Elder Brooksby in England and Wales

2010-06-22T15:14:00.003-04:00

Now that Brett's been home for almost two months I thought I'd put up these two pictures from right before he left Birmingham.

This one is of mission football. His Zone didn't win this year.

This picture is the group that was leaving the mission the same time as Brett.
There are 19 of them, along with President and Sister Ogden.
Brett is in the back on the right.

We love having Brett at home, but I know he's missing the mission, his recent converts, and companions. Coming home is always bitter-sweet.

Brett's Home!

2010-05-06T16:30:00.002-04:00

It's so wonderful to see him. He has an accent that is undefinable. Not English, not Irish, and definately not a New Yorker either. He arrived about an hour later than expected which left us anxiously waiting and watching at Terminal 1 in JFK. One of Brett's good friends who attends college about 20 minutes away from JFK was also able to come to the airport, which was a great surprise for Brett. We hit traffic leaving NYC and ended up getting home just after 7:00 p.m. (just when his flight would have taken off from JFK for ALB). Family and friends were waiting to greet him and hear all about his experiences.

We're so happy to have him home!

THIS WEDNESDAY!!!!!

2010-05-02T09:40:00.004-04:00

We are driving to JFK to pick-up Brett. He was going to fly into Albany, but they changed his itinerary and he ended up having a six-hour layover in JFK and we knew that we could be down there and back in six hours. We asked Brett what he'd rather do and he said: "Yes, please relieve me from a 6 hour lay over in JFK. I would love that! It would just give me an opportunity to see good ole home again, and 6 hours to talk! That is my final answer!"

So we're leaving at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Lauren and Jared are coming too. We are all so excited to see him and have him home.

Three more sleeps!!!

Last E-mail of Brett's Mission

2010-04-27T17:46:00.003-04:00

Brett said that he thought this would be the last e-mail he'd send us. He did say that there was a possibility that he'd be able to check e-mail when he was in the office next Tuesday. But that if he didn't get a chance, this is it.

In our letter to Brett we told him about how many bags he could bring home, and how much Delta charges for the second bag. I was worried because when he left he was packed to the gills. But he just laughed and said that he wasn't worried at all. He said he didn't have much left that was worth bringing home. I remember that feeling - you'd been wearing the same clothes (for me 18 months) for two years and they just don't have enough life in them to make it worth the effort to bring them home.

I guess that we'd better be prepared for a major shopping trip when he gets home.

As it turns out we are going to be driving to JFK to pick Brett up. His itinerary got changed and he ended up having a 6 hour layover in JFK. We decided that we could drive to JFK in three hours and have him home in six, so that's what we're doing. I imagine we'll be home around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5th.

Brett said that it is definitely a lot harder than he though it would be to finish his mission. There are so many mixed emotions. Happiness because you're going home, but also sadness because you're leaving the country and people you've grown to love.

He said that he's really trying to finish strong. Which I'm sure his companion appreciates.

His last day of "missionary work" will be Sunday, May 2nd. On Monday he will pack. Tuesday he goes into the mission office for his exit interview and any other business that he needs to take care of. I imagine that Tuesday night he will have a nice dinner with all the departing missionaries. And then he catches his flight from Birmingham to Paris at 6:25 a.m.

Brett thanked us for "making my mission a good one and for always giving me help when I needed it".

Then he said he'd see us next week, which is amazing. Where has the two years gone?

His P.S. said: "I forgot all about root beer till just the other day and now I'm really craving it!"

Is it Derby or Darby?

2010-04-14T19:37:00.002-04:00

We got a great e-mail from Brett today. He said that he and his companion are going to Derby so his companion can get a pair of "boots" for a mission football (soccer) game they're having on the 20th of April.

He also said this about Derby: "Well if you look at my subject you would probably wonder what I was on about? Well... I was making fun of the spelling of Derby. If I was to read this word I would read it like Derby - as in the pine wood derby. But in this country apparently Derby is pronounced Darby."

He said that the weather has been "simply beautiful" lately. I'm sure after a long, cold winter he's really appreciating Spring.

Brett said that this past Monday was Zone Conference #17. And that could only mean one thing. He had the opportunity to bare his testimony. He said it was a long walk to the front of the chapel and up to the pulpit. He said that he had a million thoughts running through his head like: "What am I doing up here? How can it possibly be my turn to do this? And help me know what to say!" But he said that after a split second the words just began to flow as he was prompted by the Spirit and he was able to bare testimony of the things he knew to be true.

He said: "I felt this burning in my heart and I knew that what I had spent time doing and being involved in was what God had wanted me to be involved in!"

What a wonderful feeling to know that you've done what you were called to do, and done it well.

Brett also pointed out that this e-mail is his 3rd to last e-mail before he comes home. He actually arrives home 3 weeks from today!!!!! But who's counting? So write those letters if you're going to. You don't have much time left.

Elder Brooksby in Brooksby

2010-04-06T09:19:00.014-04:00

Here's Elder Brooksby's letter which we received today.

"Well Today is P-day and for P-day we had a member pick us up to go out to the town of Brooksby! And, well, it took us a while to even find it, and when we did we got there and had a look around it wasn’t very big! But nonetheless I've been to the town where the Brooksby name originates from and I've probably trod on the same ground that my ancestors have trod on! I'll include some pictures for you to have a look at! So that was the highlight of today! And the best part is we still have some of P-day left!

Well I'm looking to be baptizing again on the 17th of April! A Young man [who] is quite interested in the church. The first time he came he said that walking home from church was the first time in a long time that he had felt really Peaceful! So its looking good We still have to teach him more but we have taught the first 3 lessons and all has gone well so I'm looking forward to teaching the rest! Keep praying for him and for me!

Well serving with an Englishman is sort of interesting, because my accent kinda gets muddled up with his accent and I think I begin to actually pick up an English accent on some words and other things! So it will be interesting. I'll just hope I can manage an accent before I return! But as for everything else, things are fine. I'm really getting tired … but nonetheless I just plod on!

Not much else is new with me its been a pretty slow, fast, slow sorta week! I'm still alive still doing missionary work which is good. All I'm doing is just trying to last and to do my best! It's good that where we live there isn’t much air traffic because today I saw an airplane and thought just for a second "it won't be long till I get to enjoy flying again!" So I'm holding out as best I can!

Well that’s it for me. Nothing else really exciting. Sounds like everyone is well! And I'll tell you the thing which has been of most worth to me at the age of 19-21 has been my mission! I don't think there is possibly anything better that you can do than to go on a mission! It's not been easy and I don't think that it will ever be easy but it has been worth it for the things I've learned in my life! I love my mission and even despite all the chav's I love England!

Well I'll hope to hear from you next week! Love you all and thank you for all your support!

Love and cheers!

Elder Brooksby

P.S. I got Melissa's Package! Tell her thank you! And tell her its okay if she smells of Africa. I quite like the idea anyways!

P.P.S. The last picture is of Brooksby Hall! I should have looked into whether or not I could have inherited it! ;)

If you too would like to (virtually) visit where Elder Brooksby stood, visit the map below. Drop the street view icon (it looks like a little man) at the intersection of Thrussington Rd., Brooksby Rd. and Main St. and turn around for a bit. It's like you're right there with him! (Even more fun in "full screen" mode.) You can even don your 3D glasses and view it in 3D for the full effect.

View Larger Map

The latest - from Elder Brooksby's LAST area

2010-04-05T17:27:00.005-04:00

This week was transfer week for Brett again. This was his last transfer in the mission. His companion was transferred to his old area in Wolverhampton. His new companion is Elder O'Brien, and he is an English native. He will be Brett's first and last British companion. Brett said that on P-Day a member will be able to take him to the town of Brooksby, so he may finally get to see it after all. He said, "I Am sooooo sooo excited. I've wanted to go for a really long time and now I get to go. So I will take lots of pictures and I will also go and look at the town parish records and try and see if I can get any rubbings from and grave stones!"

Time is getting very short for Brett. If you've been waiting to write to him, wait no longer. You've only got 30 days!

Happy Birthday Elder Brooksby!!!!

2010-03-22T15:52:00.005-04:00

Today is Brett's 21st birthday.
It's the second one he's been gone for.

Here's last years picture of us at home celebrating Brett's birthday.

This one is the family celebrating without him.

Here's his cake he made in the mission field.
We sent him a package with a cake,
frosting, and candles for him to make.
Unfortunately he didn't remember to take
a picture until after they'd eaten a piece.

Nottingham Today!

2010-03-11T15:20:00.003-05:00

Brett didn't write too much in his e-mail this week. He said that he had to keep it short because they were going to Nottingham to play some District basketball. He said that it takes an hour to get there on the bus, and then they have to catch a tram to get the rest of the way there.

Brett's been working hard finding people to teach and working with some of the less active members of the ward. He said he always thinks of it as bringing the lost sheep back to the fold.

Brett said that he was able to talk to a sister missionary who is serving in the Wolverhampton branch. She told him just how much the members there liked him and that they wished he could come back and serve there again. He said that was nice to hear.

He also said that he's working really hard on not being trunky, which can be difficult when you only have 55 days left in the mission field.

It's so great to hear from him. He loves his mission and the English people so much. It's with mixed feelings that he approaches the end of his mission.

Mission life in Eastwood

2010-02-23T15:43:00.001-05:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today. It was funny - we ended up being on computers at the same time. I realized when I got up with Jared for Seminary this morning that I had forgotten to e-mail Brett. And I know that by around 8:00 a.m. our time we usually have an e-mail - sometimes sooner. So at 6:00 a.m. I e-mailed a short e-mail telling Brett that I was typing right then. The I typed an e-mail in two parts, so he'd at least get one. I know that he got the first one because that is what he replied to. I have no idea if he got part two of my e-mail. But at least he got something from me.

He said that he's loving being in Eastwood. He said that he's working hard and that there is no place he'd rather be. He said: "I've never loved anything more, I don't think, than doing what I'm doing here and serving the Lord! I love it, and really, I don't want to go home.....sorry mom. I know I have to because President Ogden doesn't let people extend their missions, but I don't want this to end. And like the apostles say, it doesn't you just continue on a different plane of thought and lifestyle!"

Brett is trying to find a way to get down to the town of Brooksby before he leaves England. Hopefully he'll find a way. A picture of Elder Brooksby by the sign for the town of Brooksby would be awesome.

Brett's bike was damaged during his transfer ride on the bus last week. So it was good to hear that he was able to "jimmy rig" his bike to the point where it works after some fashion. He said that it's not a very nice ride, but it gets him from place to place.

Transfers!

2010-02-18T09:11:00.002-05:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today telling us that he's been transferred to a place called Eastwood. He said it's by Nottingham. And looking at a map, it's only about 18 miles from the town of Brooksby. So maybe Brett will get his picture by the sign for the town of Brooksby yet.

Brett is with Elder Williams from West Valley City, UT. He said that his companion hasn't been out quite a year. In fact Brett said that he's the oldest missionary (in serving time) of all in his district. Brett said that Elder Williams has been in the area for three transfers, but that he is still willing to work hard.

Brett also said that his bike was damaged on the bus for the transfer. He said he was going to try to make repairs that would hold it together for the next two months. He said if he couldn't then they'd walk everywhere.

Brett said: "I was recently given a gift from the Bishop in Merthyr Ward, who thanked me for the hard work I've done in Merthyr and wished me the best for the rest of my mission! But he gave me a book called The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley. I was reading about how President Hinckley just gave the last bit of his mission the best he could and he wasn't at all worried about how many people he'd baptized on his mission, or how many people other missionaries had baptized on their missions. He just remembered the hard work and the satisfaction that came from that! So that's what I'm going to try to implement!"

Brett ended by saying that he was just going to roll up his sleeves and get dirty and do the best he can with the time he's got left!

Transfers are coming up!

2010-02-09T16:24:00.002-05:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today. He said that in his interview with President Ogden he got asked where he wanted to go. He said that he told President Ogden that he would like to serve in a big city. Then President Ogden asked Brett if there was anything else that he wanted, and Brett said: "My whole mission I've always wanted to have a picture of the sign for the town of Brooksby out in Melton Mowbry near Liecester. And President Ogden said well Elder Brooksby do you have a camera? I said yes, he then said, well you never know, you could be serving in Liecester next transfer." So Brett is pretty sure he's going to be transferred this next transfer. And who knows, maybe he'll get to see the town of Brooksby after all.

Brett also said that one of his converts is engaged to be married in the temple this coming August. That made him really happy. He hinted that he'd love to attend the wedding - but that would mean a trip back, and a lot of $$$$.

Playing catch-up on Brett's blog

2010-02-08T10:06:00.007-05:00

In Brett's last two e-mails he's sent pictures.
I've just been slow about putting them on his blog. So here they are:

When you're from upstate New York, this snow is nothing. But when you're getting it and
you're in Wales - it's a big deal. They're getting weather more like what we're used to in NY,
and we're getting their weather - hardly any snow.

Brett sent this picture of him in his snow hood.
He said it makes him look like a Sith Lord from Star Wars.

Brett says this is the nicest chapel in the UK.

If you look closely at the picture Brett is standing next to a sign that says: "The Elders". He didn't say anything about where he was or why the sign was there.
Something to ask in another e-mail.

Brett sent this picture of him climbing a 10% grade hill.

