Transferred

Date: Jan. 3, 2011

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, California

Hey guys,

This week was pretty good, it was really hard to work because everybody was having parties because of new years and Christmas. Our neighbors had way loud music playing for like 3 days straight, it was pretty annoying all night the same songs. but oh well, haha

But yeah I'm getting transferred! I'm pretty glad lol, there's some really cool people that I've met but I´m just not having success here. We didn't move in to the house so whoever gets here will have to. I won't know where I'm going or who my companion is until Wednesday, so you guys won't know until next week. But I'm sure it will be a Brazilian, who knows where I´ll go I'm excited to find out. wish me luck!

I'm glad Nate's baptism went well the pics looked good, everyone´s getting so big! and that's cool grandma and grandpa came up, tell them thanks for the money and I´ll write them a letter.

That's cool that Brookie is re doing her room. I bet she´s excited!!! I wanna see a picture when its done. she´s gettin big! she´s gonna be way different when I get home she already seems way different.

That's a bummer that grandma hurt her knee, I hope that it won't affect her mission and she can still work. My back is still giving me problems, it's definitely better it's just stiff. I think its from sleeping on my crappy old mattress.

Wow, Isaac´s finished already!!! that's crazy!!! I bet Ted and Gail are way excited, that's cool I'm glad he loved the mish. that means Derrick and Brakston will come home soon. it goes by so fast!
When does Cody leave again? McKay leaves in just a few weeks! I hope he´s excited!

Man the snow looks so nice, the Sisters were asking why there wasn't snow on Christmas, and one week later everything is frozen! I hope you guys are enjoying it I'm getting some sun for you guys. I can't wait till it cools down again.
I feel like this is a pretty weak email but I can't think of anything to say, next week I´ll send pics of my new house and area and comp., I hope I like my next area! I'm sure it'll be great.

Well I love you guys be safe and be good!
I miss you,
Bradley

Have a great new years and be safe

Date: Dec. 27, 2010

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, California

Hey Guys!

It was great to see and hear from everybody on Christmas day!!! I'm really glad that I got to use the web cam, All of the kids look so different, Bubba and Brian's hair is getting so long. the mullet is sweet!   I was really happy to see the family and the house, now I can't wait till Mothers day!!!!! ha ha.
 I hope that everybody had a great Christmas! Christmas here is a lot different than back home, for one its hotter than heck and for 2 nobody really has the Christmas spirit, they just drink and play loud music.

I'm glad Sister Campos got to bear her testimony for you guys. we´ve been practicing for a few weeks and she was really excited. but both of the Sister's are speaking really well.

I'm also glad that I saw Jill and Dean and the cousins!!! and I'm happy that I got to see my friends I won't see Micah or McKay forever!!! They´ll be on missions so it´ll be like like 3 years!! that's sad Matt was in the neighborhood!! I would have loved to see him! I have a letter for him that I need to send maybe he can come over on the next phone call. That's really good that Eric is doing good . I'm way excited for him.

Congrats Brookie on the Sacrament talk!!! I bet you did great! Sunday was okay for me the wards here are way irreverent so its impossible to focus but it was good!

Well I don't have a lot to say cause I just talked to you but everything here is good its almost 2011!!! and I made 7 months yesterday,  woohoo!  But yea everybody have a great new years and be safe!!!

Love ya, Bradley

I can't wait to talk to you on Christmas!

Date:Dec.20, 2010

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, California

12-17-10

          I Love this picture! What a cute little girl!!     

              I love it when Bradley sends pictures

Hey guys!

     How´s it going? I hope everybody had a good week and is enjoying the cold weather!
This week was okay, one cool thing that happened was that President Beynon went with us to go teach people. That was pretty neat, He does a really good job of helping people understand what they need to do. But this week was definitely a hard one, it just seemed like everything that we had planned just didn´t happen. I don´t know if it was the fact that it is almost Christmas or what, but of the 6 baptisms we had marked 4 or 5 fell through. But we´re working hard, and having fun along the way.
I'm a little depressed because I still haven´t baptized here! But hopefully I´ll be blessed after the hard times ya know?



12-10-10

    Oh and we went and helped work on someones house and my back went out so this whole week my back has been killing me. I'm getting old in all of my 20 years of life lol.

     But it´s almost Christmas!!! I'm way excited to use skype. I´ll call you a few days before to set up a time, but we found a lan house that´s open on Christmas and so it should work. I´ve saved some stories to tell you so I´m excited!!!!

That's good that president Mickelson was at church, I love that man, and I´m keeping him in my prayers.

That sucks that the old guys beat the young guys in church ball lol. who´s playing for the young team?

Yeah that cruise ship lady got a bunch of our phone numbers to call our parents, it was when we went and sang at the port. We had another performance last night at a fireside there were a bunch of people there.

