December 19, 2011: welcome (back) to the jungle

Hey Everyone,

I'm back in KZN, in a township called Molwani. I think all this
mission really does is ask me to exchange one breathtakingly beautiful
place for another. I'll send pictures when I take some. The good news
is the internet access and mail systems are way better here. My new
companion is Elder Sikyanika from Zambia. He finishes his mission in 2
months so I'm going to be the last companion he'll ever have....well
second to last. I wish I had more to say but really I'm still getting
my bearings. I can say the work is the same here as anywhere else on
the planet. The food is better though. I like Zulu food over Sotho.

I've attached the wedding pictures from that last Saturday. The
painting I did my self. It was so beautiful and so fun ( the wedding
not the painting). I've got about a hundred more pictures of the
wedding but I figured you didn't need them all.

I love you all and cant wait to talk to you next week. Have a Happy Christmas!

Love,
Elder Brazee

December 12, 2011: WHAT A WEEK!

In a word I could say I'm exhausted,

This had to have been one of the most hectic weeks on my mission. As I
mentioned last week we had a wedding!! It was organized by us
missionaries to do some extenuating circumstances. It had us up and
down qwa-qwa almost the whole week trying to fit it in to our already
packed schedules. We tried our best to spread the work out evenly
among us. Among other things I ended up making the invitations,
wedding cake, guest book and I painted a portrait of the couple. They
went through so much to get to this wedding, it seemed like they were
challenged every single step of the way. Through all the stress
confusion it ended up being a beautiful ceremony. Then the day ended
off great because the couple missionaries took all of us Elders out
for Chinese for all our hard work and for a bit of Christmas
celebration. It was A-MAZ-ZA-ZING I haven’t had Chinese since I don't
know when.  I can't send pictures this week but I'll do my best to
send them next week.
 Then the next day (which was Sunday) started off with the bang, It
turned out their wedding caused some emotional ripples for some
certain people and rumors began to fly, about the couple, about the
missionaries, about everything. The Branch President sat us
missionaries down and gave us a stern talking to about some
allegations, only to find they were all false productions of the rumor
mill. He handled it great though, really stepping into his role a
branch president and smoothing the matter out, at least as much as he
could. I had so much respect for the way he handled the whole
situation.
Nothing could damper our spirits though as after church we watched and
participated in the baptisms of six beautiful souls. The spirit was so
strong as one after another they testified of how they came to know
this gospel was true and what it meant to them. One young woman in
particular by the name of Papi Mofukeng bore a powerful testimony
about how Satan had taken the Earth though it is not his to take and
it was our duty as children of God to take it back. I wish you could
hear it the way she said it.

Finally I got the sad news today that I'm going to be transferred my
Bus leaves at 3:30 am tonight, or I guess tomorrow morning. I am
heartbroken to leave this area. I've grown to love these people so
much. Each goodbye is a difficult as the last. But I know I will go
where I am needed. My new area will be a township called Moane in the
Durban area. So I'm switching languages again, back to Zulu. I'm
excited for the new adventure but so very sad to leave. The area, my
companion, these people.

I love you all and thank you for your support, I love this work and
this church.
"My soul though all Hell will endeavor to shake,
I'll never no never, no never forsake"


With all my heart,
Elder Scott Milton Brazee

December 6th, 2011: Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone,

What a crazy week so far. We've driven up here to Bloemfontein for a conference which is why this email is a day late. It was so wonderful. Elder Cook from the 70 was there and spoke to us. I was inspired to say the least. He's a wonderful teacher. My musical number seemed to go over well I did "O Little Town of Bethlehem" with a bit of a western feel. The president and his wife really enjoyed it, so that was nice. Have I told you about Bro. Thato and Sis. Kede? they are this amazing couple who are investigating the church, this upcoming Saturday they are getting married and the following day they are getting baptized. We are so excited for them. please keep them in your prayers. Me as well, cause guess whose planning the wedding.... That's right you guessed it. It hasn't been easy either, with out going into to to much detail, their road has been a tough one and the branch almost completely pulled all support from there marriage for personal reasons with was a blow to all of us. But they are determined to do what they know and feel is right no matter what gets in the way. Also we unfortunately, lost one of our members, Maria Chabangu to a stroke last week. She was very sick and staying with family who didn't know us, so they weren't sure who to contact when she passed away. it wasn't until the Thursday night before the Saturday morning funeral that we found out, and they wanted us to take over the funeral. I don't know if you know anything about African funeral's but they are NO small affair. again with a lot of scrambling and minimal support we managed to come up with what was needed. It was a beautiful ceremony. The family ended up taking care of it most in the end, but they really did there best to honor our practices as Latter-Day Saints. I was able to dedicate the grave which was an interesting experience for me. But I can honestly say that as I did so I had the warmest feeling that she was safe with our Father in Heaven and exactly where He meant her to be.

I hope everyone is doing well, I love hearing from you and hope that you have a wonderful week as we head into these holiday seasons!

With love,
Elder Scott Brazee

November 21, 2011: I think someone is trying to poison me

I was really sick this week, I was pretty much bed ridden all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm not sure what it was or what caused it. It was bad though. I'm feeling about 98% now though, just tired and a little weak but I' sure I'll be up and running in no time. The first counciler in our branch's wife was baptized yesterday which was so awesome. I couldn't get out of bed for all three hours of church but I managed to hobble over to the church for the baptism, then it was strait back to bed for a while. She bore one of the most powerful testimonies about faith and our duty to lift those around us. The branch is doing well. We have a wedding coming up on the 10th as well which is really exciting. Thanksgiving is coming up this week, I'm not sure what we'll do but I think I'll try to make stuffing at least, and maybe some yams. Its on the same day as the other missionaries in our boarding's investigators birthday so I think well have a nice dinner. Other than that I'm happy and love this place. Me and my companion get along really well. and the church is true.

