PHOTO ALBUM: Pictures and Stuff

Trainer/Trainee! LOOOVVEEE!

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It was Memorial Day and we were given flowers soo obviously pictures were taken.

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Pepe and his PERFECT DOG.

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And I got a letter from the bessstttt perrsoonn ever! My sweet cousin... I'm so proud of him.

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A really nice human being let me borrow his guitar.. 

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and HAPPY THREE MONTHS TO ME!

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Pure Happiness

Family! Friends! Loved ones!

How are you? Good? Good!

So yesterday was a little crazy, we drove to the library to email aannnnd it was closed haha so here I am today! Hi!

Boy oh boy was this last week something else. I feel like each week here just gets weirder, and by weirder I mean BETTER.

Where do I even start!?

So yesterday morning, I woke up feeling ridiculously happy. My heart was little too big to fit in my chest. Well like, not literally, but you know, figuratively. 

My companion said I was just "beaming," and I honestly can't tell you why haha I was overcome with the Spirit, and I felt God's love so strongly. Little did I know, I was about to experience a really rough day. Yesterday was really hard, but guess what? I'm okay, I'm more than okay, I'm happy. Really happy. The goodness and light that filled me up yesterday has carried over to today, and I am praying that it stays with me forever, because this feeling in my chest is just too good.

Now let me tell you about the weirdness of my week :)

1. "I dig it." So there's this family that we visit with a couple teenagers who just don't really care about what we have to say.. ever haha typical teenagers, am I right? But we love them! They are so funny! We decided to go visit them one night, and only Pepe was home. We hung outside his house with his puppy, a german shepherd/husky mix... I died... and we just talked about life. He started opening up to us about how stressed he was for this summer and all of the things he needed to get done. A scripture came to my head in 3 Nephi 13, so I shared it with him! He thought about it a bit, and as we saw the wheels turning in his head, we asked him if he would pray every single night for strength. He thought for a little bit longer and then said, "Yeah, I dig it." Which to that we smiled because that was the most enthusiasm we've gotten from him in haha it was the best.

2. "Nice and tall." This last Thursday we went on exchanges! Which means that we switch companions for a day. It was sure interesting hahah I went with Sister Allen to Fremont, which is pretty much how I imagined Nebraska looking when I first got my call... lots of nature. The best part of the day though was when we volunteered at a retirement home. Guys, I love these people. They. Are. Gems. We played dice with them, and it was just lovely. As I was getting up, one of the ladies pointed to me and said, "Well, now. You sure are nice and tall and skinny, aren't ya?" Haha what. She then continued to tell me all about her years as a nice and tall young woman, and made me swear to her that I would never shrink. It was great.

3. "Not technically married." On Saturday, we woke up real early and headed over to a families house to help them clean! They are moving and they had to be about before 10am! So after we scrubbed the house top to bottom, we were sitting with all of the kids, eating some snacks, when one of them was like, "How does it feel to not be a teenager anymore?" Both me and my companion laughed and replied, "We still are!" And one of the girls said, "Well I guess because you're 19, but only because you're not technically married." We both stared at the girl, and then stared at each other, and then slowly changed the subject because we were both very much confused by her comment haha

4. "Accent?" We were visiting such a solid family on Sunday, gosh I love them, and as we were talking, the dad asked me where I was from. To this I responded proudly, "California!" And then when he asked what part, I said, "Fresno!" Every time I say Fresno, I get, "Ohhh! Lots of Hispanics." Like literally, every time haha everyone here knows about Fresno! Anyway, he asked if I had spoken Spanish before because appppparently I had an accent. I just beamed, and said, "Nope! But thank you." Hahah it was so funny.

Don't you just love people? They're the best.

So this week was just full of so much - so much goodness and so many laughs but also a lot of tears. Every week is just so full of emotion and growing and learning, it's really special actually. I'm learning so much, I'm so grateful.

We had one day in particular that we now call, "Dia de Milagros" because it was just full of miracles. We left the house feeling pretty unsure about the whole day, but ended the night in tears of happiness.

