tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83056280951808894852024-03-06T01:16:27.898-08:00Irmã Brooks.Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-6519605552545190232014-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-30T13:29:37.894-07:00Im coming home, coming home....tell the world that i´m coming home.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This week was sooo
miraclulous. Mostly, Nidia and her family are the most precious, most amazing
people on the face of the planet, and I could not love them more. We got there
this week and asked how they liked church and Nidia said, ´We think it´s
something really good for us and that we should go every Sunday.´ MIRACLE.
And thenNidia was like, ´I have some questions...´ And we brace ourselves and
say, ´Okay...´ And she starts asking what her daughter is supposed to wear. She
asked if it had to be a white dress or if it could be any color, because
apparently Diana came back from Primary and thought she had to wear a white
dress (I think she got confused with the baptism dress), so they went to the
mall and searched for a white dress, but they only found one and it didnt fit
her, but they still bought it just in case. OH MY I DIE. And Nidia was all
concerned, because she didn´t know what to do and then she was like, ´And Luis´
tie? Does it have to be plain or can it have patterns on it?´ Oh, they are
soooo precious. Then they told us that they are so anxious to go to church
again, that they want to know if they could go before Sunday. Luckily we
have Noite Familiar during the week, so they came to that all dressed up in
their sunday best, and oh, i just died. Seriously, they are sooo
incredible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then we went over
another day this week, and her 17 year old son was over. We watched the
Restauration and it was awesome, and then we invited him to come to church on
Sunday, and he was like, ´Yeah, I dont know, because my friend´s cousin is
getting baptized on Sunday, so i´m probably going to need to go to that.´
And Nidia looks at him and says, ´Family is more important. I´m sure they´ll
have a party afterward. You can go to that.´ SHE IS THE COOLEST. Seriously,
such a boss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And this week at
church, they came in dresses and ties and literally already look like members.
They are so incredible. SO incredible. I die of love and happiness for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We were seriously SO
blessed this week. There are no words. I am SO grateful for Heavenly Father and
His perfect love for us. I know that He knows each of us perfectly. And I am
still awestruck by it every single day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know that God is our
loving Heavenly Father. I know that He has a perfected body of flesh and bone
and that we were made in His image. I know that each and every one of us are
His children. We are Spirit children of a Heavenly Father who knows us and
loves us perfectly. I know that He sent Jesus Christ to this earth to do His
will, to be lifted up on the cross and give His life for us. I know that He is
our Savior and Redeemer and that through Him, all mankind may be saved on
conditions of repentence. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we
can all be freed from our sins. We can feel peace, comfort, and the Spirit of
God in our lives. We can have the strength to overcome all of our trials and
tempations in this earth life. I know that God hears and answers our prayers.
Every single one of them. It doesn´t matter how important we think they are. WE
are important to Him. Prayer is the biggest blessing, because we can literally
get assistance and orientation from the most Divine Being in the universe. I
know without a shadow of a doubt that the Priesthood was restored to the earth
again through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the Priesthood is the power
to act in God´s name here on the earth, and that with His authority, we can be
saved through His divine ordinances. I know that His Priesthood today is the
same Priesthood Christ used to perform miracles--heal the blind, cure the sick,
cast out devils, and raise the dead. I know that worthy priesthood holders in
His church have that same power to perform those same miracles. I know that The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ´s church on the earth
again, and that the Book of Mormon is our proof to know for ourselves. I know
that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it can bring us closer to
Christ than any other book. That and Jesus the Christ. I know that there is
nothing more important on this earth than helping others come unto Christ and
helping Heavenly Father get His children home. I know that God gives us
commandments because He loves us and He wants to bless us and if we do our
part, He is bound to do His. I LOVE Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are
SOOO amazing. Amazingly perfect. And we have the potential to be like THEM. And
that´s exactly what they want for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I can´t thank my
Heavenly Father or you all enough for helping me through these past months in
Portugal. This has been the hardest, best, greatest blessing of my whole life.
I am so grateful to have been blessed with this experience and to have had this
time here to learn and grow and let the Lord mold me. I don´t even know who I
am anymore, but I know that we are God´s children and that He loves us
perfectly, and...that´s really all we need to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH
THERE ARE NOT WORDS. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PS. I dont know if
I´ll email next Monday or not, but probably not, so.... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">See
ya next Tuesday <3</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Samantha Brooks</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLTeq6vCtuvKmIJfUkNSoeGwfuQJzfOQBUT3wN_3D41fV9Bc_kA71GOoJ6PEchq6O3GlQJVwjyuN-D9OF6RGdl4KiF8inBLDDk4JAUJDrXG5KpMtjIAvjU-n0K5zbXRnnSFGsIDbKCz0/s1600/DSC01178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLTeq6vCtuvKmIJfUkNSoeGwfuQJzfOQBUT3wN_3D41fV9Bc_kA71GOoJ6PEchq6O3GlQJVwjyuN-D9OF6RGdl4KiF8inBLDDk4JAUJDrXG5KpMtjIAvjU-n0K5zbXRnnSFGsIDbKCz0/s1600/DSC01178.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">District Meeting</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-76970705383591153792014-06-24T12:26:00.003-07:002014-06-24T12:28:14.649-07:00It´s wrong how much joy I find in a can of Diet Coke.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">....so wrong it´s
right? :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, yeah. It was kind
of one of those weeks where I was feeling very...broken and incompetant and
just kind of not worthy of all the blessings we are receiving, BUT. It was
wonderful and we were SOOO blessed that I don´t even know where to begin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JOJO IS GETTING
BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!! Oh my heart. It´s too good. Seriously, he is SO
elect. I honestly think he is the most elect person I have ever taught. It´s a
dream teaching him. A dream. About the commandments, he´s just like....if God
said it, then we have to do it. And we were teaching about repentance and
enduring to the end, and afterward, he gave the most wonderful prayer asking
for forgiveness of his sins and for strength to always do what is right and to
be able to stay on the true path until eternal life. Oh, my heart--when people
really get it, like actually understand what we are saying and apply it in
their lives, it is the BEST.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And, he has this
friend, Tony, who has a family that is SO elect and so wonderful, and oh I just
DIED teaching them. Literally, there is nothing better than kneeling down with
the whole family and saying that closing prayer after a really powerful first
lesson and their 11 year old daughter saying the most amazingly sincere perfect
prayer I have ever heard. And, when we invited his ´wife´ (the quotations are
there, because turns out they arent married yet, so...wedding plans!!!) to be
baptized, she just looked at us with the most intent eyes and said, ´Of
course!´ And then when we were leaving, she looked at Tony and said, ´You´re
going to get baptized on the 28th too right?´ And then she looked at us and
winked. Oh, my heart. Seriously, they are the most amazing family. Nidia and
her two children came to church on Sunday, and afterward, Nidia goes, ´Do
you have it every Sunday?´ And then she said (about her 11 year old
daughter Diana) ´She really liked it and she wants to be baptized in this
church.´ Ahhh!! Yes, absolutely we can make that happen. Open the heavens are
just opening and pouring down blessings on us. They are the most precious
family. I love them so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It´s the month of
invites, so I´ve been thinking a lot about the importance of the Sabbath day
and how we can keep it holy. On the mission, every day is kind of like a
sabbath day. So, I was trying to think about how we can make sure that we never
forget God. And that´s when it hit me. He literally made it impossible. Like,
He gave us a day to dedicate to Him so that we COULDNT forget him. Oh, He is SO
good. And so smart. And then, everything we do on that day should be to show
Him that we haven´t forgotten Him and to serve our neighbor and to share the
gospel and to do visiting teaching or visit less actives or make cookies for
someone who needs a little pick-me-up, and then I got sooo excited for Sundays :)
Hahah I love Heavenly Father. I am SO grateful that He loves me despite all of
my imperfections and weaknesses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for your
love and your prayers. I really felt the power of your prayers this week. I
can´t really explain it, but between your prayers and the enabling power of the
Atonement, I had the extra strength and energy that was so beyond needed. I
know that through Christ, we are capable of all things. I know that this is the
most important work on the earth. I know that Christ lives and He loves us and
He is aware of us and He is by our side every step of the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL SO
MUCH. So. so. SO. much. I dont think you will ever know how much I love you or
how much you all mean to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sister Brooks</span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-77852939887687954392014-06-16T05:53:00.000-07:002014-06-24T05:53:50.708-07:00Another day another destiny.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">OIII HOW ARE YOU?
I LOVE YOU SOOO. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another week of
miracles and lots of laughs and collapsing on the bed at night. But, I´m living
the dream and Sister Mullen is actually an angel from above and just the
sweetest and puts up with all of my neediness and I am in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, Saturday we were
walking to meet with this lady (who when we got there magically wasnt home
anymore and her phone was turned off--hahah oh its too good), when we saw this
man and started talking to him. Well, his name is JoJo, and he was actually the
coolest. He had already talked to the Elders in Angola, and he remembered like
EVERYTHING they had told him. Seriously, I was so blown away. I feel like I
dont even remember what I say, how can they remember what we say? That and...most
people dont haha. But, he was like ´hey, can we go sit down on a bench and
talk?´ Yes. Yes, we can. And it was SUCH a cool lesson. He understood
everything so well and like really understands. I dont know how to explain that
to you, but there just is a difference. But anyways, then he calls up two of
his friends and invites them to come and talk to us too, and oh they were so
cool! And then Jo Jo came to church on Sunday, and he LOVED it. Seriously,
loved it. He is the coolest, and I am sooo excited about him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, it is just such
a testimony slash reminder to me that Heavenly Father really does place His
elects in our path. He knows our plans and where we are going to be and when we
are going to be there, so He puts His other children in our paths, so that we
can talk to them and help them find what they are looking for. So, moral of the
story: talk to everyone, open your mouth, and share the gospel--yay!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something I´ve studied
a lot on the mission is vision and goals. Like, you have a vision of running a
marathon, but then you make goals of how many miles you will run every week and
you set a date of when you want to run the marathon and you sign up and you buy
running shoes and yada yada yada. But a vision without goals is just a good
idea. And goals without direction don´t make any sense. Well, this week, during
studies, it hit me. Heavenly Father´s work and glory is to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man. That is His vision. And EVERYTHING else
that He has created slash done is to help make that vision possible. So, he
established goals. He created a plan, and within that plan He provided a Savior
who would make it possible for all to gain imortality and eternal life. The
universe was created so that we could come here and gain our bodies and have
experiences. He gave us commandments so that we could learn how to be obedient,
because that´s the law of the Heavens. He gave us prophets to guide us and
direct us, so that we dont get too lost and caught up in this world. He had people
keep records, so that we could get to known Him and His Son better and
understand more perfectly His plan, so that we can keep an eternal perspective
and help Him reach His vision. God is perfect. Literally, perfect. Therefore,
everything that we do, every commandment that we keep, every time we humble
ourselves and do the Lord´s will. We are helping him achieve His vision. But,
He is so perfect, that His vision is just to bless us with the greatest
blessing there could ever be. Ah, God is so good!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, I was reading in
Jesus the Christ, and James E. Talmage was talking about Christ´s death, and
how he believes that He died of a broken heart. And when I read that, I just
started bawling. He has SO much love for us--all of us, every single spirit child
of our heavenly father--that after all the hatred and rejection of those that
crucified him and watching all of the sorrow and pain that it brought His
disciples, along with His own personal heartbreak at these people´s inability
to understand His real purpose and what He has to offer, that His heart
literally broke. It made my heart so full of love for Him and for my Heavenly
Father. And, like, I know I can´t really relate at all, but on like a
.0000000000000000000001 scale, sometimes I feel like I have SO much love in my
heart for SO many people and all of the people of Portugal and all of you
people at home, and sometimes I literally get scared that my heart is going to
overflow with love. Like I just wont be able to handle it anymore, ya know?
But, that´s mostly just when I start crying and everyone looks at me like I´m a
crazy person ahah. Anyways, it just touched my heart at our much our Savior
loves us. He literally died because He loves each and every one of us so much.
Could He be any more perfect? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, Sister Mullen
and I have been playing these ABC games which include song lyrics and scripture
references and bible names. Also, ´Who Am I´ with scripture characters. You all
should be proud that the people I know now goes further than just Bathseba
:) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, the Church is
true. The Church is so true, and everyday I just get a stronger and stronger
testimony of how perfect Christ´s doctrine is. We don´t have to know
everything, we just have to live the basics and do our very best, one day at a
time. I love Jesus Christ. I love Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0w6AhDHRm8OlRri8TaH5XClv1e6Q23NMeNTTrs2T7QcvqC58AMoSFUz9nvExNzvlsqVR7yaIYRMBt1gnLEB9CnNaN6aDRS-ZDOAswBY4THiruF3l5YI4SAqSn73rlBJrimcV2CxdzpI/s1600/IMG_0279%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0w6AhDHRm8OlRri8TaH5XClv1e6Q23NMeNTTrs2T7QcvqC58AMoSFUz9nvExNzvlsqVR7yaIYRMBt1gnLEB9CnNaN6aDRS-ZDOAswBY4THiruF3l5YI4SAqSn73rlBJrimcV2CxdzpI/s1600/IMG_0279%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-46710602567289870792014-06-12T14:58:00.001-07:002014-06-12T14:58:18.866-07:00JB crushes and sacrament swag.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Famíliaaaaaaa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, you blessed
people. You are so incredibly wonderful ya know that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Belém stole our pday
away, but that is obviously the greatest, because well...you all know how much
i love the water slash sunshine, so I am currently the happiest, and I love
remembering that this country actually is beautiful and not just apartment buildings
on apartment buildings forever and ever and everrrr. Hahah, but really. Belém
was a dream, and I am so happy I got to see it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So...quick update.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Roseane is going
strong, and the Lord is blessing her so! She got a job and an opportunity to
move to Switzerland and everything! Oh, I just love how immediate the Lord is
in blessing his children. Like, you start keeping a commandment and trying to
be better and there you go, another blessing. Oh, He is just so good to us.
Also, Roseane told us ´Ai de voces (woe unto you) if you forget about me.´ I
love when the Brazilians use the Book of Mormon curse in everyday language
haha. Oh, she is so wonderful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for me, I have been
studying a lot about how the Lord has asked us to give our all. To leave everything
behind and follow Him. It´s weird, because He never asks for the same thing.
But He knows what each of our weaknesses are and the things that we want to
hold on to and He knows what we need to put on our individual altars of
sacrifice, and so...that´s what He asks for, but He who loses his life in the
service of the Lord gains it so...here´s to trying to be more consecrated every
day and get rid of those little extra things that I still try and hold onto
sometimes even though I know I shouldnt...oops. It´s a process right? Good
thing the Lord is patient and loving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was reading
today about how Jesus voluntarily laid down His life for each one of us
and it was compared to the seed of a plant. A seed, saved, won´t do
anything. But, if you sacrifice it and spread it, then it will grow and bear
fruit, which will produce more fruit which will produce more seeds and all of
the whole earth can be blessed. What a beautiful image. Oh, I am just blown
away at how perfect the Lord´s perspective was, and how He knew EXACTLY what He
had to do, and even though it broke His heart sometimes, He had the eternal
perspective and just did it. Oh, how having an eternal perspective changes
everything and makes even the hardest of times a little bit easier. I love
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, Sister Mullen
and I have been thinking a lot about angels this week, and how incredible it is
how the Lord uses each and every one of His children to respond to and help
those around us. He places us in situations where He knows we can bless the lives
of others. He puts people in our paths, because He knows what they need.
