SONGBIRD: I Need Thee Every Hour

Brie has been learning the LDS Hymns in Spanish. Here are a few sound bites:
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"I Need Thee Every Hour" - Part 1
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"I Need Thee Every Hour" - Part 2
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"I Need Thee Every Hour" - Duet with Hermana Hudson
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PHOTO ALBUM: Week Four

Michael Murphy! Elder Murphy! That classic awkward missionary photo... feat. my companion

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These two beautiful ladies are IN FRESNO RIGHT NOW! Go find them and love them for me! Hermana Corbridge and Hermana White! ...also feat. Elder Nielsen's head.

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#onemonthdown #17moretogo
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I got the best letter from my family FROM AMERICA! It was a surprise to see it hahah but it was the best. I love my family! There's a cute little picture on the backside of me and my brother! Adorable. My district cried because they were so jealous. LOL.

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Ah, tis that time of the week again‏

HOLLLAA!

Hi. How are you all? Good? Yay!

I cant believe its already Pday... again... time is just flying by here at the CCM. Like Ill be back in the states in like a week and a half! I just cant beleive how quickly time is flying by. Ahhh.

So this week was AMAZING. I seriously learn so much every single day here. The spirit is so strong, and there is always room for improvement. Haha ALWAYS room, ya hear?

HIGHLIGHTS:

- TRC. So TRC is once a week and its when we teach real LIFE PEOPLE. Like from the ciudad de Mexico. Sometimes they are members, sometimes they are investigators. Its honestly so much fun. We just sit and talk and get to know some really sweet people, and then share a message with them. Last week we taught a man named Jaime, and HE WAS THE BEST. He was so kind and he bore such a strong testimony about prayer. When we were walking into TRC last night, I said to my companion,"I hope Jaime is here again!" And sure enough, when we knocked on the door, he was there! He was just as excited to see us! It was a tender mercy for sure. The second lesson we taught in TRC was to a man named Carlos. He told us about his family and his three daughters whom he loved so much. It was adorable. As we got started with our lesson, I had this impression to take the lesson a different direction. So without consulting my companion first, I just asked Carlos to share an experience he had with prayer. It was amazing because he instantly opened up and as he shared his story, the room was filled with the spirit. After his story, I thanked him and turned to Hermana Hudson. I could see tears coming to her eyes, and she began to share a story similar to the story Carlos shared. I could tell that her testimony really had an affect on Carlos. It was amazing! After the lesson, we hugged and agreed that the spirit was definitely the teacher during that lesson.

- Karen. This week we taught Karen again! This experience mightve been one of the strongest times I have felt the spirit during a lesson. We tailored the lesson according to her needs, and as we asked inspired questions, she started to open up. She said she didnt feel good enough, and that she wasnt sure if she was worth enough to go to church and be baptized. It hit me hard because I can definitely relate... cant we all? There are so many times in life when its so easy to not feel good enough. But I bore my testimony to Karen and just told her that God doesnt expect us to be perfect right now. We all have problems, and we all make mistakes... but that doesnt mean we need to give up on ourselves. We have to believe in ourselves and allow God to work miracles in us. I also related the church to being like a hospital. We go there to be rejuvinated and to be made clean. We go there to acquire more strength and more love from others and God. We go there to strengthen our testimonies and learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Church isnt a place for perfect people... its a place where broken people can come and be made whole again.

- We also taught a guy named Chris. Chris was hurting... he had just lost his wife and three children in a car accident. My heart literally ached for me. I could not imagine losing my family. We all cried together as my companion and I shared our testimonies about the life and purpose of Jesus Christ our Savior. I told him that he needed to turn his life over to God because He will change his heart. This life is not easy, and there is someobdy who udnerstands. The spirit was so strong during that lesson. 

THIS GOSPEL IS AMAZING EVERYONE OKAY?

This week was just so good! It was crazy... like one of my roommates started barfing in the middle of the night and it lasted for hours! Everyone was running around, trying to help, and I pretty much just sat there because I was dead tired. But shes good now lol

I have one quote for all of you that HIT ME LIKE A BOMB IT WAS RIDICULOUS.

