So, as always, I don't have as much time as I would like to have to tell you about all of the amazing miracles that happened this past week. Literally it is insane how blessed us missionaries are. I have never been happier in my whole life, nor more confident or willing to change and learn. Sometimes it freaks me out to think about how different I am, because a few months ago I would never think that it was possible. But I am so very grateful that it is, and that it is all possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

This week, I was able to go on my first exchanges as a Sister Training Leader with a couple different companionships that we are over. Our sisters are absolutely AMAZING!! Really, I feel as if my heart has grown SO MUCH and it only continues to expand and fill my entire being. Charity is such a gift from our Heavenly Father, and I have been able to see it change lives, especially my own. One thing that super stood out to me as I went on exchanges to try and help and love the sisters as much as possible is that as we center everything on Jesus Christ, everything will be okay. Maybe they wont be perfect, and maybe we will still mess up. But that is why He gave us the Atonement, so that we can overcome that and learn from our mistakes. The purpose of this life is to learn and grow. We cant do that if we are already perfect. :) 

AND A MIRACLE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON EXCHANGES. So I went to Duvall on exchanges with the amazing Sister Thinn from Arizona from Friday to Saturday. And we had an awesome day full of meeting awesome people and eating Thai food :) and then as we were finishing our daily planning that night, we get a phone call from my companions back in Bellevue. They had just gotten off of the phone with President Miller (a member of our mission presidency) who told them that CECIILIA WAS GETTING BAPTIZED IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!! My dear companion Hermana Dilworth and her new companion Hermana Fowlks would be holding the baptism for Cecilia the next day and she was going to be sharing her testimony at the Member-Missionary Fireside on Sunday evening. Cecilia had asked that I be the one to translate for her at the fireside as she bore her testimony :) I was just overcome with happiness and love that I could just sit there and cry. I looked back on the months I shared with that woman in her living room, reading with her in the Book of Mormon, fasting for her to come to church, crying when she lacked faith, and falling in love with her amazing family. I was blessed to watch her change over the 4.5 months that I taught her, and because of her, I know that the Book of Mormon changes lives. It isn't just true. It is the truth. 

The fireside last night was one of the happiest nights of my life. Being able to see Cecilia and her family (her daughters Estefany and Karla are preparing to be baptized on April 11 and her husband finally started letting the missionaries teach him) was just such a blessing sent directly from my  Heavenly Father. As she bore her testimony in front of the hundreds of people there, I felt the confirming power of the Holy Ghost tell me that this really is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know it without a doubt. 

I was also able to see so many of the amazing people that I love from the May Valley Ward: The Baggenstos family who has become an extension of my own, Bishop Jarman, my wonderful Laurels Riley and Gillian, and of course my amazing, beautiful, wonderful companion Hermana Dilworth. There is little so rewarding on a mission as training a new missionary. It is equal to watching someone gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and entering the waters of baptism, like Cecilia. The responsibility is huge, and the stress is high. But seeing her last night and being able to talk to her about the miracles she is seeing (she can finally speak Spanish!) just confirmed to me the power of the Atonement. It is so real. I love her so very much, and we both have been strengthened by each other and were able to see the fruits of our labors last night as Cecilia testified in front of many the truthfulness of the message we brought her. 

Missionary work is amazing. There is nothing in the world I would rather be doing right now. I know without a doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know that as we exercise faith in Him, He will help us transform our lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that as we read it, ponder it, and ask God about it, He will let us know that it is true. 

I love you all so much and I pray that you have an amazing week full of guidance from our loving Heavenly Father. Look up to Him and He will fill you with a love and happiness that is the sweetest gift you could ever receive in this lifetime. Also, shout out to my little brother Austin Brooks. Happy Birthday bud, You are my example and inspiration :) LOVE YOU!!

con mucho amor,

La Hermana Brooks

Hello everyone! Sorry, this week is going to be really short. But I just want you all to know that I am alive and well, and seeing miracles in the Crossroads Branch!!! We have been able to meet so many amazing people!! Right now we are working with a woman from Peru, named Maria (go figure) who is amazing!!! She has 2 sons, and is really just searching for the truth. She even came to church this week! Miracles! 

