First Week in Southwest Campinas

Hey,

AJ and Elder Lierley

So I found out after I emailed you guys last week that I would be training a new missionary! So I'm here with Elder Lierley (Liar-Lee) from Alaska! He is 24 and was baptized when he was 8, but his family grew inactive and he became atheist, like one of those really stubborn atheists, until he was 22. And then a returned missionary was able to answer all of his questions about God and the purpose of life. He then read the Book of Mormon and received an answer from God that the book is true. Now he has a testimony like iron!! He is a really cool guy. Seeing as he got here in Brasil last week, he doesn't understand much Portuguese, but he can speak a little. This week I had him teach the First Vision several times and bear his testimony in the language.

Google Streets view of Bandeirantes Ward buliding

We are serving in the Bandeirantes Ward [Bandeirantes translates to 'followers of the banner'], which is in the stake Campos Elíseos. It's kind of cool because we are pretty close to the area in Campinas that I've previously served in (Campinas 3rd Ward). We are in the same zone, so I'll be able to see the missionaries again in that area!

So, I wanted to thank you guys so much for sending the frisbees...man, the missionaries I gave them to so got so excited!! We also played a little frisbee today.

Also, thank you mom for the thoughts about church callings. It is true that as we leave a 'position', having worked hard to magnify the position, we will leave our vision of what we want accomplished. It's interesting how God wants us to always be stretching ourselves, changing tasks, changing us. Which reminds me that I really liked Elder Nelson's talk about change from general conference. When he declared that we can change ourselves, change our desires, I felt that he was talking directly to me! But anyway, thank you for the reminder that I don't have to finish everything perfectly, but just do my best.

Thank you so much for your prayers! I am working on developing charity right now. I'm trying to put myself in the position of others. It is life-changing when you do this. Yesterday was testimony meeting at church and I tried to put myself in the shoes and project myself in the life of the people who bore testimony. It was a very emotional experience. I didn't end up crying, but I could acutely feel the pains and joys of some of the people that went up. Without charity we are indeed nothing.

Have an awesome week! Share the beautiful gospel!
Elder Bradford