Stand! And... Baptise!!

Check this movie out! :)

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/stand-2013-theme-song?lang=eng To all my family friends and peoples :)

So this week was really good. Elder Bond and I are kicking butt thanks to some awesome searching we have been doing! And for the awesome guiding the Spirit has been doing haha :)

We found a family and a few other people. The Family are Jehovas Whitness but they came to church and are reading The Book of Mormon :)!!!!! Its been super awesome to meet them because they are so prepared! 

Church was a disaster... No one was prepared in their classes or anything and we have some hard core apostasy in our ward right now.

Story time:

As I walked into Gospel Principles class I saw our teacher was a new member and I was like uh oh... I walked up and.
Elder B: "hey! did you get to study the class before hand?"

Jeff "Uh.. No."
Elder Brooksby Smiling supportitivly "Haha No worries! whats the class on today?"

Him "............ The Fall of Adam and Eve............"

Me: "Oh no."

The fall is the hardest thing to teach JW´s, or ANYONE basically. Its really complex!

so we got going and.. 15 mins later everyone was yelling and saying their own thoughts.

I had to leave the class and I just sat and prayed that HEavenly Father would protect these new sheep we are trying to bring into Hid Fold. When I came back into the room Mario (JW) was basically teaching the class and helping everyone understand!! :)

It still ended badly but I literally saw God´s hand move infront of the faults inside the church so that our investigators were understanding only what they needed! :) I hope ;)

Theeeen...

We had a family night at a members house and they came^!! then we watched a show about theh restoration and people all bore testimony of what they felt about the movie. When it came down to the family of JW the dad looked at his hands then back up at everyone and said "I only know these two boys for three days.. and Ive only heard a little... but I love what I hear... I.. I feel like I was in the same situation as Joseph.. I.. I didnt know where to go for the truth.. and I think that God has shown me."

We were all like... woah. 

So yeah! My Companion is awesome. He is a runner!!! we are like UNITED!!! :D:D we are different types of people but we are united in our work and its soo AWESOME!

Mom and Dad I love you two a ton. I dont have the words to tell you all about whats going on here I wish I could! I am praying everyday to gain the knowledge and testimony I need to have the power God wants me to use as I teach His Children.

I am in alma 13 for my read the book of mormon allthe way through exp and then I will put to the test the promise of the Prophet Moroni. Dad. Thank you for your story It was what I needed to hear.

I feel so cool having alll these missionaries in my family!! I am so happy to hear about trey and everything he is learning Here are my answers.

"anywayssss...... sleep is good, focus is better, spirit is best, so sleep to focus on the spirit when you are awake. I know my district has problems focusing sometimes so we just pull up a conference talk on the computer and get the spirit, then the focus comes and I sleep easier at night."

You are you inteligent cookie.

Elder Brooksby, our sleep schedule will be screwed when we get home....

Amen:)

President, we aren't perfect missionaries. We don't have all the smarts or the connections or the money to get the word out as fast as many others can. It's like you said, if we were a company, we would be SO unprofitable. But that doesn't matter!! We're doing the Lord's work, and we can expect and rely on Him to guide us to those He's prepared. Just like Nephi told his brothers- (I paraphrase :) 

"Yeah, Laman has got fifties and hundreds to his army. And yes, there are only four of us here. But when we're working with the Lord, there's no number that can stop us when we're doing His work."

Moroni quoted Christ when he said, "If ye will have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." -Moroni 7:33

I think that's one of my favorite verse now. I'm really seeing that come to pass. And we can see more and more miracles happen as we're sincerely trying to be His hands-giving all of what we have to help Him!

I needed to hear this. Thanks for answering prayer

Love you alll

Elder Brooksby

Time goes by... I look back and think.. wow.

Well... I guess this was a really great week. 

I cleaned our house on tuesday right before we had inspections. It took about 4 hours. 1 Bottle of bleach. 4 towels. and lotso f yelling at the other 3 Elders to do work :P

OUr whole house was a wreck (since I got there it was,a nd we have NO time todeep clean) so I was super happy to clean it all out! Our inspectors got there and it was the couple that was serving with me in Beja! :D So they were like... Elder BRooksby.. Did you clean the whole house? (Because they know me..) and I was like... Noo... Elder Lee organised the books on that shelf! hahahaha and Elder Lee was like... Grinning he was so proud hahahahahahahahaha.