-Elder Brazee

November 28, 2011: Thanksgiving

Hello Everyone,

It was a great week. I feel much much better, I'm not sure what I had I think maybe my body is just still adjusting to things over here. The water and food and things. hopefully this wont be a regular thing because it's painful and boring but I dont think it will be. I did get to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way. We were going to try and make a big meal since there is three Americans in the boarding but lack of time, talent, and resources sort of put a stop to that so we settled with all getting kota's for lunch. Kota's are a quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with palony, vienna's and chips. topped with cheese. A beautiful example of the potential of the creative mind. But that was going to be the extent of our Thanksgiving celebrations. Then at our last appointment that night a very nice Mme informed us that she had made dinner for us and the other missionaries to eat at home. She told us we could grab it on the way out. We were expecting maybe a sandwich or something. To our surprise she stacked into our arms 7-8 large tupperware containers filled with meat and potato's and sides and cake and everything you could dream of. So that night we had Thanksgiving after all.
This upcoming weekend will be our Christmas conference. I'm very excited. They've asked me to do another musical number I wonder how many times its going to take them that I'm really just a one trick pony. Also I'll get mail! so that's something to look forward to. It's been about 6 weeks.
I'm really enjoying my area and this work. I love to see the growth of these wonderful people as they make righteous changes in their lives. Familys growing closer together young boys becoming men, girls becoming valiante daughters of God. It's all possible through the all encompassing Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm especially excited to be entering into this Christmas season. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.
Love,
Elder Brazee

November 14, 2011

It was another really good week. I realize I havn't said much about my companion, his name is Elder Diseko he's from Jo-burg. He's a great guy and great companion we really get along great together. We'll hopefully have about three more months together but you never know. I think the most interesting thing I can say about this week was that I ate chicken feet! yes ma'am I did. And they were actully really good. Ill send you pictures when I can. Things are going well, I'm happy and healthy and excited for the holidays. I can't believe how fast time is moving. I love you all and I love this work.
Sorry This is a short one.
Happy Birthday Sue and Grandma Barbara,

Elder Brazee

November 7, 2011

Hello Everyone!


Its been a nice week, me and my companion Elder Diseko are really getting along and I love the other missionaries I'm boarding with. We got kicked out of our building where we were meeting for church. Hopefully just temporarally, but it's cause a bit of stress. We were able to rent a school room at a Primary school near where we were meeting before. It's small but it will do, I like it because we all have to sit closer together and you get that real good family feel. Nothing can stop the work from progressing. Yesterday Karabello the little girl who was baptized last week, asked me to confirm her. It was my first chance to perform that ordinance and I was so honored that she had asked me to do it. It was a great experience for me. After church we made lunch for one of the families we're teaching to give the Mme a break. I made a chicken casserole to give 'em some good ol' American home cooking. It actually turned out really nice, of course I knew it would... That's right ladies, I can make casserole. Please one at a time, no pushing.
In other news my companion Elder Diseko has never seen skittles before and LOVED them so he has requested you send him a bag of his own. Also Mom, I got your Christmas package this week by some sort of mail miracle, I'm doing my best not to open it.
Things are going really well I feel good, I'm doing my best to live each day to the fullest, you only get so long until your todays become yesterdays. By dialing in on the moment and not worrying about the future I've really been able to lift my spirits high. The Lord has helped me, there's no doubt about that.
I love being a missionary, I love this work, this country and these people. I know this church is true, and it mattereth not if those words are coming from an 8 year old or the prophet. It is the same.

Love,
Elder Brazee

October 24, 2011

Hey everyone,

It was a really good week this week. Church was great yesterday. There was a young woman named Matlikala, who I was able to perform the baptism for a few weeks ago, that gave a talk about living the Word of Wisdom. She worked so hard on it and you could tell she really cared about the things she was saying. One of the lines from it really hit me she said "If we are not willing to follow all of God's commandments, we should ask ourselves if we really even believe in him at all"
On a mission you get some wonderful experiences to remind you why you're out here. Yesterday we met with a young wife and Mother. This was only the second time we had met with her. She poured out her heart to us because she trusted us. She told us after we had left the first time she prayed to God to ask him if were sent by him and received an answer. We sat there as she tearfully related to us about how feels forsaken of God. I wave of love rushed over me as we spoke, for this person I barley knew, I was reminded again of why I had been sent here in the first place, I came because people like her need the blessings of comfort and peace that come from the gospel, from know who you are. I testified to her that I KNEW God loved her, because if nothing else that's one of the only things I know for myself. As we spoke I could feel God's love for her from the tip of my toes to the top of my head. Then me and my companion sang for her "Did you think to pray"
The Spirit was so strong and I knew she could feel it because in the place of her weeping and defeated countenance was a smile that lit up the whole house.
No one can tell me I don't love these people, no one could tell me that this is a waist of time, no one can tell me I'm not making a difference. If they say or think that, they don't understand what missionaries do.

Its not hard to find out, just read ponder and pray, that's all anyone has ever asked.

Love,
Elder Scott Brazee

October 17th, 2011

 Hey everyone,

It's been a nice week. Me and my companion really focoused on working hard and we got a lot done. I finally got to watch conference this week end but only the Sunday sessions so far. They were Amazing. I especially enjoyed the Sunday morning session, every talk seemed to be directed right at me. I encourage anyone who hasn't watched it yet to do so.  I am convinced I'm serving in the most beautiful place on the planet. Spring has turned to summer and everything is green and beautiful. The pink blossems on the peach trees have turned to sprouting green leaves. I love this place, I've tried to take pictures but honestly I think you guys just need to be here to see it. The Branch is doing well. I love this work. I know this stuff is true. It brings so much peace to so many. I don't know if I've shared this already, but I've been thinking a lot about truth lately and how it doesn't matter if no one else believes it, if no one at all believes it. If your family calls you crazy, if your friends can't understand, something that is true is true. NO matter what. I see that conviction to truth in so many of the pioneers here. It's an inspiring thing.

-Elder Scott Brazee

Please remember Scott as you send out Christmas cards.  I know he would love to hear from all of his siblings, cousins, and friends.  It takes several weeks for Scott to get mail so send something his way soon.

