If someone ever sends you a "Happy holidays from Florida" postcard, ignore it, there is nothing happy about celebrating Christmas in 85degree weather. Something is just not right about that.
But on a happier note it was definitely the best Christmas of my entire life, maybe eventful would be a better word to describe it. We had dinner with one of my favorite families, the Ordinola's. The dad is from Peru and the mom from Mexico, the best combination the Latin world has ever seen. We were all amused by this "selfie stick" that they have, well Sister Brooks was at least. So here we were about to gather in front of their Christmas when I'm left in the kitchen for whatever reason.... But it was a blessing because the next thing I knew the oven was on fire. Literally on fire and here I am yelling that there is a fire, but does any believe lil ole me? Nope. Luckily they were able to put it out, unfortunately the mashed potatoes had some ashes on top. We also got fed tamales at every single house we went to. Guatemala wins for having the best kind hands down!
Que mas? We were able to have some awesome lessons this week and pick up some new investigators, my favorite being from Brazil. It's super cool because Portuguese is close enough to Spanish that I can understand, but it's still so different I could never speak it. But this man was at chick-fil-a and walked up to the elders and gave them his information so that we could come by. He wasn't a member, but had heard about the church somehow. Well, the miraculous part is that elders shouldn't have even been there because one of the elders is super allergic to something and can't eat at fast food places. So we show up on Christmas and we were able to show "He is the Gift" for the last time and it was so powerful. It was the first time in my life
where I wasn't worried about cookies or presents or cute little tree decorations, but I was really able to just focus on the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We also stopped by this part member family (yeah, we are teaching like 5 part members right now it's the best!) and shared a Christmas message. We hadn't even finished when the super catholic 70 year old mom pipes in and starts asking us when we can come back again because she wants to know more. It wasn't even a question, but more like a demand. It's super cute because she talks super slow thinking I can't understand, but after a reassuring conversation she then smiles with her little endearing smile and praises me for my gringa spanish. It's the cutest. The family has been praying for years for her to have an
open heart to receive the charlas.
Hermana Moody is adjusting well and although she doesn't make me laugh as much as Hermana Rivera, we still have a great time. We even play this "fun" game.... We got every flavor beans from Harry Potter world from a member and torture ourselves by eating the sick nasty ones. Nothing like earthworm and Bogie tasting jelly beans. I know ya'll are
jealous.
Other than that, I don't really have anything new.... Oh yes remember from a few transfers ago there was a man in the English ward that went tracting, well we have been receiving some referrals from him
again.... Every member a missionary right?
Love always,
Hermana Brooks
But on a happier note it was definitely the best Christmas of my entire life, maybe eventful would be a better word to describe it. We had dinner with one of my favorite families, the Ordinola's. The dad is from Peru and the mom from Mexico, the best combination the Latin world has ever seen. We were all amused by this "selfie stick" that they have, well Sister Brooks was at least. So here we were about to gather in front of their Christmas when I'm left in the kitchen for whatever reason.... But it was a blessing because the next thing I knew the oven was on fire. Literally on fire and here I am yelling that there is a fire, but does any believe lil ole me? Nope. Luckily they were able to put it out, unfortunately the mashed potatoes had some ashes on top. We also got fed tamales at every single house we went to. Guatemala wins for having the best kind hands down!
Que mas? We were able to have some awesome lessons this week and pick up some new investigators, my favorite being from Brazil. It's super cool because Portuguese is close enough to Spanish that I can understand, but it's still so different I could never speak it. But this man was at chick-fil-a and walked up to the elders and gave them his information so that we could come by. He wasn't a member, but had heard about the church somehow. Well, the miraculous part is that elders shouldn't have even been there because one of the elders is super allergic to something and can't eat at fast food places. So we show up on Christmas and we were able to show "He is the Gift" for the last time and it was so powerful. It was the first time in my life
where I wasn't worried about cookies or presents or cute little tree decorations, but I was really able to just focus on the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We also stopped by this part member family (yeah, we are teaching like 5 part members right now it's the best!) and shared a Christmas message. We hadn't even finished when the super catholic 70 year old mom pipes in and starts asking us when we can come back again because she wants to know more. It wasn't even a question, but more like a demand. It's super cute because she talks super slow thinking I can't understand, but after a reassuring conversation she then smiles with her little endearing smile and praises me for my gringa spanish. It's the cutest. The family has been praying for years for her to have an
open heart to receive the charlas.
Hermana Moody is adjusting well and although she doesn't make me laugh as much as Hermana Rivera, we still have a great time. We even play this "fun" game.... We got every flavor beans from Harry Potter world from a member and torture ourselves by eating the sick nasty ones. Nothing like earthworm and Bogie tasting jelly beans. I know ya'll are
jealous.
Other than that, I don't really have anything new.... Oh yes remember from a few transfers ago there was a man in the English ward that went tracting, well we have been receiving some referrals from him
again.... Every member a missionary right?
Love always,
Hermana Brooks