Hey favorites!

     

      I took some time during personal study this past week to read the accounts of Jesus sufferings in the garden of gethsemane. Given the pretty difficult time I’ve been having, I hoped to find some comfort in these passages...and comfort I found.

     Luke 22 41-44 was particularly touching.

     Before performing the atonement, Christ asked for an out. He asked for heavenly father to take away the burden he was about to experience. God didn’t give him an out. He didn’t take away the trial. He did, however, send „an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening Him“.

I know heavenly father has been doing the same for me these past couple weeks. I know he’s been sending angels to help and uplift me...and this past week, he sent me one on THIS SIDE of the veil!! Sister Gardner. Oh my goodness. She came to Coburg for a split with me (led my first exchange! Ahh!) And it was just what I needed. Sister Gardner has been dealing with a lot of the same feelings/ emotions that I’m struggling with. One of the hardest parts about being out here is never having anyone to talk to. It’s a blessing, because I have definitely learned to rely on/ communicate more with the Lord, but it‘s also been a huge challenge...so it was nice to have sister Gardner around!!

     Okay. Wonderful story time. On our split, we planned on handing out fliers for our ward Christmas party in a complex that houses people from other countries...but when we got to sister Haase‘s house (who wanted to drive us over there/ help pass them out) she asked if we could drop one by a family that she’s super tight with first AND HOLY COW IT WAS AMAZING. I don’t even know where to begin.

     Umm...the family. Let’s start there. THEY ROCK. The parents are from Syria, but they’ve lived here in Germany for 15 years or so. They have three kids...one of which is a 3 year old son...I may or may not have spent 10 minutes on the ground playing cars with him...and it may or may not have been the highlight of my day. Anyway, they’re Muslim and absolutely 100% the sweetest people I’ve ever met in my entire life. They kept feeding us all this super delicious Middle Eastern food, so that just added to the whole experience.

     Next...sister Haase. SHE ROCKS TOO. Seriously, best missionary ever award goes to her. After inviting them to the Christmas party, she proceeded to invite them to Geminda Essen (which we have the 3rd Sunday of every month)...And then straight up invited them to join us at church every Sunday and said she‘d give them rides! LIKE OKAY THANK YOU SISTER HASSE FOR BEING THE MOST GLORIOUS CREATURE ON PLANET EARTH I FREAKING LOVE YOU SO MUCH

     And finally, the dad! When we were about to leave, we asked him if he knew anyone else that we could invite to the Christmas party and he took A WHOLE STACK of fliers, counted them, then said „actually, can I take a few more?“ and his wife invited 2 other families, too!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME. Anyway, as we were walking out, he said „We would love to have you sisters over again next week, let me give you our number so we can schedule something “AHHHHHHHHH OHHH MY GOSH IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOMENT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE LIKE I ALMOST PASSED OUT. I still get giddy every time I think about it!!

 

     You know what other bible story has brought me much needed comfort this week? Christ calling His disciples to be fishers of men. In Matthew 4:19, He says „follow me, and I will make you fishers of men “The Lord didn’t say "almighty. Drop your nets, forget about fish and go feed my sheep. READY SET GO." Likewise, he didn’t say "Okay, Sister Terry, drop everything you’re doing, forget about home, boys, school and family and be a missionary and be a perfect one and be one RIGHT NOW. COME ON TIMES A TICKIN YOU ONLY HAVE 18 MONTHS GO GO GO!"

     No.

     He said "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" or in other words..."Brooke Terry, obey my will. Go to Germany, and I will make you a missionary. It'll take some time, I know it will be hard for you to leave your family and friends behind, but be patient. Over time, I will make you a fisher of men. i will turn you into the missionary we both know you can be.‘

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. I am grateful that because of his atoning sacrifice, I’m NEVER alone in anything that I go through.

I am grateful for his support, his patience, and his love.

I am thankful for the angels he sends me, both seen and unseen.

I love y’all so much.

And? I GET TO HEAR YOUR GLORIOUS VOICES IN T-1 MONTH! I CANT WAIT!

Love, Sister Terry. The Fisher of Men in the Making.