Snow, snow, aannnnd more snow‏

So YES IT'S SNOWING! And it's so pretty everywhere! Ah! CHrisTmas!

Ok so this week was another really good one. So many miracles. Like for instance, Saturday night all of our plans got cancelled for Sunday after church, so we scrambled to come up with some new plans and prayed, asking God to help us fill our day. And guess what happened? Our day was completely filled! From the moment church started to the moment our heads hit our pillows, we were busy working. It was actually kind of crazy. We saw Flor, got a referral, met some members, had a meeting with our ward mission leader, ate dinner, got a new investigator, set up a family home evening with a couple families, visited Shana and Victor... so much goodness. It was amazing.

Sundays just seem to be the best ever lately.

The rest of the week was really great too! We went to the Mormon Trail Center with Flor and her little girl, where we saw all of the gingerbread houses, went on a tour, and watched a video focused on families. The spirit was so strong, Flor was just glowing. She was so happy. Flor is amazing, I love her! She wants her sons to start coming to mutual activities, and she asked us if she could come to a family home evening with us! Umm yes! She told us last night that she had felt the spirit, and that she felt really good about this church. She just needed the rest of her family on board. We feel soooo good about this - the Lord loves this family so much, He's watching out for them and slowly but surely softening their hearts.

Thanksgiving was a blast. We met up with Shana and made like 10 pies! So yummy! And then we ate with her and the elders and shared a little message about how the gospel has all blessed our lives. After that, we headed to the Torres families house for our SECOND dinner! If our ward had their way, we would've had like 7 dinners haha we got so many calls throughout the day - members just asking us if we were good :) We are sure loved! We love them right on back.

I've been thinking a lot about my mission so far and who I'm becoming and everything that I have learned. Never would I have imagined how much the Lord would bless me, my family, my friends, and my family here in Nebraska. I was overwhelmed this last week as I realized how much I had grown to love these people - purely and unconditionally. I want the absolute best for these people. And then it hit that this love wasn't a result of anything I had really done, it was Jesus Christ working through me. I have been humbled and chastened and purified these last 9 months - I still have 9 more to go! But it was an incredible feeling when I realized just how far I've come. 

Never again will I be the same.

So grateful.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: SNOW & Thanksgiving!

Estoy agradecida‏

Wow, what a great week. We had a zone conference with Elder Martino of the seventy and that changed my life. I don't have my notebook on me of my notes, so you're just gonna have to believe me that it was really good. I left that meeting feeling so pumped and ready a cambiar el mundo con el evangelio!!!!

So anywho.

After zone conference, we headed back to our area and met up with Flor and her little girl, Flor :) Confusing, I know. Florcita will be celebrating her 4th birthday in January and they are planning a huge Frozen-themed birthday! And of course, they are already planning for it! Flor invited us to come with her to go dress shopping! It was a lot of fun, and she was grateful for the company. We found a beautiful, little blue dress, perfect for Frozen, and Florcita was in loooove. It was so cute. Afterwards, we went and got ice cream and chatted for a bit. Flor told us that she actually loved going to church the last Sunday. She said it felt really good and peaceful, and it was cool for her to see the little Primary children testifying of the Savior. We talked all about how she can continue to feel that feeling - through prayer and scripture study. I honestly feel so good about Flor. We are told we should be finding people are good, Christian people - those who are going about doing good. Flor is so strong, her desires are so real, and she just wants the best for her family. I have so much faith that she will take the step of baptism. I can already see her dressed in white, not only for baptism but also to go to the temple. She's amazing.

After we finished up our ice cream, we said our goodbyes and parted ways. Hermana Miller and I decided to go visit Esmerelda and Jose, to see how they were doing. We only have about 30 minutes, and we wanted to share a quick, powerful message about the Restoration, but when we got there, we just kind of lost control on the situation. It was pretty chaotic and the Spirit was not able to dwell with us. I struggled to teach, the words just weren't coming, and as we left, I felt like I had failed as a missionary. I didn't think we had done anything to help build their faith. As we drove to our next appointment - which we were 45 minutes late too - I prayed fervently for help and to feel the Spirit again. 

We parked in front of Casandra's house, went over our lesson plan, and then said a prayer. As we were walking up to the house, a feeling of peace just rested over me. Casandra welcomed us in, and I noticed that she looked a little more tired than usual - not just physically, but emotionally. We asked her how she was doing, and she said fine. And then a thought came to me of a video full of amazing advice from Elder Busche. I asked her if we could watch it, hoping that my companion wouldn't be too thrown off by the change of plans, and prayed that we would be able to teach according to Casandra's needs, because obviously something was wrong. As we watched, I swear the Spirit just filled the room - it was tangible. I payed attention to the feelings I personally was feeling, trying to discern what the Spirit wanted me to say after the video finished.

