Transfer calls came and guess who is finally leaving their first area? Viejita Valencia... aka old lady Valencia. It doesn't seem real and it's way sad leaving all of the friends and family I have made here, but one blessing of the church is that it is they same everywhere. I am excited to see how I can help out the work wherever I go. I have some guesses, but we will see tomorrow what happens.
Now that the sad news is done with let's talk about the good stuff. This week was one big blur. I want to share an awesome experience we had while in our favorite trailer park. Oh yeah remember during conference when they talked about Florida and tornadoes and trailers landing on each other... too good. We are getting out of the car and this lady starts yelling at us and walks over to her group of friends and they all start saying we aren't supposed to be on the property.. I hope they realize it's a TRAILER park and there was no signs, so obviously we stayed. While walking around we were able to help paint a trailer and do some service for this Latino family, it was one of those moments where you're like "yes, I am a missionary AND I love it." Anyways, a few days pass and since we spend all of our days in this gem of a trailer park we make our way back and this time we got out of the car and we see a youngish woman reading a book on a bench. We went and talked with her and ended up having a super spiritual on the spot lesson and was able to share a scripture with her that really touched her heart. As soon as we are wrapping up here comes psycho screaming lady telling us "I'll be right back" and "you don't belong here!"... still not phased. We did however walk away so the lady we were teaching wouldn't get bothered too, but as we were walking a way the lady was saying some vulgar things about us and the lady we had just taught sticks up for us and is screaming back about how she did care what we had to say and what not and we were sure we would never see her again, but lo and behold I am forever grateful for technology because we were able to find her on Facebook and clear things up, but here is where it get's good. I am not going to write out all of it, but she had put as her status: "I just experienced my first religion back lash in my life. I felt so bad it brought me to tears that people exist that way. Two Mormons are speaking to me about God and Jesus, not religion, and here comes a lady screaming at them and reporting them because they were talking "religious *stuff*" as she called it. I was shocked. No matter what religion or what culture or what background... EVERYONE NEEDS GOD!!!! That moment I needed to hear the words that those girls were saying. I NEEDED IT AND I WANTED TO HEAR IT." At that moment it made me realize the blessings that come after tribulation. I have a strong testimony of that. No, we didn't get mashed potatoes thrown at us like from Elder Holland's talk, but we felt the reality of the mocking and back lash that comes from standing up for your beliefs.
Conference was the best as always, especially as a missionary.. oooh so good! I think it was because I wasn't trying to just worry about myself, but my investigators as well. I really enjoyed Elder Walker's talk about "live true to the faith" and have a question for anybody who is reading this and has a testimony of the gospel. Will you send me your personal conversion story via mail or just an awesome family story you could share?
Hermana Mackenzie Brooks
10502 Satellite Blve. Ste. E.
Orlando, FL 32837
Yes, I would really appreciate that. I am looking back realizing I know nothing about my family's history and I am a horrible person because of it. I will repent right now.
So yeah, that's about all I have for this week, but there will be a lot to talk about with my new area and comp and what not so be ready!
Ps. I know I am the worst with pictures... here's the thing... I really had all the intention in the world to send some today, but realized I packed up my cord. Disculpe!!
LOVE,
Hermana Brooks
Now that the sad news is done with let's talk about the good stuff. This week was one big blur. I want to share an awesome experience we had while in our favorite trailer park. Oh yeah remember during conference when they talked about Florida and tornadoes and trailers landing on each other... too good. We are getting out of the car and this lady starts yelling at us and walks over to her group of friends and they all start saying we aren't supposed to be on the property.. I hope they realize it's a TRAILER park and there was no signs, so obviously we stayed. While walking around we were able to help paint a trailer and do some service for this Latino family, it was one of those moments where you're like "yes, I am a missionary AND I love it." Anyways, a few days pass and since we spend all of our days in this gem of a trailer park we make our way back and this time we got out of the car and we see a youngish woman reading a book on a bench. We went and talked with her and ended up having a super spiritual on the spot lesson and was able to share a scripture with her that really touched her heart. As soon as we are wrapping up here comes psycho screaming lady telling us "I'll be right back" and "you don't belong here!"... still not phased. We did however walk away so the lady we were teaching wouldn't get bothered too, but as we were walking a way the lady was saying some vulgar things about us and the lady we had just taught sticks up for us and is screaming back about how she did care what we had to say and what not and we were sure we would never see her again, but lo and behold I am forever grateful for technology because we were able to find her on Facebook and clear things up, but here is where it get's good. I am not going to write out all of it, but she had put as her status: "I just experienced my first religion back lash in my life. I felt so bad it brought me to tears that people exist that way. Two Mormons are speaking to me about God and Jesus, not religion, and here comes a lady screaming at them and reporting them because they were talking "religious *stuff*" as she called it. I was shocked. No matter what religion or what culture or what background... EVERYONE NEEDS GOD!!!! That moment I needed to hear the words that those girls were saying. I NEEDED IT AND I WANTED TO HEAR IT." At that moment it made me realize the blessings that come after tribulation. I have a strong testimony of that. No, we didn't get mashed potatoes thrown at us like from Elder Holland's talk, but we felt the reality of the mocking and back lash that comes from standing up for your beliefs.
Conference was the best as always, especially as a missionary.. oooh so good! I think it was because I wasn't trying to just worry about myself, but my investigators as well. I really enjoyed Elder Walker's talk about "live true to the faith" and have a question for anybody who is reading this and has a testimony of the gospel. Will you send me your personal conversion story via mail or just an awesome family story you could share?
Hermana Mackenzie Brooks
10502 Satellite Blve. Ste. E.
Orlando, FL 32837
Yes, I would really appreciate that. I am looking back realizing I know nothing about my family's history and I am a horrible person because of it. I will repent right now.
So yeah, that's about all I have for this week, but there will be a lot to talk about with my new area and comp and what not so be ready!
Ps. I know I am the worst with pictures... here's the thing... I really had all the intention in the world to send some today, but realized I packed up my cord. Disculpe!!
LOVE,
Hermana Brooks