Why does Jesus have so many palaces?

Kawany asking about temples.

Okay, LITERALLY I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH WORDS TO EXPLAIN HOW AMAZING THIS WEEK WAS. Seriously, I wish I could express to you all everything that is going on in the most perfect, understandable way, but you just get my scatter brained freaking out....sorry.

WE MARKED MANUEL FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!! Birthday baptism, selfish? Maybe. Mad about it? Not at all. Literally best way to celebrate. Yesterday, after church, we asked him how his reading of the Book of Mormon was going and he was like ´Yeah, Im reading it and I know it´s true.´ So, obviously, we took advantage of that moment. Read the end of the introduction. Talked about how if the Book of Mormon is true, then it is all true. Invited him to be baptized and he said YES!! SOOO excited about this incredibly elect little Portuguese man. Also, he said he found a euro on his way to church and on his way home from church last week, so it´s gotta be a sign. I said it means he´s on the right path. Bad? Hope not, hahha. 

Yesterday, we brought our freaking amazing Brazilian member, Isabella, with us to our Brazilian family, and it was honestly one of the most perfect, incredible lessons I have ever been a part of. We watched the Restauration and the Spirit was so so strong. It was honestly--lke there arent words. And afterward, they were just like woah. That was so beautiful. And then Wellington went on to tell us how he wanted to get up and bear his testimony today during testimony meeting, but that he didnt know if he could or not, because he´s not baptised, but that he just felt a beating in his chest that he couldnt explain and wanted to share with everyone. I DIE. Then they are all talking about why they havent been to church in the last month, and Kawany goes, `Just because youre tired isnt an excuse to miss going to the church of Jesus!!!` Literal silence. SHE IS SO PERFECT. Then, we are talking about how they want to get baptized, because they love the Spirit that they feel when we are there and that they feel in church and that they know that it is where they need to be. And Isabella goes, ´Okay, so you have to get married woman. Just do it, because you know it is the only way you are going to be truly happy and you love him and he loves you, so get married. Be a real family.` OKAY I LOVE direct/bold/native speakers. And then......ADRIANA SAID SHE WOULD START WORKING ON HER PAPERS SO THEY CAN GET MARRIED!!!!!!!! LITERALLY CRIED OF HAPPINESS! I never in a million years thought this would happen slash it did and I could not love this little family more or be happier to see them be a family forever. Maybe I´m SO excited to plan another wedding/baptism slash dying because I CANNOT BE TRANSFERED. Also, definitely already trying to convince them to get back to Brazil next year, so they can go to the temple there/so I can go to the temple there. Yeah, okay, I really gotta work on this selfishness thing. BUT CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! MY PERFECT BRAZILIAN FAMILY IS REALLY GOING TO BE A PERFECT BRAZILIAN FAMILY!! Pray for them pleaseee.

Also, made up a Jazzercise/Zumba routine this week for the YW´s Palavra de Sabedoria activity. Hahaha, I die. Watching these Portuguese people was almost as good as the old ladies in your class, Mom. 

Also, Bishop´s moving. #wardgossip If you thought guessing who the new bishop would be at home was fun.... imagine doing it as a missionary..heheh.

This week, I had the most amzing revelation. I dont know if I will be able to write it out so that you can understand it or so it makes sense, but I will try my best. I was ready 2 Nefi 9 and I just... I love this so much. I am SO grateful that the Lord loves me so much. I know that this Gospel is true, not because of the change that I have seen in make in the lives of the hundreds of people around me, or the wonderful people I have worked with here in Portugal, but I know that this is truly the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His path, because of the change I have seen in myself. The desires of my heart have changed 300 percent. Okay, okay, I am still myself, and I´m working on changing that everyday, but its just like.. there is nothing more important than this. Why would I want to spend an eternity in the telestial or terrestial kingdoms, just because I wanted to wear a shorter dress or because I didnt want to go to church for all 3 hours or because it was easier to watch tv for 12 hours than fulfill my calling? This time we have here on earth is so so short in the grand scheme of things. We really are here to prepare to meet God and to help prepare others to prepare themselves to meet God. The ONLY way we can do that is through repenting and changing ourselves everyday. Our loving Heavenly Father created this plan for us, because He LOVES us. He loves us SO much. So individually and so perfectly. I know it, because I can feel it. I can feel how much he loves every single person, because every time I talk to these people who I have never seen before, I FEEL his love for them. This is the greatest opportunity we have--to be here and to work on changing ourselves and preparing ourselves and making ourselves more Christlike everyday. I could not be more grateful that the Lord gave me this time to work of myself. I could not be more grateful that He prompted me to come on a mission and He sent me here to Portugal where He knew I would have to work so hard and have so many challenges. I could not be more grateful that I put my faith in Him and trusted Him and went so blindly into this year e tal of my life. I wouldn´t change that decision for anything. I KNOW that this is Gospel of Jesus Christ and that is can bring us more joy and happiness than anything else we could ever imagine. 

I LOVE YOU ALL. SO SO SO MUCH. there are not words, but I hope you really know and feel the love I have for you.

xoxo,

Sister Brooks

D$4L--Sending a heart full of love and all of my prayers your way. I love you all so much and I think of you all every single day. I hope you know that God is watching over each and every one of you and that His angels are all around you. I love you and I miss you all dearly.

Jen Farrell Whatever your new last name is---HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL!!! I LOVE YOU SO!!! I hope it is everything you want and more and that your wedding was as perfect as you are. I love you and I miss you so!!!