Sister Kaylee Brooks: I will always be a disciple of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Last email day at the church. These next few days may be hard!

Happy New Year!!!!

I can't believe another year has come and gone. I feel like 2016 just started. This year has flown by. I have had so many wonderful memories, between areas, companions, people I have met and wonderful spiritual experiences. I wouldn't trade this year for anything. Being on a mission has been the best thing I could have ever done. Being a missionary is the greatest calling in the world.

I was able to go on the Temple trip on Tuesday. Holy cow. I don't even know where to begin and how describe how beautiful and amazing it felt. I have truly missed the temple so much and I can't wait until I am able to go all the time when I am home. All the departing missionaries went. We went and did a session in the temple. Wow, it's absolutely gorgeous. I was in awe the whole time. The spirit that was there is so incredible. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day. Of course I have tons of pictures, so those will be coming your way. After the session, we were able to go around and look at the sealing rooms. Sister Smith took us in one of the sealing rooms and we talked a little. In the words of Sister Smith, "marriage is our next mission." I still feel too young for this haha. But I am excited to go home and to be in the House of the Lord. I really want to go work in the temple... so I'll be trying to do that ASAP.

The group of missionaries that go home this week.
We had so much fun! Great Day!

I found this Philippine Nativity. So cool!

We were able to see Brian and Justin a few times this week. We were teaching them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and talking about how baptism is the first step and gateway to the straight and narrow path. We were done with our lesson and asking them if they had any questions, Brian was all serious and said, "Sisters, I've been praying and I really want to be baptized. What do I need to do and when can I do it?" Completely astonished, we explained to him the process and what he needs to do. We explained that we usually like them to come to church three times before they are baptized. We told him that January 21 is when he could be baptized. So he looked at us and said, "Okay, I'm going to work towards January 21." We asked Justin how he felt about it and he said he would work towards it as well. It is so amazing to see their faith. To see how much they have already grown with us meeting with them the past 3 weeks. We met with them a lot this week! They told us they were coming to church on Sunday. We waited for them and they never came. I was so sad. Announcements started and then the door opened and IN THEY CAME!! It was so awesome. Great way to end my last Sunday! They really see that they need to change and want to become more like Jesus Christ. I am so happy I was able to meet them and be here for some of their journey. Thank goodness we can Skype now, because I can Skype in to some of their lessons when I get home.

I can't and won't be able to say and describe how thankful I am that I have been able to serve a mission. It has been the best thing I could have ever done. I am so thankful for all the wonderful companions, areas, members, investigators and those that I have been able to work with. I have made so many wonderful friendships that I know will last forever. I am so lucky that I was able to preach and testify of our Savior Jesus Christ 24/7, to wear his name on my heart every day, and to be called by a prophet of God to serve those in Virginia. I am going to miss Virginia so much. It is my second home and I couldn't think of any better place that I could have served. I'm sure going to miss it so much. But, going home isn't going to stop me from sharing what I believe with those around me and helping others come unto Christ. I will always be a disciple of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's definitely been an emotional week, and it has just started.

I love you all so much!!!!!!! Thank you for your prayers, letters, emails, packages, and love. I sure felt it. I will see you soon.

Love Sister Kaylee Brooks :)

Breakfast with Garrett.

OUR DISTRICT. . . . . Crazy and fun!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2017
Because of it being New Years Eve we were "grounded" Saturday and had to remain inside starting at 5:30 PM. Sister Wastlund and I popped open some Martinelli's, cleaned a little, and went straight to bed. Missionary work is fun but way exhausting. I'll take all the sleep I can get!