Sometimes, I get frustrated because there are so many people that I love and
want to help, but I can´t help them because I am millions of miles away, and
here I love the people so much and I want to help them, and sometimes, they
just don´t want to be helped. But, then I remember, that it really doesn´t
matter. Because God is capable of all things. We are all here to serve and love
one another regardless of how it is accepted, regardless of whether or not we
actually make a difference. Every moment of kindness and love is a moment worth
living. It doesn´t matter where we are or who we share it with. Every act of
love is an act worthy in the sight of God. And everything we do should be done
for the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anywayssss, I love you
SOOO much. You are all perfect and you keep me going everyday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sister Brooks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cb9J2KyYCqNdWdl85hjASLawRmSarghDwW-URXE6frxuULk3i8U45Ac0TZFxkiRoV8A46hEiyhWo9_p7pOOruHgJqRTTZ5zPEGqt2XzuncUlbuLlwkXqdmJ8nN8AxkFazeoubQk9pKE/s1600/IMG_0289%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cb9J2KyYCqNdWdl85hjASLawRmSarghDwW-URXE6frxuULk3i8U45Ac0TZFxkiRoV8A46hEiyhWo9_p7pOOruHgJqRTTZ5zPEGqt2XzuncUlbuLlwkXqdmJ8nN8AxkFazeoubQk9pKE/s1600/IMG_0289%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">look! im in portugal!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmyBsKJjRN81tdvuo6MFCzzuLVrmlGXP3S4_joO6o3szVUnzgKG7yJQhIuBPPrmsIXtPuMavbDOmCL8HAlhLcfjwZ7OnYIuSmDS-4zUzQNyMpAYoAFpHdtR00I9j-Ob_L8hJzKgO74Gg/s1600/IMG_0292%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmyBsKJjRN81tdvuo6MFCzzuLVrmlGXP3S4_joO6o3szVUnzgKG7yJQhIuBPPrmsIXtPuMavbDOmCL8HAlhLcfjwZ7OnYIuSmDS-4zUzQNyMpAYoAFpHdtR00I9j-Ob_L8hJzKgO74Gg/s1600/IMG_0292%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL05gXrrEStcGWhMjTzP4OonjRXqU5vqG1PK0Q4-JLlYvVXvuiuiUsZh-CLIS2MY6JNMLvTXcZP2h_rECKNy6iFBUvidL6J8iYjFyE42IuPByoc2qbo85jKTY-2Buk8VObJ1Pm0iIe0s/s1600/IMG_0296%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL05gXrrEStcGWhMjTzP4OonjRXqU5vqG1PK0Q4-JLlYvVXvuiuiUsZh-CLIS2MY6JNMLvTXcZP2h_rECKNy6iFBUvidL6J8iYjFyE42IuPByoc2qbo85jKTY-2Buk8VObJ1Pm0iIe0s/s1600/IMG_0296%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">it says ´share with your sister!´could it be more perfect? i think not.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF0ua7QScJLVK43OpUtxx2TAVI4NCdGWq3n8GWMLsHembKZA7kRPl3bLiMt4EylWmEKpzP8Cpa0yi4lbaZv6MqRJu6nsFMW3QVJzkFuXCkPldufGduZkMqPbfWZZeFkhWMp1U6taaTfo/s1600/IMG_0298%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF0ua7QScJLVK43OpUtxx2TAVI4NCdGWq3n8GWMLsHembKZA7kRPl3bLiMt4EylWmEKpzP8Cpa0yi4lbaZv6MqRJu6nsFMW3QVJzkFuXCkPldufGduZkMqPbfWZZeFkhWMp1U6taaTfo/s1600/IMG_0298%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.333333015441895px; text-align: start;">statue of discovery.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYGPu9WKmMw52qbJxys2gDDc0NiwX7BjhtDt1xtUYCKojAnByREvoO5ChklzEaldIC01nGV_XjaUGjFLBSJSdwbQ3pKMEKOxPGHOVv2UScfAhgkD0si11jESZiVb6Ym-QLv4stxB2zPw/s1600/IMG_0325%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYGPu9WKmMw52qbJxys2gDDc0NiwX7BjhtDt1xtUYCKojAnByREvoO5ChklzEaldIC01nGV_XjaUGjFLBSJSdwbQ3pKMEKOxPGHOVv2UScfAhgkD0si11jESZiVb6Ym-QLv4stxB2zPw/s1600/IMG_0325%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdozANy172sR12VrNNQGlf66KSBfBYY29ihpArj_gSgeiClV_h__eso8ufrnXLdrNd39508HBKD7lJsuOgrlqUc70IpV3Mf_BNgl1G8dmPU-gzGpBZWew1GH8bNWD14hsUcOeaOaynV8w/s1600/IMG_0326%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdozANy172sR12VrNNQGlf66KSBfBYY29ihpArj_gSgeiClV_h__eso8ufrnXLdrNd39508HBKD7lJsuOgrlqUc70IpV3Mf_BNgl1G8dmPU-gzGpBZWew1GH8bNWD14hsUcOeaOaynV8w/s1600/IMG_0326%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKklJFpzc0rZ7shtXQcjpLbfG4NuRBX9tKrJyeRyvjD1ux-MqJ0to9F3WxWNt9ZFfUYYLh139nOK-hDk_7-0SppD0VzLQqm0hgT1Pla81ktJ4d72Qcx3afTrv1YYO547rWV1yFp87qN8/s1600/IMG_0328%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKklJFpzc0rZ7shtXQcjpLbfG4NuRBX9tKrJyeRyvjD1ux-MqJ0to9F3WxWNt9ZFfUYYLh139nOK-hDk_7-0SppD0VzLQqm0hgT1Pla81ktJ4d72Qcx3afTrv1YYO547rWV1yFp87qN8/s1600/IMG_0328%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdeujXzUbbxrjozchWUJCK2QWnV0uwdUI4SEJe5KjukvLKBpXu-JNcxgZe4KXmPqUoo6wp7iuBZbLXmVf3PJn1C-tv3JmbEbE-4G4oyFUfwI9oY8lc0DTvZEeED3U07X26Hgyjulqzic/s1600/IMG_0306%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdeujXzUbbxrjozchWUJCK2QWnV0uwdUI4SEJe5KjukvLKBpXu-JNcxgZe4KXmPqUoo6wp7iuBZbLXmVf3PJn1C-tv3JmbEbE-4G4oyFUfwI9oY8lc0DTvZEeED3U07X26Hgyjulqzic/s1600/IMG_0306%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">#imamissionary </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-19828554451666725152014-06-04T06:21:00.000-07:002014-06-04T06:21:28.564-07:00Jesus is seriously SO amazing.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pretty sure I said that like 45 times this
week. He´s just the perfect teacher and does everything perfectly and knows
every thing and is all powerful and literally perfect and I am just dying. And
I am addicted to Jesus the Christ. Addicted. Fun fact: Did you know it was
written inside the Salt Lake Temple? I learned that last week, and that just
changed everything for me. Literally, scripture. So incredible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Well, this week was funny and
an adventure. On monday, we were going to have 6 sisters in our branch. On
Thursday, it dropped down to 5, and on Friday we were back to four.
So...there were a bunch of mudanças in and out of our house, but now it´s back
to just Sister Mullen and I. It´s quiet, but peaceful, so I´m not
complaining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Roseane came to teach Rui with
us this week!! And, oh it was sooo wonderful!! Rui is doing SO incredibly and
just has such a real desire to do what is right. He is trying to hard to quit
smoking and stop drinking coffee and he is reading the Book of Mormon
regularly, and he just really wants to change. He really wants God to help him,
and I just LOVE when people understand repentance and really want to make it a
part of their lives. And Roseane just went off about how even though life is
hard, it is ALWAYS easier when we are doing the things teh Lord has asked of
us. And it was so perfect. The two of them were able to really help each other,
and I just sat there so happy and so proud. I love my little Portugal
family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Roseane is seriously so
incredible! AND she bore her testimony on Sunday!! And she said she
decided that she was just going to give her life over to the Lord and even if
everything was falling apart and she was depressed, that she would do what the
Lord has asked her to do and it will all work out. Seriously, faith is the most
powerful medicine in the world. I love her dearly, and I hope and pray she
stays strong, because Satan is working really hard on her, and I dont know how
much more my heart can take it...let alone hers. But she will. She is
incredible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">João Carlos is marked for
baptism too!! Oh, God is seriously SO good, and I do not feel worthy of these
blessings, but luckily it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with
them, because he REALLY needs the gospel in his life. He is really struggling
financially and spiritually and everything, so one of our recent converts
introduced him to us, and so we started talking about the power of faith, and
even though we need help in a lot of different aspects in our lives, the Lord
knows everything that we need. So, if we put our faith in Him and just rely on
Him and keep His commandments and do what He asks, He will provide. Well, he
came back and told us that he felt SO much better after we talked to him for
just that little bit, that He knows this will be a influence for good in his
life and what he is needing so that God can help him turn around. I LOVE when
people realize what they are feeling and then put two and two together! It is
seriously the most rewarding thing in the world. So, we taught him the first
lesson, and he accept the convite, and so now...its just praying and working
with him to stay firme!! Que felicidade!!! Miracles I tell ya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I seriously feel so happy
lately. Like yeah, I am super tired and have no idea how the Lord is still helping
me get up every morning, but I am SO happy. I just love talking to people. I
WANT to share the gospel with everyone. I want to hear these Portuguese people
go off about their lives for forever and I want to just sit there and listen
and love them and help them see how the Gospel can bless them. Oh, it is
seriously such a miracle. I know that as we come to know our Savior better, we
can´t stop ourselves from sharing His gospel. And I know that if we dont share
it, we are robbing those around us of the greatest gift God has ever given
us--eternal life. Oh, I am so happy. God is SO good. (PS. Sister Mullen makes
fun of me all the time for saying that too, so...you all are not alone. But,
she says it all the time not too so....) This really is the best time of my
life and the greatest blessing and opportunity the Lord has even given me. I
love Jesus Christ with all of my whole heart. And my heavenly Father too. And
even better, they love each and every one of us even more than I love them or
you or any of us can even imagine. And, I feel like my heart is going to burst
at the thought of that much love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">xoxo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sister Brooks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax7ktdEyFXA7HxmPc3T1DfZ7hPEs3_5ejf1lzO33WvsBWPYaIrparY13Frx7Jqp8kyASm6ibNW5WMqE3Q8tznrero2MN5iW5yax6advKSjf95O-lOrgffE97i0PQEbb46N3CahrLwT4o/s1600/IMG_0269%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax7ktdEyFXA7HxmPc3T1DfZ7hPEs3_5ejf1lzO33WvsBWPYaIrparY13Frx7Jqp8kyASm6ibNW5WMqE3Q8tznrero2MN5iW5yax6advKSjf95O-lOrgffE97i0PQEbb46N3CahrLwT4o/s1600/IMG_0269%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">sister sorenson!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTTFIRHTG7T2utvGoIo9j5NYFADxwAjrb5cMemmr9yF4E35DqTYG6a7RXmHQnUZRNG4a6E4rNtntGmg9RHQZQbzc9CC2zaHuV_kPWYiNtA0WYXyYEJaDMuhLUOeUq-j9LAdj9vYch9Oo/s1600/IMG_0270%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTTFIRHTG7T2utvGoIo9j5NYFADxwAjrb5cMemmr9yF4E35DqTYG6a7RXmHQnUZRNG4a6E4rNtntGmg9RHQZQbzc9CC2zaHuV_kPWYiNtA0WYXyYEJaDMuhLUOeUq-j9LAdj9vYch9Oo/s1600/IMG_0270%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">conferencia with elder kearon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQnr5uA9tXi_3Xfpm2GLcKisBAxDUQcHERXL7B1efrkKwCD5u7-dWtV8CPcgRkL2KGAtJtCGxK8ZdAF36nNDbnxnu84Vmqe_q3h8f-ANYTW8hqvpXtNdJK6hRpWy0-Ze_zmzx1mafseo/s1600/IMG_0271%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQnr5uA9tXi_3Xfpm2GLcKisBAxDUQcHERXL7B1efrkKwCD5u7-dWtV8CPcgRkL2KGAtJtCGxK8ZdAF36nNDbnxnu84Vmqe_q3h8f-ANYTW8hqvpXtNdJK6hRpWy0-Ze_zmzx1mafseo/s1600/IMG_0271%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">sister hirschi!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-44434432253940886612014-05-28T10:19:00.001-07:002014-05-28T10:19:18.119-07:00´Happy people just don´t kill their husbands...they just don´t!´<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">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 </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_912997742" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">, 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.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
xoxo, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Sister Brooks</div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-18203798954736258812014-05-21T13:27:00.000-07:002014-05-21T13:27:05.607-07:00´What´s there to do in Póvoa?´ ´What.. you haven´t seen the animal farm yet?´<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yup. That is apparently
what there is to do here. Don´t worry, still haven´t been. Something tells me
that it isnt quite like that horrid place you dragged us to at home where the
cow´s tongue were....I cant even finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BOM DIA ALEGRIA. bah.
hahah. HELLO FAMILY THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. It´s raining and cold. Whyyyyy,
Portugal, whyyyyy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
had the most incredible lesson with Rui this week. Oh, it was so wonderful. We
were teaching him the Plan of Salvation and Word of Wisdom, and he just
accepted it all so well. Also, he tells us we are like angels in his life and
that our friendship is gold to him, so it´s like the most precious thing ever.
Well, anyways, we taught him about baptism and he just got so excited. I love
when they get excited and start asking like the logical questions--like where
and when and what they have to wear, ahah. But anyways, he is really afraid he
isn´t going to be strong enough to do it all and quit smoking and drinking
coffee and everything, but we asked him if he believes that God is strong enough
to help him and he just, without a doubt, said yes. Oh, it was so wonderful to
see so much faith. So we had him say a prayer and ask for help and ask to know
when he should be baptized and he was all nervous and saying that our prayer
would be more effective, but he ended up doing it, and right after the prayer,
he looked up and just had this huge smile on his face!!! Oh, it was so
wonderful, and my heart was just so full and so happy and we asked him how he
felt (which is normally like my least favorite question because people are just
like...uhh normal?---you dont feel normal when you are fasting people--you feel
hungry! haha whatever), and he says, ´Happy. And relieved. Like God lifted a
weight off my shoulders.´ Oh, it was so wonderful. Sister Mullen and I left so
happy. And he came to church again on Sunday! Oh, I am so excited for him.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a branch
activity where we watched the Restauration video this week, and ohhh my
goodness--the church is so true!! Literally, SO true. Like, there is no way
that it could not be true. And what those people went through and were willing
to do and sacrifice. Man, I think the mission is hard sometimes--HA.
Also, I want to be like Joseph Smith. Honestly, I have NO idea how he did
it, but he was just always so like, ´Well, it´s what God said, so we have to do
it.´ Like, God says we need to build a temple. And how do you build a temple?
No idea, but He said we need to do it, so...we have to do it.´ Seriously, to
just do the will of God always. Even if you have no idea how. Or if everything
about your life is being challenged and threatened. Ah, my dream. Slash
goal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, my weekly
revelation came in church yesterday (shocker), this girl in our branch got up
to speak before she leaves for her mission this week, and OH MY HEART.
Literally, I felt like I was looking at myself a year ago. And I just realized
how much I have changed and grown and experienced. And then it hit me--like
really, really hit me. I am at the end of my mission. My mission is coming to
an end. Yeah, I still have a lot of time left and a lot to get done, and I am
SO grateful that I still have so much time, but it´s still the end. And I am
sitting here, understanding perfectly, and just watching someone at the
beginning of the most life changing, amazing experience ever. And I just got so
overwhelmed with love---love for the Savior, love for the mission, love for
Portugal, love for how perfect God is and how He perfectly creates things like
missions to help change us and mold us and make us start to reach our
potential. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then, her dad gets up
afterward and has her stand by his side, and starts talking about how proud he
is of her and how much of an example she is and yada yada and I just LOST it.
Literally lost it. I was bawling. Luckily, when I looked up, I saw Sister
Mullen was a mess too. Oh man, I was just so overwhelmed with love and
happiness and it was so precious, and my heart broke, because I missed Dad so
much, and I just got so excited to stand by my dad´s side again, and then I was
just so grateful that you are who you are, Dad, and that you taught me and
raised me how you have. And I just missions are the greatest thing ever. It´s
like a mini-life. And I just can´t wait to be able to return to my Heavenly
Father and have him say He´s proud of me and He loves me and all that wonderful
dad stuff, and oh man. I was seriously such a mess. So Dad, thank you for being
you and for being the best dad in the whole world and for loving me and
supporting me and always being there for me. I love you oh so very much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mom, don´t worry, I
love you sooo much too--and I tell everyone how much I want to be like you all
the time. Sisters---I LOVE YOU ALL SOOO MUCH. But you all already know that.
Well, now that we played the equality game... :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you I love you
I love you. The church is true. God is good always. I am dyinggg to go to the
temple again, so....enjoy it this week :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks</span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-73529629511504097542014-05-14T09:48:00.001-07:002014-05-14T09:48:08.218-07:00It should say Sister Middleton!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Yup, a little girl in our branch ran up to me
at church yesterday to tell me that I look like the princess in England and I
should change my nametag so we can be sisters. Hahaha, oh I love
children. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Well, I have NO idea what to
tell you, because we talked yesterday, but Povoa is full of miracles.
