The code is "Santa's got a brand new bag."

So I have no clue where we are going for Christmas to make the phone calls. Our ward, being mostly students, aren't very tied down, so more than half the ward will not be here for Christmas... I don't like asking people if we can occupy their time, homes and phones, but I may have to ask. I'll find out and find a way to reach you or have a ward member reach you. I'd have a ward member text you, but I don't remember your cell #'s.

So, it looks like another 5-8 inches today, I'm really loving it! I hope it snows more than it's ever snowed this year! (Mostly for my selfish desires of saying "I was there" to my kids and grandkids, ya know? Haha!)

Elder Brooks - 8th from the right on the back row.

Elder Brooks - standing 6th from the left.

Nothing too new. This week was a bit uneventful, or just eventful in a bad way. We did, however have Christmas Conference, and as always, it was excellent. President dressed up as Santa Claus and we all sat on his lap... haha my goodness.

Other than that, I got food poisoning on Thursday, and I was out for the whole day. Last night Elder Garner got sick, so it was like 2 1/2 days got knocked out. Things fell through, so it was disappointing.

HOWEVER, this week should be excellent. We are going to a Jazz game on Wednesday, Elder Garner, myself, Elders Nelson and Bennett, Matt Vogel, and Habtamu! That'll be exciting! Plus Christmas and some dinners with members this week. After last week, I'm so ready to get up and work my butt off. I can't stand sitting around, even when I can't help it!

I heard this on a talk someone had on cd, and I've loved it ever since. It was Edgar Pinegar. He said:

"Faith is the Power
Love is the Motive
Obedience is the Price
The Spirit is the Key
Christ is the Reason"

Don't know why, but I love that little saying. It sums it all up for me. I'm just doing my best to do the best I can, and to do it with a smile on my face.

I was also thinking when someone asked me why we can't drink tea. I was trying to explain the science behind it and all these different things. Then I heard someone say it so simply a few days later. Why do we not drink tea or coffee? "Because the Lord commanded us." I think that that is a good enough reason for me. Why do we obey any commandment? Because it's what the Lord said. “Let us hear the conclusion of the matter, for the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandments." Well, that's pretty close at least. It's in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes.

Oh! I'm starting to memorize scriptures again, but I'm doing it a little differently this time. I'm starting in the first chapter of Nephi and memorizing the Book of Mormon verse by verse. By the time I come home, I want to be able to quote the first couple chapters of first Nephi!

That's an easy one! ELF! What other movie would you quote, papi?  What about this one? "Ta-ta, turtle man."

Well, I love you all. And say hi to Jay for me. He's a good kid.

ELDER BROOKS