VISA!!

Date: June 29, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Companion: Elder Hooke

From Ventura, California

I got a phone call from Bradley today, I picked up the phone and he said "Hi Mom" My heart skipped a beat. I wasn't expecting to hear his voice on the phone. (the caller id said pay phone)I asked him if he was at the airport and he said no so I asked him if he's ok and he said "Yes, I just got my visa and I leave for Brazil next Tuesday." They only allowed 5 minutes to talk. He sounded really good and Happy. He'll call me from the Salt Lake airport and then again from Atlanta during his layover. I have mixed emotions about him going. I know that it's where he's suposed to be, but It's so far away. Keep him in your prayers :)

I'm on week 5

Date: June 25, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Companion: Elder Hooke - 

From Ventura, California

Hey family!!! How's everyone doing? It sounds like you guys have had a fun summer! I hope you are. Are you guys giong to 7 peaks everyday? So I've written Micah, Ryan, you guys, and the Cole girls earlier this week when you got that letter. so today I'm going to get some postcards from the bookstore and send them to the grandparents. So this week is the new mission presidents convention so all Apostles and First Pres. will be there sometime this weekend, also, there is a special devotional and last year 8 out of 12 Apostles were there. other than that not much has really been going on. We've played alot of basketball in our room. (I sent him a little nerf basketball hoop that hangs on the back of a door)there's 4 of us who play and it gets kinda rough lol. We also play that ninja game sometimes. umm Elder Hooke is pretty cool it's hard having to be with someone 24-7 it takes getting used to. an elder in my district and 3 or 4 from my zone got thiers visas, but 2 Elders on week 11 got reassigned to Nashville Tennesee till thier visas come. so who knows what's going to happen...... next week we have to start teaching fully in Portuguese. I don't know how well thats going to go. the sacrament went well last Sunday! thanks for the package the cookies were good.. and thanks everyone for the letters.. it sounds like all is well.. my teacher Bro. Harward took his horses down to Beaver and Kent's lake. (That is where we go camping and hunting every year)I was way jealous!!! he said he saw a few hundred elk and way more deer, that sounded fun. so does the house look way nice? it s gonna be way different when I get back. (We are re roofing and putting a huge front porch on) no Elder Hooke doesn't hunt, yes he went to byu hawaii for a year and sold stuff at the pcc. it sounds like a cool place to go to school. how's work been for dad..? he sounded like he had fun at the big event. did bub's have fun? are the kids having a good summer? how's all of my friends? well I love you guys and miss you!!! I'm on week 5!!! be safe and be good!!! love you all!!! call the travel office and see if thier figuring out the problem??? love ya Bradley

Ornitorrinco

Date: June 18, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Companion: Elder Hooke

From Ventura, California

Hey family!!! I'm glad you got the pictures. I'll probably send my extra portuguese scriptures home before I leave. But the new photo album will be good. I hope you guys are having a good summer so far. That's cool you guys are going to seven peaks! Is it a cool place? I've never been there. Yeah I heard /brasil Beat korea thier supposed to take the whole thing. I still havent hosted, I'm thinking we have to be assigned or something. but I have to bless the sacrament in portuguese on sunday. I'm kinda scared. We can read it but it had some pretty big words that are hard to pronounce. That was cool I got to see dad. He had the biggest smile on his face. (Brad was driving by the MTC when Bradley was crossing the street to go play soccer on Wednesday, Bradley's whole district was waving at Brad) Tell him happy fathers day and give him that card. Yeah I usually play soccer like 2 or 3 days a week when we have the later gym, but when it's at 6:35 am I lift weights or run or play basketball. I use the pushups and theres a pull up bar in the hall. I've gained like 7 pounds since I,ve been here because we eat so much food. If you wanna send more stuff you could send a hoodie or my long sleeve supercross shirt or someting kinda warm because p day mornings we have to have church clothes on to be in our class so we just study outside and it's kinda chilly. Also if you can send a hat. the basketball hoop would be fun. I hope bubs and dad have fun camping. the big event is fun. tell them to try and win the relay race thing. What did you end up doing with koda? just keep her? So i got letters from Jill and Dean, Kevin, Nate, Grandma and Grandpa, and Mel and Kort this week besides from all of the ones from you guys. I really like when I get letters from you guys so I know whats going on in the hood lol. I'm gonna write you guys tonight also cause I'll probably have time during laundry. I'll write Micah and Ryan too. Whats new with Alvin? Tell the neighbor hood gang i wish i was playing some mw2 (Modern Welfare 2 on Xbox) with them lol. So I dunno about my visa. 40 more Portuguese joined our branch and about half of them are Brazilians. I'm just glad I'm not going to Mexico. It'd be cool but there's elders who have been here 16 weeks with no visa and are getting reassigned to SLC till thier visa comes. I hope that doesn't happen to me. Well I love you guys!!! take care and be safe!!! have fun and be good.
Tchau, Elder Ludlow

