Brooke Gertsch Mission Update - Fall has arrived in Hungary!!

Brooke’s Contact info:  brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

Week of 9/19 - 9/25

Fall has finally arrived and I am happy as can be! No More Sweating!!!  This is my favorite weather and I just feel like being outside all day, instead of taking 5 showers or sitting gin the fridge, haha!  So we survived the summer, officially!

This week we met with one of my favorite members in the branch, Rózi néni.  She is seriously one of the sweetest people I have ever met and has the strongest testimony.  She is such an example to me of what a great missionary is.  She is always helping the missionaries and sharing the gospel with others.  If I can become half the missionary she is, I will be happy.  

My companion and I are working harder on talking to everyone!  My uncle sent me a very impactful email last week that really helped me to see things in a different light.  It was full of some really great reminders:

- “If you want to be a good missionary, you have to do what good missionaries do.  It’s that simple.”

-  “You have to approach missionary work understanding that the Lord’s sheep hear his voice”

- “Expect miracles… He will blow your mind.”

So thank you Uncle Aaron for the reminders.  I have the greatest support system that I get to call FAMILY and words of advice and motivation come at the perfect time!

The Sister Training Leaders came to Duna for splits and it was so much fun to be training and to have my trainer there, too.  It was like a 3-generation little party.  Going on splits with them is always so beneficial because they are so talented and skilled and I always end splits with them ready to go out and try new things!

Another really cool thing I have been experiencing has actually been during personal study.  After being out here for over 9 months, a lot of things just become routine.  In the morning I would say a quick prayer and then read the Book of Mormon.   It was always good because, of course, it’s the Book of Mormon.  But this week, my prayers became a lot more real and sincere and I asked Heavenly Father to help me get more out of my personal reading and study time.  Without a doubt, every morning since I have made that change, I read verses that I really needed to read and feel the Spirit so much stronger.  It’s such a great way to start off the morning.  

Out here on the mission, I have heard a saying and I’m not sure who said it, but it is so true!  It’s something like… “when we want to talk with Heavenly Father, we pray to Him.  But when He wants to talk with us, He speaks through the scriptures.”  So it is so important that we really focus and open our hearts while reading them so we can fully receive what it is He is trying to tell us, because He ALWAYS wants to talk to us!  

So that was my little spiritual thought for the week, haha!

I love you all so very much!  You are always in my thoughts and prayers.  Stay safe and happy!

Sok Szeretettel,

Gertsch Nővér

Brooke Gertsch Mission Update - SECOND CHANCES

Brooke’s contact info - brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

September 19, 2016

THIS WEEK - where to begin!  After several weeks of having my faith tried, we began to find people to teach.  I have such a testimony that when we push through the hard times and continue with faith, that we will be blessed and rewarded.  There was a surprise mini-transfer this week and Brantley Nővér was moved to another city!  It was very hard and sad to see her leave, but I know that I will be seeing her again very soon and she is going to do great in her new city!  So much love for her.  There always has to be change or else we wouldn’t grow!  So now I am on my own training, but it has already been a positive thing.

^^saying good bye to Brantley Nővér

On Tuesday, we were tracting a 10-story building and we got to the LAST level and the LAST door and Gábor answered the door.  He let us share our message and took a Book of Mormon.  Turns out the missionaries had knocked on his door in the past, and he just did not understand what they wanted and he did not have a lot of time then.  So we were his second chance!  WE are going to start meeting with him so I am extremely excited to see where it goes.  

The next day while tracting, a sweet Néni named Julianna let us in.  She had ALSO met with the missionaries back in the 90’s and had the old version of the Book of Mormon translated into Hungarian so we were able to give her the new and improved (a better translation into Hungarian) version. 

With a miracle each day,  I have gotten back into the habit of leaving the apartment each morning expecting a miracle.  Having the hope and faith that if I go out, willing to talk to everyone and anyone, that Heavenly Father is going to put people in my path.  Not only were the people we found given a second chance to hear the gospel, but I feel like I was too.  I feel myself refocused and re-energized and it was very much-needed reminder of what I am doing here and why.  

^^ making lots of friends in Hungary!

