Woahhh, we`re halfway there. Woah, living on a prayer.

So applicable. 

You know how you go on a mission to learn the attributes of Christ? Like to become more patient and loving and humble and all of this. Well, I don`t know what I am doing wrong, but I really do feel like I am becoming less loving and less patient and more cynical. What is wrong with meeee? HELP. 

ANYWAYS. This week has been good. I think? I dunno. The days are all mushing together, and I don`t even know what is happening anymore, but I am good. And I am happy. Although, I said today that I miss laughing, so...that`s hard. I need more Sister Stewart in my life. But, really. I am good. And some amazing things are happening here in Porto!

We had an incredible experience where we were calling a couple of the people from our Livro de Area that we didn't know during our weekly planning and she answered and we met up with her in the chapel this week. She brought her friend and started telling us how she met with the Elders in the past and they gave her passages to read in the Book of Mormon and after reading it a couple of times and praying about it, she knows that it is true! She said that the only reason she stopped meeting with the Elders is because at the time she was going back and forth between Porto and Braga, and they stopped calling! But she is SO elect and has such a real desire to know that this is the true church and to share the Gospel with her friend who doesn`t believe in God. I decided we are going to use that precious area book, because we already have so many people there who are prepared for baptism, but with changes in missionaries and personal circumstances got left behind. No man left behind!

Olivia is doing well, and showing up to church on her own and all ready for her baptism! She`s just got to stop smoking, but we`re going to make her some cigarette pictures (because....she can`t read, but she knows how to write #questionmark, so she just copies the little pamphlets we give her and it is so precious...i die), and I have complete and total confidence that she will stop in two weeks, so all is well! Now let`s try to get some hot water in the chapel so we don't have our 3rd baptism in agua fria.

And ohhh my precious 8 year old Kawany (from the Brazilian family). Yesterday, we went to their house and we taught the third lesson which talks about baptism. And she reads John 3:5 and goes, `So if I`m not baptized  I can`t enter into the kingdom of God?` And then she goes,`I want to be baptized in your church! Please mom pleaseeeeee. I want to be baptized on the 1st of December. Please mom pleaseeeee.` Oh, it was so precious. So here is to praying that her and her mom get an answer to their prayer. Her mom is just worried that if they go back to Brazil she won`t be able to keep going to church there, but I promised that the church is stronger there than here and she will be able to go, but we invited them to pray about it, and I have faith that it will all work out. Oh, how I love that little girl. Except she asked me if she could be my grandchild. She`s not even old enough to be my child! I`m getting so old it hurts. 

So I`ve been reading the Gospels, because I have a goal to read them all before Christmas, because ya know...#Jesus, so I came across this and thought of you Caisa--Mark 7:1-6. So the next time you freak out about the handwashing I would just like you to reevaluate and remember what is most important okay? :) hehehe. I LOVE YOU.

Also, I wish I was serving with Eleanor, because sometimes these girls are all ready for a night out on the weekends and they get on the bus and I just think about how funny she is and how funny she would be and how funny she must be with all the Brazilians. Ouch. I miss my friends. 

Also---Dad, you know why I love you? Because you spent half an email explaining to me about a tv show that we have watched together about 40 times. Hahah, you are perfect and the best dad anyone could ever have. Thank you for always bringing a smile to my face. Also, still getting faca from my own father on the week I didn't send an email. I AM SORRY I LOVE YOU OKAY? hahah I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH! Have fun in Australia!!

I love the mission. I can`t believe I`m already half way through. It`s unreal. My companion is so trunky and she tells me I am going home all the time and I`m like literally stooooop because I am staying here forever and I can`t think about life after the mission or I will have a panic attack. Hahah, it`s actually so funny. Newbies are so funny. Even when they are 39. Literally. 39. I don`t know if I`ll ever get over that one.

We found and American store this week that sells American food and I about died of happiness. So, here`s to praying that it has REAL diet coke. We`re going there right now. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. More than Diet Coke, but...that will have to fill the hole for now.

xoxo

Sister Brooks

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays . . .

Sorry that here in Portugal they don`t celebrate Thanksgiving (not very grateful people), so my rule for Christmas starts after Thanksgiving doesn't apply and all my investigators already have to hear us sing Christmas hymns and it is going to last for the next month and a half. Also, my comp reminded me that Christmas means WE GET TO SPEAK TO EACH OTHER! What is it like still being connected to the outside world?

President says if you want to send me a package/mail for Christmas, then it needs to be sent by the 21st of November. So this is me shamelessly begging ALL OF YOU to send me love over the big pond for Christmas time. Because really....I'm gonna need it.

Speaking of love, one time during lunch this week, the other sisters tried to play a game called `Let`s talk about how Sister Brooks shouldn't drink Diet Coke.` It was funny. And they lost.

As for the foot, I got an xray, and they said its not a bone thing. They said that it might be a ligament or something and that I need an mri, but I think mri`s can wait until next year.

ALSO. How dare you people---not telling me that Jim got engaged. I`m on the other side of the ocean....I didn't fall off the face of the earth. CONGRATS JIMMINING!!

This week---AMAZING things happened. We were on our way to an appointment with our sweet little Brazilian family, and there was this lady on the street and she was looking at us and slowed down, so we did what we do and started talking to her. And then we kept talking to her and then we said a prayer with her, and after ward she literally stared into my soul and goes, `Porque estava a olhar para mim?` And I was like uhh....(because you were in the street) `Porque Deus sabia que precisava desta mensagem.` `E porque eu olhei para ti?` Uh....... `Porque Deus sabia.` And then she hugged me, and my whole heart was filled love and I had one of those moments where I just felt like I knew her from before and that we are friends already. Except we didn`t get her information, so now she is lost forever, but I have hope, because she has ours, so here is to praying that she calls us.

Speaking of my Brazilian family, they came to church on Sunday! All of them! And their sweet daughters just want to play with me and talk to me and hang on me and I just stand there helpless, because I`m not allowed, but I secretly love the love they have for me, and I miss children.

Ah! Happiness! I am just so happy. The work is actually going SO well here. Remember that lady that our Recent Convert stopped on the street and told to come to church and then she showed up? Well, she`s been coming to church every week since and the first time we met with her she was like listen I am NOT getting baptized, butttttt we marked her for the end of November this week!! Now she just has to stop smoking and all will be well! She wasn`t accepting it at first, but then Rosa gave this bomb testimony about all the things that were going wrong in her life before her baptism and how every single one of them was taken care of after her baptism and how she stopped smoking and how God is so aware of her and every one of her children, and I just sat there like a proud mother doing nothing and just letting her teach away.

I love you all. I miss you a lot. I remembered that tv exists this week, and that was hard for me. Is that wrong? Sorry. I love you all so so so so so much. Enjoy Australia. Enjoy water. I just drink it now. Ugh it is so gross. I probably have a million other things to tell you, but I can`t think straight and I`m being really sassy today (blame Kristan), so I`ll stop while I'm ahead.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Sister Brooks

ELEANOR---YOU ARE IN BRAZIL!! OH I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! Make someone make you pão de queijo and bolo de brigadeiro. Oh I die. You are perfect. They are going to eat you up.

And then it all changed

Oofa. So...yeah. Well, let`s start from the beginning.

So, the beginning of this week was actually so fun. I served in Lapa which is actually BEAUTIFUL, and I just walked around all day with my mouth wide open. I felt like I had actually arrived in Portugal for the first time in my whole mission. And I was serving with these absolutely adorable girls there. And their area is just full of eleitos and I just thought....one day, Lisbon. One day. 

And then I met my new companion. She`s actually 39. Aka old enough to be my mother. She is from Peru, but has lived in Italy for the last 20 years. So....she actually just speaks Spanish. And apparently I understand her? Said some girl on the bus the other day. Except, I don`t think she really understands me. She`s also a nurse, so....she doesn`t really like how laid back I am about a lot of things....oops. hahah And...yeah. It`s a lot different. But, at least I feel a lot more sure of how to do the work in this area and what is going on and what we have to do as missionaries this time around. So, I feel a little more comfortable taking charge and when questions come up, I know where to turn in PMG and the White Handbook and things of the sort, and well...everything works out wayyy better when you say that it was the Lord who commanded, not me. It`s a big transition going from teaching so so smoothly and perfectly together to....not. Haha. Yiyiyiyi. And cultural differences. Im ready for America again. It might be a long couple of weeks. But, ANYWAYS.

