Light the World

Hi!

     We started our Visitors Center schedule where we are at different stations with different companions every hour! It is wonderful and hectic and beautiful! I love all of the sisters. We had 1000 visitors on Saturday!! The lights are officially up and everyone is coming with their families and wards! The new video (Christmas.mormon.org) is so beautiful and powerful!! I love presenting it and bearing testimony of the Savior. It is so easy to invite people to ACT after watching that video.

A Christmas Message from Mormon.org #LightTheWorld christmas.mormon.org Jesus Christ is a perfect example of serving others. We invite you this Christmas season to #LightTheWorld and to serve others as Jesus did.

Daniel finally got back to us! He finished his training for his new job and said he wont miss church again. And he got a new phone. So we are back in business!! 

Mauricio got in a car accident and hasnt been able to meet.

Oscar is doing well!! He is reading and praying and coming to church. 

I am sorry I dont have much to share today. 

I am so grateful to be a missionary at the most wonderful time of the year.

This will be my last Christmas spent as a missionary. I am so grateful that I can focus on what matters MOST. 

     We taught the Plan of Salvation to someone with no religious background. We taught him simply that because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, we have to obstacles to overcome: sin & death. We can't go back to live with our Father in Heaven unless we overcome them! So that is why we have Jesus Christ. Without Him, we would never be able to repent. We would be stuck in our sins. Without Him, we would never be able to live again. We would be dead forever. He was uninterested and wanted to know where in the Book of Mormon it says the plan of Salvation. Who the heck cares where it says it. If I was hearing this message for the first time, I would be jumping for joy!!!!! Here we are sharing the most beautiful message in the world. Literally! The message that we have a second chance! A message of hope and life and light! I was just sad that he wasn't as happy as I was about the Plan of Salvation hahaha. I wanted him to know the joy and hope and peace he can have because of this beautiful sacred plan from a loving Heavenly Father. Oh how I am grateful for this plan that helps me to make decisions and see the bigger picture and appreciate the Savior. Oh how I am grateful for Him. 

     The gospel changes lives. It has changed mine.

I love you. 

Sister Brinton

Setting up for Christmas

Thanksgiving dinner at the YSA Bishops house!

It felt good to be in a home with a family.

Sooooo much food!

This is a problem

Abi and Akshana

Sarada

Welcome to East Oakland

Yummy indian food

Thankful

Hi!!! 

    My eyes have been brimming with tears all day. My heart is pumping with love and gratitude. We got to go to the beautiful, renovated  Oakland Temple today. I was just SMILING!!!! Every time they say, "Welcome to the temple," I tear up. I feel so much love in that precious place. It is powerful being in there with a group of missionaries. And how lucky that we got to go the day before Thanksgiving. Talk about being GRATEFUL!! I am so grateful. I am grateful for my covenants, my knowledge and testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I am grateful for my call from the Savior to serve as a full time missionary HERE. I am grateful for the family and friends who love and support me. I am grateful for the Savior and His unconditional love and forgiveness which I need DAILY. I am grateful for the message of the RESTORED GOSPEL! I am grateful for prayer. I am grateful for the JOY I experience every single day that comes from serving and testifying. I am grateful for the Visitors Center. I am grateful for home made bread and chocolate ice cream. I am grateful for laughter and sunsets and morning runs.

    We had Bring A Friend To Church Day on Sunday and it was wonderful!!! We had about 26 nonmembers there. It was a missionary's DREAM. We couldnt even talk to everyone that was there. All of the members were so excited about it and it opened the door to so many potential investigators. All three hours were geared towards non members and we had lunch afterwards. It got all the members excited to do missionary work and there were many who couldnt come this week but said they would come next week!! I think a lot of the members were like, oh! That wasnt that hard! So hopefully we continue to see them bring their friends. We have such an amazing ward. I love them!!! I encourage all of you to do a bring a friend to church day or activity or something!! Your missionaries will be in heaven and sharing the gospel is fun!!!! Your friend or neighbor might be ready to receive the gospel, you never know. And it's just our job to invite!

    We added a new investigator this week! One of our member's, Bee a return missionary AND convert, boyfriend! We got burritos and there was no where to sit, so we ate in the car, then had a lesson. We taught him the Restoration and he loved it. He was so sincere and willing!! He prayed at the end. Bee texted us later that night and just thanked us over and over. She said she mentioned temple marriage to him and he said he wants to marry her in the temple. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! We have another lesson on Saturday. I am dying. 

    We havent heard from Daniel in over a week. He lost or broke his phone or something. We are praying our guts out.

    Mauricio came to church and loved it!! He is so busy this week so we dont have a lesson until next week UGH but he accepted the word of wisdom. 

    We had a great lesson with Oscar. We wanted to set a baptismal date with him, but he has a few concerns. I was so frustrated after the lesson because I want to baptize him so bad. He is so golden. But Sister Chiang keeps me straight and we talked about how all we can do is help and invite and trust in the Lord's timing and respect his agency. WHICH can be frustrating but he is so sincere and wants to be baptized. It will just take some time and patience. 

