My testimony, I will share it with all who will listen to the divine message I carry.

HELLER!

Happy Halloween!!

This week we have been trying to find more opportunities to do service because all these dang Texans are to prideful to accept our message that will bless their life. We go to the library and help them straighten out books and make sure everything is in the right place and a lot of people go to the library so we get to be seen doing good around the community! It will definitely soften the people's hearts.

We were helping out at the USSV (foodbank) and all the volunteer's are pretty old so they were amazed how we did everything they asked us to so fast so they made us take a break and eat some cake. Then when we were leaving this really cool guy named Joe gave us each $20 to go to lunch and then invited us to the Methodist church (across the street from ours) and join them in eating ribs. The money is a bonus but the miracle is that people are trusting us :)

We found a guy named Floyd Richardson. He is so cool! He started talking to us about how he likes talking to us because we have a discussion and when the Jehovah Witnesses come around he can't get away from them!  We haven't been able to have a sit down lesson with him but he keeps asking us for pamphlets and little things like that. We went by one day and he just peeked out the window and never answered the door.... He is kind of a strange fellow! I guess we will see what happens with him this week.

Tom Smith came to church!! He hasn't been to church since he got baptized in April and he was so surprised that everyone was so nice to him. He thought people would be mad that he hadn't come forever. It was such a miracle to see him at church!!

Robert Gomez is on a roll! He is getting ready to go to the temple next week. Robert has made such a change in his life. Once upon a time he wouldn't let his wife have anything to do with the church. Now he is baptized, received the priesthood and is going to the temple! Sister Gomez is still in shock about the baptism and she told him to slow down and wait for her!! I love them so much!!

There is a member who comes to the church when she is home from college and she always brings her boyfriend of 4 years with her. Last week they brought her boyfriends mom, sister and her little boy. It was such a good sacrament meeting! Well this week just the mom and sister, Stephanie and Paula, came because they liked it so much last week....What the heck!? That doesn't just happen out here?? MIRACLES!! They said we can come by any time and that they will even feed us dinner! They look like members when they are at church too. It's crazy!!

This week we had a special fast for some missionaries in our zone. Fasting brings so many blessings. Especially when you are able to unite with so many people for a missionary. I am so glad that I was able to organize this fast for us. It brought so many blessings to members of our zone.

It is so important that we gain a testimony in The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Satan is busy and we are going to face opposition everyday. The stronger our faith/testimony gets the stronger the opposition will be. Do you know REALLY know this church is true? Have you prayed about it for yourself? Studied the Book of Mormon and teachings of the Prophet and Apostles? I guarantee that you will come to know of it's truthfulness if you will seek the truth with sincerity and real intent.

I know that Joseph Smith saw God the father and his son, Jesus Christ. He was willing to do all the Father asked of him and that is why he was chosen to be a Prophet of God. I know Joseph Smith restored Christ's church and gospel to the earth along with the Book of Mormon. I know Joseph Smith was God's prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Heaven's are open and we can receive all the blessings our Father has for us. I know this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is the son of God, our Savior and Redeemer of the world. I know He was sent by a loving Heavenly Father to redeem all mankind from their sins. I have a testimony of his divine mission, of His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, of His death and crucifixion on the cross, and of His Resurrection. I love my Savior with all my heart. I love wearing his name everyday and taking His gospel to all the world. I know our Heavenly Father loves us and will answer our prayers. This is my testimony, I will share it with all who will listen to the divine message I carry. This humble testimony I leave with you in the name of our Savior, our Redeemer, the Father's only begotten son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

 Elder Brisk

That is all.

Chili Cook-off Judges

 The Hogs out here are HUGE!!

 Leaves are changing colors and a random morning of fog means Fall is here!

 Crop dusters are so cool!!!

 Our pet spider who lives in our window

 I have to wear a extra t shirt and pajama pants under my suit 

when we go to church in Seymour because they like it so cold in there!!! 