Adriana and Kawany showed up to church! My little Brazilian family FINALLY came again! Oh, my heart was sooo filled with joy. And Kawany, who is 8 and absolutely adorable just held my hand and drew me pictures and rested her head on my shoulder the whole time (which I`m actually pretty sure was on the line, but what was I supposed to do? I can`t push her off.) Oh, my heart is SO filled with love for them. And Adriana was crying during sacrament, because she just felt such a peace. Oh my heart. Oh my heart.

We only had a few days in our area, so...this week was basically just spent running around seeing all the people we hadn´t seen in a week. It`s crazy how I feel so responsible for these people`s lives. But, it was good, and we saw a lot of success, and the Lord really loves us, and this really is His work. 

Also, I`m currently having a foot problem. I`m not really sure what it is, but its on that weird little ankle bone thing. I`m going to the doctor on Quinta...uhhh Thursday? DO NOT FREAK OUT MOM. I`ll let ya know next week. I mean...it`s been a while since I visited the bone doctor, so I figure it`s time to go back. 

Oh, and mom. Remember how you sent me a bag of chocolate chips? I was gonna use them in cookies, but...they didnt make it that far. Why is it that chocolate is better in the form of a chip? Oops.

I love you all so so so VERY much. You are all perfect and my strength. I think about you every day and I miss you all a LOT. I can NOT believe it is already November. I don`t even know what that means, but it blows my mind. Thank you for always loving me. Thank you for being my rock. I LOVE YOU.

xoxox

Sister Brooks

my new comp

those cute sistes i served with in lapa

I've got bruises on my knees for you . . .

Except actually, I do. This week, I was getting down from my chair to pray after studies, and I just completely fell over, hit the metal bar on my chair, and now I have this huge bump/bruise on my leg. Hahhaha what am I?

So you wanna hear about transfers eh? K. I`ll tell yea. So....I´m staying in Porto...shocker. I`m no longer STL #demoted haha just kidding. But guess who is training again? This girl. Yay. Can you hear the enthusiasm? Just kidding. It will be fun. Wanna hear a funny story? So, we get the phone call and my ZL says, `Yup, you`ll be training again so...blah blah blah...and WOAH. You`re child is not normal.` Hahah I`m sorry, what is that supposed to mean?  She`s from Italy! Hahahahhaha so....hopefully all those times we played charades in Hilton Head will be paying off these next couple weeks. Wait wait wait. That`s not all. Not only is she a newbie from Italy, but she is a 34 year old newbie. Hah...HA HA HA HA. And then I had a panic attack. But like....she`ll be really cool and we`re going to love each other and she`ll know how to make really good pizza or gelado or something and it`s gonna be great. Woo. I haven`t met her yet, so I`ll let ya know next week. I meet her on Thursday. Pray for me.

Last week was great. Broke my heart saying goodbye to sweet little Sister Alves. I´m going to miss her bossing everyone around and just taking charge and everyone listening to everything she says, but hopefully I learned from her example and I can start....hahah who am I kidding? But the greatest thing happened this week, Rosa was calling us all week to leave and go work with us. Well, we ran into her friend in the street and she just starts bearing testimony to her. `Why are you so happy Rosa?` `Because I got baptised and I know im in the right path. So, this is what you are going to do. You are going to come to church with us tomorrow and 9 o`clock. We`ll go by and pick you up in the morning and then you will talk to the meninas and then you will get baptized and be happy too.` Hahhah YES. Thank you for just doing our work for us. She showed up in church on Sunday and it was fabulous! And Rosa is all like we gotta get this place filled, so....freak yeah!

HAHAHHAHA I HAD A DREAM THAT KELLI AND KANYE WERE GETTING MARRIED THIS WEEK. Woah. It was real dramatic and I woke up all panicked because I just knew you could do better Kel. Funny though, because I`m not sure whether I should be more scared or happy that I must be so closely related to them in Spirit that it was like I predicted the Kimye engagement. Hahah, no but really. We were all waiting on Kanye to show up and Kelli, you were dressed in black pants and a white shirt and I was soooo confused and just like....why is this happening? Hahha, so...I`m really happy to hear that it`s Kimmy and not you :) 

Big news...The prince got baptized. No worries. Catholic church/Europe news, yeah I heard it.

