12-29-08

We won't be going private for now. If we do, we will let you know a week in advance and tell you what will be needed if you want to keep reading.

Mommy Dearest-I have not gotten my bike fixed yet. I am hoping that I can just monitor the problem without fixing it. Than again I might just breakdown and do it so I am not sure yet. The Christmas party did have a BIG turnout. We just did our best to make sure that everyone got some food. The activities chair said to not go get more food because it would teach people that they need to sign up to bring things instead of just showing up. It was a lot of members and their families but there were a couple of investigators that did show up. Well for Christmas I got a couple ties, a Aggies shirt from Scott and Kayce, M&M's, a hoodie, a blanket, and a lot of other goodies. So it was quite a Christmas still. I cannot really think of what I need for my Birthday. Like I said maybe gift cards to like Wal-Mart or Big 5 those would work. Or else I think of things like oysters which I know you do not like. I did get to see Elder Lowe before he headed home, and I actually heard from him on Christmas Eve. It is weird to think that he is already home, than again Brad gets home in April and that is really weird too. The other two Elders we live with are Elder Kou Vang and Elder Adam Murray and it is Elder Murray that is A LOT like me. The Christmas dinners went well though I did make sure that I kept myself in check and did not overindulge. I am over what I wish to weigh so I am going to try and work it off either before I get home or else when I get home I am going to do a lot of things to work it off. Wow Grandma and Grandpa done on the 2nd and then Brad gets home on the 14th that is awesome! For the Birthday stuff you can do whatever, send it early, send it to the mission office, or wait. Well for New Years day we get ALL day off so that is fun and on New Years eve we have to be in by 6 so that is not bad. Well things are going well, just trying to recover from the holidays. We have been having a rough time trying to meet with our different investigators because of the holidays but I am sure things will settle down after New Years. Well I love you and hope all is going well for you. Have a Happy New Years and I will talk to you later.Your son,Elder Brickey

Curley Family-I will not lie when I say that I am excited to be able to be apart of Christmas with the family next year. Though at the same time I am a little sad and nervous. California and the people here have grown on me so much. I will miss it here for sure but I am anxious to see the family again. It is weird to think that in 5 months I call home again for the last time and then 5 months later I am home. It actually freaks me out a little to think that there is only that much time left. Last year went by fast during this time so I can imagine how fast this one is going to go. I still cannot believe that it was Saedy that was talking to me. She is all grown up and that is weird to think about. Than again to look at the pictures of your kids and Cassie's makes it seem true cause they all look bigger and all grown up. Christmas was good. We had a busy day and went from appointment to appointment so it was nice. The rest of the week has been a little long though. It has been difficult to get a hold of anyone for lessons which sucks, though we did find an awesome guy tracting the other day so that is cool. Transfers are on the 4 or 5 of January I think so a week away. You did hear kind of right about me going back to Shasta. I would be going back for a sealing in the Medford Temple of my first investigators/converts Jim and Wanda Linsley. But I am not sure yet so fingers crossed! I am taking a lot of pictures and a jump drive might be actually really helpful. Though it would have to be pretty big since my card is like 4gg though I have not used more than a half or third yet. For the blogg thing. It is weird who all read it I know. There are people that I am curious as to who they are and who all does. I do not know if it should go private or whatever I guess it can be left open I would just appreciate it if some things would get sensored I guess if we do that. Than again whatever I do not know if I really care. There is one thing that I would recommend that could help you with your study of the BoM, get the seminary manual for it and go along with what it does. There are a few members and converts that I have had do it that way and have really appreciated it and love it because it helps them a lot. I was going to say the missionary thing of "think about what the needs of your investigators are while you read/study and while you do things will pop out to you" but I do not think you have any investigators. Though you could think about what are some of the thing that you are dealing with or could use guidence with while you read. Oh and make sure that you pray before and then after usually helps me. Well I hope all is going well for you I love you and hope you have a Happy New Year. Thanks for all you do.Love your Brother,Elder Brickey