Elder Brannon's Marvelous Tucson Adventures: Season VI Episode IV

Hello everybody!

This week in Elder Brannon's Marvelous Tucson Adventures was real exciting and fantastic and I'm super emocionado to share a little bit about what's been going on here in the land of spiky plants! So, hold on to your horses for a moment, because this is going to be a real wild ride.

First (signficant) thing we did after last week's email was a companionship study with a member of the first Quorum of the Seventy. For those of you who don't know what a companionship study is, it's where (normally) my companion and I read scriptures and resources to help us prepare to meet the learning needs of the people we're teaching, as well as other content to help us edify (uplift) one another and prepare for an awesome day! And for those of you who don't know what a Quorum of the Seventy is, it's one of the top organizational bodies of our church (see Luke 10:1) and (this particular quorum) is directly below the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The members assist in leadership in individual regions of the world. Either way, Elder Taylor (my companion) and I had the incredible privilege and opportunity to study with him for about 30 minutes. It was an amazing experience (a little intimidating, but very spiritual!) and we loved it! (He was on a tour of the mission in general, so we also got to hear both him and his wife speak over Zoom several times, and he went to attend lessons and such with missionaries across the mission.)

The transfer continues; we have two more weeks, and then Elder Taylor will be beginnning his final transfer (six weeks left); as such, what will be happening is even harder to predict than usual! But whatever it is I look forward to it, and I know whatever happens is what is supposed to happen.

As of this last week I am also done with one third of the proselyting part of my mission and that's insane. (I've been in Tucson for 31 weeks now, for anyone wondering. That's how I record my journal entries.) I can't believe it's been that long. Regardless, my birthday is now coming up in two weeks (!) and it's an interesting feeling looking back at my year of being 18 years old (of which I've spent a majority on my mission) and seeing the personal growth and testimony of the Spirit that I've had the honor of having over the last year. Although sometimes it has been difficult and hard to move forward, the reward is incredible and I highly recommend to any of you thinking of going on a mission to do so. It will absolutely change your life for the better. You should do it! It may be hard, but I can promise you it will also be amazing!

I broke my bike pedal the other day (well, it broke itself, but I digress); half of it is somewhere on the Tucson streets and the other half is still being used. My bike is a hand-me-down that's been in the mission over two years, with constant use, so it's not quite in pristine condition. It does allow me to get the work done, however, and was free, and I'm very grateful to have it! Being able to bike, while sometimes difficult and tiring, is a blessing.

Also, Elder Taylor and I finally took photos on (and off) our bikes! I've attached a few:

(1) Getting a photo with the virus, the myth, the legend himself, COVID-19. It was a real honor to get to meet such a distinguished fellow.

(2) Elder Taylor and I having an epic time at a park. I think I look good in this photo but you're free to disagree.

(3) Elder Brannon on a bike at the aforementioned park.

Things are going well here in Tucson, and I hope they're going on well back home too! (I think high school graduation has either happened or is coming up; let me know how that went!) God bless y'all! Have an awesome week!

- Elder Brannon

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