Week 25!

March 24, 2014

Family & Friends,

This week was full of emotion. My companion Sister Bennett got transferred! I was very sad but excited for her and excited to meet someone new! My new companion is great, Sister Hilton. She is from Orem, Utah! She is so great, spiritual and a fun person to be around! I miss Sister Bennett for sure though.

We got a new investigator her name is Yadira! She is great and we are excited to teach her! Who knows where this one will go but we gotta have faith right? Haha

Shelby is doing great!! I love her so much!!! She is a strong woman. She is set to get baptized on April 19th now! So pray for her to be ready then please!!!!! :)

So this week was kind of hectic and stressful with someone new coming and unpacking and having weekly planning. I thought we wouldn't get anything done, but for the longest time I have been praying for 3 months for someone to walk in our path that has been prepared. I cry every time I talk about this because I have such a strong testimony that Heavenly Father listens and in his OWN TIME he will answer!  And I know that to be true!!!

I always heard missionaries that find investigators that say... "How do I get baptized? I want to get baptized?” I thought it was never going to happen... BUT.....

Yesterday we got two phone calls. One from a member saying, "Hi sisters, give me a call back I have an investigator for you." I was like okay. Cool!! She speaks English but she feels more comfortable with sister so we are teaching her. Let me tell you, she is prepared. So I called this lady and she said yeah, I want to learn more. We went to this church once before and then got into the Baptist church but we decided to come to this church this Sunday. She said her kids didn't feel comfortable in the Baptist church! So she said I guess I came back to this church for a reason. How can I join this church?" I was so excited on the phone trying not to scream for joy!! So we are going to go meet her this week I am so excited and I can’t wait!!

The other call was this Hispanic guy and his friends wanted to learn English because we have a free English class at the church that we teach!! But never did because no one came.... So he called and wanted to learn English and that means we will maybe start teaching them the lessons too!!!! :)

This week was amazing!!! I know that Heavenly Father listens to ALL of our prayers and sometimes the answer doesn't come when you want it but I know in some way and some time He will answer them!!! I know that He LOVES everyone and He wants the best for us!!! He listens to you! I love this gospel and I love being a missionary! I wouldn't trade it for the world! I could never ask for a better life!! I love you all and I love my family so very much!! I miss you all!! :)

Hermana Brugman

Week 24

  March 17, 2014

Friends & Family,

Crazy week this week! Transfer calls were made and I am staying in Elizabeth City, NC! But Hermana Bennett is leaving! When we got the call my heart dropped!! We have been together for 4 months and I will miss her so much! But I also can't wait to meet someone new! I love the people in Elizabeth city and I love the members!! SO I am glad to stay here a little longer :) But I am so excited to meet Hermana Hilton on Thursday! :)

I am so excited to for General Conference!!!!!!!  :)

The one thing that happened this week was hard.. Life being a missionary has its downs for sure but I love every minute of it! Our investigator that we had a date with just pushed it back a couple weeks!! But it's okay she will get baptized!! We had a really good strong lesson with her last night! I have never felt the spirit so strong. She has been going through a lot of problems her whole life!!! So I opened up the scriptures to Mosiah.. and turned to Mosiah 24:14 and it says, "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulder, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." This scripture couldn't be more powerful. As we asked her to read it she couldn't finish without crying!! (which then made me cry...) What a great blessing this is right here... Knowing that He will be there when you have troubles and afflictions. You are never alone.. He is always there for you in time in need! What greater blessing can you get!! I love that scripture so much, especially as a missionary because it gives me such comfort.. knowing that when I need help and guidance all I have to do is kneel down in faith and ask Him. I love this church so much and this gospel! I know the Heavenly Father knows and loves all of us! I know this is the true church! I know this gospel has blessed me and my family so much!!!! I love going to church EVERY Sunday!! I am so happy and I absolutely love my life :)

Miss and love you all!!

Que tenga un buen dia :)

Hermana Brugman

Week 23!