ANOTHER growing experience was on Sunday evening.  After dinner, we went out on the streets to talk to some people.  We ended up talking to this guy sitting on a bench  As soon as we started talking, he could tell we were Americans so he started speaking english.  I have to admit - talking to people about the gospel in english is such an interesting experience now for me!  Anyway, so I asked about his religious beliefs and he went on to tell us that he thinks that the commandments are rules that help people to live in harmony but nothing more.  That there is no one person that could have created every single thing.  “God is impossible”, he said.  He continued to tell us how he respects Jesus Christ and that he was a good man, but just a man.  And no matter how many times we would try to share what we believed and our testimonies, he basically just told us we were wrong.  But through it all, I have to say that I am so thankful to have met that Atheist man.  Although I know that I probably did not change his views or opinions, that experience strengthened MY testimony immensely.  When he said that Christ was “just a man” - I wanted to go climb a mountain and let everyone know the truth - that Christ is our Savior and the Son of God.  When he talked about no life after death, I felt so sad for him.  All of the knowledge that I am gaining here on my mission has made me the happiest I have ever been.  And I would be so lost with out it.  

^^ Hooper Nővér and I both love Chocolate Milk!!

Free agency is one of the hardest things for me to accept since being here on a mission.  But it is such an example of how much God loves us and it’s so much that He has given us that opportunity to choose for ourselves.  And I am going to keep doing my best to share with people how much Heavenly Father loves them!

^^ Watching a lightning storm! 

I hope all is well!  I am thinking about and praying for you always!

Sok szeretettel, 

Gertsch Nővér

Gotta figure this whole patience thing out!

Brooke’s contact info - brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

These past few weeks I have learned a whole lot about myself, with the work feeling almost non-existent.  I feel that I have become such a different person and I can’t say that I like it too much!  It is just so easy to get down and negative and distracted. Having patience with others and their free agency is a daily lesson I have to learn.  But something I have noticed is that, as a missionary, I am able to recognize my weaknesses earlier on and am given strength to make a change.  So, thats kind of what I spent this week doing.  And it was small, little changes that are making all the difference.  Sometimes it is laughing a little more or saying some extra prayers.  NO COMPLAINING has been a big one for me and when I don’t actually say something that is bothering me, it’s so much easier to be more positive. 

Lunch in Budapest with the Sister Training Leaders at the Home of the Mission President and his wife.  

 On that note - a few highlights from this week!

• I have been really sick the past few weeks.  This week I got a blessing and was healed within 24 hours.  The church is true!  I think I ate a total of 200 cough drops, haha!

• WE had to go to Székesfehérvar (another city) to get Hooper Novér’s residency card and it was super pretty and I just love this country!

• watching my new missionary growing and progressing is such an amazing feeling.  It’s like I am a proud momma! she impresses me every day.  

• The Kápolnásiék family!!!  They are basically my family here in Hungary.  We went over to their house for lunch and, as you can see from the picture, they are so much fun.  Joking around and just spending time with them reminds me of my family.  I love it so much.  I love them so much!

I really love where I am right now in life.  Although hard times continue to come, I am learning and growing so much and wouldn’t change anything.  I have such faith and hope that there is someone out there that I can help.  Just gotta figure out the whole patience thing… haha!!!

Have a great week!

Sok szeretettel,

Gertsch Novér

Brooke says she has found her future home (pic below)

Brooke Gertsch Mission Update!

I feel like I am so lame for last week's letter and now this week's as well! But it has been an interesting one. Here's what happened:

JUST TRYIN TO BREATHE!

My cold turned into a sinus infection! And then a couple days later my cough turned into bronchitis haha. So I have been doing a whole lot of sleeping and eating soup and some more sleeping. I have been blessed with two amazing nurses that make me feel better  and have been serving me every day. Blessed with the best. I will admit it has been a pretty hard week because I have hated staying inside all day and feel like I am wasting time by resting! I guess I need to reread my email from last week about not running faster than you have the strength! Overall, being sick has made me realize a couple of pretty important things: 

-I should have payed attention to what medicine my mom used to give me so I would know which one is best haha. Oh and I have the greatest mom ever and will never take her for granted ever. Being sick away from her has been a real "adult" experience for me!!! 

-How much I really love missionary work. We still try to go out and tract if i am able to, but I have no voice so I just have to stand there and smile. Throwback to my first transfer, let me tell you!!! I have never wanted to go out and talk to everybody more in my mission. This has been a huge step in my mission and I think I needed this little bump in the road to really appreciate what I am doing here! Can't wait to get back out there. 

BUDAPEST!!

This week I needed a hug and got so many from SO many of my favorite people!!! We had new missionary training in Budapest and then came back on Sunday, and we got to watch the rededication of the Freiberg Temple in Germany! Such an amazing experience and had a reunion with lots of friends, both missionaries and some members from Szeged! 

