Week 43 in Spain! (13 in Madrid)

9/15/14

I'm GREAT and sooooo excited for this transfer! WHY?? BECAUSE::::::::: Well, I'm staying in Madrid, but I'm getting a new companion. Her name is Hermana Kuhn. She is so sweet. She has 3 transfers in the mission, so I'm definitely the senior companion now. She is 20 years old. I still have yet to be older than my companion....that's a little frustrating. She is from Maryland. She is such a good singer and is going to be famous one day, for sure! Also, my name is no longer Hermana Brumble.....meet Hermana Sister Training Leader Brumble! President called me today while I was making lunch. I'm so nervous! I have to go to the mission home in a week for the meeting he has with all the Zone Leaders. And during Zone Meeting I have to speak. I am also in charge of all the intercambios (exchanges) for the transfer. I'm not sure how prepared I am for that, I'm area training again, I know more Spanish than my companion, and I'm Sister Training Leader. I'm so scared, and I know I'll make mistakes, but I'm going to learn a lot. I'm ready for the challenge and am excited for the new experiences I'm going to have. I can't wait to share them with you.

It is hard when you don't see outward results from your work. But we receive blessings from what we do. Our work NEVER goes unrecognized. I get sad when missionaries are so focused in numbers, they don't realize what they have accomplished or the blessings they have received. Grandma Brumble sent me a picture with this saying, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may mean the world." We are serving and affecting lives every day, whether we can see it or not. Also, we are preparing fruits for other missionaries. Every fruit from your labor is going to be harvested, by you or other missionaries. There have been two baptisms in Gijon that were people I found and taught, and even though I wasn't there for the end, I was the one who started it. I feel and see results from my efforts through the love I feel from my Heavenly Father. I can tell a difference in how I feel when I know I've worked my hardest and when I haven't. I know heavenly Father is proud of what I've done and that I am progressing, when I can feel his love and spirit around me. When I feel good about my work and when I feel WHOLE. We may not be progressing in the way we expect because what we want isn't apart of God’s plan for us. He knows what we need and in his time, we will receive it. We just need to be patient and faithful, continuing forward with a perfect brightness of hope. Hope has been really important to me on the mission. Hope is having a knowledge that we will receive the blessings the Lord has promised us if we are obedient (PMG). I know this is true

We haven't had any experiences quite as bad as that one. Madrid is a safe place. I know if it wasn’t I wouldn't be here. Even though that was a scary experience, I feel perfectly fine. I know I'm worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and that If I'm focused I will receive promptings of where I need to be at what time. Whether is it a warning or a spiritual prompting. I know I'm guided by the spirit.

Being kind to others is so important and something I need to work on. Being kind to one another isn't just how you act when you’re around them, it is also your thoughts and actions when they are gone.

Oh, I forgot to tell you where Hermana Reyes went, TENERIFE! One of the most beautiful Islands on the Canaries. She is probably going to finish her mission there! QueSuerte! Maybe I will replace her when she goes home in January, it's possible:)

I love you and miss you guys! Thanks for everything!

Love Hermana Brumble

Week 42 in Spain! (12th in Madrid)

9/8/14

This week has been pretty challenging, not very many lessons. But I'm feeling good regardless. :) Our investigator came to church this week! Finally! I was so happy. We had a pretty serious lesson with her.  Summer is a hard time in Madrid because everyone is on vacations, and now they're getting ready for school so everything is really busy. I think it will be better soon.

We had a pretty crazy experience this week. Hermana Reyes and I were walking back to our piso at night. It is getting really dark pretty early now. And this man stops us right in front of our piso and starts talking to us and asking us if we were Mormons. I think he had some experiences that were not very good, so he has a problem with religion. He was acting crazy though and kept on asking if we were scared. He was getting pretty angry. I was prepared to do anything I had to. I had the worst feeling. I heard this grunt and I looked up and a man in our building was looking down at us. The man talking to us heard him and immediately stopped and walked away. I looked back up at the man and he waved at us. Right in that moment I felt so much peace and gratitude that he was there. I don't know what would have happened. The next day we saw him in the hallway. We thanked him and he said that he always thinks about us and our safety. He said that he knew the Elders that were living in our piso before. He said that if we needed anything that we can come and get him. He is a super nice older man. We are going to make him cookies this week. That night he was our guardian angel! I know Heavenly Father is watching over us and knows what we need when we need it.

Thanks for e mailing me Josephs letter. He sent me one too. He is so funny. It sounds like he's doing just fine. :) He is going to have a great time in the MTC. You are surrounded by the Spirit there. His experiences have already strengthened my testimony. I hope mine will do the same for him.