You literally walk outside and start de-thawing.

 P-Day at the airport!! 

15 Months!

HELLER

Hope y'all had a great week! I forgot my planner and I am not the best at remembering everything we did this week..

We have been biking a lot! We had set a goal to talk to 65 people this week and we were able to hit our goal and get 65. It took a lot of diligence and hard work but we were able to do it. Thursday night at like 8:30 we went to United Supermarket because we had a couple more people we needed to talk too! There is a saying; "If you want to baptize some people you talk to some people, if you want to baptize a lot of people you talk to a lot of people and if you want to baptize everyone you can you talk to everyone you can." Talking with people is so fun as a missionary! They give you funny looks and even run away from you :)

Now that we are in the new apartment we have been on the look out for a new washer and dryer because the mission doesn't supply them for the young missionaries. We would bike around just to ask people about Washers and dryers sitting outside their houses. It worked really well with talking to people but no luck finding one. We talked to a guy who had some so he sent us to another house to look at them and they were all old and not worth a penny. So we turned around and saw this guy sitting on his porch. Elder Davis asked him how he was enjoying the weather (because it has been in the 70's) and He said "I'm enjoying the weather and I'm enjoying Jesus!" We began to talk to this guy whose name is Dan Richardson. He tried to bash with us but we kept agreeing with everything he said so he eventually said he would look at the Book of Mormon. It was such a miracle! We went back to teach him a few days later and it was the worst lesson ever!! He didn't believe a thing and he tried to teach us and then we ended up leaving and Dan said the prayer and it was the weirdest prayer ever!! People always hold hands and pray here so I squeeze Elder Davis hand every time  But Dan was saying some funky words that he either made up or was of the devil so we RAN away! LOL

We have been working hard to find new investigators but we haven't had much success. Then a miracle happened!! Elder Johnson took Robert Gomez home teaching for the first time and they were visiting a less active named Olga Ibarra and she has 8 (EIGHT) grandchildren that she wants us to teach...4 boys and 4 girls between the ages of 10 and 14....EIGHT KIDS!!! All of our hard work payed off! We are teaching them tonight with the Johnson's and then Robert is going to teach them again with us on Saturday!

Another Miracle! A member just so happened to have a washer and dryer they weren't using so we have a washer and dryer in our apartment now!!!

Sometimes the work isn't easy...sometimes nobody wants to talk to you (Mostly because they are baptist) but there is always good in each day! We see miracles so much as a missionary and being able to feel the spirit all day everyday is a great blessing. The spirit is the single most important element in this work. I am so thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the power in brings into our lives. I know if we will keep the commandments we will be able to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost more often in our lives. Blessings WILL come as we follow those promptings.

I hope you have a great week full of miracles and full of the spirit :)

E. Brisket 

The biggest Pecan I have ever seen!!!

Little Caesars on the Balcony 

There are literally to many bugs/creatures in Texas and they are so big...

That is a wolf spider that is 5 times the size of a normal one...

Mosquitoes are definitely alive and well...They can't be stopped!!

President Lowery took us out to his Ranch and Elder Davis tried to pet some cows 

The Smiley's were on their way back to Alva from Dallas 

and decided to take a detour out of the way to come see me. 

We went to lunch with them and it was so much fun! Love that family so much! 

I love being a missionary and I love this work!

HELLER!

I am pleased to announce that we FINALLY got our new mattresses. On the downside we stayed with the Wichita Elders on Monday night and found out yesterday that they have bed bugs...I swear if we brought more of those demons into the new apartment I will burn the place down and go back to Oklahoma. I really dislike Texas..

We have been biking a whole lot more than usual! The Zone Leaders decided to ground the cars from 10am to 5:30pm everyday this week for proselyting purposes. My legs hurt, butt hurts, everything hurts, but we have talked to so many people and seen so many miracles!

