Be Still . . .

Whew! Thanks for the advice, Papi, that is going to help a lot! You know, I'm in a pretty good mood, despite, what seems, the lack of success this week. With a total of two lessons, both active members, I was upset and very frustrated last week. I just can't seem to put my finger on it, but I can't see why we aren't finding success. President tells us to rely upon the Lord for everything. Pray for streets to tract. Well, we did, but at the most, the streets we felt prompted to tract was just a few good conversations, maybe a few seeds planted, but no one to teach. Some streets hardly anyone was home. And so that's where the confusion comes in. How do I depend on the Lord like I know I'm supposed to, and how do I know that the Lord just wants me to move forward without having to answer my every question or inquiry?

I guess a lot of my frustration comes from after I left Thunder Bay. I couldn't have been more obedient, or harder working. Elder Barnes and I worked our tails off every day. So leaving Thunder Bay and coming to the cities, I guess I had really high expectations, which haven't been met, hence the frustration.

But despite the mixed feelings I have and the confusion that comes with it, I still feel a sense of peace. At a recent zone conference, President Howell told us to take a few minutes to reflect on what we had learned. I really pondered what I needed to do to pick up my area. I was confused, slightly bitter at feeling like I wasn't receiving answers to my prayers, and I ask God silently, “What do you want me to know, what do I do?” Thoughts continued to stream through my head, but one stood out very boldly. A phrase I haven't often heard spoke peace to my mind. " Be still and know that I Am..." I didn't even know that that was a scripture, but I looked it up, and I love the message behind that. Like In Romans, "all things work together for good for those that love God..." Also, a good friend of mine, Elder Price, who came out with me, is in my district, he told me that something that helped him was to pray more earnestly. So this week, I'm taking a better effort at better more sincere prayers. So that's where I am at the moment. I tried to pray like that last night, I'm just so tired I always seem to fall asleep!!!

But this morning, just at the library, I was able to help someone on the computer, and also a younger kid, maybe 18 or 19, I was able to talk to him about Christ and the Book of Mormon while I was waiting for a computer to email you. I was able to give him a Book of Mormon, and get a number from him. So, I cannot complain. I just need a better outlook!

Well, I'm glad to hear that everyone is happy and healthy!! Haha, the 1-day vacation huh? (I mean, eh?) Keep Maddie away from Doctor Mario, you know what it did to mom, and now it's in Maddie's genetics! ;D

Well Dad, hope you enjoy the green cups! they've always been the best ones! I think of 14 miles away, and that isn't far at all! Distance seems to hardly be a thing nowadays. We do 20 miles on the bikes a day, easy! But I'm really glad that it’ll be worth it for Brigham. :)  Haha, by the way, I loved the condensed story of Elijah.... the WAY condensed version!

Hey, check out one of my new favorite scriptures! 1 Corinthians 4: 14-16 (I think)

14 I write not these things to ashame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Love you all very very muy very very muy very much!!
ELDER BROOKS