It was good.

This week in Coimbra there was this party thing that last 3 days and on the last day is free beer and food. We were pretty restricted in the work we could do..... (My ideas of preaching on rooftops were shot down... :( )

Haha but we still had a great week! The HIGHLIGHT was as you see the baptism of xxxx! The coolest kid I have meet here on the mission. He prayed last saturday that Heavenly Father would give him more understanding to be able to memorise all the scriptures so he could be an Elder some day! 

Weve been seeing some great changes in the lives of people too. 

We had a pretty sacred exp here.

The first day when I got here in Coimbra we went to visit a recent convert, as we entered the house I felt SUPER strong all the sudden and after talking with her a while we discovered that she needed a new work. Really badly.

We shared a scripture about when we ask Heavenly Father for help and with faith, obeying his commandments, He WILL help us.

Before leaving I felt powerfully to kneel and say the last prayer. I offered up the faith of those in the room and asked my Father that he would bless this RC with work.

The next week as Elder Lee and I were starving looking for new investigators we said a prayer that we could find something to eat. (we had no money) as we walked I saw a man carring like 100 bags and we offered help. He denied and continued to walk.. then stopped and turened to look at us.

" Do you two want an orange?" he asked. Elder Lee and I look at eachother. then back at the man. "Yes! Thankyou!!" 

A few other exp like that happend as well.

Anyways that day or the next we went to visit this RC, we told her about our exp and testified that she would get her answer.

We got a call this week and answering to a screaming RC "I got a new job!! I get sundays off and it pays really great!!" She was sooo happy! We went and taught a lesson about Jesus Christ the next day... Then I saw her faith jump. I saw her whole countance change. She much like xxxx turned to us and said "I need faith.. I Need Jesus Christ!" She was so happy and I saw the light enter in her soul. That Daughter of God is on her path back home :)

ITS SO COOL!!!

Anyways.

xxxx is awesome. This week we have NOTHING to do... All our investigators are dropped or... dropped.

Anyways. Talk to you all laet!

Elder Brooksby out

Some thoughts....

Well the days have been coming with more miracles each step of the way. I am serving with Elder Lee (an old friend from the mtc) who has been in the mission about 10 1/2 months now. Its been a crazy ride until now he says!

 

The mission here is taking some big changes as we get ready for 54 new missionaries in 3 weeks. Its pretty exciting to see what will happen and how it will all work out!

 

Our job really is to teach the Gospel to people, I hope we can help not only wake up the people in the streets but the ones who are inside the church as well to the many wondrous blessings that are waiting in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

I can really say I'm fluent in English or Portuguese at this moment, I am pretty terrible with both. Language is not something you get over ever!

 

This week Elder Lee and I went on a division with our Mission President.

It was pretty terrible :P :P We talked with a few people and taught one lesson and it all seemed to be pretty garbage. I felt so bad with how it went I was like off the cliff of depression in no time. (Not really depression just super sad lol) and I was like.... WHY ME?! I used to be so strong at teaching and this and that!! Why cant I do the same thing now?! I just want... RAWR!!! I was so frustrated at how I have been here for one year now and I still have terrible days :P

 

Luckily at the end of our 3 hours together the Assistants were also to be doing a division with us... So If the first failure wasn't enough, I thought to myself, now this will really seal the deal!

 

I was assigned with Elder Andrade from Africa and the division started out with us walking down the hill and talking about a few things (mainly the division w president) I got to feeling the spirit pretty strong all the sudden. I was with someone who was going to run with me :)

 

So we started doing a few contacts in the street, we were getting rejected left and right but our faith was high and our excitement rate started to climb as we started to see the potential power that was brewing within us, being fed by The Lord!...........

 

At the end of the night we were laughing and walking home sharing some pretty deep feelings of the spirit and smiling talking to all who would cross our path.

 

It was a moment in which I just thought... Could this go on forever? Could I continue to feel so blessed and loved by My Heavenly Father as to share His Plan with His loved but lost Children?

 

The Division ended all to soon and we were pulled into a room for our evaluation and then went home.

 

President told me to be more patient with my companion and with people around me. Show more love for people and when people need help just because they are missionaries doesn't mean they don't struggle and I needed to help more then just kickin butts.

 

I can see his point. 

 

I'm so excited for this new year I have to be spending all the time in the service of the Lord.

