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....