Last of 2011

Happy Day!  We DID get an email from Melissa today - a little later in the day than usual, but we'll take it — whenever it comes!

Hey Family!

I can't even tell you how much I enjoyed seeing your faces on Sunday. It was so nice to get to talk to you! I feel so blessed to have M*, who was willing to let me use her computer to Skype, and to have what's known as the Internet, so that we COULD Skype! Thanks so much for giving me a little tour of the house, and my old baby computer. Also the cats! I liked when you held up Zorro and made him look at me and love me. Also I liked when you squeezed Cleo and made her whine - I've missed that lovely sound. Also I liked when Presto just walked across the puzzles you were working on and then laid down on them. That really showcased her personality. 

But really, my Christmas was amazing. I had a very relaxing day. I had a nice time but felt very selfish. I had a pajama party with M* and my comp/roommates, and had a nice dinner with a couple members and our Elders, and that was amazingly fun. But I just wanted to serve. You know how people always talk about how they forget themselves and serve? I wanted that. But I didn't know how. Our food pantry was closed, I didn't want to just go to the nursing home and carol with just my companion, and it would probably be unsafe to go up to random homeless people and ask "How can I serve you today?". But it was a still a great day. I enjoyed myself, but wish I had enjoyed myself a little less, and helped others a little more.

I told you a bit about this during our Skype call, but we have a new investigator! Her name is P*, and she is amazingly sweet. We have met with her a couple times now, and she came to Sacrament Meeting with us on Christmas! It was her first ever Christian service, and she did a great job and even tried to sing along with the hymns! So far we think she might be interested in the church only on a social/educational level, but hope to make it clear to her that this can change her life in more ways than just increasing her knowledge.
In other investigator news, L* is still doing well and is on track to be baptized on Saturday! If anyone who reads this is going to be in or near Provo on Saturday the 31st and wants something to do.... comment on this post and my mom can get you the details so you can go. It's going to be a really cool baptism. The elders that are baptizing her both are physically handicapped. They aren't strong enough to baptize her on their own so they're BOTH going to baptize her. Should be interesting and really tender. (<--- I know that's a cheesy word but it somehow actually DOES fit this situation.)

I love this work. I love my companion. I love serving the Lord at all times. I'm working on improving myself. I want to be more disciplined and use better language and become selfless. Basically I just want to be the kind of disciple of Christ who is truly converted and actively strives with every decision to become more like Him.

I love you and thank you for your continued support. I want to thank my wonderful extended family and ward members who are contributing financially and otherwise to my being able to serve a mission. It is a blessing to me, and I hope it can be a blessing for others as well. Let's all pray that I can find and help people.

Love you,
Sister Broekhuijsen

P.S. Boston Fun Fact of the Day: The world's first Staples (Office supply) Store opened in BRIGHTON MASSACHUSETTS! That's right. I'm basically a celebrity because I live in the same neighborhood in Boston as the first Staples store. The 64 bus takes me right past it! Crazy.