5/18/15
Hey;
This will probably be the last email, I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing next Monday yet, but it might be a little crazy. If there is time I'll probably just send a short e-mail letting you guys know what’s going on. On p-day we can do whatever we want and go wherever we want, we just have to catch a bus to the mission home....and the bus comes every hour, so it might be a little tight.
I'm actually really excited to speak in the ward, it will be weird speaking in English! I don't even write out my talks in English anymore, there really just isn’t any point, maybe I'll have to write it out in Spanish and then English. I just hope I don't accidentally slip in Spanish things on accident. I tend to do that a lot. My life is in Spanglish.
We had Zone Conference this week and we kind of talked of sprinting to the end, how now is not the time to get tired and complacent. We watched a video about a horse the Secretariat he was totally in the lead and obviously going to win, and he could of slowed down if he wanted but kept going as fast as he possibly could until the end. He won the race, but also beat a record that is still standing today. I thought about it and sometimes we think that the only goal is to finish the race.....but sometimes there are higher goals that we should think about reaching. Yes I know I'm going to finish the mission, but that doesn’t mean I should slow down because I can, I need to keep going as fast as I can because there are still things out there for me. Now is the time to sprint!
I love you guys so much and can't wait to tell you about things that have been going on for the past year and a half!
I'll see you next week! I love you!
Kenzie
Monday, May 18, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Week 76 in Spain! (23rd Week in Mostoles)
5/12/15
Two weeks! I can't believe it! Time is just flying by. I have a lot of meetings this week so it will go by even faster I'm sure. We are going to have a Family Home Evening farewell party in the ward for Elder Cantero and I. It'll be fun and I can't wait for you guys to meet them all. There are a lot of people here that I love a lot. I really am getting excited though. Just to be around you guys again. I miss home. It will be really weird at first, Spain is a lot different.
Nearing the end is a weird WIERD feeling. I'm not sure how to describe it. I'm sure others feel the same coming home from their mission. I see things coming to the end and feel like I'm putting an end to part of my life, a big part. I've been doing only one thing for a year and a half and it's all coming to an end, but then I feel like it’s only a stepping stone to the beginning. I've learned a lot and have changed a lot and have met and have got to know a lot of people that are a big part of my life. I don't think I'm putting an end to this part of my life, I was learning how to start the life that Heavenly Father wants for me. I can’t wait to share these wonderful experiences and feelings with you all in person. I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out or more excited for the way things are going to be. I love you guys and will talk to you soon!
Hermana Brumble (for only two more weeks! )
Two weeks! I can't believe it! Time is just flying by. I have a lot of meetings this week so it will go by even faster I'm sure. We are going to have a Family Home Evening farewell party in the ward for Elder Cantero and I. It'll be fun and I can't wait for you guys to meet them all. There are a lot of people here that I love a lot. I really am getting excited though. Just to be around you guys again. I miss home. It will be really weird at first, Spain is a lot different.
Nearing the end is a weird WIERD feeling. I'm not sure how to describe it. I'm sure others feel the same coming home from their mission. I see things coming to the end and feel like I'm putting an end to part of my life, a big part. I've been doing only one thing for a year and a half and it's all coming to an end, but then I feel like it’s only a stepping stone to the beginning. I've learned a lot and have changed a lot and have met and have got to know a lot of people that are a big part of my life. I don't think I'm putting an end to this part of my life, I was learning how to start the life that Heavenly Father wants for me. I can’t wait to share these wonderful experiences and feelings with you all in person. I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out or more excited for the way things are going to be. I love you guys and will talk to you soon!
Hermana Brumble (for only two more weeks! )
Monday, May 4, 2015
Week 75 in Spain! (22nd Week in Mostoles)
5/4/15
Hey,
That's so cool that Mom and Dad are in Cancun! I hope that they learn lots of Spanish there so we can talk when I get home. I'll be talking in Spanish a lot......without knowing. I don't think I can make it two sentences without using some sort of Spanish...that will be an adjustment.
It looks beautiful! .......so when am I going?:)
This week was way fun! We went to a Madrid game. I have a much larger appreciation for Soccer now, It’s way cool. Things are good. Me and Hermana Hillman are working really hard. We are struggling a bit with investigators that we have. We've pretty much decided to drop all of them. I was super worried to do it, because after we would literally have no one, but once we did I felt such a weight off my shoulders. Now we can really focus on finding people who are actually willing to do things. And maybe in the future the people we dropped will be ready. We have been meeting with Giacomo, the ten year old boy, and I put him on a baptismal date! I was so excited. Right now his mom (who is less active) is doing a lot better as well. She is really starting to understand the importance of everything. Not only for him or her, but both of them together as a family. The only sad thing is that I set the date for the 30th of May. Four days after I get home. I just didn’t feel right about doing it earlier. I knew it was only because I wanted to see him get baptized. He will be baptized and that's the important thing, but he'll also be ready.
When I first started going here in Spain, I think the testimony meetings surprised me the most. Almost everyone got up to bear their testimony and each one was a firm conviction of what they knew. I have learned a lot from members here and their testimonies and gratitude for the gospel in their lives. I think I lack in that most of the time. Really feeling thankful for the gospel in my life.
I love you guys so much and hope you have a great week!
Kenzie
Hey,
That's so cool that Mom and Dad are in Cancun! I hope that they learn lots of Spanish there so we can talk when I get home. I'll be talking in Spanish a lot......without knowing. I don't think I can make it two sentences without using some sort of Spanish...that will be an adjustment.
It looks beautiful! .......so when am I going?:)
This week was way fun! We went to a Madrid game. I have a much larger appreciation for Soccer now, It’s way cool. Things are good. Me and Hermana Hillman are working really hard. We are struggling a bit with investigators that we have. We've pretty much decided to drop all of them. I was super worried to do it, because after we would literally have no one, but once we did I felt such a weight off my shoulders. Now we can really focus on finding people who are actually willing to do things. And maybe in the future the people we dropped will be ready. We have been meeting with Giacomo, the ten year old boy, and I put him on a baptismal date! I was so excited. Right now his mom (who is less active) is doing a lot better as well. She is really starting to understand the importance of everything. Not only for him or her, but both of them together as a family. The only sad thing is that I set the date for the 30th of May. Four days after I get home. I just didn’t feel right about doing it earlier. I knew it was only because I wanted to see him get baptized. He will be baptized and that's the important thing, but he'll also be ready.
When I first started going here in Spain, I think the testimony meetings surprised me the most. Almost everyone got up to bear their testimony and each one was a firm conviction of what they knew. I have learned a lot from members here and their testimonies and gratitude for the gospel in their lives. I think I lack in that most of the time. Really feeling thankful for the gospel in my life.
I love you guys so much and hope you have a great week!
Kenzie
Monday, April 27, 2015
Week 74 in Spain! (21st Week in Mostoles)
4/27/15
Hey,
This week started out with a lot of good goals.....but then I got sick, of course. I'm getting a lot better though. We've been focusing so much on finding new investigators. It’s so hard when you have nothing really going for you, but Hermana Hillman and I are working so hard and we've found a lot of promising people. We had a list of passby's to do one day and one person was home!!! It’s a women named Wendy and her boyfriend who is less active. The Hermanas before had passed by a couple times before and never once taught them the restoration! So we taught them that and it went really well. We'll see what happens. It really helped that her boyfriend is involved and maybe it will help him feel the need to come back as well.
This Wednesday we're going to a Madrid game as a district! I'm so excited! I bought a Madrid shirt and I'm so ready to go! I can't remember who it's against, but I'm excited! :)
Also on May 7 our mission is becoming an I-pad mission. I don't really know exactly what that means for me....I'll only have 20 days left.......but I guess I'll find out. The whole entire mission is meeting in Pavones together, I don't think that has ever happened in this mission yet. It'll be neat.
This week I went to the temple for the last time as a missionary! Que fuerte! It was really good, but the session was so big that they had to put all the missionaries in one session. Because there were mostly Americans....they did it in English.....and to make it even better......it was the old video. I can see why they changed it! I really enjoyed Satan:) It was a spiritual experience though. It was weird sitting in the celestial room and knowing that would be my last time as a missionary. But I doubt my experiences there will be any different in the future. It was just a little bitter sweet. I can't wait to go back with you guys!
As it gets close to the end of my mission it has been really interesting looking back at experiences I have had. It has been so neat to see the change people make in their lives and seeing the atonement in action. But not only for our investigators and the people we come in contact with, but in other missionaries and even ourselves. I teach people about Jesus and his sacrifice for us everyday all day, but it isn't very often that I think about how it has changed my life and how it continues to change my life. If there is one thing I can say I learned from my mission is that we can all change. We will all change if we allow our savior to help us. It is a message of hope and happiness that I'll never really be able to understand fully. But I'm really thankful for how my mission has changed me.
I love you guys and I can't wait to talk to you. It will be here sooooo soooooon!
Con Amor, Hermana Brumble
Hey,
This week started out with a lot of good goals.....but then I got sick, of course. I'm getting a lot better though. We've been focusing so much on finding new investigators. It’s so hard when you have nothing really going for you, but Hermana Hillman and I are working so hard and we've found a lot of promising people. We had a list of passby's to do one day and one person was home!!! It’s a women named Wendy and her boyfriend who is less active. The Hermanas before had passed by a couple times before and never once taught them the restoration! So we taught them that and it went really well. We'll see what happens. It really helped that her boyfriend is involved and maybe it will help him feel the need to come back as well.
This Wednesday we're going to a Madrid game as a district! I'm so excited! I bought a Madrid shirt and I'm so ready to go! I can't remember who it's against, but I'm excited! :)
Also on May 7 our mission is becoming an I-pad mission. I don't really know exactly what that means for me....I'll only have 20 days left.......but I guess I'll find out. The whole entire mission is meeting in Pavones together, I don't think that has ever happened in this mission yet. It'll be neat.
This week I went to the temple for the last time as a missionary! Que fuerte! It was really good, but the session was so big that they had to put all the missionaries in one session. Because there were mostly Americans....they did it in English.....and to make it even better......it was the old video. I can see why they changed it! I really enjoyed Satan:) It was a spiritual experience though. It was weird sitting in the celestial room and knowing that would be my last time as a missionary. But I doubt my experiences there will be any different in the future. It was just a little bitter sweet. I can't wait to go back with you guys!
As it gets close to the end of my mission it has been really interesting looking back at experiences I have had. It has been so neat to see the change people make in their lives and seeing the atonement in action. But not only for our investigators and the people we come in contact with, but in other missionaries and even ourselves. I teach people about Jesus and his sacrifice for us everyday all day, but it isn't very often that I think about how it has changed my life and how it continues to change my life. If there is one thing I can say I learned from my mission is that we can all change. We will all change if we allow our savior to help us. It is a message of hope and happiness that I'll never really be able to understand fully. But I'm really thankful for how my mission has changed me.
I love you guys and I can't wait to talk to you. It will be here sooooo soooooon!
Con Amor, Hermana Brumble
Monday, April 20, 2015
Week 73 in Spain! (20th Week in Mostoles)
4/20/15
Well, my week....honestly I never know what to tell you guys. My week was really good. I'm working really hard with Hermana Hillman. Making sure she knows the area and really just getting ready to just hand it over to her and let her take control. It's really weird thinking that she'll be the last companion and not even just that, but that I know exactly what is going to happen at the end of this transfer....it's crazy!
