July 26, 2017 ~ "WHEREFORE DIDST THOU DOUBT?" (Week 2)
This week went by so much faster than last week! I can't believe its only my second p-day. Haha time is pretty warped here and it throws me off every day.
First off, I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to write me a letter before I left. I can't even describe the gratitude I felt as I found those sweet sentiments of love and encouragement while unpacking my suitcase. I didn't even have time to read through all of them in my first week!! I am so grateful to have the family and friends that I do, and to be privileged enough to have personal relationships with all of you! I am going to read those letters repeatedly throughout my mission, and cherish them forever! I have kept every card and letter I have received throughout my life; you honestly have no idea how much they mean to me. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. ❤ I love you all so much!!!
To everyone that has asked, the food here is good! Haha there are some weird combinations, but there is always the option of eating cereal when not feeling adventurous. I eat way too many bowls of cereal, but I also did that at home so not a whole lot has changed there.
I haven't learned a whole lot of Spanish, but my comp quotes Nacho Libre every day... and I've gotten that down pretty good. So I guess it's pretty much the same thing.
(Sister Farmer, Sister Ferrin & I)
During gym time, my district usually plays Lightning or 4-square. We have soo much fun. And we are all very competitive. I can testify that Heavenly Father blesses his missionaries, because I have made every single lay-up. That's right. Every. Single. One. (I know youre probably thinking, "Well, thats easy because no one can guard you in the MTC." But anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that being unguarded didn't stop me from missing them in high school.) Miracles do happen, folks.
Okay, but in all seriousness, being here is awesome. I love the constant spirit that is felt, and the hard work that gets put into every single day. I have met so many cool people and am constantly amazed at the goodness & sincerity that everyone seems to possess. It's just a ton of imperfect 18-22 year olds trying their best to fill the role as a representative of a Perfect Christ. It's so cool to see and be a part of. I know I can speak for all of us in saying that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is amazing and all-encompassing. I am so grateful for my Savior and His help through all that life throws at us. Hermana Bennett shared a quote my first day here that has stuck with me. She said, "How wonderful is it that the Lord trusts you enough to do hard things?" (That quote is from Henry B. Eyring). Sometimes I don't understand how He can trust us... But I am reminded often that His gospel needs to come forth to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And when He wants something to be done, it will be done. It's so humbling to be here.. I have learned that the Lord trusts that we will turn to Him always; he wants us to turn to Him through the good AND the bad. How blessed we are to have someone waiting there with His hand stretched forth!
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This week I received a letter from a friend I've made here, telling me all the things that I could do to improve my Spanish. It was amazing!! The number one thing they said, was to have Faith!
*I didn't really know if I should share this experience because 1) it seems as if I cry a lot. which is true. But not everyone needs to know that. haha and 2) I don't want to sound at all as though I am boasting of myself. Because I know that I am just an instrument in the Lord's hands and I literally have done nothing. Its all the spirit...
*We were teaching our new investigator, Eidy (who is my afternoon teacher, Hermana Diaz), the plan of salvation. She just kept asking really difficult questions and I didn't really feel the spirit... it was a super rough lesson and to be honest, I didn't understand a whole lot of what was said. But towards the end of t
he
lesson, I felt as though my heart was going to burst out of my chest
and I felt so strongly that I needed to testify of the love that our
Savior had for her. I began to cry as I told her, with the most
sincerity I have ever possessed in my life, of the love that Jesus
Christ had for her; that through him, she
could feel peace and hope and love in her life; that through him, her
family would be blessed. I told her that as His representatives, it is
our responsibility to tell others to have faith in Him, and to be
perfected in Him. The spirit was so strong!! By this point, she was
sobbing and my companions were sobbing, and I was sobbing.. But I know
that she felt it. I know that we all felt it! I know that I truly have
been set apart to love all of my investigators... even the ones that
aren't even real. Its so insane and I honestly don't understand how. I
didn't know my heart could feel so much love (which is saying a lot
because I tend to genuinely love everybody). ❤ But what baffles me the
most, is that the Savior only gave me a small portion of the love he
feels for Eidy... just enough for me to be able to know it's real and to
testify of it. The more I learn about my Savior, the less I seem to
comprehend how much he loves us and wants us to be happy. This gospel
truly is the GOOD NEWS!!! My teacher gave me a big hug afterwards and
said she wished she could have loved her MTC investigators as much as I
do. I might not be able to say much, but I know that the spirit and a
smile and love are all universal languages, that all can understand. And
I am so grateful for that because I don't have much else to offer. 😍
After that lesson, my comp gave me a big hug and yelled, "YEAH GURL. YOU
BRING THATTTT!!!!!" meaning the spirit. Haha she reminds me a lot of
Heidi Glover, so its easy to see why I love her so much! (*Teresa's
Note: I included this story because I feel many can benefit from it.)
Nothing about being here is comfortable for me.. I am constantly giving myself mini pep talks, and praying that Heavenly Father will give me the confidence and words that I need. Some days I just have to take what little I know, & trust that it will have to be enough for my lesson or my prayer or my conversations with the Latinos. Sometimes, I completely botch it and I am left with people laughing and saying "it's okay, you taught with the spirit and a smile; that's all that matters!" (I think everyone here pities me. Haha) And sometimes, I am left with people complimenting how much I've improved on my Spanish and teaching (starting at a base of 0 made it easy for people to see my little improvement because I could literally only go up from there.). But I know that I wouldn't be anywhere without my Savior. How crazy it is to doubt when He has given us the strength and the gifts necessary to accomplish so much.
(Elder Brooks, my cousin, and I)
Thank you to everyone who has written me! I've had so many people tell me how shocked they were that I wrote so much on my last blog post.. haha sorry if that was an issue. My hero and English teacher, Mrs. Linda Morrison, taught me that the things written are the things in our lives we get to enjoy forever. Someone give that woman a hug for me!
I know that through Jesus Christ, we can make it through whatever storms life throws at us. The key is to have faith!
"Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out." -Gordon B. Hinckley.
I love you all!!!!!!
Hermana Brooks
Hermana Brooks
My first day here, my companion said,
"If that pinwheel can live in that tree, then we can learn Spanish." So far, we've both held up our end of the deal :)
So sweet Savanna. The Spirit us what carries us. Thanks for sharing.
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