Seriously, miracle after miracle after miracle. Remember Rui that I told you
about last week? Well, we met up with him this week, and it was wonderful. He
is really searching for Spiritual help, and it is just so wonderful to see how
the gospel really is the cure for all. And we ran into a less active on the
street that actually stopped us and then he came to church on Sunday! Oh,
my heart was so full. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Also, we are teaching this
Brazilian family that the other sisters here found and they are sooo
incredible. The dad knows the Bible like the back of his hand. Literally like
the back of his hand. And he is studying the Book of Mormon so intensely to
know whether or not it is true. I mean, he´s going to evidence and doctrinal correctness
and so maybe thats not the best tactic, but still...it is wonderful that he
really wants to know whether or not it is true and he is just reading and
making lists and lists of questions, and it is so amazing, because it gives me
an opportunity to really study the Bible and makes me a little sad that I dont
have an ipad and like automatic access to all the manuals and stuff, but it´s
fine. I learn more during the searching process....right? But, I feel like it
is really giving me an opportunity to learn so much more about the history of
it all and like priesthood lines and everything, but also...it just makes me
feel like there is SO much that we dont know. Like there are so many missing
pieces, but that´s okay, because we know exactly what we need for our
salvation, so we dont have to know all the little details of the other
things--even if they are super interesting to know--but we can walk by faith.
and ohh how i love faith. and hope. and charity. hahahh ohh I LOVE YOU GUYS.
Also, I die over their accents. SO brazilian. So good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Darbs, Kristan, Caisa, Erin,
EVERYONE--read ´Come Unto Me´ by Elder Holland. It was a CES fireside Im pretty
sure. It is wonderful and you will LOVE it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Also, our neighbor is an
aspiring rapper, so every night we hear screaming/rapping that goes a little
something like this--WINDOW YOU WINDOW ME WINDOW. It´s real good. He also
blasts Kelly Clarkson from time to time, so...that´s fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">KENA--HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY PERFECT
BEAUTIFUL BEST FRIEND!! I hope it is the most wonderful day every and that you
are the happiest. You are still perfect, therefore you deserve it. I LOVE YOU
SOOO. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Marleice--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
ayiyi you are 21?!? and married. ahh I hope it is the greatest and that you are
the happiest and I love you sooo much!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ev-- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!! I
hope Shannan makes you something wonderful and you get a whole day to whatever
it is that you like to do ahhaha. i love you!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAgwwtrKLGtbNwcZnsnjYib6CdAcDPBnziIoRdP3LzJChH2TNzVyTcYpUP9FqpsCklJTCNrbssFqIxn9xbMDBE0TckeI-YIEeiV64OElSX0O1_dFfdd457VX6A8x2b7M3ugfxBBil6p0/s1600/IMG_0252%5B1%5D+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAgwwtrKLGtbNwcZnsnjYib6CdAcDPBnziIoRdP3LzJChH2TNzVyTcYpUP9FqpsCklJTCNrbssFqIxn9xbMDBE0TckeI-YIEeiV64OElSX0O1_dFfdd457VX6A8x2b7M3ugfxBBil6p0/s1600/IMG_0252%5B1%5D+(1).jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-8967769021341337882014-05-07T13:00:00.001-07:002014-05-07T13:00:52.195-07:00Lives ruined. Blood Shed. Epic.<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Okay, maybe not Logan and
Veronica dramatic, but still...broken hearts and abandoned areas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ai minha querida familia. I
don´t even know where to begin with this week, because I am still in shock with
it all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">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.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Side note: if you all new how
many special musical numbers I have done since being in this country, you would
die. Hahaha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">You are all my perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sister Brooks <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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 :) </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">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!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-69287459276397076232014-04-21T13:38:00.000-07:002014-04-25T13:38:49.491-07:00And then, everything just kept being perfect.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HELLO PEOPLES. loves
of my life. my sunshine. my happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am
like on cloud 9056, because I have no idea what I did to deserve this
perfection that I am living in, but...I could not be happier!! My companion,
Sister Sorenson, is literally an angel from above. We are kind of like the
exact same person, except that she just graduated from high school, so
sometimes that´s funny and makes me feel old, because I feel like high school
was a million years ago, but that´s fine. Literally, we are having so much fun
and we work so well together and think so similarly and she is just absolutely
perfect. Pray we stay together for the rest of forever. I have honestly never
enjoyed just knocking doors so much or working so much, and she is just so
perfectly obedient and I just love everything about her. She is so sweet and
loving and patient and perfect. She is just what Lagos needs, and I am
SO grateful I get to serve with her. Also, I dont think we´ve stopped
talking all week long, so...time is flying here, and that terrifies me haha.
Moral of the story- I love her, and I love Lagos, and I love being a
missionary, and I love this transfer so much already. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, Felizmina, our
kinda crazy velinha, doesnt really understand everything we say. Well, this
week...I REALLY realized how much she doesnt understand everything we say, because
we were trying to get her to say a prayer and teaching her how to do it, and
so, I was like okay, repeat after me. ´Pai Celestial,´ ´Pai shi les te cha
chang?´ Hahahha, Sister Sorenson and I started DYING laughing. It was literally
like she started speaking Chinese. Oh, it was the funniest thing and that sweet
little old lady, just looked at us like, ´Did I do it right?´ Oh, she is so
precious. Who knew I would ever like old people? #saidit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember how I told
you about Qasim, our internet guy from Pakistan? Well, he came to church again
yesterday!! And then afterward, we had this super long incredible lesson with
him, and oh my goodness...just I am so mind blown. He´s muslim and knows so
much history of the world and he starts like talking about some of the things
he thinks are truths that from what he has studied and come up with and it´s
actually just super deep doctrine that IS truth! Basically, he is so elect and
my mind is just blown, and I am SO grateful that I dont have to know everything
and that the Spirit is who testifies of the truth, but I also wish I had paid
better attention in our Islam class in Jerusalem....oops. Hahah, but I also am
so so grateful I went to Jeru and sometimes I think that maybe thats why I
needed to go so that I could help him, or maybe not, but either way, I just
love working with him and my love for the middle east and the muslim culture
grows more and more each day. He is SO amazing, because he is really searching
for the truth. He even said he is searching for the truth!! AND he said he is
way more concerned about his eternal life than he is about his life here on
earth, and that he just wants to know what he needs to do to be saved, and oh
man. I LOVE people that really want to know the truth. And that GET it ya know?
Like...this life is so not that important. Anyways, here´s to lots of
prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AND, we were teaching
this lesson on Easter, and halfway through I just thought, Hey! Im teaching and
testifying about the Savior on Easter...how cool is that?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other than that, I am
studying a lot in Jesus the Christ again and I love Jesus so much. He is just
so amazing, ya know? And like...it had to be him. He is the only way. He is the
light and life and without Him, nothing works. Oh, I am so grateful to know that
He lives. And that we get to celebrate His life everyday by feasting on the
words of Christ and living and sharing His Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fun fact. We played a
game at Nelma´s house the other day where you see how many words we could come
up with starting with the same letter going around the table and not repeating
any, and Nelma and I won! I love feeling like I can actually speak this
language! Just a year e tal later....but whatever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL WITH
ALL OF MY HEART. All of all of it. Really, you are perfect. Keep being perfect.
Never forget how much I love you. God is good always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX5ffvHmhL5uQN8tc8fsqDcZu_yKRLjyh34d2mWPSDkVp16LTrNamfuo_xnMSvRNqaR3gmF7ewL-nuj7THxTsqbTFKch2BXZQAzwzSt-FPnogWrSl19GTyYwg56VKrbvbOW-MYZL0-kg/s1600/IMG_20140420_111635+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX5ffvHmhL5uQN8tc8fsqDcZu_yKRLjyh34d2mWPSDkVp16LTrNamfuo_xnMSvRNqaR3gmF7ewL-nuj7THxTsqbTFKch2BXZQAzwzSt-FPnogWrSl19GTyYwg56VKrbvbOW-MYZL0-kg/s1600/IMG_20140420_111635+(1).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Happy
Easter from our sweet primary class!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-73101577135262467082014-04-21T05:05:00.004-07:002014-04-21T05:05:55.678-07:00´Eu preciso meu escravo de dente´ -Elder Ogles<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I need my tooth slave.
Hahahha, or tooth brush, but that´s fine. Oh the joys of learning a
language/it´s so much funnier when you are on the other side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tra-tra-tra-transfersss.
Well, big surprise, my comp got taken from me and put on a flight back to the
motherland. (Actually, I think this is supposed to be the motherland,
but...whatever. It´s bigger over there.) So, I am staying in Lagos, which
obviously I am so happy about, because Lagos is Sião. I got a new comp, Sister
Sorenson, who is absolutely adorable and the sweetest. She is 19 and from
Washington and has been out for about 5 months, but she seems absolutely
incredible and just the happiest, so I know that we will see lots of miracles
and that she is just what Lagos needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, they took
sisters out of my last ward in Porto, which obviously breaks my heart, but all
is well. Pray those elders keep taking care of my family there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I can´t even remember
what happened this week, because it was just spent running all over, but it was
wonderful and terribly depressing at the same time. Sister Blanco and I had
just become so close, that it hurt so much to let her get on that bus this
morning, but she is an incredible missionary and I am so proud of her slash so
excited for her to be able to see her family. Ah, imagine. Anyways, but I am so
grateful that I got to serve with her and learn from her, and oh my goodness-
to see how many people were just absolutely heartbroken when she left. She is
the epitome (which is the same word in Portuguese! And enigma too:) ) of a
disciple of Christ. And she taught me so much, that I don´t even know where to
begin. I feel like all of Lagos lost someone special today. Hahhaha, okay that
was suuuuper dramatic, but funny. But really, I feel like I learned that the
most important thing we can do is act as Christ would if He were here. Take
time for people, and listen, really listen, and love them, really love them,
and help them with what they need, serve them how they need to be served, and
be the example that makes them want to follow you. Because, when it all comes
down to it, that should be the real reason anyone decides to follow Christ,
because they want to become like Him, because they know that it is only through
Him that we can be saved. Also, we have been studying and teaching repentance a
lot, and I am so grateful/a little sad that I didnt learn this earlier on in
the mission, because baptism is the first fruit of repentance, not the other
way around, and it´s actually so amazing to see people want to change their
life. Slash try to find out how it is even possible that the Atonement works
for everything. And I love studying about the Atonement, so you should do
it too. It´s life changing. Literally. bahaha #missionjokes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyways, Fatima and
Francisco are....well...we found out why they dont want to get baptized
yet this week, which is good, because at least now we understand better and can
help them develop their testimonies and prepare themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">OH MY GOODNESS
FELIZMINA! I dont think I have told you guys about her, but she is like our
Portuguese grandmother. We´ve been really busy, so we weren´t able to visit her
for a couple of weeks, and the other day when we knocked on her door and she
opened it up and saw that it was us, her face literally lit up and she squealed
of happiness. I have never been received so well. Oh, what a blessing. I love
that little old lady. I think she is 87 actually, but she is wonderful, and she
came to church with us again on Sunday, and oh...I just love her so much. She
loves hearing us sing, and she would have us sit and sing to her for hours if
we could. Oh, it is the funniest. She is the sweetest, and like a child at the
same time. And asks us every single time we go there if we have
boyfriends and where we live. Hahha, oh I love her. But, she knows there
can only be one truth and she wants to follow Jesus Christ, so...we think she
will get baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Okay, no more time,
but HAPPY EASTER!! I might not be at the Garden Tomb, or the MTC, but...there
are big chocolate eggs and pictures of Christ hanging all through the city, so
it´s kinda the same right? I LOVE YOU ALL WITH ALL OF MY WHOLE HEART.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDJ5Ihe6mHbkDuNduP_XvbgbP35AznZDpT6nQuu-o6BuvL6TSjxDgo1z8EPsoCXBtaUnBiQi2GJv2ZVF_DnEjck6SHbB4MlOAmGrDoRFZ5kJrTzg7oX5a3QyDHF8p19sCzTf6bsd3z04/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDJ5Ihe6mHbkDuNduP_XvbgbP35AznZDpT6nQuu-o6BuvL6TSjxDgo1z8EPsoCXBtaUnBiQi2GJv2ZVF_DnEjck6SHbB4MlOAmGrDoRFZ5kJrTzg7oX5a3QyDHF8p19sCzTf6bsd3z04/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZQofTGM80L_bBGmZJc-icIGncIFhNKDo89PHRXIggw2fl9TvZ3cW85ndm0S13Xr-06HU9kFvKQq2NA97S782bQYF0yxi54hR3vddXM1cLpb2-paJENdYK2VJoOkWe89tVe_Fibj_Zvo/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZQofTGM80L_bBGmZJc-icIGncIFhNKDo89PHRXIggw2fl9TvZ3cW85ndm0S13Xr-06HU9kFvKQq2NA97S782bQYF0yxi54hR3vddXM1cLpb2-paJENdYK2VJoOkWe89tVe_Fibj_Zvo/s1600/image.jpeg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-22651941925402199142014-04-07T13:48:00.000-07:002014-04-15T13:48:44.206-07:00`Quando eu for para o templo, eu quero ser selada ás batatas fritas.´ -Nelma<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PESSOAL!!
LOVES OF MY LIFE. WHAT AN AMAAAAZING WEEK. OHHH MY WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First off, GENERAL
CONFERENCE FILLED MY SOUL. WHY MUST IT ALWAYS COME TO AN END? Oh, so...we
started by watching the woman´s conference, and literally during the opening hymn
I just started bawling and Sister Blanco looks at me like I am crazy and then
starts dying laughing. Yeah, whatever, I´m ridiculous, but I just look forward
to this for so long and it finally comes and then I just see that conference
center and it´s like my heart is whole again. Oh...soo much happiness in one
weekend. I cant even handle it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So many amazing
inspired words that I needed to hear and that our investigators needed to hear,
and it was so wonderful. Obviously, I loved the talk by President Monson about
using kind words and trying to see from other people´s perspectives and loving
each other. It was a wonderful reminder for me that we never know each other´s
circumstances and that the Lord is the only one who can judge others. We must
love everyone, and not so much that we need to love more, but that we need to
love better. And about our four minutes on earth. Because, really this time is
so short and it´s so important that we use this time wisely and make and keep
our convenants, and literally the Gospel is so simple that I feel like I am
repeating myself always. But, anyways, it was SO good. And I wanted to cry when
it ended. In the words of Captain Jack, ´Why´s all the rum gone?!´<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ah and then the
olympics special came on after and I gasped and cried when I saw Kate´s face.
But then her voice came on as a Brazilian lady, which hurt my heart a little
bit, but it was still so good to see her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, I hope you all
loved it as much as I did. I hope all of your prayers and questions were
answered, and I hope you all watch it again and again and again. I cant wait to
get the Liahona---pray it comes asap and doesnt take six months like the last
one.... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, oh my goodness,
the most AMAZING thing happened. Well, this week we were focusing A LOT on
Fatima and Francisco, because they are so ready, and we had an amazing lessing
with President Melo, and the spirit was so strong and we explained everything
so clearly, and we left just knowing that it is all in their hands now. Well,
we went after General Conference and we were telling them how amazing it was,
and then we invited them to come on Sunday, and THEY SAID THEY WOULD. which
they like never do, because here in Portugal everyone says, ´Se Deus quiser´ou
´Vamos ver´ ou ´Vamos tentar.´ Nobody like to give a sure answer, because they
never want to go back on their word slash they all claim we dont know if we
will wake up tomorrow, buuuut....thats not the point. They point is, they said
they´d come! So, we walk out of there on cloud nine. The next day, we call them
to remind them, and Fatima is sick and Francisco is at work for the first time
in a month. We look at each other and want to cry. Then we call Francisco and
he says no one has come by, so he will come back home and we can all go
together in the car. Perfect. We go to try and get Fatima ready, and she is in
her pajamas in bed. Ayiyi. She starts crying, and we are just on such a
spiritual high that we are being happy and telling her that General Conference
cures all (because, hello, it does.) Well, shes not having it. Then she calls
Francisco who tells us that people JUST showed up and he´s going on a trip with
them and he wont be back til like 30 minutes after conference starts. SATANÁS
DESGRAÇADO. Well, luckily we had another ride, so we offer that to her, but she
still isnt sure. Suddenly, we start humming a hymn--no idea where that came
from. So, Sister Blanco and I decide to sing that hymn, and literally the
second we close our hymn books, she pulls off the covers and gets out of bed to
put her dress on!!! I HAVE NEVER SEEN HER MOVE LIKE THAT! So I braid her hair
real fast and we are in the car before she can change her mind. MIRACLES!!!