Basically we're just trying to build up the area. We have investigators but not solid ones, so we go out contacting pretty often. It's been a really fun transfer though, we get a long really well, everyone in the district.
This week was pretty much the same, we taught, went contacting, district meeting, played Futbol on Saturday.....well Hermana Hillman and I watched people play futbol.....sometimes the games just get too intense for us:) Sunday was probable the most eventful day of the week. :) Juan (our ward pianist) ended the "actual" sacrament meeting, like right when the priesthood go to sit back down, with a little musical postlude......that was fun. After that we met with my favorite member to eat! She’s older and super Spanish and I love her! We ate, then we washed her dishes and then she started having some medical issues....I got to practice some of my nursing skills! That was fun, I'm glad I remember at least some things. :) Then we went to choir and went contacting the rest of the night! Fun stuff!
Next week we're going to the temple! My LAST time as a missionary......que weird! I'm really excited, but nervous. Things are happening so fast and sometimes I don't feel prepared for them. But that’s life and you just have to take it a little at a time, move forward and you'll get the answers and guidance that you need along the way if you're doing what's right and aligning your choices with what God would want you to do. A lot of times I think that I need to stop and not make any decisions until I receive a sure and definite answer, but that's exactly what God doesn’t want us to do. We need to keep moving forward and trying to exercise the gift he gave us from the beginning, our agency! He trusts us to make good decisions, so we need to make them and pay attention to how we feel as we make them.
I'm super excited to see you all again. I love you so much and hope everything is great! I'll talk to you soon!
Kenzie
Well, my week....honestly I never know what to tell you guys. My week was really good. I'm working really hard with Hermana Hillman. Making sure she knows the area and really just getting ready to just hand it over to her and let her take control. It's really weird thinking that she'll be the last companion and not even just that, but that I know exactly what is going to happen at the end of this transfer....it's crazy!
Basically we're just trying to build up the area. We have investigators but not solid ones, so we go out contacting pretty often. It's been a really fun transfer though, we get a long really well, everyone in the district.
This week was pretty much the same, we taught, went contacting, district meeting, played Futbol on Saturday.....well Hermana Hillman and I watched people play futbol.....sometimes the games just get too intense for us:) Sunday was probable the most eventful day of the week. :) Juan (our ward pianist) ended the "actual" sacrament meeting, like right when the priesthood go to sit back down, with a little musical postlude......that was fun. After that we met with my favorite member to eat! She’s older and super Spanish and I love her! We ate, then we washed her dishes and then she started having some medical issues....I got to practice some of my nursing skills! That was fun, I'm glad I remember at least some things. :) Then we went to choir and went contacting the rest of the night! Fun stuff!
Next week we're going to the temple! My LAST time as a missionary......que weird! I'm really excited, but nervous. Things are happening so fast and sometimes I don't feel prepared for them. But that’s life and you just have to take it a little at a time, move forward and you'll get the answers and guidance that you need along the way if you're doing what's right and aligning your choices with what God would want you to do. A lot of times I think that I need to stop and not make any decisions until I receive a sure and definite answer, but that's exactly what God doesn’t want us to do. We need to keep moving forward and trying to exercise the gift he gave us from the beginning, our agency! He trusts us to make good decisions, so we need to make them and pay attention to how we feel as we make them.
I'm super excited to see you all again. I love you so much and hope everything is great! I'll talk to you soon!
Kenzie
Monday, April 13, 2015
Week 72 in Spain! (19th Week in Mostoles)
4/13/15
Hey,
Transfer day! I am staying in Mostoles! Till the END OF MY MISSION! AHHHH! Hermana Spencer went to Barrio 8 and I got Hermana Hillman. She is a couple of transfers behind me on the mission, so I'm going to area train her and then she'll take it from there! It’s really weird to think about, I just am trying to enjoy the last 6 weeks of my mission. There is an Elder in my district who's Spanish. He is finishing with me and always says "Disfruta tu mision...six weeks...the mission is happy" its good advice:)
I haven't been able to see all of conference, everything but the last session on Saturday. I really enjoyed it! I thought that they really stressed the importance of families that are strong in the gospel and how to strengthen your family in the gospel. I really like the messages about Christ and how he is always helping us and how we can help others as well.
The weather here is beautiful! I'm so lucky. I get to end when it is still nice and not too hot. It got a little chilly and rainy, but things are brightening up again and its very nice and beautiful. I can't wait to see the yard and our garden. I love our garden.....I'm not sure if I'm spelling that right.....our Jardín:)
I don’t have a lot of time because of transfers, but I wanted to tell you about my new companion. She is from Canada and served a couple of transfers there waiting for her visa. She is really sweet and really smart. She wants to go into financing.
I'm super excited for this transfer. I know it’s going to be harder because it’s my last. but I'm excited and I can't wait to see what happens! I love you guys and can't wait to see you!
Hermana Brumble
Hey,
Transfer day! I am staying in Mostoles! Till the END OF MY MISSION! AHHHH! Hermana Spencer went to Barrio 8 and I got Hermana Hillman. She is a couple of transfers behind me on the mission, so I'm going to area train her and then she'll take it from there! It’s really weird to think about, I just am trying to enjoy the last 6 weeks of my mission. There is an Elder in my district who's Spanish. He is finishing with me and always says "Disfruta tu mision...six weeks...the mission is happy" its good advice:)
I haven't been able to see all of conference, everything but the last session on Saturday. I really enjoyed it! I thought that they really stressed the importance of families that are strong in the gospel and how to strengthen your family in the gospel. I really like the messages about Christ and how he is always helping us and how we can help others as well.
The weather here is beautiful! I'm so lucky. I get to end when it is still nice and not too hot. It got a little chilly and rainy, but things are brightening up again and its very nice and beautiful. I can't wait to see the yard and our garden. I love our garden.....I'm not sure if I'm spelling that right.....our Jardín:)
I don’t have a lot of time because of transfers, but I wanted to tell you about my new companion. She is from Canada and served a couple of transfers there waiting for her visa. She is really sweet and really smart. She wants to go into financing.
I'm super excited for this transfer. I know it’s going to be harder because it’s my last. but I'm excited and I can't wait to see what happens! I love you guys and can't wait to see you!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, April 6, 2015
Week 71 in Spain! (18th Week in Mostoles)
4/6/15
Hey,
This week has been interesting:) We had Zone Meeting in Fuenlabrada. I was asked to sing......Scary! I was singing and everything was going along just fine, but then when Hermana Spencer was playing all of the sudden the piano just stopped!!!!! I was singing, but in my head I was thinking "should I stop? should I keep going? what do I do?" by the time I came up with my answer to just keep going, the piano came back on just in time to finish the last part of the song:)
It was also Semana Santa this week! It was celebrated a lot differently than in Gijon. There were a lot of parades and people, but not happy parades....it was kind of sad and disturbing actually. They carried around this really huge statue of a dead Jesus, kind of like a funeral march and there were a lot of people dressed up like the Klu Klux Klan. In the MTC they told us not to talk to them:) It was neat to see, but I'm thankful that we focus more on the birth, life, and resurrection rather than his death:) It was really sad.
Conference was great! I had a lot of things answered that I had been struggling with. It has been really interesting to me how easy it has been to apply what they say to myself during the time I've been a missionary. Before the mission when I watched it I listened and learned but I've never felt such a connection to the spirit and the words of the speakers. I decided that I wanted to listen to it in Spanish because it will be my last time on the mission. I really enjoyed it. I'm really going to miss it. I really loved President Packer’s talk and Elder Holland’s as well. The women’s conference talked a lot about marriage and families.....YIKES! I really liked Elder Wilcox’s talk about hearing the music and not just following the steps to the dance. Sometimes I feel like that and I have to stop and adjust something to really hear the spirit and know the importance of what I'm doing. There were a lot of things that I think Heavenly Father was trying to tell me. It was a good way to end conference as a missionary.
Today we went to Getafe to this really big park with the elders in our district and some missionaries in Leganes. It was really fun, we had a picnic and played Futbol. And then we took a walk to this catholic church with a big statue of Christ at the top. It was really cool and I took some pictures. I'll have to send them next time. I've been having a ton of fun with the elders in our district. Transfers are coming up this week and I'm worried that I'll go. I really hope I stay, but It's not about what I want:)
I hope you guys had a great week! I love you all:) Keep going!
Hermana Brumble
Hey,
This week has been interesting:) We had Zone Meeting in Fuenlabrada. I was asked to sing......Scary! I was singing and everything was going along just fine, but then when Hermana Spencer was playing all of the sudden the piano just stopped!!!!! I was singing, but in my head I was thinking "should I stop? should I keep going? what do I do?" by the time I came up with my answer to just keep going, the piano came back on just in time to finish the last part of the song:)
It was also Semana Santa this week! It was celebrated a lot differently than in Gijon. There were a lot of parades and people, but not happy parades....it was kind of sad and disturbing actually. They carried around this really huge statue of a dead Jesus, kind of like a funeral march and there were a lot of people dressed up like the Klu Klux Klan. In the MTC they told us not to talk to them:) It was neat to see, but I'm thankful that we focus more on the birth, life, and resurrection rather than his death:) It was really sad.
Conference was great! I had a lot of things answered that I had been struggling with. It has been really interesting to me how easy it has been to apply what they say to myself during the time I've been a missionary. Before the mission when I watched it I listened and learned but I've never felt such a connection to the spirit and the words of the speakers. I decided that I wanted to listen to it in Spanish because it will be my last time on the mission. I really enjoyed it. I'm really going to miss it. I really loved President Packer’s talk and Elder Holland’s as well. The women’s conference talked a lot about marriage and families.....YIKES! I really liked Elder Wilcox’s talk about hearing the music and not just following the steps to the dance. Sometimes I feel like that and I have to stop and adjust something to really hear the spirit and know the importance of what I'm doing. There were a lot of things that I think Heavenly Father was trying to tell me. It was a good way to end conference as a missionary.
Today we went to Getafe to this really big park with the elders in our district and some missionaries in Leganes. It was really fun, we had a picnic and played Futbol. And then we took a walk to this catholic church with a big statue of Christ at the top. It was really cool and I took some pictures. I'll have to send them next time. I've been having a ton of fun with the elders in our district. Transfers are coming up this week and I'm worried that I'll go. I really hope I stay, but It's not about what I want:)
I hope you guys had a great week! I love you all:) Keep going!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, March 30, 2015
Week 70 in Spain! (17th Week in Mostoles)
3/30/15
AHhhhhh! 8 weeks left! There is an Elder in my district, Elder Cantero, who goes home the same time I do. He likes to remind me. We'll see a plane in the sky and he'll ask me "hey Hermana Brumble, what’s the distance between that plane and you?.....8 weeks!" It's not appreciated, but I guess I never have to check a calendar.
