Over Three Weeks in the MTC

November 12, 2010

Subtitle: O Melhor Dia de Minha Missao (every day)

Ola!

Oh my goodness! I'm a missionary. And it's awesome! I can't believe I've been here for over three weeks! I love being in the MTC and learning and strengthening my testimony, but I also can't wait to be in Cape Verde and sharing that testimony with EVERYONE I meet!

I don't think I've told you much about our Branch. (Or I told you all about it in my last letter, because that sentence sounds familiar.) But it's the largest in the MTC and composed of both Portuguese and Italian-speaking missionaries. We have a lot of Brazil-bound missionaries waiting for visas. Our two roommates just got their reassignments, one to Spokane, WA and the other, who's already gone (!) to Houston, TX. It's pretty crazy that even what seems like a mistake (no visas) is actually just part of God's plan for us. I know that if these two sisters hadn't had visa problems, I would never have met them and my first weeks at the MTC would have been SO much harder. It's so wonderful to see all the ways Heavenly Father shows His love for us.

Okay, now to the good stuff. It was an incredible week! Zone Conference last Friday and Mission Conference on Sunday. Wow. Both were amazing. Then on Sunday night, for the MTC fireside, Sheri Dew was the speaker! It was really great though and we had front row seats. She spoke about how little time we really have on this earth and how we can't afford to waste it. She also told us never to forget who we really are -- sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us! It was really wonderful.

Fast Sundays are really awesome here. I love hearing testimonies from the missionaries in Portuguese and Italian! It's so sweet. Even though I understand very little still, the Spirit still testifies to me of the truth.

Okay. I know you're all excited to hear who the speaker was this Tuesday. Any guesses? No? Okay, I'll tell you. Elder Bednar! And his wife. What an incredible experience. Elder Bednar spoke about the doctrines of the gospel. The answer is always in the doctrine! You can come up with a million gimmicks and tricks to get someone to stop smoking (or do their home teaching), but until they understand the doctrine and then the principle behind it, they'll never gain a testimony of their own and have spiritual independence. We can't always be there to keep our investigators doing what we want them to do. They have to know the WHY of what we're asking them to do. It was such a great talk. I'm going to have all my notes printed and bound when I get home because I've learned so much here!

Also, we were part of the choir for the devotional (mostly because we wanted good seats). The song we sang though was sweet. It's called “Look at the World,” I think, by John Rutter. It was a lot of fun, though, and we'll probably keep going.

I hemmed one of my skirts this week. I felt pretty proud of myself.

This week we had another TRC visit. We picked up our "investigator" and took him to church and had to talk to him on the bus. It was really hard, but great practice. And our lesson on the Plan of Salvation went pretty well. Unfortunately, we forgot to ask him to be baptized and he said he totally would have accepted. It was awesome.

I got a letter from my two favorite cousins this week! Thanks, Lisa and Julia!

Well, I'm running out of things to say. I'm not sure if I repeat myself every week or if there are a tons of things I should be telling you and just forget.

We've started playing basketball with a few Hermanas who are awesome! It's a lot of fun. We also go to this early morning sister workout every day (they don't want us getting too fat) which is pretty cool. Though I'm not very coordinated and some of the fancy, aerobics steps are way beyond me. Yeah.

Well, I love you all! Keep doing what you need to be doing.

Geronimo!

Sister Brooks

The Church Is Near the McDonald's

November 5, 2010

Tudo bem?

Wow. I can't believe it's p-day again! The days literally fly by here. I never quite understood why people said a mission is over before you know it, but now I see. I love it here! Mom will be happy to know that I am never bored (and she's probably happy that she doesn't have to hear me say "I'm bored" twelve times a day)!

Well, I know you've all been waiting to hear who spoke to us on Tuesday this week. (Drum roll, please.) Elder Ballard! It was amazing and we had great seats -- though we almost got trampled by a herd of Elders. Elder Ballard spoke about becoming master communicators. It's crazy how every single lesson/talk/meeting seems to focus perfectly on our needs. That's the power of the Spirit! He told us that if we work diligently and treasure up the doctrine, we'll have confidence to be able to talk to everyone and will be able to become excellent teachers and communicators. I have some really great stuff written down, but not enough time to tell you about it! So, remind me in eighteen months and I'll show you my notes. One thing he did say was that "We're in this together," (Note the absence of the word “all” so as not to be confused with the “High School Musical” number.) referring to the fact that missionaries and general authorities [and members] are all working toward the same purpose: to invite others to come unto our Savior Jesus Christ.

