The Man from Snowy River

This past week has had some great happenings. (Sorry, starting emails is always weird)

The San Diego Temple is opening up to Phase 2. President called us and told us that Elder Doman will get to go through for the first time tomorrow! His parents are coming down and so I'll be able to meet my companions parents which is not a common experience while on the mission.

To help him get ready, companionship study has turned into temple prep for the past week 😂😂 and we also went down to the temple/distribution center to get him his garments, so we got to see the temple too!!!

The Temple!

On Sunday, we attended church IN PERSON! It was like an organ, swell and great. I literally almost cried seeing all these members in person. I have been waiting for that day almost since I got here. I love these members so much. 

On Friday, we were at Sister Leones doing some service again. She needed help training her horses and her dogs, so we all got to go on a hike with them! (She rode the horses, we did not) I loved spending some time here in the "mountains." Elder Doman grew up with horses and so he was absolutely loving it all.

Me and my new buddy Jax!

Hiking with the horses!

Also, we have a keyboard in our apartment and Elder Buss has music from "The Man from Snowy River," so that paired with hiking with the horses has us quoting that movie all the time now. Elder Doman loves that movie and he told me we were hiking with the "wild brumbies."😂😂 

Sadly, we weren't able to get any lessons with our people this past week. We had one fall through and the others are out of town.

Exchanges on Monday with Elder Guisinger (my district leader).
Ironically, his sister's name is Jessica because of Man from Snowy River

Something President Gimenez said during one of the morning devotionals was about obedience. Exact obedience is hard for missionaries because we often think we must be perfect. This is something that I really struggle with a lot. But, President Gimenez put it in a totally different perspective for me. He said that we should focus on progress rather than perfection. It's more about becoming something else than just obeying the rules. That's why we have rules and commandments. It is to help us progress and become more like Jesus Christ. 

Love you all!

Elder Brooks

brooks.jonah@missionary.org 

Send packages and letters to:

4195 Camino del Rio S

San Diego, CA 92108

Notes from our video call:

He is going to have lunch with Elder Doman and his parents tomorrow before they go to the temple.  While they are in the temple, he will stay with Elder Harvey and Elder Buss.

They will have zone conference in person next week.  But they still don't meet in person as a district.

Going to church was wonderful!  They listened to the Tabernacle Choir for the hymns and the announcements took 20 minutes.  They were dismissed row by row to leave.

There is always HOPE

Hello everyone!

This email will be pretty short. This past week consisted of a lot of finding and teaching members. So there isn't a whole lot to report.

But, we've been staying in good spirits! I seriously love Elder Doman so much and we have so much fun doing the work together. I feel so lucky to have him as my companion. So, he has the SIM card for our companionship to practice with it. Whenever his phone buzzes from a text I always look at him like saying, "who was it?" Then, we play a game. He says a response and I have to guess if it's actually what that member said or if its actually someone we're teaching talking about an appointment. We have a lot of fun with it 😂😂😂

We taught Monica yesterday and we're having a hard time with her. She isn't progressing very well, but we're trying to do our best to help her, especially with the Book of Mormon.

After our weekly thrift shop service, we got donuts at this place next door called VG's. We had heard about the place and decided to try it out! They had gluten free stuff and it was pretty divine.

Eating donuts from VG's

Also this week, we have had TOO MUCH FOOD! Our members recently have been giving us food for the whole apartment, four Elders versus for two. And when the members give food for four missionaries, that's like the equivalent of food for six people. And....we don't actually eat all that much. So we've been overloaded with all this food. This Sunday, we prepared stuff to make French Toast, because we thought a member wasn't bringing dinner, but then they called us up and dropped off a feast. We had two member lessons that night, so we had dessert at both, of course. You members are too kind! 😂😂

The french toast we eventually made.

Most of our finding is messaging people on Facebook. We try to start talking with them about normal and natural things, which brings up a lot of different ideas. For me, I've talked about Disneyland live music, how to make sourdough biscuits, and whether or not oat milk tastes good in cereal. So it gets pretty interesting!

I've been kinda the worst and didn't take like any pictures, so we took some while shopping today...

Shopping!

But we're excited for the future! The San Diego temple will be at phase 2 next week, so Elder Doman will go through with his parents for the first time! 

I really love the church's new video call "The Miracle of Hope." Its very inspiring and helps to teach the message that there is always hope, even now. (Also, I like the part where the kid is eating a food that looks like attieké) We have shared this video with members and it always helps me to stay strong. There is always hope. We have reason to believe that God has prepared the way for us to succeed. So, be hopeful!