This is from the talk... The Fourth Missionary. FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS LIFE GO READ IT.

¨In the end, your heart and your will is all that you have to give that the Lord does not already have. If you give your time, two years (18 months), and your strength, you give only that which He grants to you with each beat of your heart and each breath that you draw. If you dedicate your gifts and talents, you only return to Him what He already has given to you. If you pay tithing, you only return a tenth of what he has already given to you. Everything that you have to give to the Lord has its origin in Him, except one thing... your will. He does not have your heart nor your mind unless you give them to Him. It is the only gift you have to offer that He does not already have. And so when you give yourself, you truly give everything to Him.¨

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

This week I challenge each of you to try and just lose yourself in service or in the scriptures or in prayer. I promise that as you allow God to change your heart, MIRACLES or milagros will happen. I promise. I have seen it in my own life, its amazing. You just have to keep workin! Never stop! Remember... life unattended gets nothing done!

BE GOOD EVERYONE!

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

SONGBIRD: I Stand All Amazed

I attached a little piece of a song I'm working on. I've been trying to compose a new way to place I Stand All Amazed, and I'm loving it so far.
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I just want you all to know that I know God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer. I know that this work is important because people deserve to feel all of Gods love in their lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is truly sacred scripture, and I know that God answers our prayers and is here for us.. always. This life is hard, but through God, we can overcome anything. I promise you all that.

I love you tons!

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Week Three - ME GUSTA PICTURES‏

The hermanas!

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The elders!

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Elder Nielsen and Elder Haddad looking so happy together... adorable

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Oh you know... just a missionary.

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Also that B on the mountain stands for Brie. True story.

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Our roommates left us donuts and I was seriously so happy omg

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This is our class... story behind my quote. It says, IM NOT ENGAGED. So I wear this diamond ring every day that me and my sister picked out before I left and it truly does look like an engagement ring hahah literally 6 people here have asked me, including my teachers!

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The artist behind the masterpiece, Hermana Erekson. This girl is my best friend here. I love her so much. She keeps me from going crazy sometimes. THE BEST.

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St Patrick's Day here!!
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A little somethin somethin

¡Hola! Estoy muy feliz por que sé que el evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero. Me gusta mucha la CCM y los otros misioneros. Estoy aprendiendo mucho sobre la idioma del Español, la Espíritu Santo, y la importancia de Dios en nuestras vidas. Estoy muy cansado jaja pero está bien por que mi corazon es cambiando. Está vida es un don de Dios. Todas las personas tienen desafíos, deibildades, y problemas, pero por medio de Jesucristo y Su Expiación, podemos limpiar de nuestras pecados y recibir fortaleza. No importa cuáles sean sus necesidades o sus problemas... el Salvador y sus enseñanzas les ayudarán. No necesitamos tener medio si tenemos confianza en Dios. ¡Sé que Dios es muy amoroso y quiere todas Sus hijos tienen felicidad!

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Hahah my Spanish isnt perfect but Im learning, yeah?!

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Anywho haha

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How are you all? How is life back in the real world?

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Being here in la CCM is so different than what I initially thought it'd be like. Truthfully, I wasn't sure what I expected, but la CCM is definitely in a world all by itself. I'm learning so much, its crazy. I know that when my brain feels like its about the explode, I'm doing something right hahah

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HIGHLIGHTS:

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- The director of la CCM is from Utah, and he and his family live here on campus. He has 3 little boys, and they are ADORABLE. I'm positive they know more Spanish than I do lol but a couple weeks ago, we were walking to class, and one of the little boys was sitting on his front lawn with an easel, paper, and paint, and he was just painting away. I asked him what he was painting, and without losing focus, he pointed to the tree in front of him. It was so cute, and it reminded me of home! I also love when their family comes to dinner because its oddly nice to hear little voices laughing and screaming haha is it weird that I miss that?

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- So 42 new missionaries came yesterday! Guess who's here now!? Michael Murphy! Or Elder Murphy lol I was able to sit with him at dinner last night! So sweet to see a familiar face, ya know? 

