Emails 7-26-09

The Mommy-I will not lie I do not really sleep when it is super hot. You know me I am a furnace and do not really need the heat. It has been good though because I have programed the tstat so it gets the apartment cooling down for when we get in and by the time we go to bed it is not horrible. The only problem was making sure that the other missionaries did not mess with it or turn it off during the day otherwise it got sweltering hot. I do not think I have gotten heat stroke, though I have gotten sick of drinking water in a day. I drank over 4 liters and that was not good for the belly. I have started drinking juices and such to replace the different things that I sweat out so hopefully that will help. Our investigator from Napal actually moved here for better opportunities and such. She is 50 and lives with her son and his family. She is really cool and made it to church on Sunday so that was good. The only down thing is that the only member that speaks Napale or a Eastern Indian language that she can understand is on vacation for the next two weeks. She wants to get baptized but she wants to give a talk when she does and she is not very comfortable with her english. We went bowling on last Pday with the missionaries from the Antelope zone and Citrus Heights zone, it was really cool. I did really terrible but it has been a while. Things are good here though. It is cooling down into the 90s now so that is nice. I heard that it is in the 80s and low 90s in Utah. I am jealous of that for sure. I am actually really excited for the fact of being in cooler/cold weather again. That is good that the lakes are doing good there. Things here are a little bleek. Water levels are not so good so it is nice to hear that home is doing well. I also want to play in water pretty bad. Our apartment complex has two pools and we ride past the one EVERY day which is loads of fun. I would not mind some pictures from Nicole and Ben's wedding. She might be sending some so you might want to coop that. I have a lot of space in my photo album so I am all good that way. I did get your package, thanks I really appreciate it. It was good to "retire" some old gs, they really needed it. I do not understand how I abuse them so much but I do. Well our other investigators are a bit slim. We have been working with this one lady that has some really serious health issues which prevent her from coming to church, so that is hard. We than are working with this in home nurse and she is REALLY busy, but has a lot of potencial. Other than that we are working with a few of the less actives in our ward and trying to get them back to church, the priesthood, or to the temple. We are working with a lot of cool and good people that way. Wow that is cool that Scott Ellison has been out for that long, I think Scott Twitchell is about the same in his mission. I could not tell you off hand. Well good news I am going to the dentist on Wednesday. I am going to finally get everything finished up so that is good. I am doing well too. There has not been to much exciting going on lately other than missionary work. Well I love you and hope you are well. Take care.Love always your son,Elder Brickey

Hello There!To tell you honestly I had no idea that it was even the 24th or that it was Pioneer day. It was just another day to me. It is weird how holidays do not mean much when you are a missionary. I do not think that the ward did anything to celebrate, I do not know. Other than that it has been hot and it is REALLY fun being out in it, but hey the Lord called and I responded. It is really good actually because sometimes people let us in due to the heat. We were also lucky and had one of our investigators come to church. She is awesome and wants to be baptized, but first wants to improve her english so she can talk in sacrament meeting after. Yeah that is a new one for me. Than again teaching a none christian was interesting in itself. I am doing well other than that. Especially compared to you Shan. Maybe you should go on a mission the Lord seems to protect us a great deal. It seems like you have gotten all the abuse that I probably would have gotten if I did not come on the mission. You know like when I dislocated my shoulder, than almost cut my finger off, than went and got REALLY sick, etc wonderful times. I hope that you get feeling better Shan and take it easy so that you do not make it worse. I really have learned that one here on the mission. That is cool that the kids are all growing up and on the move, keeping you on your toes I bet. That is sweet that Dallin said he wanted to get baptized when he gets older too. I bet that made you really excited and happy when you heard that. Kids are awesome and they are SO fun. Well than again I do not have to deal with the screaming and such so that is good too. I am glad that you were able to have some kind of fun though, even if it had a wreck involved and pain. I guess you need to be more careful and less clutzy, just playing. Well I love you all and send you my best wishes. Take care.Love,Elder Brickey