And the Branch was SO EXCITED to see Hermana Hales and I again :) basically every time we visit someone from the branch, or go to an activity everyone freaks out when they see us. Its awesome. They really know how to make you feel loved :) 

Oh, and being a Sister Training Leader is literally the most incredible thing. My capacity to love, understand, and serve continues to grow exponentially. It is truly amazing. 

Alright, well I just want you all to know how much I love my Savior Jesus Christ. No one or thing has ever done more for me than Him, and I am truly honored and blessed to be able to share the message of His love for each one of us to everyone I meet for 18 months of my life. You are all entitled to be loved and to be cared for. You are already loved and cared for. Jesus Christ suffered for ALL of us, not just me or that one friend that you know. He did it for YOU. Because He loves you. Let His light into your life and you can feel whole. Let His love warm you. 

I also want you to know that I love you. I love you all a lot. Don't ever forget that!!

-La Hermana Brooks

Buenos Dias!!! hello again everyone. I hope that you all had an amazing week full of love, laughter, and sunshine! I know that I did :)

Hermana Dilworth and I had an amazing last two weeks of the transfer. We were able to have more lessons than we have ever had before and really work hard at consecrating ourselves. I have been so very blessed these past 12 weeks to learn and grow and come closier to my Savior than literally ever before. It has been an incredibly trying and difficult journey, but it has been the most amazing thing of my life. I have come to love more and more deeply than ever before, I have become more patient and diligent, I have been able to become more bold and courageous in who I am and who I believe in. It has really just been so incredible. 

Basically, it is a little hard to concentrate and give you any specific stories or details from the past week of my life because TRANSFERS HAPPENED TODAY. Let me tell you, I DID NOT see this one coming. So last night we got the call that I was being transferred... Cecilia and Mario cried when we told them. It broke my heart, but also filled me with so much love. I know that what happens next with them will be what helps them into the waters of baptism and the temple. Tears shed with friends are spiritual tears....

Anyways, we get to the transfer meeting this morning GUESS WHAT?! I have been transferred back to the Crossroads Branch in Bellevue where I was born WITH Hermana Hales (my trainer who served with me in the branch who is also going home after this transfer:( ) AND Hermana Oliphant-a newer missionary who just got out of training. ANOTHER TRIO!!!!! oh my goodness, my heart is so happy and stressed and excited to get moving. Oh, and one more bit of news. This morning I got the call that I am now a Sister-Training Leader (with Hermana Hales) and will now have stewardship over the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the sister missionaries in our zone. WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO MY LIFE. 

Really, I am so grateful and humble and excited to be here. Last night was super rough telling so many people that I love in May Valley goodbye. I know that it isnt goodbye forever. But any kind of goodbyes are hard. More than anything I will miss my dear companion Hermana Dilworth. We grew so close, and so much together. Really, I know that she was sent to me directly from our loving Heavenly Father. Right now, she has been called to continue the work in May Valley as well as finish training for a new missionary! 

Crazy things are happening in the Washington-Seattle Mission. We truly are doing everything we can to hasten the work of the Lord. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that He suffered for me and through Him all things are possible. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the only true church upon the earth today. And I know that we can come to know that through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. It will change your life as it has changed mine, and as it continues to change millions of lives around the world. 

I love you all so much and I hope that you have an amazing week. Make something happen. Chase your dreams. Reach your full potential. One of my favorite scriptures ever is found in the Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27 that says, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Dont hide behind your weaknesses, but take them to the Lord. I can promise you that you WILL become strong. He has made me strong. 

You are all amazing and I love you so very very much!! Be on the look-out for miracles! 

con mucho amor,

la hermana Brooks