Joy to the World

HI!!

Wow. What a wonderful time of year. The MOST wonderful actually. The Visitors Center just gets busier and busier. We had over 1500 visitors last night. I just smile the whole night haha. I love testifying of the Savior. I love how everyone is so involved with Light the World. And if they aren't already involved, they are excited to hear about it. I love sharing this scripture:

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do." 3 Nephi 18:24

      Daniel. Daniel is amazing, as usual. His baptism is on Saturday!! Emily came to the lesson and it was SO wonderful to have her there. Emily is getting baptized the same day as him, the 17th, which is Emily's 18th birthday. She has had to wait for 2 years to get baptized because her parents haven't given permission. She is the most kind, sweet, humble, and beautiful girl. She has faced so much opposition, but she knows the church is true. She has the most powerful testimony of Heavenly Father's love and timing. She trusts Him and demonstrates the most faith I have ever seen!! It was so wonderful to have her in the lesson because Daniel was asking her questions about how she knew the church was true, how she decided to get baptized, etc. She was able to share her sweet testimony that touched his heart and brought such a special spirit to the lesson. I could not stop crying!!! I loved watching them talk. Two people who have seen the hand of God guide them to the truth. Two people facing so much confusing opposition. Two people exercising so much faith in the Lord. The Spirit was tangible.

     Oscar is still doing great. He came to church for two hours. Finals are getting in the way of everything but he is progressing. He will get baptized. I can see it in his eyes.

      We hadn't heard from Mauricio in over a week. We were running late to a meeting, but I just had the STRONGEST prompting/desire to see him. I just needed to go by his house ONE more time. We have stopped by so many times before but no one is ever home. It was raining and we ran up to the door. Knocked. Nothing. I heard people inside and the lights were on. Knocked really hard and his mom answered the door. She isn't a huge fan of missionaries, especially since we are teaching her son and he is pulling away from Catholicism. She spoke really really fast Spanish to show that we couldnt communicate. But I just said I need to see Mauricio! She kept talking and I just said Please can I see Mauricio. She said that he was really busy and began to shut the door. I stopped the door with my hand and held up one finger and said "Please. For one minute." I NEEDED to see him! I was very bold and I know Heavenly Father helped me. She reluctantly consented and went inside and left the door open a crack. She came back a few minutes later and invited us in. We sat down and Mauricio walked in!!!! I almost cried I was so happy to see him!! I said Mauricio!!!!! Ive missed you!!! Where have you been?!?! We talked for a long time about everything going on and we decided to meet up after finals are over and things calm down a little bit. He also got a new phone so that's why we hadnt heard from him. He said how much it meant that we came by his home to see him. I know that the Lord guided me to his home that night. Who cares that we were late! 

     David is doing so great. He got a job and has been seeing his faith grow. He told us that he wants to get baptized, but feels like January would be better. He has some great questions about the character of God. He wants to trust Him fully. 

     We got to go to the Berkeley family ward yesterday for a beautiful Christmas program. The last song was O Come All Ye Faithful. They added trumpets on the final verse and I couldn't stop the tears! O come let us adore Him!! When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the most beautiful gift ever given. Heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to us, to save us from our sin and sadness and bring us life eternal. When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating so much more than just a birth!!! Because of His birth, we have hope. I love sharing this hope and light, more than anything! This is such a sacred time! WOW I am so lucky. and so happy. and so blessed. This is the Lord's work. 

Merry Christmas!
I love you!

I miss you!

Sister Brinton

Sis. Resendiz came back to visit

So Fun

Emily Vickers

ICE SKATING

Super old Unique Berkeley Family Ward Chapel. The Saints built it during the great depression.

Wrapping Presents for Sub for Santa. (Daniel is the one with the shaved head)

Exchanges

Jesus Christ is Lord

What a WEEK! AH! We had such a great week together. We are seeing so many miracles and learning and growing so much. Being a missionary at Christmas time is the best experience. I love standing in front of groups of people just SO HAPPY to share this message of Jesus Christ, that He is the Light! The Visitors Center is busier than ever. I love the lights. I love that people come here to feel the peace and hear the music. We had over 1600 visitors on Saturday night! 

     DANIEL!!!!!! We started teaching him again! We have had three lessons with him and he came to church. We set a baptismal date for the 23rd and we were on our way home, when I had the impression that we need to set a sooner date. We texted him that Dec 18th will be better. He said, "That works better for me. I start work the 19th. I will follow you two leading." He is SO prepared. He even said, "When I came to meet with you two for the first time, I was just so prepared." In his prayer, he prayed that he wants to be more submissive. He told us, "All I really want right now is to please God." We taught him tithing and he told us that he already paid tithing the last time he met with missionaries and he already has a testimony of it, he knows i is from God. Then told us that he just got chills and he was shaking. I took that moment to tell him that when he says something, then feels that way, that is the Spirit telling him that what he is saying is TRUE! It is a messenger of truth. 