    Christmas is upon us!! We already created the VC schedule for Christmas time & it's nuts! We are so excited to spend time here with the lights and music and Spirit. We dont have a ton of time in our area, so we need to use it to the best of our abilities!! We really get the best of both worlds. The LIGHT THE WORLD Christmas initiative is starting soon, which I am so excited to launch! It is all about service and the video that goes along with it is so powerful. I remember last year just standing in front of dozens of people testifying of the Savior at Christmas time. I cant wait to do it again!!!!! For service we got to paint some sets for the musical Scrooge, they are putting on this year. Exciting!

     I had a beautiful experience the other day at the Visitors Center that I would love to share. There were two older men from Mexico who just walked in and we greeted them and took them on a tour. In the back we have the powerful depiction of the Savior appearing to the people in America. We explained the picture and the Book of Mormon. One of the men asked me where in the Book of Mormon it talks about that. I opened it up and read him these verses as he stared at the picture of Christ:

"They cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven." 3 Nephi 11:8-12

     I couldnt even finish reading the verse because I was crying haha but the men were touched and I know they felt the Spirit as I read those POWERFUL verses. WOW! The Spirit was burning in my heart that what I was saying was true. Moments like that are hard to put into words but man are they precious.

     Sister Chiang and I were able to present a training to our sisters about our role as women and missionaries. I testified of the Savior, that this is His work, and that we are POWERFUL instruments in His hands. I think my testimony had more of an impact on me than on the sisters. It reconfirmed my belief, my desire, my conviction. This really is His work. The Book of Mormon really is true. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really appeared to the boy Joseph. Our families really can be together forever. Living the gospel really helps us to be HAPPY!!!!!!!!

Two quotes I love from President Uchtdorf that changed my week!!!

     "They had the attitude that if no one listened to their message, it would not be because they had not given their best effort."

     "I leave you my faith, my conviction, and my certain and unshakable witness that this is the work of God."

    Whenever I bore testimony or invited someone to act, I felt President Uchtdorf's testimony swell in my heart.

I am so so grateful for this sacred time in my life. I am happier than I have ever been. 

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give thanks!! I encourage each of you to say a prayer to Heavenly Father tomorrow on Thanksgiving where you ONLY thank Him for your blessings. That's it. And you can tell Him how much you love Him because He would love to hear that.

Love

Sister Brinton :) 

I got to go to San Lorenzo and see everybody!!

Sister Wasson with a face mask at our sleepover the night before she left.

Sister Fetzer the night before she left

Sister Leigh Taylor came to visit!!!

The Simpsons from San Leandro came to visit!

James and Lyana at Why I Believe!! Members of the YSA ward

Kieth and Bro. Broberg

Bee and her boyfriend, David, who we added as a new investigator!!

Bean made us ice cream!

Sister Kylee Stockwell! She is in the spanish program

I love my companion

Sister Herbine

Sister Contreras

Sister Chen

Sister Smith

Elder Zhong, Sister Zhong's brother (my previous companions brother). He got called to this mission

Painting

The Lord works in Mysterious ways

 Transfers are this week and we are both STAYING IN BERKELEY!! YAYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! We found out in the car and we just hugged and hugged. I am so so happy to stay here with her. We are going to see so many miracles and baptisms. I love her. I love this area. I love the ward. AH! YAY! 

     Last Monday, I accidentally turned when I wasnt supposed to and scraped against a car in an intersection. We both pulled over and the lady only spoke Cantonese. My companion, Sister Chiang, is one of TWO missionaries in the whole mission who speak Cantonese!!! TENDER MERCY! So she handled the whole thing like a pro (tiny scrape, no one was hurt, I'm just an idiot). Then Sister Chiang, being the amazing missionary who talks to everybody, asked her if she had ever seen missionaries before. She had met with missionaries 10 years ago and now she has 2 kids (9 &11) and wants to meet with missionaries!! We set them up with the Chinese sisters. Miracle. So I keep joking that the Spirit told me to hit her car, so I was just trying to be obedient. The Lord works in mysterious ways!!!!!

     Mauricio couldnt come to church because of work again but we had a great lesson. He is so sincere and has some concerns, but he is coming to church this Sunday!! This Sunday is bring a friend to church day!!! Should be great :)

     Oscar is progressing slowly but surely. He is so sincere. He is changing. He is beginning to pray on his own. His faith is growing. I LOVE watching this change in someone. The light in their eyes! We asked him if he was able to pray if this church was true and he said he includes it in every single prayer and the last time he prayed and asked, he felt a "strong feeling of peace." He is recognizing the Spirit!! We will set a date with him this week!

