Feliz Pascua! What a great Easter it was... Walked into sacrament meeting and saw my name on the program. "Hermana Brooks va a dar la primer discurso hoy!" That was probably my worst nightmare before my mission, but I have been studying the atonement and resurrection of our Savior this past week and my testimony of Jesucristo and the act that He completed for us 2,000 years ago is rooted deep in my heart. I am so grateful for our resurrected Savior who died so that I can live with my family FOREVER. How cool is that? My family is the coolest... Obviously I want to be with them forever. If you haven't seen the video Because of Him, do it! So. Good.
We had a huge breakthrough with our investigator Octavio Jr. this past week. We really got him to open up and express to us his concerns and questions, which is a missionaries dream. He was a former from about 2 years ago and had several baptism dates. We are hoping that he and his dad will be able to progress together, which would be a blessing for the dad because one of his limitations is that he would be going against his families beliefs and if his son was right there with him it would make things a hundred times easier for him.
"It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment, ... a greater investment than any. ... Its dividends are eternal and everlasting." I love this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley. It reminds me of how much of a change the lives of those we teach actually go through. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven...." ain't that the truth.
Some awkward moments from this week: We went to another investigators house and had one of the best first lessons everrrr. As soon as we said the closing prayer he runs off and grabs his guitar and was singing to us some Spanish songs (I'm still not the best with translating lyrics, so I am not sure what they were about), but he wouldn't stop singing. Hermana Halvs and I were dying. I have another story too, but this one will have to wait until after the mission.
Long story short-- a mom is trying to tell me her 30 something-year-old son is going to try and pursue me. If I get transferred to a new area it's because I no longer feel safe in this one! Haha
We have been riding our bikes like crazy and talking with so many people. Remember how last week I said that it is a mini Puerto Rico here? Well it's the truth. Every one we talk to is from Puerto Rico. This week I got mistaken for a Venezuelan, it doesn't beat Colombia, but it's pretty dang close. They have these things called arepas, and they are delicious. With all the English food we get I sometimes catch myself saying that I miss rice, beans, and chicken and then I think... No I don't. Don't worry though I am learning how to cook like a real latina so when I return home I can put it to use.
Sounds like everyone had a good Easter! Holidays are not the same on your mission, they have more meaning and make you appreciate them a little more. Thanks for all the love I receive, ya'll are the best!!
Con amor,
Hermana Brooks
We had a huge breakthrough with our investigator Octavio Jr. this past week. We really got him to open up and express to us his concerns and questions, which is a missionaries dream. He was a former from about 2 years ago and had several baptism dates. We are hoping that he and his dad will be able to progress together, which would be a blessing for the dad because one of his limitations is that he would be going against his families beliefs and if his son was right there with him it would make things a hundred times easier for him.
"It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment, ... a greater investment than any. ... Its dividends are eternal and everlasting." I love this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley. It reminds me of how much of a change the lives of those we teach actually go through. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven...." ain't that the truth.
Some awkward moments from this week: We went to another investigators house and had one of the best first lessons everrrr. As soon as we said the closing prayer he runs off and grabs his guitar and was singing to us some Spanish songs (I'm still not the best with translating lyrics, so I am not sure what they were about), but he wouldn't stop singing. Hermana Halvs and I were dying. I have another story too, but this one will have to wait until after the mission.
Long story short-- a mom is trying to tell me her 30 something-year-old son is going to try and pursue me. If I get transferred to a new area it's because I no longer feel safe in this one! Haha
We have been riding our bikes like crazy and talking with so many people. Remember how last week I said that it is a mini Puerto Rico here? Well it's the truth. Every one we talk to is from Puerto Rico. This week I got mistaken for a Venezuelan, it doesn't beat Colombia, but it's pretty dang close. They have these things called arepas, and they are delicious. With all the English food we get I sometimes catch myself saying that I miss rice, beans, and chicken and then I think... No I don't. Don't worry though I am learning how to cook like a real latina so when I return home I can put it to use.
Sounds like everyone had a good Easter! Holidays are not the same on your mission, they have more meaning and make you appreciate them a little more. Thanks for all the love I receive, ya'll are the best!!
Con amor,
Hermana Brooks