Email 7-20-09

The Mommy-Well HI there! How are you doing this fine and wonderful day? Things here are going well. I have been cooking the treats myself. I have made the smores like 10+ times and the brownie pudding only once. The brownie pudding was in Oroville with a Hawaiian family, well half Hawaiian their names are the Halls. Sister Hall is really cool to because she liked it better if we called her Auntie because she felt like we were her family. The smores have ranged from members to comanions to my district and zone. It is a huge hit with everyone that tries it so far. I have given out a couple copies of the recipes though and people usually have me come show them how to make them or try when they were feeding us next. It was really fun. It is getting really hot. My speedometer has a built in thermostat and it has read between 76 (which is usually our apartmen) and 127 is the highest I have seen it so far. It really is hot and sucks to be biking in it. We try to ride to get the wind but it is roasting hot too so it does not work so well. I do not know either the Lunt or Glazner name so, I do not know who they are. I still liked their pictures though. We have found our investigators through tracting and one was a referral from the Auburn Zone Leaders. She lived there and moved into our ward. She is really neat she is from Napal and is a little hard to understand at times but it is fun to talk to her. We are about 10-20 minutes from Roseville. It is not part of our Zone. Each Zone is usually one stake. We are in the Antelope stake then there is the Citrus Heights stake then it is Roseville. This past week though has been fun. Today we actually went into Citrus Heights and went bowling which was fun. I did not do so well for a while, I am a little out of practice. Other than that we had a lot of cancelled lessons which was sad but hey that is what happens. We do have some good potencial though. Our one investigator called us her boys and was sad that she could not stay and talk to us for a while because she is a nurse and said that it was to hot for us to be out. That was pretty good. It sounds like Steel Days was pretty cool. They did start going up to Art Dye before I left. I remember because we could not hear the concert as good when they moved up there. Why is Kirt in Europe? That is cool though I would love to drive in Germany and go ZOOM ZOOM. So it is probably better that I not go there cause I might die. Well things are going well. I am still in one piecw for the most part. Things are going good though and I am happy with the way things are shaping up. Well I love you mom and hope you are doing well. Take care and I will talk to you later. Oh yeah I got things lined up for my dental. If everything turns out the way it sounds I will only need $200 put into my account to get everything covered. I will keep you posted though. LOVE YOU!Love always your son,Elder Brickey

Curley's-Well I am glad to hear that you were able to get out of your lease. I know it was causing stress so I am glad it all worked out in the end. I am sure that the job thing will to eventually. If you do go out of state that would be fun to go and chill there for a while. I was actually thinking at one time in the mission of doing like a road trip when I got home but there is that need of money that always stinks so maybe not. Well I am sure the Lord will take care of you. You do have quite the spread though of possibilites with states though I do have to admit. Wow I do have to admit that for suveneurs there is not really anything special. There is the Nor Cal stuff but I can really careless about spending $20-$50 on either a shirt or jacket, no thanks. I have had a few knives offered, once a gun but I am not sure how legal it would have been. There is also a TV that I might be able to get from a guy I was working with in Chico. He wants a bigger TV and I told him that I would love a TV like the one he has, so he told me that when the mission is over to stop by and he might just give it to me. Who knows though because I do not know how I would get that home. I have no clue actually as to why this city is called Antelope. You could probably find it on Wikipedia or whatever. I am ready to call it quits with the heat. It is in the 100s everyday which stinks. I go through A LOT of water. I have a camelback and I drink it like it is going out of style. The only thing is that I get water logged in my stomach but I still feel partched which sucks! Oh well it will make Utah SO nice to come into. That is cool that you saw two deer, and bucks at that. I love to see wildlife, though I have not seen anything for quite a while since I left Mt. Shasta. Well things are going good none the less. I cannot believe that it is almost 21 months since I left. Time is flying by it is nuts. Well I love you and wish you the best. Take care and I will talk to you later.Love,Elder Brickey

emails 7-13-09

The Mommy-Hello there! How are you doing mommy? Things here are good. It is a little weird to get use to the changes that come from a new area but things are going good. For the fourth we only ate at two different places though we did have like six or seven offers. I do not need that to be happening, I need to lose weight not gain it. My bike is doing great and the guy at the shop is not a member. He just has a lot of missionaries come in and get their bikes fixed there. He was super nice and since we give him SO much work he gives us discounts and such so that is nice. For socks I need the church kind, they are my everyday sock. Just some black church type socks that are good. I like the gold toe ones that Shan and Ryan got me for Christmas, but whatever works. As for pants I went and got some today so I should be ok with that. But for your knowledge if you want it was slacks I am a little tough on them. Than again being on a bike is just hard on things. I am not really sure what I am doing to my g bottoms. Between stains, tears, and just being old I guess. I might use a couple new tops but for the most part it is bottoms that get THRASHED on a bike it seems. Or maybe it is just the mission that is hard on them. You know keeping me safe is a difficult job so they get worn out pretty quickly. Wow all of the Pontious clan is getting hitched. If I remember right Alicia is closer to Nicole's age than mine. I did hear about Mary and her need for surgery. I am glad to hear that things went well for it. Hopefully recover and all will continue to be good. I did get the pictures for your primary kids. It was really fun to open it up and see those. I do have to admit that I am not sure if I know who they are but I am grateful none the less. That is really weird that Skyler and Alicia are already expecting. Are they living in the ward with one of their parents? That is funny that Grandpa is joking about Grandma "updating" him. I do not think that Grandma could find a better fit then him. He is the best. Than again I LOVE my Grandparents they are just the best ever! I did not hear that one of your ladies went on a mission. That is funny that they got towed well sad but funny because I kinda know how they feel. I parked backwards in Chico a couple nights and one night we came out and found a warning saying that we cannot park backwards or else we would get towed so that was a fun thing to get. Well things are good. We picked up two new investigators this past week and the one lady accepted a baptismal commitment where she use to live so hopefully things will go well and we will get her committed to a date here soon. Other than that not much is going on. I have found that our receipes are a still a big hit. Especially the Smores and Brownie Pudding always loved. Well I love you and hope you are well. Let me know how you are doing and what is new in the life of my mommy. Take care and I will talk to you later.Love always,Elder Brickey