 

Last night I had a dream.

I was sitting in general conf watching what looked to be the oldest man in the world talking to me. he was one of the quorum of the twelve apostles. He was describing to me the pain and suffering that my Savior passed through as he paid for my sins and faults. In an Instant I was taken to a Garden, where I was shown a man on His knees praying intensely. I saw the blood leave each of his pores and run to the ground as He trembled and cried out the Glory was for The Father.

Instantly I was taken to see A Man perfect in all ways looking upon His suffering Son and a tear left His eye. In an instant the dream closed before me and I was lying awake in my bed. I could no longer sleep. I felt no pain, no sleep, no worry in my body as I lay there. I felt.... paid for.

 

I bare my testimony to you that Jesus is The Christ. God is our Eternal Father.

They Love us. They care for us. They cry as we suffer the pains of this life.

 

I know HE Lives. I know the Book of Mormon is True. I know the Priesthood is real. I feel it´s power guiding my life as a Worthy holder of its magnificent blessings.

 

There is no way or means by which men may return to God, Only through faith on His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.

 

It is true.

 

Elder Trey Brooksby, You are about to live it.

 

Elder Tyson Brooksby

Well... shoot.

Well,

I got emergency transfered out of my favorite areas of my mission.

 

I dont really want to say too much, basically I had to leave because someone was developing feelings that dont work for missionaries.

 It was a really big big dissapointment. I was pretty bummed after so much to get shoved out was pretty rough.

 

Now I am in one of the most desired areas of the mission appraching my 1 year mark. Its been pretty cool here. Its like californa here.

 

basically the area is awesome and I spent the week talking to everyone in the world trying to grab some new investigators with a little sucsess. It looks like this battle is to be fought with members and our best effort in following the spirit to find.

 

I had a cool exp with a lady this week. Sitting in the bus stop I began asking questions really simple that ended up teaching this woman the plan of salvation. after a moment she just gasped and said "I feel so good talking to you! I just had so much on my mind and so many problems but I feel that I can be clean through church!" Then after getting on the same bus as us she turned too the lady next to her in the bus and said "Im going to the church of these two little boys! They make me feel so good!" Her friend made some remark about how we only want money but that was brushed aside quickly and she said "No, I feel you are wrong" somthing like that. I was pretty happy to be able to see the faith of someone Ive only known for 15 mins grow and a Daughter of God take the first steps to the path of Ether Life with our Father.

 

I know the Book of Mormon is the means by which we in the latter days are "healed" "Cured" and "woken from a deep sleep" I testify that it is the most correct of all Books on the face of the earth.

 

Elder BRooksby

Super Blessed

Well I feel like... Super Blessed.

This week we've been moving forward with our plans to help this area blow up. The Lord has been at our side through the rough and the best of it.

Some really cool experiences with people that I'm not sure I will send through email :) 

GC was awesome! We had some great exp there too!

I got a letter from someone who I love more then anyone in the world: My Mom. Along with her email I was blown away with the way she views one of the ways we can show our gratitude for the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.

You are a child of Heavenly Father

He sent His son to reconcile us (Or, make us better again) with our Heavenly Father.

This way when we follow Jesus we can go back to live with Them one day :)

Its true

Love Elder Brooksby

Together STill

I'm grateful to be continuing here in Beja :)

Ive got some really powerful Revelation of how we can broaden the Vision of this city. More and More I see children of Heavenly Father ready and needing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings it brings. Its frustrating when they recognize the need and the source but cant bring themselves to accept a visit from us.

We Need our Members to do the Inviting!!!!!!!!!!! 

The entire attitude of people change when we have a member of the Church with us. Its completely incredible.

First time in my mission I have a companion for more then 1 transfer! :):)

Plans:

1. English Class. Invites that the MEMBERS will give their friends and invite to come and enjoy.

2. Scripture Study Class. Invites that MEMBERS give to friends to come and learn the answers to the question "Do you want the best for your family?" and many more. We have 9 other types of churches here in Beja almost all with double the frequency of ours, Why? Their friends bring friends to church.... Rawr.

I realised that my Testimony is a giant point of straight to the members and other missionaries IF I am strong. If I am weak I see how it effects all those around me. I'm doing my best everyday to take steps closer to Christ so that those that look after me will want to follow.

