon!

I don't have a whole that happened since Sunday.. I ate meat at the Filipi's yesterday that was somewhat unidentifiable... She told us it was pork.. But Sis Hurst was pretty sure it was goat... Needless to say, I didn't eat much. Haha and then Sis Jackie fed us last night! I just love her and Claude Allen. He says we're his adopted granddaughters. They're hilarious. But she made pink lemonade cupcakes with raspberry lemonade icing. 'Twas delicious!

I've lost weight! The past 2 weeks of probably lost about 6 pounds! It's possible!!! Hahaha just cut out sugar, cut down on carbs and drink A LOT of water haha. I just eat as healthy as I can unless eating with a member. So breakfast and lunch are usually pretty healthy. So that's good!

Today we're not doing much of anything besides getting Sis Hurst all packed up. Sis Tillis is taking us out to lunch! She's so cute!! She is ssssooooo funny. We get along quite well. Haha she is in the relief society presidency, so we work with her a lot. She's great! Haha

Well... I love being a missionary! I llloooovvveeee the Book of Mormon!! We've been reading 6 pages a day minimum as a mission because we're trying to finish in June and I love it!! It helps so much in all aspects of life. If you haven't read it lately. Read it. Right now. And I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father!

I'll talk to you next week!

Love,
Sister Bradford

Sis. P's Dock

Typical Morning. 

'The Spawn of Aragog' (after it had been sprayed and shrunk up)

May 5

Hey! 

Good news!!!! I'm going to St Augustine today!!!!! I GET TO GO TO TARGGGEEEETTTTTTT!!!!!!! HUZZAH! hahaha we're having a zone p day.. but we're obviously going to sneak away and go to target hahah Probably won't go to downtown... but that's okay. Another time. haha

So whatever you got from the dmv, it's my records and forward them to the mission home! I can't drive because Elder Rhoades doesn't have them. And yes, they do charge you. 

So here's the deal, probably because some fiend of a missionary was disobedient, we are no longer allowed to use the internet at our homes at all, ever. Completely banned. GAH! Do you realize that we live 7! MILES!  away from the nearest available free wifi?!?! And when you only have 30 miles a day!! And you have to sync your ipad for the area book every night... so dumb. But whatever. It'll all work out haha. So I'll probably be writing you closer to noon now and we can't chat... sorry... haha

But I did get your letter! I'm so happy! Thank you! And with the skype thing! We do get to skype... But I don't know what time you would want to? I have church from 11-2 but don't get home till about 2:30... But you can skype or facetime me with just my email address. But I don't know when you're going to spanish or whatever? 

My week has been alright.. I've had a bout with strep this week.. So we were cooped up for a couple days.. Which was ok (but not really) because we've had such dismal weather!!! It was pouring for like.. 3 or 4 days. The sun finally came out on Saturday which we were elated about. 

We got to watch the Ft Lauderdale temple dedication! It was wonderful!! I've never been to one, but it was amazing! 

My investigators are doing well(: we've had a few miracles with them! We trying to start teaching Nona's grandson's girlfriend.. And we had one lesson with her but she's super busy... but she texted US this morning and said "I haven't forgotten you guys!! I just need to look at my calendar!" WHAT?! Yeeeessssss! Eternal family in the making? I think YES!

Florence is doing great! Progressing more and more every day! We're working on organizing to build a ramp with the youth. She takes care of a man who's had several strokes and what not.. So she has to wheel him down a steep ramp and drag him across the sand and then do it on the way back too. She only weighs 78 pounds and is 67? I think.. And Sunny weighs 140... She's amazing. But she says it's because the good Lord gives her the strength. I LOVE HER SO MUCH! 

But I love being a missionary! It's wonderful! Sorry my thoughts are so scattered, I'm trying to hurry hahah. I love you all!!!!

Love,

Sister Bradford

Cute Sister J talking about her flowers and how pretty the iris are....

April 28 // Sister Bradford: The dog whisperer and the worst door picker.

You're probably wondering what my title is for... Let me explain.

So... For some reason, I've become a dog whisperer. I can get any dog to be nice. Which is great because EVERYONE has dogs. And a lot of them are big too haha. Pit bulls, hound dogs, you name it and it'll be nice to me. A blessing from Heavenly Father I guess? And as for the doors.. Here in the south everyone has 2 or 3, sometimes 4 doors on their house and you never know which one to flippin knock on! Because a lot of the time people don't use their front door? They're just for decoration basically. So you generally look for the one with the welcome mat or something? Well sometimes every door has the welcome mat... So anyway, I generally decide on one door and the people come out of the other haha.

But the other day whilst deciding what door to knock on... Someone let their dogs out on us!! They come sprinting out of the door I apparently should've chosen and ran us down!!! They were some kind of shepherding dog that surprisingly didn't bite us. But I guess it's because Sis Hurst started praying really hard haha... And they probably just got my dog whisperer vibes.. Haha just kidding, Heavenly Father really does look out for his missionaries(:

But on a more spiritual note, this week has been wonderful!! We found the cutest new investigator! Her name is Ashley and she is SO nice! When we met her she didn't stop smiling the whole time haha. But we were talking and we asked if there was a time we could come back and she said "um tomorrow morning would be really good!" WHAT?! We never get that! Everyone is usually like "um... Day and evenings don't work and I'll be gone for the next month.. So next year, maybe?" ... That's an exaggeration.. But you get the gist haha. But we have been working SO hard lately. And I've been praying a lot! And we've been working on faith in tracting and it's been working! We've found a lot of success! It's crazy what a little faith can do(:

I've really been trying to emulate Alma and the sons of Mosiah lately... Haha. If they can go through all that they went through and still "go tracting"... I can. Haha sure it's super hot and I literally have sweat dripping down my back and the bugs are ridiculous and no one will let is in... But The Lord blesses us for our efforts and our faith and our diligence! Never give up, never surrender! Haha

I finally feel like I've gotten the hang of things. I've finally broken through a barrier and that everything will be ok. I know I'll still have hard moments. But to all those missionaries out there who are out or are going to be. Do. Not. Give. Up. I'm telling you. Every single person is going to have a period of time where they desperately want to go home. If say you don't, you're a liar haha. Some people just have a shorter time with that than others. But it will come haha. This week especially I've seen what blessings come through faith and diligence. Keeping an eye single to the glory of God. I've also seen how the Book of Mormon can change anyone's life and can help us through any situation. Read that book. All the time! Since I've been here we've been working with a less active sister. She has a really rough life. She's 27 and has 5 kids and lives in awful circumstances. Since she's started reading the Book of Mormon every day she's lost a bunch of weight, she treats her kids nicer than I have ever seen which is a huge improvement, she's got a job! And she's moving into a nicer apartment! Because now she's living with her ex husband in a horrible trailer infested with bugs... But her entire countenance has changed completely!! She's finally gotten up on her feet. The Book of Mormon can help anyone!

I love this gospel and missionary work with all of my heart!! I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that it invites the Spirit into your life and can change you. I know Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer and that He lives and will help us through any trial. He will never leave us alone.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Bradford