Transfers/Halloween!

Shower in the $8 million home.

     Hey hey everyone hope y'all are doing good! This past week and a half has been pretty good. There was quite a few things that happened so I'll just touch base on some of them. It will be a shorter email though, sorry!
     Last week we found out I was getting transferred which was kind of a bummer because I was only in my last area for one transfer (six weeks) and transfers were the 29th, right before Halloween. It was okay though because I was pretty excited for who my next companion was going to be, Elder Kerr! If you remember a couple weeks ago Elder Kerr and I got to go on an exchange for a "special assignment," we got to go to the Marriott Ranch and teach people how to rope. So getting called to be companions with him was kind of awesome, members and other missionaries call us the two cowboys haha it's pretty sweet! I also got called to be District Leader which is kind of cool as well.

Culverts under the highway,

yes there is water in them.
     Anyway transfers happened and then it was basically Halloween, for Halloween our whole zone got together at a member's home in our Zone Leader's Ward and ate dinner, played games, and watched a movie. We watched the movie called Cokeville, which is pretty good. It's about a true story of what they call the Miracle at Cokeville, it was like a hostage situation, it's really good and it would be a good movie to watch, just saying. Also before dinner we walked around in a house that is being built, it's taken four years (it isn't finished yet) and it costs $8 million! It was a huge, beautiful house.

     Well the rest I could write about would just be random stuff like we wanted to find a shorter walk back to our apartment from an appointment so we walked through some culverts under a major highway and that kind of thing. It's just been a pretty good week and I hope everyone else is having a good week as well.

     ~ Elder Brady

Oh my new address is: 3212 Arrowhead Circle, Apt. C, Fairfax, VA 22030

Elder Oyler and I

Played football on the mall in DC

Trunk-or-Treat

     Hey everyone how y'all doing! So this week's email will be a bit shorter because we are going into D.C. and don't have much time, actually I'm sending this on the bus to the metro so yeah. Anyway I hope everyone had a great week! 

     So this week we didn't do much on P-Day we just hung out and relaxed. I got to go on an exchange Tuesday with Elder Yeager and it was awesome! He is a funny kid and we got along great so it was a lot of fun. We even played a little finger football. In correlation this week with Brother Johnson we focused on the Trunk-Or-Treat and getting as many people there as we could. We have multiple people we have tried multiple times so we are working at it. We got to help set up for the Trunk-Or-Treat and then we also got to go help at Gifts of the Heart. Gifts of the Heart is where people bring stuff they can donate and volunteers sort it out. Then the next day people who are in need can come and get things that they are in need of, it's a really cool thing that they do every 6 months here. 

     Saturday was the Trunk-Or-Treat and it went awesome! There was so many people there and a lot of people we didn't even know so it was great. We also had games for the kids and a chili cook-off and yes Elder Overstreet and I were two of the judges. It went really well and Harry and Delaine came! Anddddd they brought their daughter and her two kids! It was great and we were super excited that they were there! 

     For the most part this past week was pretty good and things are beginning to roll, fingers crossed. Sometimes it's hard to remember that God's time is not our time and he has his own timetable but it's something I've been trying to work on lately. Complete trust in God and a lot of hard work can take you a long way. Well I hope y'all have a great week and sorry again for the short email!

     ~ Elder Brady

Talk

Zone Nerf Wars

Getting dirty

     Hey everybody how y'all doing? Thanks to all those that emailed me I really enjoy reading them and hearing from you. I hope everyone had a good week and did something awesome! This week was pretty good over here on the east coast.

     Monday we did our normal shopping/emailing routine and then we went to our Zone Activity. We had a big Nerf war for the Zone Activity and it was pretty fun, we played it a bunch of different ways and just had some fun. 

Elder Blanchard found a blister

     Tuesday we had our District Meeting which was pretty good, it was about opening our mouths and talking to everybody. A quote that was used was, "Nothing happens in missionary work until we find people to teach." There are promised blessings we have in Preach My Gospel about opening our mouths with boldness and that's what we are trying to achieve as a district. 

