May 7, 2018 ~ The only real kind of happiness is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Week 43)

Hi everyone!  

(Saying goodbye to Sister Londono)

This week I got two new companions! Sister Beutel became my companion on Tuesday and then on Thursday we got a new missionary! Our new missionary is Sister Thomas from Idaho and she could be my daughter (missionary joke because as her trainer I'm considered her mother). We have so much in common and people say we look similar so that's fun. I love her. ❤🤗 Our companionship is still trying to figure out the whole trio thing. But it's a party very much of the time 😁🤙.

To be honest, this week kind of felt like it was 12 years long. Pretty much all of our investigators said they didn't want to be baptized, and change can sometimes be hard... but I am grateful for the tender mercies that I received through the chaos and disappointment that comes with missionary work!

On Sunday, Sister Cordero and I were able to accompany our recent convert, Sofia, to her patriarchal blessing. Wow, it was so amazing. It was one of those super special and rare mission paydays that make all the rejections and hard days and heartaches worth it. I sat there as she received the most beautiful blessing, and all I could think was, "Who would have thought 5 months ago when we knocked on her door that we would be here, now." She received a very beautiful blessing, where so many of her prayers were answered. Afterwards, we sat in her car awestruck. We cried as Sofia repeatedly said, "All this time, he has heard my prayers!!" and "That was so much more amazing than I could have ever imagined".

It was very special and I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of it. It's a day I'll never forget. Wow, the gospel is so cool and the priesthood is so real. 

Also, I have loved seeing God's hand in the lives of those around me. Ironically, we happened to find a girl named Danya whose sister and cousin also happen to be receiving the missionary discussions at this time. AND their cousins from Utah were baptized 4 years ago and have been a huge example. AND one of these said cousins from Utah just got home from her mission last week AND came to CA to visit the family of our investigator, AND she brought EVERYONE to church. I was so happy when their family of 6 walked in with their return missionary cousin who proudly wore her Young Women medallion and radiated with the spirit. Here is a pic of everyone at church. :) 

After church, I talked to Lupita, the cousin from Utah who just got home from her mission. I thanked her for her example and for bringing her family to church. She teared up and said, "Hermana. You have no idea how long I have been praying for my family to experience the joy that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ ." Wow. There is just something so touching about the sincere yearning for the salvation of others. When you truly love someone, you sincerely want nothing more for them than their happiness. I know that the only real kind of happiness that is lasting and eternal, is the joy that can be found through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Also, This is how the ward said goodbye

to Elder Quiros...

at Family Home Evening...

hee hee!

The church is true!!

I love you all.

Thanks for the emails and letters. I promise that I will respond soon! :)

also, Happy Birthday, Mom!! I love you!

Love,
Hermana Brooks