Week 2- MTC: A Note from Jeff's Companion

Here's a funny excerpt from Jeff's mission companion's e-mail this week:

"... I have been pretty sore this week because we have been using our gym-time effectively by doing some pretty good workouts/weight-lifting. Elder Bromley is a beast, and is my personal trainer on new workouts! It is good, hopefully I am not gaining weight here with all the good food."

Week 2- MTC: Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear

It is absolutely crazy how fast time is flying here at the MTC! Everyday I hear at least one thing that is completely eye-opening to me about something I thought I already understood; I feel so blessed to be here.

So the first couple weeks, as fun as they were, also came with a lot of stress. The saying that God knows how to humble His people rings true almost everyday here. Needless to say, everyone in my district was feeling a little bit shaky after a few of our lessons with our investigator. The Elders and I gave some blessings of comfort and we were all able to grow much closer as not only a district, but as hermanos y hermanas in a family. It was really cool and I love being able to serve each and every one of them. The next day, Richard G. Scott came to speak for our Tuesday devotional and it was exactly what we all needed to hear. He comforted every missionary in the MTC with his message and even blessed us foreign language missionaries to "master the language." He also said that "the Lord has called us to succeed, not to fail. He will not abandon you. He will fit the task to your abilities." After that talk, my district has been doing great and we're advancing very rapidly through our Spanish lessons and learning how to be better missionaries as we teach our investigators.

One more quick story: I remember some advice my dad gave me before I left which I didn't quite understand at first. He said, "love the Peruvians and it will all go well." I had no doubt that I would love the people in Peru, but I wasn't sure why it was among the small bits of advice I recieved. Then last Sunday my companion and I were teaching at our District Meeting about recognizing the spirit. We asked the class to list "spirit inhibitors" and as they did I'd write them on the board. Out of random inspiration I decided to ask then which Christlike attributes cancelled out which stressors. As we proceeded down the list, I got to the word "fear." Remembering incompletely a scripture about love and fear, I asked if anyone knew what it was. One of the Sisters said it aloud, "Fear not...for perfect love casteth out all fear." (Moroni 8:16)

Every one of us missionaries can't help but be a little anxious about the near future, especially while planning or giving lessons to investigators. But that fear will only get in the way of our ability to "teach them," since the Spirit is what actually teaches them. We all need to realize why we do what we do. The Gospel is SO important to me and I want to bring its message to the world. I know I don't speak well and I cannot speak the language all too well, but as long as I act in my love for my investigators, God will handle the rest. It's not about learning the Spanish language, it's about learning the language of the heart, and if I can speak through my love for my fellow beings, what is there to fear?

I love you all and miss you all! I'm alive and well so don't worry! I'll write you again soon!

Alma 36:3 

Elder Jeff Bromley

Week 1- MTC: A Note from Elder Bromley's First Mission Companion

Elder Bromley's mother has become an active member of a missionary moms online group for missionaries currently serving in the Peru Lima South mission. She got in touch with the mom of Jeff's first MTC mission companion (Elder Clarke), who forwarded her the e-mail that her son sent home to her last week. This is what he had to say about being companions with Jeffrey:

"I have the best companion in the whole world. Seriously!! His name is Elder Bromley, he's from California, and he's half-Peruvian! On thursday, he became the District Leader and so I am the Senior companion by default. Life is pretty busy, but we are all doing great things! The first few days are long because we were getting used to the rules of the mission and what to do as a missionary, but it's not that hard if you are converted to the Lord. What this means to me is that I don't question any of the rules - I just do them! And work hard, and I am blessed. I love being a missionary now! So, Elder Bromley just turned 20 on March 3, and he went to BYU-I. He is so fun to be around - we have such a close bond as companions. I realized it is important to have fun and laugh, at the right times and places. During our companionship inventories and companionship studies/preparations to teach our investigator, Josue, he always illustrates his feelings or his understanding of the concept on Post-It pads or on the white board in our classroom. It keeps it very interesting and entertaining! He is basically an artist, too. He has a very creative mind, that is all over the place at times, but I love him for it! I will have to show you some of his drawings sometimes, they are funny. We get along really well together."

How fun to see Jeff as a missionary through the eyes of his companion :)

Week 1- MTC: Week One of the MTC

It is so crazy that I have been here for as long as I have! I honestly don't understand how time works at the MTC, but it's great here! My companion's name is Elder David K. Clarke and he is also going to the Peru Lima South Mission. He is probably the nicest and most sincere guy I have ever met and I am blessed to have him as my companion. He is from American Fork, Utah and is notorious in our class for ALWAYS being happy. It is great having him around all the time and we get along great. He and I are going to give a final lesson today to our first "investigator," who is really just a member acting as a investigator. His name is Josue Mendoza and we have taught four lessons with him. Suprisingly, language has become a much less formiddable problem as we have taught him the past four lessons. We were also able to commit him to baptism yesterday, which is a little comforting since we know we're at least on the right track to being perfect missionaries.

I have been called to serve as District Leader already, which isn't too bad since there are ten people total in my district, plus it's just an opprotunity to serve those in my district. All together, there are ten of us: Elderes Daisson and Calder, and Hermanas Williams, Marshall, O'Neill, Fullerton, Purnell, and Hogan. Although I have known them all for only a week, I feel totally comfortable around them and we are always trying to lift each other up spiritually. They will make it a very enjoyable six weeks at the MTC.

I have so much more to say, but no more time left to write. Just know that I am still healthy, still alive, and doing well all around. I look forward to writing a MUCH more in depth letter next week when I have more time and my journal. I love you all and miss you all!

Invitar a las personas a venir a Cristo al ayudarlas a qye reciben el Evangelio restaurado mediante la fe en Jesucrist, el arrepentiminto, el bautismo, la recepion del don del Espiritu Santo, y el perseverar hasta el fin.

Yo se que el Evangelio es verdadero y les amo mucho!

Elder Jeff Bromley II

Day 1: Entering the MTC

Today at 12:00pm, Elder Jeffrey Richard Bromley II reported to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, UT to begin two years of missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has been called to serve in the Lima, Peru South mission, but because of delays processing his visa, he will start his training at the MTC in Provo. When his visa arrives, he will be immediately transferred to the MTC in Lima, Peru. For more information about the MTC, click here.

This blog (managed by his sister Heidi) will be a way for all of Jeff's friends and family to keep up with his experiences as a missionary. The weekly e-mail updates he sends to his family will be posted here for everyone to read. If he sends home any photos, those will also be added to the blog. His current location and mailing addresses for letters and packages will be updated regularly as he moves to new areas. (You can find this information in the left sidebar.)

Elder Bromley would love to hear from you while he is away, so please send letters and packages to him when you get a chance! He would be grateful to receive your notes of encouragement and photos to remind him of the people back home who support and love him.

Thanks for supporting Jeff as he goes forth to serve the Lord and spread the word of God!

Party with the Perez cousins at Aunt Liz's house in Draper the day before reporting to the MTC.
(Left to Right: Jeff, Sebastian, Alexa, Adalia, Megan, and Flor)

Breakfast with his Aunt Liz and cousin Alexa before heading to Provo to report to the MTC.

Jeff and Alexa

                    

                                 Goodbye hugs
                               (Alexa, Liz, and cousin June)

      

Jeff with his dad (who also served a mission in Peru when he was young)

Entering the MTC!