Then, as soon as we get there the first talk was the one by Elder Uchtdorf
about being grateful, and it was literally EXACTLY what she needed to hear!! I
obviously started crying, because God is SO good. But this time Sister Blanco
was crying too, so when we looked at each other we just started laughing
together. Ohhhh, how am I going to survive without her? Anyways, seriously SUCH
a miracle!! God is SO good. He really is a God of miracles, and I am SO
grateful that He loves us enough to bless us and give us latter-day
prophets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL. I MISS
YOU ALL SO MUCH. I cant believe how quickly time is flying. I will leave you
with these beautiful words that healed my soul from President Uchtdorf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: #F9F6ED; color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">´When
we are grateful to God <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in</span></i> our
circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In
grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in
Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the
closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace....This is not a gratitude of the lips
but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind.´</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LOVE YOU MORE THAN I
LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2A_azhDV22OR6xtLhUcqBDUbnyI9foU42KxBwpPmQYNO86KnyTg22DIYcQ40gLUmsw27pqrkg3ggGjz1EZPrdFjDjPAeAER7EoKACDoBdfNL4QU4vNZVZTkrEMHDeGwxEDDE6qKxgMc/s1600/SAM_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2A_azhDV22OR6xtLhUcqBDUbnyI9foU42KxBwpPmQYNO86KnyTg22DIYcQ40gLUmsw27pqrkg3ggGjz1EZPrdFjDjPAeAER7EoKACDoBdfNL4QU4vNZVZTkrEMHDeGwxEDDE6qKxgMc/s1600/SAM_1610.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">yayy
we found frozen yogurt!!</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_E_deGumOCU7aqoAbxsLJmW_vQI5FQFjpDglyXI6-XviBCIj7CTOipnoZuAgJAxGltRWEnjbYKeGFbpQ0C59r1jCTdPWVQBrRDez2NVDX-cNOV3udjLyBgiih9Ch3OQ5lHtrvIMcdEw/s1600/SAM_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_E_deGumOCU7aqoAbxsLJmW_vQI5FQFjpDglyXI6-XviBCIj7CTOipnoZuAgJAxGltRWEnjbYKeGFbpQ0C59r1jCTdPWVQBrRDez2NVDX-cNOV3udjLyBgiih9Ch3OQ5lHtrvIMcdEw/s1600/SAM_1611.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">just walking to church....</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCFQQ7ED3o21IPLSxZU0zEkWqaJb0xLQO5hkL-JCclhH_viv5hKXmlvTI1W60P5zqUKTk2B4b6u0mS5Mf1TiUR4B06_NbjKn_Vyh1rdulDDbuqOgrUZY7-zZFE-DYYklaeOeLGobStJg/s1600/SAM_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCFQQ7ED3o21IPLSxZU0zEkWqaJb0xLQO5hkL-JCclhH_viv5hKXmlvTI1W60P5zqUKTk2B4b6u0mS5Mf1TiUR4B06_NbjKn_Vyh1rdulDDbuqOgrUZY7-zZFE-DYYklaeOeLGobStJg/s1600/SAM_1614.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7Kcu19NVImfInWWRC8TuvLBEkqAIOcSiACMd5S32HZG78ypdEwllkpCFNWJkQFArdWIgiaaqXYKwPg9i5ocfosQWoYwb3gkDvh_PezPvrhcvZJalPPfJq9I9n9wN656Nm3235RVPVjc/s1600/SAM_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7Kcu19NVImfInWWRC8TuvLBEkqAIOcSiACMd5S32HZG78ypdEwllkpCFNWJkQFArdWIgiaaqXYKwPg9i5ocfosQWoYwb3gkDvh_PezPvrhcvZJalPPfJq9I9n9wN656Nm3235RVPVjc/s1600/SAM_1617.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYi9eyleLDBOOXrlxCl_lkrsAvyt7onrySbN2duVdiyN-emmy-AucxeNnXLEcDlKOA41K-aVh2JlIGUaw7VlL_26YOZXfEUeyxwenSaoLnG7jQ1iJQP1RvZUEknFYYqi9aWldHK-FhGI/s1600/SAM_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYi9eyleLDBOOXrlxCl_lkrsAvyt7onrySbN2duVdiyN-emmy-AucxeNnXLEcDlKOA41K-aVh2JlIGUaw7VlL_26YOZXfEUeyxwenSaoLnG7jQ1iJQP1RvZUEknFYYqi9aWldHK-FhGI/s1600/SAM_1625.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEqMu59MUOehpivEofg1utAklsMFfh5u_s5umNdCTOzCgtWGYFrRnznt3icJReHtI921oKKjQ6jq0wMzi9Ct4OTmsw9YT4JdsB9kQkrNVEkWrdvYZfyF5M3wdtfc81NXXJVBcH6eWKFU/s1600/SAM_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEqMu59MUOehpivEofg1utAklsMFfh5u_s5umNdCTOzCgtWGYFrRnznt3icJReHtI921oKKjQ6jq0wMzi9Ct4OTmsw9YT4JdsB9kQkrNVEkWrdvYZfyF5M3wdtfc81NXXJVBcH6eWKFU/s1600/SAM_1618.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ponte de piedade!
thats gabby our ward mission leader slash love of my life</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_F-AxyZG6a-_02JGmtgwNwwQAW7X2BF61bDuFU_wbN6IG-sWZBVuPLL7rbyGe-3ZEkwQ7LAScaszH_3gY24vZPR2bybIwEKsgm0wNj0wSYqIZUU-iuJStt9pEnLNZjpTcpt5m194uns/s1600/SAM_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_F-AxyZG6a-_02JGmtgwNwwQAW7X2BF61bDuFU_wbN6IG-sWZBVuPLL7rbyGe-3ZEkwQ7LAScaszH_3gY24vZPR2bybIwEKsgm0wNj0wSYqIZUU-iuJStt9pEnLNZjpTcpt5m194uns/s1600/SAM_1629.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">fatima e franciscoooo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2XK8wAJPVycyc48jpCysS5gfRR7L1JDtc_IWc2oGHr_im5lt0AMf3m76bbSRGxLdMpLRrtcSphNOPsh2awHnzqmmbvbGIRytqsPmorrN2knBayticYO5eB_F5K9VBH6E9kdlAdnVp8o/s1600/SAM_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2XK8wAJPVycyc48jpCysS5gfRR7L1JDtc_IWc2oGHr_im5lt0AMf3m76bbSRGxLdMpLRrtcSphNOPsh2awHnzqmmbvbGIRytqsPmorrN2knBayticYO5eB_F5K9VBH6E9kdlAdnVp8o/s1600/SAM_1632.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5okk8dFJRMz4XU2i7kVt1m4Kb7_PIEQBMp3VVF2U_5nO9nCdjl6W8osoAS4W73piNX-ZL124IrZQXT0xWfH7Ql7_UiYq_G-3tuJGJvGI6HiT3ZB0t36IAEFlrfsUPTkocB7CH27FefQ/s1600/SAM_1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5okk8dFJRMz4XU2i7kVt1m4Kb7_PIEQBMp3VVF2U_5nO9nCdjl6W8osoAS4W73piNX-ZL124IrZQXT0xWfH7Ql7_UiYq_G-3tuJGJvGI6HiT3ZB0t36IAEFlrfsUPTkocB7CH27FefQ/s1600/SAM_1517.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">zone lunch. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-22304300009726946272014-04-03T16:09:00.000-07:002014-04-03T16:09:40.840-07:00The prophet's coming! The prophet's coming!!<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13px;">I am here. Still living the Lagos dream. Still being a missionary.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13px;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week, I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants, and it was talking about how Jesus is light, and the sun is light, and therefore, Jesus is the sun....hahahah apostasy. Okay, just kidding, but I feel a lot less bad about worshipping the sun or being afraid of the dark. Moral of the story, I love Jesus, and I love that He made the sun for us. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our Pakistinian friend, Qasim, is reading the Book of Mormon! And his sister is bringing up pakistinian dresses this week! Two things completely unrelated, but whatever, because Im super excited about both!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were working really hard this week to reach our goal for the month of March as a mission, and we were praying and fasting together as a mission, and literally, God is SO good, because we almost reached our goal! And we beat the record for any week in our mission! It is such a testimony to me that the Lord really does hear and answer our prayers. And, it justs makes me so happy, that we are all in this together ya know? It's not our area or our zone, but it's the Lord's work with His children on His earth. He is in charge, and His hand is in this work.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jorge, Nelma's boyfriend, got baptized!!! It was so wonderful! He was so happy! And i got to be part of my first baptism in the ocean! Oh, it was wonderful. (And FREEZING for them) Our whole little Lagos family was there, and I just love our little branch, because we really are like a family. Sometimes things are less than formal, but it is really great to see how everyone loves and cares for each other and how everyone is here to support each other. (It helps that half of them are actually family, but that's besides the point.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
This week, I was reading a talk that was talking about why we should be obedient and different reasons that people are obedient. We can be obedient because we are afraid of the consequences, or we can be obedient because we want our parents to be happy with us, or we can be obedient because we want to receive blessings from God, but, ultimately the real reason why we should be obedient to the Lord and His commandments is to add to the glory to God. That is why Jesus Christ was obedient. That should be our desire. That should be why we are obedient. Not that the other reasons are bad reasons, or even reasons to start being obedient, but in the end, we should be obedient to glorify God, to show Him that He is the most important thing in our lives and that we love Him above all else, and that His happiness is our happiness. Kind of like your happiness is my happiness :)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
AHHHH!! MY FAVORITE WEEKEND OF THE YEAR!!! ERRBODY!!! WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! oh, I am soooo excited. Literally, I am telling people in the streets that it is better than Christmas, and they have to come and watch and hear the prophet's voice. I am in tears that it is my last General Conference on the mission, but Im just trying not to think about it, and then it wont be real....right? Denial. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am wayyyy scatterbrained today, so I truly apologize. The zoo full of birds wore my voice out---ya know...doing the mating call and all. But, this week was wonderful, and each week is passing by faster and faster and my comp is slipping away from me, and I am crying inside. Why must Brazil steal all that is good in the world? Hahah, just kidding, butttt...I am sooo happy, and I am so blessed, anddd I LOVE YOU ALL SO SOOO MUCH. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
xoxo,</div>
<div>
Sister Brooks</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDLCS-dtKubChfDWloqxjoiUkNhQOSHv3arDkDGlKmF8aQCjxYjdzGaCIiCuosRoUY16nVEcDgJVaSSCHHdlNB6r76p8yVY1GKGNe-qbNljCAnaBu2fgDmgsZrCWqQR6Qp66Nfsj9hRw/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDLCS-dtKubChfDWloqxjoiUkNhQOSHv3arDkDGlKmF8aQCjxYjdzGaCIiCuosRoUY16nVEcDgJVaSSCHHdlNB6r76p8yVY1GKGNe-qbNljCAnaBu2fgDmgsZrCWqQR6Qp66Nfsj9hRw/s1600/Image+2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13px;">jorge's baptism!!!</span></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2_L_PvHKH4-_GGY67lb_19ufSEMSVj7d6_5XGJIMrVbAipzx1Z4KP0lbi3tLpzYGoFGZ8jj_-f0ADnGOEwKQW_ddLxFcxjBGywBbocN7oP4LEcfyhYkk9LXGcNmNFWcJhlYRtChLRYM/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2_L_PvHKH4-_GGY67lb_19ufSEMSVj7d6_5XGJIMrVbAipzx1Z4KP0lbi3tLpzYGoFGZ8jj_-f0ADnGOEwKQW_ddLxFcxjBGywBbocN7oP4LEcfyhYkk9LXGcNmNFWcJhlYRtChLRYM/s1600/Image+1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial;">nelma and i love these french fries haha</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUz_htEG_6kirQA4wg8viosz_3_5uefDnkADRw0y9yuWiLpXrKrf4ovIRsutuQL3cpEwVmYoYe8rQOj-Mmt1Bd0XTO4K-eDbnFap4d57wXbzPW4IvTnyZnFGfnauHPqfO1T9-ilmxwPk/s1600/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUz_htEG_6kirQA4wg8viosz_3_5uefDnkADRw0y9yuWiLpXrKrf4ovIRsutuQL3cpEwVmYoYe8rQOj-Mmt1Bd0XTO4K-eDbnFap4d57wXbzPW4IvTnyZnFGfnauHPqfO1T9-ilmxwPk/s1600/Image+4.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFGvw54J4VvuUfxPzPaO0B-IW4aKOIBuDkhqTdO7TIcQDL8EazjPjqA07mhl9YDoX51xm5_UN0L594knxbVfPUbeWl8r_WqR3J2aeg8_Hl-bIXRWZ72J4fuuFaVVW_vImg0UHyuR66So/s1600/Image+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFGvw54J4VvuUfxPzPaO0B-IW4aKOIBuDkhqTdO7TIcQDL8EazjPjqA07mhl9YDoX51xm5_UN0L594knxbVfPUbeWl8r_WqR3J2aeg8_Hl-bIXRWZ72J4fuuFaVVW_vImg0UHyuR66So/s1600/Image+5.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprWWjBD8srF-hGXdKRC1-R85gbBrlQlWuyXfwMi8jnkOUF2FoTE1HMRKqjzE8rc6f8k7GA_bcTdyxlGFN2taoAxLmhTJPqEv7coF1Rz3DTu4hrpj-AgeA-kBl3coxqURvvIgP9WaVJAM/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprWWjBD8srF-hGXdKRC1-R85gbBrlQlWuyXfwMi8jnkOUF2FoTE1HMRKqjzE8rc6f8k7GA_bcTdyxlGFN2taoAxLmhTJPqEv7coF1Rz3DTu4hrpj-AgeA-kBl3coxqURvvIgP9WaVJAM/s1600/Image+6.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13px;">with love, our district. and my comp. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNR0UH3d8imlaANJx3OWo4bzPrjrD6hzhgGo91pPfJNGwZD5L8YCOFXTHGoo7LdtHRjj5aByL0MFM6P76aLIO9_Jr5BygQ-DZmMoXyqJK-aZ5_XtkBVljymUKsMrS8yV_LG7drQnyZu8M/s1600/Image+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNR0UH3d8imlaANJx3OWo4bzPrjrD6hzhgGo91pPfJNGwZD5L8YCOFXTHGoo7LdtHRjj5aByL0MFM6P76aLIO9_Jr5BygQ-DZmMoXyqJK-aZ5_XtkBVljymUKsMrS8yV_LG7drQnyZu8M/s1600/Image+7.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw9xnkkiOVmYkfoeRMiFPlnoC8vUJ6RjYB5qK2l7InuU0xPLYwF3IrwYF5DBB6bsfcS-oA6TWE_qwSYLqbUGXnvZzeH7tlqIrAu-SWSltIm1WdODRvJRZHxdZJBkOjyazY1b1JQPNrUk/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw9xnkkiOVmYkfoeRMiFPlnoC8vUJ6RjYB5qK2l7InuU0xPLYwF3IrwYF5DBB6bsfcS-oA6TWE_qwSYLqbUGXnvZzeH7tlqIrAu-SWSltIm1WdODRvJRZHxdZJBkOjyazY1b1JQPNrUk/s1600/Image.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-82067102388868037192014-04-03T15:58:00.001-07:002014-04-03T15:58:42.757-07:00'Estou a jejuar...uhh...como um quase jejum.' -Zito<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a noite familiar with Jeisa and Zito the other night, and Zito tells Jeisa not to put a lot of food on his plate, because he's fasting. And I go..' Uh...fasting?' And he says, ' Well, it is kind of like fasting, because you know, summer is around the corner, and it's beach time.' Hahha apparently dieting can be called 'almost fasting.' hahah Zito is actually the funniest human being. He speaks part Portuguese part Creole part English and it is the greatest thing that happens to my ears every week. Like when he calls himself bem black. Oh man. Too good. Or when he says, 'Ah, foi amazing man.' I love this family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Anywayssss. HELLO FAMILY. sorry for the confusion. We had zone conference yesterday, so....no time to send an email on pday. Yeah...zone conference on a pday. I know. I agree, buutttt...it was actually SO good and exactly what I needed. Renewed the fire and just made me so excited to keep working in this special little area of Portugal. Yeah, okay, sometimes I get sad when I see Elly and her 5 story building chapel in Brazil, and we have one little room next to three other churches, but then I get super excited, because I remember that the Lord is preparing His children in ALL parts of the world, including here in Lagos. And that He has promised that even more, His angels are working here to help guide us to His children and help guide His children to us. He is preparing the Algarve for a stake. He is preparing Portugal for a Temple. He promised this land a temple, and He never goes back on His promises. I am SO grateful He trusts me enough to call me to this land and this area to let me be an instrument in His hands and work in His vineyard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">MIRACLE OF THE WEEK: Deus e taoooo bom. Oh my goodness. I have never had a stronger testimony of the Lord seriously knowing what is best for each of His children and how He answers our prayers so specifically. Seriously, I die. God is sooo good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">So, we have been working really hard with Fatima and Francisco, and we know they are ready to get baptized, but they need to come to church, and they need to know that they are ready to get baptized, so we decided to fast for them this weekend. Well, we prayed that Fatima would wake up early and that she would feel excited and like a little push to go to church on Sunday morning and that when she got there she would be able to feel the Spirit and know that it is true and that she needs to be baptized. Well, we are praying and praying and we have so much faith, and sacrament meeting rolls around, and she and Francisco dont show up. Sister Blanco and I are a little disappointed, because....we were fasting and the cause was just and it should have been in accordance with the will of God and yeah. But, sacrament meeting was kind of a disaster and there was a lot of screaming and this child running around and just making a big confusion and it was kind of hard to feel the spirit. Well, afte church, we went over to Fatima and Francisco's, and Fatima tells us that she actually woke up really early, which never happens, and she was like, 'Yes. Hoje, eu VOU para igreja.' So then she was like Im going to just take a shower and then get ready and go. BUT, then, she fell back asleep and didnt wake up until 11:30, which she says she never does. So, when Sister Blanco and I walked out the door, we just looked at each other with a huge smile in awe, because we both had the same revelation. GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. Specifically and in His time and in His manner and in the way that is best for His children. Because, she woke up, and she wanted to go to church, just as we had prayed for, but then, when the Lord knew that sacrament meeting would be kind of a bagunca and it would be hard to feel the Spirit, He let Fatima fall back asleep, because He knew that she would have been annoyed and frustrated and wouldn't have wanted to come back next week. GOD IS SO GOOD.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">It is funny, because sometimes we think that the Lord isn't answering our prayers or maybe it is our lack of faith or maybe we were praying for something that wasnt just, but really He sees the big picture. He knows His children. He knows what is best for us and He works in His own time and His own ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways. Because His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. God is good always, and He hears and answers every one of our prayers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