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- Last week, me and mi compañera got two new investigators, Juan Carlos and Karen. When we first met Juan Carlos, he didn't believe in God... he believed in like a spirit that existed in nature. Very interesting! But after 3 lessons or so, hes on his way to being baptized in April! Hes got a growing testimony and its so cool to watch him recognize the spirit more and more every lesson. From the very first lesson, I could feel Gods love for him. Sometimes it feels like I lose myself when I'm teaching lessons, like I truly feel God working through me. Its amazing! And with Karen, her mom was just baptized into the church, but she doesn't really understand the importance of church and religion in general. We have been able to bear our testimonies to her frequently, and shes become more interested in the Book of Mormon. Its been hard for her to keep commitments, but I can tell that she really wants to know the truth. I was able to teach her about the Atonement yesterday, and that really hit home with her. She committed to being baptized next month!

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- Yesterday we had an English fast... soooo no English the WHOLE day. Guess how well that went? Eeeeeh not very well. It started off strong, but then all of us just gave up haha not good. We are fasting every Wednesday so next week we will be better! Promise!

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- I GOT MY FIRST LETTER!!!! Thanks to mah pal, Jeff. I was so happy, I just ripped it right open. I got it right before dinner and because I'm kind of a loser (lol), I kept it with me all dinner. Keep them coming! (I don't know what the website is where you can send letters and packages... maybe my mom will post the link..?)

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www.missionarypackagemx.com

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- So as a district, we had a little unity activity, and we went around saying what we loved about everyone. A real good confidence booster, ya know? Haha it was actually such a good thing, the love is real between all of us. Anyway, the very first elder, Elder Nielson, is a goofball. Hes hilarious and has made me cry laughing more than I can even count. He turns to me and says, ¨Hermana Gould, I love how just super happy you are all the time, and you're way nice to everyone, but you're sassy as crap.¨ HAHAHA oh dear. Apparently the elders here gave each of the Hermanas a word or nickname that describes them and mine was Sass Master. WHAAAT!? Hahaha so funny! They said its not a bad thing at all, I'm just not afraid to tell it how it is. Which is very true. I cannot lie about that.

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- Go read D&C 50:40-44. Heavenly Father is really our Father and its amazing.

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Well this week was not too exciting, no huge storms or anything. But there are miracles happening every day here. I'm just starting to feel comfortable here, like I know what I'm doing, where to go, etc. And I'm actually really enjoying it. Every day has its struggles, of course, and the language is slowly coming, but I can definitely feel Gods love and presence almost every minute of the day. I've never prayed so much in my life, and I've never been so enthralled when reading the Book of Mormon before. I know Joseph Smith really did see God. Like a 14 year old boy saw God and was given the responsibility to restore His church, and because of his willingness and love for God, he was able to do something I know I couldn't have done. The Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ and I know for a fact that if you read it, you wont be able to deny the power of God within its beautiful pages. Everything about that book is incredible.

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I cant believe this is my 4th week here. It feels like just yesterday that I was saying goodbye to everyone, and yet here I am, just 2 weeks away from Nebraska! How crazy is that! I know God is real, and I know that I am meant to be here for a reason. God is so good - I love Him, and I am so beyond grateful for the love I have felt in my life because of Him. I have never been so grateful before for my family and friends. THANK YOU for everything. Go out and share your love with everyone! Don't be afraid to share the gospel with people. Be the Lord's hands, ok? You are capable of so much, its amazing.

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I love you all so much! THANK YOU for your emails every week! Logging on to my email and seeing 30 emails just brings tears to my eyes every week. Keep them coming!

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Be good this week!!

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xoxo

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Hermana Brie Gould

SONGBIRD: Come Follow Me

"Come Follow Me" - duet with Hermana Hudson
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PHOTO ALBUM: Week Two

My district!

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Me and Elder Haddad trying to be hipster...

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Me probably saying something dumb to make mi compamera laugh...

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Reppin my California shirt!

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God Is Real

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This is a picture I snapped this morning on the way to breakfast. Beautiful right? I just have to say...

