Vaca vaca ehhh eyy...This one´s for africa.

Miracles of the week.

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.

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

Big news for this week:

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

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 :)

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.

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.

xoxo
Sister Brooks
 

zone conferenceeee.

 

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.

 

I FOUND FALAFEL AND HUMMUS. too bad it is in faró but still soooo good.