Each Sunday at 19:00 we do an activity based on the D&C DVD´s and we are watching the faith of our Investigators grow!!! Its so true that knowledge is 100% necessary to be able to be converted. Helping them understand the back round of the church and also all the many miracles we know we see the Savior touching their hearts and helping them take steps towards true conversion.

We have 3 Main Stars at the Moment.

XXXX: 27 Woman. Well on the way to conversion. Work is stopping her from church attendance. Her contract renews soon and she is trying to get Sunday Off. She bought a 55$ ctr ring this week....

XXXXX: (RC) 43 Man. Strong in his testimony his friends have started to call him "pastor" with his diligence in keeping the laws of Heaven. He is moving forward immensely in his testimony through movies and praying and constant scripture study!

XXXXX: 23 Women. The Only non-member of a less active family we have here. With her desires to follow the family is coming back to church and we are just needed to get the arms open of the branch members to bring them all back in.

Elder Shumway and I have been working on the training diligently.

This week we worked everyday practicing the 3rd lesson 4-5 times during compain study. He is getting more confident and his testimony is growing! Confidence is the key to success with him! He loves to hear about how good he is doing :) I love him. Also working with chapter 4 in pmg has helped us recognise times when our investigators are feeling more of the spirit and when were are just mearly "teachers". Contacts in the street are 7-8 of which 1 -2 people will stop to speak. Our plans to help the people understand our message (passing out little papers for English class or importance of scriptures in family papers inviting them to come and study with their children) we will have more confidence with the people we speak. A specific message is much more effective then trying to "shotgun" for their needs in 3 seconds.

Im doing pretty good. We have Satan working hard against us but were fighting back!

Elder BRooksby

Pray For Them

Well Shoot!

Our two shining starts for this weekends baptismal service were held back! :( 

Satan got to working hard against us when he saw how excited and happy we were for these two of our sisters to be entering into a sacred promise with God to take upon them the name of His Son Jesus Christ.

xxxxx is going to Lisbon this week and we hope and pray she can return and we may continue to teach her about all the Lord has ready for her as she is ready to accept His Blessings :)

xxxxx was out of town for the whole week! :( We haven't been able to speak to her yet for two weeks now, but we know God has everything in His Power and she will be able to feel that as we do our best to get appointments with her and teach her of His Love:)

xxxxxx is just doing so well! This week was full of progress and spiritual growth for us all as we shared time each day discussing faith, repentance and forgiveness. I know that she will be such a strong leader here in this ward as she is able to move her work schedule and come to church! She is super excited to be able to come we just need to pray that her boss will have a soft heart and all will go well :) Shes been having some really powerful experiences with The Book of Mormon! We get a text about every night with a scripture she found and loves! From The Book of Mormon Or D&C!! (She LOVES D&C!)

I pray each night for every one of these children of our loving Heavenly Father, I hope they may feel the Atoning sacrifice of our Brother and Savior Jesus Christ. Sealing them His.. and Ours! :)

I have had some really big hits to the chest this week, growing a lot more then I thought possible and seeing Gods hand just keep me up as I walk.. Its pretty amazing. I literally feel and know He is with me as I open my mouth to share :)

People are hardened and rude, but its not because they don't like us or because they don't want to know Jesus Christ better... They are just afraid.. we need to be their friends and make them feel not so afraid! The Missionaries are here to teach and share how it all works out.

Reading Preach my Gospel Chapter 5 about The Book Of Mormon, There are many questions out there that people need the answer too! If you are kind enough to reach out and show your love with a simple question "Everything ok?" or "how are you doing lately?" be sensitive to the spirit and you will find something they need from you that you have :)

As missionaries only few will feel comfortable with us and to answer a question like that is very rough for them. Lets be their friends and serve first ok? :)

Well Elder Shumway and I are making Big plans for Beja, We see the potential it has to become a great ward! Youth and Young people! I am always nervous trying to teach young people, they're so lost and need our help!!

Be Examples! If you cant be an example BE QUIET! Hehe Be Smart, Be Smiling, Be Loving, Be Caring, Be Thoughtful! Be super chill ;)

Im really happy to be a missionary here in Portugal, Its no where near easy! but worth it :)

Love you all!

Elder Brooksby

Dog is on Fire?

