Updates to the Update .

"This week we got another set of sister missionaries here so now in Callaway Ward we have 6 missionaries and we are getting a senior couple here in the next week or so.  Total of 8 missionaries;  its getting exciting !"

"This past week was a bit hard for us;  but I am glad to say we persevered and remained diligent in what I could call a few discouraging circumstances. The biggest example was last Friday; my bike had been in the bike shop since Tuesday so the car was our main mode of traveling through Panama City. Early in the day we discovered a screw in our tire and had to put the car in the shop, it was there most of the day and it left us on foot in a part of Panama City that is a little harder to work in. But despite the fact that it was also a rather gloomy day;  we managed to laugh about our misfortune and to use our situation the best we could.. We actually were able to find a really nice woman from Venezuela,  who said she was also interested in having her whole family involved in  discussions!    I don't think she would have been found;   if not for our circumstances. We probably would not have planned to tract that street. That was our tender mercy for the day."


" We are also having 2 baptisms this weekend.  Other than that its been business as usual around here.  Just trying to stay busy and work hard to the end :) "

"I had a pretty good week this week.  Especially last Saturday;  Both Fred got baptised and so did Courtney.  The spirit very pronounced at both the baptismal services.   They both are very special to me.  Because I was involved throughout the process of finding, then teaching them; and letting the spirit do the rest.   It has been really neat to watch the Gospel change their lives."

"It is weird to think about I won't be here in a few weeks.  I can not believe it has already been almost two years.  I know I have grown and changed.  I have learned so much out here in the mission field.  My testimony has really grown out here;  something I desire to carry throughout my life & grow upon."

November News...

Lets just say that Elder Brimhall & Elder Glick are reaping in the mission field.  These two Elders have been some busy men and enjoying all of it.

A few snips out of some of his latest letters & emails:

  "This Saturday, we had another Baptism!!  His name is Logan & his grandfather drove 26 hours to come participate and to be the one to baptise Logan.  The spirit was super strong through the whole service.  We were able to share the Mormon Messages video while they changed & it was neat that all the primary children there sang along with the songs in the video; they really like the Families can Be Together Forever song.  It was a great day that day.  There was also two other baptism in the ward that day."

  "The Callaway ward, is getting another set of sister missionaries and including the senior couple; we have eight missionaries here now.  The Lord is giving us lots of work to do and the tools to do it."

Of course; you know things are getting busy when the email is very short and to the point.

  "Hope you had a good week. The sisters and the couple missionaries are here now and its getting exciting."

  "We are also having two baptisms this weekend.  I will get you some pictures:)  Other then that, business as usual around here.  Staying busy and working hard til the end:) "

  "This week has been quite Crazy !!  We had two baptisms on Saturday.  The spirit as great was great and defiantly a part of the services.  That day turned out quite stressful.  That morning the assistants had called and told us we were going to be getting another companion from a emergency transfer.  So, that was in the back of our minds while preparing for the baptisms.  Then people were showing up late for the baptism; either they were presiding or participating; it was a little hectic.  After the services; the assistants called us again and said "just kidding" and the other Elder would be staying in his area.  Nice joke, not. "

  "After that, we headed to Youngstown.  Youngstown is an area not maintain by the county; so the roads are mostly dirt and sand and can get sketchy at times.  We actually got stuck in some sand and someone with a kind heart and there SUV pulled us out.  I did get some pictures, I will work on getting them sent to ya.  Meantime, here is one of m companion Elder Glick."

October.......

Yes; there has been a brief drought of news for the editor in chief of posting to the blog.  Seems that once life gets crazy other things tend to drop off the planet for a while.  So, hopefully Elder Brimhall will not be to harsh about the side tracks disrupting the flow of the blog.

So, short notes to bring you all up to speed for the past month or so.  Justin has reported home that they have been extremely busy in the Callaway  Ward there in Panama City.  Busy meaning to excitement and progression of the gospel into people lives that have accepted the blessings there of.

