From: Braydon Carter <braydon.carter@myldsmail.net>
Date: Sun, Sep 23, 2018 at 10:41 PM
Subject: Not too far from home 09/24/2018
Hello Everyone!
This week has been a complete ride! That's for sure!! I have absolutely loved being a missionary and it's crazy how honestly daily I see miracles. Seriously I encourage all of you to start doing CPR. It's the coolest thing thing, the blessings and the miracle you will begin to see in yourself, and in your testimony is incredible. Church Pray and Read. It works. Just do it.
Anyways I have a lot of really great stories this week that I would really love to share. BUT. I'm afraid I'll just have to pick my favorites. I'm always reminding you to read the Book of Mormon, so I don't want you to have to do to much reading ;)
Anyways the reason the subject line is not too far from home. Is because even know I am all the way across the world, in an outpost area. Us being the only 2 white people you'll see in miles. There is a KFC, a Domino's, and most importantly a Bowling alley with in 15 minutes on a bike. Seriously it's just like a really Asian version of Lehi. But it's really great. It make's me smile when I see the bowling alley. Makes me wonder if any of them would know Jack Wadley. From all the stories I've heard everyone knows good ole Jack ;) But no seriously here are some pictures to prove it :)
The mission really has been great! Seriously my companion and I actually get a long really well. I mean we have some differences but I don't think we've had any problems at all. I don't think I mentioned this in other emails but my companion is only on his second transfer. Which means he's only been out like a month longer than me. We actually were at the MTC at the same time. I don't remember him. But he remembers me :) It's been really good, because were both new and just have so much fire to get this area going. We are already seeing so much success and just going after it every day! But we have some fun to. It's important to be happy and enjoy each other and your mission so we try to go to new places, and eat new foods! This week we went to a mixed rice place. ( which he told me is always a hit or miss ) And how it works is they give you a plate of rice and there is a ton of meats to pick from, and you just put them on your plate. A lot of great options, they really like fried chicken, and pork. Which has been awesome for protein. But then they also have some... well... interesting options like intesteins. ( I think I spelled that really wrong ) So what did we do. We said we'd give it a try! Here is also evidence:
Ok now to the miracles and the really amazing parts of the week. Like I said my companion and I are really new. We are in an outpost where no one from the mission physically comes out to check up on us. ( At least not often ). So all we have is our branch and each other. Because we are so new I think we always just have this fire going. We are just so excited to get out and talk to people all the time. That and we both just dig in and study super hard. Both of our Chinese is improving like crazy, and it's really pretty cool to see our unity become more and more tight.
We had two really big miracles this week. So we really do try and talk to everyone. And a lot of the time they give us the cold shoulder, or will tell us they are Buddhist or already have their own church. Which is totally OK, if I had a foreigner come up to me, speaking not so great English telling me to join him at church, I probably wouldn't be super willing. As I think most of us are. And so at times that can be really kind of draining. It can be discouraging, and kind of drain your energy. But something our mission president really believes is keeping our lines in the water. What that means is we have our companionship studies, and our language studies in public. So if we see an opportunity, or as people see us. We are readily available to teach them. Well that's where our miracles kicked in. Hard. We were doing our companionship studies, and a employee by the name of Yu Zuo Qing came up to us and asked us if we could teach him. We had no idea who he was, but he really wanted to learn. So we taught him, and set up a return appointment. So far the kid has been golden. We invited him to baptism, and he excitingly agreed. Which just made my heart full. He also came to a baptism that we had this week, and at the baptism came up to my companion and said. Next time that's me do I need to buy all the white clothes. He's just so excited to keep pushing forward, and his love and energy is overwhelming.
The second Miracle we had happened the same way. We had sat down for companionship study and a man came up to us. Now I won't share what he told us, because a lot of it is person trials that he is going through. But he's going through a lot of really hard stuff right now. He came up to us and said he really knew we could help. So we started to teach him too. At first we were a little nervous cause he was kind of every where, as were we. But the miracle continued. He called us Sunday morning and said he was really struggling and wanted to meet. We told him we had church so we didn't have to much time but he could totally come to church, and he did. Which was a miracle in itself cause he works on Sundays. I'm still not sure how that all played out. Anyways. That day my companion and I also gave talks. My companion did his using English. So I sat next to this man and translated. ( WHICH WAS MIND BLOWING ) Then I gave my talk in Chinese so he and some others would be able to better understand. After I had sat back down he shook my hand and said " Thank you for all you shared, I agree. I've really been having a lot of pain and trial lately, and as I've been here, and heard you talk I've been super comfortable and at peace." Totally a proof that we don't do any of the teaching or really finding. God leads us to the people that need us most. And puts us in the midst of them.
Last story and photo. This week we had our fist baptism as a companionship. As well as the first baptism that has happened in over a year. So it was really good for the branch and for the area in general. It really just boosted our confidence that we really want to make an impact here. A side note is you need to understand our branch is about as big as the priest quorum I was in before I came out on my mission. There's on good days 20 people that come to church. And so my companion and I are stoked to really work closely and become tight with those 20 people. To really bring the branch together and build this fiery spirit to the branch, and make is so everyone want's to build this area. Not just us. Missionary work is possible because of members. Anyone who is reading this keep that in mind. You literally can change peoples lives, by helping your friends with the missionaries. Don't be scared to share the good news of the gospel. Anyways so this family that was baptized was prepared by previous missionaries. That are all so awesome! Only the wife speaks English. The rest speak Malay! So there was definitely a language barrier but I love them so much! Especially the husband. He really reminds me of Larry for some reason. He is in the Malaysia Navy, but is just the sweetest guy, that brings an awesome spirit. He loves messing around with kids. So basically tries to be a tough guy but is a sweetheart ( Just like Larry )And even though we can't really talk to each other we often sat next to each other in priesthood and google translated back and forth. I'm seriously so happy for their family!
That's all I've got for this week! Thank you all so much for the support and love you have all given me! I honestly can feel your prayers. It's what makes me get up, and have energy through out the day! Remember all of you to continue doing CPR. It is seriously incredible!
And because I have been hitting Chinese hard. Here is my testimony (Good luck translating, I want you to have a greenie experience! )
我真的这道这教诲是真实的。我这道我们有一位心爱的天父。神想要祝福和帮助我们。我这道透过真诚的祈祷，读摩尔门经，和过来教会，我们让他祝福我们。我这道我们都有很多的挑战。你们可能有压力，也感觉无能为力。但是我答应你们当你做这些事的时候，神真的会帮助你。我们都有可以用摩尔门经来有平安，和安慰。而且透过耶稣基督的赎罪，我们每天可以有快乐。我爱你们!
Love always,
Elder Carter
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