We ended up teaching an unexpected non-member when we had dinner at a members. When we talked about baptism, she said that it felt good and that she would feel free if she were to be baptized. We then found a family while tracting who told us they always thought Mormons were so beautiful. The mom had actually read from the Book of Mormon before and she loved it. She invited US back this week! And then we were able to visit a few more members and have such solid, uplifting meetings with them, we felt like WE had been taught by the spirit more than we had actually taught. We ended the night with only having gone 34 miles... which is actually a huge miracle. And it doesn't make sense how we only went 34, but it really did happen. It was amazing.

God is real, everyone. 

Also I've been a missionary for 3 months as of yesterday :) Life is so good, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

It's amazing how much I am learning. My whole character is just changing, every day. I'm learning how to be a better human as I help those around me. I just want so badly for these people to find God, to come unto Christ, and to have eternal life. I want it so bad. 

During personal study one morning, I read this quote, and so I'm gonna share it :)

"Obedience builds faith in Christ. Faith is a principle of action and power. Consistently following the Savior's examples produces spiritual power and capacity. Without the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement, it's impossible to stay on the path and endure."

I know this is true with my whole heart. I know that we have to constantly be trying every single day to be better. We can't just sit in a dark room, hoping the light will turn on. Get up, and turn the light on! Faith truly is action. I promise that miracles happen when you act.

I love you all so much! SO MUCH! You're the best support system.

Be good this week.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Spanish Speaking Missionaries of the NOM

We had a really special Spanish conference with all of the Spanish speaking missionaries. 

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The Hermanas! So good to see these hermanas!

And to think there are only 6 of us... in the entire mission...

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Prettttyyyyyy Nebraska.

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Probably the weirdest week so far..‏

I'm sure you're really excited to read my email after reading that title, huh?!

Haha well, it really was such a weird week. I haven't laughed so hard... like literal tears fell from my eyes. From watching Hermana Grubbs go into to hug our bishop without thinking to sitting in a restaurant when the power went out to witnessing people go into a full on brawl in the library... it was very interesting. BUT! So good :)

Let me tell you all about some miracles.

So as some of you may or may not know, I play the piano! I am not a concert pianist, by any means, but I can hammer out some solid hymns when I need to. Turns out, no one in our ward plays the piano, and no one in the mission plays piano... which I'm still iffy about because when have you ever been in a group of Mormons and not ONE of them could play the piano, am I right? So as I'm sure you can guess, I've been having to play the piano! A lot! At first, it was good, but it started to get more and more... scary. I was asked to play in sacrament meeting, and I remember being just terrified! I had never played the hymns before! But I got through it, and it was great. I have been asked to play at district meetings, zone training, and at a couple baptisms.

Two Sundays ago, though, I was put to the test. I was handed sheet music for a musical number only a few minutes before Church started. So with 0 practice and the help of the Lord, I was able to play this sheet music I had never seen. As I was playing, I remember thinking, "How.. am... I... doing... this..." Haha!

 I was then asked to play for our Spanish conference... I was given the sheet music a couple days before, and I about had a heart attack when I saw the music. There were 3 sharps! 4 key changes! I prayed and I prayed, and I worried and I worried, until the night before. 

As I was on my knees praying for comfort and the gift of music, I got this overwhelming feeling and impression from God. He told me that He has been preparing me. He asked me, "Have I ever left you before? All of those times you played the piano when you didn't think you could, wasn't I still there?" With tears running down my face, I knew that without a doubt, He was there. He always was, and He always will be. I got through the musical number, not perfectly by any means, but I did it, and it was because I had a renewed faith in my Father in Heaven. 

I know that there are things in this life that seem impossible... that seem just too scary, too much sometimes. But I know without a doubt that we aren't alone. There is someone who has experienced all we experience. He is there, waiting to comfort us. Never ever forget that, ok?

The second miracle that happened was with one of our investigators Cassandra. Cassandra is the most amazing little 14 year old I have ever met. She's already read the entire Book of Mormon! She has a strong and flourishing testimony of the restore gospel, of our Savior, and of the Book of Mormon. She's incredible! The only thing holding her back is her mom. Her mom wants her daughter to wait until she is 18 to be baptized. So we've been praying and praying that we could get to her mom, and help her attain a testimony like her daughters. 

Anyway, I wish this miracle was about her mom... but it's not haha but one day! 

