Talking to you all. What a happy time that was. Oh, Christmas in
Portugal was something else. I was so happy all day/night, I couldn`t stop
smiling. I actually thought something was wrong with me, because I was so darn
happy. My one and only Christmas in Portugal ya know? Ah, I just was
overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so grateful that I have you all as my family.
I am so grateful that skype exists. I am so grateful that I got to talk to you
and that you are all so perfect and loving and patient with me. I am so
grateful that our Heavenly Father gave me you all and that I get to be with you
guys forever and ever and ever. Oh so many happy tears shed. Some sad ones too,
but only because I love you all so much. Also, sorry I talked without stopping.
I just....I just love you guys so much. And THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PACKAGES AND
LETTERS AND LOVE!!! Oh, I felt and feel so very loved. It was all perfect and I
am so happy! You are all perfect and I could not be more grateful.
This week was kind of crazy, because we were all just trying to
spend it doing what we´re here to do, while also not getting rejected like
crazy /making people angry by knocking on their doors and interrupting their
Christmas activites, but it was so good! Lots of treats were made and shared,
because....no one gets mad when you show up on their door step with cookies.
Even if they don`t want to hear a christmas hymn, because `they are already familiar
with christmas songs.` ahahah sometimes I love the Portuguese. And then the
rest of the week was weird, because apparently Christmas lasts for the whole
week here, or something...I dunno, but we saw a lot of great things and met a
lot of amazing people.
Christmas Eve, we went to our querida Brazilian, Isabella´s
house. She has a Chinese and Spanish roommate, so we spent Christmas half
English and half Portuguese. It was excellent. Also, learning SO many new
things about China. Like they cant use facebook or youtube and the one child
rule is a real thing. Oh man, my mind was and still kinda is blown. We had a
dinner and listened to Brazilians bash on the Portuguese and we just giggled a
lot. It was fabulous. And then we came home and waited on our Brazilian roomies
to come home and we all read Luca 2 juntos. I tried to get them to act it out,
but that just turned into hilariousness and it was great. But, oh how I loved
celebrating Christmas and Christ´s birth in Portuguese. Oh, I love this
language so much. So so much. Then, on Christmas, we made a lunch with the
other missionaries and some members/investigators that were alone on Christmas
and we all focused on the best present we all have. Then we passed by a couple
members, did some contacts on the street, and then talked to you! It was a
blessed Christmas, and one I will surely never forget.
Yesterday, we had this really cool activity about the Plan of
Salvation, where we went on a plane ride to Hawaii. We all had to make choices
about things we would bring with us before we got on the plane-like diamonds,
an iphone, pizza, the book of mormon, etc. Then, we got on the plane, and it
had some difficulties. Aka it crashed and we all died. Then everyone was
brought to a different room according to the decisions that they had made
before they got on the plane. We made a Celestial, Terrestial, and Telestial
room and it was actually a really cool experience. It makes me so grateful for
God´s plan for us, but also for the opportunity that we have here to make
decisions for ourselves. Also, I learned that if all else fails, I could
totally be a flight attendent. I brought drinks around and everything :)
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! HAPPY 2014!!! Talk to you next year :)
Literally...hehehe.
xoxo
Sister Brooks
Sister
Mere D---HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope you spend it sipping hot chocolate and singing
22. I LOVE YOUU!!!