Oh yeah, we went to McDonald's this week too! 7 long months, lol.  I ate a Big Mac it was pretty good just really expensive here.



12-17-10



So what do the kids want for Christmas? I just wanna talk to you guys! I'm way excited!

No I still don't have my Christmas package I bet I´ll get it in like February when did you send it?

Tell McKay I got his letter and I got the pics from you guys. I love getting pictures from you.

We should be moving out this week. I'm not excited to move all of the crap.

I´m kinda out of things to say lol and plus I´ll talk to you in like a few days, so I´ll just upload some pics for you guys!!!

Love ya,  Be safe I´ll call you on Tuesday or Wednesday with a plan!
Love you guys,
Bradley

12-8-10





Your son is doing great!

2 weeks ago Bradley wrote about the choir singing at the cruise port:

12/6/10
This week the choir sang 3 times, We went to another mall, to a Catholic Church and to the cruise port. It was cool to sing at the cruise port there was a ton of Mormons all there together. It really made me want to go on a cruise again. But we sang like right where everyone gets off of the ship so that was pretty cool

I got a phone call on Friday from a sweet lady from Wyoming, who was on a cruise ship that stopped in Maceio. She said that the missionaries were there singing. she spoke with Elder Ludlow (Bradley) and that he's doing great! He's strong and healthy and happy, She said that she told him that she would call me when she got home.
   She told me that the area is very poor and that the people there don't have much. She said that's the first time she has ever seen a LDS church with a tall fence around it with a lock.
    It was so great to hear from someone who was there talking to him and said that he looks good!
She said that she will send pictures to me.

I found these pictures from another missionary blog

Bradley's in the back on the right



We had our mission Christmas party today

Date: Dec.13, 2010

Area: Tabluliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

 From  Sacramento, California

Hey guys!!!
Sounds like everything is going okay around the house. that's cool Brookelyn got a calling in Beehives and Micah is teaching primary, tell Micah to write me a stinking letter I wanna hear how everyone´s doing!!!!
I got a letter from Mctizzle my red-headed homeboy today, I have a bunch of letters that I need to send but
 I don't know where the mail place is in this area. but I'll find it this week and send them.

We have a few baptisms marked I don't know how firm a few of them are, I hope they work out, and like half of them traveled this week so its gonna be tough. There's this kid of 16 that's been going to church that wants to be baptized but his dad hates religion and its going to be really hard for him to get baptized, hes a great kid I could see him going on a mission if he gets baptized and his sister went to church this week too.

We had stake conference on Sunday it was really good. Usually sacrament here is really irreverent and hard for me to feel the spirit, but there was some really good talks and I learned a lot. President and Sister Beynon spoke and also a seventy but I can't remember his name. I love hearing Sister Beynon giving talks in Portuguese. she´s such an awesome, sweet lady and she´s a trooper giving talks in Portuguese in front of a big crowd.

Today we had our mission Christmas party. we played games, the Beynons raffled BYU and Utah shirts and ate some good lunch. they gave us presents ( chocolate, tie, socks, handkerchief, and a key chain and lapel pin with the mission logo on it) it was really nice, and I won a BYU shirt.
I'ts weird how this year I don't want anything for Christmas. I'll just be happy talking to you guys, my priorities have definitely changed on my mission.

Hows my buddy Matt doing? where are he and Taleesha living? that's cool McKay leaves in January, when does Cody leave again? he´ll be in Provo for 9 weeks or 12?

It doesn´t feel at all like Christmas here. It's so so SO hot and come to find out that summer doesn't even start until the 21st of this month. lol

Whats Bubba up to? is he still in to riding bikes or does he have a new hobby.

We´ll move in to our new house this week. Its gonna suck cause were on the 3rd floor in our building (to move everything) but it´ll be nice to have a newer nicer house.
So my one of my vans completely ripped in half.... way sad. I don't know if you can send me a new pair? they might not make it in the mail.

How are the Jazz doing I heard that they went undefeated in the pre-season. keep me posted.

Sounds like Grandma is having a great time in Nauvoo ,the mission is a great thing for her she loves to study and learn about the church. Her mission is DEFINITELY different than mine though.

We had a lady make cow feet this past week, my comp ate it but I was too afraid to try it, I would have tried it but the house/ food looked pretty sketchy and I didn't want to get sick.

I'm stoked for Christmas! I hope we can skype I'll try and get it all locked down this week and let you know. I have the program saved to my ipod so should just be able to open it and make a profile. I think the Sisters will call in the morning before lunch because of the time difference and we Americans will be in the afternoon here.


Well that's about all I can think to say, hope all is good love you!!!
Bradley

Dec. 12, 2010

It's hot here!

Date: Dec. 6, 2010

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, California

December 5, 2010



Hey guys, this week was okay we divided the area with the Sisters like you guys already know, so its been kinda tough to get things up and going in our half, so we´re only working a few people we really need to find a lot of new investigators this week. We marked like 4 baptisms but a lot of people traveled and it just didn´t work out to go to church so we´ll see what happens.

 This week the choir sang 3 times, We went to another mall, to a Catholic Church and to the cruise port. It was cool to sing at the cruise port there was a ton of Mormons all there together. It really made me want to go on a cruise again. But we sang like right where everyone gets off of the ship so that was pretty cool.

It's cool to have sisters in our ward. their both really cool and they make us cake and other goodies. their names are Sister Campos and Nigri.

It's so hot here I know I say that every week but its true. I miss the snow alot!!!! It does not even seem like Christmas even though some ppl have lights and stuff its weird!!!

So for Christmas we wanna try and use skype, its free so it´d be better I think. You guys will have to buy a web cam. but it'd be awesome to see you guys and talk to you. I'll call like a week before for like 5 min to tell you guys when it´ll all go down. but I cant wait till Christmas!!!! so I´d buy a web cam and practice setting it up and using it so you know what your doing.

I got Grandmas package too it was way nice, it had a bunch of good stuff in it. Tell her thanks for me and I'll write a letter to her. I have a lot of letters to send.

I don't really need anything for my b-day. I dunno. HA HA SURPRISE ME!

And yeah I took some money out to pay that guy for the scripture cases.

As sad as it is I'm thinkin you guys should sell my bike. I'm gonna want to start college right away and so I'm gonna need all the money I can. so have Brian or someone clean it all up for me and put it on ksl,

Has Brian gone boardin yet this year?

How much is gas? here the gas is way expensive they sell it for like 3 reals per liter. ($5 - $6 per gallon)

So were trying to find a new house we gotta move out by the end of the month. It's gonna suck having to move everything but we´ll probably get a nicer house so that's good.

I love you guys I hope every thing is good!!!!
I wanna let you know that I'm happy to be here serving the lord and that my testimony is growing everyday!

Be safe guys and enjoy the snow.  Only 19 days and we´ll be talkin on the phone!!!!
Love you,
Bradley




6 Months!!

Date: Nov. 29, 2010

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, California



Hey guys!

This week was good. Just really busy and kinda stressful. My ward got Sister Missionaries so we´ve been helping them get to know the way around the area and stuff.

 So they split the area in two, so now Elder Oborn and I have to walk to freakin Vietnam everyday to work, I mean we literally walk to the end of the earth and back everyday, but its all good lol.

It’s fun to eat lunch with the Sisters and we're teaching some really cool people. We sang at the mall with the choir last week. It was really nice I felt like I was in America for a little while, the mall is just like one back home, tonight we´ll have another choir performance which is kind of a bummer cause it´ll cut our p-day short but oh well..

We didn’t do anything on Thanksgiving it was a way busy day.

For my 6 month day my comp bought a pizza and I burned a tie, it's a tradition, so I found this old tie in our house and burned it. It’s crazy when I got here the guys with 6 months seemed so experienced and spoke so well but I still feel really new... that’s probably cuz I am lol

So grandma left eh? is Dad back yet or is he still there? Grandma will be a really good missionary.

I'll email Ryan if I have time, last I heard he was really sick and had to go to the hospital. I bet he ate or drank something bad. (he's serving in Guatemala)

I really liked the package! and so did all of the Brazilians! Some of dad’s elk jerky was bad but I saved most of it and it’s really good!! And we made some cookies.

We're helping a family build a house, we helped with the foundation and now were putting up the brick walls and stuff. One cool/cute thing here is there’s a group of little girls all from ages 4-9 that live in this Favela,and every time they see me they yell "Hey Gallego!" (big white dude) and start hugging and climbing all over me and so it’s pretty crazy. lol They tell me that I'm cuter than Elder Oborn cuz I have blond hair and light eyes. but it’s kinda funny all the people there know us now because of these crazy little kids.

But its fun I'm liking it here.

Almost all of the roads are dirt instead of cobblestone so its kinda rough to walk all day on uneven muddy roads. My shoes are already way thin on the bottom and starting to wear through. but I have 1 more pair still to wear.

I hope everything is all good there! I love you! be safe!

Bradley

I was online at the same time as Bradley I wrote back and told him that we can spot him right away when we get group missionary pictures from him because of his blond hair and fair skin, and this is what he wrote back It's weird sometimes I look in the mirror and am so surprised at myself and how white I am, cuz everyone here is black and so I'm not used to seeing white ppl.  lol.

Happy Thanksgiving

Date: Nov. 22, 2010

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, Ca



Beach in Maceio



Hey this week was really good! We´re working really hard here in this ward and getting a lot of references. We're gonna mark a lot of baptisms this week cause we have a lot of references.

I got my package today!!!!! but I had to pay a bunch of tax. I kinda threw a fit and tried to get outta paying but the lady at the post office couldn´t do anything about it because its the government. they just check random boxes I guess. but I heard that it helps if you slap a sticker or picture of Virgin Mary or Catholic Jesus on the box.

But we went to downtown Maceio today with the Sister Missionaries to get my package  and we had to wait forever to get a bus so that's why I'm so late today. but it was really fun I finally got to see the beach! it's so hot here that its not even funny. I really miss the snow and stuff. ppl are setting up for Christmas here but it doesn't even feel like Christmas.

Bradley's Companion Elder Oborn

It was good to get the emails from everyone! I like to hear from you guys.

Brookies project was really impressive.

I hope you guys have a good Thanksgiving. We´ll probably make those cookies you guys sent to celebrate here. I didn't really see what was in it, as I only went home for like 2 min before coming here. but the maple, ranch, and dewskies are lookin pretty appetizing. I´m just gonna have to try really hard to ration it all out cause I live with 3 other ppl. but the assistants should enjoy some American food. I liked the ties too, especially the red one with little ducks on it.

Transfers are here but were both staying. My father Thomas is staying another one in Aripiraca! 4 in one area is a long time for him! but I'm happy to stay here cause I need to baptize, and we should baptize a lot this transfer.

So yeah not much else. I cant wait to talk to you on the phone at Christmas.

and on the 26th of this month I'll make 6 mos!!!

But not alot to say here this stupid computer cant read usb so I gotta switch to send photos.

but I love you all and hope you are safe, have fun in Nauvoo Dad and drive safe thanks for the jerky

I love you!!!
Bradley

Beach in Maceio

Crazy week

Date: Nov. 15, 2010

Area: Tabuliero, Alagoas

Companion: Elder Oborn

From Sacramento, California



Elder Oaks talks to Missionaries
10/29/10



Hey guys!!

 This week really was pretty crazy, but its going good here., my comp is Elder Oborn, from Sacramento. He's been out for 10 months, He´s really cool, and he´s definitely ready to work!!! We were in the same district in Arapiraca so I'm excited were gonna try and find a baptism this week we have a few that are close but just have a few little problems that we need to work out before baptism. but we´ve got a good group to teach and a lot of references.



Tomorrow is zone conference, so hopefully I'll have my packages and stuff. it should be good I like the conferences.

Elder Villanova is in the zone still so we´ll see each other every week at choir. Choir is pretty rough still we don't sound that good. but oh well.

I haven't taken new pics since last week at all cuz the 2 days I've been with Elder Oborn have been crazy!!!! so I don't have my camera but next week I'll try and upload all of the mission pics I have so far to that site . That´ll be good to have so I can send you more than just a couple per week.

I'm glad Dad's talk went good in Sacrament meeting. (They asked the parents report on their missionaries, we have 7 in our ward right now)

That's cool that Dad will go to Nauvoo. I bet he´s excited. Grandma will be a good missionary, what kinda things will she do? do the senior missionaries proselyte or what?  (She got called to the Nauvoo Illinios Mission, She has to be in Nauvoo next Fri. , Brad is driving with her then flying home)Thats great that McKay got his call. That should be a really good, interesting mission. (he got called to the Independence, Missouri mission) I really really love it here in Brazil Missao Maceio and sometimes I think of how different my mission would be if I was in the states, because here we teach a lot of people that can't read, and its kinda like teaching kids., it´d be cool to teach some educated people and eat a variety of food. and he´ll only have to be in the MTC for 3 weeks!!!! so that's a huge bonus!!! but I know that I'm here for a lot of reasons and I'm loving it here!!! I bet he´ll have a lot of really smart ppl that know the bible cover to cover, so he´ll have to study hard in the bible and the Book of Mormon. I started a letter to him and I have a few others that I still need to send, but I don't know where a mail place is. but I'll send them tomorrow when we go to  Farol for conference. I was gonna go to pay that dude for the covers, but today is a holiday so everything is closed, so I'll do it tomorrow too.


Next weeks is the 6th month mark!!!!! I'm almost a quarter of the way done already!!!!! that's a crazy thought!!!! its going by really fast but slow at the same time. hard to explain... but before we know it we´ll be talking on the phone. and I'm really excited!!!!! (I can't wait for the Christmas call)

Are the kids up to anything special or just the usual?
Is Brian just working a bunch? how's all the neighborhood like Brad and Jordan and Micah? have you seen Matt since his wedding? I still can't believe one of my best friends is married!!! it seems like yesterday we were in 4th or 5th grade playing Nintendo 64 and riding our bike around the neighborhood!!! lol I'm getting old!!!!

lol but what are Bubba and Brookie up to? tell everyone to email me next week!




10/11/10


But I'm doing good and having fun!!!
Love you guys be safe!!!!
Have a good trip Dad you lucky guy!!!!!

Bradley