E-mail (Dated: 11/17/14)

Big news! So president told us we will probably won’t be going back to Chilpancingo at least until after Christmas... So we will still be living with these two other sisters, but we divided the area! And what happened is me and Hermana Mills will be in charge of places in their areas that these other two girls have never gone too. So me and Hermana Mills just opened a new area wahoo! We started Saturday! We literally are started from nothing... Like the old investigators in the folder don’t even have house numbers or anything. But we are so excited to "open" this new area! The first day that we went to our area, we saw so many tender mercies from our Heavenly Father. Strangers walked with us, showing where people lived and the streets we were looking for, and people we were searching for from the carpeta found us!! It was crazy! We were on this mouse chase looking for an old investigator named Katy, and after about an hour, she found US! She was like "who are you looking for? I'm Katy!" It was insane! This will be such an amazing opportunity!

Also earlier this week, before the change, Hermana Prieto and I had a special experience. We have an investigator named Lucy. And she text-ed us one morning asking us to borrow her money so she could feed her kids. We called the Relief Society President, and later that night, 3 women came with us to visit Lucy. They had collected a mini food supply for her. It was so so heart touching. As Lucy realized it was for her, she was SO grateful. It was so amazing to see how much the ward jumped up and helped us. And not only did they bring her a food supply, but they brought a Liahona, gave her hugs, smiles, and so much support. I know it meant so much to Lucy. I felt so privileged to be apart of this special experience. I know that these 3 women will be so so blessed.

I love you all so so much! I invite all of you to go get on your knees, ask the Lord how you can serve him today, and when he puts something into your mind, Do it! (: There is nothing better than serving!

Okay so funny story of the week: Don’t judge:
So last night, after singing at a baptism, me and Mills hopped on a bus to get back to our new area. Mills was contacting in the front of the bus, and I started talking to this lady towards the back of the bus. And after while the lady said ya you should probably be getting off soon (I had told her mas o menos where I was going). And as I stood up, I looked to where mills had been sitting.. and she was no longer sitting there. I started looking for her in all the other seats, and the woman she had talked too said "Your friend got off a while ago." And i was like  "WHAT!" and she was like "Ya she got off honey" And I said "Are you serious!?" And she said "Yes." And I ran to the front of the bus and yelled "STOP THE BUS!" -You guys should know that we were literally on the freeway haha. And it was completely dark outside.- So he stops the bus and I just start sprinting up toward the direction where my companion should be. Just imagine this please- im a white girl in Mexico, springing along side of the freeway, yelling Mills! And through the headlights I see Mills sprinting toward me! Best sight of my life. It was like the movies not kidding. We literally jumped into each others arms and couldn’t stop laughing! Hahaha and the first thing she says is I literally peed my pants! Hahahahha! Poor thing, she said she got off the bus, realized I wasn’t with her and when she looked back toward the bus she saw this little blond head pop up. Hahahaha.

Well hope you guys have a great week! (: LES AMO!!
Brookie Cookie (:

E-mail (Dated: 11/10/2014)

Hola Hola! Things are great here in Palmas (Cuernavaca)! We had a huge blessing of 8 investigators come to church yesterday! Its amazing to see the Spirit work in them and to see their progression.
Me and Hermana Mills had an experience yesterday that i want to share with you. It was about 7 at night and we were looking for a woman named Lucy. I had only seen her house one time and it was in the dark, so I didn't know exactly where it was. And as I was telling my companion I wasn't sure where it was, sure enough Lucy popped out of her door and said "Hermanas can you come visit me?" She isn't doing too well, she has no support from anyone-both her brother and dad died, and has been looking for a job for a very long time. And yesterday she hadn't eaten anything because she had no money. I cried with her as she expressed her hurt. She told us she felt like Heavenly Father doesn't answer her prayers (She has been praying for a long time to find a job). But she also told us she had been praying right before we got to her house for us to come, cause she loves the feeling we bring into her home. We helped her realize that this was an answer to her prayer.. that Heavenly Father was and is aware of her situation. My companion later on promised her that if she said only prayers of gratitude every day this week, that she would find a job. And she happily agreed to the challenge.
Im so grateful for every thing my Father in Heaven has given me. As I look all around me, I cant believe how blessed I am. And I realized I need to give prayers of more gratitude to my Heavenly Father.

