Emails 7-7-08

The Mommy-My shoulder is doing a little bit better. I have my rubber bands(tubing) and that is all that I really need I think. Though on a side note my right arm has been in a lot of pain lately. I talked to a member that is a nurse and she told me that it is because of my shoulder and that if it is not doing good in about 6 or so weeks I need to go and see a doctor about it. So that is pretty fun. I do remember my exercises and am trying to do them every morning, sometimes though I just do not feel like it even though I know that I should. The new pillow is awesome! It is firm, yet it is also soft which is really nice and I sleep well with it. It is also REALLY heavy so in a pillow fight it does REALLY well! I do not know if I need a bike tool, in some ways yes in others no. I learned from dad how to be a really good MacGyver and use weird things to get the job done. Though I did take my bike in and get it tuned by a professional, which sucks in a way because that is not cheap at all. The new thing for the dinner calender is that a ward missionary calls less actives and part member families and tries to get us dinner with them. It is a real pain because a lot of those people come up with a lot of excuses and they also cancel a lot. Though so far it is sort of working, sort of being the key. I actually do not have a hard time calling people up anymore and asking for things. I guess being a missionary has changed me. I am so use to asking investigators for commitments and such that asking members to feed us is pretty easy. Also the members here are very nice and take really good care of us. Than again it also helps that they absolutely LOVE us!Yeah standing on the kid booster thing has gotten me pretty famous. I still have people laugh at it or say that I am not that short when I am standing next to them. It is something that I will always be remembered for that is for sure. I know that before my mission I could not have just started talking in front of people like I did. It is weird to think about how much that the mission has changed that though. I have to put myself into awkward situations everyday and than to stand in front of people that I know and I know believe the same things that I do is SO much easier. I have talked three times so far. It is kinda random on when they ask us to talk, but now I kinda enjoy it. I still have the nervous right before where I am all fidgety and all hyper tensive, but when I stand up I calm down and have total control. I did get the calendar from Shan and I can think of one word to describe it...AMAZING! She did a very very good job. All the other Elders see it and ask where I got it from, they are all really jealous!From what I know if the McGraw's were to stop by they could take us out to dinner or something. Though on the 11th I do have Zone Conference. It will be over by around 3 or 4, depending on long winded President Pendleton is. On the 4th we did our usual missionary thing until 6 pm then we were able to just go to members houses and "hang out" but keep it missionary minded. We got to see the Lincoln fireworks which were really cool actually so that was fun. It did make me homesick though, I missed the firework light off at grandma and grandpa's house.On my comps bike the crank arm where the pedal attaches the threads stripped out so he needed a new crank arm for his bike. It sounds like you are having fun with that construction there though. I am glad that I do not have to deal with that.Well things are going well here in Cali for the most part. There are a lot of fires though burning right now, like 1100. The air keeps getting smoky and nasty but it has kept it cooler, just really unhealthy. Well how are things going for you and how are you doing in general. I love you and hope all is well. Take care mommy.Love,Elder Brickey

Hello Hello!Yeah it is really funny to see him try and figure out what he wants to buy with the money that we get. I sometimes give him advice, but usually let him just figure it out himself. He is doing a really good job so far. I think it is funny to see some of the things that he thinks about and than decides not to because of how much it costs. The fourth was okay. We did get to stop proselyting at 6 and just go over to a members house and such which was nice. We did get to see the fireworks that Lincoln city put on which was pretty cool. It sounds like you had a loaded 4th with work and play. I do however want to know since when do we have a pool and how big is it? It really sounds like you have quite the interesting work place. I think you are going to be getting quite the interesting stories while working there. Good luck with that.That is cool that mom is going to let dad build the shop. I think that will be cool to have when I get home. I cannot believe that someone peed on mom's flowers though. I hope she never finds out or that person is DEAD!A new hair cut, that is cool. I say whatever makes you happy that is what matters. That is really cool that you were able to donate your hair to locks of love. I have always been impressed with that organization. Jacqui Starker.......I think that is all that I have to say on that subject. It sounds like your kids are keeping you on your toes and are doing well so that is good. I cannot believe how fast they are all growing up.The past week has been okay. We lost two investigators which sucked, but that is missionary work. We have been doing a lot of tracting and less active work to find new people to teach. I love my comp still and he is doing really well. I cannot believe how fast he is learning and how well actually. I guess I must be doing something right after all. I have not met the new Pres yet but I will see him Friday and Saturday! A double dose may be to much, oh wells what can you do? Other than that nothing much has been going on. I will definitely let you know if anything comes up though. Well I love you all and hope you are doing well. Take care and stay safe.Love,Elder Brickey