And another by a stream in Merthyr Tydfil.

Brett is with Elder Worthington in Merthyr Tydfil.
He's been there for seven or more months now. They are working hard and having a good time.

The last letter we got from Brett was a day late because they had District P-day down in Cardiff. He said they went bowling and that it cost 3£ for 3 games, which he thought was a good deal! He said they had a good time. He also said that he got to see Elder Burri again (his previous companion), and he thought that was a great deal of fun! He also said that he beat the district all three times in bowling. He had a 135, 138, 137.
He thought that was pretty consistent!

Glen in Cheltenham

2010-01-26T10:10:00.002-05:00

Not much to blog about yet, but just wanted to record that I'm sitting just a few miles East of Brett right now. Business has brought me to Cheltenham, England and, coincidentally, very near to where Brett is living. No, I will not be visiting him, but it is fun to see what it's like where he is. Driving on the left is a very disconcerting experience the first time. Roads with no speed limits are also new. I believe I touched 90mph on the way here today which feels pretty weird when your already just a bit freaked out by driving on the left with the stick on the right. Fun times.

Crash!

2010-01-20T19:15:00.004-05:00

We received an e-mail from Brett Tuesday telling us that he'd been in a bike crash. He said that a council van (whatever those are) ran him off the road. He's got a bruise on his thigh from the phone in his pocket and both his knees are black and blue. He was coming down a hill at a moderate rate of speed and then the council van came in front of him and pushed him off the road and onto the shoulder, where there was snow. He said he did a "Superman" and flew forwards sliding on his stomach. He said he tore a hole in his new rain jacket - but that he was going to fix it with black duck tape.

He and his companion had a great day Monday. They found six new investigators. They also have an investigator coming to church on Sunday. They also found a family of five who speak Portuguese. Fortunately the mother speaks English, so she's been able to translate for the others.

Brett ends his e-mail by saying: "Well I think that's about it for me. I love you and I'm glad to be where I am at this moment! I love the mission and I love everything about England and Wales. I'm very happy to be here!"

MAY 5th!!!!!

2010-01-16T17:07:00.003-05:00

We just got an e-mail from the Birmingham mission office saying that Brett's release date is May 5th! It is great to finally know when he's coming home. It will make future planning much easier.

In Brett's e-mail this week he said that it has been rather snowy and really rather cold in Merthyr Tydfil! He said that it has been around -4 degrees C on a normal day for the last two weeks. And that it dips down to -8 degrees C with a windchill of -20 degrees C overnight. He said that there is a high pressure system that is stuck over the UK and because of that they are getting their weather from Siberia, which tends to be pretty cold. He said that in the UK it only takes two or three inches to shut down the whole of the UK. He said that everyone thinks it's a huge disaster and that it's going to be the end of the world! But he said that it's really not that bad compared to the NY winters that he remembers from his childhood. He's still riding his bike in the snow to get around! He loves the snow and couldn't be happier that it's there. He said that it makes it feel a little more like home. He did say that he'd skip the snow altogether if it meant that the chavs couldn't through snowballs with rocks in them! But he said that it's all part of the experience!

Brett said that for P-day he was going to sew one of his mittens that has a hole in it, go food shopping, and have a nap. Sounds like an exciting day!

He said that he's starting to feel old in the mission. His companion, Elder Worthington has been out 8 months less than him, and he's starting to feel the distance apart. He said that he's not trunky, but he's having to work harder to fight it off.

He has been in Merthyr Tydfil longer than any of his other areas, and he's having to fight the thinking that says "I've already talked with him 9 times and he's told me to go away in lots of different words I'll never repeat! Why should I stop him again!" He said that at the end of this transfer he will have been in Merthyr for 7 and a half months. And he feels like he has tracted the whole of Merthyr 3 times!

I know how he feels having spent nine months of my mission in the same area.

He said that they're working on building up their teaching pool, and praying to find people to teach.

All in all it sounds like he's doing well.

Brett's back in Merthyr Tydfil

2010-01-09T21:18:00.002-05:00

We got an e-mail from Brett telling us that he was going back to Merthyr again for a 5th transfer. It's funny, but it looks like he will have spent his mission in only three areas - Birmingham, Merthyr Tydfil, and where ever they send him to finish up.

Brett said that it had snowed and stopped the travel plans for transfers. The mission president told him that because it was p-day he wanted them to stick close but he told Brett that he could go visit some recent converts in his old areas. He said that he was going to Sheldon to see who he could catch at home. He seemed very excited for the unexpected opportunity to see people dear to him from earlier in his mission.

Brett said that he is getting a new companion named Elder Worthington, who has been out about a year.

Brett got to spend New Year's Eve at President Odgen's house and said he enjoyed it very much.

He said that he had to get off the computer because all of the missionaries who were leaving to go home this transfer got snowed in and their flights got canceled so they all had to e-mail their parents to tell them that they'd be delayed getting home.

It was good to hear where Brett is, and know that things are more settled than they had been for the last little while.

The Latest from Brett

2009-12-30T09:21:00.004-05:00

We had a very nice call with Brett on Christmas Day. We've known that they were planning on moving to a new apartment in Merthyr Tydfil and the move finally happened. Sadly, in the midst of the move, Brett's companion injured his knee and required surgery. This left Brett a lone Elder for a few days as his companion was confined to hospital. But he was well cared for by the church members in Merthyr. Transfers are coming up on January 6th, so in order to keep things simple while his companion's knee heals, Brett and his companion have both been transferred to the mission home. So cards, letters, packages, etc. should all go there for the next week or so. We expect Brett will have a new address after Jan. 6th. Whether it will be a new one in Merthyr Tydfil or elsewhere we cannot tell. It's been a crazy week or so for him so keep him in your prayers.

Hi!

2009-12-22T22:18:00.003-05:00

Our e-mail from Brett was short this week. I'm sure in part because we'll be talking to him soon. He said that he didn't think he would be able to send Christmas presents home, but thanks to a member where he is serving he would be able to after all.

He said that he has received the package we sent to him. And it sounded like he'd already opened it. So much for surprises on Christmas.

He said that we are supposed to call him at 6:30 p.m. his time (1:30 p.m. our time) on Friday. He's going to be at a members home for Christmas dinner and then their phone calls.

He said that he's all caught up on the mail he was supposed to return. So hopefully if you've written Brett recently you've received his reply by now.

He ended by saying: "Well I love you all enjoy your week and speak to you in week!"

We can hardly wait!!!!!

Brett's e-mail got lost!

2009-12-09T21:19:00.003-05:00

We got a short e-mail from Brett today because after typing a longer one, it got lost. So then he didn't have a whole lot more computer time. Oh well!

Brett said that he's going to be moving into a different apartment. He said the one he's in now isn't very nice at all. We'll be sure to update his address when he moves. He did say that he's helped other people move during his mission so he knows to get things done before people show up to help, and that he needs to have everything cleaned so others don't have to do it. That's a valuable lesson learned.

Brett also said that his watch is broken, and he's not sure it's fixable. He has another watch, but the watchband stinks because it soaks up all the rain. One way or the other he'll either get one of his watches fixed or get a new one.

Brett said that it sounds like everyone has been busy at home. He said that was good because it makes the time go fast.

Brett said for us to call him around noon or 1:00 p.m. our time on Christmas day. He's going to be at the home of members of the church and they said he could use their phone. We're way excited to talk to him. It's always so good to hear his voice.

Sometimes when I'm missing him I'll use the GPS to go places I know well, just to hear his voice telling me directions on my GPS (he and Glen's present to me last Mother's Day).

He ended by saying that he didn't have much else to say (or time to type it), but that he was excited to talk to us in a few short weeks.

Congratulations!

2009-11-14T16:28:00.000-05:00

Wow, congratulations Brett. You've been out for 18 months now. You'll be home before we know it!

18 months is pretty weird!

2009-11-10T10:04:00.004-05:00

Brett's letter this week was great. I can't believe that he's been on his mission for 18 months!

He sent us a couple of pictures. This one is of him and his current companion. His companion is from Switzerland. He has been out one transfer (six weeks) longer than Brett has. Brett said that he's hoping that they'll stay together for another transfer. That would also mean that he will have been in Merthyr Tydfil for six months, but he said that would be OK.

He also sent this picture. It's of a fire on Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes night. You can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes if you want to find out more about it.

One of the British Mums said that the event takes place almost everywhere. She said that some people have a bonfire and fireworks in their garden, and that there are many public firework displays to go to. She said that whatever they do, they always have bonfire night food - hot dogs, baked potatoes, soup, ginger parkin, cinder toffee and toffee apples. I had to wonder what ginger parkin and cinder toffee were. I'll have to ask Brett sometime.

Brett said this about the picture: "This is a picture of the bonfire behind our house that neighborhood youth did for bonfire night (Guy Fawkes night) on November 5th! The pile of things they were burning was like 25 feet high!"

I'm just glad that that fire wasn't in MY backyard!!!!

Brett said that he's amazed at how much he's learned in the last eighteen months. He said: "Coming out here to England has taught me a lot about bring up children and how it is vital to bring them up, not drag them up. And not to spoil your children. And to actually make them work for the things they actually want (sort of like you did with us as kids). I've learned how important an education is and that now a days you can’t get on without an education! I've learned everything in life that is worthwhile is a lot of work!"

I'd say just that knowledge alone is worth the eighteen months.

He also said that the postal strike has been postponed until after Christmas. So for any of you who'd like to send him a package, go right ahead. We were told to send Christmas packages to the Birmingham mission home because there will be transfers between now and Christmas. That address is on his blog below the address where he's currently serving in Merthyr Tydfil.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

2009-10-27T21:21:00.007-04:00

Brett said that he's happy it's going to be Halloween because there is a ward ward "safe" Trunk or Treating activity at the church where he might meet some new friends.

He also said that a family in the ward is taking them to a place called the Great Pit. It's a coal mining museum. He said that they'll get to go down into the shaft with hard hats with the little light on top. Apparently at one time Merthyr Tydfil was the largest coal producing city in the world.

He also said that tomorrow is Zone Conference, so he thought the week would be pretty nice.

Brett said "I've been stoked to learn the piano again! I think I could really stick with it this time. I'm just so sick of singing a capella all the time in different units. If I could learn some songs I could play in church then I could keep on improving from there!"

I told him that I ordered the book Hymns Made Easy from the Birmingham distribution center. They said he should get it in about three weeks. Although I've heard that they're having a postal strike in England so he might not get it as soon as I'd hoped.

I also told him that I'd sent a package. Brett said that his companion really loves wintergreen lifesavers. Apparently they used to have them in Switzerland, but don't any more. He said if I send another package to stick some of those in there for his companion.

Brett ended his letter by saying "I really can not think of anything I need, except if you can find some kind of chav repellent, then that would be nice."

This week has been crazy!!!! But it has been crazy fun!

2009-10-20T19:21:00.002-04:00

We got a great letter from Brett today. He said that he is loving being with Elder Burri. He's from Bern, Switzerland. They were in the same District before transfers put them together. He said that he and Elder Burri are co-senior companions. They alternate weeks being the senior companion.

He said that they just found out that their investigator is in another ward's boundaries. So they will be turning him over to other missionaries. He said that he is just glad he's still getting baptized. Brett also said that they have another baptism coming up soon.

We told Brett that we're going to send him a box and asked if there was anything in particular that he wanted or needed. He asked for some American candy. But he said "just not Hershey's waxy chocolate". He assured us that once we'd tried English or European chocolate we'd never like Hershey's again. He also mentioned that one of his recent converts loved Twinkies and that maybe we could send some of those too. He said she thought they were 'lush"!

Brett also said that he's fixed up his bike again and that with any luck "it will now last me until my dying breath as a missionary". He only has 7 months left. Wow, where does the time go?

The Latest from Wales

2009-10-04T21:18:00.005-04:00

This week we got a very nice letter from Brett. The work is going well and not surprisingly he's had more bike repairs to make. I guess missionaries not only wear themselves and their clothes out, but also their bikes. It's a good indication that he's working hard. Here's an excerpt from his most recent letter:

"Well, not much else is new. You can always tell when you've hit the later months in your mission because alot of people give up writting to you. Even if you send them letters back I think they just get sick of trying to [write] things down like Twynyrodyn or Wolverhampton or something like that. ... Yeah pretty much my post has completely stopped! Minus Dad but even that has slowed....its okay Dad everybody is doing it!* ... I just think its funny how everyone said eventually your post will stop and people will quit writting you and then you will realize you've been on your mission a really, really long time! And thats kinda what I've realized just lately. I am a really really old missionary in the mission! But thats okay I'm still doing well and I'm not dead [yet]."

(*Dad's disclaimer: I've mailed Brett 49 letters and at least one e-mail in the last year, so it's not as bad as it may seem.)

So come on everyone, if you're reading this post, you have some interest in Brett. And I know your reading here because that hit-counter can't be all web-crawlers. Whaddaya say to sending Brett a note to let him know you're thinking of him. Columbus Day is just around the corner. You could send him a nice post card of the Niña, the Pinta or the Santa Maria! I'm sure he'd be happy just to hear from you. His address (for letters and packages) is always maintained here.