Portugués is going well, I think. We've been hearing awesome stories about Portugal (and I have to remind myself that I'm not actually going to be serving there) because that's where both our teachers served. Also, as part of a lesson, we prepared a little contacting message and read it to the rest of the District. After I read mine Irmão M. asked if I'd studied Portuguese before I came! Am I bragging? NO! Because there is nothing that I can do save the Lord gives me the ability to do it. (But it did make me feel good.)

Also, we've memorized our purpose and the first vision (in Portuguese). I had the awesome/embarrassing opportunity to recite the first vision to the rest of the District. Afterwards for personal study, I read through JSH. I never remember just how awesome Joseph Smith's account is and the miracle that the Restoration is! Wow.

We do have our 'service hour' every week and it's a lot of fun. Ironically, whilst I was mopping the stairs, I broke the mop (and I hear one of my siblings has already set that precedent), but I fixed it. Cool story.

I'm not sure I've told you about our living arrangements. There are three bunk beds in our room and we have five sisters in there. I'm back on my top bunk! It's so great. Yes, it's too bad I don't have [cousin] Lisa on the bottom bunk anymore, but Sister Laimana is pretty much as cool as Lisa.

Speaking of Cape Verde, remember how I said I was never coming home? Well, I repeat: I AM NOT COMING HOME. The next time you see me, I hope to have progressed and changed and be way cooler than the Emma that left. So, no, I'm not coming home. But Sister Brooks will see you in 2012 and she is going to be sweet.

We had an incredible lesson on having faith in Jesus Christ. Irmão O. is always telling us that if we want to do everything God has asked us to do, it will be through faith. Many people believe in Christ, but do we BELIEVE Him? Do we believe that He will do what He has promised us? That the Atonement applies to us individually? We need to trust our Savior and believe that He has done all that He says He has.

My subject: A igreja fica perto do McDonald’s. We learned that sentence and an Elder said the Church purposely builds chapels next to McDonald’s so that missionaries can learn how to tell people where our church is located. One really dumb, gullible Sister said, "Really?!" Yeah...they don't really do that.

Funny story: There's a sign that says whether the missionary field is open or closed. The other day, after gym, we walked past it and instead of saying it was open, the OPEN had been covered with a sign that said WHITE, ALREADY TO HARVEST. The missionary field is white, already to harvest. Get it? Yeah, awesome!

Okay, that's all. I'm out of time. I love you all!

Geronimo!

Sister Brooks

The Vacuum Called Frank

October 29, 2010

Ola!

Wow! Can you believe how long I've been here!? It's gone so fast. So...I don't really know what to say. Basically, we do the same thing every day: study.

Well, I guess I'll just start with the obvious: Tuesday Devotional! Yes, there will be general authorities coming. Apparently a general authority comes almost every Tuesday. And apparently, for some reason there are supposed to be APOSTLES the next couple of weeks. The week before I arrived Elder Nelson spoke and on Tuesday...Elder Scott! I love Elder Scott. I should have known it was going to be him because they hinted an apostle would be there and I noticed there were no teleprompters/cues -- whatever you call them. It was amazing. Basically, he gave us advice, learned throughout his life, on how to hear, record and heed the promptings of the Spirit -- and what better advice for missionaries is there? He also gave us THREE apostolic blessings (I know: AMAZING). First, he blessed the Sisters with a 'protective shield' and told us to be very careful about our health and to know that sometimes we won't be able to put in as many hours as the Elders. Second, he blessed us with the gift of tongues!! Um...I don't even have anything to add to that. Third, that we would retain the things we learn here; not just the lessons and the language, but our testimonies. He closed his talk with a powerful testimony about the Savior; everything he believes and knows about Jesus Christ stems from the fact "THAT HE KNOWS HIM." Wow. How incredibly blessed we are to have direct revelation from our Heavenly Father through these wonderful apostles and prophets.

Also this week, we went to our first TRC -- Teaching Resource Center or something. We had to 'contact' an investigator for 10-15 minutes in Portuguese and then teach them the first lesson (in English). I had a scary surprise last minute because, since there weren't enough volunteers, Sister Laimana and I had to split up and go with a pair of Elders. I was lucky to teach with Elders Cuestas and Gunter, who are wonderful, but I hadn't learned enough vocab about the things they brought up in the contact so I wasn't very vocal. The lesson was really good, however, I thought. It was excellent practice at least and I know my testimony was strengthened. Funnily enough, our 'investigator' is in Lisa and Stasia's FHE group and I met him the weekend before I entered the MTC. Kind of funny.

Unsurprisingly, we've heard a lot about obedience. I don't really think I've had a problem with it at all, but it's so true that it's not the rules themselves that you have to agree with, but the authority they come from. I know that every rule was established for a reason by someone who was inspired. So even though I hate that we can no longer take Sunday Temple walks, I'll obey.

Speaking of the Temple, we went today. It was wonderful. And SO cool to hear some of the things that are said while I'm called as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ. Keep up your temple attendance.