I'm really happy :) I got done reading some really cool stuff that's happening in the mission. Our President is a really inspired man :)

Well we had a zone conference in Faro, Portugal. Its about 3 hours from where I am serving and we are going to be returning there today for interviews with the President. Im pretty happy with how the area is going out here, although all our numbers are lower then the zone we´ve been able to find some people really incredible..

Including one that was marked for baptism yesterday :) Remember xxxxx?

Well we´ve been trying to involve our members in everything we do, because if you baptise 100 people but they don't feel welcome in church by the people... they´ll leave. So we have been always bringing members and switching the members we use so when they come to church they feel at home :)

The funny thing is...

The Members are marking the baptisms of our investigators before we know they wanna be baptised.... ;P

I don't know how but the last two baptisms have been our investigators calling a member and saying... So... I got an answer to my prayers and I want you to baptise me. And we are like suffering on our knees praying for a miracle while our members are laughing about plans for the service and who will baptise who... Its crazy :D In a good way. Haha.

Elder Shumway is doing excellent. Yeah it gets a little hard a few days when we've already talked with everyone who ISN'T ready and no one who IS. You just want to give up and go to eat a cake somewhere.... But YOU DON'T! :P You got talk to 3 more people and get rejected 3 more times! THEN you go eat a cake!

That's how we do it here! We make up excuses for why people didn't want to talk to us..

Elder Brooksby: She looked like she was in a hurry maybe..

Elder Shumway: She got a call and her dog is on fire at home.

Elder Brooksby: Yeah! That's probably what it was.

Elder Shumway: Yeah. I'm pretty sure it was...

Hahahahaha

Then we keep rolling.

So were getting some good stuff going. Its not always hard.

I saw one of the saddest things I think Ive seen to this day. I can only say that It was the work of Lucifer. The Enemy Of All Righteousness.

One of our investigator families split up. They have 3 Children 17, 10, 4. The Mother and Father are not married so they couldn't get baptised. Then this weekend at an activity the kids all showed up looking like skeletons. xxxx (10 year old) just said... "My parents are separating..." the older girl didn't say anything and they just walked in a started playing with us.

I was overwhelmed with the feeling that My Loving Heavenly Father was crying in the moment that tears sprung to my eyes. I know that Marriage is ordained of God and that a Family can only be happy when founded upon the principles of righteousness. As The Savior commanded "Pray Always". Please remain firm in your prayers for Our Mother and Father to always be guided by The Lord and His Spirit. I know that its the only way Ive gotten as far in this life as I have until now.

I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit and for My Lord and Savior. For My Heavenly Father who when I am worthy communicates His thoughts and desires through me. 

This week one of our investigators got a call from his father as we were there. he talked for a few mins and then hung up and said sorry. I saw the happiness that came from a short conversation with a father who loves and cares. How much more is it when we talk to the Father of our Souls? We must never forgot this :)
I can´t.

So this week will be good I hope :)

Oh A new change for All missions, We are allowed to email all friends family and everything! The First Presidency JUST changed the rule (two days after I sent the email saying I couldn't.. haha trail of faith.) So we can talk to Trevar and all the other missionary friends we have and I had a really strong spirit telling me that we need to encourage our friends at home to remain faithfully and prepare to serve Him.

Well I wrote a ton today! Ill send pics someday :)

Love You All

Elder Brooksby

Elder Brooksby-Training first Greene from MTC!

Its been pretty good week! :)

Well, what can I say?

We gad a division with the Zone leaders this week, they helped us work on the things we can better so that our investigators, will progress better.

It was pretty interesting how the Lord gave us the day away from each other so that My comp could see the difference in the way that I work and the way other missionaries work. At the end of the division a stronger connection was there between us :) Its good to be able too see what you like in others! :)

After finding a bunch of new people this last week, a few of them made it through the hurdle of the first contact to an actual lesson. Speaking of which! We have some new friends here that I wanna tell you all about!

1. xxxxx: Really cool guy from Africa who is smart and has like.... 0 teeth.

2. xxxxx: A 26 year old who on our first contact asked all about the church and had questions like crazy! We had the opportunity to meet with her last night and with our branch president and his wife, it was a really good time and she basically asked for a book of Mormon before we had even started talking about it! :) It was really cool to see the Lord was preparing people for us to teach as we do our best and work hard!

Some really good new training for us as well... Its stuff I wish I had been doing and understanding since day 1! But I know God reveals everything in His own due time. Patience and Humility are two things I'm going to be working on.