This week we had family home evening with one of my favorite families here the Vaca's! Their 11 year old daughter taught the lesson, so cute. And then they made us empanadas:) I love them! On Tuesday we taught English class. Then Wednesday we went to the Temple. (My second to last time as a missionary) I love going to the temple. Every time we go I get a little more emotional about it. The moment I walk in I feel like I'm home. I love all the workers and the feeling inside. I'm going to miss it, but I know the feeling is the same in every temple. Afterwards we had district meeting and practiced contacting skills. That night we taught cute little Amalia and then went and had noche de hogar/ birthday party with Italo our less active and his family. He has now come to church 3 times in a row! I'M SO PROUD OF HIM! And I can really tell a difference in his spirit. On Thursday we had correlation and weekly planning! Hooray! Sometimes I have a hard time with Thursdays, we're locked in our piso all morning long! Then later that night we taught English class and had Noche de hogar with Marylin, she's an older woman in the ward. She’s my Spanish mama. She always talks about how we get along so well because I'm a Libra and she's a Gemini. It's true. On Friday we had a little bench lesson with our cute old friend Pablo. We see him a lot in the plaza outside our piso. He likes to talk to us and tell us about his daughters and granddaughters. He's very proud of the fact he has no sons:) On Sunday we had church. There was a couple from Iowa who came for their 20th anniversary. The husband served here in Mostoles. I was asked to translate for the wife. THAT WAS SO HARD! but I did it. She's laugh because I'd still slip in some Spanish words without knowing like "siempre" or "pan" ha-ha I think that's how I'll be with you guys for a while. I hope you catch on quick to what I'm saying. I'm not sure how well I can communicate in English any more. They were sweet. Brother and Sister Hunger. After that we went to Pavones for a special fireside with Brad Wilcox. I don't know if you have heard of him. He has written quite a few books and is in charge of the BYU program here in Alcala. It was really good. He talked about why WE have to follow the rules when everyone else gets to do what they want. He said that sometimes people say it’s because we are children of God "well everyone are children of god" or it’s because you were sent to live in the last days "well they are living in the last days too" He then explain that it's because we have the extra portion of the Birthright. He explained that Everyone is given a birthright, but the firstborn gets a double portion. With that extra portion, we have the responsibility of taking care of the rest of our brothers and sisters. He talked about the tribe of Israel and how our responsibility is to gather the tribes of Israel, not to baptize everyone we see, but to find the believers who have that desire in their blood. It was super interesting, but what impacted me the most was something he said about the priesthood. He said that Sisters have all the authority, rights and power as the Elders. Even though we don’t hold the priesthood or the keys, we are given all the blessings and rights as those men who do. It was really powerful and it reminded me of my importance and role as a missionary and part of the tribe of Israel.
I had a really good uplifting week. As time goes by I feel more and more ready to see you guys! I love you and I can’t wait to be with you again! Keep it up!
Hermana Brumble
AHhhhhh! 8 weeks left! There is an Elder in my district, Elder Cantero, who goes home the same time I do. He likes to remind me. We'll see a plane in the sky and he'll ask me "hey Hermana Brumble, what’s the distance between that plane and you?.....8 weeks!" It's not appreciated, but I guess I never have to check a calendar.
This week we had family home evening with one of my favorite families here the Vaca's! Their 11 year old daughter taught the lesson, so cute. And then they made us empanadas:) I love them! On Tuesday we taught English class. Then Wednesday we went to the Temple. (My second to last time as a missionary) I love going to the temple. Every time we go I get a little more emotional about it. The moment I walk in I feel like I'm home. I love all the workers and the feeling inside. I'm going to miss it, but I know the feeling is the same in every temple. Afterwards we had district meeting and practiced contacting skills. That night we taught cute little Amalia and then went and had noche de hogar/ birthday party with Italo our less active and his family. He has now come to church 3 times in a row! I'M SO PROUD OF HIM! And I can really tell a difference in his spirit. On Thursday we had correlation and weekly planning! Hooray! Sometimes I have a hard time with Thursdays, we're locked in our piso all morning long! Then later that night we taught English class and had Noche de hogar with Marylin, she's an older woman in the ward. She’s my Spanish mama. She always talks about how we get along so well because I'm a Libra and she's a Gemini. It's true. On Friday we had a little bench lesson with our cute old friend Pablo. We see him a lot in the plaza outside our piso. He likes to talk to us and tell us about his daughters and granddaughters. He's very proud of the fact he has no sons:) On Sunday we had church. There was a couple from Iowa who came for their 20th anniversary. The husband served here in Mostoles. I was asked to translate for the wife. THAT WAS SO HARD! but I did it. She's laugh because I'd still slip in some Spanish words without knowing like "siempre" or "pan" ha-ha I think that's how I'll be with you guys for a while. I hope you catch on quick to what I'm saying. I'm not sure how well I can communicate in English any more. They were sweet. Brother and Sister Hunger. After that we went to Pavones for a special fireside with Brad Wilcox. I don't know if you have heard of him. He has written quite a few books and is in charge of the BYU program here in Alcala. It was really good. He talked about why WE have to follow the rules when everyone else gets to do what they want. He said that sometimes people say it’s because we are children of God "well everyone are children of god" or it’s because you were sent to live in the last days "well they are living in the last days too" He then explain that it's because we have the extra portion of the Birthright. He explained that Everyone is given a birthright, but the firstborn gets a double portion. With that extra portion, we have the responsibility of taking care of the rest of our brothers and sisters. He talked about the tribe of Israel and how our responsibility is to gather the tribes of Israel, not to baptize everyone we see, but to find the believers who have that desire in their blood. It was super interesting, but what impacted me the most was something he said about the priesthood. He said that Sisters have all the authority, rights and power as the Elders. Even though we don’t hold the priesthood or the keys, we are given all the blessings and rights as those men who do. It was really powerful and it reminded me of my importance and role as a missionary and part of the tribe of Israel.
I had a really good uplifting week. As time goes by I feel more and more ready to see you guys! I love you and I can’t wait to be with you again! Keep it up!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, March 23, 2015
Week 69 in Spain! (16th Week in Mostoles)
3/23/15
This week was really, really slow. It is so frustrating when you have one good week and then a string of really, really slow weeks! Especially when it’s so close to transfers. We are almost done with this transfer and I'm starting to feel it! The end of transfers are always kind of scary, but when the one coming up is your last.....EL PEOR! It’s hard to describe the feelings I'm having right now, it’s kind of like when I started. It’s scary because I'm not certain what is going to happen. But exciting at the same time. I don't want you guys to feel like I'm scared to come home or anything, this has just been my life for a year and a half, I'm sure every missionary goes through this. Sometimes I feel like it is all I know how to do.
This week we didn't have much happen. Just the normal, we taught and contacted and taught some more:) We had a really cool district meeting though. Elder Maya had us each go up and write on the board something that we were each struggling with. Hermana Spencer put the language, I put down patience, Elder Maya put down home, Elder Castro put down using good language, and Elder Canteroput down confidence in the future (he goes home in May too). We each went around and talked about things and how we can help as a district overcome these "barriers". We all went around and Hermana Spencer was pretty quiet. When we finally got to Elder Cantero we each said something and then Elder Maya asked Hermana Spencer if she wanted to add something. In my mind I thought "she'll try and then just say no like before" but in just a few seconds of quiet thought, she said something to him so powerful and exactly what he needed in perfect Spanish. The Spirit that was in that room, the look on everyone's faces, I'm never going to forget that moment. She proved to everyone in that room that overcoming these things that we were all having problems with was something possible. It made me realize that I needed to have more confidence in her, but also that I needed more confidence in myself as well in changing things. When we have desires to change and put complete trust in our Heavenly Father, He makes everything possible. What a powerful moment.
I'm super excited for these up coming weeks. I can't wait to see general conference, I love it! We are also having our ward conference soon and we're having a fireside with Brad Wilcox. Hermana Spencer said he goes around and talks to youth mainly. We'll find out I guess:)
I sure love you guys, I hope you have a great week! I definitely am going to:) Please tell everyone that I love them.
Hermana Brumble
This week was really, really slow. It is so frustrating when you have one good week and then a string of really, really slow weeks! Especially when it’s so close to transfers. We are almost done with this transfer and I'm starting to feel it! The end of transfers are always kind of scary, but when the one coming up is your last.....EL PEOR! It’s hard to describe the feelings I'm having right now, it’s kind of like when I started. It’s scary because I'm not certain what is going to happen. But exciting at the same time. I don't want you guys to feel like I'm scared to come home or anything, this has just been my life for a year and a half, I'm sure every missionary goes through this. Sometimes I feel like it is all I know how to do.
This week we didn't have much happen. Just the normal, we taught and contacted and taught some more:) We had a really cool district meeting though. Elder Maya had us each go up and write on the board something that we were each struggling with. Hermana Spencer put the language, I put down patience, Elder Maya put down home, Elder Castro put down using good language, and Elder Canteroput down confidence in the future (he goes home in May too). We each went around and talked about things and how we can help as a district overcome these "barriers". We all went around and Hermana Spencer was pretty quiet. When we finally got to Elder Cantero we each said something and then Elder Maya asked Hermana Spencer if she wanted to add something. In my mind I thought "she'll try and then just say no like before" but in just a few seconds of quiet thought, she said something to him so powerful and exactly what he needed in perfect Spanish. The Spirit that was in that room, the look on everyone's faces, I'm never going to forget that moment. She proved to everyone in that room that overcoming these things that we were all having problems with was something possible. It made me realize that I needed to have more confidence in her, but also that I needed more confidence in myself as well in changing things. When we have desires to change and put complete trust in our Heavenly Father, He makes everything possible. What a powerful moment.
I'm super excited for these up coming weeks. I can't wait to see general conference, I love it! We are also having our ward conference soon and we're having a fireside with Brad Wilcox. Hermana Spencer said he goes around and talks to youth mainly. We'll find out I guess:)
I sure love you guys, I hope you have a great week! I definitely am going to:) Please tell everyone that I love them.
Hermana Brumble
Monday, March 16, 2015
Week 68 in Spain! (15th Week in Mostoles)
3/16/15
Things have been good this week. It started out pretty slow, it usually does, and then it picks up.
It’s been hard meeting with our investigators lately, which is sad because then they can't progress! But they are doing good. We are visiting this one woman named Mirium. She has been taught everything and comes to church every Sunday, but is convinced she isn't ready to be baptized! I'm not really sure what else to do, it all comes to her testimony of the Book of Mormon though. I think we just need to help her realize the importance of the Book of Mormon and what it means if we have a testimony in it.
The Elders are teaching a Menos Activo who has been inactive for a while. He has a testimony, he just doesn’t really recognize that Heavenly Father is speaking to him. He also has a fear of speaking to people! He can sit in a group of people talking all day long and not say one word. The elders couldn't make it to their lesson one day so Hermana Spencer and I went to talk with him. He is so sweet and wants so badly to talk to people and to speak in church and to have a calling. He is such a good person and I tried so hard to just ask him questions and let him talk. I think it helped him a lot. He left the lesson a lot better and asked me to bring him an English Book of Mormon on Saturday when we come to play Fútbol. He asked me to write in it, and then on Sunday he brought Hermana Spencer and I Oreos:) The Elders were jealous....The ward is helping a lot too. I have seen a huge difference in the ward since I've been here. They are all trying really hard to make church a better experience for the investigators and members, they do so much for us. This Sunday Giacomo, our 9 year old investigator who lives in a pueblo outside of Mostoles with his mom (an inactive) came to church! They can’t come because they don't have the money and sometimes the mom has work. This Sunday ward members went and picked them up. I was so thankful. It was a miracle.
Today we had to go to Aluche to do Hermana Spencer’s residency card things! I remember when I had to do that! It was sooooo long ago, but it felt like it was yesterday! That was frustrating. She flew to Germany instead of going to Spain right from the United States, and so unless you can prove that you flew straight to Spain that same day, they won’t let you get your residency card. The only way you can prove is with your flight ticket and Hermana Spencer threw it away! NOOOO! Elder Bonnie told us that we can use the baggage tags, so we went. Hermana Bennett and her companion were there too. They walked by and told us they had just been rejected because on the baggage tags it has the date of when you left and not when you arrived. We decided to still go. We got to the desk of another lady and she started checking everything. When she started looking at the baggage tags these other guys started to talk to her and she got distracted and put everything through anyway! What a relief and blessing! Now I don't have to worry about it. Thank goodness. It still wasn't as bad as when I got mine, but stillsooooo stressful. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about anything else anymore.
