´Happy people just don´t kill their husbands...they just don´t!´

Elder Kearon, who is part of the Area Presidency over Europe, came to do a mission tour this week, and it literally changed my life. CHANGED. MY. LIFE. Seriously, it was the most incredible meeting I think I have ever been a part of. He really helped me see that we are making such a difference here, and that every small thing we do counts. Also, he reminded us to relax and just be ourselves and keep working hard, because we are doing a good job, and ohh it was just exactly what I needed to hear. I also just felt his love for each of us individually. It was unreal. Seriously, halfway through the meeting he just stopped and looked over at one of the sisters and goes, ´Are you cold? Let´s turn the air up a little bit.´ And then kept going. It really was so amazing to see that people are what is important, and as you tell them and help them feel loved and important and like they are the center of everything, they will want to be better and work harder and take care of one another better. Oh, I wish I could explain everything I learned to you, but it was so perfect, because I felt so much calmer about everything, and yet sooo desirious to just keep working hard but just be myself and keep loving everyone and it will all work out in the Lord´s time and in His way. 

But, there was one time when he was talking about exact obedience and telling us to make sure we do our exercises and not just like throw your leg up on the wall and call it stretching, but get your heart-rate up. And he says something about how exercise gives you endorphins, and immediately, Sister Mullen and I look at each other and go, ´And endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don´t kill their husbands...they just don´t!´ Oh tooo good. Literally, I love her so much and I am learning so much from her, and I just love serving with her. 

Speaking of love, during the conference, 7 out of the 12 zones in the mission were there..aka 150 missionaries, so it was just like a huge reunion and ohh I died. Also, a million sisters just running around saying, ´I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!´ hahah duh you KNOW i was in the center of that. hahah. Oh, it was so good. I saw Sister Call, from viseu, again and oh how I miss that beautiful woman. 

Miracle of the week: Roseane came to church!! Oh, it was so wonderful. She is a less active, returned missionary, who is in really really deep depression and it just breaks my heart, so we have been sending her texts and calling her and giving her conference talks and just trying to help her feel loved, well Sunday, she showed up to church! And then afterward, she sent us a text and just said thank you so much for your love and prayers and for everything you have been doing to help me. You have no idea the influence you are having in my life. I decided to accept the invite from the Lord (in Matthew 11:28-30). Thank you for always telling me you love me. You have no idea how badly I need to hear that.´ In tears. Oh, it was the sweetest and so perfect and just....that´s what it´s all about ya know? It´s just about loving people. And loving them so much that you want them to have the gospel and true happiness in their lives. Oh, it was so perfect. And it just really helped me remember that we are making a difference.

I was reading through old letters one night and it just really warmed my heart, and was exactly what i needed, because oh my...sometimes I forget that there are people that love me in the world. Like, obviously I remember, and I have my companion who says it every day, and every week I get on email and feel so loved and I know the Savior loves me and that´s all that really matters, but sometimes throughout the week, there are still those hard days of rejection and I just....it was so wonderful to remember that I am loved, and that you are all out there. So, thank you. Thank you for loving me and for being there for me and supporting me and for writing me letters and helping me remember.

Also, Rui is doing so well!!! He is smoking so much less, and he is trying so hard to just follow what we teach him and do what is right. We marked him for baptism in June!!!!, so we´ll keep praying for him and all will be well! Oh, and his whole demeanor has just changed. He is so much happier--visibly. And even Irmã Fernanda has noticed. Oh, it is so wonderful to see the change the gospel and the spirit makes in our lives.

I LOVE YOU ALL SOOO MUCH!!!! You are the light of my life. Thank you for your love and support. You have no idea how important you are to me. 

xoxo, 

Sister Brooks