I had similar experiences in the MTC. My District really tried to be unified. My district leader tried to get to know everyone, he tried to make it so everyone was comfortable and happy. Having a close district makes a huge difference. I have really tried to apply that in all my districts. It helps a lot. I've made some really good friends through my districts. People I know I will probably stay in contact with for a long time. In the MTC the elders and sisters there would call me Humble Brumble. :) I had to learn a lot about humility there. Before I left I had this attitude about how I was going to help other people with everything and how they were all going to look up to me. I had to learn that before I could try to tell others what they needed, I needed to work on what I could improve myself, what I could learn from others, and being able to accept the fact that I needed help. It made a big difference for me. Now whenever I meet someone new or have a new companion, if I have a humble attitude and look for things I can learn from them, we have a lot more unity and love for each other which makes it so we can work more with the Spirit. I think that's why I haven't had companion troubles at all.

It is getting hard not to count down how much time I have left. I'm soo excited to see all of you, but at the same time I wish I was at the beginning again. I think I have reached a hard time in my mission. Realizing how much time you have left and feeling like you could have done more with the time you've had. It makes you feel terrible, but at the same time, it is helping me cherish the remaining time more and I'm working harder than I was before. The key is not to get discouraged because those feelings aren't from our Heavenly Father. I've worked so hard and I'm proud of what I've done so far. I can't wait for the experiences that I have ahead of me.

Thank you for everything! For your constant love and support. A lot of missionaries don't have the kind of support from families like I do. I am truly blessed and grateful for the wonderful family I have been given. You truly fill my life with love and strength to keep going. I love you and pray for you! Have a great week!

Hermana Brumble

Week 41 in Spain! (11th in Madrid)

9/1/14

How is everything? What’s going on? How is it with one less child to take care of? It sounds like everything went really well, I'm glad. I have been worried all week long about Joseph leaving. I just want him to have the best experience. I got an e mail from him and it sounds like all is well. I's so relieved. Also thank you for sending me pictures, I appreciate that. It is nice to get e mails, but it is different when I can see everyone.

I've had a great week. Nothing unusual, but Hermana Reyes and I have been getting some really good lessons. Everyone right now is having a hard time getting to "Lesson 2" But I know that we talk to people for a reason and even though they don't accept the gospel now, they have a higher chance in the future. Jose and Isabel came back from Ecuador this week and brought Hermana Reyes and I little coin bags. They are so cute, I love them.

There was a huge riot/protest in front of our Piso this week about racism. Hermana Reyes and I had to go back to our piso for a while and do work there. It was pretty intense, but I don't think there was really any danger, our district leader just thought it would be better to be inside. Sometimes when people get really excited, they do stupid things.

I wish I could have been there for Joseph's setting apart. I wanted to so bad. I remember being so nervous. My emotions were going crazy! I'm glad I don't have to do that again. It is funny hearing about Joseph's experience and remembering mine. It sounds a lot different. I think I was the only missionary in the airport for a while. I didn’t want to look back at you and mom in the airport because I knew if I did I probably wouldn’t be here right now. :)

I can't wait to hear all about his mission. Hermano Sanchez, my MTC teacher in my ward went to Uruguay on his mission, he was telling me how much he loved it. Joseph is going to have a great time and I'm so proud of him.

I'm great! I don't need anything. Time is going by so fast. I can't believe I have already hit the half way mark! I'll be home before you know it! Every day I feel like I have so much left to do. I hope when I'm finished I'll have a complete feeling. Everyone says they don't feel ready to go home when they're finished, but I feel like if I know that I did what the Lord has called me to do, I will feel ready, complete and ready to take on my next calling. I am really truly thankful for this experience. I know I talk to people every day who are being prepared, and maybe I am helping prepare them for the next missionary who will cross their path. I know I am here for a reason. I know I have been called to be an instrument in the Lords hands.

As a mission we are reading the Book of Mormon together and we are going to end on Joseph Smith’s birthday. I think it is so cool and every day I feel my testimony of the restoration strengthen. You guys should do it too if you want!

I love you! I'll talk to you soon!

Hermana Brumble

Week 40 in Spain! (10th in Madrid)

8/25/14

This week has been great, things are really starting to pick up. We have some good investigators right now who have a lot of interest in the church. One is a cook at the MTC, COOL! I'm doing great! I was a little emotional this week with Joseph leaving, but I think I'll be fine. Sunday it finally hit me that I wasn't going to see him, I got a little emotional during sacrament, que vergûenza (what a shame) because President decided to come to our Sacrament meeting and he sat right by me, Ha but it was fine.