Curley Familia-Well it sounds like things are still a little crazy for you. I do admit that I am not jealous in the least ways for that. I will be however glad to help out in whatever way I can both here and when I get home. I am glad to hear that you have someone to sign your contract over too, or that you have a good potencial at least. I am sorry though to hear that things are still a little crazy with the job front. I am not excited about that in the least bit. I do not want to have to get a job, car, and schooling stuff going when I get home. But it is a good thing so I will get it done, though I might be kicking and screaming. I hope that you are able to get a job that allows you to stay close to home, though I do agree that if the Lord says go that is the thing to do. No matter where you go I will come and visit. HAHA you cannot get away from me!!!! Just playing though that was a little creepy. The new area is good. Things are starting to pick up and we have some decent potencial right now. I am looking forward to getting things going here in Antelope. I might still like Chico a little more but that is because of the memories and I was there for a lot longer. We do get fed pretty well though the dinner calander just changed so we will see what will happen with that. I do not know what souvenirs I will be bringing home. I really do not think there is anything really different here than at home so......Being "in charge" is not what it is cracked up to be for sure. Plus I still like to make my companion do as much work as I do and participate in everything that way they learn and can be better and do better for the rest of their missions. I do not appreciate all the planning though that comes with leadership and the meetings and such. They are for our benefit I know but it seems like we get A LOT of repetition. Maybe that is just because they have to repeat or that is the biggest problems I do not know. Well I love you all dearly and wish the best for you. Take care and I will talk at you later.Love,Elder Brickey

Emails July 6, 2009

The Mommy-Elder Lancaster is from Smoot or Star Valley Wyoming. It is close to Idaho in about the middle of the border. He was in Rocklin when I was in Lincoln and they are the same stake. Then I was his ZL in Chico he was out in Willows/Orland. So I have been around him a couple of times so that was pretty nice to at least kind of know who I was going to be serving with. The Elder that went to Mt Shasta I did get to talk too. He actually got a ride from some members up in Mt Shasta so I got to see them. It was actually really funny because I went and helped carry down his stuff and when the family saw me there were all "wait a second we know him" so that was really funny. They told me that it looked like I have grown up a bit since they last saw me. So looks like your baby is getting older. In Chico we had Zone Conferences combined with Redding and Anderson so we switched between the three stakes for the hosting area. I was able to get back up there a couple times before I left Chico but Redding is still and hour south of Mt Shasta so I could not run into anyone from there. I might be ok with socks, though I am a size 11 in shoe. Pants I might need a new pair but I could just spend $20 and get a decent pair from Wal-Mart or Kohls. I am just lazy. Than the g situation is 32 regular cotton poly. The missionary from PG is Sister Shannon McCarty. Dad actually ran into her friend at a bank not to long ago which was pretty funny. I think she has lived there her whole life but I am not sure. She gradutated 05 so a year before Kyle and two after Jodi I think so she said that she did not know either of them. We did get part of the 4th off. From 4 on we were with members at BBQs and stuff so that was really fun. Though I probably gained a lot of weight due to eating at every stop on the way. I have no idea if things go on for the 24th or not. That is cool that Brad and Ryan came over. What cause had them come over? As for Brad tell him it was because of religious freedom or something. A lot of them are actually wanted over in Russia so they thought they would be safe in the land of opportunity. I did get my bike fixed. The shop was really cool to the guy took it apart saw that it was nothing big and just fixed it without charge. It was SWEET! I did not know that there was a relative in the area. Does he live in Antelope itself? If so is he a member and should I look him up and go and say hi? I did here about Kyli and that is to bad about there still being problems. I know how difficult it can be to go through the custody battles we actually helped a couple people through them it was CRAZY to see and participate in. You probably need to have a steel and cement barrier put down that side of the house to protect it from damage or falling down. Though that might not actually do much but get chipped down until nothing remains. Things are good though. We have a lot of things that should be taking off here really soon. It was really sweet to see the work of the Lord by placing me where he has throughout my mission. I have insights and things that were and are needed here it is awesome. Other than that though things are just one step at a time and one day at a time. How are you doing? Anything new and exciting going on? Well I love you mom so very much and hope you are doing well. Take care and I will talk to you later.Love always your son,Elder Brickey