For the scripture of the week I want to share Doctrine and Covenants 122: 5-8:

"If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

 6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age,shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father,why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

 7 And if thou shouldest be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness,and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all,if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee,know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience,and shall be for thy good.

 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all."

I think this scripture is very clear- No matter what trial is placed in front of us, it will be for our good. Our Heavenly Father only gives us trials because he loves us. He wants us to grow and to be able to return to live with him. And every pain and heartache that we have, our brother and Savior has felt it all. He is the only one who fully understands. Let us turn to him in every moment. I know his arms are wide open to catch us when we fall. I hope and pray that we never forget that we are never ever alone.

I love you all so so very much! Have such a great week (:
Con muchooooo amor,
Brookie Cookie (:

PS: Here is my pregnancy pic from my 9 month mark. Your welcome.
And the second one is me and my comp- we had to do a skit for our multi-zone conference haha!

LES AMO!!!

Email (Dated: 11/3/2014)

Hola mis amores!! Wow can you believe I only have 9 months left today!? Time is crazy! Im so grateful for all this time that my Heavenly Father has given me to work here in Mexico. Honestly this has been the most amazing and needed time in my life. I will forever be grateful for each day Heavenly Father gives me to serve him. 

Things are great here in Cuernavaca! I have loved this time with all these sisters! We actually just got a call from our Zone leader though, and he told us that Hermana Sturt and Castenada are going to leave... they will be headed to Cuautla. :( I may or may have not started crying. Its been such an amazing 2 weeks to be with my best friend from my mission and now shes leaving. :( But I know its from Heavenly Father so I just have to try to accept it with a good attitute! Im trying to work on giving Heavenly Father my whole will. :) I know that as I do, I will see more and more miralces. And hey I got to spend 2 weeks more with her than I should of had, what a blessing (:

So this week we were actually able to work out until 9 again!! We were so excited! It was such a huge blessing. We actually found an amazing family in the last moments of the day! 

We have an investigator named Rosy, and we had such a tender experience with her this last week. As we started a second fast with her, she promised the Lord to fast every first Sunday of the month for the rest of her life. The spirit flooded the room as she put all her faith and trust in the Lord and made him that promise. I really do know that fasting has true power behind it. I know that as we show Heavenly Father our faith, he will answer us and we will see miracles. I invite all of you to go to the Lord in fasting, with a specific question. And I promise you as a missionary for our Savior Jesus Christ that he will answer it.

I am so grateful for this gospel. I love it so much. I know that it is the only way to happiness. Nothing of this world is worth our Eternal bliss. 

PS fun fact of the week: Halloween has actually been going on for 3 days now.. haha Mexicans love to party here! But its alot different! Not very many people dress up! They mostly put out offerings for their dead loved ones! 

I love you all so so much! Have such an amazing week! You are all in my prayers (: Oh and Ill send pictures next week I cant on this computer!

Con todo el amor del mundo, 

Brookie Cookie

Mwah!

Les amo!!

E-mail (Dated: 10/27/2014)

Hey hey hey! Okay so to start off... I'm 20 years old. whoa. But I had such an amazing birthday!! These girls I am with took such amazing care of me!! My day started off amazing- ha sturt tackled me in my bed! And at church we had 5 investigators!! And after church I had a special experience with a less active. As we got to know her, the question "Is there a specific reason why you stopped coming to church?" would not leave my mind. I was so nervous to ask it... But I finally got the courage to ask her. She immediately filled with tears. She told me that in all these years, not one person or missionary had ever asked her that and that that was the key question. She told us that the problem was with some members. But it was such a learning experience to me to always listen to the spirit. I know that it is only with the help of the spirit that we can really find peoples concerns or problems. 

When we went back to the house to study after the less active, I walked into our house and immediately had confetti and all the girls singing happy birthday to me! It was so stinking cute!! They bought me a cake and everything! And i had absolutely NO idea!! They planned everything while i was in the shower each night haha! But im so blessed to be able to spend this time with these angels! I love them!

Also yesterday we did the impossible- I ate a Habanero!! YES a chile habanero!! Its been my goal for sooo long!! Oh my heavens Its literally like putting a match to your mouth! or as the scriptures would say, the gates of hell opened up. Trust me when I say literally your insides burn! I only swallowed the first little bit and I was dyin after! Ill all show you the video when I get home (: 

Its been a great week! We are really able to strengthen the investigators and members here in Palmas as we work with 6 girls! We have been able to see many many miracles!!

Scripture of the week:

Mosiah 4: 27 "For it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he hath strength".

I love you all so so much! Thanks for all the birthday wishes!! LES AMO!!!

Con muchoooo amor,

Brookie Cookie (:

E-mail (Dated: 10/20/2014)

Ohhh hey my dear family and friends! (:

Wow.. so much has happened! Okay so I am back in Cuernavaca! Aw i love this place it definately has my heart! I am not going to be staying here permanately though, its only temporary- like 2 weeks. I am working in an area called Palmas C! And were like 10 minutes from the Presidents house haha. Well to start off, some cities in Guerrero are not too safe right now. There have been lots of marches and protests going on. So we werent able to leave our house off and on for about 2 and a half weeks. And on Wednesday we got a call from the Asistants telling us to pack up and to be in the bus station in 45 minutes. So I literally threw my things in a suitcase and well now im here with 6 other sisters in Cuernavaca! Wahoo! And yes I am here with Hermana Sturt (: I think it was a early Birthday present from my Heavenly Father (: (Ps wierd that ill be 20 the next time I talk to yall?) I am also with my new companion- Hermana Mills! She is from Nevada and has 10 months on the mish! And shes 22 years old! She is hilarious and we will definately be having a good time together! I am also with Hermanas Prieto, Castenada and Sesena! Its a good time! Im learning so much from them! But not gonna lie, i am anxious to get back to my area in Chilpanchingo. I miss my investigators and ward! And Im excited to work there with Hermana Mills!

Okay so scripture of the day: Helaman 3: 29-30
"Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow couse across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked--

And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the Kingdom of Heaven... to go no more out."

I really do know that this gospel- the word of God- is the ONLY way that we can be lead back to our Heavenly Father. I know that if we are founded upon the Rock of Christ, he really will guide us safely back to our home. We will have the power to overcome whatever challenge or trial is placed in our path. But i know that we really have to cleave upon his word. We have to trust him and grasp to our Saviors hand- We cant just grasp him with 2 fingers, or we will fall. I am so grateful I know the way. I am so grateful I have been blessed with the gospel. I love it wil all my heart. I love my Savior. He is guiding us. And I will do everything I can to help others know it.
I love you all so much and I hope you all have a fantastic week! And please dont worry! We are all safe, President is just taking precautions. All is good (:

LES AMO!
Con mucho mucho amor,
Brookie Cookie

Oh Ps my old comp Hna Canaan will be serving somewhere here in Cuernavaca and Hna Iles will be serving with Hna Young (My old comp!!) in her area in Chilpo when we go back! So ill have Young in my Distrcit! (: So excited!!
Oh PSx2 Ill send pics next week I cant send them here in this Cyber!

E-mail (Dated: 10/13/2014)

Hola mis amores! (:

To start off Edwin Recardo Cruz was BAPTIZED!!! Aww his baptism was so beautiful. His mom was able to support him, and came to his baptism! And we actually found out that she was baptized 20 years ago!! Well be reactivating her now haha (: But Edwin was so nervous bless his heart! But what was so amazing was that he is so dedicated to follow Christ. He was so ready to start his new life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. He has been such an incredible example to his family and friends. I look up to him.

Oh P.S., in the baptism program, the mission leader called me up on the spot to share a story or experience from my mission... And I about died haha. I had absolutely NO idea what to share. My mind was racing trying to think of a story, but I didn't have time to think of anything (I was in the front row haha) And I literally just had to open my mouth and have faith that Heavenly Father would fill it. And the most amazing thing happened... Heavenly Father used me to talk to the people present at the baptism. I started talking about things I would have never thought! Heavenly Father guided my words as I spake. I don't even remember exactly what I said, but it was such a testimony builder to me. The promise that he will fill our mouths is so true. And I bare testimony of it!

We also found such an amazing family this week-Maria, Ursulo and Leondra. Maria and Ursulo are 70 and 80 and Leondra is 40. She is handicap and always smiling (: We were able to teach them with a member and it was such a beautiful experience. At the end of the lesson, the husband told us that this was the first time he has ever sat down and listened to ANY missionaries. This family has had missionaries from our church and other churches teach them, but this was the first time he listened!! Ahh the spirit was tangible. Please keep them in your prayers that they will continue to keep their hearts open!

I had so many tender mercies from the Lord this week. But they are for another time (: But I bare testimony that he really is by our side. He lifted and picked me up when I fell, and comforted me when I needed it. I know that he always behind us to catch us when we fall. Dont be afraid to ask for his help.

Well family, we didn't have changes today, they got moved to Wednesday! But I think I will be staying here in Chilpancingo (: Sadly, I think our trio will be coming to an end. But I'm excited for new opportunities that lay ahead (:

I love you all so very much. Thanks for all your support!
Con mucho amor,
Your Brookie Cookie
PS Shout out to my girl Raig Babe. Love you!! SO glad your surgery went well (:

Email (Dated: 10/6/2014)

Hiiii family!!! Wow it feels like forever since i was able to write you! And SO much has happened!! First off I have been in a trio for 2 and a half weeks! My other companion is Hermana Iles!! She is from Columbia and thee funniest person ever! Shes also a convert to the church and has such a strong testimony! I have already learned SO much from her! But transfers are next week so well probably only have a week left as a trio. 

Things are all good! We are working with the members more little by little. Our bishop is trying so hard to animate the ward- Its something weve been struggling with. Were in charge of 2 areas right now... Ours (Galeana) and the area Obrera. We should be having a baptism soon for the area Obrera! (: His name is Edwin. Ill keep you updated! 

We havent been able to leave the house much this week, but we had a huge miracle i want to share with you! Earlier this week,we told our District Leader that we were going to give out 50 "tickets" or invitations to Conference this weekend. And he promised us that if we gave 100 tickets, we would see huge miracles!! The spirit was so strong as he gave us this promise that all of us had tears in our eyes. But we werent alble to leave our houseuntil Friday. When we had permission to leave, we gave the tickets out to literally EVERYONE we saw. On combies, in the street, to members to invite thier friends, everything possible! And as we returned to the house, we realized we have 2 tickets left... And then something even more amazing happened- We realized we had printed out 102 tickets. We had given out EXACTLY 100 invitations to the conference in ONE day.. something we had planned to achieve throughout the entire week! We were so touched and amazed by how present the help of the Lord was!! I know without a doubt that that was a Miracle. We had divine help. There is no other possible way! 

I also wanted to share 2 scriptures with you! The first is in 2 Nephi 22:2 "Behold, God is my Salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength & my song; he also has become my Salvation." 

I want all of you to know that I know Christ is our Savior. He really has become my strength and my song. I know with all of my heart that he is our Salvation. I cant express enough of my gratitude for him. I know without him I am nothing. I know he always has his arms stretched out to us. I know he loves us with a love that we cant even comprehend-for his love is inifite! How blessed are we to have such an amazing person looking after us. 

The second scripture is Alma 37: 44 "Give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal BLISS." 

How blessed were we to have been able to listen to LIVING Apostles and a Prophet this weekened! My testimony of these men shot through the roof as I realized how blessed we really are. I had promised so many people in the street that if they came and listened to him, they would know that he is a man of God. And my promise came right back to me- As I listened to our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, the spirit pierced my heart like never before! I know without a doubt that this is the church of God. These men receive direct revelation for US. They're words are from God! I am so grateful for all of their warning words. I encourage all of you to act on the words they offered us- Listen and apply their words and I promise you we will happier than ever before. We will have bliss. 

I love all of you so very much! Take care! MWAH!

Con todo el amor del mundo, 

Hermana Chynoweth

LES AMO!!

PS- Hit my 8 Month mark yesterday!! SO crazy!!