September 26, 2011

this week was really good. we were able to work really hard and find a lot of really good people. things with my companion are going a lot better. we talked a lot about things that we both could improve and things went really well. i read a quote by President Utchdorf that said the only perfect people are the people that you dont know very well, which is so true. when he said it he was referring to marriage and said since there is no chance in finding a perfect person the only hope that we have is to try and create perfection in each other. the key is to try to be humble and always be willing to learn, no matter from who. that is something i struggle with sometimes, thinking that i know what i need to do, but the humbler we are the more we will learn and grow. this week something that has worked miracles for us, is when we are knocking doors and someone tells us no, we ask for their neighbors name, and then when we knock on the neighbors door we say that the neighborhood has all told us really good things about them, and more often then not they let us in. i think a lot of life just depends on your excitement and attitude. if you are excited and have fun doing what your doing your going to have success. there are times in the mission where it seems that you just go through the motions you are talking to people teaching people, but the results are minimal. in the conference last october there was a 70 that talked about what makes a succesful teacher and he said it was his excitement for the gospel. i think if the members had more excitement the church would soar. i look at the jehova witnesses and see how much success they have. the reason is because of their members. so i was thinking about what we could do, and i thought of a challenge for everyone. that they could bring one person in the church. i remember a few years ago Uncle Paul talked about having a spirit stake on the other side of the veil. i think we could actually have an actual stake in a year if evey member could bring one person to the church. it really isnt that hard. there are so many people that are looking for a better life. more peace, happiness, happier familly, segurity about what is going to happy after this life. like is says in dc 123 there are many people looking for the truth but dont know where to find it. that is our job and responsiblity as memebers. when we were baptized, we promised to be a witness at all times and all places. there is no better time to do that then now. talk about general conference with everyone. before the mision i took it for granted but it really is a huge deal that we have a living prophet that gives us the messages and revelations that God has for us. so that is the challenge Invite at least 5 people to general conference, and by the end of the year bring one person to church. thanks for everythign love you lots.

Elder Brimhall

September 19, 2011

sorry for not writing last week. the whole mission had an internet fast, so no one could use the Internet. but everything is well. here in chile it is the 18 of september which is the 4 of july for them. but unlike us they celebrate at least 3 days sometimes 5, this year it just happened to be 3. the bad news is that the 18 fell on a sunday this year. there were only 29 people in church and half of them were from los angeles visting from the stake. but you just got to keep working hard and not get discouraged. it is funny here, EVERY house has a chilean flag outside, adn they dance their national song all the time, and eat a ton of meat and empanadas, it is a lot like the 4 of july but just for 3 days instead of 1. this week was a little tough. my companion is different, but the last few days have been a lot better. since my time in the office i have been pretty spoiled with my companions so its good to get a difficult one, because you really do learn so much and grow a lot more. obvioulsy no one wants more trials or struggles but it really is the best way to learn and grow. i was reading in the liahona the talks of the last conference. there is one by Elder Christofferson, he tells a story about Hugh B. Brown when he was a gardener and had a current bush that was 6 feet tall was growing very tall and had tons of leaves. but he chopped it down. he said he thought he heard it say, i was growing so good i was making so much progress how could you do this to me, i thought that you were the gardener here. he replied i know what i want you to be, i dont want you to be a large plant, or a shade tree, i want you to be a current bush, and some day you will thank me. so life went on and a few years later he was in the canadian army and was going to be promoted general but didnt get the job becasue he was LDS. he was so mad and said the same thing that the current bush had said. the Lord responded the same way. He knows what he wants us to be, and the trials we have to face to become the person he wants us to be. We will not just be judged from the things that we do, but also as the kind of person we are. its not always just about what you do its about who you are. your character. so the Lord is refining me and helping me become more polished but the only way he can do that is by putting me in the fire and burn off all those impurities that i have. i know that He is always with me and will not allow me to go through more than i can handle, or make me suffer more than is necessary for my eternal benefit. i also know the same is true for you. trust in God, he sees what you dont he knows what you dont. be patient, lift up your head dont get down, keep chugging and you ll make it through. i really like a quote from President Swenson. If you accept and live the gospel there is nothign in your life that will be permanently bad, and if you dont there is nothing that will be permanently good. no matter what the cost, what we have to go through Heavenly Father promises us a 100 fold in His kingdom. Love you all thanks for everything

Elder Brimhall

September 5, 2011

well.... my new companion is good. he is a newbie from the united states who doesnt speak very much or understand, but he is a hard worker and is obedient so you cant ask for a whole lot more. new people are always good becasue they come from that mtc mentality which is really good. we get a long pretty good, it is sad to not be with Elder Palmer anymore he was awesome we worked really well together, but good things can never last forever, since my time in the office i have been kind of spoiled with my companions so it is good to have someone different. he is a really nice kid that is a good worker, a little weird but we all are in our own way. the fact is is that as long as he is a good worker that is the only thing that really matters. we had a really good week and worked really hard. on sunday we were so blessed. saturday was a prety rough day we were going to all our appointments and NO ONE was in their house we were just going from house to house and no one was there. but we just kept working hard and tried to stay positive. i think that is the key try to always just be postiive and be an example for others. i am reading in the book of mornon about the sons of helman and just about how big of an impact they had. they were always positive and always had faith in God that everything was going to work out. that is what i learned this week, well actually i knew it but was reminded just stay positive, trust in God, work hard and everything will work out. so everything is good, love you all tahnks for the letters and everything

Elder Brimhall