March 31st Letter and Questionnaire

Hola Familia!

First of all, I am NOT, repeat NOT leaving in three weeks. I’m not sure what I wrote but the point I was trying to make was that I had been at the MTC for three weeks and time was flying by! Sorry for the confusion! Got your “Hump Day” package! Hermana Pray and I got a good laugh out of it seeing as our official “hump day” isn’t until Saturday, and because you have been writing me about it all week! Anyway, thank you and rest assured, we are saving the bubbly for Saturday – our official half-way point!

This week has been as good as the rest. Nothing too terribly interesting to write about. I’m really excited for General Conference this week. We get to watch all the sessions and guess what?!! You’ll just have to wait and see! It’s a good guess what! I can’t wait to see who our new 12th Apostle is going to be!

So, how are things going for everyone at home? You all write me often enough that I feel like I talk to you everyday, except that I don’t get to talk back! I love you all so much and I love hearing from you!

Sounds like our “Nuggies” are stepping it up. A lot of the Elders in the Zone are impressed with my knowledge of teams and playoff spots and such. There are a ton of Jazz fans here, but I represent our team well!

So, I ran into Elder Pagel last week. He just arrived here last Wednesday, and I heard someone yell, “Sister Bradfield!” on my way to dinner. In my surprise of having my name called out, I didn’t know who it was until I looked at his tag! When I figured out that it was Elder Pagel, I was pleasantly surprised. He was enjoying his experience so far. Then I saw Kevin (Mitchell) again, twice on Sunday. It’s great to see familiar faces from home!

Our zone leaders left this week with their district; so our President had to call new zone leaders. Guess who they are? Elders Bench, Bullock and Huston. Our new district leader is Elder Squires. When President Price came in to talk to our district, before Sacrament Meeting, to tell us about the change, he also told us that we were one of the closest districts he’s ever seen. It’s true, we are practically family!

Our Branch President and his wife are AWESOME! I have been really blessed. President and Sister price are so great, especially Sister Price. She’s our grandma away from home. She visits us Hermanas every Friday night, and this Friday she is smuggling in some Taco Bell for us. Muahahaha!

Love Always,

Hermana Bradfield

Questions for Hermana Bradfield to answer and send back!

1. What is your favorite time of day?

I love every part of the day! I really like Tuesday night devotionals and Sunday night firesides; but alas, you know me – my favorite time of day here is probably…wait for it…GYM! Haha, it’s seriously a nice time of day where I can turn my brain off for a little bit!

2. What is your Sunday schedule like?

Sundays are full of tons of personal study time. We have a little more time to get ready in the morning, breakfast at 7:40, personal study from 8:10-10:00, Relief Society at 10:00, then more personal study time until 1:15, when we have a district meeting. 3:00-4:00 is Sacrament Meeting, 4:00-5:20 we usually go back to our room until dinner, where Hermanas Pray and Walker take a nap and I try to read “Jesus the Christ” but end up passing out as well. Then we go to dinner and after dinner we hang out in the gym (which is also a dedicated chapel) until the fireside at 7:00. After that, we get to choose between various talks on video or movies that are playing or more personal study time. We usually pick one of the movies!

3. Besides Sherri Dew, what other general visitors have come to speak to you at devotionals and in church meetings?

Neil L. Anderson, from the Presidency of the Seventy; there was another Seventy member, but I can’t remember his name; the rest have been MTC people.

4. What is your bedroom and bathroom like?

The bedroom has 3 bunk beds, 3 desks and 3 closets; the bathroom is a community bathroom with several showers and toilets.

5. What is your favorite meal?

Breakfast – cream of wheat with brown sugar.

6. Is everything done as a district, i.e. classes, gym, meals, devotionals, etc.?

Yes; devotionals and meal times we don’t have to sit together, but we always do!

7. Do you get to play basketball with the Elders?

Sadly enough, I need another sister to play in order to play b-ball with the elders, and I have yet to find one willing! Oh well! You know me though, I’m right out there playing volleyball instead with the elders. Usually I’m the only sister, but oh well. Just last week, I jumped up for the spike and got 2 fists worth of punch in the ribs. All the elders were looking a little worried (especially the one that hit me) but I assured them I was fine. It really hurt and still does; but of course, no broken bones or even a bruise to show for it…ah fiddlesticks! If I don’t play volleyball I usually shoot a basketball around with other elders in my zone (but no actual games.)

8. Have you participated in any “volunteer” discussions yet?

Every Wednesday night. They are good practice, but can be very stressful for companions, which can make it stressful for me. Next week we have to teach our first time in Spanish!

9. How are your Spanish and gospel lessons coming along? Is there any chance that you could test out of the MTC earlier than May 7?

It’s okay, but even if I could test out, I wouldn’t want to because I need every minute here that I can get of Spanish.

10. Are you enjoying your calling as Branch Music Coordinator?

Yes, but the district that just left this week took the piano playing elder with them; so now I have to play unless someone new to the MTC can!

11. Did you enjoy your brownies that Katelyn and Austin sent to you?

LOVED THEM! I’ll take more of those anyday!

12. How do you handle being around so many cute guys? Especially those wonderful elders you have in your district?

So, Kim asked Kelly how she handles the “Cakeshop” of hotties at the MTC. Here is Kelly’s response…

1. There is no time to notice! They keep us so busy here; we seriously don’t have time to look around.
2. We are in class with the same people most of the day, so we don’t see a whole lot of the other Elders anyway.
3. My Companeras are so dang crazy that I am constantly laughing or having to keep an eye on them.
4. Probably the biggest reason – 99% of them are 2 years younger than me and many of them look like they could be 15!

Seriously though, I really don’t notice any of the Elders and that’s honestly because I really don’t care about that right now. I’m here to do the Lord’s work and it’s really easy to not think about it because I’m so focused!

13. How are you sleeping? How’s your bed?

Sleeping much better; the bed is no where near as good as at home, but it works. I’m so tired at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter!

14. When is bedtime?

10:30.

15. What time is your mail delivered? Your dearelders?

Letters arrive all day long, but our district leader checks the box before lunch and before dinner. Dearelders are always in the evening – we usually get those at dinner.

16. Who do you get letters from? Dearelders?

Letters – Mom, Kate, both Grandmas and Grandpas, Sheryl, Jeri, got one from Brandon today, still waiting to get the ones Kim keeps talking about, Elder Flanders

Dearelders – Dad, Mom, Kim, Gma Bonnes, Gma Bradfield, Sister Smith, Camille and Cheryl Flanders, Katelyn

17. What is your P-day (Preparation Day) schedule like?

Wake up and get ready, personal study from 7:00-8:15, breakfast, visit the temple, companion study after temple, email, lunch, letter time from 1:45-3:00, 3:00 laundry time and letter time until 6:00, dinner and then class again. Planning from 9:00-9:30, then time to get ready for bed again

18. Are you ever allowed off the MTC campus for reasons other than to visit the temple?

Hospital?? Other than that, no…well the field between the MTC and the Provo Temple is for gym time during warmer parts of the year.

29. How long did you get to wear your celestial sticker?

Until the end of the first night, after we met our Branch Presidency.