Elder Scott Milton Brazee
South Africa Durban Mission
8 Windsor Ave
Westville
3630
South Africa

October 10, 2011

I'm not sick anymore at all so that's good.  We're continuing to buckle down and work hard. The Branch seems to be slowing down, church attendance has been raining so we know we need to step it up. I'm realizing more and more each day what my mission is really about when I'm doing it right. It's all about shaping, and saving lives, learning and growing. Jesus Christ being the center of it all. Numbers mean people and that's why we keep track of them. I was inspired by something one of the assistants to the President talked with me about a couple months ago while we were on exchanges (I'm not sure if I all ready shared it with you) but he spoke about how Jesus Christ himself, during his mortal ministry, helped and healed SO many people, but not all of them. In fact, probably not most of them, dropped everything and followed him. But that wasn't why he did it, and that's not why we do it.
 
I'm looking forward to conference so much! We should start watching it on this Sunday. It's such a battery recharger. Whether you are a member of the church or not I would invite you to look up some conference talks, I know they will bring peace to all who read/watch them. I wanted to try and send some more pictures again this week but yet again the cafe I'm at will not allow it (because all the computers are so run down most of the USB ports don't even work.) I love you all thank you for your letters and emails and support.
 
Elder Scott Brazee

October 3, 2011

So I'm completely better now but last week right after I sent my email I puked all over the outside of the email shop...and a couple more times. I think it was some bad chicken.
We've entered the rainy season here, so lots of rain, hail, and lightning storms. It's making everything so beautiful and green though so its really nice. I'm doin my best to learn sotho. Here's a new phrase for you. Kopaomphe; that means could you please hand that to me.  The p and h are pronounced as they are not as a F noise. I don't think I've mentioned it but I haven't eaten with a fork and knife in ages. Here the two untencils you use are a spoon and your fingers. Something I don't think I will take home. The work is going really well here, I'm doing me best to stay diligent and work hard, it makes it all worth it though when you knock on someones door and they say something like " I was praying that God would send someone to me".

I just heard about the Durban temple!! I'm SO excited what a blessing. I haven't gotten to watch conference yet, hopefully with in the next few weeks.

Well, right after here I'm headed back to Losotho for the night, so more cool stamps. I love you all and think of you often, please keep me in your prayers.

Love,
Elder Scott Brazee


* For those of you that are fasting this Sunday, will you please keep Scott in your prayers. Thank you all for your love and support. I appreciate you as does Scott.

Africa.

watch this video of scott! you'll love it.


listen for the high solo towards the end. that is Elder Scott Brazee. Gives me chills every time. 

September 26, 2011

Hey everyone,

It was a great week, I've got a new companion now, his name is elder diseko and he's from soweto, I wish I could write more but I'm feeling really sick with food poisoning and I can't really focus. I'll be better soon. attatched are some pictures of a tuckshop I painted

-Elder Brazee

September 19th, 2011

Hey Family,

It's been a bit of an up and down week. First of all I'm getting a new companion in a couple of days his name is Elder Diseko and he's from right here in ZA. I'll tell you more about him when I meet him. Also I wanted to send you some pictures finally but it seems the computer I'm using doesn't want to work properly so maybe next week. We had a lot of people at church yesterday and we've really made some break through's with some of our investigators which is great. It was a bummer though when we went to stop by one of the young men's house who was recently baptized as soon as the door opened a thick cloud of Dagga (South African marijuana) smacked us in the face, and we saw all manner of lasciviousness happening inside. He was embarrassed and we were heartbroken. But our love for him and desire to help make the changes he has so earnestly begged to help him with are unfeigned.
I don't think I mentioned that one of my flat mates is an Elder named Elder Apuna, he's from Hawaii and worked at the Polynesian Cultural center before mission. He's teaching me how to fire dance and we're working out together every morning so I'm not going to lie I'm getting pretty fit. Which is nice. Also just a tip I have received from some other missionaries if anyone is planning on sending me anything for Christmas it would be best to send it before the end of October if you want me to get it on time or at all.

This mission is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know I am where I am supposed to be, I know this is Christ's church and I know he has guided me to people who need the gospel in there lives, even last night one women we were teaching told us about how she prayed to God for us to come to her house. This work is the work of the Lord there is no doubt about it, and I can not be ashamed for doing it.

Love and miss you all,
Elder Scott Milton Brazee







Dear Family,

The cheapest way to get packages to Scott is to fill a priority mail envelope. The card board kind. I know that he just wants to hear from us so please don't send anything expensive, just let him know that he is in your thoughts. I will try to get something out to him by the end of September if you want to give me something to send to him form you. Please make an effort to send him a card or something. I think he needs his family right now and besides keeping him in our prayers and sending e-mails, I believe he needs something tangible in his hands.

Love you all,
Cheri :)

September 12, 2011

Another quick week,


When I got here Qwa-Qwa was brown and cold and dead, but it has officially given way to spring, its beautiful here, almost every house has 2-3 peach trees in their yard, which are covered in bright pink blossems I baptized a young lady yesterday named Matlakala, I hadn’t taught her the other missionaries in our area had but she couldn’t choose which one she wanted to baptise her so she asked me to. It was a nice service, she is deathly afriad of water which made things exciting, but she was very excited about the step she was making. I also spoke in church yesterday, my assignment was “pray with out ceasing, lest ye enter into temptation” I feel like it went well. The picture attatched is of an event a little bit ago. We had gone to meet with one of our families when we were informed that didn’t have water (something that happens pretty frequently here, did I tell you we didn’t have water for almost a week one time) so we grabbed there bucket so we could fill them up at our house. Then we saw there were other people who needed water as well so we went around to the whole neighborhood and collected everyones buckets so we could fill them and bring them back. I felt a little like Santa Clause. It was fun. This work is hard, but so rewarding. I hope everyone is having a great week. Well actually nevermind about the pictures they are taking too long to load just know that the truck was FULL, it was cool.