Other than that things are good. I finally got my "5 months left" email. Hermana Chappel called me and said that they didn't know I was going home because I wasn’t on the list. Then they got emails from the church travel department saying they needed my travel plans and where I wanted to go. She felt so bad, but now everything is take care of. She said she would send it to you as well. I don't know much else yet. I had to send them where I wanted to fly to, but that’s it! I hope we get more information soon!
I love you guys! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Things have been good this week. It started out pretty slow, it usually does, and then it picks up.
It’s been hard meeting with our investigators lately, which is sad because then they can't progress! But they are doing good. We are visiting this one woman named Mirium. She has been taught everything and comes to church every Sunday, but is convinced she isn't ready to be baptized! I'm not really sure what else to do, it all comes to her testimony of the Book of Mormon though. I think we just need to help her realize the importance of the Book of Mormon and what it means if we have a testimony in it.
The Elders are teaching a Menos Activo who has been inactive for a while. He has a testimony, he just doesn’t really recognize that Heavenly Father is speaking to him. He also has a fear of speaking to people! He can sit in a group of people talking all day long and not say one word. The elders couldn't make it to their lesson one day so Hermana Spencer and I went to talk with him. He is so sweet and wants so badly to talk to people and to speak in church and to have a calling. He is such a good person and I tried so hard to just ask him questions and let him talk. I think it helped him a lot. He left the lesson a lot better and asked me to bring him an English Book of Mormon on Saturday when we come to play Fútbol. He asked me to write in it, and then on Sunday he brought Hermana Spencer and I Oreos:) The Elders were jealous....The ward is helping a lot too. I have seen a huge difference in the ward since I've been here. They are all trying really hard to make church a better experience for the investigators and members, they do so much for us. This Sunday Giacomo, our 9 year old investigator who lives in a pueblo outside of Mostoles with his mom (an inactive) came to church! They can’t come because they don't have the money and sometimes the mom has work. This Sunday ward members went and picked them up. I was so thankful. It was a miracle.
Today we had to go to Aluche to do Hermana Spencer’s residency card things! I remember when I had to do that! It was sooooo long ago, but it felt like it was yesterday! That was frustrating. She flew to Germany instead of going to Spain right from the United States, and so unless you can prove that you flew straight to Spain that same day, they won’t let you get your residency card. The only way you can prove is with your flight ticket and Hermana Spencer threw it away! NOOOO! Elder Bonnie told us that we can use the baggage tags, so we went. Hermana Bennett and her companion were there too. They walked by and told us they had just been rejected because on the baggage tags it has the date of when you left and not when you arrived. We decided to still go. We got to the desk of another lady and she started checking everything. When she started looking at the baggage tags these other guys started to talk to her and she got distracted and put everything through anyway! What a relief and blessing! Now I don't have to worry about it. Thank goodness. It still wasn't as bad as when I got mine, but stillsooooo stressful. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about anything else anymore.
Other than that things are good. I finally got my "5 months left" email. Hermana Chappel called me and said that they didn't know I was going home because I wasn’t on the list. Then they got emails from the church travel department saying they needed my travel plans and where I wanted to go. She felt so bad, but now everything is take care of. She said she would send it to you as well. I don't know much else yet. I had to send them where I wanted to fly to, but that’s it! I hope we get more information soon!
I love you guys! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, March 9, 2015
Week 67 in Spain! (14th Week in Mostoles)
3/9/15
Hey,
My weeks been pretty good. We've been trying really hard to FIND NEW PEOPLE! It’s so hard and sometimes discouraging, but we keep moving forward:)
The week started out pretty slow. We didn't have much planned. On Tuesday We taught English class. I love teaching English class. Now that we are officially the only companionship in our district who are native English speakers, we are in charge! A recent convert Gustavo comes every week and does so good! He even said the prayer in English! I was so proud:)
On Wednesday we had district meeting. I gave a talk about contacting and finding people....how appropriate:) and then the rest of the day....CONTACTING! We got to put into practice what I talked about:) Elder Maya my district leader also talked about how we need to meet more with the members. Even though that visit doesn’t count as a lesson, that is how we find strong investigators, through the members. We are working with a lot of part member families.
On Thursday, I taught English class again, this time I had Elder Cantero say the prayer...that was funny. Gustavo gave us a HUGE bag of fruit at the end. Hooray for being healthy!!! After that we ran over to Marilyn’s house to have Noche de Hogar with her and the Elders. She is a great lady, a little strong and overwhelming at times, but she really needs and loves the missionaries. She's got a really strong testimony and we always have a good time with her. She's the one who decided she was going to give be a back rub (not sure If I told you about that, but let’s just say she soaked me and my clothes in mint oil, I smelt like I took a bath in Listerine) She always feeds us at the end, we ate bread and different assortments of sausage from Barcelona (in honor of Elder Cantero) ....so much for the fruit:)
On Friday we had a lesson with Florentino, Right after a little old man sat by us. His name is Pablo, We see him all the time at the plaza in front of our piso. We talked and gave him a pamphlet. He's really sweet and just wants someone to talk to. We told him we would see him around. Then next day we saw him on the same park bench reading the pamphlet. He was so nice and sweet to us. He just wants a friend.
Saturday we visited Amalia, the cutest little girl EVER! I love her to death! I had to explain to her how it was possible that Mary was the mother of Jesus and that God was his dad. She was so confused and her mom was just laughing at us the whole time. I decided to just stop and read from the bible. I've never had to do that before and it was almost impossible in Spanish. Afterwards we went to Elizabeth's (less active) house with the elders and had a barbeque. That was fun. But the stars were beautiful that night! We saw the little dipper and the big dipper. The stars are super clear here...or maybe I just don't know what Utah stars are like anymore:)
Sunday was pretty normal. I get to give a talk in church next week! SWEET! Well that was pretty much my week. It's starting to feel so weird that I go home so soon. Hermana Spencer is great though, she really helps me stay focused and in line. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm training her. She's been progressing so much and each day I see a difference. It’s fun being around someone so new on the mission. Her excitement reminds me of how I started and rekindles that fire. Its lots of fun.
Thanks for everything! I love you guys so much. I hope things are great for you this week!
Hermana Brumble
Hey,
My weeks been pretty good. We've been trying really hard to FIND NEW PEOPLE! It’s so hard and sometimes discouraging, but we keep moving forward:)
The week started out pretty slow. We didn't have much planned. On Tuesday We taught English class. I love teaching English class. Now that we are officially the only companionship in our district who are native English speakers, we are in charge! A recent convert Gustavo comes every week and does so good! He even said the prayer in English! I was so proud:)
On Wednesday we had district meeting. I gave a talk about contacting and finding people....how appropriate:) and then the rest of the day....CONTACTING! We got to put into practice what I talked about:) Elder Maya my district leader also talked about how we need to meet more with the members. Even though that visit doesn’t count as a lesson, that is how we find strong investigators, through the members. We are working with a lot of part member families.
On Thursday, I taught English class again, this time I had Elder Cantero say the prayer...that was funny. Gustavo gave us a HUGE bag of fruit at the end. Hooray for being healthy!!! After that we ran over to Marilyn’s house to have Noche de Hogar with her and the Elders. She is a great lady, a little strong and overwhelming at times, but she really needs and loves the missionaries. She's got a really strong testimony and we always have a good time with her. She's the one who decided she was going to give be a back rub (not sure If I told you about that, but let’s just say she soaked me and my clothes in mint oil, I smelt like I took a bath in Listerine) She always feeds us at the end, we ate bread and different assortments of sausage from Barcelona (in honor of Elder Cantero) ....so much for the fruit:)
On Friday we had a lesson with Florentino, Right after a little old man sat by us. His name is Pablo, We see him all the time at the plaza in front of our piso. We talked and gave him a pamphlet. He's really sweet and just wants someone to talk to. We told him we would see him around. Then next day we saw him on the same park bench reading the pamphlet. He was so nice and sweet to us. He just wants a friend.
Saturday we visited Amalia, the cutest little girl EVER! I love her to death! I had to explain to her how it was possible that Mary was the mother of Jesus and that God was his dad. She was so confused and her mom was just laughing at us the whole time. I decided to just stop and read from the bible. I've never had to do that before and it was almost impossible in Spanish. Afterwards we went to Elizabeth's (less active) house with the elders and had a barbeque. That was fun. But the stars were beautiful that night! We saw the little dipper and the big dipper. The stars are super clear here...or maybe I just don't know what Utah stars are like anymore:)
Sunday was pretty normal. I get to give a talk in church next week! SWEET! Well that was pretty much my week. It's starting to feel so weird that I go home so soon. Hermana Spencer is great though, she really helps me stay focused and in line. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm training her. She's been progressing so much and each day I see a difference. It’s fun being around someone so new on the mission. Her excitement reminds me of how I started and rekindles that fire. Its lots of fun.
Thanks for everything! I love you guys so much. I hope things are great for you this week!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, March 2, 2015
Week 66 in Spain! (13th Week in Mostoles)
3/2/15
I have 12 weeks left on the mission! Crazy! Second to last transfer. Elder Lloyd goes hometomorrow. He was an Elder in my district. It’s funny to see people go home now, it’s weird thinking that will be me soon. I've seen a lot of people that I've gotten to know lately, it’s funny to see the difference between the people who just gave up early or "died" and didn’t try at all, and the people who really tried to stick it through to the end. Mom is always reminding me to keep going, and not let going home distract me. As I've seen all of these people going home and the change the mission made in their lives, it only makes me want to work harder. When it is your last transfer, in our zone meetings our zone leaders have you bear your testimony. You can feel a difference it the missionaries who really did their best. I'm terrified for that moment, but I know I can get up with confidence, because I know that I've done what the Lord had asked me to do here. I have a specific purpose and duty here in Spain, in Madrid, and even in our ward in Mostoles. I know I’ve been trying my best to fulfill those responsibilities. I'm so excited for my next couple of transfers here. They are an opportunity to shine and to work the hardest I ever have on my mission. I will not let that opportunity go like some missionaries do.
This week was really good. There is a problem in the mission where when the 6th week of the transfer comes, everyone just dies out because they're tired, they see an end to the transfer, or they know they are being transferred, so they say "well what's the point". I did not want to teach Hermana Spencer that, so we worked really hard. We met with a lot of Menos Activos (less actives) this week. We talked to them a lot about faith and have decided to start committing them to do things that will help them progress as well. It is really interesting how closely related teaching investigators and menosactivos are. One thing I learned on my mission is that reactivation and retention is just as important as baptizing. Working with less actives has been a big part of what I've done on my mission and I've seen a lot of good things from it.
Robert didn’t get baptized. I think he got nervous right before and avoided us a little, but now that his baptism date has passed he's been meeting with us as much as before. When I started my mission I probably would have been really angry or disappointed that we didn't get a baptism, but now I know that he didn't feel quite ready and we'll have to work a little harder until he does. I would rather help him feel ready and excited to be baptized, then baptize him too fast and end up losing him. With a little more time and more work, he'll be ready.
