Blessing the Rains Down in Africa: The Bear Necessities

Tudo Bem! Friends, family and miscellaneous blog browsers!

Let me tell you how truly amazing the MTC is! Everyone here looks like they're glowing! The grounds are beautiful and every lesson, devotional and meeting is inspired. I'm so grateful I get to be here! If I'm being completely honest, thus far, I haven't been the least bit homesick. It probably helps that I'm still in Provo and not Africa, but inside these gates it feels like an entirely different world! It's strange to look outside and recognize my mountains and see streets that I've driven down hundreds of times. We live a pretty strict schedule, we go to a lot of class to learn Portuguese and spend the rest of our time studying, exercising, eating, sleeping and obviously living basic rules of sanitation. The gift of tongues is real, but man the work is hard! We try to speak as much Portuguese as is humanly possible, but that's sometimes hard when you don't know how to speak that much. Still, I'm already able to say a prayer, introduce myself as a Representative of Christ, greet people, etc. And let me tell you, I couldn't have done that all on my own. I may be working hard, but the Lord works harder.

I've only cried once so far while watching an old Christmas devotional called "The Character of Christ", which was amazing. I don't know if it's available to the outside world, but if you can find it, watch it! There's legit so much content we get here that I wish was more public. I joined the choir and it's an experience like no other; the song choice is great and everything but when all the missionaries sing together, it sounds celestial. Plus our conductor is fantastic, he manages to make it feel like the most amazing Seminary lesson ever and the Tabernacle Choir practice at the same time. I'm so excited to sing in this Tuesday's devotional. The note we end on is crazy high and only a couple other Sisters and I are singing it, but it's super fun.

My experience is made even better by the fact that I'm surrounded by the most amazing people! My companion, Sister Forsyth, is possibly the sweetest most agreeable person I have ever met. She is from Scotland, which makes her an exciting rarity for a lot of people here. Sometimes while we’re studying or walking around, people interrupt to ask where she's from and whatnot, which is inconvenient sometimes, but you know you have an awesome companion when her worst quality is that people are drawn to her. I was afraid of getting a companion I didn't get along with or couldn't tolerate for long periods of time, but it seems like me and Sister Forsyth are always on the same page. She is kind, hardworking, understanding and infinitely humble. She's my ultimate example of how one could embody Christ-like qualities. In continuance with those blessings, I have the most amazing District to have ever inhabited room 506. I'm like 80% sure Sister Howell was named after her gift to make people laugh uncontrollably for days on end. Her companion, Sister Crowder, balances this energy with a sweet, soft-spoken and loving attitude. Sister Goldrup is crazy smart and learning the language faster than the rest of us can keep up. Her companion, Sister Mosley, reminds me of a southern belle with all the sass and confidence, but minus the hoop skirts. Both Sister Mosley and Sister Howell are from the southern States, and most of time their homes sound more strange and foreign than Sister Forsyth's home in Scotland, if you could believe that. We already feel like family and it's wild to me that after this six weeks, we'll all be going our separate ways. Sister Forsyth and I will both going to Cape Verde, Sister Goldrup is called to New Hampshire, Sister Howell will go to Mozambique, Sister Crowder to Portugal and Sister Mosley will be in Brazil. Yet we'll all be speaking Portuguese!!!

The MTC isn't easy by any means; we have to study hard, we're constantly exhausted, the food isn't great, we wake up at 6:30 everyday, the only thing more frustrating than trying to learn Portuguese is trying to write on these "special" computers. Satan will get at you in any way he can, whether it's self-doubt, stress, or feeling discouraged. But it's so so worth it. I feel the spirit constantly. It's like we get to spend our every waking moment basking in the light of Christ. I can already tell I'm becoming a better person. In order to represent Christ, we always try to become more like him. This week especially we've been working on Charity, Love and Patience. Sometimes we have to exercise a lot of patience because District Leader Elder Williamson still hasn't figured out how to get our mail. (So if you send me anything, it might be a hot minute before I actually get it.) The Elders in our district are great of course, they're nice and patient with us Sisters, but also have short attention spans like most teen boys right out of high school.

Before coming out on the mission I feel like I was so less aware of the tiny gifts, blessings and miracles in my life, but being here where I'm always surrounded by the Spirit, I feel like I pick up on so much more. A quick list of some of the tender mercies I saw this week:

-My amazing companion and district

-Seeing Nicole here!

-I pet a stray cat today (highlight of my life)

-We haven't missed a meal (which is hard sometimes with all the studying)

-Great teachers

-A patient and loving Branch President

-Feeling my Heavenly Father's love

-Finding time in the day to do everything

-Being able to speak any Portuguese

-I get to wear my Birkenstocks on my P-days here (we can't wear open toed shoes in the MTC usually)

-Not feeling homesick

-Answered prayers

-Waking up on time

-Getting tons of inspiration and enlightenment

And so so so much more than I could ever remember right now.

Before coming to the MTC, six weeks seemed like so long, but now I find myself panicking and feeling like it's not nearly enough time to learn a whole language! This week alone has completely breezed by, I can't remember which day was which or what I learned when, but I have faith that the Lord will provide and my Portuguese will improve little by little. I know I already said it, but I'm going to say it again, the Gift of Tongues is real! As well as all the other blessings they tell you about when it comes to missionary work. This week, time and time again I have been so blessed, my every prayer and every need recognized and answered in one way or another. I'm so grateful for this gospel and the love our savior has for each and every one of us. We could not do this without him. I could not do this without him and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to share His Gospel. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

-Sister Bradley