Elder Brooks

brooks.jonah@missionary.org

Packages and letters:

4195 Camino del Rio S

San Diego, CA 92108

Notes from our video call:

They run into a lot of members and people from Utah.  As they were going to VG's to get donuts, they ran into a member and chatted with him for a bit.  As he was leaving, he handed them a $20 bill for the donuts.

They are well fed!  Any time they meet with members, they are given treats.  A member wanted a Book of Mormon to give to their pool guy.  Then they took it over, they were given cookies and protein bars.  "We don't want you to go hungry!"

ONE YEAR

Yes! It's true! The one year mark has come and gone! It has been one crazy journey. I've grown a lot and changed through coming home and returning to the field again. I can't imagine what's in store for another year. I hope it won't be as crazy, but it was kinda fun too.

Transfers came out on Sunday and I get to stay with Elder Doman for another 6 weeks! However, Elder Rodriguez left from the apartment, but now we have Elder Buss who is awesome.

Goodbye to Elder Rodriguez this morning.

Anyways, this week was a good one. We are working a lot with our members to continue to find people. I have loved getting to know the members here. They are so willing to help. We have gotten some more leads on finding people. We hope good things for the future. 

We did some service at the Dyers this past week. We helped them chop some wood. We rode straight from a lesson, so we just changed shirts, so we chopped wood in slacks and our nice shoes. So, pretty awesome. After chopping, Brother Dyer gave us a ride home and taught us about teaching. He said that chopping wood is the same. When we make big swings that aren't controlled, the log won't split. But when we make smaller, controlled hits, the wood splits easily. With teaching, we have to make more concentrated approaches.

We taught Monica and Maureen a lot this week. We really wanted both of them to read from the Book of Mormon. We've been reading with them and hoping that they will be reading on their own.

On Saturday, I hit my year mark (exciting, exciting!) We served at the thrift shop (see included pictures for the finds that I found). I also had some bomb meals. First, pancakes that were door dashed from Snooze (thank you Mom!). Lunch was Reeses Puffs. Dinner was with a member family. Desert was Lactose Free Peanut Butter Pie Ice Cream. All in all, a full day of eating!!!

Snooze Breakfast!

Thrift shop finds

Dinner with the Brockbanks

Also, we're starting church on the 27th!! AND WE GET TO GO!!!! Like actual real live members, talks, kids, and everything!

Ok, now for the spiritual stuff. 

Who watched Elder and Sister Rasbands face to face??? SO COOL. I love the Restoration and I loved the spirit felt there! If you are between the ages of 1 and 100, you should watch it, because technically we are all young adults in regards to eternity.

During one of our morning devotionals, we had Elder Davis (an area seventy) join us. He talked to us about D&C 31:3-5. It talks about how the mission is come. Our mission is here. Our life on earth is so important and yet so short. Like an hour. I like to refer to my mission now as "The Personal Study for Eternity." Its only an hour long, huh?

The Lord's Vineyard

Looking back at this past year, I'm blown away by the miracles and mercies of God. To be honest with you all, I love it here. The mission is the best. I love the spirit here. There is nothing more important than this work. Alma proclaims in chapter 29:1-2 *pause for you to go read and get ready for the commentary*  (or click on the link)

"Oh, that I were an angel!" He wanted to be able to proclaim to everyone the Plan of Salvation and the Doctrine of Christ. WOW, if only we lived in a time that we could share these things with the whole world... Do you think Alma could ever imagine the world that we live in? How COOL is it that we get to be in this time and to proclaim the gospel with such wonderful tools! But why do we spread the gospel in this time? "That there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."

He lives.

Elder Brooks

Send letters and packages to

4195 Camino del Rio S

San Diego, CA 92108 

Notes from our video call:

They rode their bikes 4 miles to a member's house to do service this week.  They realized they were only 6 miles away from Legoland.  Good thing it's in a different mission.

Their daily scheule consists of studying in the morning, using Facebook to find people in the afternoon, and meeting with members in the evening.  They try to get out of the apartment at least once a day.  Their weekends are busy serving and meeting with members.  The members bring them dinner most nights now.

Their ward will have two meeting times on two Sundays a month.  They hope they can go to each meeting.  They are so excited to be able to go to church again!

And then there were two...

So last P-Day, we looked at the mountain behind our apartment and chose to hike it. 

From the top of the mountain on our hike.

