Tripanionship

As always, Monday is the favorite day of the week - especially when we actually get email from  BOTH of our missionaries!  Hooray for no Monday holiday or transfers this week!  Here's the latest from the other "Mother Broekhuijsen."

I can't believe that at the end of this transfer I'll have been in the field for 6 months. That is just crazy to me. I am just in a great place and loving it! 

This week was very exciting! On Thursday we had transfer meeting and met our new companion, Sister Connell. She is from Hawaii (but she is white). So that's nice to be able to show people that, hey! Not ALL Mormons are from Utah. haha. She is very nice and sweet, but very type B personality. It is quite a contrast to Sis. Edwards' and my VERY type A. We just have to tell her we have to leave 15 minutes before we actually have to leave and we're good. :) She is a convert to the church and has an amazing testimony. She is also FANTASTIC at asking really great questions, so that is a blessing. I've felt that that was a weakness in my teaching for a long time now. I'm excited for the continued challenge of meshing our teaching styles and learning from each other. 

Sister Carpenter's greenie, Sister Burr is also great! I can tell we will have a fun time in this apartment. I'm excited and blessed to be here. 

We had some good news and some bad news with investigators this week. P* was the saddest of them all. So we met with her, and were SO excited to follow up because last time she had accepted a soft baptismal invitation (which means that if/when she gets an answer that she should be baptized, she will follow through with it, and actually BE baptized), and her homework was to pray for a specific answer. So we asked how that went and she said she hadn't prayed. That she remembered that to be part of the communist party, you can't be a mormon. And since she has to be in the communist party to get a job in China, she has absolutely no interest in being baptized. The more she explained, the more we realized that she never had any interest in learning other than learning academically. Even though every time we met with her we tried to make it very clear, "This is different than learning in school. This matters in a different way. You can get answers, but it will be based on faith and feelings, not measurable, physical results." But she just doesn't get it. She doesn't understand. We remembered that she really likes reading from the Book of Mormon, and that she gets a good feeling when she prays, so we asked her, "Do you think that what we are teaching is TRUE?" She then said the most painful sentence I've ever heard, "It doesn't matter if it's true. I don't care if it's true---it is nice. So I will learn more." GAH! Knife in the heart.  

I just wish that I could somehow convey to her why it DOES matter. I was praying the whole time to know what to say, but rather than getting specific guidance, I feel like I got just comfort and reassurance that everything will work out like it's supposed to. Well, guess what? That is my least favorite answer. haha. Even though I know it's true, it was devastating. Sis. Edwards and I cried the whole walk back to the bus.  

So that was a bummer. In better news, we heard a bit from D* and she made it back to Korea safely and has already contacted the missionaries there :) 

Our meeting with H* went well. She is progressing, but now I'm scared because I don't want to pour all my substance and love out and then have it trampled all over again. She is great at her reading assignments, and especially loved the Plan of Salvation since she lost her father when she was 13. She is praying and looking for specific answers as to whether or not there is a God. She feels things and loves meeting with us, so we know she knows, we just need her to know that she knows. Make sense? haha. 

No word yet from T*, so that's a bummer. Hopefully he's still clean after detox last week. 

Okay I'll leave you with a funny story. The other night, we were waiting for our bus, and we somehow got onto the topic of country music. I said that I hate country music, but I really like Western and bluegrassy. Sister Edwards didn't know the difference, so as I was trying to explain it, she made up a song of what she thought western would sound like. I don't know how to convey the tune to you, but here are her lyrics: I took my fishing pole up to the crick... in the mountains...with my best friend, Huck... my... dog.  

BAHAHAHAHAHA. I was laughing so hard. In fact, I am laughing out loud in the library right now.  

Anyway I love you so much! Thanks for your support. I feel lucky to be serving at this time, at this place, in these wards, with my Sisters.  

-Mother Broekhuijsen 

P.S. Boston fun fact of the day: I saw a cardinal on a bush the other day. It was so cute and red and fat. And I said to myself, "What a wonderful world" and I also said to myself, "We are not in Utah anymore"

"Mother Broekhuijsen"

As she said last week in her email, Melissa didn't have Pday on Monday this week because of transfers.  As promised, though, we did get one today!  Yay!

Hello all! 

This has been a wonderful week (as have the last 6). 

I have been organized and actually wrote out stories and a list of things I want to tell you about so hopefully this is a stellar e-mail.

First of all, I have some big news! 

Let me tell you a story. 

So, Saturday night we got our T-texts. I told you last week how I was nervous, even though it was very likely that Sister Edwards and I would stay together and in the same wards. But you know how I like to worry, so I worried. After the texts went out, we were all relieved because it happened just like we were predicting: Sister Carpenter is training, Sis. Barben is going home, and no change to Sister Edwards and I. They also split up a ton of the Sisters and it looked like they even pulled a Sister from the Spanish program into English, so that's how we thought the "Extra English Sister Coming In" dilemma was solved.  

Then yesterday, in the middle of an appointment with a member, I got a call from President Evans. Uh oh. That's always a pit in the stomach kind of moment! He said, "you've probably already figured this out, but I would like you to train.... again." 

Wha??? 

Then all the pieces clicked into place. Ooohhhhh. So we are now in a trio! It's going to be very exciting.  

So we had to reschedule our afternoon appointments, and spent the afternoon cleaning and getting and arranging new furniture for this new Sister. We're going to have 5 sisters in that cozy apartment. It will be fun, but guess what? Trios are hard! It's my responsibility that everyone feels heard and needed and important and safe and happy. So I am fasting for her, and for this trio to work. If you could all pray for that as well, it would be much appreciated. I'm excited but just very surprised that this is happening! Especially because I felt such a sense of relief after T-texts! ha! 

So, every Elder that finds out, calls me, "Mother Broekhuijsen" haha. Without conspiring one with another. So I have a feeling this nickname is going to stick. It probably doesn't help that I already fix the Elders' ties, and darn their socks, and pick out their outfits for them. Guess I'd better learn to love it!  

Here's a nice spiritual story for the week! It is called, D* is a miracle and was has been prepared to accept this her whole life. 

Monday night we had an appointment with her. We knew she was going back to Korea soon, but didn't know that it was Wednesday that she was leaving! Ha! So the lesson with her became less of a formal lesson and more of a question/answer period, slash teaching her how to read and study the Book of Mormon, slash prepare her for going back to Korea and meeting with missionaries there. She was so cute! She said, "I'm planning on going to the LDS church in Korea, there is one right by my house!" ha. Perfect. So we were wrapping up the lesson, and I felt like I should just prepare her a bit and tell her that as she comes closer to Christ, and learns more, she will want to make covenants with God to show her devotion and love for Him, and that that starts with baptism. I told her that her missionaries in Korea will teach her about baptism, and Sister Edwards mentioned that she would get to choose for herself if that's something she wants.  

Then D* said, "Do you think I could get baptized?" 

We told her that the answer was yes, of course! That that's what Heavenly Father wants for her! 

The she said, "Do you think I could get baptized....like.... tomorrow?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sister Edwards and I just looked at each other. Quite incredulously. That kind of thing just doesn't happen, right?

"Let me make some calls....."

So I spent about half an hour on the phone. I called my Zone Leaders who directed me to President Evans. He was very excited, but cautious and didn't want to rush into anything for the wrong reasons, but said, "Well, it wouldn't be the fastest we've seen!" So he got in contact with the mission president in Korea and got some details, making sure she would have a ward to go back to and be fellowshipped into. After a lot of discussion and talking again to D* she decided it would be better to be baptized there in Korea. We agreed, but it was a bit sad. She promised to e-mail us pictures from her baptism. So that was quite the rollercoaster! It was awesome though. 

She wrote us a note that said, "Hi Sister Edwards & Brookhuisen, It was such a wondderful experience to revisit the church. And to meet you guys was really blessed thing for me. Thanks for helpiing me to find my God. As I told you before, I will go to church even after I got back to Korea. Well take care! I am so proud of every missionaries. Thank you so much again :) Love, D* 

Isn't that so cute? She's just so great. We got lots of pictures with her (but don't get your hopes up because I was having a terrible hair day for some reason) so that was awesome. 

Another miracle story: Remember T*? The guy M* invited to Thanksgiving Dinner?  Well, we haven't heard from him in a month and we assumed his phone got shut off (because we're pretty sure he's homeless) because he used to always text back but hadn't in that whole month. Anyway, I sat by him on the train last week! Can you believe it?? To be on the subway at the same time as him, on the same line as him, going the same direction as him, in the same car as him, RIGHT ACROSS FROM HIM... that kind of thing just doesn't happen unless we have God on our side. He looked better than last time, and when we had to get off he had me come close to him cause he wanted to whisper something to me. I was a bit wary, but I leaned in and he said, "I just got out of rehab. I checked myself into a detox program three weeks ago and I'm literally JUST getting out." 

So cool! So that was definitely a miracle. He said he wanted to meet with us and learn more about the Book of Mormon. Then later that night he texted us and said, "I want to join ur religion. How can u accept me?" Ha! Well, we told him we'd be happy to teach him and let him choose if he wanted to be baptized. So that is an amazing story. Keep him in your prayers as well, please. 

Next story is called, "There Are Nice People in Massachusetts: The GT* Story"
After e-mailing last week, we were running to catch a bus. I still had my ID in my pocket (collateral to check out the laptop) instead of in my wallet because we were in a hurry. We caught the bus and when I sat down I realized I had dropped my license, but we didn't have time to go back because we would have missed our two connecting buses and been late to our appointment. So I said to myself, "Bummer. I guess I'll have to e-mail my mother next week and ask what the process is like for getting a new ID when you don't actually live in the State." Then, not 5 minutes later, I got a call from an unknown Mass number. 

"Hello, this is Sister Broekhuijsen!" 

"Hello, is this.... Melissa Broekhuijsen?" 

"Yes, it is...." 

"Well, you don't know me, but I just got off the phone with your mother who gave me this number [thank you Christmas call!!!]. I saw you running for the bus and saw something fall out of your pocket so I picked it up and it was your license! Anyway, I just live on the corner of blankety blank and bliggity blank (<--- protecting his privacy, not censoring his language) and I can leave it in an envelope for you if you'd like." 

WowieZOWZA! That was so nice! I told him I'd be at an appointment until about 8:30 but that I could pick it up then. He said that'd be fine so we went and saw him. I was convinced he was meant to be baptized, because how cool of a story would THAT be?? Turns out he's a Baptist preacher, and was not interested in learning more about Mormonism, but told us that he really respected what we do as missionaries, and that he wishes some of HIS youth could display that kind of passion for religion. So all in all a super cool interaction. 

Great, now I'm running out of time so I can't tell the other hymn story, but I'll try for next week. 

One more quick note to mention - the weather here is crazy. It snowed last weekend, and then yesterday it was 60 degrees! We had to take our coats and scarves and gloves off as we walked up the eternally long hill to our appointment because we were SWEATING. Crazy! It is a beautiful January. 

Well, I love you all. I'm proud of my baby brother being an AP. He was quite humble about that one, but it's a big deal and you, as his parents, should be pleased and pat yourselves on the back for raising a son like that. I'm also taking some credit for raising him. Hope that's okay with you. 

Love you!
-Sister Broekhuijsen

Photo Journalism

On Sunday morning I finally got around to bringing in Saturday's mail, and was pleased to find a little package from Melissa with 2 SD cards full of photos!  Yay!  There were even some movies!  So, here are a few of our favorites for your viewing pleasure!  

This is what Melissa called a "postcard" shot - taken from the window of an investigator's apartment.

The Boston Temple lit up at night - they were here teaching "L*" a discussion.

Of course, she would want to pose with the giant T-Rex!  

At the Museum of Science (where the dinosaurs were) there is also a "NASA" section.  Melissa got to do "space control."  (She did mention later that she had realized that "space control" isn't a real term and that she really meant "navigation" or something along those lines!  

If you know Melissa, you know how much she was enjoying this cat!  Also, she said that he loved her too, even though in this picture he looks like he wants to run away…

Melissa and Sister Barben - not her companion, but another Sister missionary who lives in the same apartment.  This was taken at the Boston Aquarium (on a PDay of course!)

Melissa said she couldn't resist holding this stuffed baby seal.  You can tell by her expression that she is about to cry with joy!

Melissa showing us that she did hang up and enjoy the advent calendar we sent.  The little ornament "pockets" had a quote or a story about Christmas - one for each day in December (until Christmas.)

You might remember when Melissa told us the story of going out for a lobster dinner.  Here's the "proof."  We especially loved the way she apologized to the lobster!  

This one's called, "Melissa eats calamari."   Be sure to watch to the end, because her "real" reaction is priceless!