Quoting one of Justin's recent emails, "We got 3 baptisms lined up.  One for October 19, and one for October 26, and another for November 2.  Good stuff still in the coming weeks."

Intertwined with the Elders adventures, they help perform some service for the community with the "Calvary Temple Assembly of God."  They went for a ride on the 'Church's Bus."  The Pastor is quite likable; he likes the missionaries, respects them, his wife feeds Justin tells us; that he probably won't convert, but the inner faith publicity is good & puts a good name out for "the Mormon's"; that we are Christians too, and do christian things.

Another interesting activity Justin & Elder Glick were able to participate in; they were privileged to a tour of the Tyndall Air Force Base.  A member is a Sargent ? or something ??  He took us all over the base, and all over the place.  Showed us places where they do "war games" and other stuff like blowing up runways, putting out fires on burning aircraft.  There was even a mock Iraqi village that we drove through,  He showed us some of the different IED (improvised explosive devices); we even found a gator out & about; all is well.  It was a neat experience.  It was extremely quiet however due to the government shutdown.  So, there were no students, and very few personal on the base.

The ward here had there annual fish fry.  lots & lots of people showed up.  Justin said 300 - 400 people in actuality.  Lots of them were the less active members and non-members.  We had police helicopter activity involved,  It was good, a member is actually the pilot for the copter;  he was flying it around and dropping candy out of it for the kids.

"Zack"

We had a booth set up at the Panama City Fest.  It was geared around family history to show & teach people a little more about family history.  It went fairly well; some success; we struggled or competed a little bit with another booth just down from us; It was a really loud rock band; It was Oktoberfest.  We even saw quite a few drunk people as the festival continued through the evening.  We were very tired after this event.

<<<<---This is a picture of "Zach."  Evidently you can not get the kid to crack a smile whatsoever.  Justin said that is about the best they could get out of Zach.  Zach's baptism went really well and was a great experience.  Zach really enjoyed his baptism quite allot & thanked us over and over.


A fun little story to go along with that day;  After the service was over and everyone was gone; we were straightening thins and noticed that someone had forgot to pull the drain plug in the baptismal font after the baptism.  I got adventurous and went wading.  Elder Glick got a kick out the whole deal.  Hopefully no-one forgets after next Saturday baptism services; the sisters have 2 baptisms and we have another.  This ward is super excited & we are excited for all that is happening in the Lords kingdom.

Well, this coming week; we will find out how the past week went and how the baptism services transpired.

Panama City - Florida

Justin is arrived back in Panama City a little over a month ago.  He is currently working with Elder Glick in the Callaway ward; which Justin tells us is a big ward and they are all nice.

  Panama City has been explained to us by Justin that it is like a living on a giant sponge.  Experiencing flooding with all the rains.  Lots & lots of rain; even flash flood warnings; a few roads washed out all together; super crazy what water can do.  It has been adventurious navigating some of the sand roads in the coroola.  We also carshare in this area with the sisters.  While out on our bikes, we had an unexpected biking trip with the Bishop of the Lynn Haven Ward;  He actually lives in our boundries and flagged us down while biking past his house.  He decided to tag along and do some contacting with us.  So now Justins tells us he has been biking with the bishop.   This area is one of the fastest moving as far as the missionary work goes.  They just got a new bishopric and are making alot of changes in the presidencies in the ward and placing lots of focus on missionary work, so us missionaries are really excited.  The new Elders quorom president is a great guy; really wants to help out.  He is lining things up where we will have church tours for the missionaries to give local tours and answer questions here at the local building.

Lake is the apartment parking lot

Justin tells us they are working with a superstar investigator right now.  Set for baptism on Oct 5.  He is so ready & willing;  his dad is already a amember and not too active; hopefully to change soon.  But, Justin says they are secretly working on the whole family as well,  It is really neat that the whole family is in on the lessons and are participating and asking great questions.  We hope they all follow Logan.