I'm really doing well with the language. Its coming quicker every day and I can feel God working miracles in my little brain of mine. Learning the language isnt what my main focus is, though thats a huge part. I am learning every day how to become more humble, how to become more like my Savior, and how to be more loving every single day.

Thank you all for your prayers and for your love and support. Thank you for praying for my first investigator! He ended up only being an actor (who is now our night teacher), but the prayers mean a lot to me and to God. I now have two new investigators, plus me and my companion teach every Wednesday for an hour. Please continue praying! Praying that peoples hearts will be softened. This gospel and this work is amazing.

I love you all

xoxo

Life in la CCM es muy bien‏

¡Hola mi familia y mis amigos! Thursdays are my favorites... I miss you all.

Pero (but)...

This week has been muy interesante! hahah. Every single day here is interesting! Its like the days go by really slow, but the weeks go by so fast. If that makes any sense. Technically this is my 3rd week! Ill be in Nebraska in less than a month!

So before I start my super great and inspiring email (ha), I have to tell you all about Mexico Missionary Mail! Theres a website were you can send packages, letters, and PICTURES (!!!) to me! It takes 3 to 4 days to get to me. A regular hand written letter takes a good 3 to 4 weeks... so... I would love mail! I miss your faces, send me pictures! Like honestly.

Ok onward with the email!

I LOVE MY DISTRICT. They make everything so much better. Our district leaders are Elder Crockett (from Washington, going to Arizona) and Elder Jensen (from Idaho, going to New Mexico). Our zone leaders are also in our district... these two are my favs. Elder Haddad (joined the church 19 months ago! Hes from southern California, going to Chile) and Elder Nielson (from Utah, going to Chile). I have laughed so hard because of those two. The other night, actually, the hermanas stole Elder Nielsons precious pocket frisbee and hid it. The only way he could get it back was if he sang every time he spoke for 5 minutes. Hahah I cried, it was so funny.

The hermanas in my district are lovely human beings. Mi companera es Hermana Hudson. She is from Idaho, going to Arkansas! She has a huuugggee family, and shes one of the youngest! She hasnt gone to college yet, but when she gets home, shes going to BYUI! The other hermanas are Hermana Erekson and Hermana Judy. Both are from Idaho, going to Arizona. Hermana Ereksons dad is actually a member of the seventy sooo pretty sweet. Both girls will be going to BYUI too!

Half of our zone just left... so sad. They are on to bigger and better things! AKA mission field! But the other district in our zone (there are typically 3 districts in a zone) are still here and they are grrrrreat. Actually get this, 4 of them are serving in... drumroll... FRESNO. YEAH! So look for Hermana White, Hermana Corbridge Elder Vanbleet, and Elder Collins. Ive been telling them Fresno is so fantastic and that they are going to love it haha so take good care of them!

Anyway.

Ill tell yall a little about life here in Mexico. I live in a house with 17 other girls. HAHA 17! Its all good though, no drama. We are honestly hardly even in our house, mainly we just sleep there. Ive had to get really good at going to sleep at EXACTLY 10:30 and waking up at EXACTLY 6:30. ive adjusted well... surprisingly. 

Meals are SO GOOD. Some days are better then others (they once served a club sandwhich for breakfast... I was highly confused..). But for some reason the cheerios here are BOMMMBB. Eat them every morning. The meat is a little iffy, but for the most part the food is good. They have every single fruit juice imaginable... like that dang pineapple juice I swear is from heaven. 

Also sidenote. IT IS POSSIBLE TO NOT GAIN WEIGHT IN THE MTC. Lol. Thats all.

Hmm what else? They have la tienda on campus, which is a store that carries just about anything you need. We get 120 pesos a week, and Ive spent a good amount on chocolate andstudy materials. The chocolate is freaking amazing, guys. They have these candy bars that are the equivalent to a Nutella Kit Kat. Maddy, my sweet sister, I think of you every time I eat one... which happens to be fairly frequently. That candy bar was made for you dangit!!!!!!

