Elder Kyler Brisk : District Leader

HELLER

What a week it has been! Stressful but at the same time exciting!

Monday night my companion told me his testimony is struggling and that is why he talks with our mission president often. It has been a little stressful trying to help him out. He caught me by surprise and I didn't know what to do but I wouldn't trade him for anyone else. We may have a love/hate relationship but I know that I am suppose to learn something from him that will help me grow as a better person and a better missionary.

Tuesday we were able to go to the Temple! I was surprised that our mission president approved us going but I am glad he did! I think it helped Elder McVey out with his testimony a little bit too. I had a great experience at the Temple. We were able to go with the Smiley family and they are probably my favorite members from Alva. They are basically another Mom and Dad to me. This was the first time I was able to participate in sealing son's to their parents and it was awesome! Brother and Sister Smiley were proxy for the parents and I told them I have to be their favorite Elder because I was sealed to them

Joy has been doing better! She is cutting back on her coffee and cigarettes again. Every time we leave her house we pinky promise that she will keep trying to quit. Joy takes pinky promises very serious. Keep praying for her and her health. She is still unable to make it to church because of medical problems but she wants to be able to come back soooo bad!

I went on exchanges to Woodward Friday with Elder Hansen. He is a pretty funny guy! We were walking around talking to people and this guy dropped his keys so Elder Hansen tired to start off the conversation by telling him he dropped his keys

Then I tried to explain what the priesthood was to this guy 500000 different ways but he was to drunk to comprehend so I gave up and we left. Elder Hansen thought it was pretty funny. People need to not be drunk so I can save their soul!!

Tim and Gwenna are struggling. Tim isn't keeping his commitments and isn't progressing like Gwenna. Unfortunately we are going to have to slow down with them and may not be visiting them every week like we do now. Gwenna said she is still going to come to church but on the Sunday's Tim has off they will be going to different church's. Gwenna is hoping something in a different church will help Tim accept what we are teaching. This was the icing on top of my stress this week. Especially because I wasn't able to attend the lesson because we were on exchanges. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for Tim. If he would just make the effort to read and pray I KNOW that he would receive the answer that this is the true church.

On Saturday the Branch had the Relief Society's 174th Birthday and they threw a party! They were able to get their hands on Cafe Rio's recipe and we had pork salads! I was sooo excited because if there is something I miss from home it would be Cafe Rio/Durango's. The party was so much fun! You may have seen a video of Elder McVey and I dancing on Facebook. That was just a little portion of the fun we had that night.

Alva has been under a Thunderstorm for quite a few days now. Thunderstorm's out here are BRUTAL! The lightning cracks and then the thunder comes right after it and magnifies the lightning strike A LOT! Our apartment was shaking. It was pretty cool though!

Elder McVey and I have been a little sick this weekend as well. I am feeling pretty good but Elder McVey is dying so please pray for us to get better soon!

We were visiting Sister Leavitt who is a less active member in the Branch. I went to school and worked at Ace Hardware with her. We had a good lesson and her friend, Drexel, came outside and we started talking with him. Sister Leavitt went back inside because it started raining and Drexel asked if we wanted to go to McDonald's and we said sure!! We went to McDonald's and taught him the Restoration. Drexel became so interested in what we had to say and we are now going to start teaching him! He is a really cool kid and he lives in his van. We are going to go golfing with him someday and I am really excited!!

Sunday night we got transfer calls! We found out that we won't be getting another Elder so it will just be Elder McVey and I. I don't know what we are going to do because Alva benefits from having 3 Elders. It is going to be tough! On top of that I am now going to be the district leader for Alva and Woodward! YAY

LOL I am still not sure how I feel about it. Mixed feelings as of right now but I know it will be great! I am just thankful I only have a 4 man district!

In Mosiah 23:15 Alma teaches his people that they should love their neighbor. I have pondered this scripture throughout this week and I think we can all apply it to our life's. There will be no contention among us if we will love everyone and serve them. As missionaries we are advised to serve our companions and we will grow to love them. Remember to love everyone!

I love and miss y'all! Remember who you are! Make good choices!

Sincerely, Elder Brisk

That is all.

HAPPY 174th BIRTHDAY RELIEF SOCITEY!!