     Wednesday we had a big Zone Service Project for most of the day. We were clearing brush and running it through the chipper and then we dug some holes. The holes were so big I felt like I was in the movie holes! It was pretty sweet though and a lot of fun. In the evening we went to see Harry and Delaine, two investigators, and they told us while they were out of town last weekend they went to church! The struggle we have had with them is getting them to church, so the fact that they went when they were out of town was super cool! 

     Thursday was a bit slower, but we were able to go to Frank's and talk about his trip to New York to get things from his mother for family history. He came back with quite a bit of stuff, so the trip was well worth it. 

     Friday was a tough day for us. We weren't able to get in contact with anyone we tried to see. Literally everyone we tried wasn't home, or just didn't answer the door so that was a bummer, but we keep keeping on.

     Saturday we had a Zone wide finding fest where pretty much all we did all day was try and find new investigators. This was yet another day where we tried to find some new investigators through our potentials list, but nobody answered the door. Oh well. Later in the evening we helped Brother Castillo move a couch that they are getting rid of because they are moving soon. Oh we had dinner with the Caison family and they have one of the biggest dogs I've ever seen! When it stood on its hind legs it was almost as big as me! It's pretty crazy.

     On Sunday I gave a talk about the "Divine Role of a Missionary." I felt like I did pretty well and I had people come up to me afterwards and say I did a good job, so that counts for something right? I spoke with a missionary who just returned from his mission this last week so that was pretty interesting. Elder Overstreet and I gave the lesson in Priest's Quorum about service. We showed the "Lift" Mormon Message and it is a really good video and really touching. If you haven't seen it I encourage you to go watch it because it will change the way you look at things. Especially the little things. We also went to a mission prep fireside the bishop was putting on and that was really good and there was a good showing of youth there preparing to go on missions so that was cool to see.

     So this past week was pretty good at points and not so good at others, but that's how life goes. Sometimes you are high and other times you are low and we are defined by how we react to both situations. I hope everyone knows how much God loves you and that he is there to help you through all the times, the good and the bad. Always turn to him. Well hope y'all have a great week and have some great experiences! It's getting chilly here and I had to break out the sweaters this week. I don't know what it's like back home, but if they're falling go do service and rake some leaves!

     ~ Elder Brady

Marriot Ranch!!

Elder Brady & Elder Overstreet

     Hey everybody I hope you guys all had a good week! My week was pretty good, and crazy, and fun but it was a good week. I was only in my area about half of the week, so it was a little bit of different week, but it's good to shake things up a bit, keeps things interesting. Here are some highlights from the week.

     Well we had some good lessons and then we had some not so good lessons. One lesson we had with Harry and Delaine turned into being a question and answer session on things that sometimes didn't even seem connected with the gospel. Harry can definitely come up with some crazy things, but also things that can make you think. They are a nice couple though and I enjoy going over there.

Elder Kerr & Elder Brady headed to the
Marriot Ranch

     The first half of the week wasn't all that crazy or different, but the second half is when it started. Thursday I went on an exchange with our district leader, Elder Black. We did a lot of tracting and saw a part-member family, then we met with an investigator and his drunk dad, that was interesting. The dad wouldn't stop talking and didn't make sense most of the time, but nothing much we could do, we tried just talking to his son, but he would always interrupt us and go off forever on things, so we just ended up leaving as soon as we could.

     Saturday I went on another exchange, but this time it was with Elder Kerr on a special assignment. We got to travel outside of the mission, to the Marriott Ranch Picnic for ambassadors and diplomats and teach them how to rope! It was sweet! Elder Kerr and I were in heaven, we got to rope a couple of roping dummies all day and teach people and their kids how to rope. Two guys that were helping with the "Roping Station" said Elder Kerr and I were the best they've had at that picnic in years, so that was cool. It was way fun and even though it was a non proselyting event almost always the mission, or gospel came up in the conversations somehow. There was people from all over the world and it was just super cool, they were all way nice and having a good time. It was a great day, Elder Kerr and I didn't want to leave the ranch.