Curley's-Hello there! I am sorry to hear about the job Ryan. Though I can promise you that it only means that the Lord has other plans for you. I know that because it is almost like a transfer in a way. At first you wonder why and then you realize later the reason. I do commend you for not putting yourself down. More than likely it is your boss and just her issues. You are a wonderful person and she is missing out on having an awesome person working with her. I am sorry to hear also about the house thing. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. Than again I do not think that you guys have ever left my prayers but I will keep these things on my mind for you. For the subject heading. I did my email to Mom, Dad, and Scott and I did not have one from you. I than had a feeling to check my yahoo account and BLAM there it was. I bet though with your hectic week that your minds were elsewhere but it is all good. I love you no matter what! Well I am getting the area down. It is a smaller city to me at least but there are a lot of houses close together. My bike is working good now. I took it in and got it fixed and it turned out to not really be anything so that was nice. My companion is from Smoot/Star Valley area. It is on the border of Idaho about halfway up the state or so. He loves it there. He goes to U of Wyoming and plans on living there forever. Plus he gets to light off wicked awesome fireworks whenever he wants how cool is that! Well I hope things get going better for you. Love ya tons.Love,Elder Brickey

emails 6-29-09

Mommy-Well things are HOT here in California. Especially since I am on my bike again. I really miss the car but I guess I will get back into some kind of shape due to this. I am actually having some really bad luck with my bike. The left side crank arm is falling off a lot so I have to replace the assembly to get it fixed to not fall off. I got a ride down with one of the less active members that I was working with. Do you remeber me talking about Daniel Adams it was him that gave me a ride. He is so funny he almost cried when I went a told him. He insisted that he take me or else I would get a whooping. It was really fun riding down with him. My new comanion is Elder Lancaster he is from Wyoming. I have actually served around Elder Lancaster twice now so I knew him which was nice. It is a little hard coming into an area and becoming the DL but hey I can do it if the Lord asks. The missionary that I replaced actually went up to Mt. Shasta and the DL that I replaced went to Redding to be a ZL. My new address is 4400 Shandwick #52 Antelope, CA 95843. Wow that is crazy that the Temple was so busy, at least people are going I guess. My stuff is holding up pretty good actually the only thing that I have been a little hard on are socks, pants, and g-bottoms. I will have to find a dentist to get this thing finished or else I will just have to wait till I get home and just take it really easy with my tooth and eating. The city of Antelope is VERY busy. It is a crowded city which you know me I am not to fond of that. It is good though there are a lot of nice people. There are actually a lot of muslims and russians so I was joking around that I needed Brad to come out and help us out. We are actually really close to the Temple and people in both Chico and Oroville said that when they go to the Temple they might just have to swing in and grab me. I would not mind that I love going to the Temple it is georgeous. Wow that is really cool that Chase took state in science. How is he doing? I wrote him a letter but he is probably super busy and has not written me back. My area is pretty small, probably the size of our stake doubled maybe tripled cause I do not remember how big our stake is anymore. I am over 5 missionaries 2 of which are sisters. There is also a sister missionary that is from PG that is in the Zone so that is cool, though she does not know Harpers or Walkers. Well it sounds like things are going well for you. I love you and hope you are well. Take care and I will talk to you later. LOVE YOU MOM!Love your son,Elder Brickey

Curley Family-Well it sounds like you have an eventful week ahead of you. I will admit that I am not jealous. It is hard enough moving stuff that is SUPPOSE to fit into 3 suitcases, though now it is the three, my backpacks, a couple bags, and a couple boxes. Yeah you accumulate a lot of junk on the mission. Though some of it is really cool. Well I hope that everything goes well for the move and such for you. I would love to help but am a little indisposed at the moment so sorry. ;-) The area is good though VERY VERY HOT and that has to deal with the fact that I get to ride my poor falling apart bike. It is in mint condition other than that left crank arm keeps falling off so I need to get it fixed because it falls of a lot. My new comanion is Elder Lancaster and he is from Wyoming. He actually reminds me a lot of Uncle Kirt for some reason. He is fun though and has a big heart. He is getting me use to the area as quickly as he can. Though it is not very fun while sweating gallons of fluid. This could very easily be my last stop. I have three transfers left counting this one so I am not likely to move. I do agree with you though Shan, I may be dying as a missionary but will be reborn as Kincade which will be a little weird. One of the missionaries called me by my first name the other day and it really threw me off. Not sure how use to it I am anymore. Though it did sound good, like a memory of a past life. Anywho. Things are great we are building up the ward and I can already tell why I am here and why I was suppose to be in Chico. The first Sunday the Bishop starts talking about the "Circle of Love", the member missionary plan put out by the brethren, and he was so confused so it was nice that I have had tons of experience with it over the last 6 months. Well I love you and wish you all the best. Take care and give your chillins a SQUEEZE from their favorite Uncle that is a missionary! Love you!Love,Elder Brickey

