Stormy San Diego

Hello Everyone!

Things have been going very well here in El Cajon. This past week was my first week with my new companion, Elder Day. I love working with him. He is so spiritual and so uplifting to be with all the time. I think he is exactly was I needed and what the other missionaries in the Zone need as well. I believe we will be able to do some amazing work this transfer. Our ward has been struggling with baptisms ever since COVID happened, so we have the goal to have someone with a baptismal date by the end of the transfer. We hope that it could be Gusman and his family and we work for that, but we also work with our members to build our relationships and to help them reach out to their friends. 

Elder Day and I!

We have had such a busy week and it feels great! I am so grateful for the amazing tools that the Lord has provided to help us stay organized. One of those tools is Facebook. Recently, we posted a music video that I got to be a part of onto our facebook page. We posted it on Saturday and so far it has over 8,000 views and has reached even more people than that. It's a little hard to imagine knocking on 8,000 doors in that same amount of time! Here is the link if you would like to check it out: Beautiful Savior

We had MLC yesterday which was a spiritual firehose of information and things we need to work on. It is amazing how much we can do and still be so far from where we need to be sometimes . One of my favorite principles in the gospel is that of grace. I love how Christ's grace is sufficient for all of us that come unto Him and that we are enough through Him. 

It's been a weird week, in so much that it was stormy and raining almost all the week long. When we went shopping, we were wearing our short sleeved white shirts and we saw people wearing winter coats, beanies, and scarves.

The seatbelt stole my tag!!!

This whole weekend, we barely left the house. We got to watch two baptisms from our zone, but we were so busy that we forgot to get some fresh air haha. So we went to the park on Sunday to study and got talking with some people there. Anyways, the lady we were talking to literally quoted the King Follett Sermon to us and had a couple of words to say about Joseph Smith. It was a good peaceable conversation about the gospel, we had some disagreements about some things, but my testimony came out stronger about how this is the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth and that Joseph Smith is a prophet. It is so fundamental to understand and know with your heart those things, because so many other things fall into place with our faith. 

Elder Brooks 

Our district!

Some old friends from Canyon View - Elder Turner and Elder Gray

From our video call:

Tom took them up to Julian, CA today so that they could see some snow and have some pie (Julian is famous for it) but when they got there, the road was closed, ironically, because there was too much snow.  So they stopped at a cafe in Alpine, CA and lunch instead.

A New Day ;)

Hello Everyone! This has been such an amazing week and my heart is full.

Elder Day and I - my new companion

We had transfers today and Elder Norris is leaving after spending nine months here. We have spent two transfers and I have really enjoyed serving with him. He is going to work in Olivenhain, the ward that I was in before Granite Hills! My new companion is Elder Day. He served in the Philippines and speaks Tagalog! He will end his mission in November, so I feel old now 

This past week, we had our best week as a Zone. We saw much improvement. 

The last time together as the Zone!

We found many people and had lots come to church. One of which was Gusman!!! He came to church and we taught him last night. It was truly a miracle. We also had a baptism in our Zone as well. 

Gusman!!

I have been praying for more charity for the people I have been serving and it is improving. I really love this ward and these people of El Cajon. As I have studied more about the after life, I understand more about the urgency of this work. It truly is amazing to be able to teach others about God's plan for them.

Filming for a music video

Shawarma Fries!

It's a short email, but I'm excited for the future!

Elder Brooks

MIRACLE POWER HOUR

Wow, time here is flying. I've already been in San Diego for six months and it has been sixteen months since I left. 

We had lots happening this past week. The biggest project we completed this past week was filming and editing a video like Groundhog Day. We ended up calling it "A Day #likeChrist" Here is the link to the video if you would like to watch it and comment and share it to others: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=318599092803833 

We had lots of fun doing the video, but it took such a long time to edit and get it all put together, so that was a big accomplishment this week.

This past Saturday, we had the wonderful opportunity to go with our zone to the temple grounds and help take down lights. It was so peaceful there. We also got some fun pictures too :) The Temple is truly the Lord's house.

Part of the El Cajon Zone at the California San Diego Temple!

