Drip. Drip, Drip

Well, I can't say I had the best night of sleep on my mission, and I honestly wished I was enjoying the weather like you say I should, but I'm afraid that I have acclimated to all the weather very well except for the humidity. My body still sweats like I'm in Arizona, and it doesn't evaporate in AZ, it just drips off of you. Although, I realize it's not the most humid place, but I'm not a fan of humidity... at all.

Luckily, there is a family that is from USA, the Parr’s, so we got to have a small celebration yesterday, just a dinner and whatnot. That was nice. Actually, they are the only family up here that feeds us consistently. So anyhow, speaking of food, I was wondering, mother, if you have any more quick, nutritious recipes that I could make. I'm getting a little tired of eating all these stored carbohydrates, refried beans, ramen, bread and spaghetti... I usually munch on apples or carrots though. The problem, I swear, is that everything is just more expensive up here. Cheese is like 7-8 bucks for a block! I don't know, I never noticed the prices in the states so much, so maybe it's not that big of a difference. Or maybe I'm a terrible shopper, haha.

Anyways! The work . . .

Brad has a baptismal date for July 17th. We also have another baptismal date with an investigator, Mia, who used to be on the north side of town, but moved to our side of town. She is going to be baptized on the 24th of July. We also found 3 new investigators! So things are going much better I'd say! Still only taught 9 lessons this week, but we are truly working hard.

You know, Elder Barnes and I are really working on obedience. We are already obeying every rule that we know how! Sometimes we don't even take a full dinner, just enough time to eat, and then we go off working again. We’re spending 30+ hours a week trying to find people to teach, sometimes we wake up at 5:30 in the morning to get more study in, and our own studies are very diligent, and ... well, studious. That's the reason that I'm a bit frustrated, is because things were going great when Elder Sorensen was here, and when he left everything just fell apart. I'm trying not to blame it on myself, because I'm truly trying to do the best I know how, and I'm studying on how I can be better, and I don't feel like I'm achieving the desired results. Last week was the first ray of hope! I'm just being patient.

Any advice how to better know how to follow the Spirit? I still struggle with that. How do I know that I’m following the Spirit?

I normally don't ask for this, and I know you already do, but please keep me in your prayers, I feel like I need the guidance a lot right now, mostly about how to help Elder Barnes and how to get the area going. I feel lost sometimes, and like the heavens are silent when I pray sometimes as well....

BUT, for the most part, things are going alright, and I'm always wearing a smile on my face, because I know I'm doing the greatest work that can ever be done on earth.

Love
ELDER BROOKS (the younger elder)