We asked Casandra what stood out to her. We kept the conversation going, asking different questions, and found out that she had stopped praying recently because she just didn't have much faith that God was listening. We testified powerfully that God loved her, that he had a plan for her, and that "we receive no witness until after the trial of our faith." It was incredible to see the Spirit working on her, and it felt so good to teach according to her needs. As we finished, we knelt in prayer and she offered a simple but beautiful prayer, asking for forgiveness for not praying but giving thanks for all that He had done. That girl... amazing.

We had another really cool experience last night up at the Mormon Trail Center at Winters Quarters. We were able to get Shana and Victor to come along as well. BUTTTT they took so long to get there, I was stressin' for like 45 min, pacing back and forth. It was the third time that we had tried to get them to come, and the last two had both failed... oh ye of little faith, I know. But anyway, it just made it THAT MUCH BETTER when they walked through the door :) We watched a little video about eternal family, which set the tone perfectly. We did a little tour, but ended up just mainly focusing on the sacrifices of the pioneers and early saints. It was really neat to see the Spirit working so powerfully on Victor, he was just soaking it all up. He was so interested to know more. As we finished in a little room that looks out to the temple, the Spirit was so strong. We bore testimony that Victor could feel and would feel the power of the Atonement in his life every day for the rest of his life if he took that first step of baptism. We testified of the truthfulness of this gospel - that no one would ever make so many painful sacrifices for something that wasn't true. And we held back tears as we promised both Shana and Victor that God had a plan for them - a wonderful, glorious plan. Victor, a little choked up by emotion, told us he wanted to be baptized. So we set him right there, for December 5th :) So amazing.

GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES.

I am so grateful for everything. Literally, just everything.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Half Way

also it's my half way point in 2 days.. what

The Hope Project‏

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I don't even know how I'm going to fit everything into this email in like 39 minutes, but guys, this week WAS AMAZING.

Not only did we have Spanish Conference, Zone training, and exchanges with our sister trainer leaders, we also practically lived "17 Miracles" yesterday. So that was cool.

So our zone recently started something called, "The Hope Project." Each day, a companionship is chosen to fast all day long while everyone else in the zone prays for them. So many amazing miracles have been happening, it's super cool. Well, our day hadn't come, but I jokingly told Hermana Miller that we should have it on Sunday (yesterday) because we needed all the help we could get getting people to church. Plus our area just hasn't been progressing too much - we need more progressing investigators! Believe it or not, the zone leaders called us Saturday night and asked us to fast the next day. BOOM.

SO MIRACLE TIME.

We have been working with some members, the Urquidez family. So sweet, so awesome. They contacted us and told us that they wanted to come back to church, that they wanted to be sealed as a family. They just never come to church! They have the best of intentions - they really want to - but when Sunday comes around, they just don't come. This has been happening for the last 5 months or so. We've been encouraging them, talking all about primary with their 5 little kids, reading the Book of Mormon, taking them to the Mormon Trail Center, etc. just trying to help them recognize how great church is. Well, Sunday morning, we decided to physically go to their apartment and invite them in person to come to church. We had a plan all ready to go, we were going to kneel in prayer with them, the works. But when we walked up to the door, before we could even knock, the dad opened up the door wearing his slacks and a white shirt. The little kids all tumbled out onto the front porch, talking all about their new dresses for church and how excited they were. The littlest one grabbed my dress and asked me to sit with her! I choked back tears as I said, "Yes of course!" We rushed to our car to meet them at church, and I vocally thanked my Heavenly Father. I couldn't hold back my tears as we drove. I was amazed. I was so grateful. That experience changed me. Those moments are what I live for now.

So after I composed myself, we called our investigator, Victor. The night before, we had a great lesson all about the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost, and he was just eating it up. We had Brother Shumway, a member of our ward come with us as well. Brother Shumway offered to pick up Victor for church the next day as well! YES MEMBERS ROCK. So we were all set, ready to go, but then Victor told us that he wasn't going to be able to make it because his keys were locked in his car. What!? We sent Brother Shumway Victor's number and just prayed. We didn't hear back from either of them, and they didn't show up for sacrament meeting. We went to the next two classes, still not knowing what happened. After church ended, our ward mission leader came up to us and said, "Su investigador, no?" And pointed down the hall. I was like, "SHUT UP." Victor came! And Brother Shumway brought him!

What ended up happening was that Brother Shumway drove all the way to where Victor was, tried for about 30 min to open the car door, and when all else failed, they prayed together and tried one more time, popping the door right on open. Victor was amazed. During the two hours while he was at church, he just loved it. He was so grateful that God answered his prayer. It was a testimony-builder and evidence that God not only heard his prayer but that He loves him dearly. Amazing. So grateful for members who sacrifice so much. So grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who gives so freely. Gah so grateful.