Emails 6-22-09

The Mommy-Well it sure does sound like everyone is getting married and moving forward with their lives. It is crazy though to think that most of the people my age are married or getting married. My companion goes home in August so he has one more transfer. He will actually be staying here in Chico and I am leaving and going south to Antelope 4th Ward. I will be also dropping down to a DL again so demoted. It is ok though because that means less paper work. I am not sure though how excited I am just cause I love the area of course but I know that Antelope will grow on me too. Chico is a pretty big town while school was in, though now with it out a lot of people are gone and it is smaller. We are still being fed by the ward they are awesome and take really good care of us so that is nice. I did get an appointment but now with me getting transfered I cannot get it done here. I will have to find a dentist down there to finish or something. It will be nice though being south because I will be able to attend the Temple at least two more times before I come home. Other than the fact that I am getting transfered not much else is going on. Things are busy and hectic but good. Well I better get to packing but I will let you know how the new area is after I figure out how to get there and such. LOVE YOU!Love your son,Elder Brickey

Curley Family-Wow that is awesome that you have found a place. Congrats. I am sure just like anything new it will just take some time till you get use to it and the kids as well. I am sure though it will be good. That will be weird to not see you there when I get home. Though then again I am not use to seeing anyone so. Well I am getting transferred. Only four months left and a new area to go and die in. Well I am mixed up on the feelings just because I sometimes hate change. I just now have to find a ride to Antelope which is like 2 hours a way. It is ok though I am sure that things will go well. That and I have to pack. Yuck. Well I love you and I hope you have a good week. Sorry this is short but luggage calls. Talk to you later.Love,Elder Brickey

Emails 6/15/09

The Mommy-Hey there how are you doing? So how was opening the presents? Anything good? That is sad that Brady got the flu, that sucks actually. Hopefully he will recover quickly. That is awesome that you were able to see the Pontious clan. That family is so funy and fun. We had some good memories with them that is for sure. Well that is fun that Bruce is now in the Stake Presidency. I have a lot of respect for Stake leaders since the mission. I have seen the work that they do and how long they work as well. That is good that you are getting a lot of rain. We have been getting a little bit here it has been nice. We had a wicked awesome thunderstorm the other day which was sweet because it lit up the night awesomely. That is funny that you saw the missionaries. I do have to say that I know their pain. I hated it when something went wrong on your bike while you were in the rain. It always made it so you got really wet. Well things here are good. We are coming up on transfers again actually, on the the 22nd. I am not sure what the President is going to do with us or me. Things are good though. We are working on finding and trying to rebuild our teaching pool because of so many people going back home. Other than that though not much has been happening. We are still trying to do our best with what we have so hopefully things will pick up again. Well I love you and hope things are going well for you. Talk to you later mom.Love your son,Elder Brickey

Curley's-Well I am glad to hear that your week has been calmer to say. I am totally in on anything for mom and dad. Just let me know what I have to do or whatever. That is weird that it is already fathers day. Time is just flying by it is nuts. My companion actually goes home next transfer so that is crazy. I did not know that you had so many root canals. That sucks actually. That thing that sucks is that I have never taken better care of my teeth than on my mission. So that stinks that I get one when I am taking the best care of my teeth ever. Oh well I guess. That is crazy that Ale is already almost 9 months old. Than again all my neices and nephew are all growing so fast. Well things here are good. That is not much new. We did start up a weekly cottage meeting at the institute that is pretty sweet. We did not really have a good turn out but hey hopefully this week will be better. Who knows though only time will tell. Well for p-days we have been mainly playing basketball which is ok I guess but I am getting pretty bored of it. I have been good though overall not much going on. We have transfers on the 22nd so that is kind of nerve racking due to the fact that I have no idea what is going to happen. Well I hope that things are going well for you and I will talk to you later. LOVE YOU!Love,Elder Brickey