Love,
Elder Brazee

September 5th, 2011

Hey everyone!,


Sorry this is going to be a short email, I promise to send a nice juicy one next week. I'm emailing late this week because we had a Zone Conference yesterday on our usual email day. I'm alive and well. Zone conference was more than uplifting. It was a long trip though, about 5 hours each way and I'm the only one who can drive stick, (I'm driving a truck in this area I don't think I've mentioned that) Me and the other Elders in my boarding sang "each life that touches our for good" for a musical number, it went really well. I also started painting Lawrence's tuck shop for him, I'll send a picture when it's finished. OH and one cool thing that happened yesterday was when a bunch of us went to McDonalds in the evening after Zone Conference and the owner of that particular branch was there and she gave us all free ice-cream cones, she had no idea who we were but our name tags said Jesus Christ and she said that "We deserve it if we work for Christ" It was so awesome. We all took a lesson of kindness from her. I hope everything is going great for you and I love hearing from you. HAve great weeks,


-Elder Brazee

August 29, 2011

Hey Everyone!

This was a great week. Mail call was successful somewhat, I got a letter from Gabi she sent 2 months ago from Honduras I hope I didn’t make anyone feel bad, I didn’t mean to. So here’s a story for the week, I think the Lord has definitely prepared me to serve in this area at this time. Last Tuesday evening my companion informed me that we were doing an assembly for 750 elementary school students in the morning. “What are we going to do?” I asked “I don’t know.” He replied . It seemed like no one really knew what to do and the clock was ticking. Because of my experience as Rally commissioner in highschool and doing assemblies and things at the elementary school i was able to, merely hours before, create an assembly complete with musical numbers, skits, and games to keep the children involved and interested for the whole hour. Afterwards the principal invited us back the next year and many of the teachers complimented us on how well prepared we were. It was a blessing for sure. Attached is a car wash sign I painted for a guy named Lawrence, he's trying to turn his life around and this is part of his small business. The Branch here is getting stronger everyday, and we're led by a great Branch President. His name is President Zuma and he loves Jazz and refuses to cut his dreads, he's awesome and inspirational. I'm still struggling to get peoples names down so if anyone has any tips on memorizing peoples names when they are in a different language they would be greatly appreciated.
Some things I could use/have been craving that I can think of at the moment would be:
Twizzlers
Pop-Tarts
A new sketchbook
if its possible a Sotho English Zulu dictionary.

I Love you all I wanted to write more but time is very short today,

Elder Brazee

August 19, 2011

Well I'm getting used to my new area, It's warmed up A LOT this last week we are diffiently headed into summer. My companion is Elder Nthombela not elder Kaseke BUT he does know the family Sis McCombs taught, they arnt related though just same surname. Things are going well here, It's way busyer than my last area the branch is growing at a rapid rate. Nothing really that exciting happened this week. I can just tell you that this place has really been prepared. Oh and some girl just proposed to me in Sotho like 8 minutes ago and my companion had to explain to her the impossibility of that particular situation. It's strange being in a place where everyone is speaking a language that you don't understand. But the thing is they all understand English so they know what I'm saying to them but they have no clue what I'm saying to them. I'm learning though, at least I'm trying to learn. Later tonight we're going to Lesotho for a Zone Meeting so I'm going to get a shiny new stamp on my passport, one of many so I'm told. I'm adding on to my countries I've been to that you've probably never heard of list, right now it's at one. I also might get mail tonight so that's exciting as well whether anyone has sent anything or not I haven't gotten any mail in about 12 weeks now, so we'll see if anyone sent me anything tonight. Africa is a beautiful place full of beautiful people. I can feel the Lords love for them more and more everyday. They are so humble. Also I'm teaching a lot of gangsters, no one really grows up in a stable home around here and most young men are in 'gangs' before they hit 12 and most of them have no idea what they re looking for or where they are going. There's one guy named Lawrence who just got baptized a few weeks ago and he's pulling up all his friend's with him its cool to see. He built a little Tuck shop (which is like a road side stand that sells sweets and chips and stuff) and he wants me to paint his portrait on the front so I'll be doing that in the next week or so I'm pretty excited.

The Church is true, but don't take my word for it.

I love you all,

Elder Scott Milton Brazee

August 15, 2011

Hello Everyone,

Well remember when I got my call and it said South Africa and I thought I wouldn't so much as need a long sleeved shirt and than how today I woke up and it was snowing. Yeah, me too. Don't worry though I'm staying warm. The official spelling of my area is Phutaditjahaba in the Qwa-Qwa province. It really is beautiful here it reminds me a lot of the high desert or southern Utah. Except everyone speaks Sotho (pronounced soo-too) and I'm the only white kid with in a hundred K's. My companion is Elder Ntombela from Jo-burg. He's a great missionary really wants to work hard, which is good. The Branch I'm in is very very new, in fact it was only established two weeks ago, before that it was just a group. This Sunday we ordained five guys to the Aaronic priesthood, the growth here is amazing and I am grateful to come here at such an exciting time. I've got a very warm welcome so far the people here are very very nice. I'm struggling a little with the language barrier but I know its just a short matter of time before I hop over it. We live in an old house with two other missionaries one of them Elder Apuna is from Hawaii. The other is Elder Kaseke from Zim. We've meshed really well so far. I think I've answered all your questions so far. Sacrament meeting was very powerful yesterday we meet in a school house down the street from where we live. IT'S AMAZING no matter where you go in the whole wide world no matter how new the Branch is no matter how few there are, or how many the feeling is still the same. I love Sundays so much because no matter where I am I feel at home. I try and send some pictures next week.

Love Elder Brazee

August 8, 2011

Well we got transfer news yesterday and I'm outa here next stop Puthajigaba (not sure if that the spelling but its pronounced pu-ta-ji-jabba) Its way up north near Lesotho where it snows. I didnt think I would need any snow gear in Africa but I guess I was wrong, dont bother sending any though I'm sure by the time it gets here itll be to late apparently its relentlessly hot in the summer which is just around the corner for us. Good byes have been sad and I have about a billion pictures but I dont have time to load them all so it will have to wait.