Also, did you know that is rains EVERY day during winter in Porto? Yeah. It does. It`s fun. Except not at all. This is how it goes. I complain. Then I think, `At least I`m not in Russia.` Then I think about Rach. Then I say a little prayer for her. Then I start complaining for myself again. Hahhaah. Oh it`s hard. It`s gonna be a long winter. No blow dryers in bed either. How will I ever survive?

Also, I completely forgot it was halloween this week, so....that hurt a little bit. Okay, well...I love you all so so very much. Gotta get to work. I love you and miss you so much. You are all perfect. God is so good, and He loves us SO much. And he promises us he will answer our prayers. D&C 98:1-3. I miss you beautiful souls. I love you. Have an excellent week! Make pumpkin bread for me :)

xoxox,
Sister Brooks

yeah tours of the chapel!

the end of another perfect house.  

working in the prettiest area for the next 2 days....lapa.

cristo rei

A heart full of love.

for this work. This week I had this feeling where I was just like, `Why doesn`t EVERYone serve a mission? This is the greatest thing anyone could ever do!!` And then I immediately laughed at myself, because I have officially become that missionary. But here`s the thing, this actually is the greatest thing anyone could ever do. And when I got here, I could hardly understand how all of my friends who were serving we all like `Ah the mission is the greatest yada yada yada.` Because I was just like, WOAH. What did I just get myself into? Hahahha (oops...said it), butttttt...It`s so true! It IS the greatest! And I am SO lucky that the Lord trusts me enough to let me do His work.

Rosa got baptised this week!! Yayay!! Woof. That was a close one. Man oh man. She like to talk a loooot, which is good, because we can really apply the lessons to her life, but yiyiyi it makes it a tad difficult to teach. But after like a `Listen woman, if you want to get baptised, then you have to stop smoking and pay tithing and let us teach you the rest of the lessons` it happened! Miracles of fasting I tell you. And yesterday after she received the Espìrito Santo, she was just like...`Okay. I need to move my house, and I broke up with my boyfriend, and I need to find a job, and I am just going to make every possible change that you can imagine in my life right now, because what better time than this?` Pode ser woman. Fooorça.

Ana Pinto. We basically stumbled across her house....actually not at all, we were looking for another person who told us she lived there, and we met her, and oh my goodness the Spirit is SO strong EVERY time we talk to her. She is SO ready for this Gospel, and she really reallyyy needs it in her life. After we explained to her how Christ was baptized, but before we even invited her, she was like, `Yeah I really want to be baptized like that--like Christ was, and I am going to prepare myself, but I need an answer from God first, because I`m already old and I need to make sure this is really the right thing.` No worries...you`ll get your answer woman. 

Also, we met this kid, Flavio, from Capo Verde #elect. When my colega asked him, `Have you ever asked yourself why there are so many churches if there is only one God?` And he goes, `Yeah, actually, por a causa, I have.` OKAY. Well, good thing we`ve got that answer for you. Literally SO excited to work with him. 

Speaking of my colega....this is her last week, and I am having a mini panic attack--both for her and for me. Yiyiyi. This unknown stuff is killer. Here`s to lots of prayers that Sister J and I get to be comps again. (yeah Sister J?) Ah, transfers are so stressful, but they`re so good too. 

I love you all so so so much. There are actually not words to express my love for you all. I know that we can`t imagine the love that God has for us, but truly I can`t imagine how He can love us all more than I love you all. Love you and pray for you every day. Keep being incredible. And thank you for loving me back. 

xoxox

Sister Brooks

LISS BBY!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY PERFECT OTHER HALF!!! I hope it is filled with lots of crazy asians and diet coke in a bag maybe a bicycle ride or two. Jealous of all the thai bbys that get to celebrate with you, but I`ll be celebrating here in Portugal too. You are the world`s best missionary and you make my world go round. I LOVE YOU!! 