Theres also a huge gym with an exercise room, a track, a volleyball net, basketball nets, ping pong, and fuseball. Volleyball is my ultimate stress relief. I play every single day. I forgot how much I loved that sport! And my serves are getting stronger and better every day! Ping pong, though... very enjoyable.

And mom, there are birds everywhere! Those little green birds you were telling me about... yep, theyre here! They legit blend in the the grass, its awesome.

So a few nights ago, we had one of the biggest storms I have ever experienced. It was Tuesday night, after devotional. We were all as a zone in one of our classrooms and the wind started to really pick up. For those of you who dont know, I kind of have a fear of the wind. My anxiety really kicks in when a windstorm is near. So the wind really started to like attack the building we were in, it sounded like the windows were going to be blown in and the roof was going to fly right off. Actually the building next to us had its roof blown off omg. I was trying so hard to focus on something else, but I couldnt. Guys, it was so scary. And then the lightning and thunder came, THAT was crazy. It was so close, the thunder just completely shook the building. And then the hail started coming down and then a dang flashflood! It was crazy! My anxiety calmed down after the wind stopped, and we all just watched the crazy storm happening outside. There were rivers, actual rivers, forming on the sidewalks and in the streets. The power went out for a few seconds before the generator kicked in! Haha like guys, it was a legit storm. But going home was a huge struggle... an umbrella was useless so we ran in almost shin deep water all the way across campus and to our house. We were soaked by the time we got home! Man, it was quite the experience.

Soo I have another crazy story for you all. Sundays here are the best (well, actually P days are the best). Relief Society always lifts my spirits, and we have a huge movie night with EVERYONE. Todos los misionerios. But sacrament meetings... oh boy, those are scary. I mean I mean I mean, they are great! But the talks that are given are chosen DURING THE MEETING. Like after we take the sacrament, a member of the branch presidency announces who will be speaking. The previous Sunday we were given two topics to speak on, so we were asked to prepare two talks to bring, just in case. So nervewracking...

For this last Sunday, we were asked to prepare a talk on the fall of Adam and Eve and the Apostacy. During the week, I had only had time to prepare one talk, which was on the fall. The rest of our zone, though, told our district that were pretty much good considering there were other missionaries who had been there longer than we had and hadnt talked yet. So I was all calm, enjoying the spirit and such. And then... the branch presidents first counselor got up, announced the first speaker, and said, HERMANA GOULD. Seriously everyone whipped their heads around to look at me, and I sat there, completely in shock. And theennnn he said which topic each speaker had. And guess which one I got? Yep, the one I didnt prepare. I wish I couldve seen my face... it was proabably complete horror...

So I had less than 5 minutes to prepare a talk on the Apostacy IN SPANISH. When it was my turn to talk, I stumbled through a poor description of the Apostacy. I stopped talking, and I was suddenly overcome by an immense feeling. The tears fell like a flood, and I just bore my testimony in broken Spanish, trying my best not to crumble. Looking at my zone from the pulpit, I saw their smiles and looks of sympathy and a few thumbs up haha

My crying was due to a mix of frustration, nerves, and the spirit. I have such a strong testimony, and I had to trust that God would fill in the holes of my talk. After I sat down, it took me awhile to finally stop crying haha but it was all good. I got through.

The language is still a struggle. I feel like a child, learning how to talk all over again. Its by far one of the most humbling things. Im a lot better at actually understanding, but speaking the language is coming slower.

I need all of you to know something. I know with everything in my heart that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer, our best friend, and our brother. I have felt God loves me more than ever before in my entire life in these last few weeks. I have been humbled time and time again by my Heavenly Father who wants the best for me, and He wants me to be better every day, just as I want to be better. I know that the Book of Mormon truly is a gift, a precious and incredible gift, from God. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that prayer is a real thing... guys, prayer works.

I want all of you to pray. Right now. Tonight. Tomorrow. Just pray. I dont care if you pray all of the time or if you havent prayed in 20 years. Take the time to just close your eyes and open up your heart to God. I know with everything in me that He is listening. Go read the in the Bible Dictionary about Prayer. Go read Moroni chapter 10, verses 4 and 5. Go watch the devotional Elder Holland gave at the Provo MTC in Jan 2013. Like give God a chance to change your life. What harm could it do? Let Gods love be in your life, dangit.