I did load one though this is a picture of one of the most beautiful people I've ever met, her name is Nsikilalo, or Princess if you can't pronounce that. I have to tell you about her. As you can see she is in a wheel chair. She only has one leg the other one is just some wire and cloth she stuffs in the pant leg. she wasn't born that way. To hear her tell her story is indescribable. She would tell it to you if she could she wants to be an example to the world.

When she was about 13 in 1996 which was not a great time to live in the rural area's of South Africa. There was a lot of political unrest the two parties the IFP and the ANC where more like gangs than anything else and debates and demonstrations often ended in violence. Nsiki and her family sat in there house one night waiting out a local riot. They could hear the gun shots in the distance. Then there was a knock at the door. Nsiki's mom sent her to open in the door. In came a man. He asked for food. Nsiki was told to make him something to eat. They sat there until the man was done. Then he turned to to Nsiki and asked her "Do you like plays?" The truth was Nsiki did, she loved them she wanted to perform on stage at school. The man asked her if he could teach her a new play. It was late and she refused, she told him he could come back tomorrow. He insisted and told her it was a short one. So she agreed. "This play is about a man and his wife" he said "This wife doesnt like her husband because he is always drinking. So she kicked him out of the house." They began to act out the "play" He would say a line then he would tell her what to say. They went back and forth for a little bit and then he told her to say "If you wont leave than just shoot me" and he pulled out a gun. Nsiki became very frightened She asked him to put it away. He told her it wasn't loaded and not to worry just say the line. So she said it, he raised the gun aimed at her heart and pulled the trigger.

The next few hours she was in and out a consciousness bright lights, pain, darkness, pain. Her family called the ambulance so they wouldn't come, it was too dangerous. Then weeks later she woke up, she doesn't know how she got there. She trys to sit up, she can't. Her body wont move, she's paralyzed. That was the first day of nine years she would spend in the hospital. Her mother came to visit only once in those nine years, to disown her. she worked through pain and suffering and loneliness, she lost one of her legs due to the poisoning from the bullet and the other one is not far from going. after nine years she was able to gain control from the waist up. The hospital gave her a house and a grant, and then her family showed up, she was no longer useless to them. she married a man she knew from before the accident but he left her because she couldn't have children. She fell into a deep depression she had a child with a young man. The child's name is giftee as soon as I saw him I could tell he had downs syndrome but I don't think she knows that.

When I met her she was bitter, addicted to drinking and smoking and willing to make any day her last.

I wish I could explain every detail but I'm out of time. She no longer that women today, she knows her worth she knows who she is. She's turned her life around and she wants to be an example and leader in her community. I cant wait to tell you more about her, hers was my saddest goodbye.

I love you all, I'm happy and healthy and I cant wait to start a new adventure!

Elder Scott Milton Brazee

July 18th, 2011

Dear people,

We had President Interviews last week, they went well. President basically told me I'm being transfers at the end of this transfer so I've got 4 weeks left then I say goodbye to Margate. The weather has been nice, it rained this week but other than that its been starting to warm up a little. With my luck though I'll be transferred inland where there getting into the 5's and 6's (Celsious) I've been getting along with my companion well, he's an easy guy to get along with. Holiday season in officially over today all the kids are back to school which in nice for us because as I may have mentioned before virtually our entire branch and teaching pool is made up of students and teachers and parents who are teachers with student kids etc. Also today is Mandella's 67thh birthday and as such each citizen is urged to do 67 mins of service or good deeds of some sort, which I thought was pretty cool.
Yesterday a Biology professer by the name of Angila was visited the branch from Honolulu HI. She was here on a teachers with out borders project, which I am going to need to do a little researce about when I get home because it sounds awesome. She took some pictures of me and my companion and we gave her our (your) email address's so hopefully you get those. When you do please send them my way. Speaking of which your emails have been severely lacking in pictures lately. I know there gotta be some pictures of that wedding, new houses, backyards, vacations, etc. I'd like to see your beautiful smiling faces please.
One of the young girls in the branch broke he collar bone ( an injury never to be forgotten, I know). We went to give her a blessing the other day, she obtained the injury after falling funny on a jungle gym, her mom suspects the fact that she was wearing a spiderman outfit has something to do with it. I drew her a picture of a Unicorn to color when she gets better. And I'm sending it on so you folks at home can color it too! She is probably one of the most adorable little girls I've ever come across.
Otherwise I'm happy and healthy, I'm learning and learning every single day. I know the church is true, I know our Father is an actual being, real and tangible and accessible through prayer, and I know he loves us.

-Elder Scott Milton Brazee

July, 11 2011

Hello everyone,

Another fast week, its winter holidays here for the school so things have been a little out of whack, especially for us since we're in a tourist town. Everyone we're teaching has a ton of family over or has gone for the holidays and everyone we meet is from far far away. It's still been good though. Except for that my companion lost his wallet, just gone no where to be found. He had his licence in there and everything so it was quite the bummer. We looked everywhere. Other than that though its been a pretty normal week. Sithembile is continuing to be awesome. She brought her cousin to church yesterday AND she said a prayer in sacrament meeting which was he biggest fear. Because it holiday season we had a lot of visitors and so the meeting was bigger than usual and as I was sitting at the sacrament table I could see her eyes get bigger every time someone else walked in. But she did it, and did a great great job. Things with my new companion have been great. We get along well no real disagreements or anything. Its just hit me though that my time in Margate is coming to a close, Its going to be like leaving home again, Ive been here almost six months, or at least I will have been by the time I leave (it's possible I'll stay for another transfer and make it 7 1/2, but chances are slim) I've gotten to know and love the people so well. I know though that it will be the same in my next area and every area if I let it. Thank you everyone for writing whose written, its always great to hear from you. Also a very big congratulations to Will and Diana I hope all the best for you guys and can't wait to see pictures of the wedding!

Love,

Elder Scott Milton Brazee

(thats my companion looking pensively out to sea and myself taking a different perspective on the world around me)

NEW ADDRESS

The Mission office has moved! so please dont send anything to 8 Windsor anymore the new address is!

