Brantford- Week 7

July 2, 2012

Dear Family,

I need to apologize for last week's email. It wasn't consuming me, but
it at least bothered and nagged at me all week! It was not a very good
day last Monday, but its no excuse for me to be so negative. No one
wants or needs to read things that are as bitter as it was. I am weak,
but I'm glad the Spirit was nagging at me and reminding me of my
weakness, and I hope you can forgive me for my weaknesses.

Transfers are the time periods we go by on a mission, and they are
periods of 6 weeks. I say that because I had no idea how transfers
worked before I got out here. Anyways- I am one week into my second
transfer. I am more than half way through my training. The church has
a new program where new missionaries are to be trained and ready to be
a trainer by the end of their first 12 weeks. My first 7 weeks have
been full of experiences. Many positive and happy ones, as well as
some negative and bitter ones. As I have thought a lot about these
experiences over the past couple of weeks, I have realized that I'm
learning so much. I'm learning about how choices we make affect the
people around us. I've learned what to do, and what not to do. I think
one of the most important things I've learned regarding these things
is the idea that experiences we have, are 10% what happens to us, and
90% is how we react to things. And much of our experience depends on
our ATTITUDE. For example... last week, I made the choice to be
offended, to be bitter, to be hurt by someone. I didn't hate them, I
didn't have any feelings of malice towards them, but I was angry and I
wanted to prove them wrong. (I didn't in person, but I did in my mind
and in my email). But I should've reacted in a completely different
way. I should've just let it go. Sure, the things could've still
bothered me at the time, but after it passed I should have just let it
go. Learn from it, and move forward!

As I've been reflecting on the past couple of weeks as I've typed this
email, I've thought about the name I wear on my name tag. I am
supposed to represent the Lord Jesus Christ. And I must live in a way
and act in a way, and have the appropriate attitude, so that I can be
recognized as such. And another huge lesson I'm learning is that every
thing we do as missionaries must be done to glorify God, not self. I'm
learning that's a complicated thing to do. Its not like I go about
every day seeking to glorify myself, but at the same time- with an
email like last week's it was very much about me, myself, and I.

Nevertheless, I need to remember, as we all do, to be patient. To be
patient with our experiences, with other people, and with ourselves.
Each day is a new day, a day to decide to be better than yesterday. We
all are trying to have a good day every day. And much of that depends
on our attitude.

-----
Brantford is a beautiful place. The eastern part of the continent is
so old, and rich with history. Most of the buildings and houses here
are over a hundred years old. All old brick homes. Our house is not
though... its probably old, but its not brick. It is so green, and so
pretty in the country areas. I will have to take some pictures of some
of the places we have traveled. The scenery is nothing like the south
western U.S.--- On the Indian Reserve and country areas between
cities, there is a ton of green rolling hills. Big corn fields. And
some cities look like old Europe. It's really neat. I figured I should
say some things like this, since I haven't done much explaining of
those little things that make me smile. There are tons of squirrels
here too. Even different colors! Not just the reddish-brown we are
used to, but there are gray and black squirrels. They climb on all the
trees, and power lines, and all that stuff I've never really seen them
do before. Except the tree part, I've seen them do that. But most the
time it seems like they are on the ground all the time in California.
I will take some pictures today, and maybe send them next week.

I love being on my mission, and I am so grateful everyday to be here
in Brantford. I'm grateful for Jesus Christ, and His prophet Joseph
Smith, who taught that "The worth of every soul is great in the eyes
of God." And when asked, "How do we 'endure it well?" He said, "We
trust in God... and go on." I know these principles are true. God
knows each of us personally and loves us. Each experience we have is
for our good.

I love you all so much. I hope you have a good week!

Love,
Elder Brett Simper