"Andi from Szeged - I may or may not have cried when she hugged me...."

Best Friends from the MTC!

Adams Nővér

I wish I had a scripture or some spiritual thought to end this letter, but I will leave a little testimony because those are always good. I know for a fact that there are going to be hard times that we will have to face in life. I have felt and continue to feel homesick, actual physical sickness, face hard rejection, and am really just trying to figure out what this crazy thing we call life is even about. I would not be where I am today if it werent for the confidence and knowledge I have that I have a Heavenly Father that knows me, personally, better than I know myself. And that goes for every one of His children. He wants us to be the absolute happiest in life, because He loves us, and has given us so many tools and opportunities to be just that. As hard times come, because they always will, it is so important to hold on to our faith in Christ and His living atonement and there is no need to fear. We are not alone! Even when you are up all night coughing :) Never alone. 

I love you all SO much and appreciate all the love and support you constantly give me! 

Sending you all my love, 

Gertsch Nővér

I had a super busy week last week and never got last week’s email out!  There was a bad storm in Duna where Brooke is last week so I did not receive her email till Wednesday.  I just decided to send both week’s emails together!  - Chris (Brooke’s mom) 

Brooke’s email - brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

AUGUST 29th, 2016 

 FIRST WEEK OF TRANSFER #4!!  

Crazy!  I cannot believe I am on my fourth transfer!  As I said last week, my companion and I were given the opportunity to co-train here in Duna!  So on Wednesday we made our way up to Budapest and we were given our new missionary!  And we scored BIG TIME!  Hooper Nővér is so adorable and sweet and we all just clicked right away.  I will admit I was a little nervous to train because I felt like I didn’t know the language well enough.  But after one week, I feel a lot more comfortable and confident am really excited to improve more and more!  I think that I am the one who is getting the training because ever since we got Hooper Nővér, her “greenie fire” (“greenie” is a nickname for a brand new missionary) has rubbed off of bus!  We worked last transfer, but not this hard.  And it’s only been a week!  She is so positive and such a hard worker and has been a breath of fresh air for me.  

^^Brooke and her companions Brantley Nővér and Hooper Nővér

This week we talked to so many people.  And definitely did some creative finding!  On Saturday, it was a holiday here in Hungary, so nobody could meet so we had an entire day empty.  So we decided to tract on of the daunting 10-story apartment buildings with a whole bunch of apartments.  A lot of people were upset that we interrupted their day off, which was totally understandable.  The best part, though, was when we would brush off the harsh rejection and keep on going - that was when we found people.  One person let us in and we were able to talk about the Book of Mormon and the importance of families.  We also came across some very kind people. 

^^Erzsiber, a woman in the Branch in Duna.  I have so much love for this woman!

Each day, my testimony just continues to grow and grow when it comes to faith.  Only AFTER the trial of our faith are we able to see miracles that help to strengthen it.  As hard as it may sometimes be, it is most definitely worth it.  

^^ COOL STORY! so yesterday we were on the train going to budapest for zone training and this woman stops by us and is so excited to see the sisters. she is a member from a different city, Érd. So i ask if she would like to sit with us and then her and i get going and talk about a lot of stuff and before i knew it, the train ride was over and it had been an hour long conversation. i am nowhere near beginning to master the language, but i have come so far and would not be where I am today without the help of the Lord. The gift of tongues is a thing. And i love my people here in Hungary. 

Another story with finding this week, was actually with my ukulele!  President Szabadkai had challenged me to go out and play it and use it to help find people.  It took me a little while to gather up the courage.  This week we went to visit that one member I have talked about who is in the hospital.  So I brought my ukulele and ended up playing for a room full of old ladies.  Since I was able to do that, I figured I was ready to play for the world!  It was weird starting off.  We sat on a bench in the city center and I started playing hymns and singing them in Hungarian.  It was actually really entertaining to see who noticed us.  When people would slow down and look over, my companions would run over to them, with a Book of Mormon in hand.  We handed out quite a few books from our little experiment and the best was when we met Zsuszi.  She is a younger mom with two little kids and her little 5 year old daughter came running up to me and sat down and listened to a song.  Then after it was done, I handed the Ukulele to her and let her play for a little.  By then, my companions had started talking with Zsuzsi and she was so open and took a Book of Mormon!  Something felt so right with this family and I am so excited to see where things of with them!  

This week has been full of so many miracles and I look back and feel such appreciation for this opportunity I have to serve the people here.  And to able to serve with the people I am serving with.  

I AM THE LUCKIEST!