I wish someone had come up to me in the street and said this to me in the first day:

"Elder Brooksby, If you are humble you will have the spirit." 

I'm sure someone did though.,... but I was just plugging my ears and running around in a circle screaming nonsense.».«

Ive got a WHOLE lot more too learn... Wow. Sometimes it´s scary to think Ive got this far and Im still a babbling fool at times :D

Lots of yelling at us this week, even the first time Elder Shumway used the phone an older woman yelled at him, then gave the phone to her husban and he yelled at him. The funny part... He didnt understand a word :P

Pray for us, I know someone is because in the moments that are about to be difficult I get this força to keep going.

"When we have faith in Christ, we accept and apply His Atonement and His teachings. We trust Him and what He says. We know that He has the power to keep His promises."

Preach My Gospel.

Love you all! Elder Brooksby

Week 4 Down! One month in Beja :)

Its my first month completed in Beja! I just realised how time flies so fast..

Well this week was pretty chill, we taught a few lessons (6) and found about 3 new people to teach. The progress of the branch is really fluctuating. Some get the priesthood and others fall away!

I was reading this week in the Book of Mormon and I found someone who I feel similar too at times :)

Moroni!
Right when everything was going good after he kicked butt with the title of liberty, the people started rebelling, the laminates started attacking and I'm sure his wife was mad at him for something!
It was a super crazy hard time for him, you can tell, but what was cool to me is how he acted!
He just picked a problem and took care of it.
Then to the next one.
Then the next.
and Done!

The hard part is I cant just put people in jail here! :P:P

Well here its pretty calm. we talk with everyone in the road and were always knocking on someones door :P
Its been a big focus on the mission to get better at teaching.! Its challenging and frustrating when we fail but It helps us get better and do better the next day! The more we practice and study the more we want to teach! Its all about understanding the stuff then it gets super addicting! :D:D

I blew an older mans mind this week Story:
So you know, Elder P and I are just knocking doors on Saturday morning as usual and this older man opens up saying " I am a catholic! You are Mormons! thank you but no! "

after some dancing in the door (talking about other stuff to get him distracted :P) he started talking with us,
the conversation led to the fact he had just turned 41. He seemed worried about what his life would bring him as he was beginning to feel the age.
I politely asked the man a quick question :
"Sir, as a catholic what are your believes on what happens after this life?"
He stopped and thought for a while. Deeply the spirit moved in me and the words started coming out.
After a short pause he began to tell me what he knew.. "Nothing"
I had a great time explaining how this life is not the end and the spirit touched his heart. 
We set up an appointment for this week.

I'm so grateful for the Lord and His promises that If we study and search with all our minds He will give us the words to speak to help His family.

The Part more difficult is Satan is working just as hard as we are. Never more or less. Just as hard. We've gotta beat him out!

Share with everyone!
Love LEder Brooksby

Bem Bem Bem!

Really great week! Really.

 

Well a letter went out around the mission called The Consecrated Missionary.

It was a huge help for me! It literally explained so much of what I was struggling with and how I could become better. Not just better, but that missionary who I want to be. Me :)

 

President came for a Zone conference and we all got to go out and learn a lot. They discussed the concept of a missionary who is really consecrated to the work. It was like an example of how we can be the best we can. Even president was talking about how much he was yet to go! It made us all feel good and really set up some great goals and standards for ourselvs.

 

Well the hard work ensued, we finished off the week pretty weak with no one at church but with a lot more focus on getting people there for this week. We found a really cool young man this week we are starting to teach. We invited him to church only he couldnt find it! He waited around but his phone died! So we were bummed but really happy to have someone with so much desire to come! It was a big blessing for us and our gun-ho! about talking with everyone at all times all things all places.

 

I had so many of my old thoughts come rushing abck to me about how I thought I would do missionary work and It was just like...

Wait.. Why am I not doing these?!? Hahahaha It was like I woke up outta  a dream! Elder Palmer is just tearing it up down here too! He doesnt let anyone walk past without offering to baptise them! hahaha its been pretty good.

With all blessings comes challenges and I know that if things are going ok now I need to take my time and "fortify" my City walls of who I am :)

 

Speaking of walls... :)

I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE CASTLE!!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D It was AMAZING!!!!
I AM INLOVE WITH IT.