In other news, we have this 16 year old girl and her mother that we are teaching, Susana and Bruna. Well, we are teaching about prayer and how its a commandment and how o espirito mal ensina que we shouldnt pray. Well, then Bruna asks, 'I have a question. I heard Satan is God's brother.' And we say, 'Well, He's one of God's sons. He's Jesus's brother.' And she says, 'So...he's my brother too?' 'Yes.' And she says, 'So...now I can tell my teacher that my brother ruined my homework?' Hahahha literally no idea how she went from that one thought to the next, but Sister Blanco and I just died laughing and I remembered how wonderful it is to have the mind of a 16 year old. But Bruna is seriously so incredible. She will make an incredible member one day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Also, our internet guy is from Pakistan, and man, it makes me miss Israel. These people are so incredible. He came to church with us the other day, and then he invited us over to his house for lunch this week, and ohhh my goodness, I thought I was going to die. Either I have gotten really used to bland portuguese food, or Indian food is actually the spiciest thing on the face of the earth, because I thought I was going to die it was so hot. It was actually so good, but Sister Blanco and I were trying so hard not to laugh slash make it noticeable that we were drinking like gallons of water. Hahhaha, oh I love this place. He is amazing, and I promise that when the middle east is opened to missionaries, the Lord's work is going to explode there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Ah, the Church is true. The Doctrine of Christ is pure and if we apply it in our lives, we can be changed and we can see the lives of others change. I am SO grateful for the Atonement and the opportunity we have to change and to become better and to be more obedient everyday and to dedicate ourselves to following our Savior and becoming more like Him everyday. It's not even close to easy, but it is so so so worth it. I think it is so incredible trying to look at people the way the Savior does and treating them the way the Savior would--loving every one and forgiving every one and remembering that people are more important than all the 'things' that occupy our time. 'Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved.' The Lord loves ALL his children. We must see people as they can become. We must picture them in white. Of us it is required to forgive all, but He is merciful and just. I am so grateful for His mercy and patience with me. I still cant figure out how I deserve to be so blessed when I make so many mistakes, but I am so grateful for every blessing He has given me. I dont know how I got so blessed to have a companion who is so loving and patient with me, but oh my goodness, I have never been happier. I dont know how she puts up with me all day long, but she is an angel. I dont know how you guys have put up with me my whole life, but THANK YOU. Thank you for loving me despite all my imperfections. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
You all are my angels. You are my happiness. You are my inspiration. I LOVE YOU.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
xoxo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sister Brooks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG0nNM63EPOTs9EqZ2mM8rwuZj9psGSHM1kI-vNXZEI6iqGFDBWAEHzl1IXacT1QPFnJ0gCBs8w9BEUoEFv6xG4-4LbEXSbOXmpTXXMPvjZJGXEgK9e1nE7jnD7XougJvTKieodGJEBs/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG0nNM63EPOTs9EqZ2mM8rwuZj9psGSHM1kI-vNXZEI6iqGFDBWAEHzl1IXacT1QPFnJ0gCBs8w9BEUoEFv6xG4-4LbEXSbOXmpTXXMPvjZJGXEgK9e1nE7jnD7XougJvTKieodGJEBs/s1600/Image+1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YpzfyM9OVDAfwGEzA5BMta-GDjoxcvDY0d8_fybFV_L6yuXFvaN7u3WTieGdJIbG_YBos9ejS68jwtINCgWhNxCqDF0KN8yrYPbw2bHsil6nZPvoaLpHnhXAW7hi7bogQngNwzx5Dcc/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YpzfyM9OVDAfwGEzA5BMta-GDjoxcvDY0d8_fybFV_L6yuXFvaN7u3WTieGdJIbG_YBos9ejS68jwtINCgWhNxCqDF0KN8yrYPbw2bHsil6nZPvoaLpHnhXAW7hi7bogQngNwzx5Dcc/s1600/Image+2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13px;">Zona da Algarve - Março 2014</span></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-52121388516998103242014-03-23T07:45:00.002-07:002014-03-23T07:45:57.980-07:00everything's better in the sun<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;">First and foremost, HAPPY ST. PATRICK´S DAY!!!! I hope you all spend it however it is that we celebrate it over there. Seriously, explaining these holidays to my Brazilian companions has to be one of the funniest things I have ever done. Little leperchauns and rainbows and golden coins and 4 leaf clovers. I love America. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>This week was full of lots of amazing miracles. I am so happy, and the work here is so good. Maybe it´s just because the weather is beautiful and I handle everything better in the sun, but really...life is good. God is so good. So many miracles, I dont even know where to begin.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, we have this family, Fatima and Francisco, who we are working with, and we´ve already taught them everything, and they totally know the church is true, but they are just...i dont know actually. It´s easier for us to come to them, than for them to come to church. But, we decided to focus a lot on the Atonement and how we can apply it in our lives and how repentance is the greatest blessing the Lord has given us, and how the first fruit of repentance is baptism. Anyways, Sister Blanco and I were practicing in the morning and giggling about how great it would be if they actually responded to our questions how we would like them to. But then! We went into the lesson, and it was so wonderful. The spirit was so strong, and as we taught, they got it! And we read Moroni 8:25 and asked how they thought they could apply the atonement in their lives, and Francisco responded, `Well...baptism.` Oh, sweet blessing. And then we invited them to pray about a specific date that they need to get baptized, and we looked at Fatima, and we told her that we know that they know that this is the true church and that this is the path back to our Heavenly Father, and she just looked at us and smiled, that smile that is like---you caught me. Oh, the Spirit was testifying so strongly, and it was so amazing. They are incredible and progessing so much. Slowly, but surely, they are getting there.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Little Letícia (the one thats obsessed with JB) told us in church on Sunday, that ever since we taught her not to use the Lord´s name in vain, she hasnt said it since, and then that she went home and when her mom said it, she asked her mom to stop saying it too, and her mom hasnt said it since either. Literally, I felt like a proud mother. She is just so precious, and I feel like our Primary holds the future of the church here in Lagos. Also, she informed me that she will be holding the flowers at my wedding, so I´ll need to fly her over to the US when I get married. Hahaha, I LOVE her.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we were teaching Prince this week, he got so excited about the authority of God and that it is on the earth again, that he started asking who could have it and if he could get it and when he asked, Sister Blanco and I just looked at each other and said, `Well...yeah. You can!` And then he goes, `How?` So we look at each other and get these huge smiles on our faces again and we´re just like well you seeeee....and we marked him for baptism right there! He got really excited about it, but then he didnt come to church, so we are still working with him, but he is so incredible and really looking for lasting happiness in his life. And I just feel like he is going to be our next branch pres. here in Lagos,... except...he needs to learn Portuguese first, but like...whatever. Minor details.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday, Sister Blanco and I were walking down the road, and we started talking to this man, Lazaré. Oh my, he is so incredible. He just started going off about the Bible and He honestly knows it so well, and we were both just so happy. It was such an amazing contact. It was such a breath of fresh air to talk to someone who believes in the Bible because they have actually studied it and knows what it says and not just because the rest of the country believes in it. Anyways, as we were standing there, I just saw him in white, walking in the water to be baptized. And Sister Blanco said she felt the exact same way! He said that he wanted to talk more with us tomorrow, so we invited him to church, and yesterday, he was there! What a miracle! He just showed up! Oh, that never happens. Sister Blanco and I started jumping for joy. He is seriously so elect. He is Romano, and Sister Blanco and I feel so strongly about him, that we know the Lord is leading His elect to us. So blessed. Seriously, I dont deserve all of these blessings, but oh I am so grateful.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cesar got baptized this week!! Oh, it was so wonderful. He is SO incredible and so elect and SO happy. And he is going to be such and incredible help to our little branch family. Also, his Swedish girlfriend totally prepared him, and then when we were at his baptism, this other girl walked into the church, because her boyfriend in Brazil had told her about it and so she came by. Date to convert my friends. Works every time :)<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nelma´s getting married and Jorge is getting baptized and I just love this missionary life I live.<br />God is so good. The church is true. Jesus lives and He loves you. I LOVE YOU ALL. more than I love the sunshine.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">xoxo<br />Sister Brooks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-LxpYpz6Nkz66Rwuq210C0WG4jfPR5L8e_emhQNCEj8X-rslaGjSiSdspkkS1OvZn8qiIGboLWOEPlVLa3VvFsc3ehOmlSIOctSOj1c6Wv6Amn7BI5aWq5L7QzBDvPhyphenhyphenyhdSCBE25Jo/s1600/image+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-LxpYpz6Nkz66Rwuq210C0WG4jfPR5L8e_emhQNCEj8X-rslaGjSiSdspkkS1OvZn8qiIGboLWOEPlVLa3VvFsc3ehOmlSIOctSOj1c6Wv6Amn7BI5aWq5L7QzBDvPhyphenhyphenyhdSCBE25Jo/s1600/image+copy.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13px;">these are the jeffers. our missionary couple here in lagos. slash our life savers. slash taxi drivers</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IILB6lWzH0gGb9f822cllzIuWvemdRJ-m0uoup0RP5M4eBfa-VnXuB0sPh80B7ubyYhg3Bm1IIKjRWQyDVMjzQhp0UO3JBbd4e0JTbpf1CTyrmiZDX7xbaRSwiHwN5RT4bG0P772afc/s1600/image-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IILB6lWzH0gGb9f822cllzIuWvemdRJ-m0uoup0RP5M4eBfa-VnXuB0sPh80B7ubyYhg3Bm1IIKjRWQyDVMjzQhp0UO3JBbd4e0JTbpf1CTyrmiZDX7xbaRSwiHwN5RT4bG0P772afc/s1600/image-1+copy.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbK8uthW5FwN7k1BhPvPZILni-dZ0cF2uJYd5ZYlg07_SdHZtd1HOl2iMisC6tOg844x-ndTI2YueKSkD6UTNWviHnRuS8isj3f_j8xesnnofcqi74WKcAHf7Z1WwQ_ix-vZupLEQEOW0/s1600/image-2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbK8uthW5FwN7k1BhPvPZILni-dZ0cF2uJYd5ZYlg07_SdHZtd1HOl2iMisC6tOg844x-ndTI2YueKSkD6UTNWviHnRuS8isj3f_j8xesnnofcqi74WKcAHf7Z1WwQ_ix-vZupLEQEOW0/s1600/image-2+copy.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"></span>Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-23226709733356300202014-03-10T05:48:00.000-07:002014-03-12T05:48:31.559-07:00`It´s from Elder Wilson, isn´t it?` Joana<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, every day, we eat with the
Elders in Nelma´s house. Well, Nelma is from Africa, so Nelma´s house is like
everyone´s house. Aka there are always 12 million people there and 14 billion
children, which obviously is so much noice and commotion and yelling and ahhh.
Anyways, there are these two absolutely ADORABLE little girls, Joana and
Jessica, that are Nelma´s friend´s daughters, and they´re over there a lot too.
Well, this week, we´re eating dinner and Joana is looking at the rings on my
fingers, and she looks at one, and then looks at me, and says, `This one is
from who?` And Nelma was talking to me, so I didn´t respond, and then I looked
at her and she looks across the table at the Elders, and then turns to me and
smiles with this little smirk and says, `It´s from Elder Wilson, isn´t it?`
Hahahahha oh funnier things do not happen. Actually they do, but everyone just
started dying laughing. She is the sweetest and I absolutely love her. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Miracle of the week: I didnt wear
that stupid purple jacket for the first time in over 6 months!!!! I have never
been happier!!! Lagos is my happy place. Dont worry, whenever we are walking on
the street, one side is always on the sun, and I will just cross the street to
walk in the sun and my comp looks at me and goes, `Why?` And then I just smile
and point to that blessed light in the sky that we call the sun and she starts
dying laughing. Oh, I was lacking vitamin D in my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, there was this time we had to
wait outside for an investigator to get home, and we just stood in the sun
for.....some time, and i was so so so grateful. AND it was even more of a
miracle, because we were waiting and waiting and then we decided that it was
finally time to go back, and WE FOUND PRINCE!!! Yeah...I know. You didn´t know
we had lost him, but we had, because everyone changes their phone slash phone
number every other day in this country, but we had prayed specifically that the
Lord would let us cross paths with him, so that we could find him again, and we
did!!! So really, it was inspired that we needed to stand in the sun so that we
could find Prince. AH. God is so good. Super bonzinho. Literally, I don´t even
understand why He loves me so much. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking of, lately I have just been
thinking about how I am just so imperfect. Not in the like ugh, stupid girl
stuff imperfect, but in the like---why am I such a pecador? Ya know? Like why
can´t I just have my thoughts and will perfectly aligned with God´s will and
His thoughts and desires? And why can´t I just do everything that I know that I
should do /need to do? And why can´t I just never get distracted? Or why can´t
I just be who God wants me to be and have the faith sufficient to move
mountains and just...ya know? Maybe it doesn´t make any sense. Maybe it sounds
ridiculous, but it´s like---there are so many things that we HAVE to do here on
this earth, but at the same time, the ONLY purpose we have here is to prepare
to meet God. And to help to bring to pass immortality and eternal life for all
of God´s children. So, why do I get so distracted by other things? Why do we
care so much about other things? Why can´t I just consecrate every thought and
action and drop of energy to the Lord and His work? It´s frustrating being
imperfect, but it´s kind of fun too, because it always gives us something to
work toward. We can always be working and striving to be better and to work
harder and to be more in tune with the Spirit and to do the will of the Father
even when it is hard, or even when we think of other things, or when we are
dying from exhaustion because naps don´t exist and ohh how i miss them--but
like that! why do I even want to take a nap? Whatever, Heavenly Father is
perfect. His plan for us is perfect. His love for us is perfect. I have no idea
how I even come close to deserving His love, but I am so grateful He loves me
and is aware of me, and I am SO grateful that He loves YOU and is aware of you
and that He answers my prayers and relays my messages that I send out to the
universe :) Super bonzinho that Pai Celesital of ours.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AND. I read a talk from General
Conference this week (actually, I think I´m viciada. I wake up and I read
Conference talks, I get in bed at night and I read the Liahona until I fall
asleep...ayi yi yi WHO AM I? haha its not nearly as fun though when Im not texting
them back and forth with Erin. And maybe I am counting down the weeks til next
General Conference...). Anways, it talked about how we have all these trials
that we go through so that we can grow and learn, but then, he said something
so profound that struck me so deeply. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said, `I have learned that the
bitter, almost unbearable pain can become sweet as you turn to your Father in
Heaven and plead for His comfort that comes through His plan; His Son, Jesus
Christ; and His Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost. What a glorious blessing this
is in our lives. Wouldn’t it be tragic if we didn’t feel great sorrow when we
lose a child? How grateful I am to my Father in Heaven that He allows us to
love deeply and love eternally. How grateful I am for eternal families. How
grateful I am that He has revealed once again through His living prophets the
glorious plan of redemption.` TRUER WORDS NEVER SPOKEN. Seriously, how
INCREDIBLE it is that Heavenly Father gave us this potential to love so deeply.
