Irmã Brooks.: Here goes nothing.

hahahhaha HIIII. You`re looking at the newest Sister Training Leader in Porto and Porto Norte Zone. BYE. We got the magic phone call last night, and right before we went to bed, I think it actually hit me, because I started dying laughing and then freaking out and then dying laughing again. Hahah. Yikes. So. Much. Responsibility. Basically, I`m a Zone Leader for girls? I`m actually not really sure, but I know we go to the same meeting with President in Lisboa, so....Good news is...Sister Jackson is too!!

So, I got transfered to Porto. Left my little Sister Stokes behind, but her new companion is an angel and from England or Wales and has a fabulous accent, so I`m not worried. I`m leaving her in good hands. My new companion is Sister Alves! She is an angel sent from above. Remember that one time I did a division with her a couple transfers ago? Well, that`s the one. She`s from Fortaleza (YEAH E) and she finishes her mission this transfer, so hopefully I can learn everything she knows really fast. Like....really fast.

Anyways...as for the week, I really think this was the greatest week of my whole mission. I have never felt happier for every part of every day for a whole week.

AND GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!! Sofia decided to move up her baptism, because her grandparents are going to the temple next weekend, so we had it on Friday!! It was the most spiritual baptismal meeting I`ve ever been in. She asked me to give a talk, and like a minute into it, she started bawling. And then throughout all the rest of the meeting, everyone was crying, and it was just the most special thing. It can`t be put into words, but I could not love her more or be more excited for her family! Except, we had a really dramatic goodbye last night, and there were lots and lots of tears and that broke my heart. I love that little girl so much. And their family is going to the temple next year! I am just SO incredibly blessed that I got to be a part of that. Seriously, God is so good.

And then Conceição on Saturday! That lady is so incredible! So...come to find out on Friday night, that we don`t have gas to have hot water in the fonte. So...não faz mal. Sofia kinda complains, but goes through with it. The members freak out about Conceição, and okay yeah maybe they have a point. She is 82 and all. Well, we called her the next morning and told her the problem, and she goes, `Não faz mal, minha filha. Tem que ser.` I`M SORRY COULD SHE BE MORE INCREDIBLE?! Poor thing was scared to death and freezing, but she stood up to the challenge and it was actually super suave. And then immediately after she got baptized, she asked us if she could pay her tithing. We told her she needed to wait til Sunday, and the first thing she did after sacrament was walk up to the Bishop and pay her tithing! She is so so so incredible!

Also, we put on a talent show on Saturday night, and it was great and you all know I showed the best talent I have-- Abc`s backwards.

I love you guys so much. No time today, I`m sorry. Transfers and all. Plus, there isn`t really much more to say, except that I know that the gospel really does bless families. I`m really excited to be in Porto and see the work continue to grow here. I love you all so so very much!

xoxo

Sister Brooks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE AND KELLI!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH SO SO SO MUCH!!! I hope you have the greatest days and feel lots of love being sent your way.