     So about Daniel. He had dropped us. Then on Tuesday morning he texted us: "I would like to retain the original baptismal date on December 4th. I have spent the past 14 days in the scriptures and havent gotten any time to rest or sleep or eat appropriately and I am completely mentally and physically worn out. I started a fast on November 4th and broke it this morning (Nov 8th....) because I was desperate for answers. I was on my way to my old church then last minute you two texted me and I pulled a u-turn and came to church. I walked into the service (sacrament meeting) with morale low and my spirit broken to learn that the church was fasting and was comforted sitting next to two brothers that were also fasting. I testify that the Church of Latter Day Saints is true. I believe in the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ as Lord, and the Holy Ghost. I believe Joseph was a prophet." OUR HEARTS!!!!!!! We couldnt believe it. What a MIRACLE. I have never had an investigator fast for an answer. So powerful. We are excited to meet with him again. 

     This week we had a researcher who works for Salt Lake Church Headquarters come to our mission! His job is to come to lessons with missionaries and observe, then interview the investigator afterwards!! They want to see more of the investigators viewpoints and see our teaching skills. I love this research - I think it is wonderful and so important to see how the investigator feels and how we can improve. He was able to come to a few of our lessons!! This week we also had Christmas training from Salt Lake. Last year they actually came to the VC but this year they just did it over Skype. The new Christmas initiative video is AMAZING!!! All about service and following the Savior's example. It invites us to ACT. It is powerful. I am so excited for you to see it!! 

     There were a lot of protests and riots in Oakland and Berkeley due to the election. We are in a bubble as missionaries so we have no idea what is going on but we are safe!! 

     The elders are teaching a man I met on the street!!!! He and his wife have a baptismal date!! I was on exchanges a few months ago and we were in a hurry walking to our car. He was outside his house standing by his car, like two houses up the street from us and we were LATE but I KNEW I had to talk to him. So I did. We got his information and gave it to the elders and now he AND his wife have a date. What if I couldnt have talked to him?? What if I would have just walked right past because I was running late? The miracles happen when you talk to people when it is unplanned and inconvenient. Those are the prepared people, the people the Lord is placing in my path to see if I will talk to them.

     Back in March, I answered a chat from a man named David off mormon.org in the teaching center in the Visitors' Center. He came on with a few sincere questions about our beliefs. We exchanged emails so we could keep in touch. My ultimate goal was to prepare him to eventually meet with missionaries. We have been emailing back and forth about 2 times a week since then. I have been answering his questions, sending him chapters and talks to read, etc. He is amazing!
Here is an excerpt from one of his emails:
     "I know now that when the Holy Ghost visited me that night it was the perfect time for Heavenly Father to plant the seed. You can see that I have never let go of that seed and I have been watering it. I know the Book of Mormon and the living Gospel has changed me and is still changing me even as I type this letter to you. I want to feel the Lords presence in my life all the time not just while I'm in Church. I know there is a living prophet and a living Gospel that teaches how we live our lives makes a difference on our spiritual lives after we die. I know this is the path to salvation. All the answers are in the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I believe in the first Prophet Joseph Smith. I believe in the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. I believe in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. David"
     He didnt want to meet with missionaries yet because he wanted to make sure he was ready. He wanted to learn on his own. I pushed him and nudged him with love, day after day. On October 29th he emailed me and told me he was facing a lot of opposition and didnt know where his path was leading. My heart sunk. The next morning he sent me this:
     "Hi Emma, I want to get back on track. Last night I woke up from a deep sleep with such a clear thought in my mind. The lord brought me to this for a reason he wants me to come to him. I remember an e-mail you sent me about Satan using every way possible to prevent it. He is using people close to me to confuse me and keep me from entering Gods Kingdom. I'm a little mad and I wont listen to anymore negativity towards the Gospel. Im going to start meeting with the Missionaries. David"
     My eyes brimmed with tears and my heart was bursting with joy. I have never even met this man, but I feel a special connection with him from all of our discussions, bearing testimony to him, and helping him! What a beautiful journey. The Lord isn't going to force anyone to meet with missionaries or love the gospel. It's US! It's us that needs to soften our hearts and open our eyes. Once we do, we see that He is there and just waiting to bless us and guide us. I am SO grateful for the miracle and blessing that David has been in my life. I am so grateful for the teaching center and for technology that helps people find the gospel!! I wish I could be the missionary who David calls and says, "I know the Church is true. Please baptize me." They are going to FAINT when they see how prepared he is and hear his testimony. 

     My heart is so full. I love you. Keep praying. Keep lifting. Keep loving. 

Sister Brinton

Love my new water bottle

Bye Sister Benosa

Bye Sister Fetzer

Bye Sister Wasson! all three are leaving the VC

Skyping SLC for Visitor Center Christmas Training

Rafil!!

My cute companion is amazing at the piano. She can sight read anything.

sushi

Bro. Aliling takes us everywhere. He is hilarious

GORGEOUS

I love this place!!

Our poor car

Quidditch for FHE

Sister Harper and Benosa HAHAHAHAHA

Salt Lake Researcher, Brother Poulsen