Justin informed us that they now have 2 baptisms lined up for October and that the sisters have astounding 6 lined up.  Exciting.  Another investigator is very interested in the Family History class and is attending it and loving it.

???  & Elder Justin Brimhall

Justin is the tallest .

Bitter Sweet Transfer

Elder Brimhall has been transferred.  He will now being working with a new companion and assigned to a new area.

Justin is sad to be leaving the great people in the Quincy Branch; yet excited for a new area.  Justin stated that 9 months is more then enough time to memorize Gadston County.  He is ready for a change of scenery I think.  New area he annouced is Panama City, FL.

Justins new companion is Elder Glick.  Justin said that Elder Glick was in his district before and he knows who he is; so its not going to be a new shock of a companion.

Will keep you updated on Elder Brimhall Experiences.

Elder Justin Brimhall awaits blog updates....

Oh how time flies as life gets busy...  Wow, Lets see if we can get this blog a bit updated.  With I changing companies, training out of town, ans the other mysteries of life.  I have blogged the blog.  Anyways; heres what has been happening to Elder Brimhall down in Quincy.

Elder Brimhall                      Elder Warburton

Week of June 17th.
 Justins tells us things are going well.  That "I'm hanging in there."  Take that answer was probably answer to mine; "How are things going?"  Pretty generic and broad to cover it all.  Justin said he got himself a good ole' sunburn; good enough to go out and buy some sunscreen.  New mission president for the mission is Brad Smith from American Fork, Utah.  

Week of June 24th. 
Transfers came and went.  Passed us by....    Elder Brimhall & Elder Warburton in Quincy town for another 6 weeks.  Wow; up to 9 months in one area and still counting.  Justin said he working hard on that "Elders Tan"   you know the one with the nice tan watch lines.  The worldwide missionary broadcast was awesome.  It has got the missionaries all excited for the new implements coming to the field.  Justin also mentioned that they had bumped into one of the missing investigators.  Evidently they had disappeared over to Tallahasse for last 3 months; followed up with him and he is reading The Book of Mormon and is anout 1/3 the way through it.  All the branch members gardens are producing; they bring there surplus produce to church to share with the other members.  Elder Brimhall & Elder Warburton decided to get adventurious and took some fresh jalapeno peppers.  Hot & spicy -- Yes;  cleared out the sinuses really "Well".  And yes, you wonder if it burns all the way through and both ends,  It is confirmed.....   Side note; president has re-assigned Justin as the District Leader again & the designated driver.

Week of July 1st.
  "It has been HOT !!!"  98 degrees; lots & lots of rain; along with thunder storms.  This past week was a rough one; we were glad for Sunday to roll around for a recharge.    If you have not realized by now that things; especially bugs, grow quite a bit larger down here in the south.  We have found the local guard at the CVS;  a giant orange moth.  Check out the size of this moth.

Here is a recent picture of our district.

Weeks of July 8th & July 15th.

"More rain. More rain, and More rain."  Practically non-stop.   it was super rainy and gloomy like its been all week and we just finished up our weekly planning which took longer than expected.  but we still felt pressed to go to Havana anyways.  Justin stated "we poked into an antique shop there to get a break from the weather.  it is owned by an older husband and wife team and they are quite nice to us when we come by and they have studied with the Elders before.  It was just here there in the shop, her husband was off down across the street at the Tomato Cafe.  we looked around a bit and she was doing something in the back room.  after a while i found a few books I wanted and I informed her that I was ready to check out.  she came out from the back room and began to ring me up.  but while she was she was starting to have trubble with the calculator and she was starting to act a little funny and confused.  sensing something was up I asked if she was alright.  She told me she was.  she was just "having trouble with her doctor and some medication"  She looked back down at the recept she was writing up then the next thing I knew her legs buckled from under her and she colapsed hitting her cheek on the counter and fell to the floor.  Having someone pass out in front of you is very disconcerting.  I jumped over to counter to see if she was ok.  She was conscious and told me to go fetch her husband across the street.  so I ran out to him and informed him his wife had just collapsed at the counter.  His reaction told me that this was not the first time this has happened(it may be a balance or vertigo problem because she was still conscious but we don't know.)  It would probably explain when we first met her about 9 months ago she had just recently broke her nose from a fall (probably that same counter)  That got my heart pumping.  when I got back to the shop she was standing and dusting herself off and conveniently a Havana Police officer was also nearby and checked her out to see if she was ok as well.  I was glad me and Elder Warburton were there."