That I love you all so much it hurts. That is hurts so badly when people ask me
if I have saudades, because ohh how I can´t even begin to explain how I miss
you guys. How grateful I am that I have so many people that I love and miss so
much every single day. How incredible is it that God gave us this gift of
loving. Oh having such strong feelings for the people in our lives. Seriously,
I can´t explain it, but I was just so overwhelmed with gratitude for our
ability to be sad, but also for the happiness that is the love of God and
eternal families and the restored Gospel. SUPER bonzinho Heavenly Father. I
can´t.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something I think I am going to miss
most from the mission--sprinting home as fast as we can on that crazy slippery
cobblestone every night so that we get in house before 10. The best part of
Lagos is that there is this big church that rings a bell every hour, so...we
feel like Cinderella running home before the bell rings and we turn into
aboboras. I think I just think the visual image has to be the funniest thing
ever. These two foreigners in skirts sprinting and screaming at each other to
hurry up. Sometimes I just start running even when we have time, but just
because I think it is the funniest thing ever. Ah...I love my comp. She really
is the absolute best. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other than that, this week was spent
doing heart attacks on our ward members´ houses and having the most wonderful
carnival dance that actually everyone showed up to and it was a smashing
success. This place is full of little miracles every single day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. More than I love
VM, but owww it hurts so bad that you are all going to see it without me. I
will try not to cry and just be grateful that the mission blessings exist and
the movie was made.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ps. I found JRU videos on my camera
this morning. Ethan, Kyle, Irene, and SJ---I love you guys with all of my whole
heart. I found the vids from when we were on the way back from the Red Sea and
Kyle and E were trying to rap boyfriend. Ahh such happiness. ERIN I MISS YOUR
LAUGH. Actually, JRU crew, I love you with all of my whole heart. Oh, happy
happy days. Such happy days.</span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-86333902923537392312014-03-03T05:45:00.000-08:002014-03-12T05:48:46.367-07:00Vaca vaca ehhh eyy...This one´s for africa.<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Miracles of the week.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. WE WATCHED LION KING!!! Yes, we
got permission from Sister Fluckiger to have a branch activity and watch O Rei
Leão and ohhh such happiness. Favorite parts--When Simba said, `Minha Nossa!`
and when the hienas said, `Ayyy gatinho gatinho gatinho!!` Hahah, maybe only
Eleanor will really appreciate that, but ohh it was sooo funny.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. We found an entire family! An
entire Capo Verdian family! A mom, dad, and four children! Oh, my heart.
Teaching them was like all my dreams coming true in one moment. There is really
nothing better than teaching families. And they are so elect. Like, we asked
what they thought happens when we dont have a prophet and the son answers,
`Well, I think a lot of people would be really lost and not have the direction
they need to know what God wants them to do.` Oh, Sister Blanco and I just looked
at each other and smiled the biggest smiles, like...YEAH. Ah, they are so
incredible and so sweet and just I feel SO blessed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. So, one of the liders here in the
Algarve, President Melo, has asked us to knock doors in this one area of Lagos,
because well...it is a much nicer area of town, and we need to find the leaders
of the church here. Well, I don´t know if you guys know this or not, but
knocking doors is like my personal nightmare. But, Sister Blanco and I decided
that we are going to humble ourselves and space out a couple of hours each week
just to do procura in this area, because he has the right to receive revelation
to this area, which means that there are elects there waiting for us. Well,
last night was one of those nights that we had decided to work there, and we
were both a little...scared. I know there is no reason to be scared and we have
nothing to lose and the whole world needs to hear the message of the gospel,
but there is just something about those little intercoms outside of people´s
houses/buildings that just scare me like no other. But anyways, we have been
studying a lot about how we need to just have confidence in the Lord´s promise
that He will put the words that we need in our mouths in the moment that we
need them and to just be bold and confident in sharing the message of the
restauration and just being normal and friendly and yada yada yada. Well,
before we started knocking doors last night, we said a little prayer in the
street asking for extra faith and courage and to actually have fun in the
process, and I wish I could explain to you how absolutely amazing it was! We
met the most amazing people. People that didn´t really want anything to do with
us, but at least didn´t slam the door is our face or yell, ´Sai daqui!´ And I
know that might not sound like anything, but it really was so amazing. And
then, we found another family that invited us to come back next week, and this
lady who was actually so amazing. She was so cold at first, but then we ended
up talking to her for quite a bit and she told us how she has problems with
anxiety and insomnia and we ended up leaving her with a Book of Mormon and
promising her that if she read it when she was feeling anxious that it would
calm her soul and help her feel the love God has for her. Oh, she was so
amazing. She doesn´t want us to come back, but we said a prayer for her
afterward, and I just felt so overwhelmed by the love God has for her and how
aware he is of her, and I know that she will accept the gospel one day. But, we
both just left and literally just screamed and jumped up and down of happiness
and hugged each other and said another prayer of gratidão, because Heavenly
Father really did just answer our prayer so perfectly. So...here´s to knocking
more doors and having more amazing experiences and God continuing to fulfill
his promises.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. We had 41 people in church
yesterday!!! Last week it was 31!! Ah! God is SO good! And it was actually the
most powerful testimony meeting I have ever been a part of. The whole primary
bore their testimony and I just died over how pure and honest their testimonies
are. Also, side note--we work in Primary and it is like the happiest thing
ever. Well, because my comp teaches and is an angel with children. And...snack
time :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Actually, there are so many I can´t
even count. Sister Blanco just like invites miracles to happen. I literally
feel like we are walking on clouds slash being lifted up by angels when I am
walking by her side. Ps. She is crying watching mormon messages. Hahaha, oh how
I love her. Shes so fofinha. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week, my mind was blown with so
much new gospel knowledge. Out of everything that I learned though, I think the
most important part is obedience. Everything is based upon the law that is
established in heaven since before the beginning of time. That law in heaven is
obedience. Every blessing that we receive is based on our obedience. We receive
our calling and election based on our obedience. The Plan of Salvation is about
obedience. The Atonement is about obedience. EVERYTHING is about obedience. And
the more obedient we are the more our will is aligned with the will of God
which means the more perfected we become and the more we understand our
Heavenly Father´s plan for us. We have been working hard to be more and more
obedient every day so that we can be even better instruments in the Lord´s
hands and fulfill his purposes for us even better here in Lagos. Oh, I love
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so much. I can´t even express the love I have
for them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Big news for this week:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carnival--aka Halloween in March.
People are already walking around with masks on and creepy costumes. Im kind of
terrified, but also find it hilarious. This crazy creepy little lady already
touched Sister Blanco and I screamed. It´s like we´re living in a Haunted
House. Oh, I can´t even imagine what Brazil must be like. But we´re having a
branch dance. Every one is coming dressed up. And Sister Jackson taught the
branch members how to dougie during the Halloween dance, so I´m stoked. Hahah</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dia da Mulher--Yes, it is a country
wide holiday to celebrate being a woman. Apparently it´s a disgrace or
whatever, but we´re gonna make the most of it and make the women in Lagos feel
loved. The love of Christ that is :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, our mission is doing March
Madness with references and zones. Whichever zone gets the most references
advances to the next bracket. Yes to the mission. Just yes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I hope you
have a fabulous week and know how much I love you and how much God loves you
and I hope you all feel His love and His hand in your lives every day. I miss
you so.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W-KU1yjk4U4sZuviXXVFPmmJkW8E6KZKm_rhPXGZRBePXmlrVlRvrgk3Lf7Yv6DSkSiQ-ZWH4kygNU5uszXMsZtXYuQVoPvZGttjCrz49plGbJrhgsexBsGFBKwWcOhnCqri2WmbgeM/s1600/SAM_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W-KU1yjk4U4sZuviXXVFPmmJkW8E6KZKm_rhPXGZRBePXmlrVlRvrgk3Lf7Yv6DSkSiQ-ZWH4kygNU5uszXMsZtXYuQVoPvZGttjCrz49plGbJrhgsexBsGFBKwWcOhnCqri2WmbgeM/s1600/SAM_1295.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">zone
conferenceeee.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQa3lW8ZFYkOJ9CbEc6npYnlV9IVpWXBJBGLIL7XXp4Gz3F3iqTrGrdHnJu1i1wcst0bhaqRixaT3AfhfkS7Q0bxLCIhyphenhyphen29y_BB4gYUpGqrgAFFbkk3a08_sn33Biv722ZpsUL3_DGPs/s1600/SAM_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQa3lW8ZFYkOJ9CbEc6npYnlV9IVpWXBJBGLIL7XXp4Gz3F3iqTrGrdHnJu1i1wcst0bhaqRixaT3AfhfkS7Q0bxLCIhyphenhyphen29y_BB4gYUpGqrgAFFbkk3a08_sn33Biv722ZpsUL3_DGPs/s1600/SAM_1293.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eAM1pTyaAaUch-Nv8I8IyCmR-7w0XrkIhyrwhXntfEO5sIk1jjeH4TxowagO9N03hyphenhyphenn4BH5QbN-2McRcJrwvm0YSGSKNXxIVSgM5NPc0p4qzo088FBdWqjWjLmyJ6APoSL6RHy7Z9sg/s1600/SAM_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eAM1pTyaAaUch-Nv8I8IyCmR-7w0XrkIhyrwhXntfEO5sIk1jjeH4TxowagO9N03hyphenhyphenn4BH5QbN-2McRcJrwvm0YSGSKNXxIVSgM5NPc0p4qzo088FBdWqjWjLmyJ6APoSL6RHy7Z9sg/s1600/SAM_1298.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ8QCFbsrWu6inthdG3IFnCeCdvPCbRfQljtMnBNSnUNkI257RidFpczbgAMTiyfzuJfwnyDRY8YR6_5wwDF-6LSWgGrREG0EW3YQMInXFQyyqLE5ohwXkfJwf99jyec4aN-IPesRL7k/s1600/SAM_1361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ8QCFbsrWu6inthdG3IFnCeCdvPCbRfQljtMnBNSnUNkI257RidFpczbgAMTiyfzuJfwnyDRY8YR6_5wwDF-6LSWgGrREG0EW3YQMInXFQyyqLE5ohwXkfJwf99jyec4aN-IPesRL7k/s1600/SAM_1361.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is Letícia. She is obsessed with Justin Bieber and I am obsessed with her. I already asked her mom if I could bring her back with me. Oh, she is so perfect. She told me she is going to be the flower girl at my wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWETqD1X4CUvtfZf7MqAJhUTI8r4hIIs8ugIWq2p-R5JpTaWbzOOkfPFPK5CBjHMwTZ2qQYniJVg3_lv0OSPA-_knoQkTRCNePoSDUbjH2xa6Mwhy3ndKpYa1zv77c2ZrHViJW1tVg1Q/s1600/SAM_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWETqD1X4CUvtfZf7MqAJhUTI8r4hIIs8ugIWq2p-R5JpTaWbzOOkfPFPK5CBjHMwTZ2qQYniJVg3_lv0OSPA-_knoQkTRCNePoSDUbjH2xa6Mwhy3ndKpYa1zv77c2ZrHViJW1tVg1Q/s1600/SAM_1367.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQFoJOT5ut2G8NnQddgqbqbcOZhTxIor-oHQD0BLMR8Tfr2PidSzYMoJpQmgj4tLdA-li_qlfItwAT0K83lnLEAFBc-T5eAmQk2_lYeoPEq4IqeBRIjqBMxR18Et804r8N9biDM4AMMQ/s1600/SAM_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQFoJOT5ut2G8NnQddgqbqbcOZhTxIor-oHQD0BLMR8Tfr2PidSzYMoJpQmgj4tLdA-li_qlfItwAT0K83lnLEAFBc-T5eAmQk2_lYeoPEq4IqeBRIjqBMxR18Et804r8N9biDM4AMMQ/s1600/SAM_1303.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I FOUND FALAFEL AND HUMMUS. too bad it is in faró but still soooo good.<o:p></o:p></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-33541786106879147922014-02-24T05:37:00.000-08:002014-03-12T05:46:56.629-07:00`Já viste Americanos dançar? São fubecas.´ -Nelma<div class="hP" tabindex="-1">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh my HAPPINESS. I must have said 3
million times this week how grateful I am to Sister Blanco. This place is
perfect. She is perfect. We work perfectly together. We are both just on cloud
9. We are a little scared, because it seems too good to be true ya know? Almost
too comfortable, but I like to think the Lord is giving us both a little
reward. I wish I could put into words how happy I feel, but there just aren´t
words to describe it. It´s like an answer from the Holy Ghost, hahah. But
literally, I had been praying to have a companion that we could be really good
friends and work really hard together at the same time, and she is the answer
to my prayers. She is so incredible, and I love the way we teach together. And
I feel like I can be bold by her side and I know she knows what she is doing,
and we just never have to worry about one another, and we can just rely on the
spirit and teach by the spirit, and it is the most incredible feeling. Ohhhh,
being a missionary is sooo good. I am so happy. God is so good. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week, we woke up every morning,
ran to the beach in time to climb up on this rock and watch the sun rise over
the water, run back home, and then start our day. Oh, my heart can´t even
explain the happiness I feel. Just writing it makes me excited for 7 oclock
tomorrow morning. I am living the dream. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I literally love this place so much.
I was thinking this week, I can´t believe I have only been here for a week.
Normally, when I get to an area, it takes me a while to love the area and the
people and to figure it all out, but this area is just...SO easy to love. I
love the people. I love the branch. I love our investigators. I love the area.
I just...Iove it all so much. I don´t know how, but I just feel like I am
supposed to be here. Like this is really what the Lord wants for me right now.
I feel like I am where I am supposed to be and that the people here are here to
help me and so I can help them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, the spirit in our house is
perfect. It´s just us two, which I havent lived in a house like that since
Sister Barlow, and it is just so incredible. The spirit is so strong, and I
just feel so safe and so much love and we just talk about all the really
spiritual profound things during our companionship studies and I am learning
sooo much from her, and it makes me so excited to create a home one day where
the Spirit can dwell like it does here. I also think it helps that its this
cute little beach apartment, buttt...thats besides the point. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are teaching this man named
Prince who we found like the first day I got here, and he is so amazing. He is
from India, but he works here and we are teaching him in English, which is soo
difficult for me, because I havent done that since Diogo. But it is a good
challenge, and I love listening to Sister Blanco speak in English. Also, he is
Hindu so teaching him is like teaching from nothing. I have never had to teach
someone who doesnt know what a prophet is or why Jesus was killed or what the
ressurection is. Literally, it is so mind opening and exciting, because it
gives me so much to study and it helps me learn even more. But, at the end of
our lesson this week, he repeated the prayer and then looked up and said, ´I
think this is good. ...I think this is going to be good for my life.` And I
just got so excited and I was like YEAH it is! It´s the BEST thing for your
life! And then I just started going off about how good it is and I was just so
excited, and I thought....hahaha if I was always teaching in English, people
would think I am insaneee.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week, I have been studying a
lot about invites and promised blessings. Literally, everything starts with the
invite. You invite someone to do something that helps them make their life more
in tune with Heavenly Father´s teachings, which brings them to repentance, which
makes them ready to continue to change and desire a remission of their sins,
which prepares them for baptism, which opens up the door to the kingdom of God
and eternal life. So, basically invites=eternal life. And then, I have been
studying each of the commandments/anything that the Lord has asked us to do,
and then the promised blessings that go along with it, and literally anything
that anyone could ever want---peace, love, happiness in the family, spiritual
and material blessings, power and authority, the companionship of the holy
ghost, eternal life---every blessing that we receive is a direct reflection of
our obedience to those commandments. And oh my goodness, prayer is like the
most amazing commandment, with soo many blessings. Also, it is so powerful to
promise specific blessings to these people that the Lord has promised us in the
scriptures. Oh, it just makes me so much more excited to live the gospel.