I ALWAYS SAY IT, BUT I ALWAYS MEAN IT!

I REALLY AM

I love these people so much and can’t imagine being anywhere else. 

^^Stormy day in Duna! 

Tele vagyok szeretettel (I am full of love)

Szeretlek Titeket (I love you all)

Gertsch Nővér

AUGUST 24TH, 2016

^^Our friend Viktor in the branch got his mission call this week, to SCOTLAND IRELAND! so happy for him!!! 

Because we emailed so late last week, not too much happened since! It has actually been a rougher ending to the week.  EVERY SINGLE lesson we had set up was cancelled.  A couple of our investigators are not progressing and we havent been able to meet with others.  Although it was a hard week, we were ready to find!  And then all of a sudden, we got sick!  Being sick as a missionary is probably one of the hardest things ever!  As we sat in our apartment, I felt so guilty that I was spending my time inside, instead of out helping and finding others to teach.  But during one of my studies, I found a helpful scripture.  It was in Mosiah 4:27 and it said:

“And see that all these things are done in order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.  And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order”

After reading that, I felt comforted.  I am a human and being and getting sick just sometimes happens.  So it was real humbling realizing that and not getting so upset.  I think the most important part about this scripture, is that - even on top of not running faster than you have strength - is how much it focuses on diligence as well.  Laying in bed all day doesn’t make me think of diligence, but if I do all I can to get better as soon as possible and start moving when I can it will all be good again!  

Sorry this week was uneventful, but today is a new day!  This week is going to be a new week!  I have faith that it will be full of little miracles and I can’t wait to see what they are!

Sending all my love!

Sok szeretettel, 

Gertsch Nővér

4th Transfers? Here already?! Brooke Gertsch Update

4th TRANSFER? HERE ALREADY?!  

HELLO! HELLO! HELLO! 

This has felt like the longest week of my life! Not just because P-day is a day late, but because TRANSFERS ARE TOMORROW!  But before I get to that, I will just give a little rundown of this week!

^ Breakfast with our good friends, Linda and Zoltan

^ Zsofi is one of our investigators.  We love her!

We had a lot of fun.  We ordered pizza for the first time, met with so many amazing people and my companion and I just were having the hardest time trying to emotionally prepare ourselves for when we would have to get split up.  It was quite a rough week.  BUT I am so lucky to have such amazing people keeping me so strong.  Whether it be my friends here in the mission, or support from back home, every time I would freak out about transfers, I always calmed down and reassured myself that everything was going to be okay.  And that everything is going to happen for a reason.  One of the biggest lessons I have already learned (well, I am continuing to learn) on my mission is to TRUST GOD.  He knows what He is doing.  And he knows each and every one of us, down to the smallest detail.  I think everyone knows this about me already, but I hate change.  I hate the unknown.  It drives me crazy and it is so scary to me. So I have had lots of moments where I just have to take a stop back, take a deep breath, and let my fear go.  LOTS of moments.  

But after we got our call this morning, I felt nothing but peace and could feel Heavenly Father saying, “See, I told you so!  I know you.  No need to fear.”  

^ Walking home from church on a beautiful sunny day!

Which brings me to my transfer call!  The call is… that I will be staying in Duna (Dunaújváros) another transfer! With my companion, Brantley Nővér!  The best part is….That we were both called to be Trainers and we are going to be training a new missionary… together!!    We will travel to Budapest tomorrow to go meet and pick up our new companion who just arrived from the MTC!!  

We are so happy. So pumped and excited for this next transfer. So many prayers were answered and I trust Heavenly Father and President Szabadkai and I am going to try my best to make them proud and work as hard as I can!  Eeeek!!!  I get to be a “mom” here in the mission and cannot tell you enough how excited I am!!!

^ Fun map we found while tracting!

Much more to come next week!

Sok Szeretettel,

Gertsch Nővér

Brooke Gertsch Update - Recognize the little moments!

Brooke’s email: brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

Last week, as I was talking (emailing) with my little sister, Courtney, we both challenged each other to recognize the little moments each day that made us happy.  At the beginning of my mission, I used to be really good at keeping track of them, but then I got lazy and stopped. But thanks to our challenge, I have so many moments, although they may be little, that I can remember and be happy all over again!  Also made it so easy to write home this week!  Each day there was something.

MONDAY (HÉTFŐ) - 

My district worked super hard to meet President Szabadkai’s challenge and we got it!  So as a reward, him and his wife took us out to dinner and a movie in Budapest!  I had never seen a movie in Hungarian, but I’m glad my first movie was “Finding Dory”! It was so cute and it was really cool to be able to understand most of it!