LIV!! SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! I am a little sad I am missing the wedding of the century, but I could not be happier for you!! You are the most beautiful bride there has ever been.

K8! You`re a champ. There are no words. 

Why am I so blessed with such INCREDIBLE friends? Seriously. I love you all SO much. 

PAZ! PAZ! PAZ!

We had this contact the other day where this rapaz was making fun of us and my sweet companion is telling him how our message will bring more happiness and peace into his life. And he starts telling us how everywhere we go there is more `PAZ!`and he`s like screaming it in the middle of the road and it`s actually really funny and really painful at the same time. And he goes to Sister Alves, `When you go back to Brazil, it will just be like BAM! PAZ! in all of Brazil.` and then he turns to me and says, `And when you go back to America and talk to Obama, it`ll just be like PAZ PAZ PAZ! And he will stop all the wars in all of the world and it will be all because of you two.` So after we kind of died laughing, we`re walking away and he just keeps shouting, `BAM. PAZ! PAZ! PAZ! PAZ!` hahaha and that`s why I love contacting teenagers. 

So....this week, lots and lots happened, but I can`t even begin to think about what actually happened. But, it was a really good week and I was really happy and I am just loving this work more and more everyday. I actually feel like so unbelieveably happy and I have no idea why, but it`s the greatest feeling and I am so far from mad about it. 

Rosa`s getting baptized this weekend!!! Yayay! She`s this really funny lady that Sister Alves met on the street last transfer and then we started teaching her this transfer! She really sad and she realllyyy likes to talk, so sometimes we just sit there and listen to her talk, but it`s good, because she`s lonely and needs a friend. And she has this boyfriend who has another girlfriend and I just want to shake her and be like, `Woman! You are better than that!` But it`s way cool, because as we`re teaching her, she`s like, `Well, if he`s okay with it then great, and if not, then whatever, because I am going to continue in the same. I know that this is right and you girls are giving me more strength and happiness than I have felt in a long time, so I am going to keep following this path and everything with work out!` FREAK YEAH. I am actually so amazed by how having a knowledge of the gospel will change people`s lives and habits. It is so incredible to me and it makes me want to be a better person every day. 

And we are working with a Brazilian family!! Why is it that every time we have Brazilian investigators, I cry and wish I were serving there? Hahah, just kidding, I love Portugal! Wellington and Adriana are so sweet and sooo elect. Now they just have to get married. I didn`t know I came on a mission to plan so many weddings...hahah.

Also, I would like to invite you all to do the same thing that we were invited to do in conference. Pray for a name to come to your mind to have someone to invite to go to church or hear from the missionaries this week. I know the Lord will bring a name or a face to your mind and I know that person is prepared and that is why the Lord put it there. The field is white and ready to harvest folks. John 4:35-36.

Also, I was studying Day of the Atonement today and does someone want to explain to me the whole fasting and the Atonement connection? I think I`m starting to figure it out, but I`d love your thoughts. 

Speaking of Gospel scholars...could´ve sworn I saw Brother Ludlow in a bus the other day...what? So thrown off. Also, LUDLOWS! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LETTERS!! You guys are the best and I love you all SO SO much!!

MARCIE PRINCE!! HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY YOU SOON TO BE PARSON YOU!!! I LOVE YOU BBY GIRL!! 

I LOVE YOU ALL. YOU ARE ALL PERFECT. Thank you for making me want to be a better person and a better missionary every day. I love you I love you I love you. 

xoxox

Sister Brooks

baptism of batista!!!

Sister Hirschi!! She was with Eleanor in the MTC and I about killed her when I saw her because I jumped on her out of love because I felt so close to elly.

divison with sister travis! (sister jackson`s old companion....aka we talked about how perfect she is for 24 hours)

This week, I literally face planted on the bus.

GOD IS SO GOOD. OH MY OH MY OH MY. I AM IN TEARS. MELANIE MOORE. I LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY PRAYERS.

 

My dear sweet family. 