The Bare Necessities of Life

2009-09-22T08:35:00.007-04:00

Brett is doing a lot of traveling because his companion is the district leader. They end up making all sorts of trips to other areas of the mission for exchanges, interviews of baptismal candidates, and Zone Conference. All of the travel makes it challenging to stay within his budget. He said that he's beginning to understand why he needs a good education because life is expensive.

Brett also said that he wants to renew his drivers license by mail. Before he left he said he didn't want to worry about it. But now he's reconsidering. He said: "I heard that you have to retake a driving test, and I don't want to do that. It would take me forever to get that done especially since my sense of direction has been demolished since I've been here in the UK driving on the left side of the road!"

Brett also said that they are having a baptism of a 10 year-old boy either on Sunday or next week sometime with a waterside confirmation! He said they are doing the waterside confirmation so as to not postpone it two weeks because of General Conference! He said he's SO excited for that! He also said they have two more potential baptisms coming up.

Brett said that they went to the early church historical sites for his last Zone Conference. He had been there last year, but said it was fun to be with all the other missionaries.

Here are the pictures he sent:

President Ogden and the backs of everyone else's heads :)

The Malvern Hills

Elder Forbes and I on top of a mountain

My Swiss friend Elder Burri

Hello from Wales!

2009-09-16T18:29:00.007-04:00

We got a letter from Brett today. It's always great to hear from him.

Once again he is with a companion that will be going home in a month. But Brett is really focused on working hard and continuing to tract.

He also said that his roommate from BYU-I has received his mission call to Auckland, New Zealand and that he was very excited for him.

This p-day is only a half p-day because tomorrow is Zone Conference and they will be going to Gadfeild Elm, Bimbo farm and the place in the Brecon Beacons - the highest point in the land roundabout. It’s where they had a conference in the early days of the church and where they decided to publish the hymnal in Britain! I can tell Brett's been out awhile because this will be his second trip to those places. He went shortly after arriving in Britain in June of 2008.

Brett was glad to see the "back to school" pictures we took of Jared and Lauren the day school started. He was surprised that Lauren had so many of his former middle school teachers. He thinks they are both looking much older than he remembered.

He ended by saying: "Well that’s it for me this week. I'll close mine epistle to you. I know this work is true and I couldn't be more happy doing it! Some days are harder than others. Some days I'm way tired, but it is soooo rewarding either way you go about it!"

Transfers

2009-09-04T11:35:00.005-04:00

Okay - well in case you couldn't already figure it out, we had transfers. And since I'm able to write you at this time of day it means I'm not on the coach going to transfers in Birmingham. Soooo I lucked out and get to stay in the blessed town of Merthyr Tydfil for another little while! I'm sending another missionary home though.....I'll be sending Elder Forbes home, so that will be good. Although the one thing I don't like about being with missionaries as they end their mission is the fact that it make you a little bit trunky as well. And then it takes me a little while to figure things out again.

Well I'm glad you are enjoying your time in Utah, that sounds like a fun trip! I had kind of forgotten that Erin was due soooo soon. It's weird how fast time flies. I'm coimming up on my 16 month mark in just a few days! And that is crazy because that means I'll only have 8 months left.

Well today after I'm done e-mailing I'm going to a member hairdresser. He gives the missionaries free haircuts, and since I'm about due for another one I'm going to take advantage of that today!

I've got some pictures for you today! Lucky you!

The first one is one of my district. From the top left across then to the bottom left across: Sister Morris, Elder Forbes (DL), Elder Davis, Elder Nimer (ZL) Sister Winn, Me, Elder Hooper, Elder Wark (ZL). Then the next picture is pretty much the same except crazy! ;)

Well not much else is new. Just remember the next transfers is 6 weeks from today!

Well I'm loving the Welsh hills and the rain. But I'm not too big on the cold, but whatever!

Well I'll leave it at that! Have a fun week!

Love, Brett

Hey!!!

2009-08-18T13:24:00.005-04:00

Greeting from Merthyr Tydfil! Again another glorious day!

Ummm hmmm I think today we are going to play a little bit of rugby and maybe some Frisbee as well have a District P-day! We have the Ebbw Vale Elders - Elder Davis and Elder Hooper, and then the Beacon Heights Sisters - Sister Winn and Sister Morris, and then me and Elder Forbes ;)

Well, I dare say that we travel a lot. What with going to Zone Conference and interviews! And being the DL's companion, I have to go on a lot of exchanges on the X4 bus to Ebbw Vale.

Well what else - next week we are having a baptism on Friday the 21st of August. So I'm really excited for that! Also we are going to be having another one soon that was just sorta handed to us!

Hmmm, not too much else is new! Our summer is now over and it’s getting darker at night and the weather is getting colder. And then in September the leaves will fall off in one go, and then - well it rains and is cold!.....

Well I love you and I'm glad you’re all well! Tell the family I say hello and I love and miss them!

Love Elder Brooksby!

Cymru = Wales?

2009-08-11T09:19:00.002-04:00

Well I'm typing to you from a place called Cardiff! It was Elder Forbes's birthday yesterday so we went to his favorite area which is only a 45-minute train ride away. Don't worry we went with permission from Mission President because it was out of our area, but still within the mission!

Well in the way of money - I used about 20 POUNDS worth to buy a new set of pedals for my bike because - funny enough, my pedal snapped right off and then I was only riding on the bar. And that’s not fun when you are peddling up mountains!

I am glad to hear that you are having fun over the summer months. I am as well!

Well let's see - we have been working a 20-mile bike ride from our flat 3 days a week in a place called Treharris! It’s a nice nice town! I'm going to send some pictures home in the next email or in the post or something.....

Well my time is up! I'm working hard and the Lord is blessing us for it. And although bicycles aren’t trusty the Lord's promises are, and he promises to take care of our families while we focus on the work. So I'm just going to keep going and run my bike into the ground!

Hey look out for a post card and then a little envelope with a magnet from Wales!

Love you- Elder Brooksby

This Week has been Great!

2009-08-09T16:58:00.006-04:00

Well this week has been great! It was a slow-fast-slow-fast week! But it was a good week! The hills are absolutely killing my legs! But that’s good for them. That means they are only going to get stronger! But with all the hills my knee is giving me a little bit of trouble sometimes, but not too much. I'll just have to keep walking and keep on strengthening my knee!

We had another baptism on Saturday, just one of a woman I got to teach for a week. And we have another we just got last night on the way! She was a member referral and she has been taught loads! She knows almost everything. Her member boyfriend who is a return missionary taught her all the commandments and has committed her to live all of them. So our work has been done so now it’s a bunch of easy review!

Member referrals are where it’s at! The prophet is pushing for them, the new mission president is pushing for them, and overall member involvement is our best ally says PMG chapter 13! So that’s where we stand with this lass.

Okay well I'm going to go to the post office to get some stamps so I can catch up on the letters I've gotta write so maybe you can expect a letter from me? Maybe with some newer pictures as well!

Well before I go I'll attach some pictures!

This one is of me with a chip.

This one is of a street sign. You can guess how to pronounce it! LLEWELLYN - the LL makes the chhhhhl sound!

Love you, Elder Brooksby

Just fine in Tywnyrodyn

2009-07-29T11:31:00.010-04:00

Well, it’s been a fun week, where to begin? Okay, Thursday, we went e-mailing, then proceeded to climb two of the most vertical hills I have ever seen in my life!!! On my bicycle!!!! That really took it out of me. And then as if the two hills weren’t good enough we went through a path to a council estate called the Gurnos, and then up an even bigger hill to the Gulon Uchaf (pronounced gulenuhhhca). So we live in a pretty big valley and if I wasn't fit from before in my previous area things are definitely going to change! My body is already hurting from multiple fun things we have done this week!

Fun thing # 1: On the way to church we were riding our bikes with one of our projections, Brandon who is 10 years old and my tyre popped half-way there. And then the tyre came off which wouldn’t allow me to roll it any farther. So for the last 3/4 of a mile I carried my bike over my shoulders to the church on Swansea Road! Then when we got there we walked into the gym and fixed the flat. Then we went out and put the tyre back onto the bike, and started to pump it up and then all of a sudden my tyre blew out!!! It was way loud!!!! So we had to have the sister missionaries in the Beacon Heights ward help us to get home after church using their bike carrier! So we walked the rest of the day!

Then we went out yesterday and went to the bike shop to get a new tube and a funny thing happened, the bike shop gave me the wrong size tube. And since it is such a far walk we just hunted around the pile of bike parts the flat had and found a replacement tube that would work and jimmy rigged it together! So that was my bike dilemmas for the week!

By the way it had been raining the whole morning and we had been out it and were soaked through! Our church, the Merthyr Tidfil ward starts at 2pm and goes until 5pm because our chapel is also the meeting place for the Beacon Heights ward and the Heads of the Valley ward.

I also have good news! There is a member in this ward who owns a barbershop and the missionaries get free haircuts! I haven’t had a proper haircut in sooo long! I cannot wait! Unfortunately they aren’t open today so I'll go tomorrow because I desperately need one!

I'm sending you a picture of Elder Forbes in the new mission car! jk

I've also included some pictures of what it looks like from around here.

And a picture of a piece of a painting on my own changing room wall!!

Also, I have met President Ogden and I think he's going to be a good mission president!

I love you all. Have a good week! Enjoy the pictures!

Love and cheers, Elder Brooksby!

How would YOU say Twynyrodyn?

2009-07-23T14:17:00.003-04:00

Well I haven't quite figured that one out yet either, but suffice it to say I'm in Wales! I got transferred out of Wolverhampton to a place called Merthyr Tydfil (another mouthful).

That’s that! That is where you can send the post! Into the rainy valley with the largest hills I have ever seen in my entire life! It’s like hiking a mountain to even get to our flat from the train station! But the best part about where we live is the huge Tesco Extra at the bottom of our cliff/road. It’s way cool! I've never been this close to a Tesco this huge before! You should Google Earth it!

My new companion is Elder Forbes. He has two transfers left and he is the DL. He is from a place called Syracuse, Utah! I think he and I will get on really good!

Well I live in a forest now! It’s quite nice. If I had a picture for you I'd send you one, but I haven’t been here that long yet! It took about 5 hours by coach to make it to Cardiff Central train station, then it was another hour and a half by train into Merthyr Tydfil. And then the hike up the cliff to the flat, the road really is about a 40-degree grade! No joke! I haven't tried it on my bike yet, but I'm sure it will be way fun going down and then it will destroy my legs going back up! (I may have to get off and walk!) Anyway, so I didn’t get to go grocery shopping until last night at 8 o'clock, and now I'm just e-mailing you this morning!

SO Herbert's back! Ohhh man! That’s way cool. Well tell him hello for me and ask him to drop me a line so I can get back in touch with him and his life and his mission and things!

Well I had my first Polish baptism! It was great he loved every minute of it and he was just beaming afterwards! Now I'm in an area with two more scheduled baptisms so I'm excited to work on that!

Well I'm glad to see that Glenville Ward is still baptizing even though they are kids. Those kids will grow up in the gospel and will bring up their families in the church and will help the church to grow in the New York region!

Well I love you and I'm thankful for your sacrifices! Next week I'll send some pictures (I've been trying to carry my camera with me more in my back pack so I'll get more pictures)! I'll tell you how much weight I've dropped already, and I'll have some more to tell you about the area! I love you, have a nice day!

No letter from Brett this week

2009-07-22T11:01:00.001-04:00

We didn't get an e-mail from Brett Tuesday morning, so we waited until this morning hoping one would still come. But it didn't happen. That probably means that either he or his companion were involved in transfers. I guess we'll just have to be patient and wait to hear what is up.

We’ve Had Two Weeks of Sun Already!

2009-06-28T17:41:00.003-04:00

We got a long e-mail from Brett. It was good to hear from him. He said that they've had two weeks of sun and that he's not only burning, but dying. He said that it makes him sweat a lot more when it’s humid and he's peddling his bike! He also said that the food isn't as rich there in the summer and that he's a lot more active in the summer time. He also said that he thinks all the vitamin D he's getting helps him be happier and healthier.

Brett also said that he and his companion get up at 6:00 a.m. to go and play football (soccer) with four other missionaries. He said that they usually play a good game to wake them up. He mentioned that he's loosing weight because he's getting so much exercise. We thought that was great. He said that being on a bike since the beginning of his mission has really helped him get more fit. He said that he'd like to continue riding a bike when he gets home. We'll see how he feels about that in the winter!

We asked Brett how he'd feel if we were able to come pick him up from his mission. He said that he thought that would be great because all the other missionaries that are leaving at the same time as him have a direct flight from Paris to SLC. He on the other hand would be the only missionary flying from Paris to JFK. It's kind of sad - he left by himself and he flies home by himself. We'll have to see how his new mission president feels about us coming to pick him up. Then if it's OK with him, we'll have to see if we can do it financially. Who knows what will happen - but it's fun to think about going over.

It's always great to hear how Brett's doing. I can see the growth in him and am so glad he's having this opportunity.

How's it going?

2009-06-13T18:34:00.007-04:00

Brett sent some pictures in his e-mail this week. This is a picture of Brett's former companion - Elder Hart.

Elder Hart just finished his mission and left to go home. Brett said that sending him home was one of the hardest things he's done. Not because Elder Hart was trunky but because they'd been together for so long. Elder Hart was Brett's District Leader for 4-1/2 months when he was in Wolverhampton and then they were companions for 4-1/2 months in Wednesfield B. Brett said that he was "gutted" when Elder Hart left and went home.