TUESDAY (KEDD) -

We had interviews with President!  They were for next transfer, which is coming up NEXT WEEK!  So crazy.  They went so well and I love our mission president so much.  We have the best one out there!  After meeting with him, I felt so much motivation to go out and work even harder.  And what I’ve been noticing, is when I go out with that motivation, expecting to find someone, we always do.  And today was the day that we found Zoltan!  As we were tracting, and talking to the people over the intercom, he was leaving to go to the market.  He was so kind to ask if we wanted to go inside the building and was holding the door open for us. As we explained that we were missionaries, he asked if we spoke English (then things got ten times easier, haha).  He turned out to have met the missionaries at English class a long time ago.  And then he started to talk about how much he appreciates us. Took me by surprise and almost got me crying!  As we sit there day after day talking to people through this intercom, or even knocking on their doors, and not having anyone interested it can easily get me down.  But Zoltan said so many things that reminded me of why I am here and I will forever be thankful for that.  He seemed so ready to hear our entire message, but he actually doesn’t even live in Duna! So that was a bummer.  

But I gave him a Book of Mormon and our testimonies attached and I have a feeling he might do something with it!  

I also have found that I am addicted to giving out Book of Mormons.  It has always been so hard for me, because I am scared of the possible rejection that comes with it, but if someone accepts one or wants one, it is the best feeling to hand over my favorite book and just want to give them a huge hug as well!  I was extremely happy that day!

WEDNESDAY (SZERDA) -

Not too much happened today!  But I did attempt to make Rakott Krumpti, which is a traditional Hungarian dish and it TOTALLY WORKED OUT!  Can’t wait to show everyone when I get back!  Working on those wife skills, ya know!

“RAKOTT KRUMPLI (layered potatoes)” Brooke explained to me that this is the same dish that the Horrocks, a couple from our ward that the husband served his mission in Hungary, brought to her farewell open house and it is now one of her favorite Hungarian dishes!! 

THURSDAY (CSÜTÖRTÖK) - 

There is a woman in the branch that had surgery this week, so we visited her and brought her this funny looking teddy bear/dog from a little store and when we walked in, she started bawling and grabbed it and held it like a baby the entire time we were there.  It was adorable!

"The view from the woman’s hospital room that we visited.  Who is in the most beautiful country right now? ME!”

FRIDAY (PÉNTEK) - 

Our friends from English class, Linda and Zoltan (a different guy then I was talking about before!) invited us to a barbecue! But on the way, they stopped by some sunflowers because they knew how much I wanted to see them. Unfortunately, they were pretty much dead.  But we took pictures and it was so sweet of them to think of me!  I felt so loved!

SATURDAY (SZOMBAT) - 

Today was “death day” where we could only speak Hungarian.  It was actually a whole lot of fun! It really shows how much you actually know.  We had another little miracle while tracting.  We had one last csengő, or doorbell to ring and when no one answered, we went to leave.  But just as we went to do that, this little néni comes shuffling out of her apartment and lets us in.  Her name is Margít.  And as we got talking with her, she could tell that we were not Hungarian  so when we told her we were Americans, she threw her hand up, totally shocked and almost fell completely backwards!  Good thing I worked at a senior assisted living center before and my quick reflexes kicked in!  Haha, she was so sweet and was so patient with us and our speaking abilities and we had such a nice conversation about God and our purpose here on earth. Margít told us she was Catholic but she took a Book of Mormon. Margít was definitely the highlight that evening.

“Our Elders, Robers Elder & Jensen Elder that use a Personal Progress book as their tracting book… haha” 

SUNDAY (VASÁRNAP) - 

Fast and Testimony meetings always make me feel just so blessed to be here with these people.  They have the strongest testimonies and inspire me to be a better person.  Getting to look into their eyes and hear their stories and feel the power of The Spirit is like nothing I have ever experienced before.  

Sorry, I just started rambling and i couldn’t stop!  I just have learned so quickly that if we don’t get caught up up in the distractions all around us, and try our best to focus on the little moments, we can be so happy and our view on life can be so much clearer and I honestly believe that we are happier because Heavenly Father is please that we are recognizing His hand in our lives.  

“I found this note in my journal and it made me smile!  Momma, we have come so far!!! I am so proud of us!!!  We can most definitely do hard things!”

Have a happy week! I love you!  Szeretlek!

THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!

Sok szeretettel,

Gertsch Nővér