Lives ruined. Blood Shed. Epic.

Okay, maybe not Logan and Veronica dramatic, but still...broken hearts and abandoned areas.

Ai minha querida familia. I don´t even know where to begin with this week, because I am still in shock with it all. 

Welllll ...first thing´s first. I am currently in Póvoa (it´s part of the Lisbon stake), serving with Sister Mullen (again, haha). Yeah. It´s quite the change, and I guess that´s what I get for being so happy and comfortable and letting everyone know how perfect my life was. The Lord wants us to grow, so...here´s to growing haha. But, I was saying that I would never get to actually serve in Lisbon, and now, here I am. 

President called us on Friday night and told us to pack our bags and get on a train to Lisbon ASAP. I literally felt like my heart stopped. I was sooo sad I couldn´t even process it. Lagos was like my family. And Sister Sorenson and I were just perfect together. Oh, I miss Sister Sorenson SO much. We actually got to see each other again yesterday for interviews and we just like ran into each other´s arms. Then all the Elders made fun of us. #thatsister #sorrynotsorry Obviously I miss the ocean and Nelma and our Lagos family dearly as well.

Sister Mullen and I are pinkwashing the old AP´s area, so we joke about being the new Sister AP´s. As we contact and contact and contact and contact. I never wanted to pinkwash in my mission, and I thought I wasn´t going to have to, but...haha. Oh well. It´s actually kind of fun. Povoa is a LOT different from Lagos. Lots of buildings everywhere, but that also means lots of people, so that´s a happy thing. The branch here is also a looot different. Like, I walked in on Sunday, and I thought I was home again there were so many people in church haha. 

But, I am really excited to be here. Church was such a blessing for me, because when I got here on Saturday, I was kind of bummed. Not like I didnt want to be here or work, but just like...I felt like I left Lagos behind and I didn´t leave anyone to take care of it (well, I mean...in our area), and there was still so much to be done, and I didn´t understand why, and yeah. Well, during testimony meeting on Sunday, I felt the Spirit SO strongly. I felt such a strong love for this branch and for the people here, and from the Lord. I really felt like He is the one that made this change, because He has big things in store for Povoa. President actually said, ´Well I guess we´ll see what the Lord has done here with this transfer.´ And one of the members of the stake presidency (I think?), got up and asked us what the most important thing that happened to us during the week. So, I started thinking about the emergency transfer and everything that had gone on and how we had just taken the sacrament, and how it really was all just the start of something new. I felt an overwhelming peace and love for Povoa, and I just knew that this is where I am supposed to be. Yeah, I think it is going to be hard and very different, but I am also very excited, because there is a lot to be done, and I feel very blessed that the Lord chose me to work here. 

Also, during our interview President said that this branch is just a couple of people away from becoming a ward and therefore creating another stake. So...there´s a lot at stake. Punny, President. #englishmajors So, here´s to building Portugal´s temple. 

Like this guy who texted us today and said, ´Hey, I´m Rui and I like your message. When and where can we meet?´ !!! Miracles come to those who whitewash. Or so says our District Leader.

We had interviews with President yesterday (which is why I didn´t write), and it was exactly what I needed. I was so nervous about it before, and I just felt so comfortable once I was in there. Like I just felt like the Lord is very pleased with me and like I was prestaring contas and I was proud of my work and what I have learned here and how I am applying it in my life. It helped me feel a lot more relaxed and secure and understand how the Lord needs us to always be prepared.

Side note: if you all new how many special musical numbers I have done since being in this country, you would die. Hahaha. 

Anyways, I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! I can NOT wait to hear your beautiful voices on Sunday! Dont worry, I´ll be looking at a picture of your faces on this end :) I love you so so so much. I love the gospel SO much. I love how our Heavenly Father knows each other us individually and perfectly and how He puts us in each other´s lives so that we can help lift each other back to His presence.

You are all my perfection.

xoxo,

Sister Brooks 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN!! I hope Caisa makes you snickerdoodles and you get all the other things you love, including a mexican festa :) AND BRENNER! Wow, you are getting so old I can´t even believe it. I hope you have the most wonderful birthday and that Aunt Darla makes you ice cream roll up cake :) 

Sister Demourdant--THANK YOU SOOO MUCH MERE!! Maybe I already ate half of that jar. Literally so heavenly. We might have to make road trips back to Canada just to stock up for the winter :) Haha you are the most amazing missionary, and I love you so much. 

Sarah Kathryn Smith-- YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED!! Congrats!! I hope it is magical and the happiest day of your life! I love you so much!!