Lake Vermillion

(On Sunday, Cameron was ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Within about an hour after that, he had the privilege of assisting in a blessing. Cameron is also in the process of preparing his papers for his mission. He will submit them at the end of September.)

But awesome man! Yeah I was WAY nervous my first blessing! I've only given a few since, two to my companion in the MTC and to another missionary in the MTC, and to this guy in the hospital. I've only done the actual blessing about twice, and boy, let me tell you, if you really listen to the spirit, afterward you are very uplifted but physically drained... it's an incredible experience!

I can't wait to hear where you go on your mission!! Dude, that'd make my life if you came here and I got to train you, haha! You have no idea though. Missions are WAY, WAY, WAY more than dad and I can even tell you about. They are fun, spiritual, and they teach you so many life skills. I can't even explain, it's just one of those things you have to experience yourself. Be wary man, the bad man downstairs is gonna be pretty unhappy if you go on a mission! In the words of Mad Eye Moody: "CONSTANT VIGELANCE!!!!" Keep doing everything you can to be better everyday. I wish I had set a better example for you, but looks like you've got a good head on your shoulders anyway. Let me know if you have any questions about mission life, scriptures or anything, cause I love answering questions! Love ya man

Well, sounds like Brig is getting to be quite the swimmer, no? That's awesome!

So on the 4th, Elder Rush and I went up with the Koski's to their cabin on Lake Vermillion. There were all the Hancock’s (some members of our ward) and all their extended family, which was a ton! We DID meet, however, Jeff and Anne Hancock, who live in Gilbert AZ! They don’t live too far from our house, they live on Higley and something. But they were pretty cool, we talked a lot with them, and Jeff Hancock said I should be sent home because I had never had Pete’s Fish ‘n’ Chips, and I lived in Mesa, and Elder Rush was just as appalled… So anyways, I don’t have an e-mail or anything for you mom, so sorry!

Um, so yeah we just hung out on the lake all day. I know, I know, we were SUPPOSED to work, but honestly, there really wasn’t much of any work to be done… :( Up here, EVERYONE goes to the lake, and honestly, how would you feel if the Jehovah’s Witnesses came knocking on your door on a family day like that? People would be a little upset, and I’d rather not annoy anyone and destroy the chance of future missionaries. So our whole weekend was shot, it was totally lame… Cause the 3rd of July is just as big as the fourth cause they have all these parades and whatnot. So this week was very slow, probably the most frustrating week I’ve had thus far… :(

Yes, that is a good mom! In the words of sister Rush (Elder Rush’s mom) “You have earned a jewel in you eternal crown” for sending those moms those pictures! GOOD!!! It feels good to help the missionaries out, doesn’t it? ;) Well, missionaries really love the people that help them out. Elder Rush and I like to call it “keeping your temple covenants,” cause you really are. But, before it’s too late, get those dang missionaries to go out with Cameron! I’m sure they have referrals and whatnot to teach, I’m assuming they will need a third guy at some point, so call them up or next time you see them tell them that Cameron wants to go out, cause I guarantee he’ll love it! It’ll be really good for him to get a taste of missionary work. And if they’re teaching, all Cameron has to do is be there, or at bear testimony if he feels so inclined.

Yeah, Sister Hancock said the schools had to lay off a TON of teachers. That’s a bummer. Oh I’m glad that you might be able to go to church all together on Sundays! What a blessing!!! :)

Well, something I found interesting, we have all these members praying that the world might be more receptive to the Gospel, and in the words of Elder Ballard, “the world will never be the same.” I believe that this slump in the economy could very well be an answer to prayers. It sure follows the Nephite’s pride cycle if you ask me. I’m exited because I know that there will be more opportunities to spread the gospel. I don’t believe in coincidences, and I think America is slumping for a reason, and making way for this work to move forward even more! But that is just some “doctrine” of Elder Brooks.

And other than that, I had to buy a new pair of jeans yesterday, size 36 waist, and pushing it a little bit… gees this mission has been TOO good to me, I hope I get into a bike area soon… Maybe I need to start some slim fast to watch my weight, haha. But all is well here, transfer calls are tomorrow night, and Elder Rush and I have no idea what’s going to happen…

Love you all
ELDER BROOKS