Pictures from the MTC

Date: June 14, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Companion: Elder Hooke

From Ventura, California

Yay! Bradley finally sent pictures! I kept asking him for them. His companion's name is Elder Hooke from Ventura, California. He has a great view of the Provo Temple from his room. I don't know what the picture of the crazy old lady is all about ha, ha He even got a picture of Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who spoke to them last week. Doesn't he look GREAT & HAPPY!

Here's his letter

Hey Family, Sorry my email was kinda weak. The computer was being crazy! The program exited out 2 times and it kept dragging out my words. Thanks a bunch for the package, I really appreciate the stuff you guys get me! Especially the Boxers (for P.E.) and Vans. It's nice to be comfy when I actually get to wear normal clothes. I don't think I need anything else for awhile. But here's what I forgot to say in my email. 1- In Brazil they tax you on things you send into the country, for example if you send me a pair of Nike's that cost $100.00 the tax would be like upwards of $150.00 so anything over $50.00 will have a tax. So if you send me something you need to put a lower price. I guess you just write down a list of all the items and their cost. Does this make sense? If not I'll clarify. 2- My missionary mall shoes will both be worn out in like 6 months. My teacher said that they have these cheap $20.00 shoes in Brazil that last forever, so he said to have our parents keep our 2nd pair from missionary mall at home so that we have a nice pair or 2 when we get home. He said that he made the same mistake. 3- The North Eastern part of Brazil is the most poor, uneducated and third world areas. My teacher went to Jual Pessoa(Above Recife) He said that our watches and rings will probably get stolen. I'm going to find a cheap watch once I'm down there & only wear my nice one to Conferences and such. Kinda Scary Huh? You guys probably think this is funny but I'm already planning a trip to Brazil, lol, Irmao (brother) Harward is my teacher, he's been home 10 months and he wants to get a big group and go down for the World Cup Soccer in 2014. The World Cup is bigger than the Olympics in Brazil. Also the Olympics will be in Brazil in 2016. He tells stories & it makes me want to get there SO Bad! Pray for Visas! lol

3rd place is not so bad! (Brandon's baseball team took third this season) Bubs should for sure do all stars if he wants to, or take golf lessons or something. Brooke is doing summer ball? That's great! Tell them I love & miss them, tell them to draw me a picture or something. I wish I could write you guys more I have so much to say. Tell Bri and Jordan that they should go "Shoot the tube" It's a thing up by suicide rock that is a big tube with water, you get inside & block the tube off with wood behind you. then the pressure builds up & you move the wood & slide down with the wall of water. Elder Price from SLC told me about it. It sounds way fun! So Grandma & Grandpa have written a couple of times, that's been nice, so I owe all grandparents notes. and Jill & Dean wrote so I just got done with a short letter to them. How's Kevin? Well just know I Love you so much. I think about you all day. I'll try & get you a copy of my schedule ASAP. Tell the kids to be good and stay out of trouble. I Love you all. Tudo Bem (They say that alot it's a greeting) Peace! Elder Ludlow

Tudo Bem !

Date: June 11, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Companion: Elder Hooke