So we wanted to take Cassandra to the Mormon Trail Center, but every time we had planned to do so, it ALWAYS fell through! Whether it be the lack of a ride or her schedule suddenly changing or our schedule suddenly changing... there was always something. Well this last week, somehow all of the pieces fell into place. We had a ride, we had a member, we had the whole night open, and we had the Mormon Trail Center ready with the movie Meet the Mormons. Even as we were driving over to the Trail Center, we couldn't believe it was actually happening! It might not even seem like a miracle, but it really, really was. As Cassandra was watching the movie, tears fell from her eyes, and she told us how badly she wanted to be a member. She bore her testimony to everyone in the room, and the strongest desire to help her whole family come unto Christ washed over both me and my companion. We have so much hope... and I know that Cassandra's faith with make miracles happen.

Well, all is well everyone. Our relationships are improving beautifully with all of the members! They are getting more and more excited about missionary work! We lost 3 of our investigators, which completely breaks our hearts, but the other 3 are progressing so well. We have a lot of potentials, and we're just so excited to hit the ground running this week.

Life is so good everyone! I love being a missionary! This is too amazing, I'm so blessed.

I love you all so much!!!!!! Keep on keepin' on :)

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Pictures for your faces

Guess what I had the pleasure of eating this week...

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That's right! A Kinder Bueno! Brought me back to those sweet days in the CCM.

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OUR ZONE!!! And it's the best!!

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Life these days...‏

SO! HI! Life is just so great. My heart is just full of so much joy right now. I just love being a missionary! I wouldn't trade this for anything at this point in my life. I know I am supposed to be here. I have learned so many countless lessons about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and about my purpose and about God's amazing love for everyone ever. I will never deny the reality of my Father in Heaven... I know without a doubt that He lives. I know He loves. And I know that He loves you all too. Even if you don't :)

So this last week was something else. But first off!!! I got to Skype my family!!! It was amazing, guys, because when I first saw their faces, I literally squealed and clapped my hands and exclaimed, "I LOVE YOU GUYS OH MY GOSH!" 

...I was just really excited, ok?

But for real, it was the best. I love my family! And I love that I get to be with them forever! How cool is that?

So we had interviews and a zone conference this last week! It was my first and last interview with President Weston before our new mission president comes. That man truly is inspired. We talked about the best ways I and my companion could help our ward. We talked about the importance of our baptismal covenants and being consecrated to the Lord. He also gave me permission to punch my companion in the face if she started talking about home... lol.

This whole week has just been a rollercoaster of events... from getting a door literally slammed in our face to having to walk 5 miles just to be told they weren't interested to trying to testify to someone who only wanted to Bible bash... boy oh boy it was an interesting week. But it was amazing because through out it all, I could still feel God's love, telling me that all was well, or all would be well. We only had 7 lessons this week, and we couldn't even find half of our investigators, but the 7 lessons we had were so needed and they were led by the Spirit.

Friday in particular was our best day. We started off the day with zone training, which is always so inspired. And then we went and helped a lady in our ward paint her house! We got talking about her conversions, and she told us she was preparing to enter into the temple with her husband! It was so excited to tell her how much she'd learn from the temple and how much it would bless her family. We committed her to prepare all she can to enter into the house of the Lord with her husband next month! So exciting.

Our next lesson was with Cyra and Toby, two of our investigators. Their parents ended up sitting in on the lesson... and kind of took it over haha the father sure knows how to talk! The lesson was taking so many different turns, and both I and my companion knew we had to direct the lesson back to the two teens who were so far out of the lesson. We were able to grab their attention, and ended up teaching a solid lesson to them about the importance of reading their scriptures and praying. I know that we are making progress with these two, and it's awesome!

The best part of the day though was when we went to a members house and found out she had 5 PUPPIES! Guys!!! PUPPPIEESSS! We sat on the ground and just played with them for like 30 minutes haha we were in heaven :)

But no, for real, God knows what He's doing. Even if we only had 7 lessons this week, I know that God is helping these people progress. He's there, always, and it's the best ever.

Well I love you all so much!!! Thank you for the constant support and love. You don't know how much it means to me. You all are the best.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

ps yes there have been tornado warnings and yes I have been freaking out... but that's Nebraska for you.