    This is one of the most beautiful things that he said. "I feel like everyone has a hole that needs to be filled by the gospel, but sometimes they try to fill it up with worldy things like money or girls, etc and they still feel empty. He said the gospel is the only thing that can fill that hole. It seems so boring on the outside, just reading old books and sitting at church, but it has filled me with JOY. Not happiness, but like sincere, fulfilling JOY." No one told him to say that. No one taught him that. He is saying that from his heart! That is what he FEELS! That is what his experience has been with the gospel.

     I was sitting next to him in sacrament meeting and his leg was bouncing and he was fidgeting around in his seat. He suddenly said, I have to get up there. He jogged up to the pulpit and bore the most powerful testimony, setting an example for the members of the ward. He said, "Jesus Christ is Lord. The Book of Mormon is His word. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. This Church has received the authority from God." I couldnt believe what I was hearing. He is AMAZING! 

     I know that we are just instruments in the Lord's hands. I felt something warm that filled me with joy. We are representatives of Jesus Christ here on the earth, because He isn't here! Daniel is following us, which is really like following the Savior. I know that is true. I know we are His hands and His ears and His mouth. It is not us as humans. It is us as instruments. What an honor and privilege and responsibility. I have joy in my heart that exceeds the joy of this world. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

     We are still teaching David, Bee's boyfriend. He is doing great! He is praying and receiving answers to his prayers. He said he knows the Book of Mormon is true! We are still teaching Oscar as well. He is really dedicated to school but he also wants to learn and is keeping his commitments. He is praying every day! What a change! His member friends help so much. Oscar didnt want to come to church but our member texted him that his was a trial of his faith and he decided to come. We have the best ward.

      We added a new investigator named Jared! He was walking his dog at the dog park on Friday and saw the temple lights! He came in and Elder Nielsen gave him a tour. He agreed to meet with missionaries and we met him on his way out.. YSA! The next day we had an awkward 45 minutes before we had to go to the Visitors Center, so we just shot him a text to see if he could have a lesson. He said YES! So we taught the Restoration and it went so well. Then he came to church yesterday! 

      We had FOUR investigators at church! A record high! YAY! It makes Sunday so so fun and busy. Our ward did a HUGE Sub For Santa fundraiser and they raised $12,000!

     Sis Chiang and I were half joking, half serious about meeting a Chinese student to teach because they wont go home for Christmas. A Chinese student came in, I quickly introduced myself and got to know him and got his info. He was so sweet. After he left, we waited for the door to close and we hugged. I said, "Sister. A Chinese student." There were tears in her eyes. We knew it was an answer to our prayers.

     We had Missionary Leadership Council this week where we all get together and discuss concerns of the missionaries and the mission. We discussed the 2016 baptismal goal and what we can do to reach it. We also discussed setting a 2017 baptismal goal. It is really beautiful to see how the Spirit guides our discussions. President Frandsen is so inspired and I am so blessed to have him as a mission President. He loves the work, the Lord, and his missionaries.

      I LOVE Sister Chiang. We work so well together. I am so so lucky to serve with her here. We are always talking, whenever we get the chance. We don't even have music in our car, we just chat!! About everything under the sun. We work hard but have fun. We laugh and cry. We share personal experiences and help each other grow. We are so happy and seeing so many miracles. I love her. We were in ward council and the bishop asked us if we ever had a disagreement. We just looked at each other and said, "no not really." Hahaha we were all laughing and they said, "yeah we can tell!"
     There was a scary fire in Oakland and they are still counting, but so far 34 people have died!! We drove down to get groceries and there were cop cars and news reporters and flowers and groups of people crying. It was horrible!! We rolled down our window to ask what happened and someone yelled at us, "DON'T YOU WATCH THE NEWS?!" Well actually, we dont because we aren't allowed to.

     Well, I love this quote about Lighting the World this Christmas season!

"Since a new star first appeared above Bethlehem, Christmas has been a season of light, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Together, we can celebrate His birth by making the world and brighter place. All we have to do is follow Him - His life, His example, and His teachings. In doing so, we can help Light the World."
&

"When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight that yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom in which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated." 

President Lorenzo Snow

Merry Christmas!
:)

LOVE!

Sister Brinton

Cal Bear

Sis Shkapicks reaction to Daniels lesson

Scrooge

The Visitor Center

Bee (member) ad David (Investigator) lesson outside

Exchanges with sister Shkapick

Hispanic Parade around Lake Merritt

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