     I hope y'all have a great week this week and do something awesome! We each have a light of our own that we possess and that we should let shine for ones to see. Go out and share the light that you have with someone, so that their lives can be changed for the better! Oh and shout-out to my little sister, Natasha, it's her birthday on Wednesday! Happy Birthday!!

     ~ Elder Brady

Marriot Ranch

Beautiful View

General Conference!!

Between sessions
(Elder Overstreet and Frank Del Vecchio)

     This past week has been a pretty good week and it was awesome to get to watch conference! This email is going to be a little shorter because there was a mishap and I lost the email I originally wrote, so I don't have a lot of time to write this one. Anyway I hope y'all had a great week and here goes mine.
      Well Monday was the usual P-Day we did our emailing and shopping and then we got together with a bunch of missionaries and played some football! I was pretty excited about that and there was a lot of us there so it was really fun.
      Tuesday we had interviews with President Huntsman, our mission president. He is awesome and it was really good to get to talk with him one on one and learn in that setting.

      Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were days where we did things like we are supposed to, but we didn't see a lot come from it. These days happen more than you'd think, but we all need trials to learn and grow so we are keeping on and pushing on.

Aiden and Hope Del Vecchio

      Saturday and Sunday were definitely the climax days because of General Conference. It was my companion's first conference he has watched on his mission, so that was pretty cool. We also got to watch all the sessions with a recent convert which was really cool as well. He had a lot of questions about how it works and how many people can fit in the conference center, but he was so engrossed in the people speaking it was sweet! I learned a lot from this conference and I'm so glad I was able watch it. I needed to hear some things that were said and it just strengthened my testimony of our church leaders. I love General Conference!
      Well I hope you guys all have a great week and I can't wait to hear from ya next week.

      ~ Elder Brady

Picture timeeee

Day to Serve

     Monday we did our emailing and then got a ride to Chantilly and went shopping. While there a member saw us and bought is all some lunch, so that was sweet! After that we went and played some basketball and volleyball. In the evening we met with two investigators, Harry and Delaine Whittaker, who are super cool and we had a good conversation with them.

Elder Brady & Elder Overstreet

     Tuesday we had District Meeting, Elder Black is the District Leader and he does a good job of it. Went to lunch with a pretty much in-active member named Jagadish, who randomly asked if we wanted to go to lunch with him one time, so it was sweet. Then we went to the mall because Elder Overstreet's iPad somehow got messed up with the update, so we went to get it fixed, but they said we have to go back tomorrow.
     Wednesday we started off by going back to the mall and getting Elder Overstreet's iPad fixed and ready to go, but it took awhile. On the way back a guy stopped us and said he wanted to learn about our religion, so we exchanged contact info. His name is Lazero and he seems super excited to learn. Went to Frank's and talked with him about family history which he is working on and he loves it.
     Thursday we met with Bro. Johnson, the Ward Mission Leader, and talked about how we can better do the work with and in the ward. Then we met Frank at Bro. Bowen's house to help him do some family history work. We tried two potentials after dinner, but no luck there so we decided to try Lazero. We got in and we had a short lesson on the Book of Mormon and he seemed to really enjoy it. Super excited to see how things go with him.

Skinnying a tie

     Friday was a bit of a slower day which happens sometimes I guess. We were trying potentials pretty much all day and then we tried to get in contact with a previous investigator, but we were not able to get a hold of them.
     Saturday was "Day to Serve" and our ward did a food drive for a local food pantry. It went all day, but there were people there in shifts. We went from 2-4 and it was amazing to see how many people helped out. There were a lot of people that didn't look like they COULD help, but they would bring something out for it, or donate some change out of there pocket and it was just awesome to see what people will do for others. We took all the food to the pantry and then helped sort and stack it and that took awhile, but it was fun. As a ward we raised almost two tons of food for for the pantry!
     Sunday was a good day, we had ward council in the morning and then church right after. Today in church it was the primary program which was awesome! They are always funny, but always so spiritual as well, it's a great mix. After church we did our studies and then had dinner at the Rickard's, who are a part-member family and they are pretty cool. Afterwards we met with the Bishop and talked with him about what we can help each other with in the work within the ward. He is a great guy and is really missionary oriented, it's great.
     So this week was a pretty good week and I hope y'all had a good week as well. In my studies one day I started reading "Our Heritage", which if you don't know is a brief history of the church, and I highly recommend it to help strengthen your testimony of the church. It has amazing stories in there and shows the courage and faith of so many early members, it's a great book. Well I hope you guys have a great week and keep smiling.      ~ Elder Brady

Package from Home

Package? Yes, please!

