Today is Sunday, October 18, 2020
Another banner week here in the Canada Montreal Mission!!
Thanksgiving Day, we held our regular meetings at the office, all the while being so very grateful for so much, and although we could not host a yummy feast, we so enjoyed a spiritual feast as we interacted with our Office missionaries. Their service is stellar, and we so appreciate their cheerful diligence. We are continually inspired by their willingness and second mile efforts! So many missionaries contribute to this great work, and their every effort is needed. Our three Senior Sisters - Sister Breckenridge, Sister Little and Sister Mecham, who miraculously were able to stay amidst the massive exodus back in March have cheerfully gone ‘where no seniors have gone before,’ taking care of physical, emotional, and mental needs; vehicles, and service opportunities; as well as taking care of referrals, materials, ordering and all our Zone orders. Hats off to those dear friends. And hats off also to Elder Nipko who runs the front desk, and juggles about a dozen balls all at the same time, and his companion Elder Alley who pays all the bills and keeps our books in the black. Housing Elders Pinkney and Baird, keep track of all our apartments - occupied and vacant of which we still have around thirty! At zone conferences they always give timely cleaning tips about things like: how to get rid of ants….or black mold, or grease on the top of a refrigerator!! We keep remembering that our young adult missionaries are just six or seven years out of Primary, and many still need a few tutorials on keeping apartments, and vehicles clean!!
In person Mount Royal Zone Conference was just great, and we so loved being together teaching, and testifying of the gospel. Always we come away after interacting with these stalwart missionaries, having learned more, and, always resolving to do and to be better!!
Mission Leadership Counsel on Thursday was memorable and I’m excited to share part of the awesome discussion we had!! Richard prefaced our discussion by talking about the many things we have learned the past almost eight months. On the large whiteboard he had me horizontally print the bold letters COVID; and for about 20 minutes we brainstormed to find words describing what we have learned, and attributes we have been developing…Read on!!
C Christlike, consecrated, covenant keeper, committed, compassionate, courageous, concentrated, creative, charitable, Christian, calm, celestial, changing, choices, calling CARRY ON!!
O Optimistic, open-minded, ONE, organized, over-whelmed, OBEDIENT, observant, orderly.
V VALIANT, VIRTUOUS, vigilant, victorious, varied, vast, volunteers, vitality, VIDEO CALLS!!
I Invested, innovative, integral, interested, improving, intuitive, intelligent, INSPIRED, imaginative, intense, immovable, intent, influential
D Devoted Disciple, dedicated, determined, disciplined, dependable, dynamic, diligent, dignified, decision-maker, dutiful
We were thrilled with their inspired brainstorming, and so impressed with the positive spin we were able to create on this crazy pandemic!! Glass half full principle!! Such an inspired, and inspiring group of missionaries, and oh how we love ALL of them!! Isn't that a better way to look and think about our own COVID take-home?
Friday we enjoyed a gorgeous drive up to Drummondville to conduct our Longueuil Zone interviews. As we finished the visiting marathon, we both commented on what a great Zone, such focused missionaries with pure intent, and inspiring stories.
Such a thrill to be their friends.
Our spectacular autumn continues to linger… and….we are convinced it is because who knows when, and if, we will ever get to experience another eastern Canadian fall?! So the breathtaking vistas continue to impress!! Again this week the orange, green and yellow leaves, with occasional red have taken our breaths away!! Cool, crisp days, slight breezes, with festive pumpkin, and potted mum-embellished porches are all part of the recipe for a perfect autumn day in the Canada Montreal Mission!! And yesterday we added a 21 kilometre bike ride through the narrow Montreal streets, to our recipe; where we could appreciate the sights, sounds and smells of this charming city!! Our ride took us through so many fun neighbourhoods, where dozens of families were also enjoying the perfect day - cycling, walking, playing soccer, motorboating, gardening, and just being together! Arriving at our destination - the ‘Riviere des Prairie,’ an arm of the St. Lawrence, we found a park bench with a ‘view’….and enjoyed a fun picnic lunch!! Such a totally perfect autumn Pday!!