An Elder in our zone photoshopped this picture with the lightsaber, so enjoy!
(it was taken with a pole they used to take down the lights)

Yesterday, we had what we call a MIRACLE POWER HOUR for our zone. We all shared miracles we have seen in finding people. It was amazing. One set of Sisters even had someone come up to them and they set up a lesson for later, while they were typing up their miracle. But, our Sunday was pretty miracle filled. 

So, a different set of Sisters in our zone got tacos one day and accidentally left a pass along card. One of the workers there found it and had been wanting to change more to come closer to God. He took this pass along card as a sign. So, he called the sisters and they invited him to come to church. Our ward is the only ward meeting in person outside, so they all came to that. We got to talk with him, Edgar, and he still had the pass along card in his wallet! Anyways, during the meeting, the high councilor who spoke, said that he wanted to speak on one specific topic, but threw it out the window and shared something else. It was his conversion story. Edgar was very touched by it and took it as another sign. Anyways, Edgar met more people from our ward who talked to him and now one of our members will be helping in the teaching with him. Absolutely crazy. 

But the story doesn't end there. Also at that meeting was a boy who has come a couple of times, but who we haven't got to meet before. We finally met Trenton and it was awesome. Elder Norris and I joined Young Men after church (which we have not done before) and joined in on the discussion. It was about serving missions. We got to talk to the YM a little bit about how we feel about missions too. It was great. Trenton was also there. We got talking and we set up a time later that same day to meet. We taught him the Restoration while zooming Bishop. Trenton has close ties with Bishop's family. Anyways, we get to teach Trenton and we have had so many miracles happening so much this week. I am truly amazed at how gracious the Lord is. 

Elder Brooks

President and Sister Gimenez and Elder Norris and I at interviews last week.

New Haircut
(from the Bishop)

A picture from a hike we went on last week

Notes from our video call:

They met at the temple grounds at 7:30 am last Saturday.  It was a little cold.  There were missionaries from two zones, some YSAs, and other adults to help.

San Diego is doing better with COVID, but it is in the same region as Los Angeles, so they are still locked down.

Here to Stay

Happy New Year everyone! This week has been pretty eventful for me.

New Year's Eve with Hachi
(and Martinelli's)

On Friday, President gave me a call to let me know that I have been permanently reassigned here to San Diego and that I will not be returning to Côte d'Ivoire. I knew that it might happen and that missionaries were returning soon, but I'm glad to have some closure on it. And, I also know that this is where the Lord wanted me to be now. I find it very "coincidental" that this happened on New Year's. It's very symbolic of a new time to continue to serve the Lord in the way I didn't think I would be.

But, on Saturday, we had interviews! President and Sister Giménez came out to one of our stake centers and interviewed all of us and then they both toured all the apartments in our Zone! We started interviews at 10 AM and they weren't finished with touring the apartments until 8 PM. Anyways, both President and Sister Gimenez mentioned that they were happy to be able to have me end my mission while they are there and that they were able to keep me haha. Basically, they said that now I am officially officially a part of the great California San Diego Mission.

President and Sister Giménez visited our house with Tom and it was wonderful to be able to chat to them like good old friends. They are the best. Anyways, in our weekly MLC video call, President said that he would need to share a scripture talking about how to help our apartments. One phrase was "...a house of order..." They have also only visited two zones, one of them being ours  

Apart from that, the works been going. We keep trying to find people, but to really no avail so far. One family we have taught has said that they don't want to do zoom calls (which is basically our only way we can do lessons for the next month while we are on a stay-at-home order). We are also teaching Gusman and his family, but he is having trouble keeping his appointments and such. So we are trying to use every chance we get to find others to teach, messaging on Facebook, interacting in groups, asking members who might be interested, and so forth. We got a referral this past week, but when we texted her she said that she was looking for Christians, not those of the "Norman" faith. We told her that we DEFINITELY believe in Christ, but she never responded...

We celebrated New Year's at 9 PM and clinked some glasses of Martinelli's together haha. It was midnight, Joseph Smith's time!

I'm very grateful for my experiences in Côte d'Ivoire and I'm very grateful to be in such a wonderful mission now doing such a marvelous work. I'm excited for these last 8 months of my mission to be able to continue to serve the Lord. 

Elder Brooks

Our "biker gang" with these new bikes at the Salvation Army

From a hike we did today

Notes from our video call:

One bright spot from being on lockdown the past few weeks - they are saving lots of miles on their car (missionaries have a mileage allotment each month).