Transfers did happen this week. The night of transfers, we got back to our piso at 9:30 and there were tons of policeman and fireman doing crazy stuff to our building and the building next to us. They had the buildings taped off and no one was allowed to go inside. We had no idea what to do our what was going on so we sat and waited just watching them go in and out. We finally called Elder Maya our district leader and they started running over and called Leticia the Relief Society President and she drove over to be with us till they got there. Leticia was so sweet, she started talking to us about staying with her that night if we couldn’t get in. The Elders finally got there and they started cleaning up and letting people in. We still aren't quite sure what they were doing, but they smoked bombed the two buildings. We had to open our windows and let our piso air out. I didn't get transferred! I was so relieved, but our area changed a lot. We had 8 missionaries, but now we are only going to have five. Elder Lloyd went home and his companion got transferred so President just decided to take their companionship out. He also took Elder Dunn and Elder Sasso out and sent them to two different areas in our Zone. Elder Maya and Elder Cantero are staying, but they are going to team train a new missionary! Pobrecito! So now we're five! That means I could end here. I sure hope so. I'm so sick of moving and I would hate only being in an area for one transfer again. But I guess it’s what the Lord wants, he sure has been doing some crazy changes lately.
I'm doing really good here. I love this ward. It’s probably been my favorite ward to serve in so far.
I hope everything is good and everyone is doing well. I'll talk to you guys soon! Have a great day!
Hermana Brumble
I have 12 weeks left on the mission! Crazy! Second to last transfer. Elder Lloyd goes hometomorrow. He was an Elder in my district. It’s funny to see people go home now, it’s weird thinking that will be me soon. I've seen a lot of people that I've gotten to know lately, it’s funny to see the difference between the people who just gave up early or "died" and didn’t try at all, and the people who really tried to stick it through to the end. Mom is always reminding me to keep going, and not let going home distract me. As I've seen all of these people going home and the change the mission made in their lives, it only makes me want to work harder. When it is your last transfer, in our zone meetings our zone leaders have you bear your testimony. You can feel a difference it the missionaries who really did their best. I'm terrified for that moment, but I know I can get up with confidence, because I know that I've done what the Lord had asked me to do here. I have a specific purpose and duty here in Spain, in Madrid, and even in our ward in Mostoles. I know I’ve been trying my best to fulfill those responsibilities. I'm so excited for my next couple of transfers here. They are an opportunity to shine and to work the hardest I ever have on my mission. I will not let that opportunity go like some missionaries do.
This week was really good. There is a problem in the mission where when the 6th week of the transfer comes, everyone just dies out because they're tired, they see an end to the transfer, or they know they are being transferred, so they say "well what's the point". I did not want to teach Hermana Spencer that, so we worked really hard. We met with a lot of Menos Activos (less actives) this week. We talked to them a lot about faith and have decided to start committing them to do things that will help them progress as well. It is really interesting how closely related teaching investigators and menosactivos are. One thing I learned on my mission is that reactivation and retention is just as important as baptizing. Working with less actives has been a big part of what I've done on my mission and I've seen a lot of good things from it.
Robert didn’t get baptized. I think he got nervous right before and avoided us a little, but now that his baptism date has passed he's been meeting with us as much as before. When I started my mission I probably would have been really angry or disappointed that we didn't get a baptism, but now I know that he didn't feel quite ready and we'll have to work a little harder until he does. I would rather help him feel ready and excited to be baptized, then baptize him too fast and end up losing him. With a little more time and more work, he'll be ready.
Transfers did happen this week. The night of transfers, we got back to our piso at 9:30 and there were tons of policeman and fireman doing crazy stuff to our building and the building next to us. They had the buildings taped off and no one was allowed to go inside. We had no idea what to do our what was going on so we sat and waited just watching them go in and out. We finally called Elder Maya our district leader and they started running over and called Leticia the Relief Society President and she drove over to be with us till they got there. Leticia was so sweet, she started talking to us about staying with her that night if we couldn’t get in. The Elders finally got there and they started cleaning up and letting people in. We still aren't quite sure what they were doing, but they smoked bombed the two buildings. We had to open our windows and let our piso air out. I didn't get transferred! I was so relieved, but our area changed a lot. We had 8 missionaries, but now we are only going to have five. Elder Lloyd went home and his companion got transferred so President just decided to take their companionship out. He also took Elder Dunn and Elder Sasso out and sent them to two different areas in our Zone. Elder Maya and Elder Cantero are staying, but they are going to team train a new missionary! Pobrecito! So now we're five! That means I could end here. I sure hope so. I'm so sick of moving and I would hate only being in an area for one transfer again. But I guess it’s what the Lord wants, he sure has been doing some crazy changes lately.
I'm doing really good here. I love this ward. It’s probably been my favorite ward to serve in so far.
I hope everything is good and everyone is doing well. I'll talk to you guys soon! Have a great day!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, February 23, 2015
Week 65 in Spain! (12th Week in Mostoles)
2/23/15
Hey,
This week was really good. On Monday we met with Amalia (the cutest little recent convert). We visit her are her mom and we help her with her English. Amalia is such a sweet little girl, she always gives me the BIGGEST hugs. I love visiting her and she loves the gospel. Then we had Noche de Hogarwith the youth. I LOVE THE YOUTH! They are so great. The youth help us so much. We've been trying to use them in lessons a lot more. There are a lot of them who are getting to the age of leaving on missions, so I figured it would be good to start having them be more involved now. They are so great and have such a desire to the Lord’s work.
On Tuesday we had English class. The day before was Amalia's birthday so we bought her a cake and had a little Birthday party for her.
Wednesday, we did our weekly planning and then met with the Hermanas in Alcorcon to have lunch. We then helped them prepare for their baptism. Their capilla in Alcorcon doesn’t have a font and so they have their baptism here in Mostoles. Which means we're the ones in charge of putting things together:) It was fun and I think it was good for Hermana Spencer to see a baptism. Sometimes you need to see that baptisms are possible if you work hard:) I think she was happy that we stayed.
On Thursday we had our mission tour with Elder and Sister Dyches. It was really cool. We got there early so that we could practice a song we were going to sing and we posed for the picture. We had to stand FOREVER waiting for Elder Dyches, so we sang until he got there. It was really cool when he walked in. We were all standing in front singing More Holiness Give Me, he came in and just stood in front of us and smiled at us. I had a really hard time not crying. The spirit was so strong. It was kind of an emotional day for me. I had a mission tour when I first started the mission, and just being there reminded me how far I had come and how it was coming to an end. President and Sister Jackson mentioned that as well. It will be their last mission tour. They were pretty emotional about it. Elder and Sister Dyches did a great job and I learned a lot about Our vision of the mission, the importance of companionship study, The sacredness of the chapel, keeping the Area Book updated, and keeping an organized planner. We learned "How to become the missionary your mother thinks you are" We also learned how to make folded paper shirts. He said something that I really liked " It is so easy when I want to, and so hard when I have to" That's so true about a lot of things, not just missionary work. All those things were great and things I needed to hear and do better at, but I was more touched and spiritually fed by President Jackson's message. He shared with us Heleman 15:5-6 “And I would that ye should behold that the more part of them are In the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments...yea I say unto you that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their bretheren to the knowledge of the truth; therefor there are many who do add to their numbers daily.” I really enjoyed those two scriptures and right now in this point of my mission, it meant a lot. Every day we need to ponder the path of our duty, what it is, and if we are following in it.
Afterwards, we had the usual Pizza Hut lunch and push up contest with President Jackson. It’s always really fun getting together with all the missionaries. It's like a family reunion.
On Saturday we ate with Amalia and her family, then I spent almost a half an hour teaching her how to pronounce Spaghetti without saying "espagetti". That was hard but I got her to say it almost 18 times correctly.
Sunday we had a really good sacrament meeting. The bishopric asked me to give a short message and bear my testimony 5 minutes before the meeting started. That happens a lot, but almost everyone came up to me at the end saying "how sad that you're leaving!" hahaha! they all thought I was getting transferred. Next week is transfers, I hope I don't leave...that would be awkward:)
Today we went Bowling with the elders. FUN:)
Well I hope things are great and going well.
Love Kenzie (Hermana Brumble:))
Hey,
This week was really good. On Monday we met with Amalia (the cutest little recent convert). We visit her are her mom and we help her with her English. Amalia is such a sweet little girl, she always gives me the BIGGEST hugs. I love visiting her and she loves the gospel. Then we had Noche de Hogarwith the youth. I LOVE THE YOUTH! They are so great. The youth help us so much. We've been trying to use them in lessons a lot more. There are a lot of them who are getting to the age of leaving on missions, so I figured it would be good to start having them be more involved now. They are so great and have such a desire to the Lord’s work.
On Tuesday we had English class. The day before was Amalia's birthday so we bought her a cake and had a little Birthday party for her.
Wednesday, we did our weekly planning and then met with the Hermanas in Alcorcon to have lunch. We then helped them prepare for their baptism. Their capilla in Alcorcon doesn’t have a font and so they have their baptism here in Mostoles. Which means we're the ones in charge of putting things together:) It was fun and I think it was good for Hermana Spencer to see a baptism. Sometimes you need to see that baptisms are possible if you work hard:) I think she was happy that we stayed.
On Thursday we had our mission tour with Elder and Sister Dyches. It was really cool. We got there early so that we could practice a song we were going to sing and we posed for the picture. We had to stand FOREVER waiting for Elder Dyches, so we sang until he got there. It was really cool when he walked in. We were all standing in front singing More Holiness Give Me, he came in and just stood in front of us and smiled at us. I had a really hard time not crying. The spirit was so strong. It was kind of an emotional day for me. I had a mission tour when I first started the mission, and just being there reminded me how far I had come and how it was coming to an end. President and Sister Jackson mentioned that as well. It will be their last mission tour. They were pretty emotional about it. Elder and Sister Dyches did a great job and I learned a lot about Our vision of the mission, the importance of companionship study, The sacredness of the chapel, keeping the Area Book updated, and keeping an organized planner. We learned "How to become the missionary your mother thinks you are" We also learned how to make folded paper shirts. He said something that I really liked " It is so easy when I want to, and so hard when I have to" That's so true about a lot of things, not just missionary work. All those things were great and things I needed to hear and do better at, but I was more touched and spiritually fed by President Jackson's message. He shared with us Heleman 15:5-6 “And I would that ye should behold that the more part of them are In the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments...yea I say unto you that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their bretheren to the knowledge of the truth; therefor there are many who do add to their numbers daily.” I really enjoyed those two scriptures and right now in this point of my mission, it meant a lot. Every day we need to ponder the path of our duty, what it is, and if we are following in it.
Afterwards, we had the usual Pizza Hut lunch and push up contest with President Jackson. It’s always really fun getting together with all the missionaries. It's like a family reunion.
On Saturday we ate with Amalia and her family, then I spent almost a half an hour teaching her how to pronounce Spaghetti without saying "espagetti". That was hard but I got her to say it almost 18 times correctly.
Sunday we had a really good sacrament meeting. The bishopric asked me to give a short message and bear my testimony 5 minutes before the meeting started. That happens a lot, but almost everyone came up to me at the end saying "how sad that you're leaving!" hahaha! they all thought I was getting transferred. Next week is transfers, I hope I don't leave...that would be awkward:)
Today we went Bowling with the elders. FUN:)
Well I hope things are great and going well.
Love Kenzie (Hermana Brumble:))
Monday, February 16, 2015
Week 64 in Spain! (11th Week in Mostoles)
2/16/15
I had a really good week. Things didn't go exactly the way we had planned, but Heavenly Father knows better than us and what we need. Sometimes I need to trust in him more and know that everything happens for a reason.
