Nottingham Today!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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!"