On Saturday we had another exiting experience.  Friday we had a tradeoff with the zone leaders and i was off in Tallahassee while elder Warburton stayed in Quincy with Elder Muscgrave.  Elder warburton has had a name in his head for the past few days and he was wanting to find a 'Sabrina'  he thought he knew who she was but it turned out she was not who he was thinking of a "savana who was a potential Investigator"  but Elder Warburton still felt he should find 'Sabrina'  so he and Elder Muscgrave prayed to find 'Sabrina' that day.  they did not find 'Sabrina' on Friday. 

  But on Saturday we were having lunch at the McDonalds and we had a few extra minutes of our lunch hour.  so we decided we would walk to the local goodwill.  while walking through the electronics section a woman came up to us and said we looked familiar to some people she knew and wanted to know if we knew them.  we told her we didn't know any of them but she continued to speak to us and the conversation immediately turned to the Gospel.  She expressed concerns for her wavering brother and questions she had about the Gospel.  It was amazing to watch and feel the spirit work in and through us all as we taught and testified of the Plan of Salvation and the Restoration.  and we all felt the spirit and acknowledged his presence.  we were able to get her adress and phone so that we could contact her again because she was on the clock as an employee at the goodwill.  her nametag gave the name of 'Sabrina'.  It blew Elder Warburton away!  after our visit we had to call up Elder Muscgrave to tell him about the prayer being answered.  "PRAYER WORKS! HAHAH IT WORKS!"  he exclaimed over the phone."

Week of July 15th.

Given 'yall updates to another awesome week.  Elder Justin told us it was another super cool week.  They had a great lesson with investigators Rachel and Ladarious; with another lesson with them the coming week.  

and we were able to go back and see the the woman who fainted and her husband and they were more able to properly thank us.  he bought us sodas at the Tomato Cafe and it would seem our 'Fame' of being the two helpful Mormon boys has spread through the small little town of Havana.  I hope it has planted some seeds.

But the coolest thing was this Saturday there was a family 4 baptized into the branch!  (there has not been a baptism in a while in Quincy and no one can remember the last Family)  The Spanish Elders found and taught them and baptized them.    It was really nice to see the baptisms and there were plenty of non members there as well some who took the Book of Mormon home with them.  there were about 10 missionaries present at the baptism (most of them from the Liahona branch in Tallahassee , the Spanish branch) and true to Quincy there was a TON of great southern cooking (it made all the Tallahassee Elders jealous)  what was really cool is he presented all the Elders individual one by one an Armor of God coin he had got for every one of us and two very nice sunburst rings (like the one on the Nauvoo  temple) to the two missionaries who found them. and we will be having dinner over at their house this week :D  she makes super good flan!  so there are some of the great blessings and adventures of the week :)  Hope yours is fantastic as well! 

Here is what the Armour of God coin looks like.

Now, hopefully we are up to speed with out Elder Justin Brimhall .

Sister Jensen, President Jensen, Elder Brimhall

Zone Conference June 2013

Updates from the Southern Bible belt of Quincy, Florida.  Justin has been "enjoying" the nice, lovely hot weather along with the tropical storm season now upon them  

"Wet & rainy weather seems to bring out all the critters;  some of them camping on our porch.   We had a large frog decide to come on when I opened the front door to get some stuff out of the car.  The frog launched right over Elder Warburton's shoes.  He landed on the couch; actinfg like he owned the place.  We has to flip the sofa to get him off and shoo him back outside.  It was quite entertaining."  