This week it seems like we had a ton of meetings. Last Monday and Tuesday I had to getempatronized. That is always so annoying and it seems like I have to tell everyone everything about my life because they get super confused about what missionaries are. I had to fill out a ton of papers because they made me change our piso contract and then I had to get things scanned
I had a really good week. Things didn't go exactly the way we had planned, but Heavenly Father knows better than us and what we need. Sometimes I need to trust in him more and know that everything happens for a reason.
This week it seems like we had a ton of meetings. Last Monday and Tuesday I had to getempatronized. That is always so annoying and it seems like I have to tell everyone everything about my life because they get super confused about what missionaries are. I had to fill out a ton of papers because they made me change our piso contract and then I had to get things scanned
and set to the office and printed. I've never had to do that by myself before, the last time I was empatronized was in Gijon and I was the one being trained. I called the office and they told me that they wanted me to getempatronized so they could apply for my new residency card (mine now has been expired since NOVEMBER!) and then they said that I probably won't get it before I go home! Then why do I have to do this! Sometimes the office elders get lazy, but I have to be obedient and patient and trust that everything will work out. I just have to make sure I'm careful with the cops till I go home;)
On Wednesday we went to the temple. That was so fun. I love the temple and it had been a while since we had gone. It felt good to go back. I felt spiritually fed:)
This Sunday we had to go back to Pavones for our stake conference. It was really good and it was fun seeing everyone from Leganes. I miss a lot of them. President Jackson bore his testimony and said that the secret to missionary work was when the members love the missionaries and the missionaries love the members. When everything we do is centered on love we can work together more unified in Christ. It sounds like you and mom and doing exactly what you need to and I know how much it means to those missionaries, because it means to much to me here. President and Hermana Jackson also came up to me to ask me about Nini our investigator with the brain tumor. The Member that gave us her number spoke to the Jacksons about it and how much it is helping Nini and her husband. We haven't even met the husband and he called us "angels". I talked to the Jackson about her interest. Nini is, sad to say, really close to passing the veil and probably won't be able to get baptized. But this has changed my life. It has been such a sweet experience serving her and loving her. I know that we are preparing her to accept the gospel, if not now, then the afterlife. She is a sweet spirit and I know It's softening her husband’s heart as well.
This week we have the mission tour! I'm really excited to find out what Elder Dyches has to tell us! We'll have to travel back to Pavones though....that’s not too fun, but it’s worth it!
I can't believe Derek's home already! That’s really cool that he served in Cameroon. My district leader Elder Maya is from Cameroon. I've been in a couple of lessons with him where he had to speak French. It’s pretty cool.
I am always strengthened by the testimonies of others. I've been reading the Book of Mormon again. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and Jesus Christ is my savior. I love you and miss you so much! I can't wait to see you guys. Have a great week. I pray for you guys every day!
Love Kenzie
On Wednesday we went to the temple. That was so fun. I love the temple and it had been a while since we had gone. It felt good to go back. I felt spiritually fed:)
This Sunday we had to go back to Pavones for our stake conference. It was really good and it was fun seeing everyone from Leganes. I miss a lot of them. President Jackson bore his testimony and said that the secret to missionary work was when the members love the missionaries and the missionaries love the members. When everything we do is centered on love we can work together more unified in Christ. It sounds like you and mom and doing exactly what you need to and I know how much it means to those missionaries, because it means to much to me here. President and Hermana Jackson also came up to me to ask me about Nini our investigator with the brain tumor. The Member that gave us her number spoke to the Jacksons about it and how much it is helping Nini and her husband. We haven't even met the husband and he called us "angels". I talked to the Jackson about her interest. Nini is, sad to say, really close to passing the veil and probably won't be able to get baptized. But this has changed my life. It has been such a sweet experience serving her and loving her. I know that we are preparing her to accept the gospel, if not now, then the afterlife. She is a sweet spirit and I know It's softening her husband’s heart as well.
This week we have the mission tour! I'm really excited to find out what Elder Dyches has to tell us! We'll have to travel back to Pavones though....that’s not too fun, but it’s worth it!
I can't believe Derek's home already! That’s really cool that he served in Cameroon. My district leader Elder Maya is from Cameroon. I've been in a couple of lessons with him where he had to speak French. It’s pretty cool.
I am always strengthened by the testimonies of others. I've been reading the Book of Mormon again. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and Jesus Christ is my savior. I love you and miss you so much! I can't wait to see you guys. Have a great week. I pray for you guys every day!
Love Kenzie
Monday, February 9, 2015
Week 63 in Spain! (10th Week in Mostoles)
2/9/15
My week was really good! It was a lot better than last week and we had some really good things happen! Robert is doing great and progressing so much! I really enjoy teaching him and it is crazy how much he understands now. The Spirit is helping us so much! We moved his baptismal date to the 21st of February! We're super excited! We also have a new investigator named Florentino. He is from Bolivia and is about 60 (that’s what he said in English class, but I think that is the only number he can say). He always says, "I'm getting old and I just want to make sure that when I die, I'm going to go to Paradise." He came to church and he does everything we ask him to. He's super funny! We also are meeting with this woman named Nini. She's Spanish and has a brain tumor. It was really hard to get a hold of her because she's always in the hospital, but she seems so sweet and loving. The member that gave us the reference told us some really good things about how special she is. She really thinks this is her time, so we'll see what happens. I'm really excited to get to know her though, she seems really neat!
We have a lot of things coming up this month. We get to go to the temple on Wednesday and then the next week is our mission tour! I'm really excited! Elder Dyches is coming to talk to us and it’s going to be really neat. We are going to spend a lot of time talking about families and using family history in missionary work. It was so interesting that Grandpa sent that story about Grandma Brumble. The perfect things to help me get ready for the mission tour. It was so neat to learn more about our family history and it really helps bring the spirit. President Jackson said one time that our ancestors are with us always helping is with this work. It is so true and I can feel love from my family every day!
I really enjoyed hearing what Jameson said. I have felt that a lot on my mission. There have been times when I've really missed you guys and how I've really felt the love I have for all of you grow. It has been really interesting being able to take that love and help others feel it as well. If there is one thing that I have really enjoyed and have learned on my mission is having the opportunity to love others and help others feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them. My companion, ward members, and investigators.
I love you so much and I want you to know how much I appreciate all the support and love I receive. It keeps me going and it has blessed and changed my life.
I'll see you guys soon!
Love Kenzie
Ps. My companion, Sister Spencer from Parma, Idaho, was taught math by Aunt Pam! What a small world!
My week was really good! It was a lot better than last week and we had some really good things happen! Robert is doing great and progressing so much! I really enjoy teaching him and it is crazy how much he understands now. The Spirit is helping us so much! We moved his baptismal date to the 21st of February! We're super excited! We also have a new investigator named Florentino. He is from Bolivia and is about 60 (that’s what he said in English class, but I think that is the only number he can say). He always says, "I'm getting old and I just want to make sure that when I die, I'm going to go to Paradise." He came to church and he does everything we ask him to. He's super funny! We also are meeting with this woman named Nini. She's Spanish and has a brain tumor. It was really hard to get a hold of her because she's always in the hospital, but she seems so sweet and loving. The member that gave us the reference told us some really good things about how special she is. She really thinks this is her time, so we'll see what happens. I'm really excited to get to know her though, she seems really neat!
We have a lot of things coming up this month. We get to go to the temple on Wednesday and then the next week is our mission tour! I'm really excited! Elder Dyches is coming to talk to us and it’s going to be really neat. We are going to spend a lot of time talking about families and using family history in missionary work. It was so interesting that Grandpa sent that story about Grandma Brumble. The perfect things to help me get ready for the mission tour. It was so neat to learn more about our family history and it really helps bring the spirit. President Jackson said one time that our ancestors are with us always helping is with this work. It is so true and I can feel love from my family every day!
I really enjoyed hearing what Jameson said. I have felt that a lot on my mission. There have been times when I've really missed you guys and how I've really felt the love I have for all of you grow. It has been really interesting being able to take that love and help others feel it as well. If there is one thing that I have really enjoyed and have learned on my mission is having the opportunity to love others and help others feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them. My companion, ward members, and investigators.
I love you so much and I want you to know how much I appreciate all the support and love I receive. It keeps me going and it has blessed and changed my life.
I'll see you guys soon!
Love Kenzie
Ps. My companion, Sister Spencer from Parma, Idaho, was taught math by Aunt Pam! What a small world!
Monday, February 2, 2015
Week 62 in Spain! (9th Week in Mostoles)
2/2/15
Hey,
This week has been so slow! It has been super, super rainy and cold. There have been a couple of days that it has snowed a little! CRAZY. That’s the first time I've seen that on the mission. It was really hard to teach and contact this week because no one came out of their houses! But it was a good week and things are moving a long:)
We had intercambios this week which was fun, It was fun to be with Hermana Marsh again and good for Hermana Spencer to have a nice change. It’s hard sometimes never being able to leave your area and doing the same thing every day. That night we went to a members house named Marilyn to have a Noche de Hogar. She really loves the missionaries. Once you're in she doesn't really let you leave.
Robert came to church! Por Fin! I was so excited and he's been progressing sooo much! I think we are going to move up his fecha for February. We'll have to talk to him and see, but he's doing really good and I've noticed that he's been understanding us a lot more lately. He always reads and studies the pamphlets so he understands. We're really excited for him. I was kind of upset when we went to church, I had asked so many people if they would sit by him and help him and they all said no! So we had to sit by him. It was fine, but it is a lot easier and a lot better when the ward is more involved. They are really good, but sometimes it's a little bit of a struggle just because they don't really know.
Because this week was really hard to contact and receive new people, Hermana Spencer and I fasted to have the energy and the strength and attitude to help us go out and contact even though it was hard. We were so disappointed because still we received NO ONE. It was Sunday night and we were really sad. We were in the church with the members because there was a special concert. At the end of the concert the Stake President’s wife came up to us and started talking to us about one of her friends that might have interest in the church. Her name is Nini and she has a tumor in her brain. She sounds so special. She gave us her number and asked her if we could come by and visit her. She called us that night so excited to tell us that Nini really wanted to talk to us. It was such a miracle for us. It's funny how Heavenly Father blesses sometimes. We expect certain blessings from him, but sometimes he has different blessings waiting for us.
I had a really good week. This week will be even better!
I love you guys! have a good week!
Hermana Brumble
Hey,
This week has been so slow! It has been super, super rainy and cold. There have been a couple of days that it has snowed a little! CRAZY. That’s the first time I've seen that on the mission. It was really hard to teach and contact this week because no one came out of their houses! But it was a good week and things are moving a long:)
We had intercambios this week which was fun, It was fun to be with Hermana Marsh again and good for Hermana Spencer to have a nice change. It’s hard sometimes never being able to leave your area and doing the same thing every day. That night we went to a members house named Marilyn to have a Noche de Hogar. She really loves the missionaries. Once you're in she doesn't really let you leave.
Robert came to church! Por Fin! I was so excited and he's been progressing sooo much! I think we are going to move up his fecha for February. We'll have to talk to him and see, but he's doing really good and I've noticed that he's been understanding us a lot more lately. He always reads and studies the pamphlets so he understands. We're really excited for him. I was kind of upset when we went to church, I had asked so many people if they would sit by him and help him and they all said no! So we had to sit by him. It was fine, but it is a lot easier and a lot better when the ward is more involved. They are really good, but sometimes it's a little bit of a struggle just because they don't really know.