Here's a picture of mission football (soccer). Brett's the one in the wild hoodie - the second from the right. Elder Hart is also in the front row. He's the second one from the left.

A close-up of Brett and Elder Hart apparently trying to look cool.

Meanwhile Brett's still in Wednesfield B with a new companion, Elder Anderson from Oklahoma. Even if Brett were to be transferred on the next transfer he will have been in Wednesfield for six months. That's a quarter of his mission.

Brett said that his mission president, President Moffat goes home on the 30th of June. He's looking forward to his new mission president, President Ogden's arrival.

Brett ends by saying: "My mission is everything to me! And the English people are the most lovely people I have ever met! I almost prefer them to Americans! (sorry mom and dad)." So you see, he's obviously learning to love the people where he's serving - an important step for any missionary.

Short letter from Brett

2009-06-02T11:54:00.002-04:00

We got a letter from Brett today saying that the investigator they had been teaching was baptized on Saturday.

In the continuing saga of the bike Brett said that he "found a place that does discounted bike repairs. He's an old timer, but he really knows his stuff and a lot of things he'll do for free! He also understands we don't have a lot of money, and so he gives us a 10% discount!"

He also said that his companion leaves this next week. He said that he'll have to wait a day with another district member whose companion is also going home until transfers actually happen!

So in our e-mail next week we should learn if Brett is getting transferred, or just getting a new companion and staying in the same area!

What would England be without another day of bicycle vandlism?

2009-05-27T16:56:00.004-04:00

Yep, that's right kiddies! The Chavs have had at our bikes again. This time they couldn't get our bike frames off of the pole so they decided to kick in our rims and let down our tires by slashing them! This was the second week we had started to put them on poles after my last bike robbing and look at what happens! I'm so sick of having to buy or fix my bike!

On another note - Elder Hart has two weeks left! It's kind of strange for him, but he's doing well. He's not even that trunky yet! I hope he holds on well!

We have another baptism this weekend. He is an 18 year-old former gang member. He is having all the problems of the world with his girlfriend and his family. I've never seen Satan work on someone sooooo hard as he has with him. As a result he has also been working on Elder Hart and I - getting our bikes wrecked so we can't go see him. I don't know, it's just a pain in the neck!

I'm making sure I'm taking more pictures lately so that I can have a good documentation of my mission. I usually just leave my camera at home but now I'm bringing it with me!

Well I'll leave you with that, and now I'm going home to fix my bike!

I love you and I'm glad you're all well! Please pray that my bike and I stay in tact!

Love Elder Brooksby

P.S. I wonder if they make titanium tires or Kevlar or something like that?

Gotta Go

2009-05-20T10:27:00.002-04:00

We usually get e-mail for Brett on Tuesday morning, but we knew that they were playing Zone Football (soccer) for P-day on Tuesday and so we weren't surprised when we didn't get an e-mail yesterday. However, this is what we got today:

"I'm in a really dodgy Internet cafe with scary people. I'm going to leave and I'll talk with you later.....by the way I bought some football boots (soccer cleats) so I can play with my projection. Anyway, I'm going to get me and Elder Hart out of this place! Yikes! Don't worry, I'm okay -although if you saw where I was you would flip your lid! Love, your son Elder Brooksby ;)"

I guess we'll have to wait until next week to hear about what's going on. At least we know that he's alive and exercising some judgement.

HUMP DAY!!!!!

2009-05-14T17:06:00.002-04:00

Today is Brett's "Hump Day". He's officially been on his mission for one year today. What a year it's been. We are so glad that he's serving a mission. There is no place we'd rather have him be, and nothing else we'd rather have him doing!

Its a sunny day and a time to play footie!

2009-05-12T16:56:00.003-04:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today. It's weird to get one after just talking to him on Sunday. But we'll take it whenever we can get it. He said that he was glad Michelle had received her Mother's Day card. He said that he had to buy the card in March because they have Mothering Sunday on March 22nd (which is his birthday). He said that he bought it then and saved it till it was closer and he could fill it in and send it to Michelle. He thought what it said on the front was appropriate. It said: "Sorry I won't be home for Mothers Day. I have no washing to be done and I'm alright for cash! With love on Mothers Day!" He said that it made him crack up reading it and that he could only imagine that we would think it was funny as well!

Brett also said that today they were having a practice for Mission Football (soccer) which was going to be in a week in Coventry. He said that he was going to try and recall the skills he had back in Fourth Grade when he played soccer and then he'd see what wouldl happen.

He also mentioned that he got his Hump Day package (Brett's been out a year on Thursday, May 14th and so will be over the hump). He said that he really loved it. He said that all the other missionaries were jealous of what he got, so he shared some of his American Skittles with all of them. He said the thing he was most happy to receive was the American deodorant. He said that he has missed it sooooo much!!! He said that in England they only have spray deodorant which he does not like. We also sent his watch back with a new battery in it and he was happy to get that too.

We had asked Brett if there was anything that he wanted from home and he asked if it would be possible to get a pitch pipe. He said that he's doing a lot of singing while on his mission. He said that there is a professional singer (who's a sister) that he ends up singing with a lot. He also said that he got to sing a solo at a baptism last week.

He ended by saying "Cheers! Elder Brooksby:)"

Our Mother's Day Call from Brett

2009-05-12T16:26:00.005-04:00

Brett called home at 1:00 p.m. our time. We had Erin and Justin on Skype and the rest of us were on a cool speaker phone that Glen had brought home. It worked great. We were all able to hear him and ask questions.

It is amazing how fast time goes when we are talking to him. In our conversation he mentioned that he will probably be home for next Mother's Day. He said his mission typically releases missionaries two weeks before their entrance date - and that would put him home around the first part of May. That means we'll only talk to him once more before he's home - at Christmas time. Wow, time is flying by!

Brett said that he's eaten tons of ethnic food. He usually has African, Jamaican, or Indian food, with some good old English food thrown in now and then. He said that one of his favorite dishes is a vin daloo from India. He said it has curry in it and is extremely hot (spicy).

Brett also said that one of the things he thinks he'll be blown away by when he comes home is how big everything is. Cars, houses, yards, streets - they're all small in England. He said that a Ford Focus would be a "family car" in England. We thought that was funny!

Michelle thanked Brett for her Mother's Day present. Glen had Brett record 116 words that the GPS uses. Then he put it into the GPS unit. On Saturday night Glen and Michelle were driving to U. Albany for a concert and the GPS was giving directions. The first was "Turn Left" and Michelle said: "What voice is that?", because it was a male voice when before it had always been female. Then the GPS said something else and she asked Glen what was going on - Glen asked Michelle whose voice she thought it sounded like. She said she thought it sounded like Brett. And Glen told her that it was. Once the GPS said more than just a few words it was easy to hear that it was Brett. So now every time we use the GPS it will be Brett's voice giving us directions. If we put it in the back seat we might even think that he was in the car. It was so fun to hear his voice after not talking to him since Christmas. And then to get to talk to him the next day was amazing.

He'd love to get letters from anyone who wanted to write. Hint, hint!

Brett expressed that he is learning the value of work, and that it's taken on a whole new meaning since being in the mission field. It's fun to hear how he's maturing and learning lessons that will benefit him for the rest of his life.

Erin and Justin were able to tell Brett that they're having a baby boy. We also told him that Suzanne and Evan are having a baby boy as well.

It was great to talk to him. It made us realize just how much we miss his sense of humor. He said some pretty funny things and made us all laugh.

If you haven't heard Brett's voice in a while, you can hear it below. This is how he answered the phone.

Never thought I had the Skills to Kill!

2009-04-30T16:04:00.007-04:00

When we got Brett's e-mail on Wednesday I had no idea what the title meant. He'd attached two pictures, one of which was of a plate of food and I thought perhaps there was a bug in the food.

But no, when you look at the plate of food it's obvious that there's no bug in it. I think he's probably showing us something that he cooked in the crock pot we sent him. So after reading the e-mail for awhile I realized that "kill" means you're the last companion a missionary has before going home from their mission, and that was what Brett meant. Whew!

Brett said that his mission president "trusts me enough to not waste time or end up trunky, but to be able to see Elder Hart through his last days!" He also said that the two other elders that had been in their flat had been transferred, and made it sound like none replaced them.

Brett said that they were teaching an investigator named Michelle. He said "Her name is Michelle and every time I hear that name I think of you Mom! It’s great because I think to myself each time we teach her - if this were my Mom, how much would I want her to have and understand the gospel?"

He also said they're teaching so many good people. He said "The Lord is really blessing us right now! It just goes to show that when you’re humble the Lord can work with you, but when you're stiff-necked ... and let pride run your life you don't seem to reap anything! And I guess in that respect I've learned loads!"

Brett mentioned that they were having lovely 80° weather there, and because it was so nice they could do loads of things. He said that he was going to replace his brake pads on his bike, but assured us that his bike would last for another 13 months. He said "And because its an old mans bike no one will want to steal it. But to be on the safe side I have gotten into a better habit of locking it anywhere and everywhere!"

Here's the other picture Brett sent of their last baptism.

It sounds like he's doing well!

Vacation sounds nice! But baptisms sound better!

2009-04-23T11:26:00.006-04:00

Brett said that he's been receiving our postcards that we've sent from our vacation over Spring break. We sent him ones from Niagara Falls, the USAF Museum in Dayton, OH and from the Corning Glass Museum. Hense the title of his post!

Brett said that the past couple of weeks have been good, but hectic. He's had a couple of baptisms recently. This is a picture of Brett and his companion with Tom at his baptism.

Here is a picture of Brett's new bike. He said: "My bike is a gem, she rides real nice!" Hopefully he'll be able to keep this bike until the end of his mission without it being stolen or damaged.

This is a picture of Brett's 20th birthday cake. We sent him a food order from a grocery store in England called Tesco. We were able to pick out some food and have it delivered to Brett's flat. The cake was a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. We also had ice cream delivered.

Brett said that on April 21st they went to a mission conference with all 163 missionaries who are in the England Birmingham mission. Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke to the missionaries about missionary work and how to work more effectively with members. He also talked about convert retention.

Brett also said that he thinks either he or his companion will be transferred next week. They've both been in the area for 7-1/2 months. If he does get transferred we'll be sure to put his new address on his blog.

A New Week

2009-04-07T09:28:00.003-04:00

Brett had his bicycle "knicked, pinched, stolen, whatever you want to call it" this past week. He said that he and his companion left their bicycles at a members home where they'd been assured they would be safe. Brett kept having feelings that they should go back and get their bikes - but he kept ignoring those feelings. He said: "I ignored it because I didn't want to be paranoid about my nice new bike, seeing as how my companion's bike was the crappiest bike in the mission." Finally he told his companion that he felt like they needed to go back. His companion suggested that they finish the last five houses and then go back. They arrived at the member's home just in time to see someone riding away with Brett's bike. Now this is the bike that he'd just gotten a new frame for and fixed up. All that work, and now it's gone. And you guessed it, his companion's bike was still there. Of course this means that he needs more money to buy a new bicycle. Ouch!

On a positive note - they have a baptism scheduled for this Saturday, which Brett is very excited about.

As usual, Brett ends saying he's out of time for writing and will answer all of his mom's questions "next week".

Darn those computers!

2009-03-31T09:17:00.002-04:00

We got a short letter from Brett today. He said: "I was almost done on the computer I was on and as I was about to send it something happened. The keyboard stopped letting me push any of its buttons, so I couldn't salvage any of my work and now I'm back at square one!"

I'm sure that was very frustrating. We've all had that experience. Unfortunately for Brett (and us) he was out of e-mail time and couldn't re-write his e-mail.

He said that he got a new bike frame today. He said that it's aluminum ant that all the components on it still work. He said that he doesn't need to bother with the hassle of switching all the things from his current bike to the one he just got! All he needs to swap are the disk and caliper to the new bike frame! He said that he was very happy about that!

Brett also said that a General Authority of the church will be coming to speak to them. He didn't know who was coming yet, but was sure he'd be finding out pretty soon.

I'd asked Brett if he liked the crockpot we'd ordered from Amazon UK for him. He said that he LOVES it. He said that it makes meals so much easier. He loves that he can leave it for hours and hours and when he gets home the meat is so nice and tender.

Brett ends with: "Well, I can not put more. I'm out of time and a little unhappy. And if I don’t get this sent now it won’t make it. So sorry about this. I'm going to get stamps today so I can send you a letter! Sorry again. If I new what filter keys were I wouldn’t have pressed okay...."

March 25, 2009

2009-03-31T08:43:00.005-04:00

We got an e-mail from Brett on Wednesday, March 25th instead of on Tuesday the 24th because there were transfers. He said that he's staying with Elder Hart for another transfer. He also said that this transfer is only a 5-week transfer instead of a 6-week transfer. So in about another 4 weeks there will be transfer news again! He said that out of the Zone Leaders in his flat, Elder Mouritsen is staying and Elder Gee (pronounced G), the British Elder in the flat is leaving. They are getting an new ZL, Elder Wells from Arizona. He said "it will be one great time!"

Brett said that he and Elder Hart and are still just as good as usual. They have two projections for baptism in April. One is an older gentleman named Tom who is 57 years old. The other is a young lad by the name of Jamie and he is 10 years old.