Transfers

Bye to the Canigiani's

     Monday we did some emailing and then we went and hung out with a bunch of elders. We played some football and then some basketball and I will never play sports again when I have my glasses and not my contacts. It was hard! Anyway so it was a pretty fun day and no one got seriously hurt so that's good.

Bye to the Jones Family

     Tuesday we did some service for Jon, we mowed and weed whacked his yard and it was actually kind of fun. It wasn't that hard because the yard isn't huge, but it still took a little bit. Had dinner and then had a game night with the Canigiani's and during the game we got the transfer email (they do an email instead of a call now) and we knew Elder Babb was going home, but we found out I was leaving and they were shutting down the area! It's crazy, I was expecting to stay another transfer, but I guess not.
     Wednesday was a HUGE pack day like all we did was pack, and say bye to some people. We went to correlation and then Bro. Wride took us out to lunch with Jon at Buffalo Wild Wings and it was super good. Did some more packing and then we went with the sisters to say bye to the Jones Family and they actually took us out to dinner, wasn't expecting that, but they are just awesome! Did some moreee packing and then said bye to Smith's after which we finally got most of the packing done.
     Thursday we went to Jon's and he made us some french toast for breakfast and we just talked. Barrett came over and said bye before we left so that was sweet, he is a cool guy. Jon gave us a ride to Centreville for transfers because he is awesome! Had to say bye to Elder McInerny, Elder Babb, and my trainer, Elder Seely, they are going home! My new area is Fair Oaks, and my new companion is Elder Overstreet. Elder Overstreet is from West Jordan, Utah, and has been out for three months. After transfers we went on a blitz (tracting one area with more than one set of missionaries) with the Chantilly elders.

     Friday the Zone Leaders dropped my bike off so we could bike instead of a lot of walking, I like biking a lot more. We did some weekly planning and then tried to see some people. We were able to see the Second Counselor (Bro. Rybiki) and his family and then the bishop (Bishop Burciaga) and his family. They were all super nice.
     Saturday we went to the Chantilly elders area and did another blitz and then came back to our area and did a blitz here. Woo tracting. After dinner we met with Frank Delvecchio and his kids, Frank and his oldest daughter, Hope (who is 9) have been recently baptized and his other two kids will be baptized when they are old enough. They are a cool family and they like the missionaries a lot. Woot Woot!
     Sunday we had early Ward council and then straight to church where I said the closing prayer in sacrament meeting. Church was really good and I only introduced myself maybe 20 times. At dinner I uhh made a guy cry.... I was sharing the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-9 and my personal cross reference to Proverbs 17:17 and when I read in Proverbs he started crying. He thanked me, said he really liked that scripture and that he needed to highlight it. He then told us a story of how is best friend had died and that scripture made him think of his friend. It was really spiritual and touching and then he said he had been able to do the temple work for his friend! It was super cool! After dinner we tried to visit the people on a list the bishop had given us and we met this nice young couple that told us to come back, they're less-active members but still.
     So this week was a pretty good week and I hope ya'll had a good week as well. I found this quote I really like so I'm gonna share it with you guys.

"Don't change yourself because you're afraid of what people think.

Change yourself because you want to be better."





     Don't be scared of what other people think and stop changing, stop progressing because of it. Trust in God and always work to change and progress and become more like him.

      ~ Elder Brady

Elder Brady, Zach Jones, and Elder Babb


Bye to Bro. Wride
 Bye to Barrett
Bye to my trainer, Elder Seely

Leesburg District - Back Row: E. Brady, E. Babb,
S.Gerber , E. Harper, S. Gardner, E. Rammell, Front Row: Sisters Archibald, Langford, and Manalang