Because this week was really hard to contact and receive new people, Hermana Spencer and I fasted to have the energy and the strength and attitude to help us go out and contact even though it was hard. We were so disappointed because still we received NO ONE. It was Sunday night and we were really sad. We were in the church with the members because there was a special concert. At the end of the concert the Stake President’s wife came up to us and started talking to us about one of her friends that might have interest in the church. Her name is Nini and she has a tumor in her brain. She sounds so special. She gave us her number and asked her if we could come by and visit her. She called us that night so excited to tell us that Nini really wanted to talk to us. It was such a miracle for us. It's funny how Heavenly Father blesses sometimes. We expect certain blessings from him, but sometimes he has different blessings waiting for us.
I had a really good week. This week will be even better!
I love you guys! have a good week!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, January 26, 2015
Week 61 in Spain! (8th Week in Mostoles)
1-26-15
Hey!
This week has been so much fun! On Monday I spent the day with the Herms in Barrio 6 and thenon Tuesday I picked up my new companion! We had a big meeting with President, Hermana Jackson and the AP's. They talked to us about the importance of training and how it is the MOST important position you hold as a missionary. They said that we were training because we were the most Obedient, Diligent, and Faithful missionaries in the mission and that we are trusted by the Lord to train his Missionaries to carry out his work........Scary! Then we went into the Chapel where all the new missionaries were and sat on the other side. President had a slide show with all our pictures and areas. When our picture popped up, we came up and introduced ourselves, where we are from and what area we are serving in. My picture popped up last! And there were two Hermanas left in the front row. I looked them in the eyes when I introduced myself, they look terrified! ha-ha I got Hermana Spencer and the other Hermana went to the north. Hermana Spencer is from Parma, Idaho and is such a cutie! She doesn’t speak a lot of Spanish and is pretty timid right now (understandable) but she tries so hard and wants to help so much! She's great. As far as I know she really enjoyed the MTC, she had a lot more people in their group than I did. I feel like training changed everything I do. It is really weird, I have to explain things that we do and what they are. I have never had to do that before and it reminds me of when I was in training. Every morning we have our studies, but I have to do an extra hour of companionship study with her so we can do her 12 weeks program and then we get an extra half hour of language study, but we have to do that during medio dia. The work goes a lot slower just because I have to explain everything and she doesn’t speak a lot of Spanish, but we're getting a lot of blessings and Heavenly Father is helping us by putting prepared people in our paths. I really am trying to be a good example. I'm trying to be obedient and diligent, I don't want her to pick up any bad habits. It has really opened my eyes to things that we were doing before that we can better and how I can work harder as a missionary. I think it’s a blessing from Heavenly Father that I'm training so I can finish my mission strong! After I train Hermana Spencer I'll only have one transfer left! AHHH!
Teaching has been good. We are still working with Robert who is doing so great! We helped him understand the Spirit last week, he didn’t really know what it was. We explained who he is and how to recognize that we are feeling him. It was like we opened a new world to him, everything clicked after that and he is so determined to receive an answer and get to baptism. he calls us to schedule appointments! We have also received a lot of part member families from the ward to go visit. They are trying so hard to become a functioning, spiritual, unified ward! They are changing a lot of things, but it’s getting a lot better.
It is so hard sometimes to be willing to change your plans. As a missionary you set things up with people and feel really good about what you are going to teach and you prepare for them like crazy so the feel the spirit and then last minute the lesson falls through. I can't count how many times that has happened to me! You feel so bummed, and here it is hard to visit people last minute, so it is hard to schedule back up plans. Most of the time we end up contacting. You're in a bad mood and you don’t want to do it, but I've had so many experiences through contacting when lessons fail or miracles given to us when we trust in the Lord and change our plans. I know we are guided by the Spirit and if we are doing what we are should, we are blessed no matter what!
I love you guys and I love hearing about what’s going on! Time is flying by and we'll see each other soon! I love you so much and thank Heavenly Father every day for your examples to me! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Hey!
This week has been so much fun! On Monday I spent the day with the Herms in Barrio 6 and thenon Tuesday I picked up my new companion! We had a big meeting with President, Hermana Jackson and the AP's. They talked to us about the importance of training and how it is the MOST important position you hold as a missionary. They said that we were training because we were the most Obedient, Diligent, and Faithful missionaries in the mission and that we are trusted by the Lord to train his Missionaries to carry out his work........Scary! Then we went into the Chapel where all the new missionaries were and sat on the other side. President had a slide show with all our pictures and areas. When our picture popped up, we came up and introduced ourselves, where we are from and what area we are serving in. My picture popped up last! And there were two Hermanas left in the front row. I looked them in the eyes when I introduced myself, they look terrified! ha-ha I got Hermana Spencer and the other Hermana went to the north. Hermana Spencer is from Parma, Idaho and is such a cutie! She doesn’t speak a lot of Spanish and is pretty timid right now (understandable) but she tries so hard and wants to help so much! She's great. As far as I know she really enjoyed the MTC, she had a lot more people in their group than I did. I feel like training changed everything I do. It is really weird, I have to explain things that we do and what they are. I have never had to do that before and it reminds me of when I was in training. Every morning we have our studies, but I have to do an extra hour of companionship study with her so we can do her 12 weeks program and then we get an extra half hour of language study, but we have to do that during medio dia. The work goes a lot slower just because I have to explain everything and she doesn’t speak a lot of Spanish, but we're getting a lot of blessings and Heavenly Father is helping us by putting prepared people in our paths. I really am trying to be a good example. I'm trying to be obedient and diligent, I don't want her to pick up any bad habits. It has really opened my eyes to things that we were doing before that we can better and how I can work harder as a missionary. I think it’s a blessing from Heavenly Father that I'm training so I can finish my mission strong! After I train Hermana Spencer I'll only have one transfer left! AHHH!
Teaching has been good. We are still working with Robert who is doing so great! We helped him understand the Spirit last week, he didn’t really know what it was. We explained who he is and how to recognize that we are feeling him. It was like we opened a new world to him, everything clicked after that and he is so determined to receive an answer and get to baptism. he calls us to schedule appointments! We have also received a lot of part member families from the ward to go visit. They are trying so hard to become a functioning, spiritual, unified ward! They are changing a lot of things, but it’s getting a lot better.
It is so hard sometimes to be willing to change your plans. As a missionary you set things up with people and feel really good about what you are going to teach and you prepare for them like crazy so the feel the spirit and then last minute the lesson falls through. I can't count how many times that has happened to me! You feel so bummed, and here it is hard to visit people last minute, so it is hard to schedule back up plans. Most of the time we end up contacting. You're in a bad mood and you don’t want to do it, but I've had so many experiences through contacting when lessons fail or miracles given to us when we trust in the Lord and change our plans. I know we are guided by the Spirit and if we are doing what we are should, we are blessed no matter what!
I love you guys and I love hearing about what’s going on! Time is flying by and we'll see each other soon! I love you so much and thank Heavenly Father every day for your examples to me! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, January 19, 2015
Week 60 in Spain! (7th Week in Mostoles)
1/19/2015
Hey,
Well I have transfer news:).....but I'm not telling you till the end of the letter! ha
Our investigators and doing great! We've been receiving a bunch more too. It has been really easy getting contacts lately. People have been coming up to us and giving us their numbers.....weird where am I? It feels like a dream. Nothing too different has happened. Maria and Leo are still on a fecha, we'll probably have to change them though, they didn't come to church. We have this really great new investigator named Dora. We received her number from the general offices. She went online and asked for a Book of Mormon. We met with her and talked with her. She is so great and prepared. I was with Hermana Marsh on intercambios who is being trained right now (who is also Elder Nielson's granddaughter) It was the most spiritual lesson I've had on the mission. She reads all the time and is doing great, I hope she continues. Robert is doing really great as well! He's on a fecha for March and is doing so great! We go so slow so he understands us, he laughs at us. We even made a Plan of Salvation for him in Romanian. He is really great and I love teaching him. We teach this cute little recent convert named Amalia. She is 10 and we help her with her English. Her mom is a member and her dad isn't, but he is showing a lot of interest in learning more.
That’s cool about your meeting! The youth really need good examples of strong couples in the church. It is so hard here. Most everyone's parents are separated and living in different countries. I know your examples have helped me. We need stronger couples right now in the church.
Well, as far as transfers go, I'm staying in Mostoles, and I'm TRAINING! AHHHH I'm so nervous! I can't believe it. Hermana Clements went to Alcobendas to finish training someone and I get to stay here. I am beyond scared! I get to party with some hermanas in Pavones today and then I have to go to the MTC and find out who my baby is. So I don't even know her name right now. It will be an interesting couple of transfers, and who knows she might be my last companion. We'll see what happens! I love you guys! I think and pray for you all the time! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Hey,
Well I have transfer news:).....but I'm not telling you till the end of the letter! ha
Our investigators and doing great! We've been receiving a bunch more too. It has been really easy getting contacts lately. People have been coming up to us and giving us their numbers.....weird where am I? It feels like a dream. Nothing too different has happened. Maria and Leo are still on a fecha, we'll probably have to change them though, they didn't come to church. We have this really great new investigator named Dora. We received her number from the general offices. She went online and asked for a Book of Mormon. We met with her and talked with her. She is so great and prepared. I was with Hermana Marsh on intercambios who is being trained right now (who is also Elder Nielson's granddaughter) It was the most spiritual lesson I've had on the mission. She reads all the time and is doing great, I hope she continues. Robert is doing really great as well! He's on a fecha for March and is doing so great! We go so slow so he understands us, he laughs at us. We even made a Plan of Salvation for him in Romanian. He is really great and I love teaching him. We teach this cute little recent convert named Amalia. She is 10 and we help her with her English. Her mom is a member and her dad isn't, but he is showing a lot of interest in learning more.
That’s cool about your meeting! The youth really need good examples of strong couples in the church. It is so hard here. Most everyone's parents are separated and living in different countries. I know your examples have helped me. We need stronger couples right now in the church.
Well, as far as transfers go, I'm staying in Mostoles, and I'm TRAINING! AHHHH I'm so nervous! I can't believe it. Hermana Clements went to Alcobendas to finish training someone and I get to stay here. I am beyond scared! I get to party with some hermanas in Pavones today and then I have to go to the MTC and find out who my baby is. So I don't even know her name right now. It will be an interesting couple of transfers, and who knows she might be my last companion. We'll see what happens! I love you guys! I think and pray for you all the time! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, January 12, 2015
Week 59 in Spain! (6th Week in Mostoles)
1/12/15
I am doing great! I really do love it here in Mostoles. With the holidays and festivities, It has been pretty hard finding new people, and now that all those fun things are winding we are finally getting back into the swing of things. We had a record of 14 lessons this week for this month! We felt so good about ourselves. It is amazing to me how much the little things affect missionary work, like weather, time of day, day of the week, time of year. All of it makes it so much easier and so much harder to work, but none of it should be an excuse to work any less.