He said he got both of the packages we sent for his birthday. We ordered a watch for him because the one he had doesn't work anymore. We also sent an envelope with a tie and a CTR ring and some other things. He said that he wears the ring, but that it took some time to get used to! He also got the Tesco delivery all right. Tesco is a grocery store in England. We can go on-line and order food items and have them delivered to Brett's flat. He said that he left plenty of time so he wouldn't miss the delivery. (Last time we ordered he missed the delivery). He was home an hour early and it came right at 8:30pm, a half-hour earlier than the 9-11pm time slot we'd picked! He made and ate the "birthday cake" carrot cake we'd ordered and said it was good. He also said that he slightly burnt the bottom, but that it still tasted wonderful! He forgot his camera today when he e-mailed, so he promised to send pictures next week. He mentioned that he also got a package from a friend that was filled with pictures and goodies as well. He was very happy about that!

All in all it sounds like he's happy and doing well.

2009-03-03T08:35:00.007-05:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today. He said that time seems to be going quickly. He also mentioned that he'd been sick toward the end of the week, but that he was now feeling much better. He said that he'd been able to give a baby a name and a blessing this past week. He said that he was nervous, but thought it went OK.

Brett sent us this picture. Here's what he had to say about it: "I have no pictures except this one where they have to post this sign in the library for people to know not to shout or be loud. Look at all the languages they have to put it in! Luckily the US only has Spanish on things...."
There are 15 languages on that piece of paper. Wow!

Brett also mentioned that he would love either carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or white cake with vanilla frosting for his birthday cake. We'll have to see if Tesco has anything like that. Just a reminder to you all - Brett's birthday is March 22nd.

Ah, The Life of a Missionary

2009-02-25T19:34:00.000-05:00

What mission would be complete without the crazed barking dog? Brett sent this picture along with his e-mail this week. He's doing well and is still working hard in Wednesfield. As a reminder, his birthday is less than a month away. Start packing those boxes!

Wednesfield B

2009-02-11T13:09:00.000-05:00

We received an e-mail from Brett today. It was a day later than expected, but that was because he was transferred. You can see his new address on the right. His new district is only a short distance from his old one. In fact, he still attends church at the same building. In his new flat there are 2 companionships. His new companion is Elder Hart. The other companionship in his flat are the zone leaders and they apparently have a Vauxhall Meriva, which Brett may catch a ride in sometimes. He's been in another bike accident, but seems to be ok except some bumps and bruises. Sounds like the bike took the brunt of things and will need some repairs.

Snow!!!! It snowed a lot for England standards

2009-02-03T19:48:00.000-05:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today. We'd been hearing about snow in England and wondering how he was doing. Here's what he had to say:
"Well yes! it snowed 'heavy snow' - more of a flurry for New York, but it was the most they had seen since 1991. It may have been 10 inches, but London shut down and the kids have been off school for two days and no one knows quite what to do. Some people look at their cars as if to say 'Will they even work in this stuff?' The English have no idea what hit them! It's like a plague. No one comes out of their houses and no one will be out walking in it! I don't blame them for not knowing how to walk in the snow because they never get enough to try, and when they do it's all melted the next day. I was even riding home last night when the roads where frozen over and I totally biffed it on my bicycle - flat out on the road! My back tire locked up and then like cars with rear wheel drive my back end whipped out and I was out flat in the middle of the road. Luckily nothing hurt. I quickly got up and back onto my bike in a matter of seconds. Needless to say it's not only cars that have to watch out on bad roads - it's bicycles too!"

He also talked about all the bicycle repairs he's doing. He said:
"Anyways I'm learning to be a master bicycle fixer. I have learned how to tighten the cones on the axle, and tighten spokes and all sorts of things. I fixed two flats yesterday in under 10 min. I'm learning a great deal about bicycle repair, which reminds me to tell you to tell Jared he'd better be learning how to fix brakes, brake pads, V-brakes, Disc brakes, suspension, tires, tire flats, cassettes, free wheels, derailleurs front and back, shifters, tighten spokes, raise your seat and tighten your handle bars!"

It sounds like he's doing well and learning a lot.

Fair For Fair Enough

2009-01-20T15:44:00.000-05:00

I think that’s a great title and I hope the attached pictures describe exactly how this last week has been for me.

This one is just of me.

This is of me holding the Going to Court booklet (I’ll explain later)

The last is of my foot after a few weeks of walking during what is now commonly called the bicycle crisis.

So first off I have sent the letter today explaining why I didn’t send them over the last two weeks.... Also I spent money out of the account because here’s the story - One night we were riding our bikes to go tracting and I was right in front of an old folks home when I felt the chain lurch a little bit. Then all a sudden I felt a bump in my tire, and a loud explosion and boom. The inner tube was gone. It had blown clean through. I got off the bike and muttered some words that ought not to be muttered again and looked around to see two of the old folks home workers hiding behind the giant rubbish bin cowering because they thought it was a gun shot! I then came out and said everything’s alright it’s just that my bike tire blew out and everything else is fine. They were relived. My adrenaline was flowing because not only did it scare them, but it scared the pants off me as well! So not only did the inner tube blow but also the wall on the tire itself! So that being said, maybe there was a max number of patches you’re allowed to have on one tube? I don’t know, all I know is I was unhappy and I had to buy a new tube and a new tire. So that’s where the money has gone. Also my alarm clock broke so I have to go into town today and get a new one. I don’t know why it broke, the battery is not the issue, it's the clock....go figure.

Also, I have to go to court.....as a witness to a crime here in Wolverhampton. And Elder Walker has to come up from Swindon too, so we will both witness in court. There is no way around it either. It’s really no big deal. It’s just that we witnessed a theft when a guy tried to sell us some video games when we were out on the street talking with a member. The guy had them stuffed down his sleeves which Elder Walker and I thought was pretty dodgy. Come to find out they were stolen from that member's home and the guy knew the member and was trying to sell him back his own games. Go figure. We have to go to Wolverhampton magistrate court on February 13th to testify. What an experience! How many missionaries get to go to court on their mission?

Justin is carrying out his New Year’s resolution 100% perfectly. He writes a letter to his brother and I each week! I like hearing about his mission and things he has to say as well. Okay the last two pictures are of names Justin puts for the sender address. I have tons more names but those are just a few I liked!

Okay – How’s the family doing, Jared, Lauren? I have time to write them today so I'll take advantage of that time! As for now it’s a great! GREAT!!!!!!!! thing that those trousers are coming, because I just got a new hole in the crotch in my good set of trousers from the Missionary Mall suit. So I need them desperately!!! Is it just one pair, or two? I guess I don’t care as long as they will last me another 8 months or so!

Okay - I love you and I'm thankful for the support you give. Thanks for the post. I'm sorry mine hasn’t gotten there on time. Hopefully it will come in a few days! I’m being 100% obedient so God can bless me. Anyways, I love you all and look forward to hearing from you! Don’t worry about me too much I'm in good hands! Talk with you soon!!!! Bye Now!

You know you're in England when...

2009-01-02T16:50:00.000-05:00

You know you're in England when you have a photo like this taken. We got this one from Brett close to Christmas.

Also, as a reminder, anyone can send Brett packages & snail mail. We keep his address updated on this site. A regular letter of 1oz or less costs $0.94 to mail. If you want to be sure Brett gets something, but don't mind if it's delayed, you can also send it to the mission home. That address is also on this site. If you feel pretty safe that he'll get it before the next transfer, you can send it to his actual address. Brett did not get transferred this time so he's likely going to be at his same address for the next 5 weeks or so.

For packages, the cheapest way seems to be to send the USPS flat-rate envelopes or boxes. All you can cram in them for one flat rate. I think the cheapest is a large envelope for ~$12.

IMPORTANT NOTE: DON'T send things via UPS or FedEx or DHL, etc. They will likely impose a huge import tax on those things that are due on delivery. So much of a tax that it would break him to pay it. Horror stories abound. The mission home will refuse packages that arrive with duties due for this very reason.

Christmas Day

2008-12-31T11:40:00.000-05:00

We were able to talk to Brett for two hours on Christmas Day. He was able to go to the home of a member of the LDS church and we were able to call him there. Just before calling him we got Erin and Justin on Skype so that they could also hear the phone call. Glen brought home a really nice speaker phone that we plugged in so everyone could hear each other. It worked out really well. It was good to talk to Brett and learn a little more about England and the different coustoms. I never knew that 120 minutes could go so quickly. Brett said that he had received our Christmas package, and the one from Erin & Justin. He also said that his bike has been fixed, so cross your fingers that it will stay that way. Transfers were on the 29th of December, and Brett did not get transfered. He's still in Wolverhampton, but has a new companion - Elder Patterson from Utah.

Hello from England

2008-12-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

Okay, I've still not been having a good week. My bike is still broken and is causing too much stress! My bike is much like the green Ford Windstar was with the engine always going out. My mission president says to just buy a new bike that cost £80.00. But I don’t think it's worth putting money into a bike that’s not going to last. My mission president also said that I can expect to get my bike stolen four times during my mission. Wow!

Elder Walker, the branch, and Elder Stevens are all helping as much as they can. I have to keep my faith in the Lord right now more than any other time because this is when I need it the most, and I know that.

I have received your Christmas packages, the one from the family, and the one from Erin. I also just sent you a little package with my memory card in it. I hope you get it and that it still has pictures on it and hasn’t been erased. I also got a package from the Waddingtons with a really cool Christmas sock dressed like a missionary.

All in all Elder Walker and I are being looked after by the branch, and I will be doing a lot better if I can fix my bike.

The most important think I’m thankful for are encouraging words from home. Missionary work is very hard mentally and physically, but helping words from home make it easier to bear.

I love you and look forward to hearing from you in the next few days!

Elder Brooksby

P.S. please send Patrick’s address so I can keep in touch with him!

Its cold out and I got soaked!

2008-12-09T08:54:00.000-05:00

We got a letter from Brett today and he's feeling discouraged. He feels like he's working hard, but not seeing any results. He also said that his bicycle isn't working well, and hasn't been for about 4 weeks. If any of you were thinking of writing him, now would be a good time to do it. He could use some encouraging letters.

FREE!!!!

2008-11-26T19:08:00.000-05:00

Hello!!!!!!

Okay the first item on the agenda today is No, I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PACKAGE YET! The Zone leaders forgot to pick up the post at transfers. Needless to say we were pretty unhappy because both of us were expecting packages of some sort or other. Elder Walker was expecting a package from his girlfriend, so we were both pretty unhappy! Today we are supposed to be getting some post from the Zone leaders!

Today we are also going to the Costford RAF museum! I can not wait. I heard it is really good! Ohhh and the best part is it's FREE!!!! We just have to ride a ways on our bikes to get there. But it will all be worth it!

I'm having my trousers sewn up by a sister in the Branch. She said she didn't think it would be much of a problem. I'm thankful that is also FREE. I think you just get blessed with FREE things when your on you mission. Like the way I had my nice new metal pedals bashed by chavs with hammers or something, maybe bricks, but they were battered and then the member fixing my bike got me new plastic pedals for FREE. So...it's okay. Elder Walker's bike wasn't fixable so he got a new one. It's way nice. We immediately went and sprayed his bike black instead of leaving it bright red! I rode it for a little bit and it's a way nice ride!!!! So now he bombs it down the paths and leaves me in the dust.

By the way, on another note, I just found out from a member that they get free international calling, so for a backup if I can not call using that card then I'll still be able to go to their house for the call. But I'm sure when it gets closer we will have everything sorted out!

Well, I think that's it! I'm going to go enjoy myself at the RAF museum and take loads of pictures so I can burn a picture CD later on today and send that with all the videos as well!

So I'm doing fine. I'm starting to break out my long johns now a days because of the cold rain that keeps falling from the sky! Anyways, I'm alive and well and still with Elder Walker! I love Wolverhampton. It's a lot like living in Schenectady, up on the hill! That's what all of Wolverhampton is like! It's an acquired taste, but what are you gonna do!

Hey, by the way Dad, I ate octopus the other day! I thought you'd be proud of me! A little chewy but not too too bad! I'll send you the video of me eating it!

Alright- give my regards to the family and the ward. And tell the missionaries that I have no sympathy for them. I've been riding a bike since day 1!!!

I love you all!

Elder Brett Brooksby

I'm still In Wolverhampton!

2008-11-19T17:12:00.000-05:00

In short I'm not being transferred and I'm sticking around here for the next couple transfers I think! So, not much is new. I have run out of time. We got to the library late and I don't know if I will be able to come back here later on in the day to write more. Sorry for the disappointment. I'll do my best to tell you as much as possible in the next three minutes. So, again my bike is broken and this time it’s the whole back end. Luckily for me there is a member who is doing the surgery on my bike so I won’t have to do it without the right tools. I tell you that’s really frustrating to have a bike that isn’t working right. The member said he knows where to go and get really discounted parts so I'm really lucky for that!

Go ahead and send my package. I'm still at the same address!

Love, Elder Brooksby

Hello!

2008-11-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

YES!!! I've made it to my 6 month mark!!!! And wow it flew by. I NEVER knew time to fly as fast as it has!!! How fast will I be at my year mark? It's crazy really to think the next big step is a year!!!!! The time we have here is really short! It said that in PMG but I didn't believe that was true, and looking at it now I can see the truth that it really held!