I love you all so much! My heart is completely filled with gratitude for each and every one of you. I know that I am here for a reason... God has a plan for me bigger than I couldve ever imagined. Same for you too! 

I LOVE YOU AGAIN. BE GOOD THIS WEEK.

Until next time... lol

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Week One

Arrival and first week in the Mexico MTC aka CCM.

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HELLOOOOO!

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Guys! I made it! I'm in Mexico! Mexico is something else... its beautiful here 24/7. The CCM is practically all outdoors. Its so nice! There are palm trees everywhere and so much color... the CCM is right in the middle of Mexico City so you can hear just about everything... the bombs and police sirens and fireworks. All I can say is these people sure know how to party. EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY. Ees all bueno, though. But these are these hills that just surround the CCM and every house is painted a different color... its a rainbow.

So I dont even know where to begin. This week has been full of an intense amount of emotions. I have never been so unsure of myself before. The language... gosh dang. I was so discouraged the first couple of days. 

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to talk and express myself and write. I love words. So not being able to express myself about the gospel and about our Savior and about how beautiful life is is so frustrating.

BUTTT (pero), el don de lenguas es real. God has helped me get through 4 lessons with an actual invvestigator, say a prayer en Espanol, y bear my testimonio on Sunday. I know for a fact that Gods grace is filling me up. He is filling in the gaps. This has been such a huge and incredibly humbling week.

So about my vida here! Every single hour of the day is scheduled for us. We have lots of time for studying (I studied for 3 HOURS. TRES HORAS!!!), we have language classes, Book of Mormon classes, meals (la comida.... ooohhh boy muy buen). We also have tons of devotionals as a district.

My district is so great. We all get along so well and its honestly been a blessing. There are 4 hermanas and 4 elders in our district. LOVE them all. 

Mi companera es Hermana Hudson. Shes a sweetheart. It was a little awkward at first because I would try and say something funny and she wouldnt laugh so it was like no bueno pero shes warmed up to me A TON! I love it! 

Our first investigators name is Samuel. Boy oh boy was that first lesson terrifying. Its been going really well though! We feel comfortable now and are able to better understand his Spanish. We just havent gotten so good at responding perfectly yet lol

Overall the CCM is amazing. The spirit here is so strong. All of the elders and hermanas are so friendly and so willing to help all the time. I have ran into so many people that I know!! Like Nadia and Elder Bentall (Abby, he was in our ward at BYUI) and three sisters going to Nebraska! And I hear Michael Murphy is coming here soon! YEEEEE.

So I have a spiritual thought for all of you. I heard this on Sunday (Sunday is the best ever) and it hit me like a wave. I cried and cried because I knew God had prepared that thought for me.

In the Bible, do you all remember where a boy brings loaves of bread and fish for the Savior and the Savior feeds to multitude? Jesus Christ took something so small and so seemingly insufficient and made it feed thousands. THOUSANDS. I thought about this and it clicked. I dont feel qualified to teach and preach in Spanish, but I am willing to try my hardest. If I give my heart and just everything to the Savior, he will make me into something so much more than I could ever make myself into. The Savior is our Savior for a reason. He is here, willing and wanting to pick us up, carry us, make us stronger. We need to be humble enough to allow him to work on us. 

I know that this church is true with my whole being. I wouldnt be here, missing all of you so much, if it wasnt for my love for this church, the gospel, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father. I know that I am being backed up 100 percent. I can feel the love from all of you and Im honestly sitting here in tears because I am so grateful for the people in my life. Golly sakes you all are incredible.

I challenge each of you to find out what you need to sacrifice in order to become stronger. What can you do to become closer to God? I know God loves each and every one of you so much.

BUT LIKE I ALSO LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH TOO.

Keep on sending those emails!!!!! And letters. Letters are cool too.

I love you all. I miss you all. God is good, just remember that. Jesus Christ lives.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould