E-mail (Dated: 12/22/14)

Wow it has been such a special week. It has been full of Heavenly Fathers help and guidance. Just yesterday we found a reference that we had been looking for for a couple of weeks now. His name is Alberto, and he had been taking lessons from the missionaries about a year and a half ago, but was never baptized. In our lesson with him, he brought up baptism and told us he wants to be baptized as soon as he can!! It was such a miracle for me and Hermana Mills!

I want to tell you all about our Christmas miracle we had this past Saturday night.  We had the baptism of Sarai (Investigator of Elders Gonzales and Tvetin). Me and Hermana Mills have been able to talk and sit with her at church because we are in the same ward. And for her baptism, we were able to help her change into her clothing and guide her into the font. As she got in, she couldnt stop saying how cold the water was haha. But as she took Elder Tvetins hand, everything went quiet and peaceful. He baptized her, and after she came up, it was like a heavenly quitness and peace came over us. She slowly walked back to the steps with Elder Tvetin, and once she got up the stairs to me and Hna Mills, I handed her a towel. She put it to her face and began to cry. She closed her eyes and almost fell back like she was going to faint, so me and Hna Mills put our arms around her to steady her. We sat there for a long time, taking in the most powerful spirit that I have ever felt. When she opened her eyes, she looked at Elder Tvetin and then at Me and Hna Mills and thanked every single one of us. She continued to cry and looked up towards the Heavens. We soon guided her back into the bathroom, and after she changed and came out, we asked her how she felt. She responded saying, "I dont know what you both saw in your own baptisms, but I saw God crying". 

I have never had such a tender experience in my whole mission exprience. I felt so honored just to be the tiniest part her experience. I am so so grateful for the opportunity to share this incredible gospel. It really does change lives and give people a new start. 

I love you all so so much! I hope you all have thee best Christmas (:

Con mucho amor, 

Brookie Cookie aka Hermana Chynoweth

E-mail (Dated: 12/15/14)

Holaa mis amores!

I feel like our area is really coming along! We have so many wonderful people that have such high potential. It always seems to be the last house or when we think we have given it our all when we find someone new to teach. This happened last night again- All our appointments had fallen, no one was answering the doors or anything. And as we were praying in our hearts to know what to do, I looked over and saw that a light was on in a house across the street. Just a couple weeks ago, we had contacted the woman that lived there (She was a reference from another investigator). But her schedule is always changing and she never has time. She rejected us at first but after we sang a hymn to her, the spirit touched her heart and she told us to come back. So we ran over to her house and she let us in! She had the cutest little family of three-her and her two kids. Prayer is part of their lives, but they had never prayed together. And so for the first time we were able to pray as a family with them. And they committed to start praying daily as a family (When the kids are with her and not staying with their dad). Something was just really special about them. I cant wait to see what happens with them!

Everything is going really good here in Palmas! Its such a special time of the year. And the people are really really good to us here. And my companion is great- We cant seem to stop laughing lately!
Well I love you all so so much (: Hope you are all having such a great time of the year!

Con muchoo amor,

Your Brookie Cookie <3
Pic: MERRY CHRISTMAS from Hermana Chynoweth and Hermana Mills! (: (We had a stake christmas activity this past week and the choir sang! lets just say it was really special and ker you would fit in soo perfect here (: hahaha love you)

E-mail (Dated: 12/8/14)

Hola Hola Hola!

The work is going well in Palmas E! We are continuing to find some very special people, and we are searching hard to find our "pearl" for Christmas. We are trying so hard to prepare people for a baptism the week of Christmas! Its our District goal! So well see how it goes!

We found a very tender family- The mom is named Florencia about 73 years old and her son is named Angel and is 35. And they were actually references from an investigator! They soaked up the beautiful message we brought and Angel ended up saying the closing prayer. We are so excited to see how they are progressing. The problem is they live exactly under where a new big brige is being built and may have to move in a couple months... but we are praying all will work out (:

I dont know if you guys have seen it, but the Church came out with a Christmas video- He is the Gift- Its only about 2 minutes, but go watch it its so amazing. (navidad.mormon.org) This week we have been able to contact with cards that talk about it and it has been so special! Im pretty sure every mission has them all over the world! But I love talking to people about how Christ is the most precious gift our Heavenly Father has given us. I have thought so much about how our Heavenly Father has blessed us. Especially with Christmas coming up. Ive thought about how I will be away from home this Christmas, and its hard dont get me wrong. But I realized im not giving this time to my Heavenly Father. But rather this mission is a gift that Heavenly Father has given me. He is allowing me to learn and to grow, and helping me be able to return to live with him one day- And I want nothing more. It really is the best gift he could give me.

I love you all so so much! Thanks for all your support! Dont drink too much hot cocoa without me haha (;

LES AMO!!
Con muchooo amor,
Your Brookie Cookie

E-mail (Dated: 12/1/2014)

Ahhh I still cant believe it is December! Time is crazy! I also hit my 10 month mark this week... woah. Also I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving isnt a Holiday here, so we didnt do anything too big haha but it was a good day (: I have so so much to be grateful for! I am so grateful to have you all in my life!

Things are going good in our new area! We are finding so many wonderful people! We found a family that was investigating the church about 2 years ago. Their names are Norma, Abram (18), and Karen (12). They were ready to be baptized and everything, but Norma had been living with her boyfriend. And because they all couldnt be baptized together, the kids were not baptized either. But good news- Norma is single now haha!! (: We are so excited to be working with them and to help them finally get baptized! It was so fun for the mom to return to church yesterday and catch up with all the members! Our ward was amazing with her. They all ran up to her and welcomed her back. I am so grateful our ward is so willing to help us in this incredible work. It really does make thee biggest difference.

This past week we went back to teach Elizabeth (19 year old who doesnt believe in God anymore) And she is so interesting in the Book of Mormon. She has had finals this whole week but has read almost all the introductory pages! Its so amazing to see how powerful the Book of Mormon is. And I am so grateful for it!! She still doesnt want to say kneeling prayers, but me and my comp know that one day shes just gonna say "so are we going to kneel or what?". She said that with us this past lesson but about the opening prayer. (: Made me smile!

We were also able to do a service project this week! There is the cutest old woman in our ward, and we helped her repaint some walls in her house (Mom its a good thing you taught me how haha)! We will be finishing it up this week! But there is nothing better than serving. I have learned so much about serving others here on my misison, and honestly I can say that nothing can turn your day around faster than forgetting about yourself and serving someone else!

I love and miss you all! Tengan una buena semana (:
Your Brookie Cookie