(Speaking about Pasqual) I love them both a lot and can't wait for you to meet them. They did something really neat for Hermana Reyes and I yesterday. We got there and they said they had a surprise for us. They took us into their study room and they had an American flag hanging up. Then Pascual wobbled over to his desk where he pulled out a tape and played the Star-spangled banner. He had all of us stand and put our hands on our hearts. Then he told us all about flying the B-29 and how much he loved America and how he considers himself an American. He told us that they want their home to be a home away from home for us. They are two very special people. We shared a scripture in Alma 11 with them about Zeezrom trying to tempt Aaron to deny the christ by giving him money and how Aaron refused. Grandpa Golightly sent me a 2 dollar bill for the fourth of July and I thought it would be special to give it to them. We wrote our names on it and gave it to them. They were so excited. I can't wait for them to meet you.

Today I received a miracle. I knew it was my last time I would receive an email from Joseph while he was home, I was so nervous. I opened my email and there was no email. My heart dropped. I wanted to hear from him before he left. I decided to take a break from family e-mails and email president. I said a prayer in my heart asking if it was possible that I receive an email from Joseph. I finished emailing president and went back to my email account and there was an email from Joseph. What a tender mercy! I love him so much and can't believe this week is finally here. I am so proud of him, he is a very special person and I know he is going to bless so many lives. Heavenly Father has a special work for him to do.

I love you guys so much, thanks for looking out for me and doing so much for me. I feel your love and support here which is something a lot of missionaries don't have. I am so blessed and privileged to be given a family as special and important as you. It is so important to me that I try my best to share this wonderful blessing with others so that they can have that same joy.

Hermana Brumble

P.S. Tomorrow is my half way mark! Now you can say it:) Feliz Cumplemes(happy ?something) to me!!! :) See you in Nine months!

Week 39 in Spain! (9th in Madrid)

8/18/14

We had a great week! We have been working so hard and My attitude has really changed a lot. I feel good about what we are doing. I know that the best way to cope with those feelings is more work. Heavenly Father blesses us for our work and our labors, sometimes I just need to have more gratitude and recognize those blessings more. When we have a bad attitude I think sometimes he is slower with giving us blessings. I know I would be. We are receiving some really good things here. I am excited.

Pascual was so excited to talk to you. He was begging me for your number. He really wanted you to know how much the love us. He said he was going to try again, he really wants to talk to you. We are going to see him tonight, he'll probably ask for your number again. I told him I couldn't talk to you though, so he knows I'm not breaking the rules.

I really appreciated your message about courage. Sometimes I get too comfortable where I am and what I have. I need to be more bold with people. Taking chances and trusting in Heavenly Father (having humility) is what brings miracles. He can only give miracles according to our faith, and faith is an action word. We need to ACT! We have been really trying to find more people. Yesterday we purposely didn’t schedule any lessons from 6 to 10! We contacted the whole time! That was hard, but Heavenly Father blessed us with some really good people. We are also going to parks more. I fell a lot more comfortable with contacting someone walking by on the street than someone sitting down with their boyfriend/girlfriend or when they are doing something with their family. But there is so much potential there and we need to work harder with talking to everyone. I need more courage and humility. Thanks for always being an example of both.

I'm so glad you got the box! I was so worried about that. Everything is from Toledo, a really old little town in Spain. The swords are some classic Spanish swords and yours is a replica of the ones from the crusades. The fans are a Spanish tradition. Everyone uses fans here. The actual Spanish fans are a lot more elaborate and made out of fabric, but super expensive. They are hand painted though. And mom's shawl was made by this really super old Spanish woman, it is very traditional as well. The necklaces are from this really famous brand only made in Toledo. I'm glad everyone liked everything.

We always think that we want these really hard experiences in our missions to prove that we can handle them or to receive the blessings from them. I have noticed a difference in attitude and feeling when we are thinking about the trial and when we are actually in one. It is easy to say, but not so easy to do. How we act during our trials are a true reflection of our character. I'm grateful for the trials that I have. I know I am being shaped by them and that through them, I am moving forward on this path. Without trials we just stand still. My testimony of my Savior is so much stronger. I have truly learned to rely on Him and the Atonement.

We had Zone Meeting this Wednesday and President has decided that as a mission we are going to read the Book of Mormon and finish on December 23. We are going to have a special devotional with everyone to finish. We are also going to memorize D&C 4 in Spanish for the 28th of August which is our Zone Conference. I'm super excited!

Thanks for everything, I love you.

Hermana Brumble

Week 38 in Spain! (8th in Madrid)

8/11/14

My week was AMAZING! WE had such a great week! We had a lot of lessons and worked so hard. It feels good when you don't have a lot of down time. A lot of people are gone on vacations right now so it's been pretty slow, but this week was a good change. We received a lot of good people that have some potential, so I’m great! I'm not sure if we'll have a baptism anytime soon, but I feel good about what we're doing.