After church, we headed to a meeting with our ward mission leader, where we talked a little about Jose and Esmerelda. Remember them? LOVE THEM. We just aren't sure what more we can do to help Esmerelda progress. We were planning on visiting them after the meeting, and our ward mission leader offered to come. Right when Esmerelda opened the door, she just looked so happy. So so happy. It was sure different - usually shes exhausted or just not in the mood - but this time, she was just glowing. We started talking and found out that Jose and Esmerelda had been READING THE BOOK OF MORMON TOGETHER AND PRAYING. Ok what!?!? That's actually just flat-out amazing. Like AMAZING. We have been trying to get Esmerelda to read forever, like since May, and now she's doing it. They have read a couple chapters even. They just had a few questions about Lehi and his family, but honestly, they said they loved it. Esmerelda even prayed to know if the church was true, and she said she got a really calm, peaceful feeling, which meant to her that it was in fact true. (I about bawled at this point). We then asked her if she would be baptized, to which she actually said yes, but that she wanted some more time. She wanted to make the decision for herself, not for anyone else. Incredible. Her desires are so on point, she is acting on her faith, and she has recognized the Holy Ghost testifying to her already. Now all we gotta do is be patient. It's all in the Lord's timing. He knows best.

We finished the night by FINALLY getting in contact with Flor, Esmerelda's sister. She asked us to come visit her today! We are so excited, we haven't been able to get in contact with her for about 2 weeks now. It was yet again, another miracle.

Guys, I know that God is real. These experiences don't just happen. There are no coincidences in this life. Nothing beats seeing God work His power and affect everyone with His love. Nothing. I am so happy, I love this work. I love helping others feel and experience what I've loved and experienced my whole life. I know God lives. I know He loves us. I know through His Son, we can be redeemed, we can find happiness, we can feel peace. Gosh, every fiber of my being just knows that this is God's Kingdom on earth once again. He loves us, He is taking care of us, He is guiding us. And we are so blessed.

So blessed.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Birthday Week!!

Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!!! 20 YEARS OLD. Crazy. My first and only birthday I'll celebrate in the mission field! So excited! Guess it's time to say bye to being a teenager, huh..? :)

I LOVE YOU ALL. Have a wonderful week!!!!!

Not going according to plan‏

So something that I've learned is that when things don't go according to plan, it only means that God has something else in store. It makes change a lot easier to deal with when you remember that there's an Almighty watching over you, guiding and directing you.

We had a day when absolutely nothing went according to plan, but we ended the night feeling satisfied with the work that was done. The Spirit let us know that what we had done that day was enough - that we had followed the Lord's plan, though in the moment of it all, we felt pretty hopeless. Wednesday afternoon, we headed up to Elkhorn for a district meetings. So much inspiration! I learned so much. We were ready to go afterwards! We finished some studies that we weren't able to do earlier that day, got lunch, and then waited at the church for a member to meet us. A couple weeks back, we got a referral from a member from Elkhorn who asked us to come teach one of her friends. Of course we would! Elkhorn is about a 20 mile drive for us, so it had to be planned perfectly because we can't waste any miles. We were able to set up a couple more appointments in the area, which we were so excited about. 

We were planning on meeting with another couple investigators! Well, what ended up happening... no one was home :( All of out appointments fell through! So we were practically stranded in a mainly English-speaking area with no one to visit. We prayed, got some dinner, and figured our lives out.

That's when I felt prompted to try some less-actives who lived closer to Papillion, which would be on our way home. BOTH were home and BOTH needed us. Well not "us" but they need Heavenly Father. We were able to share messages with both that very visibly opened up their hearts. We set up return appointments with both of them, and then headed home for bed. So simple, but so profound. The Lord guides His missionaries. Sure, we didn't get to teach any new investigators, but we were able to teach His children. I felt uplifted by the end of the night, and I knew it was because we had done what the Lord needed us to do.

Another crazy moment turned into a miracle.. we got a referral last week from some English sisters for a woman named Maria. She had just moved into our area, but they didn't have her new address, just the name of the apartment building and her number. We tried to number - nope. So we decided to just go on faith. When we showed up at the apartments, it ended up being like a COMMUNITY OF BUILDINGS hahah plus you needed a key to get into them! So, of course, we prayed fervently for a miracle, and then just started walking around, waiting for someone to open the door haha

Well, a family showed up, and we creepily followed them into their building. The odds of it being where Maria lived was super slim, but we just knocked a few doors anyway. Feeling discouraged but not completely hopeless, Hermana Miller suggested we tried the family we followed in, knowing that they spoke Spanish. So we did! And sure enough, they were interested. We set up a return appointment, got their number, and finished out night with a new investigator! We were able to finally get in contact with Maria, but it was such a cool little miracle. God prepares someone every day to receive the gospel, you just gotta be on your feet and working to find them :)

Everyone else is doing so great! Esmerelda and Jose were at church on Sunday and invited us over for dinner! WOO! And tonight we're having an FHE with Casandra! We have a really great week ahead of us, like always :)

I love you all so much!

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

PHOTO ALBUM: Happy!

Happy cuz it's my birthday month.

*

*

Adventures with Miller&Gould.

*

*

And the best sunset ever. Love Nebraska.

*