And today goes down in our personal history books as one of our busiest Sabbath Days….at least on ZOOM!!!
8am Richard Ottawa Stake Correlation
9am Dartmouth Nova Scotia Stake Conference - we spoke
10am Ottawa Stake Conference
Missionary Homecoming talk
Missionary Homecoming talk
Baptism for Vanessa where probably a dozen former CMM missionaries were in attendance to witness this exciting Baptism!!! SO fun to see them!!
Richard Presidency Meeting
9pm Mission Devotional with President and Sister Gallant
When we overlapped Stake Conferences, it was quite the sight having both Richard’s laptop, and iPad all connected!! Who knew you could zoom into, and participate in so many wonderful meetings where, despite the distance, and the little glitches, the Spirit distilled into all of our hearts?! Truly remarkable!!
Which is a perfect way to describe this mission experience….TRULY REMARKABLE!! Almost every day I thank Richard for bringing me here! We haven’t tired of any of our experiences, and we haven’t tired of each other…in fact we are more in love! What a privilege to serve, and grow together.
Have a wonderful week! Thank you for your love and prayers. We send them right back!
with much love
Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Richard and Gayle
Keep Smiling CTR Look at the View
October 18, 2020 Canada Montreal Mission Miracles
Fredericton Sisters:
« We finally got in contact with Albert! Wow it is actually a crazy story but let's just say God's timing is a REAL thing!!! We were out giving cookies to members one night and we stopped at Albert's but his house was all dark so we didn't want to waste time going up if he wasn't home. So we messaged people back outside of his house and called a few people if we could come drop off cookies but no one was answering. Well we were about to leave but then all the sudden his lights came on and there he was! We went up and got to talk with him and set up a lesson. During the lesson he told us that he fell off the Earth because he felt like he was getting involved way too fast so he needed to take a few steps back. So we are currently taking it slow with him and we have another lesson set up with him. He is still amazing like always and I'm happy that we finally got in contact with him! Hopefully we can get him back to coming but it will be a few weeks!
Also, our old friend Jerry is getting baptized!!! Sister Hoag and I found him and then Sister Call and her were teaching him but then right before I came back he ended up moving to Saskatchewan. We have been working with the Elders a little and this week they put him on date for baptism and he is getting baptized in 2 weeks!! Oh my I am so excited for him! I remembered when I was here the first time we tried putting him on date and he didn't say yes or no but I just had a feeling that it was the right thing and that he would be baptized one day!! Well it is now here! So talking about that, we are wondering if we can zoom into the baptism and be there for him? I'm really pumped! «
Hochelaga Central Elders:
« I have a little miracle to share as well! I bumped into a friend of mine from high school 2 weeks ago. She asked what I was doing here, and I explained that I was serving a mission here. I later asked her if she would be willing to hear a message from some missionaries. And she said yes! We are now in the process of seeing when she is available to have her lesson! Out of the million people who live in Montreal, I bumped into to my fteidn from back home in London, Ontario! That is my little miracle I would like to share. »
Cornerbrook Elders:
« Cool little miracle we came across a lady named Gabrielle Pham on facebook and messaged back and forth a few times and I was actually speaking on Sunday and we invited her to zoom in and watch and she did so that was really awesome! «
Cole Harbour Nova Scotia Sisters:
« Okay so I have a couple miracles that you can share with Sister Low if you'd like. The first miracle is about our friend Wanda. We have lessons on her steps because technology isn't always our friend. We had one of our members named Shawna Kearley zoom in to join us and it was so amazing. They really connected and their stories were similar and could really relate. Also since we were outside the wind was blowing like crazy and Wanda and Sister Kearley were both pretty quiet. Sister Pedersen could sometimes barely hear then but they could hear and understand each other. I just know that the spirit was present for that lesson and was able to carry it all. So good! Also we had invited her to watch Caleb's baptism. She had