 

I was walking away talking about personal study inside and when I grow up how I am going to come back and take over and how cool castles are.... I think Elder Palmer was a little shocked at how I just grinned my ears off and smiled and shut my eyes and just ahhh it was so awesome :)

 

 

Its like.. Its just like..

I got to loving again... :)

 

Its not that we cant love in the hard times... Its just we really have to love in the times we have! So we can make memories and change peoples lives.

 

Well I need to shoot. Weve got lessons :)

 

Love
Elder Brooksby

HAHAHAH BEJA!

Wow.

Funny story..

Remember my old area? How I got transfer calls and they said I was going to Beja? Well it was a joke and I came here to Tejo.

Well I got transfer calls this morning and I am going to gues..... Beja! Hahahahaha

Im really mixed up again. Im going to miss this area. I was just getting familiar with it and ready to roll. Its going to be frustrating to see Elder R and his new comp take it in their own direction. (knock doors 24/7) 

I really do wanna do my best out here in Portugal. For My Savoir and Myself! Not because someone wants me too! It was really great to feel so strongly about my mission here but really rough to have it beat on. 

I have a pretty good feeling this will be the hardest time until now on the mission. I figured out 3 ways to base the happiness of the mission,

1. Your Testimony (Personal Spirit)

2. Your Companionship (United or No)

3. Your Area (If you know how to work it or not)

Its a giant balancing act that I am going to try to master this next area, comp and personal transfer 

Im really loving the mission. Wouldn't give it away for anything. Its the growing the learning and everything! Just... I still got quite a few rough edges to work out with the Lord :)

Man I get super pumped to see how Haley is right now! Its the best time of the mission to have that comp you love and everything rolling! Write it down love it and cherish it! Real growth happens when we are happy and stressed ;D

Im going to visit all the member now, cut my hair ( My hair is how I show how I feel hehe ) and pack my bags!

Go look Beja up on the map!! 

Also, Im reading the Book of Mormon Manual. Its been killer awesome. If you guys could get or find one lets read it together!

My New comp I met once, he seems really chill and confident I am happy to go there and see if I can loosen him up a little lovingly hehehehhe.. (turn off the hot water while he is in the shower.. MWAHAHAHAHWHWHAWHAHWashkfjwh... cough cough#)

Root for me in the ups and downs!! Love you Alllllll

Elder Brooksby

Glory Glory... Hallelujah!

You may ask why I have that as my title.

Well,

WE HAD A BAPTISM! :D

XXXXXXXX! A 42 year old sweet lady who works learning houses and grew up gardening! Capo verdinan! She never went to school or spoke Portuguese before coming here and she is really reliant on the help of God! After the first lesson with her, she started dreaming about God and getting baptized...... :D The hard part is... She doesn't speak Portuguese  She speaks the language of Creole (its like pumza´s remember?) but without the clicks and stuff. I cant understand her at all :P Elder Riberio is the one to teach her basically :P haha I just smile and show pictures! :D

The week was SUPER AWESOME! We had the general 70 over our area come and give us a bunch of light on how we can work better. Now were back in the trenches and getting to work.!

I've started to organize a Missionary Prep class for... EVERYONE! haha We want to invite our stake to participate and learn the Hows, Whats, and Whys of missionary work! Pray that I can get it going! Its pretty much a personal project :P hahaha.

As far as missionary work goes we are knocking doors and I'm joking with people on buses trying to get the word out as best possible! :P :D

I was really surprised this week at how much time has past since I taught a lesson, since entering here I've taught about 4-5 1st lessons and only 2 2nd. Its so crazy when we find someone who listens for a little I forget what I am supposed to teach :P :P

Man this week felt so long but I don't have a whole lot to write about today :S :P

Tomorrow is a new year! What are the goals for you all?!

Mine are be a good missionary and a good example for all you stinky butts :P

XXXXXXl: haley got your letter!! :)

I watched the movie of the family! Hahahhahahah I loved it! I especially loved the part where Savannah talked. She is growing up :) Reminds me of Haley a little hehe.

I calle dthe office to see if they have the book articles of faith, if they do Ill grab it here! (good idea Haley) If you all are going to study the Book of Mormon this year I also I will go chapter by chapter with you all! I have a lot more study time this transfer!

Anyways Im going to go wander the apartment now, My comp wants to sleeeeeep :P

I Love You!

Elder Brooksby