So I guess at 6 months I'm getting into the swing of things pretty good now and looking at the things I can improve on. It's really awesome to be out here!! Plus the cold weather is moving in and the cold rain is starting so England will be some fun times soon!!!!

Mom thanks for the addresses and the recipes and for the packages. By the way your Christmas package is in the post and should be there in a week or two. You can open it just to re-wrap them for Christmas, or just keep them in the box for Christmas or whatever you want to do (have them now) I'm not picky ;)

Concerning Christmas - I will have to call home so I'll get an international calling card. I can also call Erin and Grandma and whom ever else, as long as they are family! So that's how that will work. I'll have to call probably at 5:00pm here which would be 12:00 or 1:00pm there, so that's what I'm planning on doing.

I love you all I hope your doing well, and I'll talk to you again next week!

Love, Elder Brooksby

Hello to all my family!

2008-11-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

So this message will be to several different parts of the family, so get ready for the sermon!

To my dearest little sister Lauren, of which I have not heard anything from in the last I dont know probably 4 months....I know not how you are doing and do surely desire to find out the cause of such lack of communication. For surely as I liveth I will continue to write mine epistle to my family only if they will then in return send an epistle back.

To the boisterous and strong laddie, Jared! You're alright! I haven't heard from you in ages!!! I don't know if it's just that in the last few months you haven't found 5 min. to write your brother a letter idk But I'm not bitter because I was warned and forewarned that at about 6 months out I would cease receving post of anykind from everyone inculding family. But that's okay - you stopped at about 4 months so I don't have to worry about not getting post from you at the 6 month mark. Anyways feel free to write me before I come home at the 18 month mark!

Erin, I havent heard too much from just because of your business. But I hope you got the letter I sent with the loads of airmail stickers on them. Haha. It was way fun putting all of those on. I didn't actually know if they would be able to send it to you but I hope that you have been able to get the card I sent you for your birthday! I have plans for Christmas already in the works ;) Anyways I hope your doing well! And no, by the way I have not gotten any of the post you sent. It's probably all at my last flat. Except there is no one there anymore because the missionaries who were there got ET'd. So it's probably in a huge pile of post for me! Okay maybe just one or two letters.... Take care with all that you do in Logan I hope everything continues to be well!

Mom, I love the e-mails, and yes the pictures came through. I'm thankful for the weekly e-mails, and the Halloween post, and all such gifts from the family. They are greatly appriciated. And from the lack of post that I get I'm glad to hear the updates you put in about Jared and Lauren becuase most of their lives have been lost to me. It is only through your telling me about them in the e-mails that I get to hear anything about them. Anyways Mom I put up the Halloween decorations and the Fall decorations and the magnets and all such items! I also shared my Halloween candy with Elder Walker! I thank you for being such a good e-mailing mom and I'm sure it helps to have my laptop to push that along ;) I love you!

Dad, I'm glad to continue to recieve post from you, and the maple leaves you sent :) I'm also glad to get those snipits of your journal. I love hearing about you mission so I can compare it to mine. I'm also glad to be updated on the things that happen around the house and work and all that sort of thing. I'm glad that when you read my e-mail you don't start to cry. I'm glad you proud of me and excited for me becuase each new day is another excitement when you're riding your bike through the tiny streets of England! Anyways I'm glad your doing well. I pray everyday that you back holds up with all that yard work that you have said you have done. I pray that you will be okay and not injure yourself too much doing that, since I'm not around to help you out with the load of things to be done! I love you and I'm glad your doing well!

I love my family and I'm glad your all doing well! I'm doing just as good as I could be and we will leave it at that! I love the Lord and this work! And I would not be anywhere else. And while it is hard to be away from friends, and they miss you, and all sorts of others things will come up I'd not give up this short time for what I'm doing right now! I love you and I'll see you in a year and a half!

Love Elder Brooksby

P.S. I entered the MTC on the 14th of May and that is when my time started counting. So on the 14th of November it will be 6 months!

A few pictures and not much else

2008-10-28T21:55:00.000-04:00

Well I'm going to atempt to send you some pictures that way you can know how I'm doing until Christmas rolls around. Okay, well here we go again I hope this time the e-mail window doesn't close and cause me to lose all my work.

So in the first picture we have a picture of me with one of the families who looked out for us the most. They are probably one of my favorite families so far in my mission.

The next picture is of one of my recent converts who we called on late at night and he'd been asleep because he was shattered from work and came outside to take a picture with me but I dont think his eyes could cope with the bright flash and he looks like he is still asleep....

So this is all the new pictures I have for you. I suppose it will have to do until I send home my Christmas presents with 2 hours of videos clips from my missionary life.

I love you all. I'm glad your having fun raking leaves and all sorts of fun stuff! I'm doing well also (except the minor bicycle crash Elder Walker and I had where I must have torn something in the top of my foot leaving a substantial bruise and Elder Walkers rim on his bike cracked and bent....) But I'll get over it and everything will be back to normal soon! Hope everyone continues to be well and happy!

Love Elder Brooksby :)

Holiday – what’s that? England doesn't have holidays!

2008-10-14T13:17:00.000-04:00

Okay so here we go. SO… Today we are heading into town and we are going to be going shopping there and so I think with some of the sales I've heard about from JJB. I was looking at getting Jared an early Christmas present. That way he'd have some time to sport what I'm getting him, or maybe just dress up like it for Halloween. But yea, I'm buying Christmas presents now and I'll wait till the end of the month to send them though.

Hmm what else – ohhh, we were able to help bring two more souls into the fold this last weekend. That is always an exciting thing to be able to participate in. It was a mother and her eight year-old son. So it was really good.

Church was also great. And we have also had I think like 3 or 4 members willing to come out with us teaching. And this time being here I think there has not been one prayer where someone hasn't at some point mentioned how they are thankful for the missionaries here and the efforts that are being put forth to help strengthen the branch and help the church grow! It’s really awesome - they all love missionary work!

What else, hmmmm ohhhh I've been doing some hardcore off-roading here in Wolverhampton. And I have been getting really, really muddy. And my trousers - ohhhh they are really bad as well! Luckily I have two pairs of trousers so one pair stays nice and the other pair is for everything else. I think the way I can solve some of the problem is by upgrading the pair of mudguards I have on my bike. That way there would be a considerably less percentage of splatter on my trousers. But I still love off-roading. It’s probably the best part of my day just going through all sorts of dirt and mud!!! It makes me proud to own a mountain bike that actually gets used for what it was made for! YOU SHOULD try it some time. Just go out and get plastered with mud in your face on your jacket, your shoes get totally covered in it and your trousers are in need of a good dry clean! It’s way fun until you have to sit in it the rest of the day.....oh well, I love it!

What else....I have some pictures I'm going to be sending home here soon. I just have to go to Pop's (he's a member) and get my pictures transferred over to one of the microSD cards. Then you can have pictures. I'm also starting a new tape to send home so that should be done in about a month, with about a months worth of stuff on it. I guess it will also be a good Christmas present! Ohhh, and no, England doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving or any other holiday really. Although Halloween is becoming quite big out here! (go figure, free candy).

To answer your question – yes, our flat that I live in now is quite Posh! It is way nicer and way better than the one I was last in. By the way, yes, Elder Walker was there before me.

Well Mom and Dad I have to go. My time is up and as much as I would like to continue to answer your questions I can not go on. So just know there is more I will include on the next tape you get ;) I love you all, and I pray for you everyday. I love the Lord and this work and everyday I'm learning more and more how to rely on him. I have his arm to lean on when I need direction. I'm glad everyone over there is doing well. Keep me updated on family and friends. Especially Patrick’s mission call, which should be just around the corner.

Tra butt! -Elder Brooksby

TRANSFER DODGE

2008-10-09T11:09:00.000-04:00

AND NOW A DRUMROLL FOR THE DODGE!
Yes, unless you have not yet been able to figure out - I’ve been transferred to Wolverhampton which is quite a bit smaller than Sheldon was. I’m in a Branch of 60 or so, which isn’t bad because in Sheldon we only usually averaged 80 so it’s about the same. But I haven’t been to church yet.

My new Companion is pretty cool. He's from Calgary, Canada. He’s from a big family of 11 kids! His name is Elder David Walker. He is my Senior companion and so far it seems like we will get along great! Well, I have to go now I'll talk more next week I hope :)

What have we heard about Patrick and his interview with the Stake President? I guess the biggest question is ARE HIS PAPERS IN? When they are, I will be content and I won’t stay up all night wondering. Also let me know how James is doing with preparation for his mission to Florida. That would also be great!

I love you a ton too. I'm being good, working hard, and having fun.

Elder Brett Brooksby

It is Absolutely Chucking it Down!

2008-09-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

Yes, chucking it down. You may wonder what it is that is being chucked? Well I guess it's the water from the sky, commonly known as rain! Today on the way to the library to do e-mails it began to "chuck it down" and with no waterproof trousers yet I'm soaked. And I will continue to be throughout the end of shopping today. I have to buy an all-you-mini-um pan (as they say) to bake the crumb cake you sent me in. What else seems to be new? not too much....

Rain, rain, all the time. It never goes away except the last two weeks in which we had an Indian summer. The best weather I have ever seen in my life was the last two weeks. It must have been in the 70's and sunny all the day and very very few clouds. So that was our Indian summer. Now it's back to cold and wet and some more cold :)

MOM I'M IN A WARD. It seems like that has been the question you keep asking since I came out here to England 4 months ago.... Yes Sheldon is a Ward! And all of General Conference will be taped and re watched by us, the members of any England Stake because of the time difference being so great! I think we get to watch one session live, but other than that I'm not sure seeing as how I'm new to this whole mission thing....

Although I'm still in my greeny area I now know I'm not classified as a greeny anymore. I guess I'm just another missionary.

Well I'm working my hardest and doing my best. I'm tired today but I just can't be bovered (commonly known as bothered, they just say it with a V instead of a TH) and fingy. Well I have to go now my time is up! Tell Dad I liked his representation of what he thought my day was like and next week he'll get a letter comprised of what my day actually consists of.

Well Tra Mate!

Love Elder Brooksby

Where's Dad?

2008-09-24T14:51:00.000-04:00

So it's been a few weeks now and all I have gotten is a few mentions of dad over the last few e-mails. While it is nice to get post, and yes I do like it, dad can still send e-mail if he wants to. Anyways, thanks for sending my insoles. I haven't gotten them yet but I expect that I will in the next couple of weeks or whenever someone from the zone goes to the mission home. That is the problem with sending it to the mission home, I don't get the package for a few weeks. But at the same time it's better than me getting some note saying they were unable to drop off my package and want me to come pick it up at some post office far from my flat.

So anyways, what was this I hear that some girl was calling our house looking for my address!?!?! hmmm I like post from Girls....It's nice to be able to brag to your companion who always gets at least two letters a day that you have some girl who will write you! The situation would go something like this:

Setting: Birmingham England
Place: 12 Waterloo Rd.
Background: the post has just gotten drooped through the mail slot!
Elder Brooksby: POST!!!!!!!
Elder Rose: Give me my Post! It's probably all for me!
Elder Brooksby: It's always for you, all I get is referrals from the office....
Elder Rose: One letter, Two letters, 3 Letters and a small package!!!!
Elder Brooksby: Yes I got something!
Elder Rose: Who's it from?
Elder Brooksby: It's from A GIRL! BOOYAZ!!!!
Elder Rose: A Girl!?! ( a little upset that a girl would be writing him)
Elder Brooksby: True Live! It's from the opposite Gender!!!!!
Elder Rose: ooooooo
Elder Brooksby: I know.....I can barley hold in my excitement!
Narrator: Elder Rose quickly begins to read his letters as if not bothered that he didn't get post from any girls and hasn't for quite some time but continually looks up from time to time and makes faces at the all too happy Elder Brooksby!
Elder Rose: How was the letter!?
Elder Brooksby: Excellent I DO certainly enjoy those kind of letters!
Elder Rose: Well there was this girl who said she'd write me too!
Elder Brooksby: And has she?
Elder Rose: No, only my family writes me.
Elder Brooksby: My dad writes me and my mom occasionally. I think they are looking for that happy medium but, I wasn't expecting any girls to write me. And ohhh what joy it does bring to my soul when I do get post like that!
Narrator: Elder Rose gets up and leaves the room. Elder Brooksby then re-reads his letter and cherishes it and immediately plans on what to write back next P-day!

The End!

SO yea it goes like that in the missionary world. I love getting post from home and from girls! It just makes me feel loved and gives me that extra boost in the morning to go out and run around and talk to everyone and convert the World!!!!! OK maybe not, but I do love post when I get it!

As far as the flat goes. Yes, I have an oven so I can use that for my insoles and I also got my Elections letter and I sent that back.

Well I have to go now. I hope everything is good at home. I love you both Mom and Dad (Dad I'm glad to have gotten your letter. I liked the journal thing, it was a good idea). I'm glad that the whole family is doing well. Yes encourage every young man at home to serve a mission. You'll probably hear something in Sacrament meeting in the next few weeks pertaining to that because I plan on writing the Bishop today! Anyways I have to go, time's up. I hope you enjoyed this edition on Elder Brooksby's Missionary Life!