Because it really is so good and so perfect. And it really does bring the
greatest happiness in this life and the life to come. I know it. I know it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I LOVE YOU ALL SOO MUCH!!! I know
Heavenly Father is watching over and protecting you all, because I feel it each
time I pray for you and it just makes me the happiest. I am SOOO happy to be
here and I am so happy to be a missionary and to share the good news of the
gospel all day long and help bring others unto Christ. But I am also so happy
knowing how blessed I am back home too and that you all get to share in my
blessings. You are all incredible and my inspiration. I love you I love you I
love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="hP" tabindex="-1">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Brooks</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DADDY!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope it
is the greatest day filled with lots of sunshine and golfing and mom tending to
your every need :) I love you so much and I could not be more grateful that you
are my dad. Thank you for being my perfect example. I lovee you!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="hP" tabindex="-1">
</div>
<div class="hP" tabindex="-1">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">SHANNAYNAY!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love you so
much sister, and I hope your day is so special and filled with lots of love in
the form of cookies and diet coke and pool time. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLt4e6Jp9pkYp-zzxHjvhpr45ps4YxbXc1U955oqxh2eTGt2YEW4PkdzquihM-yIlSYNKfAGQ98LGO81YrneopvUaISPmHCPYKUkfIwgu618KgxiqZV-OIpmINqRiU8e1kzf0o1YPceA/s1600/SAM_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLt4e6Jp9pkYp-zzxHjvhpr45ps4YxbXc1U955oqxh2eTGt2YEW4PkdzquihM-yIlSYNKfAGQ98LGO81YrneopvUaISPmHCPYKUkfIwgu618KgxiqZV-OIpmINqRiU8e1kzf0o1YPceA/s1600/SAM_1287.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgRBmZli2me_jdvMkCeQvLUj_ctVUcqnGrGgCF-fVlkBNyvYph_2n1QQrksBAh3xnSCXFGLkKBm13flCp0uH8FGruwgYq99nVyBS_sMrlZ11ymHxFYvO7W9Pao2VCVsUQ38DMOj9IJsI/s1600/SAM_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgRBmZli2me_jdvMkCeQvLUj_ctVUcqnGrGgCF-fVlkBNyvYph_2n1QQrksBAh3xnSCXFGLkKBm13flCp0uH8FGruwgYq99nVyBS_sMrlZ11ymHxFYvO7W9Pao2VCVsUQ38DMOj9IJsI/s1600/SAM_1276.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmKVlesTaH1vmXb1H-W19OY6yNmSgBRCUuI92sROowwc2yUqwm1Egd2KYB5NpeW_f3cdCQu3B1egxIqKmw7xiT4vE8FR5FoUmsX47rDcYQwI0SJeXjNX8tx-XvEDOII6dLIT6b5KOrqg/s1600/SAM_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmKVlesTaH1vmXb1H-W19OY6yNmSgBRCUuI92sROowwc2yUqwm1Egd2KYB5NpeW_f3cdCQu3B1egxIqKmw7xiT4vE8FR5FoUmsX47rDcYQwI0SJeXjNX8tx-XvEDOII6dLIT6b5KOrqg/s1600/SAM_1237.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="J-J5-Ji" id=":21d"></span> </div>
<div aria-label="Important mainly because of the words in the message." class="pH" data-tooltip-align="b,l" data-tooltip-delay="1500" data-tooltip-html="Important mainly because of the words in the message.<br><span class="aol">Click to teach Gmail this conversation is not important.</span>" role="img">
</div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-24825390472336286652014-02-18T12:53:00.000-08:002014-02-18T12:53:01.614-08:00Pai Celestial loves me.<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Porque.....I spent Valentine´s Day
traveling 8 hours from Porto to Lagos. Yup. God is sooooo good.
And He really does answer prayers!! Im in the Algarve. Im in the
lowest part in Portugal. The sun is shining. The beach is beautiful. I'm not
wearing a jacket. I literally feel like I am in paradise. I have never been
happier. I actually can't stop saying that. When we were walking around on the
beach today, I kept putting my hand over my heart, because I just felt like it
was going to explode with so much happiness. The beach really is my home. Oh, I
am sooo happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">So...Thursday night, President called me
and said he was moving my transfer up two weeks and that I would be leaving the
next morning to go to the Algarve and serve with Sister Blanco. You guys dont
know this, but this is actually my dream come true. Sister Blanco is Brazilian
and the most loving, sweet, incredible missionary I have ever met. She is
literally the absolute sweetest and most patient and funny and spiritual and
normal and just everything I could ever want to be. We've talked a lot
about how missionary work is really just about loving everyone as Jesus
would, and ohhh my, does she have a heart full of love. I am sooo excited to be
here and to work with her and to just thrive. Also, I don't even have to explain
why Lagos is my dream come true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Lagos is a ramo...branch, and I have
never had the opportunity to work in a branch in my mission, so I am soo
excited to be here. Oh the members here are incredible. They do soo much. They
are so strong. It really is so amazing to me. There is this lady, Nelma, that
makes us lunch and dinner every day. Considering I have never really taken
dinner in my mission, its a bit different, but Im happy about it. She is
incredble. She is actually a little crazy, but she is hilarious and she makes
me happy and makes me feel loved and we all know how much I need that. Also, we
have a missionary couple that is serving here as branch president, so that will
really make a big difference and be a huge help too. Oh, I am just so excited
to feel good again and be working in the beautiful area with these beautiful
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Also, our ward mission leader is this
absolutely adorable girl that is the Portuguese version of Sarah Darby and I am
obsessed with her. Slash sooo excited to have a lider de obra missionaria
again. So sooo happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">The work here is actually incredible.
Maybe it is just because my comp is so incredible. But we are working with so
many people and so many families. And Sister Blanco is reallyyy amazing with
seeing people as how they can become. Literally, she is so inspirational to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Also, the funniest thing happened in
Porto this week. We were teaching this lady and she calls us ´Elderzinhas.´
Ohhh I die. Little Elder girls. Maybe it isnt as funny to you, but I was
dying laughing. She goes on and on and on about how we are all little
photocopies of one another and all the Elders are ´giro´ and I am just dyinggg
laughing. Thennn she told us how she watched a documentary and totally believes
in meremaids, but not Adam and Eve. So...ahahah. She is incredible though and I
just know her and her family will accept the gospel and be so blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">It was so hard for me to leave Porto and
all the people I had grown to love there over the last 6 months, but I am
sooooo happy to be here in Lagos. I am so happy to be able to wake up every day
and run on the beach and just to walk around in the sunshine all day. Also,
there is soo much work to be done here and so much culture and life and I
just...I feel rejuvinated and so happy and sooo ready to work. This gospel is
so good. And maybe I do like it even better when I get to tell people about it
and see the ocean in the background. God really is so good. And I know He
blesses us de acordo com nosso necessidades. He knows up better than we know
ourselves and He really does give us mountains to climb, but He also wants us
to enjoy the view. Oh, I am sooo Miley Cyrus right now. But that was what our
sacrament meeting was all about yesterday, and also, Im kinda obsessed with
that Efy song now (because I'm a missionary... I knowww), and it just really is
true. The Lord needs us to grow and become better and stronger and become who
He has prepared us to be. Oh, I am so grateful for the mountains He gives us,
but I am also so grateful He gives us rest spots along the way, and mine just
happens to be here in Lagos :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I love you all soooooo much. You have my
whole heart. I hope you are all as happy as I am, because the whole world
deserves to be this happy. I love you I love you I love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">KC--- HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HAPPY BAPTISM!!!! I AM
SOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! This is the very best decision you could make and I
hope it is just the absolute happiest day. I wish I could be there soo badly,
but know that I am there in spirit and that it´s really just about you and
Heavenly Father anyways. I love you my beautiful little princess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UfNsX1NSyWLrGMO_hquKVXDTRJE8qByv7qK_6Xu5Q7sGHu_YN87gCKDJsmUbda-pY9ACuen742Yeo6VurzBp9J1reQ2oPl326Opy1T38DYiSdtIPAeh41n1EJVjj5o2w6dXNiKVFgaw/s1600/Algarve+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UfNsX1NSyWLrGMO_hquKVXDTRJE8qByv7qK_6Xu5Q7sGHu_YN87gCKDJsmUbda-pY9ACuen742Yeo6VurzBp9J1reQ2oPl326Opy1T38DYiSdtIPAeh41n1EJVjj5o2w6dXNiKVFgaw/s1600/Algarve+fountain.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCCKOJn_1Y25h3DX-cdbYsHDmjdX6bRqmRLhnOhKhgPcoB0r3-WevXIXCtIgy2jZQvA0cAbB1ULEF9RndXtmSz7aPTxz5t4S46EPCJ5hnAMI1MTf30oDqEf7odgsH03KmfzyEmmf2APg/s1600/Algarve+arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCCKOJn_1Y25h3DX-cdbYsHDmjdX6bRqmRLhnOhKhgPcoB0r3-WevXIXCtIgy2jZQvA0cAbB1ULEF9RndXtmSz7aPTxz5t4S46EPCJ5hnAMI1MTf30oDqEf7odgsH03KmfzyEmmf2APg/s1600/Algarve+arch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUxn0t0zPPLyDm7Pvv_H_AMSnAa7s7lbdGYu6JbHAAiH11Go-HKM7nQoU2TJvEt7Io9OKmlERKMWApTeVi6Q83Lj-tWL-X37hitNXHXvmhgpoUwMb8oCLSFH1axTY7ZXczmaekfjxl-4/s1600/Algarve+harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUxn0t0zPPLyDm7Pvv_H_AMSnAa7s7lbdGYu6JbHAAiH11Go-HKM7nQoU2TJvEt7Io9OKmlERKMWApTeVi6Q83Lj-tWL-X37hitNXHXvmhgpoUwMb8oCLSFH1axTY7ZXczmaekfjxl-4/s1600/Algarve+harbor.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSONr9wo5Q-t2fTvFKngi5L4jj1HWBn8R_kVni5pCWRpGSNFJuoZsVD4rGI4mRQr_JnLqJ3kCZnVJ1DjBqNYirfy2pk1KrrY9ZI4DWL6A6kAmSLYCcU6Ln7sz6pt1JAlL4Ebq4a1PzPyg/s1600/Algarve+Lagos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSONr9wo5Q-t2fTvFKngi5L4jj1HWBn8R_kVni5pCWRpGSNFJuoZsVD4rGI4mRQr_JnLqJ3kCZnVJ1DjBqNYirfy2pk1KrrY9ZI4DWL6A6kAmSLYCcU6Ln7sz6pt1JAlL4Ebq4a1PzPyg/s1600/Algarve+Lagos.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFSod1cSV0rYVqwE47pxMKCnO2H07iFRUz3BU7hu6WQjhUQT2wOvffHfcw68ABapP_UHHTyyf0nWeE-IwSWmnYC5Xlgxlwm-jpA82jjJqOFAMy7XZWLE2LnruP3rAXOiw8l_j1vhDjJc/s1600/Algarve+shadow+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFSod1cSV0rYVqwE47pxMKCnO2H07iFRUz3BU7hu6WQjhUQT2wOvffHfcw68ABapP_UHHTyyf0nWeE-IwSWmnYC5Xlgxlwm-jpA82jjJqOFAMy7XZWLE2LnruP3rAXOiw8l_j1vhDjJc/s1600/Algarve+shadow+photo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IhkMaP3oum8XLaXck9JsXOSCFTiUhPXmZvGnxrMS34pV5F55aL0D6t13HcNYXUIDZyWLwl7NsDblRk42Zm7kb1U_U90NvMwAMr0BWjIH_f6r8rp0PBZzuA6oTsbURkmTt8hGbJfIAbw/s1600/Algarve+Sister+Blanco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IhkMaP3oum8XLaXck9JsXOSCFTiUhPXmZvGnxrMS34pV5F55aL0D6t13HcNYXUIDZyWLwl7NsDblRk42Zm7kb1U_U90NvMwAMr0BWjIH_f6r8rp0PBZzuA6oTsbURkmTt8hGbJfIAbw/s1600/Algarve+Sister+Blanco.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVHrEpZXmxCfKT8Ve464FwCbdq_CS6JFJzDhXUkZw25LiIx5wGK0cJzmpcfgLXNgxDkZHGf4xJsBRqFm8iTw18zt9B86Hn9gtoX65g61SqWTwtNcuDMHE0uTb-to09-Anxvh29A3qOF4/s1600/Algarve+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVHrEpZXmxCfKT8Ve464FwCbdq_CS6JFJzDhXUkZw25LiIx5wGK0cJzmpcfgLXNgxDkZHGf4xJsBRqFm8iTw18zt9B86Hn9gtoX65g61SqWTwtNcuDMHE0uTb-to09-Anxvh29A3qOF4/s1600/Algarve+view.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56m9qxUb4Utdux_wismcV7nrIuA73VTkfKq3zaGm9SayNdvyJgGcEsBrsqWVa0qfQFO8SsYtFNlS2tj-LqyV8RaI7kFHzQMde72CWugASvfhdK_36U_CsNFMK1Tew_Ct8zEIFDkF7hu0/s1600/Algarve+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56m9qxUb4Utdux_wismcV7nrIuA73VTkfKq3zaGm9SayNdvyJgGcEsBrsqWVa0qfQFO8SsYtFNlS2tj-LqyV8RaI7kFHzQMde72CWugASvfhdK_36U_CsNFMK1Tew_Ct8zEIFDkF7hu0/s1600/Algarve+water.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCll1eSljthaFE4CEGl5_dXS_ivCVCqltPPttD35zJcyVPtVJ7MSlfFktTj0VYp8OTldhD-EZUgAwFptZvcfEFUwlgyRmL8CRXX0iDB883dsyG1XeysVhVqqMj-R0Grx4CpzjPNO12cLE/s1600/Algarve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCll1eSljthaFE4CEGl5_dXS_ivCVCqltPPttD35zJcyVPtVJ7MSlfFktTj0VYp8OTldhD-EZUgAwFptZvcfEFUwlgyRmL8CRXX0iDB883dsyG1XeysVhVqqMj-R0Grx4CpzjPNO12cLE/s1600/Algarve.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-90372853507935748992014-02-10T18:22:00.000-08:002014-02-10T18:22:43.633-08:00I'm never going to be warm again.
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Literally. I think I say it every
winter, but I really do feel it right now. Are you guys sick of hearing me
complain about the cold yet? #sorrynotsorry Yesterday, we were standing at the
bus stop waiting to go to church, and I thought to myself, ´Ya know, the church
must be true, because i have been standing outside in the rain and the cold
EVERY DAY for the last 5 months and just....I just...thats reason enough.´ But
literally, I dont even know how I do it. It´s true. It´s gotta be true. Also,
it has been hailing like crazy here, so that makes it kinda funny and kind of
awful at the same time. Mostly I just laugh, and then Im like ´How is this real
life?´ And then we get home at night and it starts hailing in the middle of the
night and wakes us all up and then we all just go, ´Well...at least we´re
inside.´ But, raining ice is better than raining water in my opinion--1.
because we all know i really like ice. and 2. because i dont get as wet, even
if the ground does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Speaking of iceeeee. Sister Prieto loves
ice and buys these little formas de gelo all the time so we are always eating
ice together. WELL, the other day she has the most brilliant idea to put diet
coke in the little formas instead of water. and ohhh myyy, diet coke ice is
actually the best thing ever, because it loses the gas and then the ice becomes
all soft and hollow and literally SO good. yes im losing my mind. i know. BUT
go buy yourselfs a little ice cube tray and fill it will diet coke just to see
how good it is. And then.. just go get a DC from sonic, because its way easier.
(And then I spent a whole paragraph writing about Diet Coke ice---yeah......its
the little things here in Porto.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Also, I think I was really missing you
this week Dad, because I spent all week changing the words to hymns. Including
my personal favorite, Joseph Smith´s First Prayer `Oh what marvilous miracle it
was... when I found more Diet Coke...` Actually, I did it in Portuguese, so it
worked better, but hahahh. Anyways, Dad---your talent is not lost on me. And
Kristan--just giggle away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Manuel walked in the rain and hail for
an hour yesterday to get to church!! Ahh!! He is literally the most positive
and elect Portuguese person I have ever met. We were teaching him this week and
we were talking about the word of wisdom, and he was like, ´Yeah, I tried
coffee once back in the day, but then I felt the effect it was having on my
body, and I decided I would never drink it again.´ Oh...I love that homenzinho.
And he said he thinks he´ll be ready to be baptized here in a week or two, so
fingers crossed and lots of prayers and i know he will be ready. I know it, I
know it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Feliz dia dos nomorados!!! ou seja, day
of the boyfriends. orrrr valentines day!! Yeah, they took that translation and
made it into exactly what is is. ohh soo funny. I hope you all spend it happy
with the one you love ;) Ill be walking alongside my comp so....yes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Ahh, I love you all soo so so much. God
is SO good. And He loves us so much. Even if he did literally trap me in Porto
for all of winter. He is still aware of every one of us and every thing each
and every one of us is going through. I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants
19:16-19, and even Jesus Christ didnt reallyy want to make the sacrifice that
He knew He had too, but He drank the bitter cup anyways, because He knew it was
the will of the Father. Sometimes, even when things are reallyyy hard, and we
reallyyy dont want to do it, we just gotta put a smile on and do it, because we
know it is what God needs us to do and it will benefit the lives of so many
others. Thank you for being my perfect examples and apoio and comfort and
happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH. be my valentines?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">KATE HANSEN YOU ARE IN THE FREAKING
OLYMPICS!!! probably racing as I am typing this. Remember when i said 4 years
ago that I would go to russia if you made the olympics? Well....sorry for that
change in game plan, but I am there in my heart and I am praying for you.
Literally NOT. REAL. LIFE. Butttt, You are so incredible and I am soooo proud
of you!! Kill it. Sochi´s got nothing on you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNALISE!!!!
ahhh I miss you so and I love you oh so so very much and I hope it is the best
birthday and that you are so very happy!! I love you my beautiful best friend!!</span><!--EndFragment--> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroDdyVt7KTtTnUC2r4yszIFuPjOKgRk2C7ZGAVyXxxcXxcDrpE_LGjCY_VyikXKfquRpAqxRydRFV782muv10jPfuNLf1HhO7YBcGw8-zQQCiP47bQ3TUIUZ7eJzLvhB1rm6MSYcrrbI/s1600/DSC09150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroDdyVt7KTtTnUC2r4yszIFuPjOKgRk2C7ZGAVyXxxcXxcDrpE_LGjCY_VyikXKfquRpAqxRydRFV782muv10jPfuNLf1HhO7YBcGw8-zQQCiP47bQ3TUIUZ7eJzLvhB1rm6MSYcrrbI/s1600/DSC09150.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">yes....it rained ice cubes. or balls actually.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFc4PPdgXSrfshgV7yutq1LzpkPHQnza-KgWacY9aWL3FPISWp7kwiroAYcdl39HtJu5GKFxf0LRYoi2iG8W5mjZDv6e1jsFlBz1rC7kx20oAaM49UHgj_ix1DZvD7juQQ7vbqI8ORW4/s1600/DSC09152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFc4PPdgXSrfshgV7yutq1LzpkPHQnza-KgWacY9aWL3FPISWp7kwiroAYcdl39HtJu5GKFxf0LRYoi2iG8W5mjZDv6e1jsFlBz1rC7kx20oAaM49UHgj_ix1DZvD7juQQ7vbqI8ORW4/s1600/DSC09152.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-1469647797506650582014-02-03T18:30:00.000-08:002014-02-10T18:34:04.587-08:00Groundhog's Day<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Okay, first and foremost. I hope everyone had a wonderful Groundhog´s day and that you all got to celebrate my favorite holiday with sunshine and the little groundhog saying spring was coming six weeks early. I tried to explan to Sister Prieto what is groundhog´s day, but she didnt really get it, and it ended with me basically saying, ´It´s basically this big rat that lives in the ground and comes out and if it has a shadow....or doesnt...im not really sure which, it means spring is coming! long pause.....I just really like the sun okay?`</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I mean, I could totally do without the CONSTANT rain and freezing weather and lack of sunshine, but I really love Porto, this ward and our members. Our area presidency talked at stake conference this week and so did M. Russell Ballard, and I got SO excited for General Conference. Also, he talked about the basic things that we need to do everyday so that we can just keep going and learning and receiving revelation and being worthy of the Spirit. Oh, they really are so basic, but sooo important. And when you stop doing one, you stop doing the next and then before you know it, you stop doing everything all together, so I hope you are all doing your family home evening and reading your scriptures and saying your prayers. Also, go to the temple for me.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DEARLY!!!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
xoxox,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Sister Brooks</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAISA AND DAPHNE!! I HOPE YOU HAVE THE HAPPIEST OF DAYS!!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxiBQ-fbcXFsF94gGfskEkoAlxaasqNRvfoboffMOeFLgZOXJiyX6nzr2mJOHlijoUXUXHnHrpvZLQ6sflpvwQKPI4v8YagHqNExzDNijma7y0Be75m2gvxA5A8cKrLyrv2g1LtDXUg8/s1600/P1040222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxiBQ-fbcXFsF94gGfskEkoAlxaasqNRvfoboffMOeFLgZOXJiyX6nzr2mJOHlijoUXUXHnHrpvZLQ6sflpvwQKPI4v8YagHqNExzDNijma7y0Be75m2gvxA5A8cKrLyrv2g1LtDXUg8/s1600/P1040222.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">#backstreetboysPorto</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-53695418401704105712014-01-22T14:53:00.000-08:002014-01-22T14:53:38.801-08:00I don´t know about you, but I`m feeling 22.<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Yup. And so so so so old. Literally no.
But, whatever. I´m not thinking about it and all is well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">So, transfers happened and literally
nothing changed. I´m spending another transfer in Porto with Sister Briggs! I´m
super happy about it, because we get along really well, and I really like this
area and it means we get to keep working with our Brazilian family!!
Who...speaking of, get this. This week, we had divisions, and Sister Briggs and
Sister Silva passed by Adriana and Wellington in their fruit shop. Well, Sister
Silva asked Adriana what her name is and then she responded, `Adriana` and then
Wellington responded `Adriana....middle name...other middle name...other middle
name...last name....AND THEN HIS LAST NAME!` And then they just looked at each
other and giggled. OH MY GOSH I DIE. I LOVE LOVE. They`re totally getting
married!! AND we get to stay here and keep working with them!! AH I COULDNT BE
HAPPIER!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I´m going to pull a Sister Jackson and
tell you 22 things I´ve learned since being in the mission, but that seems like
a really long list. So, we´ll see if I make it there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">1. God loves ALL of His children. He
knows us individually and personally and He is involved in the details of our
lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">2. The church is true. Literally, it
couldn´t not be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">3. NOTHING happens for a reason. Every
single experience comes as a way to help us grow and learn and be better
prepared to meet our Heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">4. I have the best family and friends in
the whole world, and I would be lost without each and every one of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">5. I have an unhealthy love for mail.
And Im pretty sure the whole mission knows it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">6. I can survive almost a year without
real Diet Coke. (But not without Coke Light too.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">7. And television. Miracles people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">8. I think I love too much. But, there
is no such thing as too much love, so just keep on loving, because really, its
the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">9. The Book of Mormon really can help
you come closer to Christ than any other book on the face of the earth. Read
it. It´s the best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">10. This is the most important work on
earth. It is the Lord´s purpose and it should be our purpose too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">11. I shouldve paid more attention in
seminary--I sincerely apologize to all of you teachers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">12. God answers prayers. Every. Single.
One of them. In his own time and in his own way, but He answers our prayers.
Even when it is just that the bus is 10 minutes late and still hasnt come, and
you dont have an ounce of energy left in you to walk, so you say a little
prayer ´seja feita a tua vontade´ and you open your eyes and the bus is coming
around the corner. God is good always. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">13. Hotels on missions are real things.
Like Dad said, you never know unless you ask. Well, guess who asked, and guess
who has been living in a hotel for the last week? #highlife #notmad
#imgonnamisshavingmaidsnextweek #portugalmission<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">14. Revelation is real and the promises
in the Book of Mormon and from our Prophets are real. The Lord is bound when we
do what He says. Also, personal revelation is real and the coolest thing that
anyone can ever experience. And the Spirit is the greatest feeling in the whole
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">15. I will never adjust to Portuguese
food, and I think I could survive without ever eating rice again. Or lettuce
with <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">16. I think the Lord sent me to Portugal
so I would love Brazilians, because if I was in Brazil I wouldnt have
appreciated them enough. And oh they are truly such an elect people. I love
them I love them I love them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">17. The Lord is preparing His children
EVERYWHERE. Literally, everywhere. Keep sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">18. Memorizing scriptures is actually
really fun and really useful---except when you realize that you only know them
in Portuguese and you have no idea what is says in English and thats not going
to help you very much in a year from now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">19. I am so so so so SO blessed. I
cannot even begin to understand why the Lord has blessed me so much, but I
could not be more grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">20. Prayers of just gratitude are so
powerful and so important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">21. LIFE IS NOT THAT BAD. Seriously.
Life is actually SO good. We are so blessed. Every single person has blessings
in their life. When we focus on the good and keep a positive attitude, every
thing goes a million times better. Plus, we are here to be happy. Why not have
fun along this marvelous journey and just laugh when a bird poops on you twice
in on week? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">22. Forget yourself and go to work is
real, and so so so good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">23. I love this Gospel more than
anything. Following the Lord´s will is more important than anything else. He
wants to bless us. He is just waiting to give us his blessings. He knows what
is best for us, and if it is in his plan for us, it will happen. So, we have no
need to worry about ourselves, we just do the Lord´s work and focus on others,
and we will be blessed. The Lord knows the desires of our hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Yeah, okay, I made it to 23, and I could
probably keep going, but thats good for now. I love you all with all of my
whole heart. All of those Sam Week and DC pics brought so much joy to my soul.
You are the most perfect humans in all of the whole world and I love you more
than you know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">AND!!! WE´RE GETTING A NEW PUPPY!!! IVE
NEVER BEEN HAPPIER IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!! OH I CANT WAIT TO MEET LITTLE SPART
2.0!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I LOVE YOU!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s9c-KrQgquB-2qT9lj6yPOS0yGF9a7CFOAtypPRfA5dniO1beQCChgr5m6f4h1iOYkkg34akMSKCTBnJUkigFvtzqLxCh1lRPl04Xu_YRT-uQaLScE_9E7guIiiGbiaYo58EU1OcHbI/s1600/P1200227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s9c-KrQgquB-2qT9lj6yPOS0yGF9a7CFOAtypPRfA5dniO1beQCChgr5m6f4h1iOYkkg34akMSKCTBnJUkigFvtzqLxCh1lRPl04Xu_YRT-uQaLScE_9E7guIiiGbiaYo58EU1OcHbI/s1600/P1200227.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Porto 1 e 2. Goodbyes are so hard. Except....whatever
ahha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSUPwngiAUOJtNVsXlyn1eh5F3U1TqEXND9XHMHuVHalVpZRNsyXZmXMefrPFssu5qDnXNEidbaqBMEzzsroXfGEwqdZWZVqoxGEWZruka0B3jkcDeoQz60e4GVhSIAd6hQiawqiLYUE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSUPwngiAUOJtNVsXlyn1eh5F3U1TqEXND9XHMHuVHalVpZRNsyXZmXMefrPFssu5qDnXNEidbaqBMEzzsroXfGEwqdZWZVqoxGEWZruka0B3jkcDeoQz60e4GVhSIAd6hQiawqiLYUE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">birthday life. dc and hotel rooms.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-31437009705297375612014-01-14T09:01:00.002-08:002014-01-14T09:01:16.606-08:00`Fome de pão e agua sim, mas de Diet Coke....não.´ Sister Prieto<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">This week, we have crazy Ukranian men
coming into our house every morning at 8 o´clock, tearing it down, and then
fixing it again, so obviously you know we are trying to come up with any
possible way to get out of that place. Well, one of us (i dont know who) gave
the option of staying in a hotel, someone else got scared of going hungry
(apparently, like Amy, she doesnt understand that hotels have food), and then
our sweet little brazilian, Sister Prieto, responded with that blessed line
above. #trainingthemsowell #proudmother Also, dont worry about the scary men,
Pres is working on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">FAMILY!!!! HAPPY P-DAY!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Ah. I have no idea what I have to tell
you this week. I actually feel like this becomes more of a struggle every week.
Not because I dont want to tell you everything, but because there is sooo much
to say and then nothing really at the same time and mostly I just love you all
so much that I get on here and I think about how much I love you all and then
my heart is so full that I just....I cant. AH YOU ARE PERFECT I TELL YOU.
PERFECT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Anyways, this month we are focusing on
working with the members and taking up the invite from President Monson. Well,
we decided to pull out our ward list and just pass by everyone in our area.
Because, I dont know if this is just a Portugal thing, but we look at the
things and of the 12 pages, we recognize like 20 names. Oh, it hurts so bad.
But anyways, we started passing by members and menos-activos and we have just
been seeing sooo many miracles. So many people who need so much help, and the
Lord placing so many people in our paths on the way to meeting these people.
It´s actually an incredibly better use of our time, and I really feel like we
are always fulfilling our purpose, not just wandering around aimlessly and
trying to talk to people in the street that just reject us. Also, kind of breaks
my heart to see how easily offended people can get. Yeah, people are crazy and
they do stupid things, but we are all so imperfect. We all have our one trials
and struggles and problems. And we just need to remember that the doctrine of
Christ is perfect. God´s plan for us is perfect. We are not perfect, but He is.
He loves us perfectly, and we need to just try and love him back
perfectly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Olivia was talking about how she had
always felt the need to enter our church before, but it was only open on Sundays,
so she didnt ever make it, and then when Rosa stopped her on the street, she
just knew is was what she needed. It is so amazing to me how the Lord prepares
His children. Even His children that dont seem like they are prepared or elect.
He is preparing ALL of His children, because He loves all of us equally. Oh,
God is SO good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Also, Manuel and Adriana and Wellington
and Kawany need your prayers. Pray for them. And pray that we can do everything
in our power to help them and to keep encouraging them and preparing them for
these convenants they need to make with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Also, yesterday, church included us
teaching Primary, Gospel Doctrine, and translating from Portuguese to English,
so....NO idea who thought 21 year olds were capable of running a ward, but holy
so stressful I tell you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">And we found out that one of our
families in our ward that isnt really a family, has decided they are getting
married!! and they are going to go to the temple after!! yay for more temple
marriages! and eternal families!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO MUCH!! YOU ARE
ALL PERFECT AND MY INSPIRATION!! thank you for loving me and putting up with me
and always being there for me. God is so good that he gave us families and I am
so lucky that He gave me you. I love you I love you I love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Sister Brooks</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-2900107720880320862014-01-07T05:34:00.001-08:002014-01-07T05:34:33.116-08:00Why does Jesus have so many palaces?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Kawany asking about temples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='width:1pt;height:1pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/davidbrooks/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image001.gif"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="3" src="file://localhost/Users/davidbrooks/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image002.png" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="3" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #3e0040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">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!!!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305628095180889485.post-61303175356346420902013-12-30T10:27:00.003-08:002013-12-30T10:27:32.456-08:00The best Christmas present there ever was.
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">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 :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! HAPPY 2014!!! Talk to you next year :)
Literally...hehehe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sister Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sister
Mere D---HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope you spend it sipping hot chocolate and singing
22. I LOVE YOUU!!!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Samantha Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14520256315037491191noreply@blogger.com0