We got home and ate dinner, and we missed a call from President Gimenez 

We called him back and President spoke with Elder Kinnaird. An Elder in our mission went home unexpectedly, so Elder Kinnaird was called upon to fill the hole. He packed up his things and left Wednesday morning. Now it's just Elder Doman and I. 

It's definitely been different with just a duo instead of a trio, but we're doing fine. Elder Doman and I have a lot of fun together. He helps me to not be so stressed out through his jokes. Sometimes, we speak in straight British accents to each other, and then Elder Rodriguez and Harvey just look at us super weird. Its rubbish, aint it? 

I made Sweet Pork!

We taught Maureen this past week. We had planned to teach about the Plan of Salvation, but she had all these questions about revelation and prayer, so we taught about that and also the Book of Mormon. We challenged her to read it and she said she will! We have another lesson with her soon, so we're hopeful!!

There was also another heat wave here in San Diego. On Saturday and Sunday, it was over 100! So, our apartment has no A/C, but we have a bajillion fans and it was super humid, so everyone got a little taste of Africa.

We had Interviews with President Gimenez on Thursday, IN PERSON! We went down to the mission office and got to spend some time there learning and growing. Afterwards, we got In-n-out, which tastes better in Cali for some reason. 

The Great California San Diego Mission!

The mission office is at a chapel.

Sis. Gimenez wanted a picture with the three of us.

On Saturday, we did some exchanges for the day. I was with Elder Beck in my district. We got to study together and help serve some of their members. It was pretty great!

With Elder Beck

Dinner Time!
(Al Pastor Tacos from a member)

This weeks struggle, like most weeks, was struggling to find people to teach. I was always asking myself why? Are we not doing something we should? Are we not obedient?

Our District Council this week

During my scripture study this morning, I read in Alma 32. I loved how Alma talks about being compelled to be humble. He then predicts the blessings. We can repent, endure to the end, and then be saved. So basically, we are compelled to be humble in order to be saved. That's actually a blessing in itself. I always find it a wonder when we see God's ways and understand why He gives us trials. In this case, it is in order to be saved. God wants us to come back to Him, so He gives us these trials so that we can progress and come back to Him. It all comes back to the most basic block of our religion, God is our Father and He loves us.

Elder Brooks

Walk Selfie!

Notes from our call this week:

They went to the Walmart in their area to get groceries today and ran into a set of elders from their zone, and then a set of sisters from their district, and then another set of elders in the parking lot.

Their stake has been cleared to start attending church again, but they will probably not go back for another month or so.  School is starting in person next week and the ward council is a little nervous about it and flu season coming up.

The Spanish branch that the other elders in their apartment serve has about 40 members with 20 that come to church.

Becoming like Ammon!

Hola!

I never know how to start these.

We were able to meet lots of members this past week. They are all SO AWESOME! On Saturday and Sunday, we biked around the area almost all day visiting and serving the members. Sunday morning, one family fed us breakfast, we shared a message, and had the sacrament with them as well. That night, a member fed us and we shared a message. Then that night, we shared a message at a members house and they fed us dessert.

We joke that the reason our area is on bikes is because there's not enough workout time in the morning to burn all the calories.

Brooks and Breezer (my bike)

The rest of the weekdays, it's pretty slow. We're still locked down, but San Diego county is starting to open up, so we have hope for the next couple weeks. We do our district meetings over zoom, but we have interviews with President Gimènez in person this week! Things are headed in the right direction.

A view of our area that reminds me a bit of Africa

We weren't able to meet with any of our investigators this past week, so our spirits were pretty low. Something that makes me happy is cooking, so here's some foods I made this past week: Moms Ranch Chicken (blessed dinner right there), an omelette with hashbrowns inside, chicken noodle soup, and a chicken taco salad.

Getting ready to each Ranch Chicken

Popcorn and Bissap from Elder Rodriguez

I was able to study about Ammon this past week. During our workouts, I always tell myself that I'm trying to be more like Ammon, spiritually and physically (have you seen the Friberg paintings???). Ammon was so selfless, humble, and persistent with the work and that's something I really have admired about him. 

Never thought I'd find the Tree of Life near a Chipotle in California

I love this work so much and I love being able to have the Spirit to tell me Gods will for my own life. That's one of the biggest blessings of the Restoration: Personal Revelation!!

Elder Brooks

On a hike on P-day

Other notes:

We got another message at the end of P-day that Elder Kinnaird was being transferred the next day to replace a missionary that went home.