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

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

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 FĂștbol. 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

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