Role Play done by Elder Brooksby ;)

No e-mail ):

2008-09-16T16:57:00.000-04:00

We got no e-mail from Brett today. However, after reading on the missionary moms
e-mail site it sounds like he had a zone football (soccer) game today. There were approximately 100 missionaries playing football. Some other moms that had heard from their kids said it was great fun!

Wet!? You Can't Even Imagine How Wet!

2008-09-09T16:19:00.000-04:00

Yes, the last few weeks have been pretty wet and tiresome! It has been almost a constant downpour for the last few weeks and yes I am totally wet. And seeing as how my trousers don't have a water proof lining they often get wet, then stick to my legs because of the wetness, and then all sorts of uncomfortable things happen next. Sooo, I'm out to get some rain trousers to keep me dry which in turn means I'll be warm :) Anyways one thing I have realized that I do need is inserts like those that I have in my brown Vans. I guess in the mean time I will just be wearing my boots and my other pair of Ecco's, which are top notch by the way! Those Ecco's were the least comfortable to break in, and the most comfortable on the earth to tract in and do everything else in!

Anyways so I think that's it still and I'm sending you a package today that has a few little things from England in it and there will be a letter in the post as well. Well I have to go. Sorry this has been a short letter but I hope the Post will make up for it :) You'll love it!

Hello mudduh hello fathuh

2008-09-02T16:49:00.000-04:00

It's been raining a lot this week, so yes, your estimations that it would be raining here were correct! There's just nothing like tracting for 6 hours in the rain because your teaching pool is not very big anymore after baptizing all the people in your teaching pool. So last week I got word from the Elders I served with in SLC South that one of the ladies I got to teach with them got baptized.

Now like I said we just have to build up that teaching pool and that means we need to start to tract even further away from our flat. Which means probably taking a train out to a different part of our area and then staying there all day while we tract.

Now to answer some more of those questions:
The Camelbak! It is wonderful. It can carry my rain jacket, my scriptures, and my umbrella and also all the water to keep me going all throughout the day! What a wonderful choice to have! However, even though it is nice it is not a shoulder bag so it is harder to get you Restoration pamphlets out or the Plan of Salvation pamphlets out of. But that would be the only downside. And a lot of missionaries do use them, so I'd recommend them to those leaving on missions soon!

The rain gear is wonderful. That one rain jacket we bought from Missionary Mall works good because it's easy to pack with you and it is also very water proof and keeps you dry and warm as a result. I haven't had to break out my trench coat yet but I have used my rubbers and my boots. So all in all, my rain gear is working out alright for me :)

The Fall - I guess you could say that it is starting to come....it gets dark like black dark at about 4:00 pm. and makes tracting feel like it's going all night, and it just makes you more tired I think. Then you also have to have lights on your bikes and all sorts of reflective gear, so that's good but you always have to have your lights with you after lunch because you won't come home till dinner at 5:00 pm. when it's already dark. Yes, it is getting colder but still no snow yet so it's not as cold as NY yet.

Dinner appointments have to be finished with by 6:00 pm now which makes it incredibly difficult to be fed by anyone in the ward, but those are the rules and we are blessed if we follow those rules! Although we are still getting fed by a couple in the ward 2X a week, so I guess we still get fed.

Well that's all the questions I have to answer. Things are going well here in Sheldon. Especially because we are baptizing, and we got a Sheldon B Companionship now so Sheldon B helps out cover our area, which is quite huge. So - I'm doing great and all I can say is I love post but haven't gotten any in a week and my companion gets some every day, so it's kinda difficult because of that - but you know, what can I do about it?

Anyways, I love you all and I'm glad to hear about things from home. I'm glad you tasted 16 miles of bike riding. Now just do that every day and tack on another 9 miles onto that and that's what I've been riding recently so I guess you kind of understand how I feel!

Ho humm....the fun that is transfers

2008-08-30T23:13:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lateness of my writing you all, but like I mentioned before, I got a new companion because of transfers. His name is Elder Rose. He has been out in the field for eight months. He is from Roseville, California.

To answer your question - I love both post and e-mail. However, if I had to choose one it would be post and I'll tell you why. Post is something someone took time to write out and stick in a letter and send to me at my home, and I can read it not only on P-days but other days as well. Plus it is also more personal feeling to receive. So, I like e-mail but I prefer post better.

Well, I have got a baptism on September 5th. But that might get moved because there is a conflict with another ward activity.

I just got a package from the Maughans with American Starbursts in it along with American Skittles and Sweetarts!!!

Anyway I have to get going now, my times up. I'll write to you again in a few days. It will be on Tuesday this time because it’s going to be just a normal week.

I love you and continue to pray things are well over there. And all I need from you is the recipe for chocolate chip cookies and homemade maple syrup. If you could e-mail those it would be great!

Cheers Mi Duck, Tra, Tada, Cheerio, Cheers butt, alright butt, and as the Muslims here say - Peace Be Upon You :-)

You've got questions and I've got answers....

2008-08-19T12:50:00.000-04:00

First off this week has been quite busy with a baptism on Friday that went great, and another projection for baptism on september the 5th. There is this man we met and he's from Jamaica and he went to our church there in Jamaica and was so close to being baptized but...then he moved over here to England so instead of us finding him he actually contacted us and now we are teaching him and getting read to baptise him!It's great! We also recived a referal for a girl and we are teaching her and her partner and they probably will be baptized, which is great.

The bike riding is good I guess. My legs are building and actually I have enormous calf muscels now I was just looking at them and they are ripped out....it's a wonder I dont walk funny.

So you know that lock I was talking about that I bought, yea it stopped working and now I have to buy a new one and because it had started to rust, and I'd only used it for 2 months. The store wouldn't refund me my money so now I have a chinsey lock until I can go today to Halfords and buy a new lock that might actually last this time! But I have to get one today because if I don't I'm sure you can bet £60.00 that it will be gone in an instant at some point this week. And because I'm so early in my mission I'd rather replace my lock that the whole bike itself....I think you can understand that as well.

My trousers (not pants those are underwear) are holding in there for at least another month, but we'll see when it come to 6 months how much extra thread they have in them because of my horrible stiching job.

Thank you all for the scriptures and the updates, and Mom I'm going to send you a tape so don't worry all your questions will be answered then. I just have to finish the tape first but finding time is the hardest thing to do. I love you all and I'm proud to hear I have a sister who graduated BYU with honours (English spelling). Hope you continue to have fun. I'm doing my best out here, you can be sure of that.

Love, Elder Brett Brooksby

The Latest from Brett - Aug. 12, 2008

2008-08-12T10:57:00.000-04:00

We received an email from Brett this morning. He says,

"...the Mission has been going well. We have a baptism this weekend and that is going to be great! There is also going to be a "Feast" afterwards, or at least that's what the person we are baptizing said! The whole family is Irish and they couldn't be a more happy and loving group of people! The Irish are just funny, merry people all the time....although with their red hair they are famous for an awful temper....so that has been rewarding. We have had an awesome referral come to us for a man who is Jamaican and has met with the missionaries before and was really close to being baptized ... but moved and had lost contact with the church for 7 years. He wants badly to get addicted to the Book of Mormon again and wants to go back to church! So all in all, so far we are working with some really great people!"

We also learned that Brett bought some hair clippers to save money on haircuts. We're not sure who is doing the clipping, but it could be interesting.

Also as a reward for achieving the "standard of excellence" for the month, their whole zone got to go to a Nando's for lunch. Apparently they serve some very spicy chicken there.

Two new scriptures Brett likes are 2 Nephi 29:6-10 and Mosiah 2:22-24.

As always, it was great to hear from him and see how he is growing. As he said: "A mission ... will bless you more that you could ever want!"

Well that's England for ya!

2008-07-30T22:30:00.000-04:00

Brett e-mailed yesterday and said that the missionary work in Sheldon is “wonderfully tiresome!” He also said that it's been 78-86 degrees and very humid there. He also said something that Michelle discovered on her mission to Costa Rica – why they tell you to bring handkerchiefs. Brett said “it's not for blowing your nose...but rather for wiping off the almost continual sweat that spouts from the top of your forehead, then drips down your face, into your eyes and mouth, then down your front.” Brett said that he's sure he's lost a few pounds in bike riding and sweat! Brett also had his first Zone Conference. They went to Bimbos Farm, Gadfield Elm Chapel, and Herefordshire Beacon. I googled those places and it was fun to see what they looked like. He also got to play dodge ball and table tennis while at Zone Conference.

Happy Tuesday

2008-07-23T16:11:00.000-04:00

We got a snail mail letter from Brett on Monday, and an e-mail on Tuesday. What fun! He was able to baptize an eighteen year old girl on July 18th. He was very excited about that. He said that he is in the Sheldon area. He told us that he thinks his companion is Lance Armstrong because he bikes so fast. However, he did say that he managed to keep up with him for about 20 minutes recently so he must be getting stronger. He said that he's sleeping really well at night and that morning comes too quickly. Some "chaps" have already tried to steal his new bike. We're hoping that his lock is as substantial as he thinks it is. He said that he's had proper Shephard's Pie and Yorkshire Pudding and that they're feeding him well. He said " I'm still being good, working hard, and having fun along with that!"

Brett's Mission Plaque

2008-07-19T12:48:00.000-04:00

I took pictures of Brett's plaque in the case at church. Unfortunately I didn't do it before they'd taken Eric's down. Oh well!

Missionary Life is The Life!

2008-07-16T08:48:00.000-04:00

We got an e-mail from Brett today. He mentions how busy he is, and how hard it is to find time to write letters. He's also discovered that Sundays are not really days of rest. He said that in addition to the 15-20 miles that they usually ride they also add some referrals to stop by on. That means they sometimes hit 25 miles of bike riding on a Sunday.

He also said that he bought bicycle lights because they are required and spray paint so that no one would “nick” his bike. He said “Now I know that you're thinking 'what the heck does nick mean'? Well it means the same thing as pinch, both mean to steal. Theft is a huge problem here and because you live in the city bicycles are prime objects to steal and then sell for drugs or just to use because they are easy to get around on. So we are sanding off the nice stickers on my bike (his brand new bike) and painting it a nasty pastel light green color with random stripes on it. It will be really disgusting and easy to spot if someone steals it.”

He said that missionary work is going well. They have a baptism planned for this Friday. He said that they've been blessed with people to teach for which he's grateful because when they're busy teaching the time flies by.

Brett also said that he was sending us a CD with pictures. When we get it we'll put some of them on the blog as well.

He ends by saying: “I'm being good, I'm working hard, and because of that I'm having fun!”

July 8, 2008

2008-07-08T16:46:00.000-04:00

We got a short e-mail from Brett. He said that he didn't have much time and that the e-mail was extremely slow. He and his companion have a baptism, which Brett was excited about and the work seems to be going along well. He did get a new bike. We hope it makes it easier to do his 10-20 miles a day.

Brett's Getting a New Bike

2008-07-03T22:10:00.000-04:00

We got an e-mail from Brett on Tuesday, July 1st. He says that he is going to get a new bike. He'd been given one by a member but it was too small for him. He said when he peddled his knees hit his chest. He was going to a large mall in the center of Birmingham called the Bull Ring. He said that we here would be considered posh with our washer and dryer, two cars, and a two car garage. He said that people think he's from NYC when he says he's from New York. He says the missionary work is going well and he's learning to love the people. He also said he appreciates all a good bishop does to help with missionary work. Brett said it was LDS Helping Hands day last Saturday and he dug up stones and all sorts of weeds then large bushes and then he planted new plants for a total of four hours of work!!!! He said it was crazy but not very hot so it was okay!

You're Alright!

2008-06-28T23:00:00.000-04:00

We got another letter from Brett today. This time it was an aerogram which took a mere 3 days to reach our home from England. Brett it still doing very well and enjoying the work. He's teaching about 14 people right now. He has commented that with Tea being a big part of English culture, it's a challenge to convince people to break that habit. He has confessed that he's doing a LOT more bike riding than he was ever used to before - like 10-20 miles per day. He said his legs feel like rubber sometimes and that it is very tiring, but that his legs are getting stronger. (All I can say is we did warn him.)

He said the standard greeting he gets when he meets people is "You're alright." This is stated as a greeting, not a question. Hence the title of this post.

