Hola everyone!
This week was so awesome! Seriously one of the best of my mission! I'll probably say that a lot, haha, because Chile is a wonderful place! First of all I went on divisiones [splits] in the campo [countryside]! It was sweet, but I almost fell asleep a lot because it was so silent. I guess I am used to the craziness of my area! We had a wonderful wedding on Friday. It was flawless. My ward is a amazing and helped out so much. Victor and Saury were so happy and danced the night away. Then on Saturday they got baptized. I really can't describe my feelings being part of all this. It has been a tender mercy in my life. After the baptism Victor and Saury hugged each other for a good 5 minutes and cried. Three years of waiting to make this essential covenant. The day finally came. After the baptism they told me in a year (since I'll still be in Santiago) they want Hermana Aspitia and I to come to the sealing in the temple. They are inviting their first missionaries from Venezuela too. I look forward to this day. I know God loves us. I know He hears our prayers and wants us to talk to Him. We are His children. Each one of you is a special child of God and you are capable of anything. You know why? Because you are a Child of God. I know this work is true. Hermana Brinkerhoff
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Hola! This week was super bakan! First of all we had a noche de hogar...or family home evening, and we invited a man from Haití. We were expecting just him...but he came walking down the street with 5 amigos! cincho! fue loco! Turns out one is a member and was able to explain a lot of things to the others who don't speak español...or ingles. Teaching them is very, very interesting! Yesterday they all attended church. It was quite the sight to see them all fixed up in the best clothes they brought to Chile! In Gospel Principles we had a lady in the ward that speaks french translate. So we first did spanish, then french. It was awesome. Yet again we had splits. Oh the joy of being comps with a sister trainer leader. For me splits are always a challenge, but also so fun. This time it was Hermana Pizarro from Perú. She is the sweetest thing ever, but we failed to get a picture. Thanks to splits, I do feel I'll be able to guide my sector if we have transfers. I'll tell you one thing, sometimes the mission is a lot more than you signed up for! We also had a reunion with the mission president and better learned how to use El Libro de Mormon. This week we have a wedding and 3 baptisms planned. It's going to be wild! I still am in shock over Victor and Saury and love them to pieces. How grateful I am that the Lord prepares his people! Also the drama of the week is my burnt face...this week I was drinking from my fancy new thermal and the water was a bit too hot...thus I now have a burn and everyone and their perro wants to know what happened. Don't worry mom, I've been applying everything I have. I love you all! "Porque el es siempre el mismo, ayer, hoy y para siempre; y la vía ha sido preparada para todos los hombres desde el fundación del mundo..." 1 Nefi 10:18 ["For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him." 1 Nephi 10:18] Christ never changes, even in our crazy world! Hermana Josie Brinkerhoff Hey everyone!
What a week! First of all I had divisiones with Hermana Vincent! Before my mission I followed her Facebook blog, so it was super fun to spend the day with her! We finally got our Washington DC referral to agree to a baptism date, but he failed to attend church yesterday...so the date fell through. The best part of the week was when we received a phone call from a random number. We answered and the guy explained to us he was from Venezuela and had been investigating the church for two years. That night we went and visited him. He lives with his girlfriend of many years. They moved to Chile for a better life because Venezuela is having a lot of problems. The only reason they didn't get baptized there was because they couldn't get married there. We visited almost everyday this week. I absolutely adore them. Today they went to get the information to get married here in Chile and yesterday they were welcomed warmly to church. Thier names are Victor and Saurly. Victor is glad we are sisters because we can connect better with Saurly. It is amazing to see how God prepares His people, in His time. I love these people in Chile. We also have another investigator who we found through referrals. We plan on a baptism this week. fingers crossed!!!!! I love you and know the Church is true! I hope all of you are reading the Book of Mormon every day. It's the only way to survive these last days! Love, Hermana Brinkerhoff Hey everyone!
This week was super rough at first, but ended amazing!!! I have gained a testimony of obediencia! Last week we went to a family home evening night with a member and our investigator didn't show up. Technically we aren't supposed to stay if we don't have an investigator, but the other hermanas in the ward had one. So it was a bit of a grey area if you know what I mean. We left and decided to try to find this lady we have been looking for since literally my first day in Chile (almost 2 months ago!) We ended up walking past her in the street and then taught a lesson. It was so awesome! She remembered me and called me "mi amor" or "my love." So, so awesome! Also our reference from Washington D.C. had his first class of yoga and guess what? It turns out he only has yoga once a month on Sunday. I almost cried. This week we had more divisions since my comp is a sister training leader. I was in charge of the sector with a girl that has the same time as me, and since it's my sector I was in charge. It was interesting, but super good for me to lead the lessons and where to go. Also we went to the temple, but this time it was for a session! I did the whole thing in Spanish and guess what? I understood almost all of it. Woo-hoooo!!! It's been amazing to see how your brain adapts to a new language. Now I think almost everything in Spanish and don't have to try to hard to change stuff in my head...I just say it. The gift of tongues is real! The Santiago temple is to die for. It's tiny, but seriously precious! I love my ward and the people of Chile, they are so loving and giving. This is something I realized I needed to work on. Be more giving. In the end it's just stuff. I sure love all of you and send a big Chileno kiss! Also with Mother's Day coming up, (next week but who's counting? uhhhh Hermana Brinkerhoff is!) I want to say how much I love my mom. You don't know what it's like to miss your mom until you go on a mission...especially in a different country with a different language. I have to admit my biggest trial of my mission has been missing my mom (and my dad haha) I am so grateful I was born of goodly parents who taught me the restored gospel. The mission sure opens your eyes and you see how crazy crazy blessed you are. I know we have a Savior and I love to tell the people the good news of the gospel. Good luck with finals to all my friends at UW ;) Con amor, Hermana Brinkerhoff |
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