PHOTO ALBUM: Nebraska Sky

I was told Nebraska was known for it's storms... last night I was in awe of all of the lightning and the sky and the crazy thunder. It was awesome!

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And like, how could that sky NOT be painted by God?

Like, come on people.

Bendiciones‏

So not really sure where to start... hmm...

Pues. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. That's a good start, right?

I also love this work with my whole heart. It's incredible, these things I teach every single day are things I grew up knowing and loving, but for some reason since being on a mission, they hold an even more special place in my heart now. I treasure the Book of Mormon, and I treasure every talk given by an apostle or our sweet prophet, and I treasure every opportunity I have to pray because I know that God is real. I know it with all my heart. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. God has orchestrated certain experiences for me to have every day that just build my testimony. He knows what I need. And it gives me so much peace and comfort knowing that God, being almighty and all-knowing and all powerful, knows exactly how to take care of me. Never before have I felt so much love from my Father in Heaven. Never before have I felt the helping hand of my Savior before. I love it.

Now anyway, this week.

So many amazing things! So many hard and stressful things! Haha normal week of a missionary, I'm realizing.

We have 6 people set for baptism now. 6!!! One of them is Eduimar and she is amazing.

So we hadn't been able to get a hold of her for a couple weeks. She was always busy, always too tired, always working. But one night, we were out of people to visit (which is common), and we just thought we'd try her house. I didn't even grab my scriptures, and Hermana Grubbs only had her planner because we seriously doubted she would be home. We usually have to st up an appointment with her! "Ye of little faith..." am I right? Haha well we knock on the door and about a minute later, we here the door knob tURNING AND THERE SHE WAS. I about died, right there. It was scary, but also really awesome. She let us in and she opened up her Book of Mormon and was like, "What are we going to study today?" It was incredible! She bore such a solid testimony. She is so ready. She is so prepared by God! We just pray now that she will attend church so she can be on her way to enter the waters of baptism and start on her journey back to her Heavenly Father!

Our two other sets for baptism are Cyra and Toby. These two... haha these two teenagers wanted nothing to do with us at first! Their family are members, but very much less active. Their dad wants them to prepare for baptism so he set up an appointment for us. We walked in and ended up staying much longer than planned. We taught the restoration of the gospel, but we were able to follow the spirit, addressing what we thought were their needs. It was the first lesson that we felt truly connected to the gospel, in every second, and it was amazing. We were able to just become friends with these two. Mormons are normal people! We just had to show them that haha we were ourselves, and it was great. I know for a fact that God calls us based on who we truly are. We shouldn't change ourselves to the point where we lose our identity. I was able to be my weird, funny self and so was Hermana Grubbs and through that and the Spirit, we have set these two for baptism next month! Such a sweet experience.

This last week I was able to lead a training for our district meeting and I looovvveeedd my topic! How does having a daily change of heart help us to endure to the end? You guys, the foundation that we build on our Savior Jesus Christ will better enable us to fully repent. We are able to have faith in the repentance process when we act and when we come unto Christ. After we repent and continually have faith, we are then able to make that promise of baptism with our Father in Heaven, thus starting on that straight and narrow path back home. Enduring to the end is a process... something that we will be doing our whole lives. I love it because it makes sense. We start by having faith. By acting on and cultivating that faith. We then go to God with a broken heart, repenting and coming back into the fold of God. It's a process, a never-ending process of becoming more like our Savior. And it's awesome.

One of the coolest experiences I've had so far was following the spirit to sing to an older lady named Margarita. I was scared out of my mind, but the spirit kept telling me to sing, "Senor, Te Necesito," which is "I Need Thee Every Hour," in english. So I did. And it's amazing how following the spirit is able to honestly change people. My companion and I were overcome by the spirit as we sang, and we understood every word that came our of our mouths. The woman was filled with the love of God, and she bore such a powerful testimony, one that I think she needed to hear. 

This is our purpose. Invite all people to come unto Christ.

Missionaries don't force anything. We aren't trying to convince anybody of anything. This gospel, this church... it's true, and I know it, but I can't force anyone to believe that. We help people to feel God's love every day, even through singing simple hymns.

This work is never-ending, and we are blessed to be apart of something so amazing.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

Never ever ever doubt God's love for you, ok? It's perfect.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould