Hey y'all! 

 

I am trying to be better at saying "y'all" and also have a southern accent. I would say I am getting better. :) First off, I love you all so much!!!!! Ok, onto the business. To start I am just going to answer all y'all's questions. Dad - Yes, I got my bike and it works really well! It has a lock and lights and the gears work really well. I didn't really ride it until yesterday, but it is a really nice bike. It also isn't super heavy which makes it easier to carry it up the stairs to our apartment. The bar is lower which makes it way easier to put my leg over the bike in my skirt. I haven't had any problems so far. The only funny thing is that when I sit on the seat I can barely touch the ground. I am just so short! Once I am up on the bike though it works great. The nice thing about Greenville is that it is completely flat! There are literally no hills so it is not a nightmare to ride our bikes. So how the miles works is we are allotted 1,180 miles each month. Basically we just have to plan accordingly. The thing that sends us over the edge on miles is when we drive to Greenwood for district meeting which is about an hour away I think. We also do "Thirsty Thursdays" which is where we try to bike the whole day to save on miles. Sis. White and I didn't do it on Thursday so we biked yesterday. For the most part we drive though. It is pretty nice. 

 

So each month we get $168 for food and toiletries. I think it will be enough but if I ever get to a point where it isn't I will figure something else or let y'all know. Just so you know I used my debit card at Walmart on Tuesday because I didn't know my pin number for my new card. I will also probably use it again because I wanted to get a Mississippi Christmas t-shirt this week. I am honestly going to try to be as frugal as I can. If I use the debit I will probably let you know why. I may be using it occasionally over the next few weeks for Christmas presents and such. But please let me know if there are any problems. 

According to Sis. White our mission will be getting I-pads before the end of the year. I guess a general authority came and talked to the mission and said we would be using them. I am not 100% positive when this will take place, but I will let you know. I am way excited if it does happen! I also heard that we will get to keep them and that our stakes are paying for them. We'll see! With meals we don't eat with members everyday. The ward here is very small and we just send a sign up each week to see if anyone will feed us. So mostly we just eat at our apartment. It works out though because Sis. White really likes to cook and is really good so I have eaten pretty well since I've been here. Every Sunday we eat at the Turley's house and this last Saturday we ate at Sis. Herron's house, and today we had lunch at the Hughes' house. The food has been amazing! At Sis. Herron's I had my first southern dish. It was pork chops, sweet potatoes, cornbread, turnip greens, and butter beans. Apparently this is a very southern meal. I really enjoyed it. People love to eat meat and pecans here! Holy cow! There are pecans everywhere! I am having to embrace my love for nuts more because they put nuts in everything. Thank goodness I'm not allergic to nuts. :)

So I sent you a card which has my address on it. Hopefully you got it. If not my Greenville address is 481 Cypress Lane Apt D #128 Greenville, MS 38701.  You can send everything directly to me. Especially with the holidays coming up. I haven't gotten any letters since I've been here. I did get a package from Erika though in the MTC so that was really nice and also your letters. I really do want letters though! I honestly hope I tried to be a good friend to those on their missions. I wasn't the best at sending letters, but I tried. 

 

Alright, so here is how my week has gone. Last Tuesday was transfers so we just hung out at the church for most of the day, went out to lunch, then headed to Greenville. We went to Walmart, unpacked, then emailed a little bit more. It was a pretty chill day. It actually stressed me out because we didn't do anything for most of the day besides talk and I felt like I needed to be doing something since in the MTC we were always doing something. On Wednesday we served at St. Vincent's which is a food and clothes shelter put on by the Catholic church. It was incredible. So many humble people. We passed out Thanksgiving chickens. We help out there every Tuesday and Wednesday morning. We get a lot of investigators from doing that and the ladies that work there are really nice. After that we had district meeting and then lunch and it was rough. I was so homesick I just wanted to hide in my room. But after taking a 15 minute power nap I was ready to go and we went to taught a lady named Kyah. She is the sweetest person ever. Her husband is a pastor and she has two little kids. When I met her I just felt like she was going to become a member of the church. She just has that amazing Spirit about her. We taught her the Restoration and I committed her to baptism and she said YES! Obviously, right now she doesn't know what she is getting herself into, but eventually she will. I was so shocked that I felt like I was still in the MTC. I didn't think people actually said yes to baptism in the mission field. :) Even though she was baptized in another church when she was younger, it never made sense to her why young children had to be baptized. She said it makes sense that children are perfect until 8 years old. She also understood the importance of having the correct authority to baptize. So we will see what happens! At the end of the lesson we talked about Thanksgiving and she asked if we had any ideas for desserts. We told her we could help her cook for Thanksgiving so we went to Sis. Hughes' house today to get some recipes and then we made some dessert and we are going to take it to Kyah and let her know we are still willing to help her make food. She couldn't meet with us until next week so we had to come up with something to make sure we could see her this week. :)

 

We also went tracting on Wednesday and I am not going to lie, not my favorite thing. I was really stressed and felt really uncomfortable. I feel a lot better about it now though. So we were tracting in this incredibly wealthy neighborhood and they had HUGE southern homes. The homes here are absolutely beautiful. We didn't have any success going to any of the houses, but right before we were going to go back to the car, we saw a guy picking up pecans in someone's yard. I tell ya, they are popular here. Anyway, he was basically doing something illegal because he was in someone's yard, but no one stopped him. So I asked Sis. White if we should talk to him and she said no. But then we got in the car and I just really felt like I needed to talk to him. So I told her and we got out and walked over. He got this huge smile on his face and we gave him a Restoration pamphlet and card. He was really nice and told us he had thought he needed to go to church and that he would bring his family to church. It is really segregated here in Greenville so he also asked if black people were allowed at our church and we told him yes! Anyway, that was that. Everyday I prayed for Deylon and his family and I want you to know miracles happen. Yesterday we were sitting in the back row of the chapel. Sacrament meeting had been going for about 10 minutes when Deylon and his family walked in. I ALMOST CRIED!!!!! I WAS SO HAPPY!!!!! He has three adorable little kids. What's crazy is that his wife knows Sis. Turley in our ward because Sis. Turley is her boss. This family already has a connection in the ward and they had no idea! It is so important to have the members involved. Because eventually we get moved to another area, but the members are stable. They didn't stay for the whole three hours because they didn't realize it would be that long, but they said they would come next week and be more prepared. We are going to call them this week and get an appointment set up. I seriously could not believe my eyes! It was the most amazing moment I have ever had! Man sorry I am talking so much. There is a lot going on. 

 

On Friday I told Sis. White we needed to organize everything. So we updated the area book, organized the white board, and made a list of everyone we were going to go see on Saturday. On Saturday we drove all over and saw a lot of investigators that hadn't been seen in a while. One house we stopped at was Shelley and the missionaries hadn't been to seen her in about 4 months. When we got there she came out and gave us the biggest hug ever! She had been suspended from work because she was late and she was really struggling. We taught her about the Restoration and committed her to baptism and to reading the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong. She has a crazy life. She even offered to say the opening prayer and she thanked Heavenly Father for sending us to her! It was so beautiful. I told her that I felt like there was a reason she had been suspended from work. Now she has two weeks to study the scriptures and for us to go meet with her. The Spirit has guided us so much this week and it has been amazing. I already love Shelley so much. She has a beautiful Spirit about her. 

 

So let me end with a funny story. We were tracting a few days ago and we started talking to a 19  year old girl. She was hilarious and super sassy which was even better! We were outside when a police officer came up and started talking to her asking if a certain person lived here. The girl was so nervous so we stayed with her. She told the officer she didn't know what he was talking about and then he drove off but then came back. She went over and kept talking to him. I was kind of nervous but then all of a sudden the girl realized that the officer worked with her mom and that her mom had sent the officer to her house. Super funny! The only thing I was thinking the entire time was I was going to protect this girl if it came down to it. If I had to take down the police officer I would have....haha! 

Thanks so much for writing me! I love you so much and want you all to know that I am trying so hard. The ward is wonderful and they are so sweet. Unfortunately is seems as thought the missionaries in Greenville in the past didn't blend very well in the area and so the ward is hesitant toward missionaries. We are working hard and so are the new Elders. The area was basically white-washed because the other areas had a bad attitude about this area. We are in the poorest city in the poorest county in the poorest state of the United States. It is very poor here. But on streets where I would normally feel unsafe, I feel completely safe on as a missionary. It really is wonderful. I am grateful. The Lord is watching out for me and I know he is aware of me. He is also so aware of all of you. Keep going strong.

Alright, mom if you could send those few clothes that would be great. Also if you could send my duffel bag (it is under my bed) and temple cards that we could use to write notes to less active members. The ward here consists of about 30 active members. We really want to try to get people back to church. 

 

 I know there is a lot of stuff about the week I didn't cover, but hopefully it will eventually all get covered. I love you! Oh, also the mission blog is mississippijacksonmission.blogspot.com. :)

Love, Sister Fry

 

 

MTC and Mississippi Arrival Pictures

 

Brady's district (group of missionaries, Elders and Sisters) in the MTC -- they all went to Mississippi together.

Brady's missionary tag

Brady being silly in her dorm room at the MTC

(Dayton said her room is really messy!)

On the train, leaving the MTC and heading to the airport

(in the middle is Sister Elms, her MTC companion)

 

Happy sister missionaries!

 

Thursday, November 13, 2014
Re:  Week One - Check!

First of all, I want you to know that I love you all so much! And I miss you too! You are all amazing and I would not be here in the MTC having just completed my first week without you. Thank you for your wonderful examples, your prayers, and your faith in me. So let's get started!!

After you dropped me off one of the first people I saw was Sister Stucki who was the Bishop's wife in the singles ward. She recognized me and gave me a huge hug! It was so nice to see a familiar face right as I was entering the MTC. I then got my name tags, books (I saw Sis. Peterson and she gave me a big hug - a sister in Brady’s home ward who works at the MTC), and then was taken to my dorm. After that I went to my classroom and the day began. Instead of boring you with all the little details I am going to tell you about my favorite part of the first day. All the new missionaries met with the MTC Presidency and had an orientation. One of the songs we sang was "We'll Bring the World His Truth." However, they changed the words from "we will be the Lord's missionaries" to "we are NOW the Lord's missionaries." The Spirit was so strong! It still didn't seem real that I am serving a mission for the Lord! It was incredible and so powerful....I can't wait for Camden and Dayton to experience it.

So far the MTC has been amazing! I honestly don't want to leave...I am my daddy's daughter. :) The food is really good and I have just gotten to a point where I will eat whatever. I usually get something different at every meal but I also always get fruit or a salad with each meal. I am so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies because I haven't had any stomach problems. I try to eat right and exercise. So far, so good. Oh, random question: Mom and Dad, when you worked at the MTC were you over the cleaning service the missionaries do? So I was talking to this guy who was telling us our cleaning assignment and he overheard me telling the other sisters that you both met at the MTC in this department. He thought that was weird because he is now engaged to a girl who also works in the cleaning department. Apparently the MTC is a great place to find your future spouse! Who would have thought? Yes, Brady’s parents met at the MTC working as Celestial Service Supervisors – they fell in love and are still in love 22 years later!

Guess what? On Sunday Sister Elms and I were asked to be Sister Training Leaders. They are equivalent to Zone Leaders so our job is to take care of the sisters in our district and zone. Our zone and branch consists of two districts. We got to welcome the new district last night and it was great! They are wonderful and I am so excited for all the experiences they will have! One of the biggest things I have learned is how important it is to serve. There have been times this week that I have been in a bad mood or been really frustrated with something, but then I think of what I can do to serve Sister Elms or someone else in my district. Even in my personal study I am constantly thinking about what I can do to help our investigators. When you go into personal study and companionship study with that mind set it is amazing what you can find. I have found scriptures that have helped Sis. Elms and I in our teaching and have really helped our investigators. Speaking of investigators, we are having a lot of success. We have three right now. Our first one is Chad. He is a real person but it is just a role play between our teacher Brother Bishop and us. Chad is one of Brother Bishop's friends and he acts as him. You would think it would be hard to really teach since you know it is Brother Bishop, but it isn't like that all. Sis. Elms and I completely view him as Chad. We have connected really well with him and he has the desire to come closer to Christ. He is reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and we have invited him to come to church with us. We taught a lesson earlier in the week and had another teacher sit in and be a "ghost" during the lesson so she could tell us after how we could improve. Afterwards, she asked "Chad" what we could have done better and he said nothing! She told us that we taught so well and taught with the Spirit that it did not seem like it was only our third lesson. Somehow we have been able to really connect as a companionship, with the Holy Ghost, and with our investigators. I felt so good after that experience!!! But then of course we have tried really hard to stay humble because it is not us testifying of this gospel, but it is the Spirit. A lesson cannot be taught unless the Spirit is there. As missionaries we are only guides for our investigators. The only way they can know for themselves if the church is true is by using the tools we give them: scripture study, prayer, etc. When the Spirit is there, it is possible to accomplish anything! 

Our other investigator is Patty (she is a real investigator). She is incredible! Let's be real....our first lesson with her was rough. She had so many questions and we tried so hard to answer them but we were jumping all over carnation. We also forgot to open the lesson with a prayer which did not help. The Spirit wasn't there and there was no structure. We have improved so much since then though. We have really connected with her and we invited her to commit to being baptized. She said yes. She told us that is the direction she wants to take her life. It was amazing! I would not be having much success though if Sis. Elms wasn't my companion. She is incredible. She is so insightful and is willing to work hard. We are so goofy together and have so much fun but also know when it is time to be serious and Spiritual. I love her to pieces!!!! I will also send you some pictures. 

I just want to tell you how amazing the Elders are. There really is a lot of strength in their Spirits and hearts. The Elders in my district are wonderful. We have so many inside jokes and get along really well. When we had first got here, one of the Elders said something that really struck me. He said the reason why he is on a mission is because he is not giving the Lord two years, but the Lord is giving him the rest of his life. When you think about it that way 18 months is nothing. Actually it is already going too fast! Everyone said it would go slow but it is flying! The days are definitely long and it is hard to sit in a seat for 9 hours straight, but it is wonderful. Before we know it we will be heading to Mississippi! Oh and guess what? We have to leave the MTC at 3am in the morning. Lucky us! Haha.....it will be rough on Tuesday but that is ok. Well, I have to go check my laundry but I will send another email hopefully in a few minutes or a little bit later to finish my thoughts. :)

Today I auditioned to play in one of the MTC devotionals or meetings. I played "If You Could Hie to Kolob." It was pretty good. I only had time to run through it once before I played. Sister Nally, the MTC President's wife, was the one doing the auditions. Unfortunately my song was too long (I didn't realize there was a time limit) but she said she would put me down for a yes as long as I got it down to 4:30 minutes. So Sis. Elms timed me and I cut some stuff out to make it shorter. Sis. Nally said since I leave Monday there isn't a guarantee I will get to play so that if I don't get to play they still love me. I am completely fine either way. I am just glad I auditioned.

Thanks for the emails from all of you. I just saw Cam sent me an email. :) I love you all so much! Next time I talk to you I will be at the airport. So I will probably call around 6:30am on Monday (at least that is what I hope so I can talk to Cam before he goes to school). My flight doesn't leave until 8 or 8:30am and I am going to buy a phone card here so it will be easy to call. Dad, I think I can just call on your cell phone if you are heading to work. Well, I love you all so much!!! Thanks for letting me serve a mission and please let me know if I can do anything for you!!!! Take care and next time I write I will be in Mississippi!!!!!!!!!!! Love you!

Love, Sister Fry

Called to Serve

Brady received her mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 13, 2014.  She was called to serve in the Mississippi Jackson Mission and she reported to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on November 5, 2014.  While she is away serving the Lord and the wonderful people of the South, her family will keep her blog updated weekly. 

She is hoping to use her music as a tool to touch the lives of those she comes in contact with -- music is a universal language and since Mississippi is the birthplace of American music maybe music can touch the hearts of those she teaches if her words don't :)

A special thanks to all of those who love her and support her in all of her adventures!  As parents we appreciate all those who have touched her life and contributed to the amazing young woman she is becoming.

Here's to the beginning of the next 18 months!  Yeehaw y'all!

With love,

Brent and Heather Fry