Transfer 9 week 1

What a glorious week! 

Last week was transfers and I got my 2 new beautiful companions! Sister Clark and Sister Risenmay! Sister Clarke is from Georgia and is the Sister training leader leader. Yes, you read that right "leader leader." She is one of the sister assistants. She is absolutely stellar! And Sister Risenmay (pronounced Rizzz-in-may) is our pre-trained trainee from Washington. Seriously she is the bomb.com. 

This week we have found so many miracles. But I'm going to talk about one in particular. We have been setting appointments left and right this entire week, and we went to an appointment in a very familiar complex that I have knocked many times before. When we got out of the car, there was a man sitting outside his door. We get talking, and he tells us that his grandma would be very interested. They invite us to come back and share our message after our appointment. Well we came back, sat down and immediately started talking about baptism with the grandmother. She hesitated for a moment, and then we hear her grandson come out of the hallway and he said "I want to be baptized." We as missionaries can help you with that sir! We taught them the Restoration, and he is on date to be baptized on October 18th. We have been seeing miracles like this left and right. People are being prepared in the Balcones Heights area, and we are the lucky ones who get to help them. I love being a missionary!

Last night we had the opportunity to go to the Slaughter house for the assistants meeting. They have it every Sunday evening, and since Sister Clark is one of the STLLs, we were invited to come this week! It is very similar to the staff meeting we have at Temple Square. But after we got the business out of the way, President Slaughter opened it up to questions. We can literally ask questions about a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. Holy manole, it was amazing, we were there until almost12pm last night asking questions about mission, leadership, after mission, etc. Everything we can imagine! President Slaughter literally has all the answers. And they are all completely doctrinal based, he always turns to the scriptures or words of modern day prophets. What an inspired and amazing man!

Have a great week, I love y'all so much!

Sister Brock

p.s. My angel of a companion, Sister Yeung from Hong Kong, is the new assistant at Temple Square! 

Transfer 8 week 3

I blinked and now I am sitting here at the computer again. It still amazes me how fast time is on your mission. I feel like just yesterday I was graduating high school and going to Disneyland. Exactly 1 year ago I was at Disneyland... okay that's a little depressing. #1 thing to do when I get home: Go to Disneyland. 

This week we found and AMAZING new family. We had knocked in their neighborhood numerous times without much luck. Quite a few people answered the doors, but just were not interested. So when we asked them who they knew in their neighborhood that would be, they all pointed us in the direction of this one particular house, which we had knocked before. Just then they pulled in and started unloading some boxes. Perfect! We went over and helped them unload the car, and they told us that they are very Catholic, but that they would be interested in hearing a message. So Sister Simonsen and I went back this last Thursday, and taught them the Restoration. This was probably the most powerful lesson on my mission. Now this family, the Villareal's, are very active Catholic's. Their kids go to a Catholic school and the mother works at the school. But they are one of the most receptive families I have ever met! We all sat in a circle on the ground. And at times I found myself getting lost in the spirit, it was the most amazing thing. After I shared the first vision, I asked the eldest daughter, "How does hearing that make you feel?" She said, "It makes me feel so good to know the Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It answers a lot of questions I had..." 

I know that Heavenly Father prepares people to receive this Gospel, even if it be through other religions. I have been thinking a lot this week about teaching people who are very strong in their faith. Because typically I would think immediately that they are disinterested. But the more I thought about it, I realized that so many people are deep into faiths because they are searching for more. They are yearning to know God, and they are searching what they have received. But those who are ready, will greet the Gospel with open arms. And they will embrace it, realizing that the answers to the questions of their soul lies within the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like this family. The Villareal's have been prepared by God to receive the Gospel, and they are in tune with the spirit. I love seeing how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes people. I've seen it in myself, my friends, family, and especially some of my friends who have joined the church while I've been on my mission. What an opportunity that I have to share it with the people of San Antonio. I love everything about my mission. I love the people. I love my ward. I love my fellow missionaries. And most importantly, I love the Lord. 

I hope y'all have a wonderful week. 

Sister Brock