Look who's bald!?!!! Yep… that would be ME!!!

Okay so this week I don't really have a lot of time and I am also really hungry so I probably wont be writing a lot. I am also trying to figure out how in the world I can send pictures because it is not working. :( I think its because this is the first computer ever made and it just isn't capable of doing those future aged things. 

I am really happy. I love my new area and I love my companion a whole bunch.
There is one thing.. we all know how talented I am when it comes to stairs... well there are stairs outside of our apartment so I bet you can guess what has happened a few times. I haven't fell down them yet.. but I have fallen up them a time or 2. oops. but the neighbors get a good laugh at least. ha ha 

Oh my word. I just realized that my camera is downloading all of my photos to the computer that I am using in an Internet cafe... yeah... I'm gonna have to delete those. ha ha 

There are iguanas everywhere in my area. I think I will be getting over my fear of lizards sometime soon. ha ha 

Okay I learning so much and I just wanted to share one thing. One thing that I have learned a lot this week is that we can not ask other people to do things that we ourselves don't do. If we want someone to do something, or change something, then we first have to do it. It reminded me of the Michael Jackson song about the man in the mirror  It says something to the effect of I'm looking at the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways. It is really so true. I cant ask someone to do something that I don't do. Just a thought. 

I went to get a haircut yesterday and this is what happened when I told the lady "solo los puntos por favor" and she goes "esta bien, solo los puntos" haha so now I'm bald.. but hey... its just hair and it will grow back... i hope 

Also, we had a multi zone conference and it was super awesome. I learned so so so much. Also, my old zone, zone Atlantic was there, and so we took a picture together with the 4 of us who used to be together in Guacimo. The Elders are still there but Hermana Corrales and I are both in Guanacaste now. 

I love these people a whole bunch. 

Yesterday we were cleaning our apartment and I turn around and my companion is just cleaning with a bike helmet on... haha I'm not quite sure why there is a bike helmet when we don't have bikes but okay. 

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That's all for now folks!

Remember that I love y'all  but more importantly that your Heavenly Father loves you!
Brooke
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Meet the companion…Just kidding…you already know her… LOOK WHOS MY COMPANION!!!!!

So if you cant tell I am more than a little bit excited. To be completly honest I didnt write last week because I have not been really happy recently and I didnt want to share anything sad. So.. we had interviews with President on Thursday and he told me that I would be having emergency transfers on Monday... so I anxiously awaited the phone call to know where I would be going... and on Sunday night the assistants called. Elder Tai proceded to tell me that I would be going to Santa Cruz, Guanacaste and that my new companion would be Hermana Garcia!!!!

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I started screaming and jumping up and down I was so so so happy. I once asked president if we could be companions and he just kind of lauged at me. Hahaha 

Emergency changes suck to be real honest, but I know that I am going to be happier than I have been these past few weeks. I am so excited to begin working here in Santa Cruz. I know that it is going to be real real hot outside. I bought sweaters in Grecia and when I unpacked yesterday I left them all in my suitcase. 

I am so greatful for the time that I had in Grecia, while it was a short 4 weeks, and I wasnt the happeist I have ever been, I learned so much from the trails that I faced there. About 4 days ago I had no idea what it was that I was supposed to be learning but I think I have started to grasp some of the lessons. 

I am so excited for this new change. 

Next week I will have some photos of the beach and monkies. I think. But Honestly I just wanted to share my testimony with yall. 

This past month has been hard for me. I have learned so much how to rely on the Lord in all times and in all thigs. When life is hard and you feel alone, remember to respect the fact that there is someone who litteraly died for you and that you can turn to him for help in any moment. When you feel like you are not important remember that there is someone who loves you, and that you are important. Maybe not to every single person on planet earth, but there is someone who would give up his life for you... who gave up his life for you. 

If it werent for the atonement of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I honestly dont think I could continue in life. Every day I turn to him for comfort. 

I am not perfect, and I will never claim to be, but I know that the atonement is perfect, and because of that knowledge, I am not affraid. I know that everything will be okay. 

I love you all more than you know. Something I have learned in the mission is how to love people the way that Christ loves them and that is something that I think all people should learn. 

Have a great week, and rememeber that yall are all important. 

Love, 

Brooke

​ps- Today I ate taco bell. mmmmm so yummy

Whats up Y'all

I am in a pretty good mood today and I have got plenty of time so I may write a lot. I still haven't quite decided.

First, I hope all is going well. I love you all.

Embarrassing moment: This week has been full of them.... but FULL! It turns out that I am better at embarrassing myself in a city with lots of people than I am in a small town. One example, yesterday we were having a lesson with a recent convert in a store that she works in and a bunch of gringos walk in... Grecia is a big touristy town for some reason... and they start talkin to the member in english and she just looks at me with these huge eyes of terror and tells me to ask them what they want. So I kindly translate for her and tell her that he is trying to buy sunglasses and then she tells me that that are 5,900 colones and that they come with the box and that they have a lifetime warranty and so forth. So I look at this Canadian man directly in the eye and tell him exactly when she just told me... In spanish. I didnt even realize that I was speaking spanish until he goes, "yeah... thats helpful" and then I was like, oh my gosh I am so sorry. haha

Now, I do have some fun things to say.

I was listening to music from EFY the other day... well we listen to the same thing every day but one of the songs caught my attention. It says something to the effect of things might get rough but just remember that there is someone who loves you more than you could ever know. I got to thinking... because honestly it is so true. Especially in the mission. To be completely honest, it is a whole lot of suck and disappointment every day with the occasional ray of sunshine that makes you see why it is all worth it. I see miracles every day, but believe me when I ay that I have to work really hard to remember the good parts at the end of the day. I love my mission. I love Costa Rica. I love the Ticos. but more days than not, the only thing that gets me through the day is knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and is proud of me. Knowing that my savior knows exactly how I feel.

I once found a quote in the july 2014 liahona that says something to the effect of or savior was beaten and hated and spit on and many other things to defend the truth, and it is our sacred pleasure to stand by his side and take a beating for what we are sharing.

Next, I just wanted to share this with all of you because a member here that we are teaching drew me a picture of a koala bear and its freaking adorable.

Annnddd... now I am almost out of time because the computer keeps freezing when I try to load pictures, so here is a picture of Yamil's baptism on Saturday. He will kill me for this but I dont really care that much. :)

Here is my companion and I this morning

​The photo in her camera was better but I didn't feel like downloading it

The last photo that my lovely mother is going to insert is of me and 2 members and 1 investigator in the park the other night. dont worry, my companion and another woman are behind the camera :)

Love y'all!

Brooke

no hay tiempo entonces so hay fotos

we did a service project on Saturday, Chopping weeds with a machete. You talk about work. OH MY GOODNESS! But it was a lot of fun too. My mom has asked me what had been my most significant tender mercy this week and it had to have been the chicharon and yuma we ate after the service project.

​there is a hill so steep in naranjo that you have to hold on to a rod to climb it. I climbed it just so I could take a picture and say that I did it. :)

​The best thing ever is when people walk around wearing shirts with sayings in english and they have no idea what it means. haha

​To get a good photo with this family where everyone is paying attention is nearly impossible. This a a family that I have grown to love in these past week here in Grecia. They actually live in another part of our area called Sarchi. Its a complete other city but our area covers a ton of land. They are Lucia, Daniel, Hermana Gibson, Aldeman, David, and Felix. :)

​I may not be a professinal but I am pretty sure I won that battle.

I love all of yall.

Until next week

Brooke

Goodbye Gaucimo…Hello Grecia

So I am going to be completely honestly when I say that it hurts to write this email. I have been in Guacimo since I got here on August 18th and I love the people there more than I can possibly describe. Its something that unless you have served a mission it is impossible to understand I am pretty sure. I had a feeling this whole week that I was going to have changes so I started telling everyone goodbye. I had time to say bye to everyone that I wanted to but it didn't change the fact that when my zone leaders called me on Sunday in the afternoon I immediately started to cry. I had a feeling of peace in my heart and I know that wherever it is that I go it is because that is where the Lord wants me at that time. I have been so blessed and privileged to serve in Guacimio and work with the people there. It is a place that will have a spot in my heart as long as I live and I am sure after that too. Here are some photos that I took my last day in Guacimo!

The Elders Black and Dale brought us breakfast for the last time outside of our window on Monday morning. They're seriously the greatest!

Here is Me and Hermana Martinez in the bus on the way to San Jose

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We have to go to San Jose to meet our new companions and from there we go to our new areas and what not. So its like a giant meeting of missionaries in Central Park.... and I was the happiest person ever because I got to see 3 of my favorite people!!!

So here is a photo of the crew in San José!

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So my new area is Grecia in Alajuela. Its a little bit colder than Guacimo. Haha okay its a lot bit colder than Guacimo. I was dying yesterday... today my companion gave me a sweater to use. But right now, it feels like a nice fall day outside and everyone who has been here a while says that its hot. So Im a little worried to see what the climate is like. It doesn't rain that much so that will be nice. I think. Its a city. Okay really no,but in comparison to where I was before I feel like I live in New York City. There is a mango tree in front of my house and a huge catholic church on the corner. It is soooo pretty. Grecia is definitely a whole lot prettier than where I was before. Today we are in a place called San Ramon and we had to pass through Naranjo to come to our district meeting and the whole 2 hours I was just stunned by how pretty it is here. I can tell that I am going to like it a whole bunch. I dont think I will be seeing any more sloths any time soon but I think that it will be worth it. haha

This is my new companion and I today outside of the church in San Ramon. Her name is Hermana Canales and she is from Hondurus. She is super great and im way excited to work with her. Our branch doesn't have a church building. We meet in a house outside on the lawn. Way cool huh?

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Well folks thats about all for now. Here is a photo of the moon last night. There are a LOT of hills in my area. A LOT! I think I am going to be losing some weight here. haha

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I love all yall a whole bunch and I hope youre all doing great!

Until next week!

Love ya’ll

Brooke

Address Change AND a Baptism!!!

****ADDRESS CHANGE****

It’s just a little different but it makes a HUGE difference in getting mail or packages! Please remember it’s 3 stamps for a letter and if you mail a package please ONLY use the US Mail. If you use any other one they will NOT get here. You do have to fill out a customs form Just put missionary supplies on it. Also put pictures or stickers of Mother Mary or Christ. You can print them up off the internet or buy them at the Catholic store. Just be sure you put them on all packages.

Hermana Brooke Dawn Gibson

Mission San Jose, Costa Rica

Apartado postal 249-2010

Zapote, San Jose,

Costa Rica, Centro America

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Fabian baptized Jordan. That was definitely the highlight of the week. Oh yeah and when Jordan was confirmed on Sunday.

​Jesus baptized Paola and it was his first time baptizing so that was way cool. I look a little bit crazy in these photos because I was more than a little bit stressed out but dont worry everything turned out alright.

Here is a picture of a pizza that I made the other night. It has beans and sausage on it. It looks pretty gross but it is actually pretty good. I have learned to eat the strangest things here on the mission. haha but there wasn't any other food and I was super hungry.

Well... I have a massive headache and I’m sick to my stomach so I don't feel like looking at this screen much longer.I’m sorry.  I love Ya’ll. Thank you so much for the support, prayers and love you show me. I’m really sorry this is so short, I just really feel bad.

Love,

Brooke

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A sloth and I...

Sooo.... hows it going??? Good I hope. This week I have an embarrassing experience and I hope you all get a good laugh. So we are teaching Jordan again, I'm not quite sure if I ever told y'all about him, but he was progressing and he went to all of General Conference in October but we then stopped teaching him for some reason but he is getting baptized this Saturday(fingers crossed). But anyhow he has a strange crush on me and its super strange because I have so much love for this kid but I also want to run away and hide everytime he comes near. haha but anyhow, we teach him outside at his house and there are these benches made out of logs. So the other day we went and I sat in the middle of the bench and put my backpack beside me so that there was no room for anyone to sit down too... but he comes and sits down super close to me, so then I scooted farther away, and he scooted closer, and I scooted farther away and so on and so forth. Now comes the good part. I knew I was getting close to the end of the bench so I looked and there wasn't any more bench left, and I didn't know how to react. So I just kind of sat there with this look or terror I am sure on my face. It was super funny because Fabian and another young woman were with us and when we were leaving Fabian goes... uhhh you were so uncomfortable and im like HECK YEAH I WAS!!!!

I love this kid so  much honestly, but I don't know what I am supposed to do so I just get really uncomfortable.

​he lives on this farm thing and there are pineapple growing and it was waaayyyy coool!!!! I didn't use to like pineapple but it is something I have grown to love here and I have been wanting to see one forever and I never noticed these before. My companion noticed them and I kind of freaked out. haha

Then we had an experience that I really want to share with everyone. It is something that has taught me alot over the past 2 days. So, we had an investigator and she told us that she prayed and God told her that she should get baptized, it was a very clear answer and she knew thats what was right. So we were super excited, and we have been working with her ever since and she was progressing really really well. On Sunday when we went to get her for church she said that she wasn't going, even though we walked 45 minutes to bring her there and it was hot and it was raining. So we went to visit her after church and she goes, I have to tell yall something, and were like uh oh... ummm okay what is is? She then proceeds to tell us that God told her she should get baptized but then she talked to her pastor and she said that she shouldn't get baptized because that would be playing with the things of God because it says you can only be baptized one time.

So I learned 2 things. First of all, no where in the bible does it say that you can only be baptized one time end of story. It you are baptized by the authority of God, which is the priesthood and only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints then yes, only one time. It is like saying if you are driving faster than the speed limit and the ice cream truck driver pulls you over and tries to write you a ticket, you and I both know that you aren't going to pay it, because he doesn't have the authority to do that, but it a police man pulls you over you should probably pay the ticket. It doesnt matter how many tickets the ice cream truck driver writes you, if he doesn't have the authority to write you a ticket that isn't going to change with the amount of tickets he writes. Also, there is a story in the acts where there are a bunch of people who get baptized but they don't receive the gift of the holy ghost so they have to get baptized again and receive the gift of the holy ghost.

Second, I have learned from this experience that you should never ever ever place more importance on what a person says than on what God says. We always ask people to pray, that is because we know that people can lie, and only God has all of the answers and is never going to lie to you. Its like if I ask you if you want me to cut your grass and you tell me yes, but then I ask your neighbor if I should cut your grass and he says no so I dont cut it. Why the heck did I ask you if I wasn't going to do what you tell me to. If we pray and ask God something, we should act upon what he tells us to do. If we don't then what is the sense in praying?

Here is a picture of a sloth that we saw... It was raining so it was soaking wet. I touched it. :) usually they have their babies on their stomachs but this one didn't. We saw one that had its baby the other day but I didn't have my camera with me. After I touched it, it started to "run" away. they don't really move very fast so that it what the second picture is. Me and the sloth.

One Last Thing!

I want to say a big ole huge FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS to my baby brother who isn't so much a baby anymore. David, I love you a whole whole whole whole bunch! I hope you have the greatest day ever!!!!!!

I think thats about all for today.

I love yall