When Pres. Gimenez was touring their apartment, he saw that their room has a set of bunks and two more twins.  It's pretty tight quarters.  He told them a story of when he was a firefighter and slept in a room with 20 firefighters - and all those around him snored.  Pres. Gimenez just hit his 6 month mark as mission president.  He and Sis. Gimenez are really trying to know each missionary and where they are serving.  Elder Brooks loves serving with them!

Because Pres. Gimenez is a Seventy, he only serves as a mission president for two years.  That means that most missionaries that arrive while they are there will depart after they leave.  Jonah was one of the first missionaries that arrived after they started, and he will be one of the few that will depart while they are still there.

Christmas in San Diego!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! 

This week has been a good one for us. We had our Christmas themed Zone Conference last Wednesday. It was shorter, outside, and it was all focused about Christ, more specifically the creation, His mission, and His role today. Afterwards, President and Sister Gimenez gave each of the missionaries Light the World masks and a hand written note. The notes were personal and so amazing. They are literally the best. We also all got donuts and hot chocolate to eat outside!

Elder Norris and I with Pres. Gimenez and some other Zone Leaders

Our Zone at Zone Conference

Our District

All three zones with Pres and Sis Gimenez!

We had a great Christmas season as well. We were able to do exchanges with the Assistants on Christmas Eve and exchanges with two companionships in our Zone on Christmas day! Since all of our exchanges are virtual at the moment, we were able to do multiple shorter exchanges of studying Luke 2 together and talking about Christmas. 

Volunteering at the Salvation Army on Christmas Eve
We helped put together these food kits.  We are able to serve there
because it is considered an essential service.

For Christmas, Tom bought us many gifts which was very kind of him. He has made here a home away from home. We had a great day on Christmas and were able to teach a lesson to a member family about this season and this year in general that was really great. 

Christmas Suits from Tom
(Elder Hendrickson arrived after he gave them to us)

Christmas Dinner in our African shirts from Tom

Since then, we've continued in our work. We aren't allowed to really go anywhere except the church and it doesn't look like its changing for a while. I've been able to send out lots of message to others to hopefully tell them about the gospel. I had a great conversation with a lady on Friday. She wasn't interested in the gospel, but she had lots of respect for what we are doing. She found out I was going to BYU after my mission and ended up telling me that she would buy me flowers when I get engaged at BYU, which she said would be next year. Haha, it was pretty great. 

The El Cajon sign at night!

We have lots of hope for the future and for this work here. We are optimistic despite our circumstances, for we know that this is God's work. 

Elder Brooks

Notes from our video call:

They continue to hold church outside.  The Swahili Elders do translation into headsets each week.  The sister missionaries have permission to attend the nearest ward that is holding sacrament meeting so that they can partake of the sacrament.  The two sets of sisters in their zone will be attending their ward, so there will be four sets of missionaries there.

They were able to hold Zone Conference since it was a worship meeting and was held outside.  They met with three zones combined.  Elder Brooks did one of the musical numbers (Pres. Gimenez wanted good ones and no one else in their zone wanted to do it).  He recorded it again and posted it on Facebook.

He and Elder Norris delivered treats to all of the missionaries in their zone on Christmas Eve.

Hopeful Hype

Merry Christmas everyone!

This week has been a busy one for us! To start off, Elder Norris and I ran our latest zone activity called our "Zone Welcome." We got to know each other a little bit more and then Elder Norris and I gave a bit of training. For our get-to-know-you game, we had everyone send in a picture of their favorite food and then send in a picture of them with the food. Then, we showed the pictures of the food and we had to guess whose favorite it was. We had a great time. (I took a picture of peanut butter for mine :)) 

We gave a couple of challenges for the zone too. One was about all of us studying hope together. This was something that President Gimenez stressed on in MLC. Since our restrictions just got tighter, it's been hard for a lot of missionaries to stay hopeful and optimistic. Since then, we had a discussion about it in our chat with our zone over messenger. It was very very insightful what everyone is learning. Here are some favorite quotes from it:

"The reason for gloom on the earth is because there is no hope without Jesus Christ."

"Despair leads to a lot of bad things but instead we should have hope and let that guide us in the things we need to do and in the things we can do."