"In our efforts of working with lee actives, etc,  We had one sister come out & she actually got up and shared her testimony during testimonony meeting,  the ward members warmly welcomed her back; so fellowshipping taken place."

This last zone conference was a all day ordeal.  It is President & Sisters Jensens last one.  They are returning home themselves & new mission President coming in.

Justin snapped a pretty cool picture after the last tropical storm was clearing out.  Enjoy.

Quincy for Another Transfer

Well, Elder Justin Brimhall called his mom for Mothers Day.  It was a good thing; you do not want mom upset.  He sounded great.  He way glad he was able to chat a little bit with everyone; but majority of call was with mom.

President Jensen; the mission president; came through and had missionary interviews.  Justin told us afterwords that president is appreciative of his wiilingness and efforts to serve the Lord, and being a missionary that gets along with his companions.  Also found out that Justin will be staying with Elder Warburton for another transfer.  Wow !  Thats around 7 months in Quincy with the same companion for 6 months or so.  President also made Elder Warburton the new district leader.  His first leadership position in the mission besides being senior companion;  Elder Warburton only has 3 months left in the mission field.  Wonder if president did that to keep him busy and keep his mind on the Lords work.  So, no transfers for these Quincy Elders thin month.

Justin let us know that after he recieved the baptismal reports for last week; He was excited to learn that 4 choice spirits in his last area were baptized.  One of which he was instramental in obtaining a large print Book of Mormon for her to be able to read.  Plus, there was investigator in the very  first area; exactly one year ago to the date; now "Sister Walls;"  who has accepted the gospel into her life and was baptized Saturday & then confirmed on Mothers Day.  Justin told us he recalled when they first met her & knows for sure that the Lord had his hand in guiding & inspring him that day.  Super exciting for Elder Brimhall.

I will request some recent pictures from Elder Brimhall; stay tuned.

Lighten' Up The Town.......

Well; check this one out:

"Prep. Work"

"The Big Ol' Bonfire"

Direct from Justin :

"got a new investigar and had a huge bonfire also so it was a pretty killer week!"

"Picture this wekk are of of the big ol bonfire and sadly my camera died right when I wanted it, so these are mostly from Elder Warburtons camera.  The man standing next to the fire is about as tall as Elder Warburton and I, so you can get an idea of how big it was.  I got a nice tan from 2-30 ft away."

Justin has been quite the busy Elder, especially with the duties of being a district leader.  Heres another clip out of a recent email.

"Lots of great things are happening in our mission.  Last week we had 98 Baptismal dates for the mission.  Many in areas that were considered to be "dead or dying."  there are actually 4 within my last area Pensacola.  One of them was neat to hear about.  Her husband was inactive when I was there. (I never actually got to see him.)  I only saw her a few times.  But was able to give her a large print Book of Mormon that she could read.  Never really able to see her after that, cause contact number was changed about 4 days later; and she has this crazy black labrador that would try to climb the chain-link fence and kill you!  But now it turns out she has been reading & praying and now has a baptism date!"  {---- Justin is quite excited about that.

"in other news this week.  I conducted a baptismal interview this week for a young boy named Conner, who is getting baptized into the Tally 2 Ward.  There is also another who I will see Tuesday named Cooper.  And there are 2 more BCD's in our district also.  So, I have been traveling to Tally quite frequently."

Work goes forward in Quincy.

Elder Brimhall & Elder Warburton are staying in Quincy for another transfer.  They were both surpized that nothing changed.  Justin said this will be his longest companionship this far; but that okay, because they get along well.

Been working alot of service lately; split firewood, help pour concrete slabs, help construct greenhouses.

            Firewood-  Cut, split & stacked for BONFIRE on April 13th.  (We will inquire as to this event.)                       Justin was joking with something to the effect of "burnt" offerings.  This ought to be interesting story.