From Ventura, California

 Hey fam. I wrote a list of everything I wanted to say but I forgot it so I hope I can remember everything. First of all to Dad...I bet it was me you saw. (Brad has been doing a job at the MTC) that is the building that my class is in. How's the roof coming? Well, Everything is pretty much the same I'm just going to classes every day. I'll try and send home a schedule so you know what I'm up too. we only play soccer if we have the later gym cause the fields are too wet if we don't. So this tuesday Elder Robert D. Hales came and spoke to us, his talk was really good. Also a kid who is here like 8 wks before me got his finger amputated yesterday. He's going to Brazil and he got hurt doing construction before the mtc. They tried to save it but it gives him headaches and stuff. But he's had his visa for a while and so he got released to go home then he'll get re set apart after 6 weeks and go straight to Brazil crazy huh? Our buddy Elder Paskett leaves on Tuesday, so there will be 13 in my district. I hope my visa comes but it doesn't look too promising. I will probably spend all of my time here in Provo. I just hope it comes before I get out of here, otherwise you stay here for up to 15 weeks and then they send you somewhere else in the U.S. till it comes. So has Brian been golfing lately? man I wish I could go golfing lol. Ughh this computer is being way dumb.. so funny story I wrote myself a letter today telling myself that I can't be a fruit cake when I get home. and I wrote a list of music and movies I like so I will remember. kinda funny huh. on the envelope it says " Do not open until may 2012" lol.. So how's Micah and Ky and Alvin doing? sounds like baseball stuff is going good. that sucks about the chickens. ( 2 died) Has Dad fired up my bike recently? I miss it so much...... Lol I miss you guys I'll try and write tonight or sometime this week. Love you all I hope the package comes today .this computer is bieng really stupid. Tell Brian to write me!!! and the other kid's. Love you all !! I'll try and find a better computer next week. Elder Ludlow

Ola!

Date: June 4, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Companion: Elder Hooke

From Ventura, California

 Hey family!!! How's everyone doing. I'll Try and send my sd card as soon as possible. So... I'm officially not a newb since the new elders came in on wednesday!!!! ha ha. No I didn't host. it feels like I've been here for so long! Around here the days go by slow and the weeks go by fast. So I'll try answer some questions. My comp. has like 3 or 4 siblings. he's going to Recife. He has an older brother who went to Brazil. We both got here to the MTC at the same time. I haven't seen Elder Chandler(the one we saw at the missionary mall) so I'm sure he got his visa. There's an elder in my district who has his visa and might be leaving tomorrow or monday or something. there's another elder who's twin was gonna leave with him to Sao Paulo but one went to Brazil and ones here. same for an elder and his sister. wierd huh? I have gym everyday but pday and sunday. its best when I have afternoon cause then I can play soccer or baseball otherwise I have it in the morning and the fields are soaked so I play bball and work out. My room is in building 6m top floor and my class is in 18m top floor. so i climb probably more than a thousand stairs a day. lol. Tell dad that sending jerky is a good idea I have an elder from Missouri who is a big hunter and would love that. also if you can send a pair of vans lol my feet aren't used to uncomfortable shoes all day, also a hacky sack would be fun. That sucks that koda killed a chicken. bummer I'm sorry. Thanks for the package . I can email on fri. and thats when I'm supposed to write. but I found some time to write you, mel, and ky this week. its hard to get a letter and then wait a week to respond, so if I have like 10 extra minutes I'll write. The language is going good I can intro. myself and comp, pray and bear testimony but I can't even say the car is blue. They only care that you can say church stuff. but its going good. I'm glad baseball is going good for bubs and brooke. When is dad doing his MTC job? I'm having a fiesta tonight! fun... a brazil party. p day goes by so fast!!! I love you all and hope your okay.. be good and pray for my visa!! lol hopefully it comes fast. I wanna get to Brazil asap. keep sendin letters I love it!!! got to go the computer is about to shut off. I love you and miss you!!! Elder Ludlow

The first 3 days were hard!

Date: June 2, 2010

Area: Provo MTC, Utah

Comapnion: Elder Hooke

From Ventura, California

Here is hand written letter I got on Wed. 6/2/10.
Mom,
Hi, Today is Mem. Day so I didn't get letters if you sent them. Is Our Email working ok? I got your 3 letters. Sorry my email was so scrambled. I was in a hurry. But know that my weeks are all pretty much the same I won't have so much on my mind, so my letters should be better. Sunday's (yesterday) are weird. It seems like we do the least amount of spiritual stuff. We had lots of free time, walked around the Temple and watched church videos. It was nice compared to the hours of study we usually do. Friday is p-day so I will email and go to the Temple. I'm already a huge soccer fan, we play if we have late P.E. at like 2:30 ish cuz the fields are wet before then. How's Baseball games going? Tell Bubba one strike out in that many games is dang good. Tell Brooke the same. I Love you all. I'm doing better now and getting the hang of things. But the first 3 days were hard! I was lost and homesick. It's not like anything you could imagine here. If you can call the travel office and just ask about my visa. Tell Dad I shined my shoes and taught my district, I was the only one who knew how. Has Brian finished school yet? Tell him to have a fun summer. Send a tie clip if you can. Also Yellow Fever Card-Very Important! I Love you Mom! Be safe and know that I'm fine.
 Love , Bradley