We saw Robert Wright again, The guy who told me I was just talking and we basically argued with him the entire time, and we dropped him. He was just arguing again and we ended up saying we are wasting his time and our time and walked out. Some people!

We met a lady named Donna Reagan and her Dog Taco. She said we could go back and teach her but when we went back she just yelled through the door to go away. Super nice lady and will accept the gospel some day!

We met with our investigators in Seymour finally! We were at Amanda's house forever and she was just talking about everything in the world. Needless to say we didn't teach much but we left her all of the pamphlets to read over and find questions or concerns she has so we can teach more to her needs. She has been taught by missionaries forever so we don't want to waste her time and our time teaching lessons she can teach us. Last time we saw her she committed to pray about a baptism date and she did! We set a date with her for March 25th! I know it is so far away but she wants multiple people there and that will work perfectly. I am so excited for her to seriously commit to baptism!

Kellie was home when we stopped by! She was busy cooking meat loaf with her friend Lance and told us maybe next Thursday. So as we started leaving she gave us 2 referrals of people to see so we went to see them. Kellie ended up calling us apologizing for turning us away because she can make time or us so she invited us back to teach her and Lance and also fed us dinner. She wanted us to start over from the beginning for Lance so we watched the restoration video and committed them to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. Kellie kept saying she loves what we have taught her and it isn't to different from what she has been taught growing up but she does't believe it?? Confused on what she is talking about but we are seeing her again Thursday!

On Friday I went on exchanges with Elder Christiansen. He has only been out a few weeks so it was fun to work with a brand new missionary! We had a super fun exchange and talked to 16 people in one day! We saw lots of miracles together and realized how bad Texas/Oklahoma roads are compared to Utah.

We met with Tom Smith and we were able to read the Book of Mormon with him. He has been done smoking for 3 weeks now and he isn't having a hard time with it anymore. His countenance has changed so much from the beginning of his desire to stop smoking.

While Elder Davis and I were biking we saw this lady and her 2 kids outside so we talked to them. Her name is Bambi!!! Isn't that so cool!? Her kids names are Austin (15) and Tristain (7). They just church hop around and don't have a steady church to attend. She was very open to us coming and talking with her and her kids more. We set up an appointment for Saturday!

David Bolton and his family have been a little stand offish lately. We haven't been able to teach them and they didn't come to church so we are kind of bummed about that but we aren't going to let them go!!

There are so many more miracles we have seen this week but this email is already super long. Pray for us that we may find new investigators this week who are ready to accept the restored gospel!

I love being a missionary and I love this work! The gospel truly brings lasting happiness and peace in our lives.

Love Elder Brisk

That is all.

Biking selfie

 Cheerios after a long day of biking

Goodbye Elder Clarke...Hello Elder Davis

HELLER!

Transfers were on Wednesday and Elder Clarke went to Woodward Oklahoma with Elder Warren. He hadn't been feeling to good this week so hopefully he is doing better! My new companion is Elder Davis and he is from Las Vegas! Once again my companion isn't from Utah. Elder Davis has almost been out for a year. He will hit his year mark in just a few days. He absolutely loves the new apartment too! Hopefully we will get our beds this week!

We go to Seymour every Thursday so Elder Davis didn't really get to see Vernon in his first couple days but he can tell he is in Texas! In fact we were driving home from Seymour on Sunday and Sister Johnson said that she emails home what animals they saw on their way to or from Seymour this week because we always see deer, or hogs, or anything! Well not to long after she said that we came around a bend and saw this truck sitting on the side of the road and we both saw what was happening at the same time...this lady was using the bathroom and right as we drove by she stood up and pulled her pants up....So Sister Johnson didn't get to see any animals but she saw an old lady's butt...We are definitely in Texas! LOL

We haven't been able to meet with David at all this week. We saw him on Sunday afternoon but he was busy and couldn't meet with us. Hopefully we can meet with him this week! That family is awesome!