I was surprised to receive a heavy, full package from the 17th ward with cookies and candy and a sweet note signed by several of them. (I noticed Paul did not sign it. I'll try not to be offended. Joke.) We have, like, six packages in our room and SO much junk food. So, yes, I'm going to be fat.

During my first interview with my teacher Irmão Owen, he told me my Portuguese was good. Hopefully that's true and he didn't just say that to be nice, but he probably did.

I've noticed several times in my studies the reference to "isles of the sea" in the Book of Mormon and it makes me think of Cape Verde. It's so awesome to know that even in a teeny, tiny country the work is going forth because Heavenly Father cares about His children in Cape Verde.

Vacuums: We had our first service hour, which is sweet! We clean the senior missionary building and it's really easy and in the morning. The greatest part is that the vacuums are named. I worked with Frank and Dewey. Then we cleaned our dorm with Chantell. So...yeah. I found it amusing.

Well, I think that's about it. I plan on breaking the "wall-sit" record in the gym (though I wish I was in shape enough to beat a 6:30 mile). I only have to do it for eight minutes...

Keep me in your prayers and the also the people in Cape Verde. I love you all!

Geronimo!

Sister Brooks

Curly Fries & Spiritual Giants

October 25, 2010

Let's see. Sunday was sweet! Except that I played the piano for Sacrament meeting, which was terrifying. But it was all right. For Relief Society, Sister Denise Doxey spoke, and Brother Allen, the management director of the MTC, spoke at the fireside. Brother Allen was hilarious! I can't even begin to explain how great it was and totally perfect for me. But Sunday was good. There was an amazing musical number, too.

Classes are great. Language and gospel sort of alternate and we have hours scattered throughout the day with teachers - Irmão Matheson and Owens. Some days it's at 7, some at 8:45.

It's so great. I about have nosso proposito and the 'first vision' memorized in Portuguese.

I love Sister Laimana! We are a sweet companionship! We have identical cameras and alarm clocks!

Oh! And I have my bunk bed again! I love it. And I'm slowly accepting the pillows.

I'm going to get fat. I had curly fries for lunch. They were delicious. And Sunday we had amazing broccoli cheese soup! Seriously. It was amazing.

My p-day will be on Fridays. I'm excited. And I broke 8 minutes this morning on my mile. I'm so slow! Ugh. :)

I love my District! Irma Thayer and Michaels are awesome sisters! And the Elders are super motivated and such spiritual giants! We're already planning an MTC District reunion. :)

Love you all!

Geronimo,
Sister Brooks

First Letter

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Ola!

Well, there should be an accent on that, but you get the idea.

Happy Birthday, Miranda!! Oh, I'm so sorry I couldn't come to your birthday party!

Okay, now I will try to tell you all about my first few days here.

I love it. I really do. My companion is Sister Laimana, from Hawaii and she is amazing!! (She hasn't touched my brush, yet, Paul.) And Sister Tirrell (17th ward) is in our Zone, but not in our District. But she is in our room. She is the only Sister in her District, so she is a solo sister and often we have a little trio which is a lot of fun. We have two wonderful Sisters who share our room. They've been here about five weeks and are going to Brazil. They're so helpful and we're really lucky to have them.

Our District is AMAZING! There are eight Elders and four Sisters (which is apparently unusual to have that many Sisters). Everyone is going to Portugal Lisbon except for me, Sister Laimana (!) and one Elder, Elder Questas. The Elders are so impressive. They seem so little, but they're great. Our District Leader is my favorite! He's always smiling and is such a sweet little Elder. It's great. And we have some amazing teachers.

Classes: incredible. We've been studying and discussing our purpose and how important it is to care about the people we teach. My favorite quote thus far: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."

We've also learned what I feel is quite a bit of Portuguese in such a short time. I can pray and bear my testimony (simply). I absolutely love Portuguese! I'm sorry, but it's so much cooler than Spanish. There are some funky accents and tildes and parts of it really sounds like Chinese. There are lots of 'm's where 'n's should go and 'i's that really are unnessary and a LOT of ''sh" sounds. I feel like I sound like I have a lisp (which would be fine if I was going to Lisbon--haha, get it Cheryl?). But it's beautiful and so much fun to learn.

I'll be honest. I have felt overwhelmed several times, but it passes quickly. There's so much to do and I have to keep telling myself that I do have eight weeks to do it.

Ah! I don't know what else to tell you! Basically we think about three things here: The Gospel, Portuguese and Food. I haven't been too impressed with the food here, but it's all right. I did have some delicious tomato basil soup.

Here's a cool story that Bro. Matheson told us. There's a school in Portugal that was founded around 1170 and the students there wear capes, it's basically a castle and the library looks enchanted. Guess who attended this school? Yes. That's right. J.K. Rowling.