                                                  Greenhouse photo opt for the building crew.

We can't wait to hear about this BIG BONFIRE event.  Justin was telling us that maybe they will be roasting hot dogs from 15 feet away.  Hopefully they will have a water hose nearby if it get out of hand.

Justin said he has aquired a few small musical instruments.  A small Uke & a soprano recorder.

Justin & Elder Warburton are currently working with a investigator that the Spanish Elders had referred to them.  He is currently a 7th Day Advent and is open to the Elders & there message.  He has expresssed interest in the Book Of Mormon; so they are excited.

Watch for more pictures and more updates to come soon.

Justin is still alive.  Just have a procrastinator updating his blog.  Justin is still out in the rural area of Quincy.  He thinks something will probably be changing this next transfer; unsure if he will relocate or his companion.

Justin tells  us that the weather is changing down there.   Starting to get wet and humid.  The "Green Dust" has returned hard core.  Things are really greening up and its getting pretty.

Investigating is slow he said;  however they have a referral from the spanish elders that sounds pretty exciting; we will see.

Until next updates from the Elder.

As time flies by...  Justin is doing well, he told us last letter he is also now the new District Leader.  I will see if I can update everyone in a nut shell whats all been happening here on the blog.

Justin said they are finally settled into there new apartment in Quincy.  Transfer sheet recently was posted & Justin & Elder Warburton are staying in Q-town another 6 or so weeks.  Elder Petillot is being transfered; closer to a city with a chiroprator for his back problems.

They recently had district training & it was to re-energize everyone & there efforts & to inspire them to reach there full potential.  Justin really enjoys the inspiration that comes from President Jensens talks.  He said that Sister Jensen warned all of us Elders to NEVER flirit with the sister's; that the mission was going to change a bit with all the new young sister  missionaries.

They attended a memorial service for one of the members non-member husband.  Justin said the service was quite nice & there were lots of people there from other denominations & that the was lots of  "Praise the Lord!" and "Hallelujahs" and other stuff like the such, just out of no where.  Overall it was a good service.  A good experience to be part of.

While on trade-offs with the other Elders up by Tally;  Justin told us that he ran into one of there prior investigators that had just vanished 3  months ago.  Evidently the man had had knee surgery and was being picked up & doing rehab at the VA clinic in Tally.  Justin sounded excited to recontact him.  Justin said "Sylvester" has pretty much taught himself about the apostasy & has had the lessons & been out to church a couple times.  Hopefully Justin can rekindle that seed.

Other trade-offs this past week; they had a little muddy adventure thanks to the gps.  We were heading back to trade back & the gps took us down a dirt road right after it had just finished raining. Thus the corolla got to do a little off roading.

New Apartment / New Address

Justin has been in the process of moving to new apartment in the town of Quincy.  He says they are still living out in the sticks.

Upon doing there laundry this past week.  Elder Petillots socks got eaten by the dryer.  It took the landlord & a crowbar to remedy the situation.  Nice new landlord;  he is the Elders quorum president ;-)

The Elders seem to be in good spirits; they have been performing lots of service and planting seeds of the gospel through conversations and services.

Here is a picture Justin sent this past week.

Moving along.

Justin didn't really didn't share a ton this last little while.  Justin did inform us the the Quincy "trio" of the English Elders will still be a trio through the next set of transfers; after that is the unknown.
Justin told us that the trio is getting along well.

Sounds like the Elders are going to be moving to a new pad in Quincy within the next few weeks;  from what Justin has explained to us, they have been actually working on there new place; located right next to the Decembrino's house.   It seems the Elders Quorum president (Brother Decembrino) is going to be their new landlord.  So, The Elders living next to the Elders?? Anyways, they have been helping to  rip out the old carpet in preparation of some new, and I would imagine a few other minor projects.

Justin told us the Decembrino's are super cool.  They are Italian, awesome cooks; they used to do catering and weddings.  They have us for over for dinner every week.

Hope for more pictures this coming week.