Po Box 1741
Wandsbeck
Durban
South Africa
3631.

June 27, 2011

Well we got transfer calls last night and there are going to be some changes. Elder Tidwell is leaving me and heading to Bethlehem which is right near Lesotho, it snows there soooo he's going to be cold. I'm going to miss him a lot he was an awesome companion but at the same time I'm excited to move forward and see whats next for me. My new companion is going to be Elder Magoffin, I havn't met him yet but he was Elder Tidwells companion in the MTC and he's from San Diego, so this should be exciting. In church movie news theres a new version of Joseph Smith Prophet of the restoration out, it is suppossed to be 40% new. I havn't seen it yet but we might be able to have it here which will be awesome. Also apperantly there's a new movie coming out about the Martin Handcart company called "17 Miracles" Elder Tidwells mom sent him a picture of the poster it looks really cool, and I think its going to theateres so keep an eye out for it. Things in the area are going well, Sithembile's husband Coach is still moving towards baptism and so is Sister Carolines husband Baba Kabane, they just need to come to church now! I don't really know what else to say I'm so excited to be here. I learn everyday. Its amazing the people you meet when you open your mouth to meet them instead of living a life inside your own little bubble. The church is true, and testimonies make hard times easier and easytimes happier. I love you all thanks for all the support.

Elder Scott M. Brazee

June 20, 2011

This was a great week,

This is most likely my last week with Elder Tidwell, transfer calls are next week already! This transfer has flown. The other day I pulled up two tree stumps and mixed cement by hand. Tiring work but it was a lot of fun, especially because I'm learning how to do a lot of these things that I really wasn't sure how to do. We were also very blessed with a new investigator. His name is Baba Kabane he's the husband to a sister who's family has been coming to church for close to 30 years. The husband never seemed very interested and a car accident had left his right arm and leg almost unusable, which made difficult for him to come to church altogether. He had always been very nice to us just never really wanted to hear the lessons (again, he'd heard them quite a few time before). Our branch is very small and there was not a home teaching program instituted, it just began this month and as a result of home teachers visiting the Kabane home the Father told them that he had some interest in being baptized. They let us know and we went over to see them. For some reason this time something clicked for him, especially about divine authority. He became very excited and we've taught him the first three lessons last week and have an appointment to teach the forth tomorrow. The spirit is so strong in our lessons I know that is the only way the age, culture, and language barriers are being leaped over so easily. I love this country and its people.

Hope every one is well,

Love,

Elder Scott Brazee

June 13, 2011

Hello Everyone,

Zone Conference was this week, it was good and I got my mail, which consisted of a single letter from Hermana Gebera! so if you read this thank you. We learned a lot about reaching our potential and all that. Sithembile and Thabiso were confirmed yesterday which was awesome. Church was very small yesterday almost half the congregation was missing including our entire Branch Presidency AND the Youth Leaders and half the youth. I guess its just the time of year or something. IT IS COLD, I never thought I would be this cold in Africa. apparently this was the hottest summer and coldest winter anyone can remember so kind of a crazy year to land on the Continent. Other than that things are going well, me and Elder Tidwell are working hard on working harder if that makes sense.
I love you all, have wonderful weeks!

Elder Scott Brazee

June 6, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

What an amazing weekend! I don't think I can really write out all the wonderful things that happened to us these last few days but I'll try. Yesterday was the baptism of Sithembile and Thabiso, and I was given the opportunity to baptize them both. What an amazing feeling. I was a little nervous because their last names are Nxamalo and the 'X' in Zulu is a click, you make it with the middle of your tongue sort of like the click you make when your calling a horse. But everything went perfectly, they were so excited. There was a special sweet spirit there the whole time, especially when they bore there testimonies afterwords. They are so very strong, and Coach, Sithembile's husband afterwords told us that he wanted to be baptized as well and would work hard to make it happen. I don't know it's hard to explain the feelings I felt during that time, and what it meant to me to say that I had been "commissioned of Jesus Christ" to baptize them. It was something I will never ever forget. I know this work is true, and when I see the way it's changing peoples lives right in front of me, I mean temporally as well as spiritually it astounds me. I also know that I have very little to do with it, as long as I do my best to invite the spirit in my teaching thats all I can do, the rest is up to the communication between the Lord and the people through the Holy Ghost. And we deserve no credit, I know it seems cliche to say but I can't feel embarrassed for saying it because I'm watching it happen. Right before my eyes. There's so much more I'd like to say but I'm out of time. I love you all and love to hear from you,

Love Elder Scott Brazee

May 30, 2011

Dear Everyone, It's getting cold here. It rained a lot this week. I didn't expect it to be getting this cold here. Its by no means freezing. There is snow inland but here on the cost it only gets down to about 60-58. Not so bad. The work is moving forward as we are preparing Sithembele and her family for their baptism. Their testimonies astound me, so much wisdom. Thank you for the package Mom everything is great, the card made my Day. As you can see I stuck the candles in the brownies as was your intention I think. I'm not sure why we were celebrating a 'Bathy Pad'... to be honest I'm not really sure what a 'Bathy Pad' is but the brownies were delicious. ON church on Sunday we watched a few of the Mormon Messages video's. They were amazing, what a great way to share the gospel. I'm not sure if it can be done but please put a link on my blog to it if you can. At least on this entry if not a banner. The church is groing slow and steady in our area. We had a new investigator at church named Joe. He was a great guy. He called us on Saturday to ask us for money because he knew about missionaries. I told him that we were far away from home and we had no money to give but maybe we could meet him and try to help him in other ways. Turns out he was very far from home as well. He left his wife and small children to come find work in South Africa. He hasn't been able to find a steady job and every penny he makes he sends to them. He's living in not the greatest of conditions he swatted a snake or centipede out the door in the middle of our lesson I'm not sure which. Both like to make their ways under doors. We taught him about how his family could be together forever and how his Father in Heaven was aware of his hard life. All day Saturday we prayed that he would be able to find the Taxi money and bravery to come to church with us on Sunday. And while it may not have seemed a big deal to any one else when I saw him walk through the doors and sit down next to my companion at the back of the Old Red Cross building we use as a chapel, I felt as though I had seen a miracle. I know the Lord is waiting, WAITING, hoping, worrying, fretting, weeping, pining, just WAITING for us to show the smallest particle of faith so he can rain down blessings upon us. You don't get something for nothing but the smallest actions of gratitude and faith towards heaven earns blessings in abundance, I testify of this. And more than testify I challenge you to challenge God. Do an experiment, test the waters. Stop being complacent and comfortable and do something to show gratitude towards the Lord, read scriptures, perform an act of charity, go to church, say a prayer, what ever it is, and then open your eyes and see what happens. It may not be immediate, but it will be. I love you all and love to hear from you even more!

-Cheers Elder Scott Milton Brazee

May 23rd, 2011

I've officially played soccer barefoot in Africa, I don't know if that's an achievement or not, but well it happened. The weeks just keep going by faster and faster. Elder Tidwell and I have decided that our eagerness to help FAR out weighs our carpentry abilities as we've so far succeeded in unsuccessfully building a table and unskillfully cutting a door to fit into its frame. We do our best though and it always works out one way or another in the end. My cullanary skills are slowly improving, i made some scrumptous cranberry chicken this week and learned how to make some good ol' fried chicken as well. (you'd be hard pressed to find a meal that doesn't include chicken around here by the way).The wheather has been absoulutly beautiful It's still cooling down a bit, I've had to dawn a jersey on more than one occation. The families here continue to be amazing and the work is moving steadilly forward. Thank you for all the well-wishing (and not the kind that wishes I was in a well ((Aaron I hope you read this)) and prayers. Oh! I just thought of a story, it was election day on Wednesday and me and Elder Tidwell thought it would be a good idea to go down to the polls and set up a little station to hand out pamphletes and talk to some people. We met quit a few characters that way it was a very good time. Alot of them were worried about the world ending on the 21st of May, we havn't really figured out where that came from but EVERYONE was asking us about it. Has that nonsense made it to America as well? Well you'll be pleased to realize that the world is still here.

-Cheers

Elder Scott Brazee

May 17th, 2011

This week we were able to help out Barnard in his garden, he is having trouble with his hip and isn't able to do a whole lot right now. I don't know if I've told you about Barnard yet or not but this guy has a really big heart. He was the one who took us to the rural area's so we could build a chicken coop for the locals. H:e prepared the ground for some sugar beets that we are going to help him plant this up coming week. It was fun work especially with the assistance of our little helpers.
Unfortunitly Sithembele wasn't able to get baptized this week, I don't know if I mentioned that in my email last week or not... Her Mom wasn't able to come down and she wanted to wait for her so we are schedualed to go for June 5th. The whole family is so excited. I painted them a picture to remind them of the special day and to help them set a goal to be sealed in the temple. I attatched a picture of it so you guys could see. I can't wait until June 5th.
We got transfer calls and both me and Elder Tidwell are staying put. I'm excited to continue our work here.
Also there was a CRAZY lightning storm that was going on last night. It was so so so cool, the photo's don't do it justice and they're having trouble uploading so you'll just have to imagine the coolest thing you've ever seen and you might be close. Someone told us they are called Nimbus storms, it was like a light show in the sky.

I hope you all are well,

Elder Scott Brazee

April 9th, 2011

Hello Everyone!

I've done most all the updating I can think of via calls yesterday so this is going to be a rather short email. There was one story I forgot to tell, the other night we were coming up with the program for Sithembile and Thabiso's baptism with them. We asked Thabiso which hymn he wanted us to sing. He very adamantly chose "Do as I'm Doing!" we couldn't stop laughing. His Mother was trying to pick some nice thoughtful hymns but Thabiso and Naywo were fighting tooth and nail for Do as I'm Doing to be one of the baptismal hymns. In the end they lost out, but I think If it were up to me I'd allow it.

Attached are a few photos of my Birthday/Cake (those are make-shift candles not cigarettes) and mine and Elder Tidwell's Cinco De Mio celebration. A great two days.

The work is wonderful I love the people, the church is true.
Love
Elder Brazee

Letter from the Mission Pres.

Greetings Tidwell and Brazee families,

I have attached some photos of our trip to the game reserve yesterday.
Mondays are special days for the Elders as they get to do some fun things. We have a super game reserve not far from our home which we love to take the Elders to visit.
So, we took your boys there yesterday. The one photo has them hanging on an Eland with my Counsellor, Bro Fred Brear.
Some of them are of Elder Brazee stalking a herd of Wildebeest and Zebra.
I am sure they will send you many more photos as they took hundreds!

You have fine sons, just great young men and the two of them add such value to our Branch.
In the Book of Mormon it says, "I Nephi having been born of goodly parents..",
well, your sons are real champions and I thank you for making it possible for them to be here in South Africa and for being "goodly parents".

You can be very proud of your sons--they are a great example of hard work and commitment to our Young Men and all the members in the Branch.

Thanks for sparing them for 2 years---the sacrifice will be well worth the results and growth they are experiencing.
Many thanks again,

Jean-Pierre Oehlerking
Margate Branch President.

May 2nd, 2011 (almost Scott's Birthday)

Family and Friends,

Another week has come and gone. Things have been well. It's been tough to teach this week because it was a Holiday week. In fact the last 2 and a half weeks have been Holiday week. But we have been trying our hardest and things seem like theyre getting back into the swing of things as the holidays wrap up. We helped a member plant a garden in his backyard a few days ago, It was great to get outside and get my hands dirty the garden ended up very nice, and his wife made us Ox Stomach for lunch, which tasted a lot like a really tasty leather shoe. My companion told me not to get used to that though because most of the time it just tastes like regular old shoe.
We went to a game reserve today! It was amazing, they didn't have any of the big animals like Rhino's, Elephant's, or Lion's but they did have Zebra's and Giraffes and others things.

I've attached some pictures some of the game reserve and one of a guitar lesson with a member named Thumi and his little brother Wandile. I'd like to send more but my computer is being very slow and I don't have time maybe next time.

I can't believe my Birthday is in two days Its been a fast year. 22 seems so old.

I love you all,
Elder Scott Milton Brazee

April 25th, 2011

HAPPY EASTER!

Another quick week, I had exchanges, and presidant interviews this week on top of the Easter weekend. So it was a different sort of week. My interview went well, Presidant said I have "Leadership Potential" what ever that means. Easter was pretty great, I didn't get a hat but maybe I should by myself one. We finally watched conferance! It was amazing, I loved every second of it. All of the talks where so inspired. I especially loved the emphisas that was put on welfare work. and the importance of Sisters, and the Relief Society. And everything else. Some of my favorite quotes include
"You can not give yourself poor! you can not give the Lord a crust without reciving a loaf of bread." - Presidant Eyring
"Some times a single phrase of testimony can change somebodies life for eternity." Paul V. Jhonson
And dozens and dozens of others but I've got about 8 pages of notes and not much time to go through them. But let me just say that if anyone wants to know what our church is about, where our value's lie, what our doctrine is, and any in or out they needn't go any farther than listening to the very general authorities, the men and women, who stand at the front of the church and lead the way. And if they listen with real intent and ponder the words they hear, any question you have will be answered.
My Branch president is going to take me and my companion to a Game Park next monday which is very exciting I cant wait.
Attatched is my Happy Easter Photo, and my companion helping Thabiso with his maths.

I love you all, Happy Easters,

Elder Scott Milton Brazee

April 18th, 2011

HOwzit?

This was a very quick week. I did a lot of driving back and forth because we had a couple different meetings in Durban. So we didn't have as much time in the area this week. Our boarding got painted which is nice. And we built a table out of a couple of drawers for Sithembile. Its somewhat stable.... I'll see if I can get a picture for you.
My companion celebrated a year this last Thursday. His girlfriend sent him Lucky Charms ( I don't know if I mentioned but there is no good cereal here, no lucky charms, fruit loops, trix, any of that. ) They were GLORIOUS. I hope, that everything is going well for everyone. I still haven't seen conference yet, we're scheduled to watch it this weekend though. I can't wait.

Sorry this is a short one,
Love,
Elder Scott Brazee

April 11, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

This last week went well, we are working hard. Have I told you about Bernard? He's an investigator we found in our area book that the Elders were teaching about a year and a half ago. He's a really good man, cares a lot about the family and the community. He's the one that we went with to build the chicken coop in the rural area outside Margate. We were teaching a lesson in his home last night when his wife came in and began speaking urgently in Zulu, I couldn't pick up any of the words but Bernard's face looked very alarmed. After they had finished speaking he turned to us and told us that a small child had damaged our car. That could mean any number of things, so we quickly went outside to see what was going on. There was a crowed gathered around our car and the neighbors 1985 Mercedes which had left its parked position on the other side of the street and some how ended up smashed into our rear bumper. There were no witnesses to what happened but after speaking to the nneighbors, with a little help from Bernard we pieced together that the neighbors three year old son had climbed into the drivers seat of his Dad's car and somehow pulled the parking break. Because the road was on a bit of a slope he rolled right into us. There was some damage but nothing terrible, the young boy wasn't hurt and had really no idea what was going on. But this is where the story gets potent. We had decided to park the car a little down from Bernard's house, I'm still getting used to driving on the other side of the road and I thought it would be easier to just pull to the side rather than up onto his driveway. I was parked right in front of a river. If our car hadn't been parked we would have been pulling a very injured little boy out of rushing water instead exchanging information over a smashed light and a few dents. The father was very grateful to us for having our car parked there even though its going to be very very tough for him to find the money to fix his car. How's that for a blessing in disguise.

I hope you are all doing very well, tell Russ I say hello! I'm so excited for him. It'll be great to have him home. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Much Love,

Elder Scott Brazee

P.s. Attached is a photo of my in front of a real life Krusty Krab, although to mine and my companions dismay is was recently shut down. And thus my quest to consume a genuine Krabby Patty continues...

April 4th, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

This week went by very quickly. I don't know if I mentioned but last week I helped build a chicken coop in one of the more rural area's, that was pretty fun. I've been doing my best to pick up some Zulu but I've got a long way to go. I've attached some pictures of Croc World, including the before and after of petting an unfamiliar bird, that was a fun day. My finger is perfectly fine by the way it looked WAY worse than it was. Also attached are some pictures of Sithembile's wedding her childrens names are Nawo, and Tabiso. Nawo (I'm not sure how to spell it it's pronounced Nay-Woah) is the smaller one.

I haven't gotten the chance to watch conference yet, technology is a little bit behind here, DVR's are something of the future, and conference comes on in the middle of the night here. Not to mention most people don't have the channel it would be on and/or ready access to the Internet. As a result we wait until the DVDs are produced and watch it all together as a Branch. That'll be in about two weeks. So you guys are pretty lucky.

I've got a food story to share. The other night Sithembele made me and Elder Tidwell each a plate of food, with the preface that if we could eat Madumba's we could eat this (Madumba's are a bit like Potatos but you peel them and eat them raw). After a few bites I could tell that the meat wasn't normal. It didn't tast bad, just a little different. I decided it was wise not to ask what it was until after the meal. Turns out it was chicken hearts... so I've eaten chicken hearts, and I'm a fan. They tasted a lot like Calamari.

Other than that there isn't a whole lot new going on, we had transfer calls last night and I am staying right where I am. It's typical here to stick around the same area for about 6 months, I don't know if thats normal for other missions but I don't mind it, I'm very much enjoying it here and to leave now would be much to soon. Also I don't know if I mentioned but I'm teaching a young man named Thumi to play the guitar, he's the one I'm standing with in the house, he's a very cool kid. One of our two and a half young men in the Branch.

I hope you are all having wonderful weeks!

Love,

Elder Scott Brazee