 

I am sorry it has been 3 years since I have written you. Really just 2 weeks, but I know. It was rough for me too. But I very happily opened my email to 83 new emails and lots and lots of joy and love, so maybe the extra 7 day wait was worth it after all. So, long story short, last Monday we had to go to Lisboa for Mission Counsel on Tuesday (aka a whole meeting about mission secrets! ee my dream come true), and my comp got permission to visit her recent converts in Lisboa, so we went down a little early and we sacrificed our most beloved email time to visit some sweet little Portuguese people. But, it was really good, and we actually ended up sleeping in the Mem Martins house, so I got to do a trip down memory lane and it was oh so sweet. Aka, I looked in the Area Book and read what`s happening with my recent converts. Hahhaha. Yikes. I am such a missionary.

 

Perks of being an STL--I got to play with Sister J on Tuesday, and by play, I mean we got to sit in the same room and receive the same training. Also, I get to meet all the other sisters and see all the areas and meet all the incredible people they are teaching. It is actually so fun, and I love it so much. It`s kinda funny though, because the new girls just look at me like I am this brilliant amazing missionary that knows everything and I just secretly giggle to myself and think...jokes on you. Hahaha, but really, I am learning from them and I love it. Also, ELEANOR--I met Sister Hirschi and I about jumped on her, because I freaking love her and it made me feel closer to you and my heart. Oh, my heart. We will be reunited again.

 

Also, I have been studying a lot and praying a LOT to be a more consecrated missionary. And to just give it my all and to not worry about the future or all the other things that are going on and to just talk to the whole world and never stop. So, we`re memorizing a scripture and hymn every week and just focusing on the work, because when we love the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, everything else will work out for our good.

 

Batista got baptized last week!! Yeah! That`s right! João Batista--aka John Baptist. hahh, but he is actually so elect and so incredible and yay! He`s gonna be a leader so soon, I just know it.

 

We have difficulties, because the Lord loves us. Because he wants us to grow and to learn. Because he trusts us and knows that we will draw closer to him. He gives us challenges so that He can mold us. Oh, how grateful I am for the very, very, very many challenges I am facing every day. I am glad that the Lord loves me and trusts me enough that He is willing to give me all these challenges.

 

Perks of having a native companion--I learned `If all the rain drops were lemon drops and gum drops, Oh what a world it would be....` in Portuguese this week! Yeah...there was lots of rain.

 

Remember that episode of Veronica Mars when Logan calls her and sees her pull out her phone and reject it and put it back in her pocket and then he`s all heart broken? Yeah....that happened to us this week. But we were sitting in the autocarro and we saw our investigator on the street, so we called him and he pulled his phone out of his pocket, held it up, and put it back. OUCH. Except we actually just laughed and laughed, because....yeah. Good thing my comp is a champ and just sends him a text calling him out on it. hahaha I LOVE HER.

 

Trial of the week--Without Twitter, I can`t complain to the whole world about how cold it is and force them to listen to me. So instead, I just say `Eu vou morrer do frio` about every 3 seconds to my comp. Sorry ´bout it. 

 

Also, that and every single person decided to call me `brancinha`(really, really, ridiculously white) this week. So...that hurts.

 

Also, here`s to signing on one week and not having another one of my best friends engaged. Well...there`s always next week. hahaha jk I LOVE YOU SO FREAKING MUCH ERIN AND I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER FOR YOU!!! eeeee!!! 

 

MARCE AND CRAIG!! Thank you for fulfilling my dreams and for marrying each other so I can have two of my best friends with me forever and ever and ever.

 

Also, glad to see you survived the ten miler kel. So proud of you. Wanna do it together next year?

 

Okay, my eyes actually hurt from looking through so many emails. Man, it`s so hard to be so popular. ahhahaha jk. You`d think I`d get more humble on the mission.....I`ll keep working on that one.

 

I hope you all watched Conference and I hope you all remember how much God loves you. If not, go watch it!! LDS.Org. When President Monson came on, I immediately started bawling. Oh, my heart was so full of love. I guess that`s what I get for talking about him every single day and FINALLY getting to hear from him. Hahah I can only imagine what that means about when I see you people. Hahahah Im a mess. Kristan--did you cry during called to serve? haha Also, shout out to Huntsy for a little camera time in MoTab. Oh, how my heart longs for my JRU fam.

 

I love you I love you I love you. No time. I LOVE YOU. Ill send pictures next week. SORRY MOM.

 

Sister Brooks