We have been doing a lot of finding since we don't have to many investigators at the moment. We kind of went on a dropping spree and dropped everyone who was't serious or ready so now we have like 5 investigators. Elder Davis doesn't like knocking doors to much too so this will be a fun week to see how many investigators we can get....totally knocking doors :)

Well we have been without mattresses since we moved into the new apartment. We checked the office today and they came...but they are like foam pads or something weird. Definitely not mattresses so looks like I am hitting the floor again this week! :)

Well....bye

Love Brisket 

That is all.

Transfers...My new companion Elder Davis,

Old Companion Elder Bills

My mission sister, Sister Snyder

Elder Clarke and I in our comp ties

We tried taking a district picture but Sister Scadden's

 camera flew off the car as it took the picture so that is why

 we are all laughing and some not looking at the camera

Last week I got to hold a turtle and this week I got to hold a baby goat :)

Elder Clarke being sick and all....don't ask what he is doing in the second picture.

Comp Unity and we didn't even plan it

Best mexican restaurant in all of Vernon!

The clouds are so weird out here!

Staying in Vernon, but new address

HELLER!

Due to the recent Bed Bug issue we have moved. Here is my new address:

2100 Center Dr. Apt. 512

Vernon, TX 76384

Transfer Calls came last night and I will be staying in Vernon and my new companion will be Elder Davis. Elder Clarke is getting Transferred to Woodward, OK. He will be in the same district as the Alva missionaries and I am so jealous he will be up there!! I am going to miss him so much!

They are putting Elders back in Altus with the Sisters this transfer. I will be getting Elder Terry, who I roomed with in the MTC, and he will be training! I am so excited for this next transfer!

This week we didn't to anything to exciting. We were able to get moved into our new apartment but we are currently sleeping without beds but should be getting new beds this week sometime.

David and his wife Krystal came to church with their 4 kids, Devontae, Demetrius, Nikiya, and Kaleeyah to watch conference with us. I know they felt the spirit so strong and they truly loved being there. It was a little difficult for the kids but they all sat still and were quiet. I love this family so much! They are still on date for November 5th!

I hope everyone had the opportunity to watch General Conference this weekend!! We are so blessed to have living Prophets and Apostles that give us guidance from Heaven. Whether you were able to watch it or not I would invite you to go back and Study the conference talks. Starting with those that stood out the most to you. Elder Hales said the most revelation comes from after the conference is over.

I really liked Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk "To Whom shall we go"

"If any one of you is faltering in your faith, I ask you the same question that Peter asked: "To whom shall you go?" If you choose to become inactive or to leave the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where will you go? What will you do?

This is truly Christ's church. Nowhere else will you find the fullness of the Gospel and the blessings that are available to us.

"Before you make that spiritually perilous choice to leave, I encourage you to stop and think carefully before giving up whatever it was that brought you to your testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ in the first place. Stop and think about what you have felt here and why you felt it. Think about the times when the Holy Ghost has borne witness to you of eternal truth..."

Think of the times the Holy Ghost has influenced your life! We all have experiences and we all have a testimony. We just have to find it to be able to build it. If you can't recall a time when the Holy Ghost has influenced your life then what are you doing that needs to change for the Holy Ghost to be with you?

I love the promise that Elder Ballard gave us..

"He will never abandon his church, and he will never abandon any one of us."

We are all Son's and Daughter's of a loving Heavenly Father. He loves YOU and wants you to return to live with him in celestial glory. I know that this church is true. I know God loves us and he has provided the way for us to return to live with him. I am so thankful to be a member of this church and for the blessings my Heavenly Father has given me.

Love Elder Brisk

That is all.

We found a turtle in Seymour!!!

We had dinner at a members house in Seymour

 where Elder Clarke tried Pumpkin pie for the FIRST TIME and he LOVED IT!! 

This is how the Wilden's eat whip cream at their house!!

Conference all by ourselves

Our new apartment!!

                             It has 2 bathrooms and the mirrors actually work for a 6'4 human being!!!