We have been having some weird things happen in our piso, and some bad feelings, so we had it blessed. I feel a lot better in it now and we haven't had anything happen in it since, so it think we're good. The Elders who lived in it weren't being obedient and we found some things that they weren't supposed to have, so I think that's why the spirit wasn't there, but we cleaned it out and blessed it, so things should be better.

I wish we would have a storm here, ITS HOT! That's one thing I miss about the North, It was always cool and usually always raining. Here there is no wind and no rain, just sun! So the heat just sits.

I miss gardening. I miss plants in general. The city is a lot different. I don't think I could be a city girl. I'd go crazy after a while. I think I am going to buy a cactus. :)

I would love to go to the Castle Valley Pageant! That sounds like a lot of fun! I’ve been reading Our Heritage lately, I love church history, it’s really interesting. We'll have to plan a trip.

I have learned a lot about the importance of follow up. If we don't follow up there is no way to know if people are progressing, if there are problems you don’t know about, or questions that haven’t been answered. It shows that you aren't serious about what you are teaching and that the investigators don’t have to take the commitments seriously. A commitment without a follow up is nothing and you're really just wasting time. Also following up in our prayers. Every night it has been so important to me to go over the things that has been happening that week and that day. Like a daily report of the things we are doing. So He knows what we are doing, what we need, what our investigators need, and then He can help us feel and know what we need to improve on. I've really felt my testimony and relationship with my Heavenly Father change just because of that one basic principle of follow up.

I like that story too (story of Abe and Neva from the Castle Valley Pageant). It is so important that we have goals and know what is important in our lives and then to align our lives so that we can achieve those goals. We can’t have a goal and tell Heavenly Father that's what we want and hope it works out. It is us who needs to exercise our agency and work for what we want, but to also be aware and sensitive to spiritual promptings he gives us just in case we are a little off of the path, so we can change, repent, and move forward. Sometimes we will even have to turn around.

One thing that happened to me that I have avoided until a couple days ago is that I got BESOS (kissed)!!!!! We contacted this crazy in the street who was just going on and on about his weird philosophies, he didn't look crazy, but he was, then he started getting super creepy and gave me besos, so gross! At least we got a street lesson out of it and his number......we gave the number to the elders though. :) yuck!!

We met with Pascual and Ana again. He is the one that is blind and served in the US Airforce for 25 years and speaks perfect English! He's met a bunch of super important ambassadors and is super cool! He showed us a bunch of pictures and his certificate. He showed us the American flag the US gave him. He is so cool. He even flew in the B-28? I can't remember, but it is a famous one! He wants to call you to tell you that we are lifelong friends and to tell you that I'm safe and that I have a home with them. He and his wife are so cute. I'm not too worried about their salvation. :) I sing for them and he sings Frank Sinatra for us, he's cute.

I sure love you guys! you are in my prayers every night! Thank you for everything, for you love and examples to me! Have a great week!

Hermana Brumble

Week 37 in Spain! (7th in Madrid)

8/4/14

This week has been BUSY! It was the week of transfers, I’m still in Barrio 1 with Hermana Reyes:) SO EXCITED! It has been a week full of miracles! We have 4 new investigators who have a TON of potential. This new transfer is going to be full of baptisms, I can feel it! One thing that we are doing today that I am kind of nervous about is blessing our piso....we have been having some weird things happening, so we are going to dedicate our piso tonight, kind of scary. More than anything, you just never feel right in our piso, it has been open for a while and this mission used to have a lot of missionaries that were disobedient, we think it could be because of that. But we haven't been sleeping well and you just feel spiritually "unsettled" We've cleaned it out and found a lot of things that missionaries shouldn't have, and now we are going to bless it, hopefully it works:)

Thanks for answering my question about your mission. I feel like I don't know anything about it, I would like to know more:) I think it could help me a lot.

We should definitely go to Moab again. The last time I was there was when we met up with everyone after Philmont. Were the Nagy's there? Let’s plan a trip for when I get back. After the vacation to Hawaii with the girls of course;) I want to go jeeping? Did Joseph drive the jeep? Scary! I think I'd be fine it the passenger seat:) I like what you said about the sand. It is like experiences we have in life. When we are in a trial that's deep and we don't really see a way out, we need to try our best, pray and have hope that "the trail in front of us was easier than what we’d just gone through." That has helped me a lot on the mission I think. A lot of things I have gone through have been hard, but I know if I do my best Heavenly Father will help me and that I will have the strength and knowledge from that trial to get me through whatever else comes my way.

Joseph Told me about his temple experience. That is great! It reminds me of my first time. Not knowing exactly everything but trusting and having faith that It was for the best. I felt so comfortable and so right. It has blessed me here and given me strength and power to do things I didn’t think were possible. The temple is such a blessing, I can’t wait to one day be sealed and have an eternal family.

I sure love you guys and am thinking of you!

Love Hermana Brumble.