First E-mail from Birmingham

2008-06-24T08:10:00.001-04:00

Well today is P-day and well I'm both excited and still exhausted, as you might expect. I think I may still be 4 hours behind instead of the 7 I was behind by. Today we are mailing from the library because that is the closest place where we can use computers. It's about a half mile away. The library its self is very, very old, as you might have guessed. The city I'm in is Birmingham and it is one of the largest cities I have ever lived in. It is not the size of New York City at all, but it is still a sight to see. The homes are all really old and you have both the posh and the really poor. There are all sorts of people here. We have the largest population of Pakistanis in the world outside of Pakistan. Then there are the Polish people, there are loads of Polish here and most of them still don't speak English very well so it is hard when you go tracting to tract into them and share a message with them. Then we have Hungarians, Romanians and all sorts of Muslim people and there are even a few African Jamaicans and then you have the other original English people. As you might be able to tell there is a lot of diversity! It's a big melting pot because there is a little bit of everything. Oh, and the people here in England love Americans! They think it is so cool to meet Americans and they think you know all the famous people like 50 cent and other people like that, so basically they idolize you. Then the icing on th cake is I said I'm from New York and their eyes just widen and they think oh, New York City. They have no concept of an upper state even being there, all they can think of is the city. It's kinda cool. I try and explain it to them but they just cannot get it. Well the food here is good. I already have a dinner appointment (D.A.) where we had chicken tika marsala, or however you say that. It was my First D.A. since being here. I still have yet to have fish and chips, but the members here are very quick to offer you squash, sweets and biscuits. Ok, ok - I know your wondering what's with the Squash. It's a sort of juice they have here that is better than any other juice I have ever had in my life. It's very concentrated so you pour in 1/10 of this concentrated juice and then 9/10 water, or aqua as they say here. A lot of things over here contain aqua not water....go figure. Anyway the language is different. The Brummies have a very thick accent and sometimes it is hard to understand them. Often I just have to look at my companion and ask him what they just said. My companion has been out for 18 months and has spent half of his mission in Wales. He is very good. We still have to look at the map seeing as how he was only in the area 2 weeks previous to me being here. But we manage to find our way around this big city. He is from Indiana and is a really hard worker! By the way, I don't think that I will be spending any money on a bike right now because one of the members said he will give me a bike for free, which is very nice of him!
Well I have to go soon because we have to get back. I have a Safari Park adventure to go to with some of the members right now!!! I'm excited! It's in Dudley. By the way, on Sunday we confirmed a recent baptism. We also have a baptism set for the 4th of July. We just committed her to a baptismal date yesterday after we finished teaching her!!! We hope to have 2 more next week!
Things are going very well here. I love England even though I'm very tired all the time. I think I'll make it!!!
Glad to hear your all doing well there. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Elder Brett Brooksby

Next Stop - Birmingham

2008-06-20T06:53:00.000-04:00

Looks like Brett got to Paris in time for lunch. That is, if he can figure out how to ask for it!

Here's where Elder Brooksby is Serving Right Now!

2008-06-19T23:35:00.001-04:00

That's right... The Delta Flight 170 mission :-) His "companion" is Sister Moffat. Probably the only female companion he'll ever have. (Ok, she's the mission president's wife.) After a stopover in Paris, he'll be on to Birmingham.

Brett Leaves Tomorrow Night

2008-06-18T12:26:00.000-04:00

I just spoke to the person in charge of Brett's travel. He said that Brett will be leaving at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow on a non-stop flight from SLC to Paris, France. From there he will fly to Birmingham, England. He also said that Brett will be traveling with the mission president's wife. She had been in Utah attending either a marriage or funeral, he couldn't remember which one. So Brett will be picked up in Birmingham by the mission president when he comes to pick-up his wife. Hopefully we'll get to talk to him from the airport before he leaves.

Brett Got His Visa!!!

2008-06-17T19:11:00.000-04:00

Brett just e-mailed us and said that he got his visa. He said that he will be leaving before the end of this week for England. I'm so happy that he actually gets to go there. He said that he can call from the airport, but since we don't know when he's leaving, actually getting that phone call is iffy.

E-mail from Utah Salt Lake City South Mission President

2008-06-13T15:07:00.000-04:00

We got an e-mail from Brett's temporary mission president letting us know that he is there and all is well. They included this picture.

Brett's Out in the Mission Field

2008-06-10T19:21:00.000-04:00

We just got an e-mail from Brett today (Tuesdays must be p-day now) and he said that he's in a trio with Elder Bonoan (who has been out 10 months) and Elder Rameriez (who has been out 21 months). He said that he'd sleeping on an air mattress with borrowed sheets (he was going to buy them once he reached England). He said that they currently have no investigators, but that they're hoping to fix that. His companionship has a red mazda 3, which is good because he'd also supposed to buy his bike in England. He is very excited to be doing missionary work. He also said that he had a black widow spider just outside the door to his apartment that they had to kill. Sounds like he's in for a great time.

Today Brett leaves the MTC

2008-06-09T15:20:00.001-04:00

Brett headed to the Salt Lake City South mission today. We haven't heard from him, but when we do we'll keep you posted as to where he is and what he's up to.

Salt Lake City South Mission For Now???

2008-06-06T21:39:00.000-04:00

We got a 10 minute telephone call from Brett this afternoon. He was allowed to call to let us know that he will be leaving on Monday for a temporary assignment in the Salt Lake City South Mission. He will stay there until his visa comes or.... He seems to be in good spirits and I think he is just happy at this point to be going somewhere that isn't the MTC. I'm sure the referral center gets boring day after day, just as anything would. He also said that he thought he'd be able to call us when and if he finally heads to England.

The Latest - 06/05/2008

2008-06-05T23:50:00.000-04:00

We haven't posted much lately, but here's what we know. We've received a couple of letters and e-mails from Brett. He is still in the Provo MTC, but that could change this week. The district he was with all left the MTC this week so that was a bit hard for him; hard to say good-bye and hard to not be going somewhere as well. He has survived it well however. He did get his biometric imaging done so his visa is "in the works". He will likely be getting a temporary assignment that will allow him to go to work in some field, somewhere. "I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord" comes to mind. We're hoping the visa comes before the end of the month. Brett has not let any grass grow under his feet while in the MTC. He has been an asset to his district and companion and has taught a lesson or two via phone in the referral center! Way to go Brett!

What will I be doing?

2008-05-29T11:37:00.000-04:00

Brett hasn't been able to do his biometric imaging yet. They didn't get his passport in time. However, I think they went yesterday so I'll hope they were able to do it. That is the only thing holding them up in his re-application for a visa. All of his district leave this coming Tuesday. We aren't sure what will happen with Brett yet. Keep him in your prayers!

I've been at the MTC for 5 days

2008-05-24T15:44:00.000-04:00

May 18, 2008

Dear Mom, Dad, Jared, and Lauren,

I’ve been at the MTC for 5 days now and have been the most busy I have ever been in my entire life. The sleep you get feels like just enough to get you through until the end of the day. Sitting in class for four to five hours is a new experience all together.

My companion’s name is Elder Touli. He is originally from Samoa, but he grew up in Los Angeles, CA. He still speaks fluent Samoan. He’s a really great elder.

I have a great district with three sets of Elders and two sets of sisters. Our teachers are really great! Brother Petersen and Sister Billings and both return missionaries and are great at teaching us the gospel and how to plan our days. I share a room with Elder Winslow and Elder Ball. Both are great. Most of my District is going to Seattle, WA with the exception of Sister Lewis (who got here a week early and is going to Catania, Italy) and Sister Smith and Sister Sykes who are going to Melbourne, Australia.

I have been reading the scriptures and praying a lot. Preach My Gospel is a great book, but right now I like reading True to the Faith. Tell Jared to read the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel so that when he gets to the MTC he’ll be ready for everything.

The MTC is great! The food is like BYU-Idaho’s. I’m learning a lot as well as growing a lot and I know I’m here to do the Lord’s work.

I love and miss you all,

Elder Brett Brooksby

I'm Alive!

2008-05-21T14:53:00.000-04:00

Hey Mom and Dad,

It’s P-day and I figured I'd write you an email so I only have 22 minutes to do this. I wanted to let you know I'm having a great time at the MTC and I love my District, even though it took some getting used to. I'm sitting in the laundry room right now waiting for my laundry to dry and then later today I'm going to the Provo temple! I'm learning a lot here, and lesson one in Preach my Gospel is a lot of hard work! My favorite so far has been the RC or the referral center where you can talk on phones to try and place Books of Mormon or follow up with people! It’s sooo much fun! Tell Jared to start loving PMG (Preach my Gospel) because it will become your best friend here at the MTC.

Everything else here is wonderful. I'm singing in the MTC choir and that is sooo powerful!!! The spirit is sooo cool the way that it works inside you! The whole spirit here is wonderful. You are always on a spiritual high and I just love that! I'm finding out that there is just not enough hours in the day to do all things I want to do and that work is really hard long exhausting work here but I love it!!!

Well I only have a few more minutes so I have to go, but I love and miss you all!!! Keep working hard and having a good time at home! Tell everyone I'd doing well and I love the work! Be Good, Work Hard, and Have Fun :)

Love, Elder Brett Brooksby

Brett's First Full Day in the MTC

2008-05-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

Erin and Justin took Brett to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) yesterday. My mom and dad didn't end up going to the MTC at all. Brett was the first missionary to arrive. They were able to get great pictures which I'm waiting to see. Erin said that Justin logged into his MTC account as a teacher and saw Brett's companion's name. She said that it looked like he was Samoan. We haven't heard anything from Brett yet, so don't really know anything. They thought the companion was going to Seattle. We'll see.

Today's REALLY the Day

2008-05-14T09:03:00.000-04:00

This morning at 11AM MDT, Brett check's in. Erin and his grandparents will probably be there with him. He safely arrived in SLC last night and Erin picked him up. She was planning to have him tucked in by 10:30PM and up at 6:30AM today. They were even a bit reluctant to let Brett talk to us on his arrival. After all, he is a missionary now and shouldn't be calling home you know.

Today's the Day

2008-05-13T09:03:00.000-04:00

This morning at 7:00 a.m. we went to the church after seminary so that the Stake President could set Brett apart as a missionary. So I officially have a missionary son! We'll go pick-up Lauren and Jared at 11:30 a.m. and head to the airport. Ray and Robin are going to go with us and Helen said she might try to meet us there. Sharon Maughan is also going to try to come. I can't believe it has really happened. Brett get's into SLC at 7:00 p.m. I think that my mom and dad as well as Tammy will be there. Brett will spend the night at Erin's and then to the MTC at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. This is so exciting. If only we knew where he would be serving. Oh well, we'll know in time.

Tomorrow He Leaves!

2008-05-12T22:01:00.000-04:00

I simply can not believe that Brett is leaving tomorrow. He will be set apart at 7:00 a.m. by President Standage. We will leave for the airport at 11:30 a.m. for him to catch the 1:45 p.m. flight to JFK. From there he flies to SLC. He will arrive at 7:00 p.m. Erin will pick him up at the airport. We managed to get everything into two suitcases, but it was a TIGHT squeeze. The bigger of the suitcases weighs 49 lbs. The smaller one weighs 42 lbs. Tonight for FHE Helen and Ray and Robin were here. Glen gave Brett a father's blessing. What a wonderful night it's been.

Provo MTC!

2008-05-08T17:10:00.000-04:00

We just spoke with Brett Morrison at the COB. He said that Brett will now fly to the Provo MTC. He will leave here TUESDAY and enter on Wednesday, May 14th. He will spend 3 weeks there while awaiting his visa. If he gets his visa he'll fly to the UK. If he doesn't he will probably go to the Dublin Ireland mission where he will wait for his visa. If he is unable to get a visa into the UK he will serve his entire mission in Ireland. WOW! My head is spinning. He leaves two days earlier than expected, he's going to the Provo MTC, and he might serve in another mission altogether. The good news is he's going more or less as scheduled rather than having to wait some more.

DISASTER!

2008-05-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

Brett just received an e-mail saying that his visa appeal has been denied. He is supposed to be leaving a week from today. We called the Brett Morrison at the Church Office Building, but he isn't in yet. At this point I have one frustrated boy, and a whole lot of unanswered questions. Brett is supposed to speak at the Aaronic Priesthood outing on Friday night about going on a mission. He is also speaking in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, which will be a challenge if he still doesn't know what he's doing by then. We can only hope for a miracle.

Where Oh Where is Brett's Visa?

2008-05-06T21:55:00.000-04:00

I got a call from Brett Morrison in the Church Office Building. He's over British missionary travel. He asked if we'd received Brett's visa yet. I told him that we hadn't. He said that they had faxed requesting information, but hadn't heard anything. Other Elders going on May 16th have already received their visa. I think both the church travel and myself are getting nervous that we still haven't received it. I also found out that Brett is the only missionary traveling from JFK. All the other ones are going from Atlanta. I was so hoping that Brett would be able to travel with someone else. The missionaries from Atlanta get in at 9:30 a.m. and Brett arrives at 10:10 a.m. I just hope they remember to wait for him.

Fourteen Days and Counting!

2008-05-01T08:33:00.000-04:00

Brett leaves fourteen days from today. It feels like we've been waiting forever. Tomorrow is his last day working at Price Chopper. Saturday is the Glenville Ward temple trip and we're all going. It will be one of the last things we do as a family. I keep hoping we've done all we need to to be ready, or that if we haven't we'll remember in time to do them. On Friday, May 9th Ray and Robin Brooksby are coming. That night Brett is speaking at the Aaronic Priesthood campout. The next evening we are having an openhouse for Brett. The next day (which is Mother's Day) Brett speaks in sacrament meeting. Monday, May 11th we'll have our last FHE together. Tuesday we're all going to Evan and Suzanne's house to celebrate Stacy's adoption. Wednesday Lauren has a concert and Brett gets set apart. Thursday Brett leaves. WOW! We're at the point in time where there seems to be something each day. We're excited and I know he's ready!

The Next Transfer is Brett's

2008-04-25T08:28:00.000-04:00

I just realized that the next transfer in the Birmingham Mission is the one Brett will go in on. Missionary lives are lived by the transfers. That's how they count time. It seemed startling to finally have Brett at the front of the line to go to England. There's tons of little details to take care of: getting a watch band, checking on insurance, getting his trench coat from the dry cleaners. And I'm sure there are more we're not remembering right now. Time seems to be flying!