called us around 5:15 and said she couldn't get it to work. We were on the phone with her on her landline had zoom open on out phone and she was trying to work zoom on her tablet. She was having trouble working the sound and camera but SHE GOT IT!! She was able to watch the baptism and loved it. It made us so so happy. Another miracle is one of our members had told us one of his friends wanted a copy of the book of Mormon. We dropped one off to him and arranged a time to meet with him over videocall. We called him on Sunday and he shared with us why he was interested. He said that he had a dream where he was talking with one of his favorite speakers Ben Shapiro. He said he was asking him for advice and wasn't sure what his purpose was. He said that Ben Shapiro asked him this: "Have you ever read the Bible" he said "No" and then Ben Shapiro said: " Read it. Doesn't matter what kind". Then he woke up in the morning and he normally doesn't go on his phone but this time he did and the first thing he saw in Facebook market place was a Book Of Mormon. STRAIGHT MIRACLE!!! He also just has the coolest outlook on life and is just awesome!! »
Greenwood Elders:
« We had an amazing miracle and opportunity this week that I'd love for you to share with Sister Low. Because we've always had both at Thanksgiving, Elder Comin and I bought two smaller pies; one pumpkin and one apple. We had the impression to call one of the returning members that we are teaching, who is really going through a time of feeling without God's love. After talking for a while we found out that she's spending Thanksgiving alone. We looked at our schedule and found just enough time to go over chat with her, get a small tour of her farm she's running and give a pie to her. Even though we wish we could've done more, I believe God magnified our efforts and our love so that she felt the love of God and Christ for her on Thanksgiving. Through giving and sharing with true charity, that Thanksgiving we felt more grateful than anything. Love spiritual promptings! »
Laval Elders:
« We had a miracle happen this week. We were going to Facebook knock but we didn't have a ton of time. And the two people that Elder McCrea messaged were interested. And we have had 2 lessons with with one of them and we brought a member and we brought one of the members and they got along super well. We have been blessed. Really I'm just amazed about how many referrals and things we receive. Really super blessed. «
Zarahemla Elders:
« Later that week we went to drop off a bible. We went at like 7 its was already dark and we just wanted to give the bible and go home because it was a little sketchy. We texted him because he didn't give us his apartment number and hasn't answered us still. So there was 8 numbers. I pressed 4,5, and 7. Non answered. So I suggest that we'd pray about it. Elder Rodriguez did the prayer and the number 1 came to mind. We ended the prayer and Elder Rodriguez said 2. So I pressed it and nothing. So I said I think it might be 1. I pressed it and a man came out and buzzed the door open. We said oh sorry we're looking for Luis. He looked at us funny and told us no Luis lived here. So we were like huh okay. We told him we were giving him a bible, and offered is he wanted one and he accepted. On Friday we went back with a french bible and told him about the Book of Mormon. Before he took it he asked what church we assisted and he kept reading our name tags. Explain what it talked about in the Book of Mormon and he accepted it. Gave him our numbers, but we should've given him the Montreal East Elders since he spoke French. Hopefully he calls soon! »
Sackville Nova Scotia Elders:
« Our continuing miracle please share with soeur Low,
our friend Tony Yu who was found through talking to him just on Messenger last week, he came to the Chapel and we met him there and gave him a chapel tour, luckily bishop of the Halifax ward and Brother Smith was there, so they greeted him and introduced themselves to him! So grateful for our members! Then after a short tour we sat down in the Chapel, taught him the restoration and how to pray! He really enjoyed it all! And he is so ready to learn more! He asked us really good questions! He is so cool! Then we schedule our next meeting on Sunday and invited him to watch Stake Conference! And he said yes! And last night when we followed up with him, he said he read the pamphlet we gave him! And he will try to pray every night!
Ah, he is so awesome! Can't wait for him to grow in this amazing gospel! »
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