This week we did so much. On Monday I got a haircut. It was scary trying to understand everything and I was practicing vocabulary like crazy all week long! It all turned out fine and now my hair is healthy and back to normal, it doesn’t even look shorter:) After that we filled our week with lessons and CONTACTING! I don't know If I've already mentioned him, but our new investigator Robert is doing so great! He is from Romania and speaks only a little Spanish and no English! Our conversations are very, very simple and it really is just him talking in the infinitive the whole time and Hermana Clements and I trying to fill in the pieces. It is hard and sometimes I find myself talking to him like a baby, we have to take it really slow and make sure that we are teaching everything in the most clear and effective way possible. Sometimes we even have to act things out for him. It’s silly, but he really feels the spirit and has a desire to learn and do the things we ask him to do. Little by little he progresses. Hermana Clements and I were talking, He is so willing to do everything, he would probably get baptized in a second if we asked him, but it is so important that he has a testimony and really understands the things that we teach him, and in time he'll get baptized and press forward. It might take a long time, and I probably won't be there to see it, but if we keep remembering and doing what is important, he'll get there.
Maria and Leo (our two fechas) they're doing good. We didn't get to meet them this week which stinks and they didn't go to church (which also stinks) but they are fine. Hopefully we'll get to meet with them more often:)
We are teaching the CUTEST and SWEETEST little boy named Giacomo. He's 9 and his mom is menos activo. He is so sweet, he always gives us besos and carries our bags and coats to the door and helps us put them on. This Saturday we had a lesson with them that was so good. he had just recently became our investigator so we taught lesson one. They were both so focused and interested in it. While we recited the first vision their eyes were locked on us the whole time. I felt the spirit so strong. At the end we were talking about church and how they should come. The mom came in with the excuses, how its early and buses are hard. They live in a pueblo which makes it a little harder to come, but it’s definitely possible. Giacomo just went straight in with bearing his testimony about church and how important it is and how he wants to feel the spirit and sing and learn on Sunday. It was precious and so powerful. Out of the mouth of a nine year old! Christ certainly knows what he's talking about when he says we should become as little children. What a sweet spirit. During the closing prayer, his mom was saying it and he just interrupted her and started saying his own prayer. He thanked God for us and that we are beautiful and there to help them feel the spirit. He said "thank you that they say they love us." And then he continued to ask for our safety and that we would decide to come back again. Then he carried our bags to the door and kissed us goodbye. In the end, we didn't see them at church, but I know He'll soften his mom’s heart, and with a little more work and prayer, they'll get there.
Transfers are this weekend and I think I'm going to leave. It isn't for sure, but the thought of it breaks my heart. The office called us and told us we needed to get Hermana Clements empatronized in Mostoles, which means she'll definitely stay longer. We’ll see what happens, and whatever the decision is, it is inspired by Heavenly Father. I'm called to the area that will help me progress the most and will help my succeed the most. I'm excited regardless the outcome:)
I'll let you know! I love you guys! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
I am doing great! I really do love it here in Mostoles. With the holidays and festivities, It has been pretty hard finding new people, and now that all those fun things are winding we are finally getting back into the swing of things. We had a record of 14 lessons this week for this month! We felt so good about ourselves. It is amazing to me how much the little things affect missionary work, like weather, time of day, day of the week, time of year. All of it makes it so much easier and so much harder to work, but none of it should be an excuse to work any less.
This week we did so much. On Monday I got a haircut. It was scary trying to understand everything and I was practicing vocabulary like crazy all week long! It all turned out fine and now my hair is healthy and back to normal, it doesn’t even look shorter:) After that we filled our week with lessons and CONTACTING! I don't know If I've already mentioned him, but our new investigator Robert is doing so great! He is from Romania and speaks only a little Spanish and no English! Our conversations are very, very simple and it really is just him talking in the infinitive the whole time and Hermana Clements and I trying to fill in the pieces. It is hard and sometimes I find myself talking to him like a baby, we have to take it really slow and make sure that we are teaching everything in the most clear and effective way possible. Sometimes we even have to act things out for him. It’s silly, but he really feels the spirit and has a desire to learn and do the things we ask him to do. Little by little he progresses. Hermana Clements and I were talking, He is so willing to do everything, he would probably get baptized in a second if we asked him, but it is so important that he has a testimony and really understands the things that we teach him, and in time he'll get baptized and press forward. It might take a long time, and I probably won't be there to see it, but if we keep remembering and doing what is important, he'll get there.
Maria and Leo (our two fechas) they're doing good. We didn't get to meet them this week which stinks and they didn't go to church (which also stinks) but they are fine. Hopefully we'll get to meet with them more often:)
We are teaching the CUTEST and SWEETEST little boy named Giacomo. He's 9 and his mom is menos activo. He is so sweet, he always gives us besos and carries our bags and coats to the door and helps us put them on. This Saturday we had a lesson with them that was so good. he had just recently became our investigator so we taught lesson one. They were both so focused and interested in it. While we recited the first vision their eyes were locked on us the whole time. I felt the spirit so strong. At the end we were talking about church and how they should come. The mom came in with the excuses, how its early and buses are hard. They live in a pueblo which makes it a little harder to come, but it’s definitely possible. Giacomo just went straight in with bearing his testimony about church and how important it is and how he wants to feel the spirit and sing and learn on Sunday. It was precious and so powerful. Out of the mouth of a nine year old! Christ certainly knows what he's talking about when he says we should become as little children. What a sweet spirit. During the closing prayer, his mom was saying it and he just interrupted her and started saying his own prayer. He thanked God for us and that we are beautiful and there to help them feel the spirit. He said "thank you that they say they love us." And then he continued to ask for our safety and that we would decide to come back again. Then he carried our bags to the door and kissed us goodbye. In the end, we didn't see them at church, but I know He'll soften his mom’s heart, and with a little more work and prayer, they'll get there.
Transfers are this weekend and I think I'm going to leave. It isn't for sure, but the thought of it breaks my heart. The office called us and told us we needed to get Hermana Clements empatronized in Mostoles, which means she'll definitely stay longer. We’ll see what happens, and whatever the decision is, it is inspired by Heavenly Father. I'm called to the area that will help me progress the most and will help my succeed the most. I'm excited regardless the outcome:)
I'll let you know! I love you guys! Have a great week!
Hermana Brumble
Monday, January 5, 2015
Week 58 in Spain! (5th Week in Mostoles)
1/5/14
Things have been really great here lately! Hermana Clements and I are so happy that the Holidays are almost over! (People are still partying over here...• Kings day...) Things got so crazy during the holidays, but now I feel like I can finally relax and do normal missionary work! Hermana Clements is great! We are having so much fun together. I can't believe transfers are almost here! I really hope we stay together. It would be hard only staying in an area for only one transfer again. But if someone has to go, I hope it’s me, Hermana Clements hates moving more than I do and since I only have three transfers left, it would be easier. It would be great to stay together though! Pray!:)
This week we've been doing great with finding, but finding people who are staying! POR FIN! We've been going through the list of future investigators the old Hermana's had (people they had taught, or just got their number). We've been finding some good people through that and also visiting MA's and part member families. We have two investigators of a fecha for February 14! We're soooexcited. One is Maria, she is from Peru and so sweet. She's tough though. She doesn’t want to do anything until she knows for sure that it is true, but it’s really great because she is so willing to do what it takes to receive that confirmation. I've been getting really tired of teaching people who say "Yea I'll definitely get baptized!" but then they don’t do anything! I definitely don't want to baptize someone who in the end is just going to go inactive! She's a blessing, and I'm excited for her, it might take a while but it will happen.
We've been going out with the youth a lot and helping them. I love the youth here so much! They love the missionaries and each have such strong desires to serve Heavenly Father. It reminds me of when I was in Young Women’s and how lazy I was! I wish I had more of an attitude like them. They are all on such a different spiritual level. I feel the spirit so strong when I am with them. And even though not all of them want to serve missions, they are paying attention and doing what the Lord wants them to do. I really want to work with the youth one day. I love it and they are such great examples.
I can't believe it is 2015! That’s the year I come home! I never thought it would come and now it is here! We didn't do anything too special. We live right next to a cafe bar that all the young crazies go to every night. Sometimes it can be a little intimidating walking past all of them to get to our door, so we decided it would be a good Idea to not stay out too late. The ward had a party that started at 1 in the MORNING! They all tried so hard to get us to come, but we chose to be obedient.:) We definitely heard all the parties! I'll be glad when people put all their cherry bombs and bottle rockets away, those are super annoying!
I decided that for a New Year’s Resolution/Goal to the end of my mission, that I am going to become a "Christ-like missionary." Not that I'm not being one right now, there is always room for improvement. I was reading In Preach My Gospel, and there is this little tiny point that says "Ustednecesita ser un misionero semejante a Cristo, no solo hacer la obra misional" or "You need to be a missionary like Christ, and not only do Missionary work." I have seen a big difference in the work and the way I feel, when I try to be a missionary more like Jesus Christ and not only do what the white handbook says or president says.
I love you guys and I'm praying for you always. Tell everyone hi and that I love them!
Thanks for everything! I LOVE YOU
Kenzie
Things have been really great here lately! Hermana Clements and I are so happy that the Holidays are almost over! (People are still partying over here...• Kings day...) Things got so crazy during the holidays, but now I feel like I can finally relax and do normal missionary work! Hermana Clements is great! We are having so much fun together. I can't believe transfers are almost here! I really hope we stay together. It would be hard only staying in an area for only one transfer again. But if someone has to go, I hope it’s me, Hermana Clements hates moving more than I do and since I only have three transfers left, it would be easier. It would be great to stay together though! Pray!:)
This week we've been doing great with finding, but finding people who are staying! POR FIN! We've been going through the list of future investigators the old Hermana's had (people they had taught, or just got their number). We've been finding some good people through that and also visiting MA's and part member families. We have two investigators of a fecha for February 14! We're soooexcited. One is Maria, she is from Peru and so sweet. She's tough though. She doesn’t want to do anything until she knows for sure that it is true, but it’s really great because she is so willing to do what it takes to receive that confirmation. I've been getting really tired of teaching people who say "Yea I'll definitely get baptized!" but then they don’t do anything! I definitely don't want to baptize someone who in the end is just going to go inactive! She's a blessing, and I'm excited for her, it might take a while but it will happen.
We've been going out with the youth a lot and helping them. I love the youth here so much! They love the missionaries and each have such strong desires to serve Heavenly Father. It reminds me of when I was in Young Women’s and how lazy I was! I wish I had more of an attitude like them. They are all on such a different spiritual level. I feel the spirit so strong when I am with them. And even though not all of them want to serve missions, they are paying attention and doing what the Lord wants them to do. I really want to work with the youth one day. I love it and they are such great examples.
I can't believe it is 2015! That’s the year I come home! I never thought it would come and now it is here! We didn't do anything too special. We live right next to a cafe bar that all the young crazies go to every night. Sometimes it can be a little intimidating walking past all of them to get to our door, so we decided it would be a good Idea to not stay out too late. The ward had a party that started at 1 in the MORNING! They all tried so hard to get us to come, but we chose to be obedient.:) We definitely heard all the parties! I'll be glad when people put all their cherry bombs and bottle rockets away, those are super annoying!
I decided that for a New Year’s Resolution/Goal to the end of my mission, that I am going to become a "Christ-like missionary." Not that I'm not being one right now, there is always room for improvement. I was reading In Preach My Gospel, and there is this little tiny point that says "Ustednecesita ser un misionero semejante a Cristo, no solo hacer la obra misional" or "You need to be a missionary like Christ, and not only do Missionary work." I have seen a big difference in the work and the way I feel, when I try to be a missionary more like Jesus Christ and not only do what the white handbook says or president says.
I love you guys and I'm praying for you always. Tell everyone hi and that I love them!
Thanks for everything! I LOVE YOU
Kenzie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)