Here are a few interesting things I've heard about Cape Verde (CABOO VERD-uh):

In some areas we will be washing our clothes by hand.

We cannot drink the water and may have to wait in line every day to receive water.

It's really hot.

That's about it.

Oh. And it's definitely the coolest mission here.

The only things I really don't like here are the showers and the pillows.

Well, that's about it.

Thanks to all who have sent me letters! I feel so loved!

There are so many other things I should say, but I can't really think. This is probably very disconnected, but hopefully it makes sense.

I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. I love it here. It's hard and wonderful and crazy and sweet and totally, totally the right place for me to be.

Eu sei que Jesus Cristo e nosso Salvador. Eu sei que Ele vive! Eu testifico que Deus e nosso Pai Celestial e Ele nos ama. Eu sei que somos as crincas de Deus. Eu sei que o evangelho e verdadeiro e O Livro de Mormon e verdadeiro. Eu sei que Joseph Smith foi um profeta e Presidente Monson e o profeta. Em nome de Jesus Cristo, amem.

I love you all and miss you! Be good!

Geronimo!

Sister (Irma) Brooks

Oh! The subject. [Emma’s e-mail subject line read, “The Good Little Runner.”] It's false, but refers to me. I had another Sister refer to me as that during gym -- which is fun and I've been able to run a little bit on the track.

The Address

The count-down continues! I enter the MTC in less than six days and I'm still so excited! I think I finally have everything I need, so the next task is to try and fit it all into my suitcase!

I would love to hear from any and all of you while I'm serving my mission. I will be in the MTC until December 22 (approx.) and then I'll leave for Cabo Verde! Two months is plenty time for me to get some quality letters from all of you, so, if you would like to write me in the MTC, here is my address:

Sister Emma Brooks
MTC Mailbox #83
CAP-VDP 1220
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

I am only allowed to communicate via email with family members, so please dig up some antiquated stamps and envelopes and write me a good, old-fashioned letter! It will make my day.

The mail service in Cabo Verde is fairly slow, but feel free to send me letters in the mission field as well. The pouch address for my mission is:

Sister Emma Brooks
Cape Verde Praia Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

Here are the instructions for Pouch Mail:
"To prevent possible fines, only postcards and letters that are single sheet, folded into three-panels, and taped at the top only (NO envelopes) may be sent through the pouch."

For packages and such, the mission office address is as follows:

Sister Emma Brooks
Cape Verde Praia Mission
Caixa Postal 420
Praia
Ihla de Santiago, Sao Tiago
CAPE VERDE
Phone: 238 262-9403

My family will be updating this blog when I send emails each week and will post my more immediate and current addresses in the field.

Thanks in advance for all your love and support!

Since this will probably be the last blog post directly from yours truly, let me just say a few things. I know that missionary work is one of the most important duties we, as members of this Church, have. Please, please, please do whatever is in your power to assist this great work. Just be an example by doing what you know what is right! It's so easy to know something, but then not do it! Don't give in! No matter the pressures or the temptations, continue to be faithful! That is exactly what I am going to be striving to do and, hopefully, I will be blessed on my mission because of it!

Be an active participant in this life. Don't get bogged down with virtual experiences like facebook, twitter--this blog :). Go out and do something worthwhile!

And don't let anything, anything get in the way of your eternal salvation. Don't be offended, don't be proud, don't be lazy or complacent! Just choose to move forward in faith. Heavenly Father has prepared a way and He does know best--Really, He does!--so just do what He's asked of us. We can do it!

Okay, hopefully this doesn't sound like a soap box spiel (but if it does, I'm just practicing for my mission), but it applies to me as much (or more) as anyone. I love you all and I'll see you in eighteen months!

-Sister Emma Brooks

The Call

I have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am assigned to labor in the Cape Verde Praia Mission!

I report to the MTC on October 20th. For eighteen months I will serve on this island nation of about ten small islands off the western coast of Africa and will speak to and teach the people of Cape Verde in the Portuguese language.

It was so wonderful to be surrounded by my family as I opened my call. I was way off with my guess (Boston), but I don't think any of us could have imagined I would be called to serve in Cape Verde! I can hardly stand to think of the three months separating me from my MTC date, but it'll give me plenty of time to prepare and maybe even pick up a bit of Portuguese!

Cape Verde [vurd]

-noun: a republic consisting of a group of islands (Cape Verde Islands) in the Atlantic, West of Senegal in West Africa: formerly an overseas territory of Portugal; gained independence in 1975.
Praia [prahy-ah;]
-noun: the capital of Cape Verde, in the South Atlantic Ocean on South São Tiago Island. Population 39,000.