Emails 6-30-08

The Mommy-From what I have heard there are about 1200 fires throughout the state. There are a few that are kind of close, but not close enough to do anything to us. We have however been surrounded in smoke all week. It is nice because it has kept the temperature down all week, but it sucks because it makes you feel like a heavy smoker. No problem with the info for Mickell. It is the least I can do for the third Amigo. I do have a street type tire on my bike. It is the same thickness and such as an off-road tire, but it does not hum while you ride on the road and gets a little better wear than off-road. The tool I was talking about is just called a bike tool. It has like alan wrenches and other things on it to help put together a bike and to do some maintenance or repairs.My companion had NEVER been grocery shopping before. He was not sure quite what to buy or anything. It was kind of fun to see him struggle through it, I did help him though on a few things. Yep my ankle got better and than I decided to hurt my shoulder again. The medical Senior missionaries have told me to refrain from throwing or anything stressful for a while. I was really freaked out to tell you honestly when I first did it. I felt a pop than my arm went kinda numb. I just rolled my shoulder forward and pop it went back in. I now get to do all my shoulder exercises again and build up my shoulder again. For dinners here in Lincoln, we usually are with members. We do have the occasional cancel or no dinner, but for the most part we get fed. They are going to try something new for the month of July so I am a little worried that we may starve, but we have some fall back people that said that we could call them and they will feed us.I would love to hear about Mickell's farewell. I cannot believe that he is already heading into the MTC. I am so stinking excited for the kid, he is going to be a great missionary. As for Kyle I have not heard much from him, but more than likely from what I have learned thus far on my mission, he will likely be released three days after he entered the MTC so I think the 23rd of Sept is about right.We are not "off" for the 4th. We do get to call it a day a little earlier than usual. At 6pm we get to call it a day and just go hang out with members (well sort of) or something to that degree. Things are going well other than the smoke. We have gotten more investigators and a few more potentials so that is really cool. My companions bike actually sort of broke this past week so we have to get it fixed and I am going to get my bike tuned up. We also gave talks in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. They were short only 2-3 minutes, but the sister that talked after me asked if I could go longer so I took about 8 minutes for her. We just talked about missionary work and bore our testimonies about the work. I got made fun of for being short, my comp is 6' 3", so I took and stood on the little kids stand thing to boost my height, it was really funny. Some of the Elders do want you to make cookies again and send them out however, they liked the chocolate ones that you sent to me. I am doing well though and staying in one piece, for the most part. Well how are things going for you? Is there anything new and exciting going on? I hope all is going well and that you are doing well. I love you mom.Love,Elder Brickey

Hello!I think I would be a little more secure if I were to be carrying a gun, just in case. It does sound like you are meeting quite the interesting people for sure. I think it is really funny though that it was a bunch of little jr highers that were making so much trouble. Stinking little skater punks. The drunk/high guy though would have been really funny. I probably would have messed with him a little though. I do agree with you though about people and the information that they tell to others freely. It is really weird being in the mission because I think everyone thinks that we are like priests and if they confess to us they are all good. I have heard some REALLY MESSED up things lately. It is funny because my greenie will ask me after if it is usually like that in the mission. I told him that I am still kinda new at this to so I am not sure. I think one lady got really mad after I talked to the bishop about some of what she told me, I think she thought I could not tell anyone or something I don't know. It sounds like you have your hands full with those two kids of yours though. I think that it is funny how big they are getting and I love the fact that I cannot be blamed for anything that they learn, because I am gone! Though I think it would be funny to teach D to say kvah (?) or something along those lines. I do have to laugh at you though Shan, you sent your email to my yahoo account. I actually had to go on there to get an email and there was your email. That sounds like fun, falling asleep on your kids bed, not very comfortable but fun. Na I really love your kids they make me laugh. Than again I miss all my nieces and nephews they are all really fun. Well it sounds like you are all staying really busy. As for me here in Cali I am staying way busy. We have been tracting SO much and we are concentrating on finding right now. I cannot believe how much work there is, but yet how hard it can be to find those that are ready. Well things are going well here for me and I hope that things keep going well for you back home. I love you all and wish you all the best. Give the kids a kiss and a squeeze for me. Love ya and take care.-Elder Brickey