"I've learned that Hope can pull us from the darkest corners of our minds!"

"I learned that hope in the scriptures means: surety, unwavering, or active."

Hopefully, these will help those who are reading this. 

Our whole zone over Zoom!

Elder Norris and I have also been able to use our talents together. This is something that I thought I could do much better on and so now we sing for the members of the ward for devotionals and in our nightly lessons with them. It's always a special experience and a great way to get to know other people we might be able to teach. (They sang in church last Sunday - here is the video.)

The Granite Hills Elders!

Also, we finally had a lesson with Gusman and his wife Esther! We didn't know if Esther was joining and so it was a definite miracle that we were able to have that lesson and have Esther there. We taught about the Book of Mormon and why it matters to know who has true authority on the earth and where true baptism is. 

One last thing, I love President Gimenez so much! He mentioned how he has been hearing everyone use the word "hype" recently and thought it was really funny but also really applicable to how that relates to "hope." During one of our morning devotionals, he shared his tender testimony of the Savior. It has been one of, if not the only, time I have seen him get emotional. It was very touching and very invigorating to hear someone with that authority to testify of Christ. 

Fyi, my mission rules just changed this past week and we are no longer allowed to use Facebook messenger to communicate with friends. If you would like to message me, you can send an email to brooks.jonah@missionary.org or you can send a letter to 4195 Camino del Rio S #101, San Diego, CA 92108. That is my mission office and should be the same for my whole stay here.

Stay hopeful,

Elder Brooks

His Enabling Power

This past week has been so busy and so challenging. It feels great to have a break today. 

So, we ended our quarantine with no symptoms last week! But, before that ended, the Governor of California put us all in a stay-at-home order. So it was technically quarantine³. Anyways, we can't meet in person anymore, but thankfully can still do church outside. We also have such a wonderful ward here with great leaders who schedule appointments for us throughout the week to do video calls with our members. It has been so nice while we have been staying inside for so long.

It's been very overwhelming to be thrown into this leadership position. We had a couple of meetings to be in and to conduct ourselves. One was our MLC (Mission Leadership Council). I loved getting together (over zoom) as leaders and discussing the needs of our missionaries. We talked lots about hope, finding, and staying diligent. This quarantine can be very debilitating for missionaries, including myself, but I found so much comfort in President's message of hope. Elder Norris and I were also able to council with our District Leaders to set some new goals to help our Zone improve in these areas. Our district had a great council this past week too and we set a theme for this transfer: the MIRACLE transfer. I'm really pumped to see what surprises the Lord has in store.

Panda Express after MLC

Our District

One great miracle I saw was with my health. Now, lots of stress and my body don't mix well, so it was difficult with many new responsibilities. I definitely wasn't feeling at 100%. So, Elder Norris gave me a blessing. Ever since then, I haven't had problems with my health and I feel that I have enough strength to continue on. 

We also had a fun ward activity where we were able to basically have a trunk-or-treat, but with singing Christmas hymns together outside! It definitely brought the Christmas spirit.

After our Christmas Activity
(Elder Hendrickson, Elder Norris, Elder Brooks, Elder Spackman, Tom with Hachi in front)

Because I felt pretty overwhelmed this past week, I was able to study and understand more about the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. Not necessarily the cleansing power, but His power that allows us to break what binds us and to find strength to continue in His work. My favorite example is Alma's prayer in Alma 31. He specifically prays for strength and success and we find that he receives that as well. It was by the enabling power, or grace, of His Atonement. I have felt this power in my life this week through being lifted up to have strength to accomplish our daily tasks and also in revelation received to know what to do. I know that He will do the same for you.

Elder Brooks

brooks.jonah@missionary.org 

4195 Camino del Rio S #101, San Diego, CA 92108

Notes from our phone call:

They had a Zone Welcome Zoom meeting to welcome all of the new missionaries that were transferred into their zone.  Each missionary sent a picture of their favorite food, and another one of them with the food.  They had to guess whose food belonged to each missionary.

As Zone Leaders they go to the mission office twice a week to pick up the mail and packages.  There were 100 packages waiting for the mission on Monday.

There is another Swahili church in their area.  The pastor came to their ward (he has children that are members) and invited them to come to his church.  He and his family moved here from the Congo.