 March 10, 2014

Friends & Family,

I can't believe that I come home next March, it has gone by so fast already!! This Gospel is the best thing that is in my life! :) 

March 29th is getting closer and closer for our investigator! I am getting more and more excited everyday! She is so great! We had an amazing lesson with her last week at a members house! It was amazing and the spirit was sooo strong! I can't wait and I'm so excited for her and the future she has in store!

I am so grateful for my companion. We have been together for almost 4 months! haha she is so great and so spiritual! Missionary work is hard and sometimes discouraging but I know that we are planting A LOT of seeds.. .that's for sure! We may not see the outcome of our work but I know we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. It is so hard because I got called to a Spanish speaking mission but I am doing more English work! I don't mind because everyone needs to hear this gospel, but it is so hard on me learning Spanish! But I know that this is where I am supposed to be and I have to trust in the Lord and have faith that my Heavenly Father will help me out when I need it! It is so amazing cause I never really notice how much I need the Lord in my life! Yeah I knew by going to church and doing what I was supposed was the right thing to do but I feel like I took advantage a little! I depend on Heavenly Father more than anything!!! I know that He is there listening and answering my prayers! I know with my Spanish He will bless and help me!!! That is the same with everyone else, if you are being obedient and doing what is right he will be there for whatever you need!!! :) How amazing is that??

But this Saturday we had a great day! I am so glad the weather is finally warm enough (55 degrees) to go out and walk around and talk to a lot of people! We have two appointments to go back too!! It is so scary to do door approaches in Spanish.  I basically just say who we are and what we believe in. It is scary but I have to do it!! hahaha 

The people in this ward are AMAZING...I am so blessed to have met these wonderful people!! We went to visit this lady randomly and she said she was having a bad day and was so happy, she said we made her day!! She packed us with all this food!!!! CRAZY!! Veggie straws, chicken, corn, nutri-grain bars, pancake mix, syrup, and sooo much more!!! We are so blessed here!! 

I love being a missionary so much!!! I love my life!!! Thank you all for everything!! I love and miss you!!

Have a great week!!

Hermana Brugman

Week 22!

 March 3, 2014

Friends & Family,

This week was full of emotion. I felt like this week went by so fast, it is crazy! I just want to start off by saying how grateful I am to be on my mission. I seriously thought I couldn't be more happy than I was at home with basketball, friends, family! Yes I miss all those so much but this Mission has already changed my life! I was happy then but having this knowledge of this gospel and living it has brought such happiness and joy in my life! I love everything about being a missionary! Yeah is it super hard and frustrating at times but those are the best times. Those are the times that your testimony grows. As you trust in the lord and keep moving forward!!

One of the hardest things is going door to door and seeing how all these people have problems... I am not saying I don't have problems or I am perfect but people having serious problems with family, money, marriage, legal stuff, drugs, etc. I hate seeing this stuff! EVERY DAY!! we see this stuff! It is crazy how much I love the people here. People I don't even know. I know that Heavenly Father is giving me a little piece of his love for these people to me because I care and love all these people! All I want to do is help them and it is so sad when they reject this gospel, because I know this gospel will bless their lives and help them! This gospel is one thing that will pick you back up when you're down! I know that one day these people we contact will have the desire to change their hearts!

On the good side... GUESS WHO HAS A BAPTISMAL DATE? (drummmm roll.....)

SHELBY!!!!!!!!!! woahh!!! The best week of my mission.. I couldnt be more happier for her. She has completly changed her life around. This will be my very first baptism and i am so glad it is shelby!! I love her so much and pray everyday that everything will work out and she will get baptized on march 29th 2015 :)

Words cant express my love for this gospel and how happy i am that i have this in my life!!! I wouldnt want to be anywhere else.. but her serving my mission!!! I am glad that i know i can brighten the lives of others. Every week people telling me that my smile brightens there day makes me so happy!!! If thats all i am here for i am glad i am brightening others lives!!

I love each of you guys and miss you!1 I hope y'all have a great week.. :)

And mom i cant wait to skype you on mothers day in 70 days.. I love you!!

Con amor,

Hermana Brugman